bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide comparisons reveal evidence for a species complex in the black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera (Bivalvia: Pteriidae)
Authors: Lal Monal M. , Southgate Paul C. , Jerry Dean R. , Zenger Kyall R.
Published: January 2018

Evolutionary relationships in the black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera which is highly valued for pearl production remain poorly understood. This species possesses an 18,000 km Indo-Pacific natural distribution, and its current description includes six subspecies defined exclusively on morphological characters. To evaluate its taxonomic identity using molecular data, 14 populations in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans (n = 69), and the congeneric taxa P. maxima and P. mazatlanica (n = 29 and n = 10, respectively) were sampled. Phylogenomic reconstruction was carried out using both 8,308 genome-wide SNPs and 10,000 dominant loci (DArTseq PAVs). Reconstructions using neighbour-joining (Nei’s 1972 distances), maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches all indicate that the taxonomy of P. margaritifera is quite complex, with distinct evolutionary significant units (ESUs) identified within Tanzanian and Iranian populations. Contrastingly, phylogenies generated for Pacific Ocean oysters resolved a large monophyletic clade, suggesting little support for two current morphological subspecies classifications. Furthermore, P. mazatlanica formed a basal clade closest to French Polynesian P. margaritifera, suggesting it may be conspecific. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that P. margaritifera comprises a species complex, perhaps as a result of population fragmentation and increased divergence at range limits.
Development and characterization of a novel luciferase based cytotoxicity assay
Authors: Matta Hittu , Gopalakrishnan Ramakrishnan , Choi Sunju , Prakash Rekha , Natarajan Venkatesh , Prins Ruben , Gong Songjie , Chitnis Saurabh D. , Kahn Michael , Han Xu , Chaudhary Vishan , Soni Adam , Sernas Jennifer , Khan Prottasha , Wang Dan , Chaudhary Preet M.
Published: January 2018

A simple, accurate, sensitive and robust assay that can rapidly and specifically measure the death of target cells would have applications in many areas of biomedicine and particularly for the development of novel cellular- and immune-therapeutics. In this study, we describe a novel cytotoxicity assay, termed the Matador assay, which takes advantage of the extreme brightness, stability and glow-like characteristics of recently discovered novel marine luciferases and their engineered derivatives. The assay involves expression of a luciferase of interest in target cells in a manner so that it is preferentially retained within the healthy cells but is either released from dead and dying cells or whose activity can be preferentially measured in dead and dying cells. We demonstrate that this assay is highly sensitive, specific, rapid, and can be performed in a single-step manner without the need for any expensive equipment. We further validate this assay by demonstrating its ability to detect cytotoxicity induced by several cellular and immune-therapeutic agents including antibodies, natural killer cells, chimeric antigen receptor expressing T cells and a bispecific T cell engager.
Noncontact and Nonintrusive Microwave-Microfluidic Flow Sensor for Energy and Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Zarifi Mohammad Hossein , Sadabadi Hamid , Hejazi S. Hossein , Daneshmand Mojgan , Sanati-Nezhad Amir
Published: January 2018

A novel flow sensor is presented to measure the flow rate within microchannels in a real-time, noncontact and nonintrusive manner. The microfluidic device is made of a fluidic microchannel sealed with a thin polymer layer interfacing the fluidics and microwave electronics. Deformation of the thin circular membrane alters the permittivity and conductivity over the sensitive zone of the microwave resonator device and enables high-resolution detection of flow rate in microfluidic channels using non-contact microwave as a standalone system. The flow sensor has the linear response in the range of 0–150 µl/min for the optimal sensor performance. The highest sensitivity is detected to be 0.5 µl/min for the membrane with the diameter of 3 mm and the thickness of 100 µm. The sensor is reproducible with the error of 0.1% for the flow rate of 10 µl/min. Furthermore, the sensor functioned very stable for 20 hrs performance within the cell culture incubator in 37 °C and 5% CO2 environment for detecting the flow rate of the culture medium. This sensor does not need any contact with the liquid and is highly compatible with several applications in energy and biomedical engineering, and particularly for microfluidic-based lab-on-chips, micro-bioreactors and organ-on-chips platforms.
In vitro and in vivo antitumor potential of carvacrol nanoemulsion against human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via mitochondrial mediated apoptosis
Authors: Khan Imran , Bahuguna Ashutosh , Kumar Pradeep , Bajpai Vivek K. , Kang Sun Chul
Published: January 2018

Carvacrol is present abundantly in the essential oils of many medicinal plants and well known for its numerous biological activities. Since partial solubility in water and physicochemical instability limits its industrial uses, the present study was performed to prepare a carvacrol nanoemulsion (CANE) using an ultrasonication technique and further evaluation of its anticancer potential against human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The nanoemulsion formulation was optimized by varying carvacrol and polysorbate 80 ratios and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), which revealed a negative surface charge with a mean droplet size between 105.5 ± 3.4 to 169.8 ± 4.9 nm. The CANE induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in A549 cells, leading to activation of key regulators of apoptosis such as p-JNK, Bax and Bcl2 as well as release of cytochrome C, and activation of the caspase cascade. Suppression of mitochondrial ROS using Mito-TEMPO reversed the apoptotic potential of CANE signifying involvement of mitochondrial ROS in cell death. Beside, CANE displayed a strong antitumor potential in vivo using an athymic nude mice model. The results strongly support that CANE induced apoptosis in A549 cells by induction of ROS and could be a promising candidate for lung cancer therapy.
Influences of mesoporous magnesium calcium silicate on mineralization, degradability, cell responses, curcumin release from macro-mesoporous scaffolds of gliadin based biocomposites
Authors: Wang Sicheng , Gu Zhengrong , Wang Zhiwei , Chen Xiao , Cao Liehu , Cai Liang , Li Quan , Wei Jie , Shin Jung-Woog , Su Jiacan
Published: January 2018

Macro-mesoporous scaffolds based on wheat gliadin (WG)/mesoporous magnesium calcium silicate (m-MCS) biocomposites (WMC) were developed for bone tissue regeneration. The increasing amount of m-MCS significantly improved the mesoporosity and water absorption of WMC scaffolds while slightly decreased their compressive strength. With the increase of m-MCS content, the degradability of WMC scaffolds was obviously enhanced, and the decrease of pH value could be slow down after soaking in Tris-HCl solution for different time. Moreover, the apatite mineralization ability of the WMC scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF) was obviously improved with the increase of m-MCS content, indicating good bioactivity. The macro-mesoporous WMC scaffolds containing m-MCS significantly stimulated attachment, proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, indicating cytocompatibility. The WMC scaffold containing 40 w% m-MCS (WMC40) possessed the highest porosity (including macroporosity and mesoporosity), which loaded the highest amount of curcumin (CU) as well as displayed the slow release of CU. The results suggested that the incorporation of m-MCS into WG produced biocomposite scaffolds with macro-mesoporosity, which significantly improved water absorption, degradability, bioactivity, cells responses and load/sustained release of curcumin.
Refractive error is associated with intracranial volume
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Taki Yasuyuki , Nouchi Rui , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Iizuka Kunio , Yamamoto Yuki , Hanawa Sugiko , Araki Tsuyoshi , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Shinada Takamitsu , Sakaki Kohei , Sassa Yuko , Nozawa Takayuki , Ikeda Shigeyuki , Yokota Susumu , Daniele Magistro , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: January 2018

Myopia is part of the spectrum of refractive error. Myopia is associated with psychometric intelligence and, the link between brain anatomy and myopia has been hypothesized. Here we aimed to identify the associations between brain structures and refractive error in developed young adults. In a study cohort of 1,319 normal educated young adults, the refractive error showed a significant negative correlation with total intracranial volume and total cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume but not with total gray matter volume (GMV) or total white matter volume (WMV). Time spent studying was associated with refractive error but could not explain the aforementioned associations with brain volume parameters. The R2 values of the simple regression between spherical equivalent and outcome variables for each sex in non-whole brain imaging analyses were less than 0.05 in all cases and thus were weak. Psychometric intelligence was not associated with refractive error or total CSF volume, but it weakly positively correlated with total GMV and total WMV in this study population. Thus, refractive error appears to be primarily (weakly) associated with the volume of the cranium, whereas psychometric intelligence was associated with the volume of the brain.
Enhanced electrochemiluminescence of luminol by an in situ silver nanoparticle-decorated graphene dot for glucose analysis
Authors: Salehnia Foad , Hosseini Morteza , Ganjali Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2018

Herein, a rapid, linker-free, single-step strategy for in situ synthesis of graphene quantum dot–luminol–Ag nanoparticle (GQD–luminol–AgNP) nanocomposites was designed by reducing AgNO3 with an electrochemiluminescent reagent, luminol, in the presence of GQDs.
Graphene oxide–ZnO nanocomposite modified electrode for the detection of phenol
Authors: Arfin Tanvir , Rangari Stephy N.
Published: January 2018

In the present study, a ZnO functionalized graphene oxide (GO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GO–ZnO/GCE) was used for the electrochemical sensory detection of phenol.
Aldehyde-functionalized metal–organic frameworks for selective sensing of homocysteine over Cys, GSH and other natural amino acids
Authors: Wang Jian , Liu Yanhong , Jiang Min , Li Yang , Xia Lingling , Wu Pengyan
Published: January 2018

Aldehyde-functionalized luminescent MOFs represent the first example of MOF-implicated sensors for discriminating Hcy from Cys and GSH.
Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed chelation-assisted C–H iodination of aromatic amides with I2
Authors: Kommagalla Yadagiri , Yamazaki Ken , Yamaguchi Takuma , Chatani Naoto
Published: January 2018

An air stable and inexpensive cobalt-metal, mild and efficient catalytic system.
Molecular electrostatic potential on the proton-donating atom as a theoretical descriptor of excited state acidity
Authors: Wang Yu-Fu , Cheng Yuan-Chung
Published: January 2018

Organic photoacids with enhanced acidities in the excited states have received much attention both experimentally and theoretically because of their applications in nanotechnology and chemistry.
Computational exploration of Fe55@C240-catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Cilpa-Karhu Geraldine , Laasonen Kari
Published: January 2018

DFT calculations showed possible hydrocarbon chain growth on Fe55@C240 preferentially via a CO insertion mechanism.
Through bond and through space interactions in dehydro-diazine radicals: a case study of 3c-5e interactions
Authors: Saraswat Mayank , Venkataramani Sugumar
Published: January 2018

Owing to the 3c-5e (3-centred-5-electrons) interactions between two nitrogen lone pairs and a radical electron, the dehydrodiazine radical isomers are very interesting from the fundamental point of view.
Full-dimensional analytical potential energy surface describing the gas-phase Cl + C2H6reaction and kinetics study of rate constants and kinetic isotope effects
Authors: Rangel Cipriano , Espinosa-Garcia Joaquin
Published: January 2018

Within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation a full-dimensional analytical potential energy surface, PES-2017, was developed for the gas-phase hydrogen abstraction reaction between the chlorine atom and ethane, which is a nine body system.
The importance of grand-canonical quantum mechanical methods to describe the effect of electrode potential on the stability of intermediates involved in both electrochemical CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhang Haochen , Goddard William A. , Lu Qi , Cheng Mu-Jeng
Published: January 2018

Grand canonical quantum mechanics was employed to investigate intermediates of CO2ER under constant potential instead of constant charge.
Comprehensive review of chemical strategies for the preparation of new aminoglycosides and their biological activities
Authors: Thamban Chandrika Nishad , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: January 2018

Aminoglycosides are antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and premature termination codon disorder treatments. We review all chemical strategies for their preparation.
Emission and fate modelling framework for engineered nanoparticles in urban aquatic systems at high spatial and temporal resolution
Authors: Domercq Prado , Praetorius Antonia , Boxall Alistair B. A.
Published: January 2018

The combination of emission and fate modelling improves the exposure assessment of engineered nanoparticles in complex urban systems.
A metagenomics approach to the intestinal microbiome structure and function in high fat diet-induced obesity mice fed with oolong tea polyphenols
Authors: Cheng Mei , Zhang Xin , Zhu Jieyu , Cheng Lu , Cao Jinxuan , Wu Zufang , Weng Peifang , Zheng Xiaojie
Published: January 2018

We investigate the modulatory effect of oolong tea polyphenols on the intestinal microbiota in human flora-associated high fat diet induced obese mice.
Green asymmetric synthesis of Warfarin and Coumachlor in pure water catalyzed by quinoline-derived 1,2-diamines
Authors: Kucherenko Alexander S. , Kostenko Alexey A. , Zhdankina Galina M. , Kuznetsova Olga Yu. , Zlotin Sergei G.
Published: January 2018

A green protocol for water-tolerant iminium-type asymmetric Michael reaction cooperatively catalyzed by 1,2-di(quinoline)ethane-1,2-diamine/mandelic acid was proposed.
A computational analysis of pro-angiogenic therapies for peripheral artery disease
Authors: Clegg Lindsay E. , Mac Gabhann Feilim
Published: January 2018

We used a multiscale systems pharmacology model to provide insight into the mechanisms of action of several classes of pro-angiogenic therapies.
Nanofiber membrane supported lung-on-a-chip microdevice for anti-cancer drug testing
Authors: Yang Xingyuan , Li Kaiyan , Zhang Xu , Liu Chang , Guo Bingkun , Wen Weijia , Gao Xinghua
Published: January 2018

A PLGA nanofiber membrane supported lung-on-a-chip microdevice was developed to model the alveolar microenvironment for anti-cancer drug testing.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of 2,2′-bis(oligothiophene)-9,9′-bifluorenylidene derivatives
Authors: Yu Tianzhi , Guan Weijia , Wang Xin , Zhao Yuling , Yang Qianguang , Li Yanmei , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2018

Herein, three 9,9′-bifluorenylidene derivatives were synthesized, among which STBF could be used as an electron acceptor in P3HT-based organic photovoltaic cells.
Efficient one-pot synthesis of enantiomerically pure N-protected-α-substituted piperazines from readily available α-amino acids
Authors: Jida Mouhamad , Ballet Steven
Published: January 2018

A new pathway towards enantiomerically pure 3-substituted piperazines, bearing a benzyl protecting group, has been developed in good overall yields (83–92%), starting from commercially available N-protected amino acids.
Mechanically stable ternary heterogeneous electrodes for energy storage and conversion
Authors: Gao Libo , Zhang Hongti , Surjadi James Utama , Li Peifeng , Han Ying , Sun Dong , Lu Yang
Published: January 2018

Hierarchical mechanically stable heterostructured FeCo@NiCo layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with superior capacitive performance were fabricated.
Enhanced cyclability of Li–O2batteries with cathodes of Ir and MnO2supported on well-defined TiN arrays
Authors: Leng Limin , Li Jing , Zeng Xiaoyuan , Tian Xinlong , Song Huiyu , Cui Zhimin , Shu Ting , Wang Haishui , Ren Jianwei , Liao Shijun
Published: January 2018

Enhanced cyclability of Li–O2batteries with cathodes of Ir and MnO2supported on well-defined TiN arrays.
Clarifying the high on/off ratio mechanism of nanowire UV photodetector by characterizing surface barrier height
Authors: Li Gaoda , Meng Leixin , Zhu Xiaofei , Gao Weihao , Qin Yong , Chen Liwei
Published: January 2018

The high on/off ratio mechanism of ZnO nanowire UV photodetector is clarified by calibrated surface potential measurement and space charge model.
Dess–Martin periodinane oxidative rearrangement for preparation of α-keto thioesters
Authors: Sanichar Randy , Carroll Ciaran , Kimmis Ryan , Reiz Bela , Vederas John C.
Published: January 2018

Facile preparation of α-keto thioesters via a new rearrangement reaction mediated by the Dess–Martin Periodinane reagent.
Rhodium-catalyzed C7-alkylation of indolines with maleimides
Authors: Pan Changduo , Wang Yun , Wu Chao , Yu Jin-Tao
Published: January 2018

A rhodium(iii)-catalyzed direct cross-coupling reaction of indolines with maleimides via C–H bond activation was developed.
A covalent triazine-based framework from tetraphenylthiophene and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine motifs for sensing o-nitrophenol and effective I2 uptake
Authors: Geng Tongmou , Zhang Weiyong , Zhu Zongming , Chen Guofeng , Ma Lanzhen , Ye Sainan , Niu Qingyuan
Published: January 2018

A covalent triazine-based framework with a tetraphenylthiophene (TTPT) backbone was prepared by the AlCl3 catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of commercially available material 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine with tetraphenylthiophene in dichloromethane.
A sustainable photocontrolled ATRP strategy: facile separation and recycling of a visible-light-mediated catalyst fac-[Ir(ppy)3]
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Ni Yuanyuan , Wu Jian , Jiang Hongjuan , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin
Published: January 2018

A visible-light-mediated catalyst (fac-[Ir(ppy)3]) in situ separation and recycling ATRP system for PEG-based water-soluble monomers was constructed.
Application of hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics for variety classification of maize seeds
Authors: Zhao Yiying , Zhu Susu , Zhang Chu , Feng Xuping , Feng Lei , He Yong
Published: January 2018

Hyperspectral imaging provides an effective way for seed variety classification for assessing variety purity and increasing crop yield.
A highly stretchable humidity sensor based on spandex covered yarns and nanostructured polyaniline
Authors: Guo Ya-Nan , Gao Zhi-Yuan , Wang Xiao-Xiong , Sun Li , Yan Xu , Yan Shi-Ying , Long Yun-Ze , Han Wen-Peng
Published: January 2018

In this work, a highly stretchable humidity sensor based on spandex covered yarns and nanostructured polyaniline was fabricated, and maintains its humidity sensitivity well at different elongations.
Construction of cost-effective bimetallic nanoparticles on titanium carbides as a superb catalyst for promoting hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Authors: Guo Zhangwei , Liu Tong , Wang Qingtao , Gao Guanhui
Published: January 2018

Bimetallic cost-effective CoNi nanoparticles are supported on MXene by a simple one-step wet-chemical method. The Co0.7Ni0.3/MXene shows the best performance toward catalyzing AB decomposition with TOF of 87.6 molH2molcat−1min−1at 50 °C.
Mechanism and effect of γ-butyrolactone solvent vapor post-annealing on the performance of a mesoporous perovskite solar cell
Authors: Luo Jun , Qiu Ren Zheng , Yang Zhi Sheng , Wang Yan Xiang , Zhang Qi Feng
Published: January 2018

γ-Butyrolactone was used to post-anneal perovskite films and better performance of cells was achieved; a mechanism was derived.
Simultaneous atomic-level visualization and high precision photocurrent measurements on photoelectric devices by in situ TEM
Authors: Dong Hui , Xu Tao , Sun Ziqi , Zhang Qiubo , Wu Xing , He Longbing , Xu Feng , Sun Litao
Published: January 2018

A photoelectric system is capable of simultaneous atomic-level visualization and pico-ampere-precision.
Evaluation and optimization of a new microbial enhancement plug-flow ditch system for the pretreatment of acid mine drainage: semi-pilot test
Authors: Song Yongwei , Wang Heru , Yang Jun , Zhou Lixiang , Zhou Jingcheng , Cao Yanxiao
Published: January 2018

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is typically characterized by low pH, a high concentration of sulfate and dissolved heavy metals.
Poly(quercetin)-bismuth nanowires as a new modifier for simultaneous voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers and nitrite
Authors: Tohidinia M. , Farsadrooh M. , Bahmanzadeh S. , Sabbaghi N. , Noroozifar M.
Published: January 2018

Dihydroxybenzene isomers and nitrite, NO2−, are present in environment as the high toxic compounds and cause human cancer. A novel GPE/PQ–BNWs for simultaneous determination dihydroxybenzene isomers; HQ, CC, RS in presence of NO2−.
Current progress in production of biopolymeric materials based on cellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and cellulose derivatives
Authors: Shaghaleh Hiba , Xu Xu , Wang Shifa
Published: January 2018

Cellulose has attracted considerable attention as the strongest potential candidate feedstock for bio-based polymeric material production.
Gold nanocolloid–protein interactions and their impact on β-sheet amyloid fibril formation
Authors: Barros Heloise R. , Kokkinopoulou Maria , Riegel-Vidotti Izabel C. , Landfester Katharina , Thérien-Aubin Héloïse
Published: January 2018

Formation of amyloid protein fibrils is associated with degenerative diseases. Here, the interaction mechanism between globular and fibrillar proteins with AuNPs were investigated in order to potentially control and reverse the fibrillation process.
Incorporation of graphene oxide in polyethersulfone mixed matrix membranes to enhance hemodialysis membrane performance
Authors: Fahmi M. Z. , Wathoniyyah M. , Khasanah M. , Rahardjo Y. , Wafiroh S. , Abdulloh Abdulloh
Published: January 2018

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) was added to polyethersulfone (PES) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) to improve the performance of hemodialysis membranes.
Low efficiency roll-off and high color stability pure fluorescent white organic light-emitting diode based exciplex host
Authors: Zhang Heng , Wang Ziqi , Gao Long , Zhao Bo , Li Wenlian
Published: January 2018

Low efficiency roll-off and high color stability pure fluorescent WOLEDs with a blue exciplex host and orange rubrene dopant were realized by utilizing the bipolarity and triplet exciton up-conversion of the exciplex host.
Structural basis for substrate discrimination byE. colirepair enzyme, AlkB
Authors: Jayanth Namrata , Ogirala Nirmala , Yadav Anil , Puranik Mrinalini
Published: January 2018

Positive charge on methylated nucleotides is a prime criterion for substrate recognition byE. coliAlkB.
Structure and magnetism of two chair-shaped hexanuclear dysprosium(iii) complexes exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation
Authors: Liu Zi-Yuan , Zou Hua-Hong , Wang Rong , Chen Man-Sheng , Liang Fu-Pei
Published: January 2018

We report two novel chair-shaped hexanuclear DyIII complexes with different polyhydroxy Schiff-base ligands. Both complexes are constructed with Dy3 triangular motifs as building blocks and exhibit slow magnetic relaxation behavior at low temperature.
A novel study on preparation of H2TiO3–lithium adsorbent with titanyl sulfate as titanium source by inorganic precipitation–peptization method
Authors: Zhang Li-Yuan , Liu Yi-Wu , Huang Lan , Li Ning
Published: January 2018

A peroxy Li2TiO3sol was prepared with low-cost TiOSO4as titanium source, CH3COOLi as lithium source, and H2O2as complexing agent by inorganic precipitation–peptization method.
Multiple-responsive shape memory polyacrylonitrile/graphene nanocomposites with rapid self-healing and recycling properties
Authors: Cai Chenting , Zhang Yue , Li Mei , Chen Yan , Zhang Rongchun , Wang Xiaoliang , Wu Qiang , Chen Tiehong , Sun Pingchuan
Published: January 2018

A Diels–Alder covalent bond based crosslinked polyacrylonitrile/graphene nanocomposite is reported, which has the multiple-responsive properties of shape memory, self-healing, and reprocessing in addition to enhanced mechanical property.
Anisotropic thermal conductive properties of cigarette filter-templated graphene/epoxy composites
Authors: Liu Zhiduo , Chen Yapeng , Dai Wen , Wu Yuming , Wang Mengjie , Hou Xiao , Li He , Jiang Nan , Lin Cheng-Te , Yu Jinhong
Published: January 2018

We report a facile method to prepare cigarette filter-templated graphene/epoxy composites with excellent thermal transport performance.
Effect of terminal chain length on the helical twisting power in achiral bent-core molecules doped in a cholesteric liquid crystal
Authors: Kim Byeong-Cheon , Walker Martin , Jo Seong-Yong , Wilson Mark R. , Takezoe Hideo , Choi Suk-Won
Published: January 2018

We prepared a homologous series of achiral bent-core (BC) liquid crystals with different terminal alkoxy chain lengths, n (BC-n), and evaluated the helical twisting power (HTP) of the BC-n doped in a cholesteric liquid crystal.
Fe/N-doped graphene with rod-like CNTs as an air-cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Wang Dingling , Ma Zhaokun , Xie Yang'en , Zhang Man , Zhao Na , Song Huaihe
Published: January 2018

Rod-like CNTs were formed on Fe–N doped graphene during a simple carbonization process, and the mechanism of the growth and disappearance of CNTs were also investigated.
Packed hybrid silica nanoparticles as sorbents with thermo-switchable surface chemistry and pore size for fast extraction of environmental pollutants
Authors: Jadhav Sushilkumar A. , Nisticò Roberto , Magnacca Giuliana , Scalarone Dominique
Published: January 2018

Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted silica nanoparticles were synthesized and used to prepare solid phase extraction sorbents with switchable pore size and surface chemistry for temperature-regulated extraction of water pollutants.
Lignin-first depolymerization of native corn stover with an unsupported MoS2 catalyst
Authors: Li Song , Li Wenzhi , Zhang Qi , Shu Riyang , Wang Huizhen , Xin Haosheng , Ma Longlong
Published: January 2018

The non-noble metal catalyst MoS2 played a positive role in the depolymerization of native corn stover lignin by lignin-first biorefinery.
Poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate) nanofibrous membrane composited with cyclodextrin polymer for superhydrophilic property
Authors: Wei Zhenzhen , Pan Zhijuan , Li Faxue , Yu Jianyong
Published: January 2018

We present a facile fabrication method for a PBST composite nanofibrous membrane with cyclodextrin polymer via electrospinning and heating processes. The membrane is superhydrophilic and water can completely spread on the surface within just 0.2 s.
Preparation and in-system study of SnCl2precursor layers: towards vacuum-based synthesis of Pb-free perovskites
Authors: Félix R. , Llobera-Vila N. , Hartmann C. , Klimm C. , Hartig M. , Wilks R. G. , Bär M.
Published: January 2018

Characterization of SnCl2thin-films, inorganic precursor to Sn-based perovskites, UHV-deposited on Mo reveals widespread chemical structure along film layer profile.
Biological activity and interaction mechanism of the diketopiperazine derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors
Authors: Tian Zhenhua , Chu Yanyan , Wang Hui , Zhong Lili , Deng Mengyan , Li Wenbao
Published: January 2018

Microtubules are a favorable target for development of anticancer agents.
A facile synthesis of a cobalt nanoparticle–graphene nanocomposite with high-performance and triple-band electromagnetic wave absorption properties
Authors: Long Qin , Xu Zhiqiang , Xiao Huanhuan , Xie Kenan
Published: January 2018

Ferromagnetic metal nanoparticle/graphene nanocomposites are promising as excellent electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials.
Highly stable mesoporous silica nanospheres embedded with FeCo/graphitic shell nanocrystals as magnetically recyclable multifunctional adsorbents for wastewater treatment
Authors: Hong Yonghoon , Kim Da Jeong , Choi In Ae , Pal Mou , Lee Gaehang , Nam Ki Min , Seo Won Seok
Published: January 2018

We report the first synthesis of highly stable and efficiently recyclable multifunctional adsorbents containing FeCo/GC nanoparticles with the strongest magnetic properties.
Exploring the biomarkers and therapeutic mechanism of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome treated by You-gui pill using systems pharmacology and serum metabonomics
Authors: Chen Ruiqun , Wang Jia , Liao Chengbin , Zhang Lei , Guo Qian , Wang Xiufeng
Published: January 2018

In this study, systems pharmacology was used to predict the molecular targets of You-gui pills (YGP) and explore the therapeutic mechanism of Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome (KYDS) treated with YGP.
Substituent effects of bridged binaphthyl-type chiral dopants on the helical twisting power in dopant-induced chiral liquid crystals
Authors: Narazaki Yu , Nishikawa Hiroya , Higuchi Hiroki , Okumura Yasushi , Kikuchi Hirotsugu
Published: January 2018

A systematic study of the induced helical twisting power by the 6,6′-substituted bridged binaphthyl-type chiral dopants.
Enhanced heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation of methylene blue by reduced CuFe2O4
Authors: Qin Qingdong , Liu Yahong , Li Xuchun , Sun Tian , Xu Yan
Published: January 2018

CuFe2O4 was reduced for activation of hydrogen peroxide and the reduced CuFe2O4 showed a relatively higher catalytic activity.
A surfactant-free microemulsion composed of isopentyl acetate, n-propanol, and water
Authors: Liu Yuan , Xu Jie , Deng Huanhuan , Song Jiaxin , Hou Wanguo
Published: January 2018

Surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) can form from the mixture of isopentyl acetate (oil phase), n-propanol (amphi-solvent), and water. They may show W/O, bicontinuous (BC), and O/W microstructures depending on the composition of the SFMEs.
Amphoteric starch derivatives as reusable flocculant for heavy-metal removal
Authors: Wu Liang , Zhang Xingrong , Chen Long , Zhang Huan , Li Chengbi , Lv Yin , Xu Yisheng , Jia Xin , Shi Yulin , Guo Xuhong
Published: January 2018

A pH-responsive starch-based flocculants containing both cationic and anionic functional groups has been developed. The saturated flocculant can be facilely regenerated and separated from the solution by applying an external pH stimulus.
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon modified activated carbon as an efficient oxygen reduction catalyst for microbial fuel cells
Authors: Lv Kang , Zhang Hua , Chen Shuiliang
Published: January 2018

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon modified activated carbon shows decreased ORR over-potential, thus enhanced ORR electrocatalytic activity in the air-cathode of microbial fuel cells compared to pristine AC.
Complex coacervation
Authors: Dubin Paul , Stewart Russell J.
Published: January 2018

Guest editors Paul Dubin and Russell J. Stewart introduce this Soft Matter themed collection on complex coacervation.
Solution-processed yolk–shell-shaped WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction photoelectrodes for efficient solar water splitting
Authors: Jin Bingjun , Jung Eunji , Ma Ming , Kim Sungsoon , Zhang Kan , Kim Jin Il , Son Yongkeun , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: January 2018

A novel yolk–shell-shaped WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction photoanode was fabricated which is beneficial for efficient solar light utilization.
Strong hybridization between Bi-6s and O-2p orbitals in Sillén–Aurivillius perovskite Bi4MO8X (M = Nb, Ta; X = Cl, Br), visible light photocatalysts enabling stable water oxidation
Authors: Kunioku Hironobu , Higashi Masanobu , Tomita Osamu , Yabuuchi Masayoshi , Kato Daichi , Fujito Hironori , Kageyama Hiroshi , Abe Ryu
Published: January 2018

Oxyhalides Bi4MO8X are revealed to function as stable O2-evolving photocatalysts under visible light without suffering from self-oxidative deactivation due to the unique valence band structure.
Computational screening and first-principles investigations of NASICON-type LixM2(PO4)3 as solid electrolytes for Li batteries
Authors: Zhao Xudong , Zhang Zihe , Zhang Xu , Tang Bin , Xie Zhaojun , Zhou Zhen
Published: January 2018

Li-containing NASICONs were screened from the Materials Project database and seven kinds of LixM2(PO4)3 are proposed as solid electrolytes for Li batteries.
Novel titanium nitride halide TiNX (X = F, Cl, Br) monolayers: potential materials for highly efficient excitonic solar cells
Authors: Liang Yan , Dai Ying , Ma Yandong , Ju Lin , Wei Wei , Huang Baibiao
Published: January 2018

Titanium nitride halide TiNX (X = F, Cl, Br) monolayers for highly efficient excitonic solar cells.
Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2to HCOOH on silicon photocathodes with reduced SnO2porous nanowire catalysts
Authors: Rao K. Ramachandra , Pishgar Sahar , Strain Jacob , Kumar Bijandra , Atla Veerendra , Kumari Sudesh , Spurgeon Joshua M.
Published: January 2018

High-quality Si photoelectrodes with novel Sn nanowire catalysts convert solar energy to reduce CO2to formic acid with high selectivity.
The mechanism of ultrafast supercapacitors
Authors: Eftekhari Ali
Published: January 2018

Batteries and supercapacitors can be explained by the same impedance model involving diffusion, but neither is controlled by ‘semi-infinite’ diffusion.
PEG conjugated BODIPY-Br2 as macro-photosensitizer for efficient imaging-guided photodynamic therapy
Authors: Ruan Zheng , Zhao Yangyang , Yuan Pan , Liu Le , Wang Yucai , Yan Lifeng
Published: January 2018

PEG-BDP macro-photosensitizer was synthesized which showed imaging-guided photodynamic therapy.
Magnetic lipid nanocapsules (MLNCs): self-assembled lipid-based nanoconstruct for non-invasive theranostic applications
Authors: Nandwana Vikas , Singh Abhalaxmi , You Marisa M. , Zhang Gefei , Higham John , Zheng Tiffany S. , Li Yue , Prasad Pottumarthi V. , Dravid Vinayak P.
Published: January 2018

A novel magnetic nanostructures (MNS) stabilized lipid nanoconstruct is reported that shows superior structural stability and theranostic functionality than conventional lipid based nanocarriers.
A far-red-emissive AIE active fluorescent probe with large stokes shift for detection of inflammatory bowel disease in vivo
Authors: Xu Wanfu , He Liying , Xia Qi , Jia Chunhong , Geng Lanlan , Yang Min , Xu Zhaohui , Chen Peiyu , Cheng Yang , Zhao Junhong , Wang Hongli , Chen Huan , Zhang Yuhua , Gong Sitang , Liu Ruiyuan
Published: January 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic remittent or progressive inflammatory gastrointestinal tract diseases, accompanying impaired barrier function.
3,4-Phenylenedioxythiophenes (PheDOTs) functionalized with electron-withdrawing groups and their analogs for organic electronics
Authors: Krompiec Michal P. , Baxter Sean N. , Klimareva Elena L. , Yufit Dmitry S. , Congrave Daniel G. , Britten Thomas K. , Perepichka Igor F.
Published: January 2018

A facile one-pot, microwave-assisted synthesis of novel functionalized arylenedioxythiophenes as promising building blocks for conjugated polymers with tuneable electronic properties is presented.
Reconfigurable hardware architecture for faster descriptor extraction in SURF
Authors: Kim Y. , Jung H.
Published: January 2018

Speeded up robust features (SURFs) are considered to be the most efficient feature extraction algorithm and it has been implemented in powerful hardware for real‐time operation due to its characteristics of data‐intensive computation of high complexity. Especially, the computational load of the descriptor extraction procedure is very significant and the overall performance of SURF can be improved by speeding up the descriptor extraction step with increasing parallel hardware accelerators. However, simply increasing the hardware accelerators is burdensome because of causing significant area and power consumption. Therefore, a reconfigurable hardware architecture is proposed that enables achieving the maximum performance of the descriptor extraction step with making the best use of the existing accelerators without any additional ones. Experimental results show that the proposed architecture improves the performance of the descriptor extraction step by 24.77–47.45% with negligible area overheads when compared with the existing hardware implementations of the SURF algorithm.
Distributed smart antenna system for high‐density WLAN system
Authors: Ishihara K. , Murakami T. , Abeysekera H. , Akimoto M. , Takatori Y.
Published: January 2018

The authors propose a WLAN with a distributed smart antenna system (D‐SAS) that can suppress interference and improve the system throughput in high‐density scenarios such as stadiums and shopping malls. The authors also demonstrate a prototype of the WLAN with D‐SAS and show experimental results in which the proposed system achieves more than twice the throughput of a conventional WLAN system with a centralised antenna system.
Power optimisation of both a high‐speed counter and a retiming element for 2.4 GHz digital PLLs
Authors: Silva‐Pereira M. , Caldinhas Vaz J.
Published: January 2018

The power optimisation at circuit level of a high‐speed counter and a retiming circuit aimed for ultra‐low‐power digital phase‐locked‐loops (PLLs) is presented. The high‐speed counter topology is based on a well‐known asynchronous type with a precise sampling phase generator. Different types of custom true single‐phase clock (TSPC) logic style are briefly revised and then strategically used. It is shown that a particular TSPC flip‐flop when operating as a retiming element can achieve optimal power efficiency. A prototype was fabricated in an earlier generation 0.13 μm CMOS technology and characterised with a 1 V supply. Measurements show a state‐of‐the‐art power consumption of about 48 μW when operating with a 2.4 GHz input signal.
Effective design and implementation of GSS‐PLL under voltage dip and phase interruption
Authors: Hamed Hany A. , Abdou Ahmed F. , Bayoumi Ehab , EL‐Kholy Elwy E.
Published: January 2018

The robust operation of grid‐connected converters under non‐ideal grids is a challenging topic. Synchronising of converters requires accurate estimation of the grid vector angle which is traditionally performed by phase locked loops (PLLs). Separating the grid voltage and current sequence components is essential for controlling converters under non‐ideal grids. In this study, an efficient method to separate the grid sequence components using cascaded delayed signal cancellation (CDSC) is developed. The proposed method is a reduced version of the conventional delayed signal cancellation separation technique. Implementing CDSC in the stationary frame enables for using a higher bandwidth without degrading its filtering capability which enables for using the GSS as a pre‐filter stage for the traditional synchronous reference frame PLL. Therefore, the obtained grid sequence separator PLL (GSS‐PLL) accurately estimates the grid vector angle under severe conditions. The performance of GSS method as well as GSS‐PLL is compared to the conventional multiple second‐order generalised integrator (MSOGI) method under unbalance, phase interruption and harmonically distorted grids. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified through simulation and experimental tests. The low computational effort of GSS scheme compared to the MSOGI is a significant advantage which encourages its implantation for most of the grid‐connected converters.
Load emulation technique for variable power factor and harmonic loads with energy recycling
Authors: Vijay Vani , Kini Perdoor Giridhar , Chenna Viswanatha
Published: January 2018

The need for emulation of electrical load is often experienced in industrial design, development, and testing of electrical sources, especially in the case of renewable energy sources. The performance of standalone renewable energy systems is found to vary considerably with a change in load characteristics, especially with varying power factor (PF) and harmonics. Here a novel load emulation technique has been developed, using which variable PF and variable harmonic loads can be easily emulated and the energy drawn by the load can be recycled. In the proposed technique, the current drawn by the load is divided into in‐phase, leading and lagging components. Each component is controlled individually. The in‐phase power is then regenerated. The simulation and hardware results show exact variation in load characteristics as per the test requirements, which are difficult or impossible using passive loading and existing load emulation techniques with back to back converters. The proposed method is found to be more accurate, flexible and easier for emulation of low PF and high harmonic loads. A performance study is also conducted on a solar photovoltaic system using the developed model, substantiating the importance of this load emulation method.
Preparation of ZnS by magnetron sputtering and its buffer effect on the preferential orientation growth of ITO thin film
Authors: Du Wenhan , Yang Jingjing , Zhao Yu , Xiong Chao
Published: January 2018

Two different deposition sequences were carried to investigate ZnS and indium‐tin oxide (ITO) multiple thin films on quartz substrates using magnetron sputtering technique. In the deposition order of ITO on ZnS layer, ZnS acts as a buffer layer with a thickness of at least 10 nm, and ITO thin film has (222) preferential orientation growth. Besides, lattice constant expansion phenomenon was observed when the film thickness of ITO was increased, indicating tension stress increase in ITO film. The lattice constant mismatch of 5% is the reason for the preferential orientation growth between ZnS and ITO thin films. In the other deposition sequence of ZnS on ITO layer, ZnS thin film has (111) preferential orientation growth. While ITO was kept in multiple crystalline properties. Pinhole‐free ZnS thin film was observed by scanning electron microscopy for this deposition sequential, promising well interface in the thin film solar cells with lower interface defects.
The formation of urea in space
Authors: Brigiano Flavio Siro , Jeanvoine Yannick , Largo Antonio , Spezia Riccardo
Published: January 2018

Context.Many organic molecules have been observed in the interstellar medium thanks to advances in radioastronomy, and very recently the presence of urea was also suggested. While those molecules were observed, it is not clear what the mechanisms responsible to their formation are. In fact, if gas-phase reactions are responsible, they should occur through barrierless mechanisms (or with very low barriers). In the past, mechanisms for the formation of different organic molecules were studied, providing only in a few cases energetic conditions favorable to a synthesis at very low temperature. A particularly intriguing class of such molecules are those containing one N–C–O peptide bond, which could be a building block for the formation of biological molecules. Urea is a particular case because two nitrogen atoms are linked to the C–O moiety. Thus, motivated also by the recent tentative observation of urea, we have considered the synthetic pathways responsible to its formation.

Aims.We have studied the possibility of forming urea in the gas phase via different kinds of bi-molecular reactions: ion-molecule, neutral, and radical. In particular we have focused on the activation energy of these reactions in order to find possible reactants that could be responsible for to barrierless (or very low energy) pathways.

Methods.We have used very accurate, highly correlated quantum chemistry calculations to locate and characterize the reaction pathways in terms of minima and transition states connecting reactants to products.

Results.Most of the reactions considered have an activation energy that is too high; but the ion-molecule reaction between NH2OHNH2OH2+and formamide is not too high. These reactants could be responsible not only for the formation of urea but also of isocyanic acid, which is an organic molecule also observed in the interstellar medium.
The GALEX Ultraviolet Virgo Cluster Survey (GUViCS)
Authors: Boissier S. , Cucciati O. , Boselli A. , Mei S. , Ferrarese L.
Published: January 2018

Context. At low redshift, early-type galaxies often exhibit a rising flux with decreasing wavelength in the 1000–2500 Å range, called “UV upturn”. The origin of this phenomenon is debated, and its evolution with redshift is poorly constrained. The observed GALEX FUV-NUV color can be used to probe the UV upturn approximately to redshift 0.5.

Aim. We provide constraints on the existence of the UV upturn up to redshift ~0.4 in the brightest cluster galaxies (BCG) located behind the Virgo cluster, using data from the GUViCS survey.

Methods. We estimate the GALEX far-UV (FUV) and near-UV (NUV) observed magnitudes for BCGs from the maxBCG catalog in the GUViCS fields. We increase the number of nonlocal galaxies identified as BCGs with GALEX photometry from a few tens of galaxies to 166 (64 when restricting this sample to relatively small error bars). We also estimate a central color within a 20 arcsec aperture. By using the r-band luminosity from the maxBCG catalog, we can separate blue FUV-NUV due to recent star formation and candidate upturn cases. We use Lick indices to verify their similarity to redshift 0 upturn cases.

Results. We clearly detect a population of blue FUV-NUV BCGs in the redshift range 0.10–0.35, vastly improving the existing constraints at these epochs by increasing the number of galaxies studied, and by exploring a redshift range with no previous data (beyond 0.2), spanning one more Gyr in the past. These galaxies bring new constraints that can help distinguish between assumptions concerning the stellar populations causing the UV upturn phenomenon. The existence of a large number of UV upturns around redshift 0.25 favors the existence of a binary channel among the sources proposed in the literature.
Magnetic Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Catalyzed Highly Efficient Construction of Functionalized 4H-Pyrans
Authors: Azizi Najmedin , Ahooie Tahereh , Hashemi Mohammad , Yavari Issa
Published: January 2018

A high-yielding, practical, efficient, and environmentally benign one-pot multicomponent synthesis of functionalized 2-amino-4H-pyrans from β-dicarbonyl compounds, malononitrile, and aldehydes is presented. Good to excellent yields were obtained under mild reaction condition and with short reaction times by using magnetite-supported graphitic carbon nitride as a truly recyclable catalyst. This efficient and simple technique avoids the use of solvent extraction and column chromatography. In addition, the catalyst can be easily and effectively recovered and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.