bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accessing the biocompatibility of layered double hydroxide by intramuscular implantation: histological and microcirculation evaluation
Authors: Cunha Vanessa Roberta Rodrigues , de Souza Rodrigo Barbosa , da Fonseca Martins Ana Maria Cristina Rebello Pinto , Koh Ivan Hong Jun , Constantino Vera Regina Leopoldo
Published: August 2016

Biocompatibility of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcite-like materials or double metal hydroxides, was investigated by in vivo assays via intramuscular tablets implantation in rat abdominal wall. The tablets were composed by chloride ions intercalated into LDH of magnesium/aluminum (Mg2Al-Cl) and zinc/aluminum (Zn2Al-Cl). The antigenicity and tissue integration capacity of LDHs were assessed histologically after 7 and 28 days post-implantation. No fibrous capsule nearby the LDH was noticed for both materials as well any sign of inflammatory reactions. Sidestream Dark Field imaging, used to monitor in real time the microcirculation in tissues, revealed overall integrity of the microcirculatory network neighboring the tablets, with no blood flow obstruction, bleeding and/or increasing of leukocyte endothelial adhesion. After 28 days Mg2Al-Cl promoted multiple collagen invaginations (mostly collagen type-I) among its fragments while Zn2Al-Cl induced predominantly collagen type–III. This work supports previous results in the literature about LDHs compatibility with living matter, endorsing them as functional materials for biomedical applications.
Experimental validation of non-uniformity effect of the radial electric field on the edge transport barrier formation in JT-60U H-mode plasmas
Authors: Kamiya K. , Itoh K. , Itoh S.-I.
Published: August 2016

The turbulent structure formation, where strongly-inhomogeneous turbulence and global electromagnetic fields are self-organized, is a fundamental mechanism that governs the evolution of high-temperature plasmas in the universe and laboratory (e.g., the generation of edge transport barrier (ETB) of the H-mode in the toroidal plasmas). The roles of inhomogeneities of radial electric field (Er) are known inevitable. In this mechanism, whether the first derivative of Er (shear) or the second derivative of Er (curvature) works most is decisive in determining the class of nontrivial solutions (which describe the barrier structure). Here we report the experimental identification of the essential role of the Er-curvature on the ETB formation, for the first time, based on the high-spatiotemporal resolution spectroscopic measurement. We found the decisive importance of Er-curvature on ETB formation during ELM-free phase, but there is only a low correlation with the Er-shear value at the peak of normalized ion temperature gradient. Furthermore, in the ELMing phase, the effect of curvature is also quantified in terms of the relationship between pedestal width and thickness of the layer of inhomogeneous Er. This is the fundamental basis to understand the structure of transport barriers in fusion plasmas.
On the onset of surface condensation: formation and transition mechanisms of condensation mode
Authors: Sheng Qiang , Sun Jie , Wang Qian , Wang Wen , Wang Hua Sheng
Published: August 2016

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to investigate the onset of surface condensation. On surfaces with different wettability, we snapshot different condensation modes (no-condensation, dropwise condensation and filmwise condensation) and quantitatively analyze their characteristics by temporal profiles of surface clusters. Two different types of formation of nanoscale droplets are identified, i.e. the formations with and without film-like condensate. We exhibit the effect of surface tensions on the formations of nanoscale droplets and film. We reveal the formation mechanisms of different condensation modes at nanoscale based on our simulation results and classical nucleation theory, which supplements the ‘classical hypotheses’ of the onset of dropwise condensation. We also reveal the transition mechanism between different condensation modes based on the competition between surface tensions and reveal that dropwise condensation represents the transition states from no-condensation to filmwise condensation.
Quality control of nonstop membrane proteins at the ER membrane and in the cytosol
Authors: Arakawa Shunsuke , Yunoki Kaori , Izawa Toshiaki , Tamura Yasushi , Nishikawa Shuh-ichi , Endo Toshiya
Published: August 2016

Since messenger RNAs without a stop codon (nonstop mRNAs) for organelle-targeted proteins and their translation products (nonstop proteins) generate clogged translocon channels as well as stalled ribosomes, cells have mechanisms to degrade nonstop mRNAs and nonstop proteins and to clear the translocons (e.g. the Sec61 complex) by release of nonstop proteins into the organellar lumen. Here we followed the fate of nonstop endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane proteins with different membrane topologies in yeast to evaluate the importance of the Ltn1-dependent cytosolic degradation and the Dom34-dependent release of the nonstop membrane proteins. Ltn1-dependent degradation differed for membrane proteins with different topologies and its failure did not affect ER protein import or cell growth. On the other hand, failure in the Dom34-dependent release of the nascent polypeptide from the ribosome led to the block of the Sec61 channel and resultant inhibition of other protein import into the ER caused cell growth defects. Therefore, the nascent chain release from the translation apparatus is more instrumental in clearance of the clogged ER translocon channel and thus maintenance of normal cellular functions.
Lack of vimentin impairs endothelial differentiation of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Boraas Liana C. , Ahsan Tabassum
Published: August 2016

The cytoskeletal filament vimentin is inherent to the endothelial phenotype and is critical for the proper function of endothelial cells in adult mice. It is unclear, however, if the presence of vimentin is necessary during differentiation to the endothelial phenotype. Here we evaluated gene and protein expression of differentiating wild type embryonic stem cells (WT ESCs) and vimentin knockout embryonic stem cells (VIM −/− ESCs) using embryoid bodies (EBs) formed from both cell types. Over seven days of differentiation VIM −/− EBs had altered morphology compared to WT EBs, with a rippled outer surface and a smaller size due to decreased proliferation. Gene expression of pluripotency markers decreased similarly for EBs of both cell types; however, VIM −/− EBs had impaired differentiation towards the endothelial phenotype. This was quantified with decreased expression of markers along the specification pathway, specifically the early mesodermal marker Brachy-T, the lateral plate mesodermal marker FLK1 and the endothelial-specific markers TIE2, PECAM and VE-CADHERIN. Taken together, these results indicate that the absence of vimentin impairs spontaneous differentiation of ESCs to the endothelial phenotype in vitro.
Inhibition of autophagy ameliorates pulmonary microvascular dilation and PMVECs excessive proliferation in rat experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome
Authors: Xu Duo , Chen Bing , Gu Jianteng , Chen Lin , Belguise Karine , Wang Xiaobo , Yi Bin , Lu Kaizhi
Published: August 2016

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a defective liver-induced pulmonary vascular disorder with massive pulmonary microvascular dilation and excessive proliferation of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Growing evidence suggests that autophagy is involved in pulmonary diseases, protectively or detrimentally. Thus, it is interesting and important to explore whether autophagy might be involved in and critical in HPS. In the present study, we report that autophagy was activated in common bile duct ligation (CBDL) rats and cultured pulmonary PMVECs induced by CBDL rat serum, two accepted in vivo and in vitro experimental models of HPS. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) significantly alleviated pathological alterations and typical symptom of HPS in CBDL rats in vivo and consistently 3-MA significantly attenuated the CBDL rat serum-induced excessive proliferation of PMVECs in vitro. All these changes mediated by 3-MA might explain the observed prominent improvement of pulmonary appearance, edema, microvascular dilatation and arterial oxygenation in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that autophagy activation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of HPS and autophagy inhibition may have a therapeutic potential for this disease.
Nuclear myosin I regulates cell membrane tension
Authors: Venit Tomáš , Kalendová Alžběta , Petr Martin , Dzijak Rastislav , Pastorek Lukáš , Rohožková Jana , Malohlava Jakub , Hozák Pavel
Published: August 2016

Plasma membrane tension is an important feature that determines the cell shape and influences processes such as cell motility, spreading, endocytosis and exocytosis. Unconventional class 1 myosins are potent regulators of plasma membrane tension because they physically link the plasma membrane with adjacent cytoskeleton. We identified nuclear myosin 1 (NM1) - a putative nuclear isoform of myosin 1c (Myo1c) - as a new player in the field. Although having specific nuclear functions, NM1 localizes predominantly to the plasma membrane. Deletion of NM1 causes more than a 50% increase in the elasticity of the plasma membrane around the actin cytoskeleton as measured by atomic force microscopy. This higher elasticity of NM1 knock-out cells leads to 25% higher resistance to short-term hypotonic environment and rapid cell swelling. In contrast, overexpression of NM1 in wild type cells leads to an additional 30% reduction of their survival. We have shown that NM1 has a direct functional role in the cytoplasm as a dynamic linker between the cell membrane and the underlying cytoskeleton, regulating the degree of effective plasma membrane tension.
Theoretical study of HgCr2Se3.5Te0.5: a doping-site-dependent semimetal
Authors: Yu Xiang-Long , Jin Yuan-Jun , Wu Jiansheng
Published: August 2016

Weyl semimetals have recently attracted enormous attention due to their unusual features. So far, this novel state has been predicted theoretically and confirmed experimentally in several materials, such as HgTe, LaPtBi, Y2Ir2O7, TaAs, TaP, NbAs, NbP and HgCr2Se4. Doping plays an important role in the research of condensed-matter materials. However, its influence on the Weyl semimetal has been little investigated. Here, we present detailed first-principles and theoretical studies on HgCr2Se4 with doping of Te atoms at the Se sites. A special case where only one pair of crossing points locates at the Fermi level is realized in HgCr2Se3.5Te0.5 where one of the Se atoms in the primitive unit cell is replaced by a Te atom. A further study of k·p theory shows that the two points constitute a pair of Weyl nodes with opposite chiralities in the momentum space, and only one edge state and one single Fermi arc are obtained at each boundary of a film. Moreover, through investigations and analyses of different doping cases of HgCr2Se3.5Te0.5, we find that when the type of doping induces inversion symmetry or positional disorder, the Weyl nodes transform into Dirac points resulting in a change from a Weyl semimetal to a Dirac semimetal.
Stress kinases, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and Alzheimer’s disease related markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects with increased body weight
Authors: Lei Ting , Yu Lugang , Qin Liqiang , Xu Baohui , Zhou Lingmei , Cheng Jinbo , Zhou Hui , Pang Xing , Wan Zhongxiao
Published: August 2016

We aimed to characterize endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from males with varied BMI; and to explore whether high glucose and fatty acids (FFAs) might be critical factors for inducing metabolic alterations in PBMCs under obese condition. Approximately 45 middle-aged men were enrolled with varied BMI. At the protein expression level, compared to the lean, the phosphorylation of AMPK, and p-Akt at serine 473 were significantly reduced from the overweight (OW) and/or obese (OB); while the protein expression of p-JNK, cleaved caspase 3, CHOP and p-eIF2α were elevated from the OW and/or OB. At the mRNA expression level, ER stress markers (i.e. GRP78, CHOP and XBP-1), inflammatory markers (i.e.TLR2, TLR4 and CCR2) and AD markers (i.e. APP, PS1 and PS2) were significantly higher in PBMCs from OB compared to lean. In cultured PBMCs, high glucose and FFAs induced GRP78, CHOP and XBP-1 mRNA, and high glucose also induced APP, PS1 and PS2 mRNA. In conclusion, altered markers including AMPK, ER stress and AD related makers under obese condition could be easily obtained from PBMCs. These markers might provide new mechanistic links between obesity and other metabolic complications including AD.
Implementation and Quality Control of Lung Cancer EGFR Genetic Testing by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Taiwan Clinical Practice
Authors: Su Kang-Yi , Kao Jau-Tsuen , Ho Bing-Ching , Chen Hsuan-Yu , Chang Gee-Cheng , Ho Chao-Chi , Yu Sung-Liang
Published: August 2016

Molecular diagnostics in cancer pharmacogenomics is indispensable for making targeted therapy decisions especially in lung cancer. For routine clinical practice, the flexible testing platform and implemented quality system are important for failure rate and turnaround time (TAT) reduction. We established and validated the multiplex EGFR testing by MALDI-TOF MS according to ISO15189 regulation and CLIA recommendation in Taiwan. Totally 8,147 cases from Aug-2011 to Jul-2015 were assayed and statistical characteristics were reported. The intra-run precision of EGFR mutation frequency was CV 2.15% (L858R) and 2.77% (T790M); the inter-run precision was CV 3.50% (L858R) and 2.84% (T790M). Accuracy tests by consensus reference biomaterials showed 100% consistence with datasheet (public database). Both analytical sensitivity and specificity were 100% while taking Sanger sequencing as the gold-standard method for comparison. EGFR mutation frequency of peripheral blood mononuclear cell for reference range determination was 0.002 ± 0.016% (95% CI: 0.000–0.036) (L858R) and 0.292 ± 0.289% (95% CI: 0.000–0.871) (T790M). The average TAT was 4.5 working days and the failure rate was less than 0.1%. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive report of lung cancer EGFR mutation detection from platform establishment, method validation to clinical routine practice. It may be a reference model for molecular diagnostics in cancer pharmacogenomics.
Specific detection of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5): A case of antibody inequality
Authors: Li Dan , De Saurav , Li Dan , Song Su , Matta Bharati , Barnes Betsy J.
Published: August 2016

Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a member of the IRF family of transcription factors. IRF5 was first identified and characterized as a transcriptional regulator of type I interferon expression after virus infection. In addition to its critical role(s) in the regulation and development of host immunity, subsequent studies revealed important roles for IRF5 in autoimmunity, cancer, obesity, pain, cardiovascular disease and metabolism. Based on these important disease-related findings, a large number of commercial antibodies have become available to study the expression and function of IRF5. Here we validate a number of these antibodies for the detection of IRF5 by immunoblot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry using well-established positive and negative controls. Somewhat surprising, the majority of commercial antibodies tested were unable to specifically recognize human or mouse IRF5. We present data on antibodies that do specifically recognize human or mouse IRF5 in a particular application. These findings reiterate the importance of proper controls and molecular weight standards for the analysis of protein expression. Given that dysregulated IRF5 expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including autoimmune and cancer, results indicate that caution should be used in the evaluation and interpretation of IRF5 expression analysis.
Persistent post-stroke depression in mice following unilateral medial prefrontal cortical stroke
Authors: Vahid-Ansari F , Lagace D C , Albert P R
Published: August 2016

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common outcome following stroke that is associated with poor recovery. To develop a preclinical model of PSD, we targeted a key node of the depression–anxiety circuitry by inducing a unilateral ischemic lesion to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) stroke. Microinjection of male C57/BL6 mice with endothelin-1 (ET-1, 1600 pmol) induced a small (1 mm3) stroke consistently localized within the left mPFC. Compared with sham control mice, the stroke mice displayed a robust behavioral phenotype in four validated tests of anxiety including the elevated plus maze, light–dark, open-field and novelty-suppressed feeding tests. In addition, the stroke mice displayed depression-like behaviors in both the forced swim and tail suspension test. In contrast, there was no effect on locomotor activity or sensorimotor function in the horizontal ladder, or cylinder and home cage activity tests, indicating a silent stroke due to the absence of motor abnormalities. When re-tested at 6 weeks post stroke, the stroke mice retained both anxiety and depression phenotypes. Surprisingly, at 6 weeks post stroke the lesion site was infiltrated by neurons, suggesting that the ET-1-induced neuronal loss in the mPFC was reversible over time, but was insufficient to promote behavioral recovery. In summary, unilateral ischemic lesion of the mPFC results in a pronounced and persistent anxiety and depression phenotype with no evident sensorimotor deficits. This precise lesion of the depression circuitry provides a reproducible model to study adaptive cellular changes and preclinical efficacy of novel interventions to alleviate PSD symptoms.
Plasmonic coupling of dual gold nanoprobes for SERS imaging of sialic acids on living cells
Authors: Song Wanyao , Ding Lin , Chen Yunlong , Ju Huangxian
Published: August 2016

A single-core–multi-satellite nanostructure was designed by the recognition of target sialic acids and the assembly of functional Au nanoparticles into a Au nanoflower-based probe, which leads to plasmonic coupling of two kinds of Au nanoprobes to produce a sensitive SERS signal for the imaging of sialic acids on living cells.
Robust Sierpiński triangle fractals on symmetry-mismatched Ag(100)
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Na , Liu Liwei , Gu Gaochen , Li Chao , Tang Hao , Peng Lianmao , Hou Shimin , Wang Yongfeng
Published: August 2016

Sierpiński triangle fractals were constructed on both Ag(111) and symmetry-mismatched fourfold Ag(100) surfaces through chemical reaction between H3PH molecules and Fe atoms under vacuum.
Blue-light activated rapid polymerization for defect-free bulk Cu(i)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) crosslinked networks
Authors: Shete Abhishek U. , El-Zaatari Bassil M. , French Jonathan M. , Kloxin Christopher J.
Published: August 2016

Bulk photo-CuAAC networks are rapidly polymerized under blue light using novel photoinitiator system avoiding azide decomposition, yielding glassy, transparent films with narrow glass transition region.
Rh-Catalyzed annulations of N-methoxybenzamides with ketenimines: synthesis of 3-aminoisoindolinones and 3-diarylmethyleneisoindolinones with strong aggregation induced emission properties
Authors: Zhou Xiaorong , Peng Zhixing , Zhao Hongyang , Zhang Zhiyin , Lu Ping , Wang Yanguang
Published: August 2016

Rhodium-catalyzed C–H activation/annulation reactions of ketenimines with N-methoxybenzamides furnished 3-aminoisoindolin-1-ones and 3-(diarylmethylene)isoindolin-1-ones.
High-performance colossal permittivity materials of (Nb + Er) co-doped TiO2 for large capacitors and high-energy-density storage devices
Authors: Tse Mei-Yan , Wei Xianhua , Hao Jianhua
Published: August 2016

Our work shows contributions to the high-performance dielectric properties, including a CP of up to 104–105 and a low dielectric loss down to 0.03 in (Er0.5Nb0.5)xTi1−xO2 materials with secondary phases.
Quantitative parameters for the examination of InGaN QW multilayers by low-loss EELS
Authors: Eljarrat Alberto , López-Conesa Lluís , Magén César , García-Lepetit Noemí , Gačević Žarko , Calleja Enrique , Peiró Francesca , Estradé Sònia
Published: August 2016

We present a detailed examination of a multiple InxGa1−xN quantum well (QW) structure for optoelectronic applications.
A series of inorganic–organic hybrid cadmium borates with novel Cd-centred [Cd@B14O20(OH)6]2− clusters
Authors: Wei Qi , Zhang Ya-Jun , Song Ying , Yang Guo-Yu , Zou Xiaodong
Published: August 2016

A series of inorganic–organic hybrid cadmium borates with novel [Cd@B14O20(OH)6]2+ clusters have been synthesized, and their optical properties have also been investigated.
Morphology changes upon scaling a high-efficiency, solution-processed solar cell
Authors: Ro Hyun Wook , Downing Jonathan M. , Engmann Sebastian , Herzing Andrew A. , DeLongchamp Dean M. , Richter Lee J. , Mukherjee Subhrangsu , Ade Harald , Abdelsamie Maged , Jagadamma Lethy K. , Amassian Aram , Liu Yuhang , Yan He
Published: August 2016

Optimized spin-coating and blade-coating are found to produce similar performance yet notably different morphologies.
A green tea-containing starch confection increases plasma catechins without protecting against postprandial impairments in vascular function in normoglycemic adults
Authors: Sapper Teryn N. , Mah Eunice , Ahn-Jarvis Jennifer , McDonald Joshua D. , Chitchumroonchokchai Chureeporn , Reverri Elizabeth J. , Vodovotz Yael , Bruno Richard S.
Published: August 2016

A green tea-containing confection can deliver catechins with reasonable consumer appeal, but does not attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia.
Methyl vinyl glycolate as a diverse platform molecule
Authors: Sølvhøj Amanda , Taarning Esben , Madsen Robert
Published: August 2016

Methyl vinyl glycolate (MVG) is available by zeolite catalyzed degradation of sugars and constitutes a precursor to industrially promising structures by homo metathesis, cross metathesis, Claisen-type rearrangements and allylic alcohol transposition.
An in-line spectrophotometer on a centrifugal microfluidic platform for real-time protein determination and calibration
Authors: Ding Zhaoxiong , Zhang Dongying , Wang Guanghui , Tang Minghui , Dong Yumin , Zhang Yixin , Ho Ho-pui , Zhang Xuping
Published: August 2016

We demonstrated an inline spectrophotometer on centrifugal microfluidics based on the PEDD method, and used it for real-time protein determination and calibration on a chip.
Crosslinking of DNA-linked ligands to target proteins for enrichment from DNA-encoded libraries
Authors: Denton Kyle E. , Krusemark Casey J.
Published: August 2016

Enrichment of DNA-encoded ligands under stringent, protein-denaturing conditions is enabled by crosslinking with electrophilic or photoreactive groups.
RTG-loaded nanomicelles (CS–VES–NAC) for oral anti-HIV drug delivery
Authors: Hu Liming , Wu Jiazhou , Li Zhipeng , Bu Ming , Qiao Shenglin , Wang Hao
Published: August 2016

An acetylcysteine–chitosan–vitamin E succinate copolymer (CVN) was synthesized from chitosan (CS), vitamin E succinate (VES) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as self-assembled nanomicelles for multifunctional delivery of anti-HIV drug Raltegravir (RTG).
In situ growth of SnO2nanosheets on a substrate via hydrothermal synthesis assisted by electrospinning and the gas sensing properties of SnO2/polyaniline nanocomposites
Authors: Li Yang , Ban Huitao , Jiao Mingfei , Yang Mujie
Published: August 2016

In situpreparation of SnO2nanosheet/polyaniline composite on a substrate and its applications as a high performance gas sensor.
Preparation of magnetic nanographene sorbent for extraction and quantification of targeted PPCPs in environmental water samples
Authors: Rashvand Masoumeh , Vosough Maryam , Kargosha Kazem
Published: August 2016

Nano MGO provides the advantages of large surface area and reusability property for enrichment of selected PPCPs.
Superhydrophobic polysiloxane filament growth on non-activated polymer coatings
Authors: Kasapgil Esra , Atici E. Gozde , Cicek Ruhi , Anac Ilke , Erbil H. Yildirim
Published: August 2016

Polysiloxane nanofilaments prepared on BA–MMA–MAA (a) and polystyrene (b) coatings via liquid phase reactions.
Template free synthesis of beaded aluminium sub-microwires via pulse potential electrodeposition
Authors: Su Chung-Jui , Hsieh Yi-Ting , Fong Jing-Ding , Chang Che-Chen , Sun I.-Wen
Published: August 2016

Beaded aluminum wires with tunable physical morphology were prepared from a chloroaluminate ionic liquid using a template-free square-wave pulse potential electrodeposition method with various pulse potential and duration combinations.
Room-temperature mechanochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticle homojunction assemblies for the surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate
Authors: Lu Bo , Zhan Fangyi , Gong Guodong , Cao Yali , Zhen Qiang , Hu Pengfei
Published: August 2016

Room-temperature mechanochemical synthesis of Ag/Ag homojunction assemblies giving giant surface electric field enhancement for SERS.
Preparation and characterization of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing 3,5-diphenyl phthalazinone moieties for proton exchange membrane
Authors: Chen Liyun , Zhang Shouhai , Jiang Yiwen , Jian Xigao
Published: August 2016

A series of novel side-chain sulfonated aromatic polymers SPPEK-dPs membranes were prepared, which shows lower methanol permeability and higher selectivity.
Catalytic gasification of phenol in supercritical water with Ru/graphitized carbon black
Authors: Yu Jiangdong , Guan Qingqing , Chen Qiuling , Ning Ping , Gu Junjie , Huang Xiaodian , Shi Yuzhen , Miao Rongrong
Published: August 2016

Ru/GCB was prepared for catalytic gasification of phenol in SCW, it was active and stable, CGE was maintained at a higher level than 93% in 7 consecutive runs. The aggregation of Ru particles may be responsible for the slight loss of activity.
A π-extended luminogen with colorimetric and off/on fluorescent multi-channel detection for Cu2+ with extremely high selectivity and sensitivity via nonarylamine-based organic mixed valence
Authors: Tang Ruizhi , Wang Xinyang , Zhang Wanzheng , Zhuang Xiaodong , Bi Shuai , Zhang Wenbei , Mai Yiyong , Zhang Fan
Published: August 2016

A luminogen (ITP-TPE) comprising isothianaphthene-bridged tetraphenylethene units was efficiently synthesized.
Particle size effects in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde over supported palladium catalysts
Authors: Jiang Feng , Cai Jian , Liu Bing , Xu Yuebing , Liu Xiaohao
Published: August 2016

Palladium particles of different sizes obtained directly and indirectly by various methods were studied to clarify the particle size effect in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CAL).
Modulating the DNA strand-displacement kinetics with the one-sided remote toehold design for differentiation of single-base mismatched DNA
Authors: Li Chenxi , Li Yixin , Chen Yang , Lin Ruoyun , Li Tian , Liu Feng , Li Na
Published: August 2016

A one-sided remote toehold design was proposed to provide the fine control over strand-displacement reaction kinetics with simplicity and versatility.
Low temperature processed graphene thin film transparent electrodes for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Yadav Shriniwas , Kaur Inderpreet
Published: August 2016

A highly conducting graphene thin film electrodes with remarkable sheet resistance of the order of 0.4 kΩ sq.−1and transmittance up to 94% using spin coating of functionalized graphene solution fabricated at low temperatures of the order of 150 °C.
Room-temperature synthesis of graphene-like carbon sheets from C2H2, CO2 and CO on copper foil
Authors: Hajian M. , Zareie M. , Hashemian D. , Bahrami M.
Published: August 2016

Static electrons, generated from piezoelectric material, flow to the copper foil and increase the charge density of the catalyst surface. Subsequently this density flows from the catalyst into the antibonding orbitals of acetylene molecules and decompose it.
Eu2+-Doped NaBa4(AlB4O9)2X3 (X = Cl, Br) phosphors with intense two-center blue emission and high color purity for n-UV pumped white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Lian Zhipeng , Yan Qingfeng
Published: August 2016

Highly efficient blue-emitting NaBa4(AlB4O9)2X3 (X = Cl, Br):Eu2+ phosphors exhibit high quantum efficiency and better color purity than BAM:Eu2+.
Processing a pyridyl-based polymeric additive for improved photovoltaic performance of a wide-bandgap π-conjugated polymer
Authors: Fan Baobing , Ying Lei , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: August 2016

In this manuscript we introduced a novel conjugated polymeric additive PBTA-Py with benzodithiophene-alt-benzo[1,2,3]triazole as the backbone and polar pyridyl as the terminal group of the side chains.
Design of miniaturised UWB log‐periodic end‐fire antenna using several fractals with WLAN band‐rejection
Authors: Oraizi Homayoon , Amini Amrollah , Karimi Mehr Mehdi
Published: August 2016

Several microstrip log‐periodic antennas are introduced having square Koch, triangular Koch, tree and Giuseppe Peano fractals applied to the edges of their branches with substrate integrated waveguide feed system. The proposed antennas are designed for end‐fire radiation and ultra‐wideband (UWB) operation (3.1–10.6 GHz), which achieve a fidelity factor of better than 0.9 due to the low variation of their phase centres. These antennas are effectively miniaturised and are suitable for impulse radio‐UWB and medical imaging. To prevent interference with commercial bands of 5.8 and 8.3 GHz, two spiral slots are cut on the patch. Their frequency and time‐domain operations and also miniaturisation are compared with those in the available literature. A prototype model of an end‐fire log‐periodic microstrip antenna with the Giuseppe Peano fractal applied to the edges of truncated rhombic branches is fabricated and measured to evaluate and demonstrate its stated properties and specifications.
Effects of antireflective coatings on scanning performance of millimetre‐wave lenses
Authors: Sönmez Nurdan T. , Tokan Nurhan T.
Published: August 2016

This study examines the beam scanning performance of the antireflective coatings designed on millimetre‐wave integrated lens antennas with dense material. Dielectric lens antennas fabricated with a dense dielectric material allow good power transfer efficiency through the lens and enable fabrication of low‐cost and compact‐size lens antennas. However, using dense dielectric material causes strong multiple internal reflection behaviour inside the lens antenna. These multiple reflections deteriorate not only the return loss but also the radiation characteristics. Wide angle scanning performance is limited due to off‐axis aberrations. Effects of strong internal reflections can be reduced considerably using one or more dielectric matching layers coated at the top of the antenna. A 77 GHz extended hemispherical lens antenna made of alumina is coated with different types of solutions for antireflection layers, namely, conventional quarter‐wave transformer, multiple layer transformer, linear and circular corrugations and their performance in beam scanning applications is observed. The lens is illuminated by an aperture coupled microstrip antenna designed to radiate into alumina at 77 GHz. A frequency‐dependent characterisation of the beam pattern clearly showed the existence and impact of internal reflections on beam scanning performance for 77 GHz automotive radar antennas.
Wideband frequency reconfigurable Koch snowflake fractal antenna
Authors: Choukiker Yogesh Kumar , Behera Santanu Kumar
Published: August 2016

In this study, a Koch snowflake frequency reconfigurable antenna for wideband applications is presented including experimental verification. The frequency reconfigurable approach is obtained for UHF band using RF PIN diodes, lumped capacitor and inductors. Proposed antenna is compact, therefore, it can be used as an array element. It has three measured frequency bands. These bands are: case I, 3.34– 4.52 GHz (30%); case II, 2.2–3.4 GHz (43%); and case III, 1.45–4.1 GHz (95.49%). In cases I and II, two different bands are obtained and case III covers almost the frequency band of case I and case II. Thus, the impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna provides continuous wideband frequency coverage from 1.45 to 4.52 GHz (103%). In addition, the measurements are carried out to validate the performance of the antenna. The proposed antenna has good agreement between simulated and measured results with reasonably low cross polarisation.
DFRTP: Dynamic 3D Fuzzy Routing Based on Traffic Probability in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Gharajeh Mohammad Samadi , Khanmohammadi Sohrab
Published: August 2016

Routing protocols are used in wireless sensor network (WSN) to transmit data to a centre (e.g. a base station). In this study, the authors propose a routing protocol called dynamic three‐dimensional fuzzy routing based on traffic probability to enhance network lifetime and increase packet delivery ratio. It uses a fuzzy‐based procedure to transmit packets by hop‐to‐hop delivery from source nodes toward destination nodes. The proposed fuzzy system uses two input parameters including ‘distance’ and ‘number of neighbours’ and one output parameter denoted by ‘traffic probability’. When a node has a sensed data or buffered data packet, it selects one of its neighbours, called chosen node, from among a list of candidate nodes (CNs). Candidates are the neighbours which have power energy higher than average remaining energy and free buffer more than average available buffer size. Distance and number of neighbours for each CN are fed in the fuzzy system to calculate traffic probability. The CN having the lowest traffic probability is selected as an appropriate chosen node to transmit packets to the destination. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol surpasses the greedy and A* heuristic routing for wireless sensor networks in home automation, dynamic optimal progress routing, and A‐star & Fuzzy methods in terms of network lifetime and packet delivery ratio.
Shakespearean allusion and the detective fiction of Georgette Heyer
Authors: Hopkins Lisa
Published: August 2016

This essay argues that Shakespearean allusion is a recurrent and important factor in the detective novels of Georgette Heyer. Though the master text for Heyer is Hamlet, a variety of Shakespeare plays are referred to, and mention of them functions in multiple ways. Quotations from Shakespeare reveal truths about the characters and comment on their situations and personalities. They also afford points of entry for people previously unacquainted to talk to each other, and finally they have effects in terms of genre, since their presence can, with equal facility, tend towards comic relief (in line with a tradition in golden-age crime fiction of using Macbeth in particular to comic effect) or work to add gravitas and resonance. The use of Shakespearean allusion is thus central to Heyer’s technique. This article is published as part of a collection to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.
The Rothschild report (1971) and the purpose of government-funded R&D—a personal account
Authors: Parker Miles
Published: August 2016

In 1971, (Lord) Victor Rothschild, reported to Government on “The Organisation and Management of Government R&D” and how government could become (in his words) a customer for research contracted from the Research Councils and other sources. Rothschild’s thinking implied that management of R&D by “customer” Departments would bring an understanding of research outputs. He proposed the transfer of applied science funds from Research Councils to Government Departments, providing each with a Chief Scientist as proxy customer for research to be commissioned on a “customer/contractor” basis. The Government largely adopted his proposals in 1972 and implemented them in 1974. The Rothschild reforms and the upheavals they brought were controversial at the time, though now in some instances, reversed and otherwise either forgotten or buried in unconscious assumptions. However, the Rothschild framework still underpins important assumptions about Departmental relationships with the science community, which in my view adversely affected the access of Government to expert advice. From the viewpoint of a participant in Government R&D management through this period, I explore the immediate response and the post-1980 history of the Rothschild reforms, discuss the way in which research commissioning became such a heavy task as to impede analysis and advice delivery, and consider alternative approaches, such as the “science broker” model. This article is published as part of a collection on scientific advice to governments.
Spin dynamics of an individual Cr atom in a semiconductor quantum dot under optical excitation
Authors: Lafuente-Sampietro A. , Utsumi H. , Boukari H. , Kuroda S. , Besombes L.
Published: August 2016

We studied the spin dynamics of a Cr atom incorporated in a II-VI semiconductor quantum dot using photon correlation techniques. We used recently developed singly Cr-doped CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots to access the spin of an individual magnetic atom. Auto-correlation of the photons emitted by the quantum dot under continuous wave optical excitation reveals fluctuations of the localized spin with a timescale in the 10 ns range. Cross-correlation gives quantitative transfer time between Cr spin states. A calculation of the time dependence of the spin levels population in Cr-doped quantum dots shows that the observed spin dynamics is dominated by the exciton-Cr interaction. These measurements also provide a lower bound in the 20 ns range for the intrinsic Cr spin relaxation time.
Free vibration analysis of a multiple rotating nano-beams system based on the Eringen nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Ghafarian M. , Ariaei A.
Published: August 2016

The free vibration analysis of a multiple rotating nanobeams' system applying the nonlocal Eringen elasticity theory is presented. Multiple nanobeams' systems are of great importance in nano-optomechanical applications. At nanoscale, the nonlocal effects become non-negligible. According to the nonlocal Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, the governing partial differential equations are derived by incorporating the nonlocal scale effects. Assuming a structure of n parallel nanobeams, the vibration of the system is described by a coupled set of n partial differential equations. The method involves a change of variables to uncouple the equations and the differential transform method as an efficient mathematical technique to solve the nonlocal governing differential equations. Then a number of parametric studies are conducted to assess the effect of the nonlocal scaling parameter, rotational speed, boundary conditions, hub radius, and the stiffness coefficients of the elastic interlayer media on the vibration behavior of the coupled rotating multiple-carbon-nanotube-beam system. It is revealed that the bending vibration of the system is significantly influenced by the rotational speed, elastic mediums, and the nonlocal scaling parameters. This model is validated by comparing the results with those available in the literature. The natural frequencies are in a reasonably good agreement with the reported results.
Influence of the voltage waveform during nanocomposite layer deposition by aerosol-assisted atmospheric pressure Townsend discharge
Authors: Profili J. , Levasseur O. , Naudé N. , Chaneac C. , Stafford L. , Gherardi N.
Published: August 2016

This work examines the growth dynamics of TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings in plane-to-plane Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBDs) at atmospheric pressure operated in a Townsend regime using nebulized TiO2 colloidal suspension in hexamethyldisiloxane as the growth precursors. For low-frequency (LF) sinusoidal voltages applied to the DBD cell, with voltage amplitudes lower than the one required for discharge breakdown, Scanning Electron Microscopy of silicon substrates placed on the bottom DBD electrode reveals significant deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) close to the discharge entrance. On the other hand, at higher frequencies (HF), the number of TiO2 NPs deposited strongly decreases due to their “trapping” in the oscillating voltage and their transport along the gas flow lines. Based on these findings, a combined LF-HF voltage waveform is proposed and used to achieve significant and spatially uniform deposition of TiO2 NPs across the whole substrate surface. For higher voltage amplitudes, in the presence of hexamethyldisiloxane and nitrous oxide for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of inorganic layers, it is found that TiO2 NPs become fully embedded into a silica-like matrix. Similar Raman spectra are obtained for as-prepared TiO2 NPs and for nanocomposite TiO2-SiO2 coating, suggesting that plasma exposure does not significantly alter the crystalline structure of the TiO2 NPs injected into the discharge.
A computational ab initio study of surface diffusion of sulfur on the CdTe (111) surface
Authors: Naderi Ebadollah , Ghaisas S. V.
Published: August 2016

In order to discern the formation of epitaxial growth of CdS shell over CdTe nanocrystals, kinetics related to the initial stages of the growth of CdS on CdTe is investigated using ab-initio methods. We report diffusion of sulfur adatom on the CdTe (111) A-type (Cd-terminated) and B-type (Te-terminated) surfaces within the density functional theory (DFT). The barriers are computed by applying the climbing Nudge Elastic Band (c-NEB) method. From the results surface hopping emerges as the major mode of diffusion. In addition, there is a distinct contribution from kick-out type diffusion in which a CdTe surface atom is kicked out from its position and is replaced by the diffusing sulfur atom. Also, surface vacancy substitution contributes to the concomitant dynamics. There are sites on the B- type surface that are competitively close in terms of the binding energy to the lowest energy site of epitaxy on the surface. The kick-out process is more likely for B-type surface where a Te atom of the surface is displaced by a sulfur adatom. Further, on the B-type surface, subsurface migration of sulfur is indicated. Furthermore, the binding energies of S on CdTe reveal that on the A-type surface, epitaxial sites provide relatively higher binding energies and barriers than on B-type.
Growth of L1-ordered crystal in FePt and FePd thin films on MgO(001) substrate
Authors: Futamoto Masaaki , Nakamura Masahiro , Ohtake Mitsuru , Inaba Nobuyuki , Shimotsu Teruho
Published: August 2016

Formation of L10-oredered structure from disordered A1 phase has been investigated for FePt and FePd films on MgO(001) substrates employing a two-step method consisting of low temperature deposition at 200 °C followed by high-temperature annealing at 600 °C. L10-(001) variant crystal with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate grows preferentially in FePd films whereas L10-(100), (010) variants tend to be mixed with the L10-(001) variant in FePt films. The structure analysis by X-ray diffraction indicates that a difference in A1 lattice strain is the influential factor that determines the resulting L10-variant structure in ordered thin films. Misfit dislocations and anti-phase boundaries are observed in high-resolution transmission electron micrographs of 10 nm-thick Fe(Pt, Pd) film consisting of L10-(001) variants which are formed through atomic diffusion at 600 °C in a laterally strained FePt/PeFd epitaxial thin film. Based on the experimental results, a nucleation and growth model for explaining L10-variant formation is proposed, which suggests a possibility in tailoring the L10 variant structure in ordered magnetic thin films by controlling the alloy composition, the layer structure, and the substrate material.
Roads, routes and rams: does sexual segregation contribute to anthropogenic risk in a desert-dwelling ungulate?
Authors: Bleich Vernon C. , Whiting Jericho C. , Kie John G. , Bowyer R. Terry
Published: August 2016

Context
Little is known about the consequences of sexual segregation (differential use of resources by the sexes outside of the mating season) for the conservation of large mammals. Roadways (i.e. the strip of land over which a road or route passes) are ubiquitous around the world, and are a major cause of wildlife mortality, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation. Many populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) occur at low densities and in a metapopulation structure. Roadways could affect movements of males and females differentially, an outcome that has not been considered previously.

Aims
We investigated the propensity of the sexes to cross a paved two-lane road and a single-lane, maintained dirt route and predicted that adult males, because of their life-history characteristics, would cross those roadways more often than females.

Methods
We investigated movements of male and female bighorn sheep from 1986 to 1990. We used a fixed-wing aircraft with an H-antenna on each wing strut to locate individuals each week from October 1986 to December 1990. We estimated the degree of overlap among 50% core areas of use by males and females with the utilisation distribution overlap index (UDOI).

Key results
We relocated male and female bighorn sheep on 948 occasions during sexual aggregation and on 1951 occasions during sexual segregation. More males than females were likely to cross both types of roadways during segregation, and the dirt route during aggregation. Propensity of males and females to cross roadways was strongly influenced by time of year (i.e. whether the period of sexual aggregation or sexual segregation). The lowest overlap in 50% core areas was between females and males during periods of segregation (UDOI = 0.1447).

Conclusions
More males than females crossed Kelbaker Road and the unnamed dirt route during segregation, as well as the unnamed route during aggregation. Both of those features could affect males more than females, and could result in reductions in the use of habitat or increased mortality of bighorn sheep from vehicle collisions as a result of spatial segregation of the sexes.

Implications
During environmental review, biologists should consider sexual segregation when assessing potential anthropogenic effects on movements of bighorn sheep. Biologists also should consider sexual segregation and how roadways, even lightly traveled routes, affect movements of male and female ungulates differently before manipulating habitat, translocating animals, or constructing or modifying roadways.
High-frequency oscillations in human and monkey neocortex during the wake–sleep cycle
Authors: Le Van Quyen Michel , Muller Lyle E. , Telenczuk Bartosz , Halgren Eric , Cash Sydney , Hatsopoulos Nicholas G. , Dehghani Nima , Destexhe Alain
Published: August 2016

Significance

We show in humans that in comparison to excitatory cells, inhibitory neurons have a stronger spiking activity during γ oscillations in the wake–sleep cycle. During β-oscillations in monkey neocortex, inhibitory cells show more active firing. Unlike excitatory cells, inhibitory cells show correlations during slow-wave sleep fast oscillations over several millimeters in the neocortex. During both wake and sleep, β- and γ-waves systematically propagate with a dominant trajectory across the array with similar velocities. These findings suggest that inhibition-driven β- and γ-oscillations may contribute to the reactivation of information during sleep through orchestrating highly coherent spiking activity patterns.