bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracellular kinetics of the androgen receptor shown by multimodal Image Correlation Spectroscopy (mICS)
Authors: Chiu Chi-Li , Patsch Katherin , Cutrale Francesco , Soundararajan Anjana , Agus David B. , Fraser Scott E. , Ruderman Daniel
Published: March 2016

The androgen receptor (AR) pathway plays a central role in prostate cancer (PCa) growth and progression and is a validated therapeutic target. In response to ligand binding AR translocates to the nucleus, though the molecular mechanism is not well understood. We therefore developed multimodal Image Correlation Spectroscopy (mICS) to measure anisotropic molecular motion across a live cell. We applied mICS to AR translocation dynamics to reveal its multimodal motion. By integrating fluorescence imaging methods we observed evidence for diffusion, confined movement and binding of AR within both the cytoplasm and nucleus of PCa cells. Our findings suggest that in presence of cytoplasmic diffusion, the probability of AR crossing the nuclear membrane is an important factor in determining the AR distribution between cytoplasm and the nucleus, independent of functional microtubule transport. These findings may have implications for the future design of novel therapeutics targeting the AR pathway in PCa.
Regulation of global gene expression and cell proliferation by APP
Authors: Wu Yili , Zhang Si , Xu Qin , Zou Haiyan , Zhou Weihui , Cai Fang , Li Tingyu , Song Weihong
Published: March 2016

Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, is one of the most common genetic disorders. Patients with DS display growth retardation and inevitably develop characteristic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology, including neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques. The expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is increased in both DS and AD patients. To reveal the function of APP and elucidate the pathogenic role of increased APP expression in DS and AD, we performed gene expression profiling using microarray method in human cells overexpressing APP. A set of genes are significantly altered, which are involved in cell cycle, cell proliferation and p53 signaling. We found that overexpression of APP inhibits cell proliferation. Furthermore, we confirmed that the downregulation of two validated genes, PSMA5 and PSMB7, inhibits cell proliferation, suggesting that the downregulation of PSMA5 and PSMB7 is involved in APP-induced cell proliferation impairment. Taken together, this study suggests that APP regulates global gene expression and increased APP expression inhibits cell proliferation. Our study provides a novel insight that APP overexpression may contribute to the growth impairment in DS patients and promote AD pathogenesis by inhibiting cell proliferation including neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
Experimental quantification of useful and parasitic absorption of light in plasmon-enhanced thin silicon films for solar cells application
Authors: Morawiec Seweryn , Holovský Jakub , Mendes Manuel J. , Müller Martin , Ganzerová Kristina , Vetushka Aliaksei , Ledinský Martin , Priolo Francesco , Fejfar Antonin , Crupi Isodiana
Published: March 2016

A combination of photocurrent and photothermal spectroscopic techniques is applied to experimentally quantify the useful and parasitic absorption of light in thin hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) films incorporating optimized metal nanoparticle arrays, located at the rear surface, for improved light trapping via resonant plasmonic scattering. The photothermal technique accounts for the total absorptance and the photocurrent signal accounts only for the photons absorbed in the μc-Si:H layer (useful absorptance); therefore, the method allows for independent quantification of the useful and parasitic absorptance of the plasmonic (or any other) light trapping structure. We demonstrate that with a 0.9 μm thick absorber layer the optical losses related to the plasmonic light trapping in the whole structure are insignificant below 730 nm, above which they increase rapidly with increasing illumination wavelength. An average useful absorption of 43% and an average parasitic absorption of 19% over 400–1100 nm wavelength range is measured for μc-Si:H films deposited on optimized self-assembled Ag nanoparticles coupled with a flat mirror (plasmonic back reflector). For this sample, we demonstrate a significant broadband enhancement of the useful absorption resulting in the achievement of 91% of the maximum theoretical Lambertian limit of absorption.
TGFβ signaling regulates the choice between pluripotent and neural fates during reprogramming of human urine derived cells
Authors: Wang Lihui , Li Xirui , Huang Wenhao , Zhou Tiancheng , Wang Haitao , Lin Aiping , Hutchins Andrew Paul , Su Zhenghui , Chen Qianyu , Pei Duanqing , Pan Guangjin
Published: March 2016

Human urine cells (HUCs) can be reprogrammed into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with defined factors and a small molecule cocktail, but the underlying fate choice remains unresolved. Here, through sequential removal of individual compound from small molecule cocktail, we showed that A8301, a TGFβ signaling inhibitor, is sufficient to switch the cell fate from iPSCs into NPCs in OSKM-mediated HUCs reprogramming. However, TGFβ exposure at early stage inhibits HUCs reprogramming by promoting EMT. Base on these data, we developed an optimized approach for generation of NPCs or iPSCs from HUCs with significantly improved efficiency by regulating TGFβ activity at different reprogramming stages. This approach provides a simplified and improved way for HUCs reprogramming, thus would be valuable for banking human iPSCs or NPCs from people with different genetic background.
Molecular basis for the thermostability of Newcastle disease virus
Authors: Wen Guoyuan , Hu Xiao , Zhao Kang , Wang Hongling , Zhang Zhenyu , Zhang Tengfei , Yang Jinlong , Luo Qingping , Zhang Rongrong , Pan Zishu , Shao Huabin , Yu Qingzhong
Published: March 2016

Thermostable Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccines have been used widely to protect village chickens against Newcastle disease, due to their decreased dependence on cold chain for transport and storage. However, the genetic basis underlying the NDV thermostability is poorly understood. In this study, we generated chimeric viruses by exchanging viral genes between the thermostable TS09-C strain and thermolabile LaSota strain using reverse genetics technology. Evaluations of these chimeric NDVs demonstrated that the thermostability of NDV was dependent on the origin of HN protein. Chimeras bearing the HN protein derived from thermostable virus exhibited a thermostable phenotype and vice versa. Both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase activities of viruses bearing the TS09-C HN protein were more thermostable than those containing LaSota HN protein. Furthermore, the newly developed thermostable virus rLS-T-HN, encoding the TS09-C HN protein in LaSota backbone, induced significantly higher antibody response than the TS09-C virus and conferred complete protection against virulent NDV challenge. Taken together, the data suggest that the HN protein of NDV is a crucial determinant of thermostability and the HN gene from a thermostable NDV could be engineered into a thermolabile NDV vaccine strain for developing novel thermostable NDV vaccine.
Mimicking titration experiments with MD simulations: A protocol for the investigation of pH-dependent effects on proteins
Authors: Socher Eileen , Sticht Heinrich
Published: March 2016

Protein structure and function are highly dependent on the environmental pH. However, the temporal or spatial resolution of experimental approaches hampers direct observation of pH-induced conformational changes at the atomic level. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation strategies (e.g. constant pH MD) have been developed to bridge this gap. However, one frequent problem is the sampling of unrealistic conformations, which may also lead to poor pKa predictions. To address this problem, we have developed and benchmarked the pH-titration MD (pHtMD) approach, which is inspired by wet-lab titration experiments. We give several examples how the pHtMD protocol can be applied for pKa calculation including peptide systems, Staphylococcus nuclease (SNase), and the chaperone HdeA. For HdeA, pHtMD is also capable of monitoring pH-dependent dimer dissociation in accordance with experiments. We conclude that pHtMD represents a versatile tool for pKa value calculation and simulation of pH-dependent effects in proteins.
Extended string-like binding of the phosphorylated HP1α N-terminal tail to the lysine 9-methylated histone H3 tail
Authors: Shimojo Hideaki , Kawaguchi Ayumi , Oda Takashi , Hashiguchi Nobuto , Omori Satoshi , Moritsugu Kei , Kidera Akinori , Hiragami-Hamada Kyoko , Nakayama Jun-ichi , Sato Mamoru , Nishimura Yoshifumi
Published: March 2016

The chromodomain of HP1α binds directly to lysine 9-methylated histone H3 (H3K9me). This interaction is enhanced by phosphorylation of serine residues in the N-terminal tail of HP1α by unknown mechanism. Here we show that phosphorylation modulates flexibility of HP1α’s N-terminal tail, which strengthens the interaction with H3. NMR analysis of HP1α’s chromodomain with N-terminal tail reveals that phosphorylation does not change the overall tertiary structure, but apparently reduces the tail dynamics. Small angle X-ray scattering confirms that phosphorylation contributes to extending HP1α’s N-terminal tail. Systematic analysis using deletion mutants and replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the phosphorylated serines and following acidic segment behave like an extended string and dynamically bind to H3 basic residues; without phosphorylation, the most N-terminal basic segment of HP1α inhibits interaction of the acidic segment with H3. Thus, the dynamic string-like behavior of HP1α’s N-terminal tail underlies the enhancement in H3 binding due to phosphorylation.
A distinct and active bacterial community in cold oxygenated fluids circulating beneath the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic ridge
Authors: Meyer Julie L. , Jaekel Ulrike , Tully Benjamin J. , Glazer Brian T. , Wheat C. Geoffrey , Lin Huei-Ting , Hsieh Chih-Chiang , Cowen James P. , Hulme Samuel M. , Girguis Peter R. , Huber Julie A.
Published: March 2016

The rock-hosted, oceanic crustal aquifer is one of the largest ecosystems on Earth, yet little is known about its indigenous microorganisms. Here we provide the first phylogenetic and functional description of an active microbial community residing in the cold oxic crustal aquifer. Using subseafloor observatories, we recovered crustal fluids and found that the geochemical composition is similar to bottom seawater, as are cell abundances. However, based on relative abundances and functional potential of key bacterial groups, the crustal fluid microbial community is heterogeneous and markedly distinct from seawater. Potential rates of autotrophy and heterotrophy in the crust exceeded those of seawater, especially at elevated temperatures (25 °C) and deeper in the crust. Together, these results reveal an active, distinct, and diverse bacterial community engaged in both heterotrophy and autotrophy in the oxygenated crustal aquifer, providing key insight into the role of microbial communities in the ubiquitous cold dark subseafloor biosphere.
Fingerprints of Multiple Electron Scatterings in Single-Layer Graphene
Authors: Jung Minbok , Sohn So-Dam , Park Jonghyun , Lee Keun-U , Shin Hyung-Joon
Published: March 2016

The electrons in graphene exhibit unusual behaviours, which can be described by massless Dirac quasiparticles. Understanding electron scattering in graphene has been of significant importance for its future application in electronic devices because electron scattering determines electrical properties such as resistivity and electron transport. There are two types of electron scatterings in graphene: intervalley scattering and intravalley scattering. In single-layer graphene, to date, it has been difficult to observe intravalley scattering because of the suppression of backscattering resulting from the chiral nature of the electrons in graphene. Here, we report the multiple electron scattering behaviours in single-layer graphene on a metallic substrate. By applying one- and two-dimensional Fourier transforms to maps of the local density of states, we can distinguish individual scattering processes from complex interference patterns. These techniques enable us to provide direct evidence of intravalley scattering, revealing a linear dispersion relation with a Fermi velocity of ~7.4 × 105 m/s.
Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by NS398 attenuates noise-induced hearing loss in mice
Authors: Sun Yu , Yu Jintao , Lin Xi , Tang Wenxue
Published: March 2016

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an important occupational disorder. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NIHL have not been fully clarified; therefore, the condition lacks effective therapeutic methods. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is an inducible enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, and has been implicated in many pathophysiological events, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the possible role of Cox-2 in the mechanisms of NIHL and the therapeutic effect of the Cox-2 inhibitor NS398 on NIHL using a mouse model. We demonstrated that Cox-2 is constitutively expressed in the mouse cochlea, and its expression could be dramatically up-regulated by high levels of noise exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pre-treatment with the Cox-2 inhibitor NS398 could inhibit Cox-2 expression during noise overstimulation; and could attenuate noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell damage. Our results suggest that Cox-2 is involved in the pathogenesis of NIHL; and pharmacological inhibition of Cox-2 has considerable therapeutic potential in NIHL.
Oscillation control of carbon nanotube mechanical resonator by electrostatic interaction induced retardation
Authors: Yasuda Masaaki , Takei Kuniharu , Arie Takayuki , Akita Seiji
Published: March 2016

Despite the superb intrinsic properties of carbon nanotube mechanical resonators, the quality factors at room temperature are 1,000 or less, even in vacuum, which is much lower than that of mechanical resonators fabricated using a top-down approach. This study demonstrates the improvement of the quality factor and the control of nonlinearity of the mechanical resonance of the cantilevered nanotube by electrostatic interaction. The apparent quality factor of the nanotube supported by insulator is improved drastically from approximately 630 to 3200 at room temperature. Results show that retardation of the electrostatic force induced by the contact resistance between the nanotube and the insulator support improves the quality factor. Finite element method calculation reveals that the nonuniform pileup charge on the insulator support strongly influences the nonlinearity of the resonance.
Germplasm dynamics: the role of ecotypic diversity in shaping the patterns of genetic variation in Lolium perenne
Authors: Blackmore T. , Thorogood D. , Skøt L. , McMahon R. , Powell W. , Hegarty M.
Published: March 2016

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is the most widely grown temperate grass species globally. Intensive plant breeding in ryegrass compared to many other crops species is a relatively recent exercise (last 100 years) and provides an interesting experimental system to trace the extent, impact and trajectory of undomesticated ecotypic variation represented in modern ryegrass cultivars. To explore germplasm dynamics in Lolium perenne, 2199 SNPs were genotyped in 716 ecotypes sampled from 90 European locations together with 249 cultivars representing 33 forage/amenity accessions. In addition three pseudo-cross mapping populations (450 individual recombinants) were genotyped to create a consensus genetic linkage map. Multivariate analyses revealed strong differentiation between cultivars with a small proportion of the ecotypic variation captured in improved cultivars. Ryegrass cultivars generated as part of a recurrent selection programme (RSP) are strongly associated with a small number of geographically localised Italian ecotypes which were among the founders of the RSP. Changes in haplotype frequency revealed signatures of selection in genes putatively involved in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) accumulation (a trait selected in the RSP). Retrospective analysis of germplasm in breeding programmes (germplasm dynamics) provides an experimental framework for the identification of candidate genes for novel traits such as WSC accumulation in ryegrass.
Perinatal Exposure to Neuregulin-1 Results in Disinhibition of Adult Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons: Implication in Schizophrenia Modeling
Authors: Namba Hisaaki , Okubo Takeshi , Nawa Hiroyuki
Published: March 2016

Aberrant neuregulin-1 (NRG1) signals are suggested to associate with the neuropathophysiology of schizophrenia. Employing a mouse schizophrenia model established by neonatal neuregulin-1 challenge, we analysed postpubertal consequence of the NRG1 pretreatment for the electrophysiological property of nigral dopamine neurons. In vivo single unit recordings from anaesthetized NRG1-pretreated mice revealed increased spike bursting of nigral dopamine neurons. In slice preparations from NRG1-pretreated mice, spontaneous firing was elevated relative to controls. The relative increase in firing rates was abolished by a GABAA receptor antagonist. Whole-cell recording showed that perinatal NRG1 pretreatment diminished inhibitory miniature synaptic currents as well as GABAA receptor sensitivity. These results collectively suggest that perinatal exposure to neuregulin-1 results in the disinhibition of nigral dopamine neurons to influence their firing properties at the adult stage when the behavioral deficits are evident.
Habitat-based cetacean density models for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Roberts Jason J. , Best Benjamin D. , Mannocci Laura , Fujioka Ei , Halpin Patrick N. , Palka Debra L. , Garrison Lance P. , Mullin Keith D. , Cole Timothy V. N. , Khan Christin B. , McLellan William A. , Pabst D. Ann , Lockhart Gwen G.
Published: March 2016

Cetaceans are protected worldwide but vulnerable to incidental harm from an expanding array of human activities at sea. Managing potential hazards to these highly-mobile populations increasingly requires a detailed understanding of their seasonal distributions and habitats. Pursuant to the urgent need for this knowledge for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, we integrated 23 years of aerial and shipboard cetacean surveys, linked them to environmental covariates obtained from remote sensing and ocean models, and built habitat-based density models for 26 species and 3 multi-species guilds using distance sampling methodology. In the Atlantic, for 11 well-known species, model predictions resembled seasonal movement patterns previously suggested in the literature. For these we produced monthly mean density maps. For lesser-known taxa, and in the Gulf of Mexico, where seasonal movements were less well described, we produced year-round mean density maps. The results revealed high regional differences in small delphinoid densities, confirmed the importance of the continental slope to large delphinoids and of canyons and seamounts to beaked and sperm whales, and quantified seasonal shifts in the densities of migratory baleen whales. The density maps, freely available online, are the first for these regions to be published in the peer-reviewed literature.
Anderson Localization in Degenerate Spin-Orbit Coupled Fermi Gas with Disorder
Authors: Liu Sheng , Zhou Xiang-Fa , Guo Guang-Can , Zhang Yong-Sheng
Published: March 2016

Competition between superconductivity and disorder plays an essential role in understanding the metal-insulator transition. Based on the Bogoliubov-de Gennes framework, we studied an 2D s-wave fermionic optical lattice system with both spin- orbit coupling and disorder are presented. We find that, with the increase of the strength of disorder, the mean superconducting order parameter will vanish while the energy gap will persist, which indicates that the system undergoes a transition from a superconducting state to a gapped insulating state. This can be confirmed by calculating the inverse participation ratio. We also find that, if the strength of disorder is small, the superconducting order parameter and the energy gap will decrease if we increase the strength of spin-orbit coupling and Zeeman field. In the large disorder limits, the increase of the strength of spin- orbit coupling will increase the mean superconducting order parameter. This phenomenon shows that the system is more insensitive to disorder if the spin-orbit coupling is presented. Numerical computing also shows that the whole system breaks up into several superconducting islands instead of being superconductive.
Skyrmion Creation and Manipulation by Nano-Second Current Pulses
Authors: Yuan H. Y. , Wang X. R.
Published: March 2016

Easy creation and manipulation of skyrmions is important in skyrmion based devices for data storage and information processing. We show that a nano-second current pulse alone is capable of creating/deleting and manipulating skyrmions in a spin valve with a perpendicularly magnetized free layer and broken chiral symmetry. Interestingly, for an in-plane magnetized fixed layer, the free layer changes from a single domain at zero current to a Neel wall at an intermediate current density. Reverse the current polarity, the Neel wall changes to its image inversion. A properly designed nano-second current pulse, that tends to convert one type of Neel walls to its image inversion, ends up to create a stable skyrmion without assistance of external fields. For a perpendicularly magnetized fixed layer, the skyrmion size can be effectively tuned by a current density.
Direct formation of peritectic phase but no primary phase appearance within Ni83.25Zr16.75 peritectic alloy during free fall
Authors: Lü P. , Wang H. P.
Published: March 2016

Ni83.25Zr16.75 peritectic alloy was containerlessly solidified in a drop tube. When the droplet diameter exceeds a critical value (Dcrit), Ni7Zr2 phase primarily solidifies, followed by the peritectic reaction of Ni7Zr2 + L → Ni5Zr. Once the droplet diameter is smaller than the critical value (Dcrit), peritectic phase Ni5Zr directly solidifies from the undercooled melt by completely suppressing the nucleation and growth of Ni7Zr2 phase, which is ascribed to high undercooling and cooling rate. Additionally, peritectic phase Ni5Zr grows equiaxially in the sample solidified in a DSC at a cooling rate of 0.167 K/s.
Membrane-proximal TRAIL species are incapable of inducing short circuit apoptosis signaling: Implications for drug development and basic cytokine biology
Authors: Tatzel Katharina , Kuroki Lindsay , Dmitriev Igor , Kashentseva Elena , Curiel David T. , Goedegebuure S. Peter , Powell Matthew A. , Mutch David G. , Hawkins William G. , Spitzer Dirk
Published: March 2016

TRAIL continues to garner substantial interest as a recombinant cancer therapeutic while the native cytokine itself serves important tumor surveillance functions when expressed in membrane-anchored form on activated immune effector cells. We have recently developed the genetically stabilized TRAIL platform TR3 in efforts to improve the limitations associated with currently available drug variants. While in the process of characterizing mesothelin-targeted TR3 variants using a single chain antibody (scFv) delivery format (SS-TR3), we discovered that the membrane-tethered cytokine had a substantially increased activity profile compared to non-targeted TR3. However, cell death proceeded exclusively via a bystander mechanism and protected the mesothelin-positive targets from apoptosis rather than leading to their elimination. Incorporation of a spacer-into the mesothelin surface antigen or the cancer drug itself-converted SS-TR3 into a cis-acting phenotype. Further experiments with membrane-anchored TR3 variants and the native cytokine confirmed our hypothesis that membrane-proximal TRAIL species lack the capacity to physically engage their cognate receptors coexpressed on the same cell membrane. Our findings not only provide an explanation for the “peaceful” coexistence of ligand and receptor of a representative member of the TNF superfamily but give us vital clues for the design of activity-enhanced TR3-based cancer therapeutics.
Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Porous NiCo2O4 Microspheres: Application as High Performance Asymmetric and Symmetric Supercapacitors with Large Areal Capacitance
Authors: Khalid Syed , Cao Chuanbao , Wang Lin , Zhu Youqi
Published: March 2016

Large areal capacitance is essentially required to integrate the energy storage devices at the microscale electronic appliances. Energy storage devices based on metal oxides are mostly fabricated with low mass loading per unit area which demonstrated low areal capacitance. It is still a challenge to fabricate supercapacitor devices of porous metal oxides with large areal capacitance. Herein we report microwave method followed by a pyrolysis of the as-prepared precursor is used to synthesize porous nickel cobaltite microspheres. Porous NiCo2O4 microspheres are capable to deliver large areal capacitance due to their high specific surface area and small crystallite size. The facile strategy is successfully demonstrated to fabricate aqueous-based asymmetric & symmetric supercapacitor devices of porous NiCo2O4 microspheres with high mass loading of electroactive materials. The asymmetric & symmetric devices exhibit maximum areal capacitance and energy density of 380 mF cm−2 & 19.1 Wh Kg−1 and 194 mF cm−2 & 4.5 Wh Kg−1 (based on total mass loading of 6.25 & 6.0 mg) respectively at current density of 1 mA cm−2. The successful fabrication of symmetric device also indicates that NiCo2O4 can also be used as the negative electrode material for futuristic asymmetric devices.
Hydrothermal synthesis of blue-emitting silicon quantum dots for fluorescent detection of hypochlorite in tap water
Authors: Guo Yongming , Zhang Lianfeng , Cao Fengpu , Mang Lianghong , Lei Xiaoling , Cheng Shengjuan , Song Jintong
Published: March 2016

A facile fluorescence method for detecting hypochlorite in tap water with good selectivity and sensitivity has been designed using SiQDs. As low as 0.01 μM of hypochlorite can be detected and the practicability has been investigated in tap water.
Framework-substituted cerium MCM-22 zeolite and its interlayer expanded derivative MWW-IEZ
Authors: Roth Wieslaw J. , Gil Barbara , Makowski Wacław , Sławek Andrzej , Korzeniowska Aleksandra , Grzybek Justyna , Siwek Michał , Michorczyk Piotr
Published: March 2016

Framework-substituted MCM-22 with up to 5% Ce was prepared by a conventional non-TEOS-based method.
Use of feedback system control in optimizing chemical combinations to synthesize nanoparticles with desired characteristics
Authors: Ding Xianting , Zhang Bing , Yang Jian , Ma Zhi Jun , Fan Gang
Published: March 2016

Defining desired chemical combinations through the FSC method.
Catalyst-free microwave-assisted arylglyoxal-based multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of fused pyrans
Authors: Mishra Richa , Choudhury Lokman H.
Published: March 2016

A simple and straight forward method has been reported for the synthesis of fused pyrans from the three component reactions of arylglyoxals, cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls and malononitrile under microwave and catalyst free conditions.
The solvent treatment effect of the PEDOT:PSS anode interlayer in inverted planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Xue-Yuan , Zhang Lian-Ping , Tang Feng , Bao Zhong-Min , Lin Jian , Li Yan-Qing , Chen Liwei , Ma Chang-Qi
Published: March 2016

A PSS-rich surface was found to be helpful in improving perovskite thin film quality, and consequently the device performance.
Rapid preparation process, structure and thermal stability of lanthanum doped alumina aerogels with a high specific surface area
Authors: Yang Jingfeng , Wang Qihua , Wang Tingmei , Liang Yongmin
Published: March 2016

In this study, we developed a new and rapid preparation method of alumina aerogels based on the sol–gel method and supercritical drying technique and prepared alumina aerogels with high specific surface area.
Hierarchical CuCo2S4 hollow nanoneedle arrays as novel binder-free electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Moosavifard Seyyed Ebrahim , Fani Saeed , Rahmanian Mehdi
Published: March 2016

Hierarchical CuCo2S4 hollow nanoneedle arrays have been firstly synthesized on a Ni foam using a facile template-free hydrothermal method and applied as novel binder-free electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors.
A 3D MOF constructed from dysprosium(iii) oxalate and capping ligands: ferromagnetic coupling and field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation
Authors: Liu Cai-Ming , Zhang De-Qing , Zhu Dao-Ben
Published: March 2016

Field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation was observed in the first ferromagnetic 3D lanthanide(iii) oxalate framework with a capping ligand.
Coke tolerance of Ni/Al2O3 nanosheet catalyst for dry reforming of methane
Authors: Kim Won Yong , Lee Young Hye , Park Hunmin , Choi Yo Han , Lee Min Hee , Lee Jae Sung
Published: March 2016

In the dry reforming of methane with CO2, Ni/Al2O3 nanosheet catalysts exhibited excellent coke tolerance, showing stability even in the presence of a large amount of coke because of the large intersheet pores.
A facile, green and efficient surfactant-free method for synthesis of aluminum nanooxides with an extraordinary high surface area
Authors: Mohammadnezhad Gholamhossein , Akintola Oluseun , Plass Winfried , Steiniger Frank , Westermann Martin
Published: March 2016

Nano boehmite with unprecedented high surface area and pore volume (802 m2 g−1, 2.35 cm3 g−1) was prepared using a facile, green and efficient surfactant-free synthesis method.
Reflection and perspective on green chemistry development for chemical synthesis—Daoist insights
Authors: Li Chao-Jun
Published: March 2016

Editorial on the role of Green Chemistry in chemical synthesis.
Structural complexes of the agonist, inverse agonist and antagonist bound C5a receptor: insights into pharmacology and signaling
Authors: Rana Soumendra , Sahoo Amita Rani , Majhi Bharat Kumar
Published: March 2016

Illustration of the competitive pharmacology (“cation–π”vs.“π–π” interactions) operating at the “orthosteric” site2 of C5aR.
Rhodium-catalyzed pyridannulation of indoles with diazoenals: a direct approach to pyrido[1,2-a]indoles
Authors: Dawande Sudam Ganpat , Lad Bapurao Sudam , Prajapati Sunitkumar , Katukojvala Sreenivas
Published: March 2016

A new rhodium-catalyzed [4 + 2]-pyridannulation of 3-substituted indoles with diazoenals resulted in the biologically important pyrido[1,2-a]indoles.
Correction: A convenient approach to an advanced intermediate toward the naturally occurring, bioactive 6-substituted 5-hydroxy-4-aryl-1H-quinolin-2-ones
Authors: Simonetti Sebastián O. , Larghi Enrique L. , Kaufman Teodoro S.
Published: March 2016

Correction for ‘A convenient approach to an advanced intermediate toward the naturally occurring, bioactive 6-substituted 5-hydroxy-4-aryl-1H-quinolin-2-ones’ by Sebastián O. Simonetti, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c5ob02680f.
Amidation of triglycerides by amino alcohols and their impact on plant oil-derived polymers
Authors: Yuan Liang , Wang Zhongkai , Trenor Nathan M. , Tang Chuanbing
Published: March 2016

Amidation of plant oils with amino alcohols was methodologically examined.
Analysis of the effect of biofouling distribution on electricity output in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Li Da , Liu Jia , Qu Youpeng , Wang Haiman , Feng Yujie
Published: March 2016

Biofouling inside the catalyst layer decreased reaction sites and oxygen diffusion which mainly impaired cathode activity.
Experimental and theoretical investigations of functionalized boron nitride as electrode materials for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Fan , Németh Károly , Bareño Javier , Dogan Fulya , Bloom Ira D. , Shaw Leon L.
Published: March 2016

The feasibility of synthesizing functionalized h-BN (FBN)viathe reaction between molten LiOH and solid h-BN is studied for the first time and its first ever application as an electrode material in Li-ion batteries is evaluated.
Ordered arrays of Ag nanodendrite clusters as effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates
Authors: Zuo Jie , Meng Guowen , Zhu Chuhong , Zhou Qitao , Li Zhongbo , Ke Yan , Zhou Ningning
Published: March 2016

Large-area ordered Ag nanodendrite cluster tetragonal arrays have been achieved on a Zn plate via galvanic replacement reaction.
Enantioselective total synthesis of (S)-nakinadine B
Authors: Garg Yuvraj , Pandey Satyendra Kumar
Published: March 2016

A novel approach for the synthesis of (S)-nakinadine B, a marine natural product is described. The synthesis utilizes the optimized combination of organocatalyzed Michael addition and aminoxylation reactions as key steps.
Whipped oil stabilised by surfactant crystals
Authors: Binks Bernard P. , Garvey Emma J. , Vieira Josélio
Published: March 2016

We describe a protocol for preparing very stable air-in-oil foams containing surfactant crystals starting from a one-phase solution of a fatty acid in a vegetable oil. On cooling, plate-like crystals form which adsorb at air bubble surfaces after aeration of the mixture. Such foams can be destabilised by gradual warming leading to crystal melting and bubble coalescence.
Roll to roll compatible fabrication of inverted organic solar cells with a self-organized charge selective cathode interfacial layer
Authors: Zhang Hong , Tan Wan-Yi , Fladischer Stefanie , Ke Lili , Ameri Tayebeh , Li Ning , Turbiez Mathieu , Spiecker Erdmann , Zhu Xu-Hui , Cao Yong , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: March 2016

A simple approach of fabricating efficient inverted devices with a self-organizing small-molecule electron extraction layerPhen-NaDPOby doctor-blading was demonstrated, which is compatible with roll to roll processing strategies.
Long-chain acylcarnitines determine ischaemia/reperfusion-induced damage in heart mitochondria
Authors: Liepinsh Edgars , Makrecka-Kuka Marina , Volska Kristine , Kuka Janis , Makarova Elina , Antone Unigunde , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Vilskersts Reinis , Strods Arnis , Tars Kaspars , Dambrova Maija
Published: March 2016

The accumulation of long-chain fatty acids (FAs) and their CoA and carnitine esters is observed in the ischaemic myocardium after acute ischaemia/reperfusion. The aim of the present study was to identify harmful FA intermediates and their detrimental mechanisms of action in mitochondria and the ischaemic myocardium. In the present study, we found that the long-chain acyl-CoA and acylcarnitine content is increased in mitochondria isolated from an ischaemic area of the myocardium. In analysing the FA derivative content, we discovered that long-chain acylcarnitines, but not acyl-CoAs, accumulate at concentrations that are harmful to mitochondria. Acylcarnitine accumulation in the mitochondrial intermembrane space is a result of increased carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and decreased carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2) activity in ischaemic myocardium and it leads to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, which in turn induces mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization and stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiac mitochondria. Thanks to protection mediated by acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP), the heart is much better guarded against the damaging effects of acyl-CoAs than against acylcarnitines. Supplementation of perfusion buffer with palmitoylcarnitine (PC) before occlusion resulted in a 2-fold increase in the acylcarnitine content of the heart and increased the infarct size (IS) by 33%. A pharmacologically induced decrease in the mitochondrial acylcarnitine content reduced the IS by 44%. Long-chain acylcarnitines are harmful FA intermediates, accumulating in ischaemic heart mitochondria and inducing inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, decreasing the acylcarnitine content via cardioprotective drugs may represent a novel treatment strategy.
A cell-permeable tool for analysing APP intracellular domain function and manipulation of PIKfyve activity
Authors: Guscott Benjamin , Balklava Zita , Safrany Stephen T. , Wassmer Thomas
Published: March 2016

The mechanisms for regulating PIKfyve complex activity are currently emerging. The PIKfyve complex, consisting of the phosphoinositide kinase PIKfyve (also known as FAB1), VAC14 and FIG4, is required for the production of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2]. PIKfyve function is required for homoeostasis of the endo/lysosomal system and is crucially implicated in neuronal function and integrity, as loss of function mutations in the PIKfyve complex lead to neurodegeneration in mouse models and human patients. Our recent work has shown that the intracellular domain of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), a molecule central to the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease binds to VAC14 and enhances PIKfyve function. In the present study, we utilize this recent advance to create an easy-to-use tool for increasing PIKfyve activity in cells. We fused APP intracellular domain (AICD) to the HIV TAT domain, a cell-permeable peptide allowing proteins to penetrate cells. The resultant TAT–AICD fusion protein is cell permeable and triggers an increase in PI(3,5)P2. Using the PI(3,5)P2 specific GFP-ML1Nx2 probe, we show that cell-permeable AICD alters PI(3,5)P2 dynamics. TAT–AICD also provides partial protection from pharmacological inhibition of PIKfyve. All three lines of evidence show that the AICD activates the PIKfyve complex in cells, a finding that is important for our understanding of the mechanism of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
LncRNA DQ786243 contributes to proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Sun Longci , Xue Hanbing , Jiang Chunhui , Zhou Hong , Gu Lei , Liu Ye , Xu Chunjie , Xu Qing
Published: March 2016

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play important roles in regulating gene expression and are involved in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, LncRNA profiles in CRC remain largely unknown. The present study aims to find the key LncRNA associated with CRC and to study its biological functions in CRC progression. We focused on LncRNA DQ786243, one of LncRNAs which promoted development of CRC from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and validated using quantitative real-time PCR among about 20 paired CRC tissues. The effects of LncRNA DQ786243 were assessed by silencing the LncRNA in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that the expression level LncRNA DQ786243 was significantly higher in CRC tissues and cell lines. We also found LncRNA DQ786243 knockdown by RNA interference with siRNA significantly arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M-phase, promoted apoptosis and weaken the abilities of cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Further investigation into the mechanisms responsible for the growth inhibitory effects by DQ786243 silencing revealed that its knockdown resulted in the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through certain cell cycle-related and apoptosis-related proteins. Finally, xenograft experiments confirmed that the growth of xenograft tumours formed by CRC cells was suppressed after silencing LncRNA DQ786243 expression. In conclusion, the present study suggests that LncRNA DQ786243 is an oncogene that promotes tumour progression and leads us to propose that LncRNAs may serve as key regulatory hubs in CRC progression.
Minimal‐order transfer functions of dynamical multi‐agent consensus systems
Authors: Yoon Myunggon
Published: March 2016

This study deals with transfer functions of a multi‐agent consensus system, composed of identical linear time‐invariant dynamical agents. Motivated by the fact that stabilisation of a single agent in a multi‐agent consensus system with an exogenous controller results in collective stability of all agents, the authors study transfer function representation of a controlled agent in a consensus system. It is shown that the transfer function order of a controlled agent is always greater than double the transfer function order of an isolated agent and that the smallest double order is realised if and only if a controlled agent has inter‐agent connections with all other agents of a consensus system.
Probabilistic approach for maximum likelihood estimation of pose using lines
Authors: Zhang Yueqiang , Li Xin , Liu Haibo , Shang Yang
Published: March 2016

In this study, the authors have proposed a new solution for the problem of pose estimation from a set of matched 3D model and 2D image lines. Traditional line‐based pose estimation methods utilising the finite information of the observations are based on the assumption that the noises for the two endpoints of the image line segment are statistically independent. However, in this study, the authors prove that these two noises are negatively correlative when the image line segment is fitted by the least‐squares technique from the noisy edge points. Moreover, the authors derive the noise model describing the probabilistic relationship between the 3D model line and their finite image observations. Based on the proposed noise model, the maximum‐likelihood approach is exploited to estimate the pose parameters. The authors have carried out synthetic experiments to compare the proposed method to other pose optimisation methods in the literature. The experimental results show that the proposed methods yield a clear higher precision than the traditional methods. The authors also use real image sequences to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
‘Owl’ and ‘Lizard’: patterns of head pose and eye pose in driver gaze classification
Authors: Fridman Lex , Lee Joonbum , Reimer Bryan , Victor Trent
Published: March 2016

Accurate, robust, inexpensive gaze tracking in the car can help keep a driver safe by facilitating the more effective study of how to improve (i) vehicle interfaces and (ii) the design of future advanced driver assistance systems. In this study, the authors estimate head pose and eye pose from monocular video using methods developed extensively in prior work and ask two new interesting questions. First, how much better can they classify driver gaze using head and eye pose versus just using head pose? Second, are there individual‐specific gaze strategies that strongly correlate with how much gaze classification improves with the addition of eye pose information? The authors answer these questions by evaluating data drawn from an on‐road study of 40 drivers. The main insight of the study is conveyed through the analogy of an ‘owl’ and ‘lizard’ which describes the degree to which the eyes and the head move when shifting gaze. When the head moves a lot (‘owl’), not much classification improvement is attained by estimating eye pose on top of head pose. On the other hand, when the head stays still and only the eyes move (‘lizard’), classification accuracy increases significantly from adding in eye pose. The authors characterise how that accuracy varies between people, gaze strategies, and gaze regions.
Amplified spontaneous emission pulses for high‐power supercontinuum generation
Authors: Liu Huan Huan , Chow Kin Kee
Published: March 2016

The authors demonstrate an incoherent light source based on a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier as pump for high‐power supercontinuum generation for the first time. The obtained power level is about 160 mW and 20 dB spectral bandwidth is around 170 nm.
The Effect of Obesity on the Improvement in Health State Outcomes following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion
Authors: McAnany Steven J. , Patterson Diana C. , Overley Samuel , Alicea Daniel , Guzman Javier , Qureshi Sheeraz A.
Published: March 2016

Study Design

Observational study.

Objective

Studies have shown a correlation between obesity and lumbar spine pathology, but also that obese patients have higher rates of complication following lumbar spine surgery. It is unknown if obese patients have clinical gains following lumbar spine surgery comparable to the gain of normal-weight patients. This study investigated the correlation of obesity and the delta change in outcomes in a single surgeon's cohort of normal-weight and obese patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of a single surgeon's patients at an academic medical center who underwent MIS TLIF between July 2011 and December 2013. Statistical analyses included independent sample t test for continuous variables, Fisher exact test for categorical data, and repeated measures two-way analysis of variance to assess the interaction between obesity status and the change in Short-Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12) results.

Results

Thirty-eight patients from a single institution were reviewed, and 19 had a body mass index greater than 30. The nonobese and obese postoperative SF-12 mental composite scores (MCS; 52.70 ± 2.50 versus 52.16 ± 1.91; p = 0.87) and physical composite scores (PCS; 45.56 ± 2.72 versus 41.03 ± 2.65; p = 0.24) did not show any significant differences. There was no significant interaction between obesity and change in SF-12 MCS ( F [1, 36] = 0.96, p = 0.33) or SF-12 PCS ( F [1, 36] = 0.74, p = 0.40) between the pre- and postoperative scores. There was a significant effect of obesity on SF-12 PCS scores ( F [1, 36] = 7.15, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing MIS TLIF sustain meaningful and significant gains in SF-12 MCS and PCS that is not impacted by their obesity status.
Material characteristics and equivalent circuit models of stacked graphene oxide for capacitive humidity sensors
Authors: Han Kook In , Kim Seung Du , Yang Woo Seok , Kim Hyeong Seok , Shin Myunghun , Kim Jong Pil , Lee In Gyu , Cho Byung Jin , Hwang Wan Sik
Published: March 2016

The oxidation properties of graphene oxide (GO) are systematically correlated with their chemical sensing properties. Based on an impedance analysis, the equivalent circuit models of the capacitive sensors are established, and it is demonstrated that capacitive operations are related to the degree of oxidation. This is also confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis. Finally, highly sensitive stacked GO sensors are shown to detect humidity in capacitive mode, which can be useful in various applications requiring low power consumption.
Electron spin resonance insight into broadband absorption of the Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Br metamagnet
Authors: Zorko A. , Gomilšek M. , Pregelj M. , Ozerov M. , Zvyagin S. A. , Ozarowski A. , Tsurkan V. , Loidl A. , Zaharko O.
Published: March 2016

Metamagnets, which exhibit a transition from a low-magnetization to a high-magnetization state induced by the applied magnetic field, have recently been highlighted as promising materials for controllable broadband absorption. Here we show results of a multifrequency electron spin resonance (ESR) investigation of the Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Br planar metamagnet on the kagome lattice. Its mixed antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic phase is stabilized in a finite range of applied fields around 0.8 T at low temperatures and is characterized by enhanced microwave absorption. The absorption signal is non-resonant and its boundaries correspond to two critical fields that determine the mixed phase. With decreasing temperature these increase like the sublattice magnetization of the antiferromagnetic phase and show no frequency dependence between 100 and 480 GHz. On the contrary, we find that the critical fields depend on the magnetic-field sweeping direction. In particular, the higher critical field, which corresponds to the transition from the mixed to the ferromagnetic phase, shows a pronounced hysteresis effect, while such a hysteresis is absent for the lower critical field. The observed hysteresis is enhanced at lower temperatures, which suggests that thermal fluctuations play an important role in destabilizing the highly absorbing mixed phase.