bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JAM-A regulates cortical dynein localization through Cdc42 to control planar spindle orientation during mitosis
Authors: Tuncay Hüseyin , Brinkmann Benjamin F. , Steinbacher Tim , Schürmann Annika , Gerke Volker , Iden Sandra , Ebnet Klaus
Published: August 2015

Planar spindle orientation in polarized epithelial cells depends on the precise localization of the dynein–dynactin motor protein complex at the lateral cortex. The contribution of cell adhesion molecules to the cortical localization of the dynein–dynactin complex is poorly understood. Here we find that junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) regulates the planar orientation of the mitotic spindle during epithelial morphogenesis. During mitosis, JAM-A triggers a transient activation of Cdc42 and PI(3)K, generates a gradient of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the cortex and regulates the formation of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. In the absence of functional JAM-A, dynactin localization at the cortex is reduced, the mitotic spindle apparatus is misaligned and epithelial morphogenesis in three-dimensional culture is compromised. Our findings indicate that a PI(3)K- and cortical F-actin-dependent pathway of planar spindle orientation operates in polarized epithelial cells to regulate epithelial morphogenesis, and we identify JAM-A as a junctional regulator of this pathway.
Combining microscopy with mesoscopy using optical and optoacoustic label-free modes
Authors: Soliman Dominik , Tserevelakis George J. , Omar Murad , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: August 2015

Biology requires observations at multiple geometrical scales, a feature that is not typically offered by a single imaging modality. We developed a hybrid optical system that not only provides different contrast modes but also offers imaging at different geometrical scales, achieving uniquely broad resolution and a 1000-fold volume sampling increase compared to volumes scanned by optical microscopy. The system combines optoacoustic mesoscopy, optoacoustic microscopy and two-photon microscopy, the latter integrating second and third harmonic generation modes. Label-free imaging of a mouse ear and zebrafish larva ex-vivo demonstrates the contrast and scale complementarity provided by the hybrid system. We showcase the superior anatomical orientation offered by the label-free capacity and hybrid operation, over fluorescence microscopy and the dynamic selection between field of view and resolution achieved, leading to new possibilities in biological visualization.
Inhibition of neuraminidase by Ganoderma triterpenoids and implications for neuraminidase inhibitor design
Authors: Zhu Qinchang , Bang Tran Hai , Ohnuki Koichiro , Sawai Takashi , Sawai Ken , Shimizu Kuniyoshi
Published: August 2015

Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors are the dominant antiviral drugs for treating influenza in the clinic. Increasing prevalence of drug resistance makes the discovery of new NA inhibitors a high priority. Thirty-one triterpenoids from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi were analyzed in an in vitro NA inhibition assay, leading to the discovery of ganoderic acid T-Q and TR as two inhibitors of H5N1 and H1N1 NAs. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the corresponding triterpenoid structure is a potential scaffold for the design of NA inhibitors. Using these triterpenoids as probes we found, through further in silico docking and interaction analysis, that interactions with the amino-acid residues Arg292 and/or Glu119 of NA are critical for the inhibition of H5N1 and H1N1. These findings should prove valuable for the design and development of NA inhibitors.
Chemopreventive effects of Strobilanthes crispus leaf extract on azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci in rat colon
Authors: Al-Henhena Nawal , Khalifa Shaden A. M. , Ying Rozaida Poh Yuen , Hassandarvish Pouya , Rouhollahi Elham , Al-Wajeeh Nahla Saeed , Ali Habibah Mohd , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , El-Seedi Hesham R.
Published: August 2015

In this work, microscopic and histological studies suggest that Strobilanthes crispus ethanol extract reduce azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. S. crispus is considered a traditional medicine and used as an antioxidant. Its leaf contains a large amount of phenolic compounds to which its radical scavenging role is attributed and enhance its ability to eradicate oxidative stress reactions. The study was designed to determine the chemopreventive effect of S. crispus ethanol extract in vivo and in vitro by elucidating the effect of the extract on intermediate biomarkers which can be used as effective predictors of colon cancer. S. crispus was analyzed for DPPH free radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) and ferric acid reduction. The results indicated that S. crispus oral administration significantly inhibited colorectal carcinogenesis induced by AOM as revealed by the reduction in the number of ACF. S. crispus down-regulated the expression of PCNA, Bcl2 and β-catenin. Additionally, it exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on MDA and NO levels and stimulatory effect on CAT and GPx activities. These results demonstrate that S. crispus is a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer through the suppression of early and intermediate carcinogenic phases that may be related to its flavonoid content.
Tailoring the Two Dimensional Electron Gas at Polar ABO3/SrTiO3 Interfaces for Oxide Electronics
Authors: Li Changjian , Liu Zhiqi , Lü Weiming , Wang Xiao Renshaw , Annadi Anil , Huang Zhen , Zeng Shengwei , Ariando  , Venkatesan T.
Published: August 2015

The 2D electron gas at the polar/non-polar oxide interface has become an important platform for several novel oxide electronic devices. In this paper, the transport properties of a wide range of polar perovskite oxide ABO3/SrTiO3 (STO) interfaces, where ABO3 includes LaAlO3, PrAlO3, NdAlO3, NdGaO3 and LaGaO3 in both crystalline and amorphous forms, were investigated. A robust 4 unit cell (uc) critical thickness for metal insulator transition was observed for crystalline polar layer/STO interface while the critical thickness for amorphous ones was strongly dependent on the B site atom and its oxygen affinity. For the crystalline interfaces, a sharp transition to the metallic state (i.e. polarization catastrophe induced 2D electron gas only) occurs at a growth temperature of 515 °C which corresponds to a critical relative crystallinity of ~70 ± 10% of the LaAlO3 overlayer. This temperature is generally lower than the metal silicide formation temperature and thus offers a route to integrate oxide heterojunction based devices on silicon.
MSIseq: Software for Assessing Microsatellite Instability from Catalogs of Somatic Mutations
Authors: Ni Huang Mi , McPherson John R. , Cutcutache Ioana , Teh Bin Tean , Tan Patrick , Rozen Steven G.
Published: August 2015

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a form of hypermutation that occurs in some tumors due to defects in cellular DNA mismatch repair. MSI is characterized by frequent somatic mutations (i.e., cancer-specific mutations) that change the length of simple repeats (e.g., AAAAA…., GATAGATAGATA...). Clinical MSI tests evaluate the lengths of a handful of simple repeat sites, while next-generation sequencing can assay many more sites and offers a much more complete view of their somatic mutation frequencies. Using somatic mutation data from the exomes of a 361-tumor training set, we developed classifiers to determine MSI status based on four machine-learning frameworks. All frameworks had high accuracy and after choosing one we determined that it had >98% concordance with clinical tests in a separate 163-tumor test set. Furthermore, this classifier retained high concordance even when classifying tumors based on subsets of whole-exome data. We have released a CRAN R package, MSIseq, based on this classifier. MSIseq is faster and simpler to use than software that requires large files of aligned sequenced reads. MSIseq will be useful for genomic studies in which clinical MSI test results are unavailable and for detecting possible misclassifications by clinical tests.
A distinct three-helix centipede toxin SSD609 inhibits Iks channels by interacting with the KCNE1 auxiliary subunit
Authors: Sun Peibei , Wu Fangming , Wen Ming , Yang Xingwang , Wang Chenyang , Li Yiming , He Shufang , Zhang Longhua , Zhang Yun , Tian Changlin
Published: August 2015

KCNE1 is a single-span transmembrane auxiliary protein that modulates the voltage-gated potassium channel KCNQ1. The KCNQ1/KCNE1 complex in cardiomyocytes exhibited slow activated potassium (Iks) currents. Recently, a novel 47-residue polypeptide toxin SSD609 was purified from Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani venom and showed Iks current inhibition. Here, chemically synthesized SSD609 was shown to exert Iks inhibition in extracted guinea pig cardiomyocytes and KCNQ1/KCNE1 current attenuation in CHO cells. The K+ current attenuation of SSD609 showed decent selectivity among different auxiliary subunits. Solution nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of SSD609 revealed a distinctive three-helix conformation that was stabilized by a new disulfide bonding pattern as well as segregated surface charge distribution. Structure-activity studies demonstrated that negatively charged Glu19 in the amphipathic extracellular helix of KCNE1 was the key residue that interacted with SSD609. The distinctive three-helix centipede toxin SSD609 is known to be the first polypeptide toxin acting on channel auxiliary subunit KCNE1, which suggests a new type of pharmacological regulation for ion channels in cardiomyocytes.
The exosome controls alternative splicing by mediating the gene expression and assembly of the spliceosome complex
Authors: Zhang Lin , Wan Yufeng , Huang Guobin , Wang Dongni , Yu Xinyang , Huang Guocun , Guo Jinhu
Published: August 2015

The exosome is a complex with exoribonuclease activity that regulates RNA surveillance and turnover. The exosome also plays a role in regulating the degradation of precursor mRNAs to maintain the expression of splicing variants. InNeurospora, the silencing ofrrp44, which encodes the catalytic subunit of the exosome, changed the expression of a set of spliceosomal snRNA, snRNP genes and SR protein related genes. The knockdown ofrrp44also affected the assembly of the spliceosome. RNA-seq analysis revealed a global change in bulk splicing events. Exosome-mediated splicing may regulate alternative splicing of NCU05290, NCU07421 and the circadian clock genefrequency(frq). The knockdown ofrrp44led to an increased ratio of splicing variants without intron 6 (I-6) and shorter protein isoform small FRQ (s-FRQ) as a consequence. These findings suggest that the exosome controls splicing events by regulating the degradation of precursor mRNAs and the gene expression, assembly and function of the spliceosome.
A novel olfactory pathway is essential for fast and efficient blood-feeding in mosquitoes
Authors: Won Jung Je , Baeck Seung-Jae , Perumalsamy Haribalan , Hansson Bill S. , Ahn Young-Joon , Kwon Hyung Wook
Published: August 2015

In mosquitoes, precise and efficient finding of a host animal is crucial for survival. One of the poorly understood aspects of mosquito blood-feeding behavior is how these insects target an optimal site in order to penetrate the skin and blood vessels without alerting the host animal. Here we provide new findings that a piercing structure of the mouthpart of the mosquitoes, the stylet, is an essential apparatus for the stage in blood feeding. Indeed, the stylet possesses a number of sensory hairs located at the tip of the stylet. These hairs house olfactory receptor neurons that express two conventional olfactory receptors ofAedes aegypti(AaOrs), AaOr8 and AaOr49, together with the odorant co-receptor (AaOrco).In vivocalcium imaging using transfected cell lines demonstrated that AaOr8 and AaOr49 were activated by volatile compounds present in blood. Inhibition of gene expression of these AaOrs delayed blood feeding behaviors of the mosquito. Taken together, we identified olfactory receptor neurons in the stylet involved in mosquito blood feeding behaviors, which in turn indicates that olfactory perception in the stylet is necessary and sufficient for mosquitoes to find host blood in order to rapidly acquire blood meals from a host animal.
Long noncoding RNA FER1L4 suppresses cancer cell growth by acting as a competing endogenous RNA and regulating PTEN expression
Authors: Xia Tian , Chen Shengcan , Jiang Zhen , Shao Yongfu , Jiang Xiaoming , Li Peifei , Xiao Bingxiu , Guo Junming
Published: August 2015

Aberrantly expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with various cancers. However, the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of most cancers are unclear. Here, we report that the lncRNA FER1L4 (fer-1-like family member 4, pseudogene) acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate the expression of PTEN (a well-known tumor suppressor gene) by taking up miR-106a-5p in gastric cancer. We observed that FER1L4 was downregulated in gastric cancer and that its level corresponded with that of PTEN mRNA. Both FER1L4 and PTEN mRNA were targets of miR-106a-5p. Further experiments demonstrated that FER1L4 downregulation liberates miR-106a-5p and decreases the abundances of PTEN mRNA and protein. More importantly, FER1L4 downregulation accelerated cell proliferation by promoting the G0/G1 to S phase transition. We conclude that one mechanism by which lncRNAs function in in tumorigenesis is as ceRNAs for tumor suppressor mRNAs.
Identification of gene mutation in patients with osteogenesis imperfect using high resolution melting analysis
Authors: Wang Jianhai , Ren Xiuzhi , Bai Xue , Zhang Tianke , Wang Yi , Li Keqiu , Li Guang
Published: August 2015

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a congenital bone disorder, is caused by mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes, leading to deficiency of type I collagen. The high resolution melting (HRM) analysis has been used for detecting mutations, polymorphisms and epigenetic alteration in double-stranded DNAs. This study was to evaluate the potential application of HRM analysis for identifying gene mutations in patients with OI. This study included four children with OI and their parents and fifty normal people as controls. Blood samples were collected for HRM analysis of PCR-amplified exons and flanking DNA sequences of COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. Direct gene sequencing was performed to validate HRM-identified gene mutations. As compared to controls, HRM analysis of samples form children with OI showed abnormal melting curves in exons 11 and 33–34 of the COL1A1 gene and exons 19 and 48 of the COL1A2 gene, which indicates the presence of heterozygous mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. In addition to two known mutations in the COL1A2 gene, c.982G > A and c.3197G > T, sequencing analysis identified two novel mutations in the COL1A1 gene, c.2321delC and c.768dupC mutations, which function as premature stop codons. These results support future studies of applying HRM analysis as a diagnostic approach for OI.
Rational Design of Highly Potent and Slow-Binding Cytochrome bc1 Inhibitor as Fungicide by Computational Substitution Optimization
Authors: Hao Ge-Fei , Yang Sheng-Gang , Huang Wei , Wang Le , Shen Yan-Qing , Tu Wen-Long , Li Hui , Huang Li-Shar , Wu Jia-Wei , Berry Edward A. , Yang Guang-Fu
Published: August 2015

Hit to lead (H2L) optimization is a key step for drug and agrochemical discovery. A critical challenge for H2L optimization is the low efficiency due to the lack of predictive method with high accuracy. We described a new computational method called Computational Substitution Optimization (CSO) that has allowed us to rapidly identify compounds with cytochrome bc1 complex inhibitory activity in the nanomolar and subnanomolar range. The comprehensively optimized candidate has proved to be a slow binding inhibitor of bc1 complex, ~73-fold more potent (Ki = 4.1 nM) than the best commercial fungicide azoxystrobin (AZ; Ki = 297.6 nM) and shows excellent in vivo fungicidal activity against downy mildew and powdery mildew disease. The excellent correlation between experimental and calculated binding free-energy shifts together with further crystallographic analysis confirmed the prediction accuracy of CSO method. To the best of our knowledge, CSO is a new computational approach to substitution-scanning mutagenesis of ligand and could be used as a general strategy of H2L optimisation in drug and agrochemical design.
The Neuraminidase Stalk Deletion Serves as Major Virulence Determinant of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Chicken
Authors: Stech Olga , Veits Jutta , Abdelwhab El-Sayed M. , Wessels Ute , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Stech Jürgen
Published: August 2015

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) cause devastating losses in gallinaceous poultry world-wide and raised concerns of a novel pandemic. HPAIV develop from low-pathogenic precursors by acquisition of a polybasic HA cleavage site (HACS), the prime virulence determinant. Beside that HACS, other adaptive changes accumulate in those precursors prior to transformation into an HPAIV. Here, we aimed to unravel such virulence determinants in addition to the HA gene. Stepwise reduction of HPAIV genes revealed that the HPAIV HA and NA form a minimum set of virulence determinants, sufficient for a lethal phenotype in chicken. Abolishing the NA stalk deletion considerably reduced lethality and prevented transmission. Conversely, the analogous stalk deletion reconstructed in the NA of an LPAIV reassortant carrying only the HPAIV HA resulted in 100% lethality both after primary and contact infection. Remarkably, the unmodified LPAIV NA with its long stalk, when exclusively introduced into the H5N1 HPAIV, still enabled high virulence and efficient transmission. Therefore, irrespective of an NA stalk deletion, minor virulence determinants in addition to the essential polybasic HACS contribute to high virulence, whereas the NA stalk deletion alone may serve as major virulence determinant.
Comparison of near-infrared diffuse reflectance (NIR) and attenuated-total-reflectance mid-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopic determination of the antioxidant capacity of Sambuci flos with classic wet chemical methods (assays)
Authors: Clara D. , Pezzei C. K. , Schönbichler S. A. , Popp M. , Krolitzek J. , Bonn G. K. , Huck C. W.
Published: August 2015

An analytical strategy for the fast and easy determination of the antioxidant potential ofSambucus nigra.
Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics analysis using methyl tert-butyl ether extraction in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues
Authors: Jiang Shuxia , Li Yongle , Lin Shuhai , Yang Hongbo , Guan Xin-yuan , Zhou Haiyun , Luan Tiangang , Cai Zongwei
Published: August 2015

Lipidomics was applied to analyse irregular metabolites in HCC tissues through a LC-MS method which revealed great changes between HCT and ANT.
Ratiometric fluorescent silver nanoclusters for the determination of mercury and copper ions
Authors: Liu Xiangjun , Wang Linlin , Zhang Nan , Shangguan Dihua
Published: August 2015

A new ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe based on DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters has good selectivity and sensitivity to mercury and copper ions.
A biodegradable adamantane polymer with ketal linkages in its backbone for gene therapy
Authors: Maity Santanu , Choudhary Priya , Manjunath Manu , Kulkarni Aditya , Murthy Niren
Published: August 2015

We present a polyketal, termed pADK, which can increase the gene transfection efficiency of PEI1800–cyclodextran conjugates 60 fold and degrade into nontoxic, neutral and excretable compounds.
Discovery of neat silica gel as a catalyst: an example of S → O acetyl migration reaction
Authors: Jin Yu , Li Jiachen , Peng Li , Gao Chao
Published: August 2015

For the first time, we reported pristine silica gel as an efficient fixed-bed catalyst for S → O acetyl migration to obtain important thiol compounds under mild reaction conditions.
An unusual chemoselective oxidation strategy by an unprecedented exploration of an electrophilic center of DMSO: a new facet to classical DMSO oxidation
Authors: Chebolu Rajesh , Bahuguna Ashish , Sharma Reena , Mishra Vivek Kumar , Ravikumar P. C.
Published: August 2015

A conceptually new dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) based oxidation process without the use of any activator has been demonstrated for the oxidation of active methylenes and benzhydrols.
Copper-mediated stereospecific C–H oxidative sulfenylation of terminal alkenes with disulfides
Authors: Tu Hai-Yong , Hu Bo-Lun , Deng Chen-Liang , Zhang Xing-Guo
Published: August 2015

A new copper and iodine-mediated C–H oxidative sulfenylation of olefins with diaryl disulfides for the stereospecific synthesis of vinyl thioether is described.
Bis-urea macrocycles with a deep cavity
Authors: Huang Guobao , He Zhenfeng , Cai Chen-Xi , Pan Fangfang , Yang Dingqiao , Rissanen Kari , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2015

Two bis-urea macrocycles with a deep cavity demonstrate an enzyme-like binding, and the influence of dipole alignments on molecular recognition.
Tuning the porosity through interpenetration of azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylate-based metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Fernández Belén , Seco José Manuel , Cepeda Javier , Calahorro Antonio J. , Rodríguez-Diéguez Antonio
Published: August 2015

Pore size is tuned in a series of azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylate/3,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine/Zn or Cd based MOFs through a variable interpenetration degree. These structural features promote subtle shifts in the blue emission of the compounds.
Anisotropic electron-transfer mobilities in diethynyl-indenofluorene-dione crystals as high-performance n-type organic semiconductor materials: remarkable enhancement by varying substituents
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yu , Huang Jin-Dou , Yu Juan-Juan , Li Peng , Zhang Wei-Ping , Frauenheim Thoma
Published: August 2015

The anisotropic electron-transfer mobilities of diethynyl-indenofluorene-dione crystals are remarkably enhanced by varying substituents.
Glycosaminoglycans are potential pharmacological targets for classic DNA minor groove binder drugs berenil and pentamidine
Authors: Zsila Ferenc
Published: August 2015

It is shown that the antiprotozoal drugs berenil and pentamidine, conventional minor groove binders of DNA, form non-covalent complexes with polyanionic glycosaminoglycans.
Hydrogen bonding in the ethanol–water dimer
Authors: Finneran Ian A. , Carroll P. Brandon , Allodi Marco A. , Blake Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2015

We report the first rotational spectrum of the ground state of the isolated ethanol–water dimer using chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy between 8–18 GHz.
Pulsed EPR dipolar spectroscopy at Q- and G-band on a trityl biradical
Authors: Akhmetzyanov D. , Schöps P. , Marko A. , Kunjir N. C. , Sigurdsson S. Th. , Prisner T. F.
Published: August 2015

A trityl biradical was investigated by pulsed EPR dipolar spectroscopy. Tikhonov regularisation analysis of the SIFTER and DQC time traces obtained at Q-band frequencies (33.8 GHz) and of the PELDOR time traces obtained at G-band frequencies (180 GHz) revealed the distances that are in agreement with literature.
Volume phase transition mechanism of poly[oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate] based thermo-responsive microgels with poly(ionic liquid) cross-linkers
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Tang Hui , Wu Peiyi
Published: August 2015

Thermodynamic volume phase transition mechanisms of poly[oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate] (POEGMA) microgels with poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) cross-linking moieties were investigated in detail on the basis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Correction: State-of-the-art strategies for targeting protein–protein interactions by small-molecule inhibitors
Authors: Sheng Chunquan , Dong Guoqiang , Miao Zhenyuan , Zhang Wannian , Wang Wei
Published: August 2015

Correction for ‘State-of-the-art strategies for targeting protein–protein interactions by small-molecule inhibitors’ by Chunquan Sheng et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cs00252d.
α-Diimine nickel complexes of ethylene and related alkenes
Authors: Zhao Yanxia , Wang Zeyi , Jing Xiaojing , Dong Qingsong , Gong Shida , Li Qian-Shu , Zhang Juan , Wu Biao , Yang Xiao-Juan
Published: August 2015

A series of α-diimine-supported nickel complexes with a coordinated alkene, [LNi(alkene)], were synthesized and their structure and bonding were studied.
Preferential orientations of structure directing agents in zeolites
Authors: Dib Eddy , Gimenez Antoine , Mineva Tzonka , Alonso Bruno
Published: August 2015

The local structure of MFI-type zeolites is modified using asymmetric tetraalkylammonium structure directing agents R(Pr)3N+ cations that adopt preferential orientations at the crossing between channels.
Intracellular detection of Cu2+and S2−ions through a quinazoline functionalized benzimidazole-based new fluorogenic differential chemosensor
Authors: Paul Anup , Anbu Sellamuthu , Sharma Gunjan , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Koch Biplob , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: August 2015

A new quinazoline functionalized benzimidazole-based compound as a selective and sensitive fluorogenic chemosensor for Cu2+and sequential recognition of S2−, also being used as live cell imaging.
Palladium(ii) complexes featuring a mixed phosphine–pyridine–iminophosphorane pincer ligand: synthesis and reactivity
Authors: Cheisson Thibault , Auffrant Audrey
Published: August 2015

Cationic and neutral Pd complexes featuring an original phosphine–pyridine–iminophosphorane (PNN) ligand were synthesised. In particular, an unexpected borylated complex was isolated by reaction with B(C6F5)3.
The conversion of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to maleic anhydride with vanadium-based heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Li Xiukai , Zhang Yugen
Published: August 2015

Vanadium-based solid catalysts catalysed oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to maleic anhydride (MA) with up to 79% yield. The direct conversion of fructose to MA was also demonstrated.
A prewetting induced underwater superoleophobic or underoil (super) hydrophobic waste potato residue-coated mesh for selective efficient oil/water separation
Authors: Li Jian , Li Dianming , Yang Yaoxia , Li Jianping , Zha Fei , Lei Ziqiang
Published: August 2015

Light or heavy oil and water mixtures can by separated selectively with high efficiency using potato residue coated meshes.
Aryl-imidazothiadiazole analogues as microtubule disrupting agents
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Subba Rao A. V. , Srinivasa Reddy T. , Polepalli Sowjanya , Shaik Siddiq Pasha , Bagul Chandrakant , Vishnuvardhan M. V. P. S. , Jain Nishant
Published: August 2015

Disruption of tubulin polymerization and the docked pose of5kin the colchicine binding site of tubulin.
Characterization of the bionano interface and mapping extrinsic interactions of the corona of nanomaterials
Authors: O'Connell D. J. , Bombelli F. Baldelli , Pitek A. S. , Monopoli M. P. , Cahill D. J. , Dawson K. A.
Published: August 2015

Nanoparticle biomolecular corona leads the interactions with cognate proteins on arrays of thousands of immobilised human proteins.
Biotransformation of magnetic nanoparticles as a function of coating in a rat model
Authors: Ruiz A. , Gutiérrez L. , Cáceres-Vélez P. R. , Santos D. , Chaves S. B. , Fascineli M. L. , Garcia M. P. , Azevedo R. B. , Morales M. P.
Published: August 2015

AC susceptibility data show that DMSA and PEG coated magnetic nanoparticles after i.v. in rats quickly transform into ferritin.
Gain and Raman line-broadening with graphene coated diamond-shape nano-antennas
Authors: Paraskevaidis Charilaos , Kuykendall Tevye , Melli Mauro , Weber-Bargioni Alexander , Schuck P. James , Schwartzberg Adam , Dhuey Scott , Cabrini Stefano , Grebel Haim
Published: August 2015

Although diamond-shape (D-ant) and bow-tie (BT) antennas are but inverted structures, D-ant portray unprecedented amplification and intensity-dependent line-broadening.
Catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction on platinum-based core–shell nanoparticles: all-electron density functional theory
Authors: Shin Jungho , Choi Jung-Hae , Cha Pil-Ryung , Kim Seong Keun , Kim Inho , Lee Seung-Cheol , Jeong Doo Seok
Published: August 2015

Pt-based core–shell nanoparticles of 55 atoms were subject to analysis of catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions.
Rational design of nanomaterials for water treatment
Authors: Li Renyuan , Zhang Lianbin , Wang Peng
Published: August 2015

The concept of rational design emphasizes ‘design-for-purpose’ and it necessitates a scientifically clear problem definition to initiate the material design.
Nanocomposites of AgInZnS and graphene nanosheets as efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Tang Xiaosheng , Chen Weiwei , Zu Zhiqiang , Zang Zhigang , Deng Ming , Zhu Tao , Sun Kuan , Sun Lidong , Xue Junmin
Published: August 2015

AgInZnS–reduced graphene nanocomposites with highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible-light irradiation were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal route.
Hypercrosslinked porous polymer nanosheets: 2D RAFT agent directed emulsion polymerization for multifunctional applications
Authors: Zhao Wuxue , Hou Zongsheng , Yao Zhaoquan , Zhuang Xiaodong , Zhang Fan , Feng Xinliang
Published: August 2015

2D hyper-cross-linked microporous polymers (2D HCPs) were synthesized by emulsion polymerization using trithiocarbonate functionalized graphene oxide as 2D macromolecular CTA.
An extremely uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in olefin block copolymers significantly enhances electrical and mechanical performances
Authors: Li Ting , Pu Jun-Hong , Ma Li-Feng , Bao Rui-Ying , Qi Guo-Qiang , Yang Wei , Xie Bang-Hu , Yang Ming-Bo
Published: August 2015

A new guidance for the development of conductive elastomers with improved comprehensive performance by considering chain architecture is provided.
Tiny nanoparticles of organometallic polymers through the direct disassembly-assisted synthesis strategy for hydrogen peroxide sensing
Authors: Liang Guodong , Li Xiaodong , Fei Bin , Wang Xiaomei , Zhu Fangming
Published: August 2015

A conceptually new approach for the synthesis of tiny hybrid nanoparticles through the direct disassembly-assisted synthesis (DDAS) strategy has been developed.
Thermal degradation kinetics of nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and catechin derived from Averrhoa bilimbi fruits
Authors: Muhamad N. , Yusoff M. M. , Gimbun J.
Published: August 2015

The nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and catechin obtained from Averrhoa bilimbi suffer from thermal degradation.
Four hybrid compounds based on a new type of molybdates and a flexible tripodal ligand: synthesis, structures, photochemical and electrochemical properties
Authors: Du Haijuan , Wang Chaohai , Li Yao , Niu Yunyin , Hou Hongwei
Published: August 2015

Four hybrids based on a new type of molybdates have been prepared. Their electrochemical and photocatalytic activities were also investigated.
Controlled electrodeposition of nanostructured Pd thin films from protic ionic liquids for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Asnavandi Majid , Suryanto Bryan H. R. , Zhao Chuan
Published: August 2015

Nanostructured Pd thin films are prepared from protic ionic liquids via hydrogen-assisted electrodeposition for oxygen reduction reactions.
Amorphous cobalt silicate nanobelts@carbon composites as a stable anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cheng Wei , Rechberger Felix , Ilari Gabriele , Ma Huan , Lin Wan-Ing , Niederberger Markus
Published: August 2015

Amorphous cobalt silicate nanobelts@carbon composites turned out to be excellent anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Repurposing of oxazolone chemistry: gaining access to functionalized graphene nanosheets in a top-down approach from graphite
Authors: Neri Giulia , Scala Angela , Fazio Enza , Mineo Placido G. , Rescifina Antonio , Piperno Anna , Grassi Giovanni
Published: August 2015

Solvent-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of graphite flakes and mesoionic oxazolones lead to the direct functionalization and delamination of graphite flakes into few layers of graphene nanosheets.
Pushing NMR sensitivity limits using dynamic nuclear polarization with closed-loop cryogenic helium sample spinning
Authors: Bouleau E. , Saint-Bonnet P. , Mentink-Vigier F. , Takahashi H. , Jacquot J.-F. , Bardet M. , Aussenac F. , Purea A. , Engelke F. , Hediger S. , Lee D. , De Paëpe G.
Published: August 2015

The cooler the better. We report a strategy to push the limits of solid-state NMR sensitivity far beyond its current state-of-the-art.
Dissipative particle dynamics simulation study on self-assembly of amphiphilic hyperbranched multiarm copolymers with different degrees of branching
Authors: Tan Haina , Wang Wei , Yu Chunyang , Zhou Yongfeng , Lu Zhongyuan , Yan Deyue
Published: August 2015

This work demonstrates the effect of degree of branching on the self-assembly of amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers by dissipative particle dynamics simulations.
Efficient Ag8GeS6counter electrode prepared from nanocrystal ink for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: He Qingquan , Qian Tianyue , Zai Jiantao , Qiao Qiquan , Huang Shoushuang , Li Yiran , Wang Min
Published: August 2015

Ternary metal sulfides could provide more alternatives and tune physicochemical properties due to the presence of two cations.
Tunable design of layered CuCo2O4 nanosheets@MnO2 nanoflakes core–shell arrays on Ni foam for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Kuang Min , Liu Xiao Ying , Dong Fan , Zhang Yu Xin
Published: August 2015

Layered CuCo2O4 nanosheets@MnO2 nanoflakes core–shell arrays (CuCo2O4@MnO2 CAs) on Ni foam have been uniformly synthesized by fine tuning the operation temperature, exhibiting superior capacitance and excellent electrochemical performance stability.
Screening effect on photovoltaic performance in ferroelectric CH3NH3PbI3perovskite thin films
Authors: Seol Daehee , Han Gill Sang , Bae Changdeuck , Shin Hyunjung , Jung Hyun Suk , Kim Yunseok
Published: August 2015

The direction and amount of charge transfer in perovskite based CH3NH3PbI3thin films can be significantly influenced by the screening of polarization states.
Periodate – an alternative oxidant for testing potential water oxidation catalysts
Authors: Mills Andrew , Hazafy David , Elouali Sofia , O'Rourke Christopher
Published: August 2015

Periodate is used as an alternative oxidant in the rapid screening of new potential water oxidation catalyst material powders.
Efficiency enhancement in organic solar cells by incorporating silica-coated gold nanorods at the buffer/active interface
Authors: Cui Yanxia , Zhao Haoyang , Yang Fan , Tong Peiqian , Hao Yuying , Sun Qinjun , Shi Fang , Zhan Qiuqiang , Wang Hua , Zhu Furong
Published: August 2015

The performance of organic solar cells can be greatly improved by incorporating silica-coated gold nanorods at the buffer/active interface.
Fabrication of a silver nanowire-reduced graphene oxide-based electrochemical biosensor and its enhanced sensitivity in the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid
Authors: Li Shin-Ming , Wang Yu-Sheng , Hsiao Sheng-Tsung , Liao Wei-Hao , Lin Chi-Wen , Yang Shin-Yi , Tien Hsi-Wen , Ma Chen-Chi M. , Hu Chi-Chang
Published: August 2015

Silver nanowire/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (AgNW/rGO) are synthesized using a two-step process.
Inorganic–organic superlattice thin films for thermoelectrics
Authors: Niemelä J.-P. , Karttunen A. J. , Karppinen M.
Published: August 2015

Nanoscale layer-engineering using the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique for the fabrication of oxide–organic thin-film superlattices is an attractive way to tailor the performance of thermoelectric materials as it potentially allows us to suppress thermal conductivity without significantly hindering the electrical transport properties.
Magnetic structure and magnetic transport characteristics of nanostructures based on armchair-edged graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Zhu Z. , Zhang Z. H. , Wang D. , Deng X. Q. , Fan Z. Q. , Tang G. P.
Published: August 2015

AGNR–Mn–F2 is shown to be an excellent half-metal with a wide bandgap and a stable magnetic ordering at a very high Curie temperature, as well as being predicted that this structure can stably exist in experiment. And it also displays outstanding magnetic device natures.
Visual detection of carbonate ions by inverse opal photonic crystal polymers in aqueous solution
Authors: Li Lu , Zhao Bin , Long Yue , Gao Jin-Ming , Yang Guoqiang , Tung Chen-Ho , Song Kai
Published: August 2015

This communication demonstrates a facile method to detect CO32− by naked eyes through color change based on the pH dependence of inverse opal photonic crystal polymer films.
Searching for a fabrication route of efficient Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells by post-sulfuration of co-sputtered Sn-enriched precursors
Authors: Feng Ye , Yu Bing , Cheng Guanming , Lau Tszki , Li Zhaohui , Yin Ling , Song Qiuming , Yang Chunlei , Xiao Xudong
Published: August 2015

The element contents and the annealing parameters, such as the peak annealing temperature, H2S concentration and the ramping rate, would strongly affect the remaining Sn contents in the Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films and greatly influence the device performance.
Trends on virtualisation with software defined networking and network function virtualisation
Authors: Barona López Lorena Isabel , Valdivieso Caraguay Ángel Leonardo , García Villalba Luis Javier , López Diego
Published: August 2015

Software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualisation (NFV) have become hot topics in recent years. On one hand, SDN decouples the control plane from the data plane allowing the rapid innovation and the introduction of new services in an easy way. On the other hand, currently proprietary appliances such as load balancers and firewalls are implemented in hardware, NFV aims to change these network functions to an open software environment using virtualisation and cloud technologies. This means a reduction of spends in the provisioning and management of telecom services. SDN and NFV are two different concepts but these can coexist and help each other. In this study, the authors present a survey of SDN and NFV focusing in virtualisation projects and the use cases where a synergy between these technologies is possible. This study includes the basic concepts of network virtualisation, NFV and SDN, current research and the relation between both technologies.
The total momentum of quantum fluids
Authors: Sütő András
Published: August 2015

The probability distribution of the total momentum P is studied in N-particle interacting homogeneous quantum systems at positive temperatures. Using Galilean invariance we prove that in one dimension, the asymptotic distribution of P/N is normal at all temperatures and densities, and in two dimensions, the tail distribution of P/N is normal. We introduce the notion of the density matrix reduced to the center of mass and show that its eigenvalues are N times the probabilities of the different eigenvalues of P. A series of results is presented for the limit of sequences of positive definite atomic probability measures, relevant for the probability distribution of both the single-particle and the total momentum. The P = 0 ensemble is shown to be equivalent to the canonical ensemble. Through some conjectures we associate the properties of the asymptotic distribution of the total momentum with the characteristics of fluid, solid, and superfluid phases. Our main suggestion is that in interacting quantum systems above one dimension, in infinite space, the total momentum is finite with a nonzero probability at all temperatures and densities. In solids, this probability is 1, and in a crystal, it is distributed on a lattice. Since it is less than 1 in two dimensions, we conclude that a 2D system is always in a fluid phase, so if the hexatic phase existed classically, it would be destroyed by quantum fluctuations. For a superfluid, we conjecture that the total momentum is zero with a nonzero probability and otherwise its distribution is continuous. We define a macroscopic wave function based on the density matrix reduced to the center of mass. We discuss how dissipation can give rise to a critical velocity, predict the temperature dependence of the latter, and argue that Landau’s criterion cannot explain superfluidity and its breakdown at positive temperatures. We also comment on the relation between superfluidity and Bose-Einstein condensation.
Persistent presence of small vertical scale velocity features during three-dimensional equilibration of equatorial inertial instability
Authors: Natarov Andrei , Richards Kelvin J.
Published: August 2015

Small vertical scale velocity features (SVSs) are ubiquitous in the upper equatorial ocean but their lifecycle and role in the large scale dynamics are only beginning to be understood. In this article, we study the development of SVSs generated through inertial instability of a prototypical equatorial zonal flow with a uniform meridional shear, U(y) = Λy. While previous studies employ a zonally symmetric setting, in which the flow is constrained to remain invariant in the streamwise direction throughout its evolution, here we use a fully three-dimensional framework. We choose a setting, in which the fastest growing linear modes are zonally symmetric and the initial perturbation is almost zonally symmetric, so that the flow remains nearly two-dimensional until the symmetric instability is fully neutralized. The secondary instabilities of the modified zonal mean flow favor zonally nonsymmetric modes, which leads to three-dimensionalization of the flow. It has been previously conjectured in the literature that the dominant secondary instability is an inflection point-type barotropic instability that favors disturbances with a large vertical scale and the necessary condition for which is the reversal of the meridional gradient of the background potential vorticity. We show that although the conditions necessary for barotropic instability indeed arise after the neutralization of the symmetric instability, the dominant secondary instabilities form a sequence of high vertical mode disturbances excited through zonally nonsymmetric inertial instability of the evolving zonal mean flow. The barotropic eddies, therefore, remain underdeveloped and do not play an important role in the dynamics. We cannot rule out the possible influence of the applied lateral hyperdiffusion (used to control near-grid point noise in the integrations) on the relative roles of barotropic and inertial instability. The competition between these two possible secondary instabilities needs further investigation with higher resolution experiments. We note, however, that when zonally asymmetric inertial instability is not possible (achieved here by shortening the zonal extent of the integration region while keeping the hyperdiffusion coefficient the same), barotropic instability fully develops and the flow is dominated by the barotropic mode.
Singles correlation energy contributions in solids
Authors: Klimeš Jiří , Kaltak Merzuk , Maggio Emanuele , Kresse Georg
Published: August 2015

The random phase approximation to the correlation energy often yields highly accurate results for condensed matter systems. However, ways how to improve its accuracy are being sought and here we explore the relevance of singles contributions for prototypical solid state systems. We set out with a derivation of the random phase approximation using the adiabatic connection and fluctuation dissipation theorem, but contrary to the most commonly used derivation, the density is allowed to vary along the coupling constant integral. This yields results closely paralleling standard perturbation theory. We re-derive the standard singles of Görling-Levy perturbation theory [A. Görling and M. Levy, Phys. Rev. A 50, 196 (1994)], highlight the analogy of our expression to the renormalized singles introduced by Ren and coworkers [Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 153003 (2011)], and introduce a new approximation for the singles using the density matrix in the random phase approximation. We discuss the physical relevance and importance of singles alongside illustrative examples of simple weakly bonded systems, including rare gas solids (Ne, Ar, Xe), ice, adsorption of water on NaCl, and solid benzene. The effect of singles on covalently and metallically bonded systems is also discussed.
Coupled ion redistribution and electronic breakdown in low-alkali boroaluminosilicate glass
Authors: Choi Doo Hyun , Randall Clive , Furman Eugene , Lanagan Michael
Published: August 2015

Dielectrics with high electrostatic energy storage must have exceptionally high dielectric breakdown strength at elevated temperatures. Another important consideration in designing a high performance dielectric is understanding the thickness and temperature dependence of breakdown strengths. Here, we develop a numerical model which assumes a coupled ionic redistribution and electronic breakdown is applied to predict the breakdown strength of low-alkali glass. The ionic charge transport of three likely charge carriers (Na+, H+/H3O+, Ba2+) was used to calculate the ionic depletion width in low-alkali boroaluminosilicate which can further be used for the breakdown modeling. This model predicts the breakdown strengths in the 108–109 V/m range and also accounts for the experimentally observed two distinct thickness dependent regions for breakdown. Moreover, the model successfully predicts the temperature dependent breakdown strength for low-alkali glass from room temperature up to 150 °C. This model showed that breakdown strengths were governed by minority charge carriers in the form of ionic transport (mostly sodium) in these glasses.
Microstructure of a-C:H films prepared on a microtrench and analysis of ions and radicals behavior
Authors: Hirata Yuki , Choi Junho
Published: August 2015

Amorphous carbon films (a-C:H) were prepared on a microtrench (4-μm pitch and 4-μm depth), and the uniformity of film thickness and microstructure of the films on the top, sidewall, and bottom surfaces of the microtrench were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The a-C:H films were prepared by bipolar-type plasma based ion implantation and deposition (bipolar PBII&D), and the negative pulse voltage, which is the main parameter dominating the film structure, was changed from −1.0 to −15 kV. Moreover, the behavior of ions and radicals was analyzed simultaneously by combining the calculation methods of Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision (PIC-MCC) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) to investigate the coating mechanism for the microtrench. The results reveal that the thickness uniformity of a-C:H films improves with decreasing negative pulse voltage due to the decreasing inertia of incoming ions from the trench mouth, although the film thickness on the sidewall tends to be much smaller than that on the top and bottom surfaces of the trench. The normalized flux and the film thickness show similar behavior, i.e., the normalized flux or thickness at the bottom surface increases at low negative pulse voltages and then saturates at a certain value, whereas at the sidewall it monotonically decreases with increasing negative voltage. The microstructure of a-C:H films on the sidewall surface is very different from that on the top and bottom surfaces. The film structure at a low negative pulse voltage shifts to more of a polymer-like carbon (PLC) structure due to the lower incident energy of ions. Although the radical flux on the sidewall increases slightly, the overall film structure is not significantly changed because this film formation at a low negative voltage is originally dominated by radicals. On the other hand, the flux of radicals is dominant on the sidewall in the case of high negative pulse voltage, resulting in a deviation from the Raman behavior of a-C:H films deposited by bipolar PBII&D. This tendency intensifies as the negative voltage becomes greater. Also, the energy of incident ions on the sidewall of the trench increases with increasing negative voltage, which causes a shift in the Raman data of the sidewall to the bottom right corner on the figure depicting the relationship of the FWHM(G) and the G-peak position, indicating increased graphitization of a-C:H film.