bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyloid β causes excitation/inhibition imbalance through dopamine receptor 1-dependent disruption of fast-spiking GABAergic input in anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Ren Si-Qiang , Yao Wen , Yan Jing-Zhi , Jin Chunhui , Yin Jia-Jun , Yuan Jianmin , Yu Shui , Cheng Zaohuo
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. At the early stages of AD development, the soluble β-amyloid (Aβ) induces synaptic dysfunction, perturbs the excitation/inhibition balance of neural circuitries, and in turn alters the normal neural network activity leading to cognitive decline, but the underlying mechanisms are not well established. Here by using whole-cell recordings in acute mouse brain slices, we found that 50 nM Aβ induces hyperexcitability of excitatory pyramidal cells in the cingulate cortex, one of the most vulnerable areas in AD, via depressing inhibitory synaptic transmission. Furthermore, by simultaneously recording multiple cells, we discovered that the inhibitory innervation of pyramidal cells from fast-spiking (FS) interneurons instead of non-FS interneurons is dramatically disrupted by Aβ, and perturbation of the presynaptic inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release underlies this inhibitory input disruption. Finally, we identified the increased dopamine action on dopamine D1 receptor of FS interneurons as a key pathological factor that contributes to GABAergic input perturbation and excitation/inhibition imbalance caused by Aβ. Thus, we conclude that the dopamine receptor 1-dependent disruption of FS GABAergic inhibitory input plays a critical role in Aβ-induced excitation/inhibition imbalance in anterior cingulate cortex.
MRI features predictive of negative surgical margins in patients with HER2 overexpressing breast cancer undergoing breast conservation
Authors: Dashevsky Brittany Z. , Oh Jung Hun , Apte Aditya P. , Bernard-Davila Blanca , Morris Elizabeth A. , Deasy Joseph O. , Sutton Elizabeth J.
Published: January 2018

Here we develop a tool to predict resectability of HER2+ breast cancer at breast conservation surgery (BCS) utilizing features identified on preoperative breast MRI. We identified patients with HER2+ breast cancer who obtained pre-operative breast MRI and underwent BCS between 2002–2013. From the contoured tumor on pre-operative MRI, shape, histogram, and co-occurrence and size zone matrix texture features were extracted. In univariate analysis, Spearman’s correlation coefficient (Rs) was used to assess the correlation between each image feature and an endpoint (surgical re-excision). For multivariate modeling, we employed a support vector machine (SVM) method in a manner of leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). Of 109 patients with HER2+breast cancer who underwent BCS, 39% underwent surgical re-excision. 62% had residual cancer at re-excision. In univariate analysis, solidity (Rs = −0.32, p = 0.009) and extent (Rs = −0.29, p = 0.019) were significantly associated with re-excision. Skewness in post-contrast 1, 2, and 3 (Rs = 0.25, p = 0.045; Rs = 0.30, p = 0.015; Rs = 0.28, p = 0.026) and kurtosis in post-contrast 1 (Rs = 0.26, p = 0.035) were also statistically significant. LOOCV-based SVM test achieved 74.4% specificity and 71.4% sensitivity when 21 features were used. Thus, tumor texture, histogram and morphological MRI features may assist surgical planning, encouraging wide margins or mastectomy in patients who may otherwise go on to re-excision.
Systems pharmacology analysis of synergy of TCM: an example using saffron formula
Authors: Liu Jianling , Liu Jingjing , Shen Fengxia , Qin Zonghui , Jiang Meng , Zhu Jinglin , Wang Zhenzhong , Zhou Jun , Fu Yingxue , Chen Xuetong , Huang Chao , Xiao Wei , Zheng Chunli , Wang Yonghua
Published: January 2018

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) follows the principle of formulae, in which the pharmacological activity of a single herb can be enhanced or potentiated by addition of other herbs. Nevertheless, the involved synergy mechanisms in formulae remain unknown. Here, a systems-based method is proposed and applied to three representative Chinese medicines in compound saffron formula (CSF): two animal spices (Moschus, Beaver Castoreum), and one herb Crocus sativus which exert synergistic effects for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). From the formula, 42 ingredients and 66 corresponding targets are acquired based on the ADME evaluation and target fishing model. The network relationships between the compounds and targets are assembled with CVDs pathways to elucidate the synergistic therapeutic effects between the spices and the herbs. The results show that different compounds of the three medicines show similar curative activity in CVDs. Additionally, the active compounds from them shared CVDs-relevant targets (multiple compounds-one target), or functional diversity targets but with clinical relevance (multiple compounds-multiple targets-one disease). Moreover, the targets of them are largely enriched in the same CVDs pathways (multiple targets-one pathway). These results elucidate why animal spices and herbs can have pharmacologically synergistic effects on CVDs, which provides a new way for drug discovery.
Splicing QTL of human adipose-related traits
Authors: Ma Liang , Jia Peilin , Zhao Zhongming
Published: January 2018

Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 11 loci associated with adipose-related traits across different populations. However, their functional roles still remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the splicing regulation of these GWAS signals in a tissue-specific fashion. For adipose-related GWAS signals, we selected six adipose-related tissues (adipose subcutaneous, artery tibial, blood, heart left ventricle, muscle-skeletal, and thyroid) with the sample size greater than 80 for splicing quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using GTEx released datasets. We integrated GWAS summary statistics of nine adipose-related traits (an average of 2.6 million SNPs per GWAS), and splicing QTLs from 6 GTEx tissues with an average of 337,900 splicing QTL SNPs, and 684,859 junctions. Our filtering process generated an average of 86,549 SNPs and 162,841 exon-exon links (junctions) for each tissue. A total of seven exon-exon junctions in four genes (AKTIP, DTNBP1, FTO and UBE2E1) were found to be significantly associated with four SNPs that showed genome-wide significance with body fat distribution (rs17817288, rs7206790, rs11710420 and rs2237199). These splicing events might contribute to the causal effect on the regulation of ectopic-fat, which warrants further experimental validation.
Lack of PINK1 alters glia innate immune responses and enhances inflammation-induced, nitric oxide-mediated neuron death
Authors: Sun Liuke , Shen Ruifang , Agnihotri Sandeep K. , Chen Yun , Huang Zhiwei , Büeler Hansruedi
Published: January 2018

Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. We show that lack of PINK1- a mitochondrial kinase linked to recessive familial PD – leads to glia type-specific abnormalities of innate immunity. PINK1 loss enhances LPS/IFN-γ stimulated pro-inflammatory phenotypes of mixed astrocytes/microglia (increased iNOS, nitric oxide and COX-2, reduced IL-10) and pure astrocytes (increased iNOS, nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-1β), while attenuating expression of both pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in microglia. These abnormalities are associated with increased inflammation-induced NF-κB signaling in astrocytes, and cause enhanced death of neurons co-cultured with inflamed PINK1−/− mixed glia and neuroblastoma cells exposed to conditioned medium from LPS/IFN-γ treated PINK1−/− mixed glia. Neuroblastoma cell death is prevented with an iNOS inhibitor, implicating increased nitric oxide production as the cause for enhanced death. Finally, we show for the first time that lack of a recessive PD gene (PINK1) increases α-Synuclein-induced nitric oxide production in all glia types (mixed glia, astrocytes and microglia). Our results describe a novel pathogenic mechanism in recessive PD, where PINK1 deficiency may increase neuron death via exacerbation of inflammatory stimuli-induced nitric oxide production and abnormal innate immune responses in glia cells.
Evolution of poled state in P(VDF-TrFE)/(Pb,Ba)(Zr,Ti)O3 composites probed by temperature dependent Piezoresponse and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Authors: Shvartsman V. V. , Kiselev D. A. , Solnyshkin A. V. , Lupascu D. C. , Silibin M. V.
Published: January 2018

Polarized states of polymer/inorganic inclusion P(VDF-TrFE)-(Pb,Ba)(Zr,Ti)O3composites are studied at the nanoscale using both piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). It has been shown that inorganic inclusions can be visualized using KPFM due to a discontinuity of the surface potential and polarization at the interface between the inclusions and the polymer matrix. The temperature evolution of the PFM and KPFM signal profiles is investigated. Softening of the polymer matrix on approaching the Curie temperature limits application of the contact PFM method. However non-contact KPFM can be used to probe evolution of the polarization at the phase transition. Mechanisms of the KPFM contrast formation are discussed.
Assessment of the responses of soil pore properties to combined soil structure amendments using X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Yang Yonghui , Wu Jicheng , Zhao Shiwei , Han Qingyuan , Pan Xiaoying , He Fang , Chen Chun
Published: January 2018

Soil amendments, such as straw mulch, organic fertilizers and superabsorbent polymer (SAP), are extensively applied to improve soil structure and porosity, and we reported the functional consequences of the individual application of these amendments in our previous study. However, whether combined amendments are more effective than their individual applications for improving soil pore structure is unknown. Here, we conducted X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning on undisturbed soil columns to investigate the efficiency of two-amendment application, including straw mulch and organic manure, SAP and organic manure, or SAP and straw mulch, for improving soil pore properties and pore distribution. The X-ray CT technique allows us to accurately determine the number, morphology, and location of macropores (>1 mm in diameter) and smaller pores (0.13–1.0 mm). Compared to the control treatment, which showed the lowest increase in soil porosity, all the combined treatments led to an increase in the numbers of both macropores and smaller soil pores, causing a significant improvement in soil structure and porosity. Among these treatments, the application of both straw mulch and organic manure was the most effective for improving soil porosity and soil physical structure.
Lidocaine enhances the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs against bladder cancer
Authors: Yang Xihua , Zhao Lili , Li Meiping , Yan Lei , Zhang Shengwan , Mi Zhenguo , Ren Liansheng , Xu Jun
Published: January 2018

This study aimed to investigate whether lidocaine, alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, inhibits the growth of human bladder cancer cells in vitro and orthotopically transplanted bladder tumors in vivo. The effects of lidocaine (1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/mL), mitomycin C (MMC, 0.66 mg/mL), pirarubicin (0.75 mg/mL) and Su Fu’ning lotion (SFN, 0.0625 mg/mL) on the proliferation of human bladder cancer (BIU-87) cells were studied using the MTT assay. A Balb/c nude mouse model of bladder cancer was developed by orthotopic transplantation of BIU-87 cells, and the effects of intravesical instillation of lidocaine and MMC on bladder wet weight (a measure of tumor size) and survival (over 60 days) were studied. Lidocaine inhibited proliferation of BIU-87 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and (when given in combination) enhanced the actions of each of the other antiproliferative agents. In tumor-bearing mice, MMC alone had no effect on mean survival or bladder wet weight. However, the combination of 0.66 mg/mL MMC and 5 mg/mL lidocaine prolonged survival (from 34.62 ± 6.49 to 49.30 ± 6.72 days; n = 8, P < 0.05) and reduced bladder wet weight (from 68.94 ± 53.61 to 20.26 ± 6.07; n = 8, P < 0.05). Intravesical instillation of lidocaine combined with other chemotherapeutic agents potentially could be an effective therapy for bladder cancer.
High expression of Endogenous Retroviruses from intrauterine life to adulthood in two mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Cipriani Chiara , Ricceri Laura , Matteucci Claudia , De Felice Alessia , Tartaglione Anna Maria , Argaw-Denboba Ayele , Pica Francesca , Grelli Sandro , Calamandrei Gemma , Sinibaldi Vallebona Paola , Balestrieri Emanuela
Published: January 2018

Retroelements, such as Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), have been implicated in many complex diseases, including neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Previously, we demonstrated a distinctive expression profile of specific HERV families in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) patients, suggesting their involvement in ASD. Here we used two distinct ASD mouse models: inbred BTBR T+tf/J mice and CD-1 outbred mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Whole embryos, blood and brain samples from the offspring were collected at different ages and the expression of several ERV families (ETnI, ETnII-α, ETnII-β, ETnII-γ, MusD and IAP), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and Toll-like receptors (TLR3 and TLR4) was assessed. In the two distinct mouse models analysed, the transcriptional activity of the ERV families was significant higher in comparison with corresponding controls, in whole embryos, blood and brain samples. Also the expression levels of the proinflammatory cytokines and TLRs were significantly higher than controls. Current results are in agreement with our previous findings in ASD children, supporting the hypothesis that ERVs may serve as biomarkers of atypical brain development. Moreover, the changes in ERVs and proinflammatory cytokines expression could be related with the autistic-like traits acquisition in the two mouse models.
On the detection of cerebral metabolic depression in experimental traumatic brain injury using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST)-weighted MRI
Authors: Tu Tsang-Wei , Ibrahim Wael G. , Jikaria Neekita , Munasinghe Jeeva P. , Witko Jaclyn A. , Hammoud Dima A. , Frank Joseph A.
Published: January 2018

Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients exhibiting long-term neurological deficits. This study investigated the feasibility and reproducibility of using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI to detect cerebral metabolic depression in experimental TBI. Phantom and in vivo CEST experiments were conducted at 9.4 Tesla to optimize the selective saturation for enhancing the endogenous contrast-weighting of the proton exchanges over the range of glucose proton chemical shifts (glucoCEST) in the resting rat brain. The optimized glucoCEST-weighted imaging was performed on a closed-head model of diffuse TBI in rats with 2-deoxy-D-[14C]-glucose (2DG) autoradiography validation. The results demonstrated that saturation duration of 1‒2 seconds at pulse powers 1.5‒2µT resulted in an improved contrast-to-noise ratio between the gray and white matter comparable to 2DG autoradiographs. The intrasubject (n = 4) and intersubject (n = 3) coefficient of variations for repeated glucoCEST acquisitions (n = 4) ranged between 8‒16%. Optimization for the TBI study revealed that glucoCEST-weighted images with 1.5μT power and 1 s saturation duration revealed the greatest changes in contrast before and after TBI, and positively correlated with 2DG autoradiograph (r = 0.78, p < 0.01, n = 6) observations. These results demonstrate that glucoCEST-weighted imaging may be useful in detecting metabolic abnormalities following TBI.
Eltrombopag versus romiplostim in treatment of children with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review incorporating an indirect-comparison meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Jiaxing , Liang Yi , Ai Yuan , Li Xiaosi , Xie Juan , Li Youping , Zheng Wenyi , He Rui
Published: January 2018

In absence of direct comparison, we conducted an indirect-comparison meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombopoietin-receptor agonists(TPO-RAs) in treatment of pediatric persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia(ITP). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched from their earliest records to May 2017. Randomized controlled trials comparing the TPO-RAs with placebo in pediatric ITP were included. Outcomes included overall response rate(primary), durable response, overall or clinically significant bleeding, the proportion of patients receiving rescue medication, and safety. Five randomized placebo-controlled studies(N = 261) were analyzed. The overall response[Risk Ratio(RR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.21–1.56], the incidence of adverse events (RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.66–1.39), durable response(RR 2.48, 95%CI 0.31–19.97), and the proportion of patients receiving rescue treatment(RR 0.73, 95%CI 0.20–2.73) were similar between eltrombopag and romiplostim group. Nevertheless, eltrombopag might have lower risk of overall bleeding(RR 0.43, 95%CI 0.23–0.80) and clinically significant bleeding(RR 0.33, 95%CI 0.12–0.89) than romiplostim. This meta-analysis suggests that eltrombopag might be similar to romiplostim in efficacy and safety, but seems to reduce the risk of bleeding compared to romiplostim. Furthermore, cost of the treatment, comorbidity of patients and drug compliance should also be considered in clinical decision making.
Correction: Corrigendum: miARma-Seq: a comprehensive tool for miRNA, mRNA and circRNA analysis
Authors: Andrés-León Eduardo , Núñez-Torres Rocío , Rojas Ana M.
Published: January 2018

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25749; published online: 11 May 2016; updated: 08 January 2018 This Article contains out-of-date links to the miARma-Seq workflow webpages in the Methods section. Therefore, in the ‘Code availability’ subsection: “A complete guide for the installation, analysis of miRNA, mRNA and circRNA data is provided, along with different examples of its use, at http://miarmaseq.
NMR Pulse Sequences for Metabolomics
Authors: Elena-Herrmann Bénédicte
Published: January 2018

This chapter presents the standard NMR experiments and associated pulse sequences that are used for state-of-the-art metabolomics applications. One-dimensional techniques for metabolites profiling as well as two-dimensional pulse schemes for identification and quantification of complex metabolite mixtures are described. New perspectives for the use of fast NMR data acquisition strategies, including non-linear sampling, projection spectroscopy or ultrafast methods, are also introduced.
NMR Foodomics
Authors: Savorani Francesco , Khakimov Bekzod , Viereck Nanna , Engelsen Søren Balling
Published: January 2018

In modern science and technology, it is often underappreciated that foods from a chemical, physical and biological perspective are complex multifactorial systems that are extremely difficult to measure and evaluate. From a chemical perspective, foods are complex chemical mixtures of heterogeneous classes of molecules dominated by the four basic food constituents: water, fats, carbohydrates and proteins. To add further complexity, food manufacturing processes often consists of a series of unit operations that are designed to induce certain functional traits to the food materials being processed. This chapter will seek to give an overview of the possibilities and limitations of using the 1H NMR metabolomics platform to study food and food systems (foodomics). The merger of food science with advanced analytical tools, such as high-resolution NMR and multivariate data analysis chemometrics, has proven to be tremendously successful. The “weak whispers” from the protons in our food have been proven to contain a plethora of information about our aliments and to be useful in multiple applications within advanced quality control, which is not possible with existing optical spectroscopies, in particular for addressing the multiple and systemic issues related to safety and quality of food.
NMR-based Metabolomics: Understanding Plant Chemistry and Identification of Biologically Active Compounds
Authors: Jahangir M. , Nuringtyas T. R. , Ali K. , Wilson E. G. , Choi Y. H. , Verpoorte R.
Published: January 2018

Metabolomics is considered as an emerging technique for phytochemical analysis. This field is greatly explored to evaluate chemotaxonomy, stress induced metabolic alterations, quality of plant materials, and other related areas of either tissue analysis or single cell analysis. Although no single analytical tool is considered as a perfect option, NMR-based metabolomics (non-coupled or coupled with HPLC/MS etc.) is considered as a useful tool due to its reliability, reproducibility, robustness and non-destructive nature for samples. Omics-based systems biology is a promising approach for understanding and exploration of natural processes, but the present limitations require further development of the technologies, like single-cell, micro and nano metabolomics.
1H NMR-based Metabolic Profiling in Infectious Disease Research
Authors: Saric Jasmina , Lamour Sabrina D. , Li Jia V.
Published: January 2018

This chapter highlights the application of 1H NMR spectroscopy-based metabolic profiling in infection research, specifically on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and the neglected tropical diseases, such as Schistosomiasis. We describe the use of this approach to investigate the metabolic responses of the host to infectious agents in both in vivo and in vitro models, as well in natural human infections. These metabolic signatures hold significant promise in leading to early and robust diagnosis of a range infectious diseases, including parasitic infections, where often a unique set of metabolites has been found to be associated with infection. In addition, metabolic profiling, together with measures of immune responses and gut microbial composition, provides mechanistic insight into the pathogen–host interactions through the immune–gut microbiota–metabolic axis.
Advances in Computational Analysis of Metabolomic NMR Data
Authors: Ebbels Timothy M. D. , Rodriguez-Martinez Andrea , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel , Keun Hector C.
Published: January 2018

In this chapter we discuss some of the more recent developments in preprocessing and statistical analysis of NMR spectra in metabolomics. Bayesian methods for analyzing NMR spectra are summarized and we describe one particular approach, BATMAN, in more detail. We consider techniques based on statistical associations, such as correlation spectroscopy (e.g. STOCSY and recent variants), as well as approaches that model the associations as a network and how these change under different biological conditions. The link between metabolism and genotype is explored by looking at metabolic GWAS and related techniques. Finally, we describe the relevance and current status of data standards for NMR metabolomics.
Enzyme-free quantification of exosomal microRNA by the target-triggered assembly of the polymer DNAzyme nanostructure
Authors: He Dinggeng , Hai Luo , Wang Huizhen , Wu Ri , Li Hung-Wing
Published: January 2018

We herein report an enzyme-free signal amplification method for the detection of exosomal miRNAs in culture medium of cancer cells and serum samples from cancer patients via the target-triggered assembly of polymer DNAzyme.
Advances, challenges and opportunities for point-of-need screening of mycotoxins in foods and feeds
Authors: Soares Ruben R. G. , Ricelli Alessandra , Fanelli Corrado , Caputo Domenico , de Cesare Giampiero , Chu Virginia , Aires-Barros M. Raquel , Conde João P.
Published: January 2018

Recent advances in analytical methods for mycotoxin screening in foods and feeds are reviewed, focusing on point-of-need detection using integrated devices.
LIBS development methodology for forensic nuclear materials analysis
Authors: Bhatt Bobby , Hudson Angeyo Kalambuka , Dehayem-Kamadjeu Alix
Published: January 2018

Methodology development of LIBS coupled with chemometrics utilizing weak U-lines and spectral feature selection for rapid nuclear forensic analysis.
Fe3O4 sphere-assisted microwave distillation coupled with ionic liquid-based HS-SDME followed by GC-MS for the rapid analysis of essential oil in dried lavender
Authors: Fu Jihong , Zhu Yan , Liu Bing , Tang Jun
Published: January 2018

Fe3O4 sphere-assisted microwave distillation coupled with ionic liquid-based HS-SDME followed by GC-MS was developed for the rapid analysis of essential oil in dried lavender.
CuWO4 as a photocatalyst for room temperature aerobic benzylamine oxidation
Authors: Proctor Aaron D. , Panuganti Shobhana , Bartlett Bart M.
Published: January 2018

We report the first example of a controlled photo-oxidation reaction on CuWO4, the aerobic oxidative coupling of benzylamine.
Dialumination of unsaturated species with a reactive bis(cyclopentadienyl) dialane
Authors: Hofmann Alexander , Lamprecht Anna , González-Belman Oscar F. , Dewhurst Rian D. , Jiménez-Halla J. Oscar C. , Kachel Stephanie , Braunschweig Holger
Published: January 2018

A new cyclopentadienyl-containing dialane is prepared and found to undergo dialumination reactions with unsaturated species.
Large volumetric thermal expansion of a novel organic cocrystal over a wide temperature range
Authors: Alimi Lukman O. , Lama Prem , Smith Vincent J. , Barbour Leonard J.
Published: January 2018

A novel cocrystal ABN·2DMABN shows the largest volumetric thermal expansion over a wide temperature range of 100–300 K for an organic cocrystal.
Atomic charges for conformationally rich molecules obtained through a modified principal component regression
Authors: Nikolaienko Tymofii Yu. , Bulavin Leonid A.
Published: January 2018

A modification of the principal component regression model is proposed for obtaining a fixed set of atomic charges (referred to as dipole-derived charges) optimized for reproducing the dipole moment of a conformationally rich molecule,i.e., a molecule with multiple local minima on the potential energy surface.
Panchromatic cross-conjugated π-bridge NIR dyes for DSCs
Authors: Zhang Yanbing , Cheema Hammad , London Alexander E. , Morales Amber , Azoulay Jason D. , Delcamp Jared H.
Published: January 2018

Cross-conjugated extended π-systems lead to a dramatic shift in solar-to-electric conversion wavelengths and increased DSC device performance.
Formation, growth and applications of femtoliter droplets on a microlens
Authors: Lei Lei , Li Jia , Yu Haitao , Bao Lei , Peng Shuhua , Zhang Xuehua
Published: January 2018

Growth of femtoliter droplets on the top of a microlens is in a constant contact area mode. Droplets with finely tuneable volume may be converted to composite microlens arrays with desirable optical properties.
Transition states of spin-forbidden reactions
Authors: Yang Bo , Gagliardi Laura , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: January 2018

New approximation method for locating stationary points on lowest spin-coupled potential energy surface (PES) using density functional calculations.
Effect of PCL end-groups on the self-assembly process of Pluronic in aqueous media
Authors: Gjerde Natalie , Zhu Kaizheng , Nyström Bo , Knudsen Kenneth D.
Published: January 2018

Depending on temperature, concentration and length of the hydrophobic end-groups of Pluronic, nanoscale structures of different size and shape can be formed.
On the turn-inducing properties of asparagine: the structuring role of the amide side chain, from isolated model peptides to crystallized proteins
Authors: Habka S. , Sohn W. Y. , Vaquero-Vara V. , Géléoc M. , Tardivel B. , Brenner V. , Gloaguen E. , Mons M.
Published: January 2018

The anchoring properties of an asparagine (Asn) residue to its local backbone environment in turn model peptides is characterized using gas phase laser spectroscopy and compared to crystallized protein structures.
In situanalytical techniques for battery interface analysis
Authors: Tripathi Alok M. , Su Wei-Nien , Hwang Bing Joe
Published: January 2018

Interface is a key to high performance and safe lithium-ion batteries or lithium batteries.
Synthesis, functionalization, and applications of metal–organic frameworks in biomedicine
Authors: Chen Wei , Wu Chunsheng
Published: January 2018

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, have attracted extensive research interest in the past few decades due to their unique physical structures and potentially vast applications.
Unlocking the potential of graphene for water oxidation using an orbital hybridization strategy
Authors: Yao Yingfang , Xu Zhe , Cheng Feng , Li Wenchao , Cui Peixin , Xu Guangzhou , Xu Sheng , Wang Peng , Sheng Guodong , Yan Yadong , Yu Zhentao , Yan Shicheng , Chen Zhaoxu , Zou Zhigang
Published: January 2018

Graphene-based electrocatalytic materials are potential low-cost electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Graphene aerogels for efficient energy storage and conversion
Authors: Mao Jiajun , Iocozzia James , Huang Jianying , Meng Kai , Lai Yuekun , Lin Zhiqun
Published: January 2018

Concerns over air quality reduction and energy crisis resulting from rapid consumption of limited fossil fuels have driven the development of clean and renewable energy sources.
No effect of selected engineered nanomaterials on reproduction and survival of the springtail Folsomia candida
Authors: Noordhoek Jeroen W. , Verweij Rudo A. , van Gestel Cornelis A. M. , van Straalen Nico M. , Roelofs Dick
Published: January 2018

Engineered nanomaterials did not affect Folsomia candida reproduction at concentrations up to 6400 mg per kg dry soil. However, significant effects of metal salt exposure were observed.
Construction of an all-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalyst based on graphite carbon nitride and its enhancement to catalytic activity
Authors: Jiang Longbo , Yuan Xingzhong , Zeng Guangming , Liang Jie , Wu Zhibin , Wang Hou
Published: January 2018

This review highlights an artificial g-C3N4-based Z-scheme photocatalyst that simulates natural photosynthesis; the design, preparation and applications are presented.
Surface structure controlling nanoparticle behavior: magnetism of ferrihydrite, magnetite, and maghemite
Authors: Hiemstra Tjisse
Published: January 2018

Surface structural model for the particle size dependency of ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic ferrihydrite in relation to surface Gibbs free energy.
Emerging investigators series: comparing the inherent reactivity of often-overlooked aqueous chlorinating and brominating agents toward salicylic acid
Authors: Broadwater Matthew A. , Swanson Tyler L. , Sivey John D.
Published: January 2018

Rates and selectivity of salicylic acid halogenation can be influenced by highly electrophilic species such as Cl2, BrCl, and BrOCl.
Ni3P as a high-performance catalytic phase for the hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic compounds
Authors: Yu Zhiquan , Wang Yao , Sun Zhichao , Li Xiang , Wang Anjie , Camaioni Donald M. , Lercher Johannes A.
Published: January 2018

Ni3P shows extremely high activity and stability in phenol hydrodeoxygenation both in the aqueous phase and in the organic phase.
Landscape of gene networks for random parameter perturbation
Authors: Li Chunhe
Published: January 2018

Landscapes for random parameter perturbation reveal the operating principles of gene networks.
Identification of karanjin isolated from the Indian beech tree as a potent CYP1 enzyme inhibitor with cellular efficacy via screening of a natural product repository
Authors: Joshi Prashant , Sonawane Vinay R. , Williams Ibidapo S. , McCann Glen J. P. , Gatchie Linda , Sharma Rajni , Satti Naresh , Chaudhuri Bhabatosh , Bharate Sandip B.
Published: January 2018

Karanjin has been identified as CYP1 inhibitor.
Removal of the Fe(iii) site promotes activation of the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator by high-affinity Zn(ii) binding
Authors: Wang Guangyu
Published: January 2018

High-affinity Zn(ii) bridging C1344 of nucleotide-binding domain 2 (NBD2) with E402 of NBD1, D173 of intracellular loop1 (ICL1) and the adenine group of ATP at the degenerate site may stimulate channel opening of poorly-phosphorylated human CFTR once the high-affinity Fe(iii) site at the interface of the regulatory (R) domain and ICL3 is removed.
Water retention and slow release studies of a salep-based hydrogel nanocomposite reinforced with montmorillonite clay
Authors: Olad Ali , Zebhi Hamid , Salari Dariush , Mirmohseni Abdolreza , Reyhani Tabar Adel
Published: January 2018

The synthesized nanocomposites slowly release fertilizer which can act as a high-efficiency NPK fertilizer formulation.
Preparation and properties of semi-interpenetrating networks combined by thermoplastic polyurethane and a thermosetting elastomer
Authors: Li Yajin , Li Guoping , Li Jie , Luo Yunjun
Published: January 2018

A novel energetic macromolecule of semi-interpenetrating materials was preparedviaa sequential-IPN process, which can be used in the areas of aerospace industry and missile technology.
Synthesis of a bimetallic conducting nano-hybrid composite of Au–Pt@PEDOT exhibiting fluorescence
Authors: Khan Salma , Narula A. K.
Published: January 2018

One pot novel synthesis of ternary nanocomposite Au–Pt@PEDOT was accomplished using green solvent.
Construction of mixed corrole–phthalocyanine europium triple-decker complexes involvingmeso-substitutedtrans-A2B-corrole
Authors: Lu Guifen , He Cheng , Fang Yuanyuan , Wang Liping , Zhu Weihua
Published: January 2018

Herein, three europium corrole–phthalocyanine triple-decker complexes involvingmeso-substitutedtrans-A2B-corrole have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques.
Fully printable hole-conductor-free mesoscopic perovskite solar cells based on mesoporous anatase single crystals
Authors: Xiong Yuli , Liu Yong , Lan Kun , Mei Anyi , Sheng Yusong , Zhao Dongyuan , Han Hongwei
Published: January 2018

Mesoporous anatase single crystal titania with a small particle size was introduced into fully printable hole-conductor-free hybrid solar cells, which shows an optimal electron transport and carrier lifetime, leading to an enhanced device performance.
Design of novel and modified dual optode membrane based on carbon dots for both ultratrace copper(ii) and cobalt(ii): derivative spectrophotometric and central composite design study
Authors: Shahamirifard Seyed Alireza , Ghaedi Mehrorang
Published: January 2018

A selective, accurate and highly sensitive optical chemical sensor (optode) for the simultaneous determination of copper(ii) and cobalt(ii) without any prior separation or purification ion sensing was developed.
Ultrafine Co1−xS nanoparticles embedded in a nitrogen-doped porous carbon hollow nanosphere composite as an anode for superb sodium-ion batteries and lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Dong Caifu , Guo Lijun , He Yanyan , Shang Limei , Qian Yitai , Xu Liqiang
Published: January 2018

Co1−xS, Co1−xS@C, and Co1−xS are selectively and facilely fabricated. Among them, Co1−xS/C delivers best cycle stability and rate performance when applied as an anode material for SIBs and LIBs.
Strong spin–orbit interaction and magnetotransport in semiconductor Bi2O2Se nanoplates
Authors: Meng Mengmeng , Huang Shaoyun , Tan Congwei , Wu Jinxiong , Jing Yumei , Peng Hailin , Xu H. Q.
Published: January 2018

The transition between weak localization and weak anti-localization has been observed in the magnetotransport measurements of 2D semiconductor Bi2O2Se nanoplates, and strong spin–orbit interaction in the Bi2O2Se nanoplates has been detected.
Layered tin monoselenide as advanced photothermal conversion materials for efficient solar energy-driven water evaporation
Authors: Yao Jiandong , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Yang Guowei
Published: January 2018

A SnSe@NF photothermal device was fabricated via pulsed-laser deposition for highly efficient solar-enabled water evaporation.
Direct access to spirobiisoxazoline via the double 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxide with allenoate
Authors: Shang Xinye , Liu Kun , Zhang Zhongyin , Xu Xianhong , Li Pengfei , Li Wenjun
Published: January 2018

Double [3 + 2]-cycloadditions between nitrile oxides and allenoates, in the presence of DABCO combined with Et3N, reacting 2-substituted buta-2,3-dienoates with oxime chlorides to afford spirobiisoxazolines in 55–90% yield, achieved construction of double isoxazoline moieties and two chiral centers including a spiro carbon center.
Recent advances in the construction of cyclic grafted polymers and their potential applications
Authors: Zhang Shuangshuang , Tezuka Yasuyuki , Zhang Zhengbiao , Li Na , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiulin
Published: January 2018

Three main strategies used for the construction of cyclic grafted polymers, “grafting through”, “grafting onto”, and “grafting from”, are summarized.
Electronic transport properties of PbSi Schottky-clamped transistors with a surrounding metal–insulator gate
Authors: Zhang Lishu , Li Yifan , Li Tao , Li Hui
Published: January 2018

Sustaining Moore's law requires the design of new materials and the construction of FET.
Decreasing graphene synthesis temperature by catalytic metal engineering and thermal processing
Authors: Zheng Li , Cheng Xinhong , Ye Peiyi , Shen Lingyan , Wang Qian , Zhang Dongliang , Gu Ziyue , Zhou Wen , Wu Dengpeng , Yu Yuehui
Published: January 2018

The CVD graphene growth temperature can be lowered to 700 °C by copper engineering with carbon implantation.
Effect of organic ligand-decorated ZnO nanoparticles as a cathode buffer layer on electricity conversion efficiency of an inverted solar cell
Authors: Samavati Alireza , Samavati Zahra , Ismail A. F. , Othman M. H. D. , Rahman Mukhlis A. , Amiri I. S.
Published: January 2018

Efficiency improvement of the industrial scale solar cells to capture sunlight as an important renewable energy source is attracting significant attention to prevent the consumption of a finite supply of unsustainable fossil fuels.
Isolation and enantiostability of the B-chiral bis(salicylato)borate anions [BR(Sal)2] and [BS(Sal)2]
Authors: Wong Lawrence W.-Y. , Au Yeung Alex S.-F. , Tam Gemma S.-S. , Kan Jack W.-H. , Sung Herman H.-Y. , Sheong Fu Kit , Lin Zhenyang , Williams Ian D.
Published: January 2018

Both chiral hands of bis(salicylato)borate anion [BS(Sal)2] and [BR(Sal)2] are isolated and CD spectroscopy indicates they can be configurationally stable.
A hierarchical approach to chemical reactor engineering: an application to micro packed bed reactors
Authors: Rebughini Stefano , Bracconi Mauro , Dixon Anthony G. , Maestri Matteo
Published: January 2018

CFD-based hierarchical modeling is applied for the full-scale analysis of a micro packed bed reactor.
A simple multi-responsive system based on aldehyde functionalized amino-boranes
Authors: Shi Yong-gang , Wang Jun-wei , Li Haijun , Hu Guo-fei , Li Xue , Mellerup Soren K. , Wang Nan , Peng Tai , Wang Suning
Published: January 2018

An aldehyde functionalized amino-borane has been found to respond to multiple external stimuli such as temperature, pressure and solvents, producing distinct patterns and colours.
A luminescent aluminium salen complex allows for monitoring dynamic vesicle trafficking from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes in living cells
Authors: Tang Juan , Yin Hao-Yan , Zhang Jun-Long
Published: January 2018

Tracking vesicle transport from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes based on an Al3+–phospholipid coordination strategy.
Impact of ambient gases on the mechanism of [Cs8Nb6O19]-promoted nerve-agent decomposition
Authors: Kaledin Alexey L. , Driscoll Darren M. , Troya Diego , Collins-Wildman Daniel L. , Hill Craig L. , Morris John R. , Musaev Djamaladdin G.
Published: January 2018

Polyoxoniobate catalyst, nerve agent decomposition, reaction mechanism, impact of ambient gases on the stability and reactivity of the polyoxoniobate.
Multiple advanced logic gates made of DNA-Ag nanocluster and the application for intelligent detection of pathogenic bacterial genes
Authors: Lin Xiaodong , Liu Yaqing , Deng Jiankang , Lyu Yanlong , Qian Pengcheng , Li Yunfei , Wang Shuo
Published: January 2018

A set of basic logic gates was constructed on a simple and universal DNA-AgNCs platform, and further integrated into advanced logic circuits for DNA computing and biosensing.
Hydroxyl-rich ceria hydrate nanoparticles enhancing the alcohol electrooxidation performance of Pt catalysts
Authors: Li Zhen-Yu , Zhou Jian , Tang Long-Shu , Fu Xin-Pu , Wei Hang , Xue Mei , Zhao Yong-Liang , Jia Chun-Jiang , Li Xue-Mei , Chu Hai-Bin , Li Yan
Published: January 2018

CeO2·xH2O nanoparticles with abundant surface OH groups can remarkably promote the alcohol electrooxidation activity of Pt/CNT catalysts.
An ultra-sensitive, flexible and transparent gas detection film based on well-ordered flat polypyrrole on single-layered graphene
Authors: Yoon Taeseung , Jun Jaemoon , Kim Dong Yeon , Pourasad Saeed , Shin Tae Joo , Yu Seong Uk , Na Wonjoo , Jang Jyongsik , Kim Kwang S.
Published: January 2018

Flat oriented polypyrrole on single-layered graphene is prepared by electrochemical oxidative polymerization to dectect sub-ppb NO2 and NH3 gases.
Porous polydimethylsiloxane monolith for protein digestion
Authors: Liu Baishu , Wu Liang , Zhou Xiaohu , Wu Han , Zheng Bo
Published: January 2018

We developed a simple method to prepare interconnected porous PDMS monolith using glass microbubbles as the template.
Twisting patterning: electrochemical deposition of stretchable spiral metallic conductors on elastic polymer threads
Authors: Chang Yu , Pan Tingrui , Yang Zhenguo
Published: January 2018

A twisting patterning process is developed to prepare a stretchable spiral metallic conductor over an elastic thread with extremely high resistance stability.
0.36 V PGA combining single‐stage OTA and input negative transconductor for low energy RF receivers
Authors: Severo L. , Van Noije W.
Published: January 2018

An ultra‐low voltage and ultra‐low power programmable gain amplifier (PGA) using a closed‐loop single‐stage operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) and an input negative transconductor is proposed. The circuits are implemented in a 180 nm CMOS process using two stacked transistors and PMOS bulk forward bias to operate well down to 0.36 V, to be robust to PVT variations and to reach the bandwidth of low energy RF receivers. The PGA measured results at 0.36 V show a programmable voltage gain from 0.2 to 18.4 dB, 15.4 μW power dissipation, 0.98 MHz bandwidth and 0.0243 mm2 area.
Automatic centroid extraction method for noisy star image
Authors: Gou Bin , Cheng Yong‐mei
Published: January 2018

Star images obtained by star sensors have a low signal‐to‐noise ratio due to various physical constraints. Low resolution also causes stellar centroid extraction error when traditional methods such as the Gaussian filter or adaptive median filter are utilised to de‐noise star images. An automatic centroid extraction method for noisy low‐resolution star images is proposed in this study. First, sparse representation is utilised to de‐noise the Poisson–Gaussian mixed noise of the low‐resolution star image. A high‐resolution star image is then reconstructed by using the low‐resolution sparse coefficient. Finally, the stellar centroids are extracted automatically by learning the relationship between the high‐resolution star image and corresponding stellar centroid image. Experimental results indicate that the positioning accuracy of the stellar centroids is also greatly enhanced by the reconstructed high‐resolution stellar centroid image. The correct rate of stellar centroid recognition is 99.35%; the positioning accuracy of stellar centroid and computing time are 16.21″ and 11.30 ms, respectively. The probability distributions of Poisson and Gaussian noises are 0.50 and 0.08, respectively, while the proposed method correctly recognises stellar centroids at a rate of 76.56%. The results presented here may provide a workable foundation for accurate attitude calculations of the celestial navigation system.
Engineering morphology and porosity of N,S‐doped carbons by ionothermal carbonisation for increased catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Chen Yimai , Huo Shuhui , Wang Hui
Published: January 2018

A facile and one‐pot method using NaCl/KCl as a molten salt medium was developed to tune the porous structure of N,S‐doped carbon derived from biomass at high temperature. With increasing the NaCl/KCl amount, the structures of the obtained carbons revealed by scanning electron microscopy become more and more open. N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm shows that the hierarchical porous structure could be efficiently tuned by adjusting the amount of NaCl/KCl salt mixture. Specific surface area (SSA) of as‐prepared N,S‐doped carbon could reach 1478.6 m2 g−1. The relative ratio of micropore/mesopore drops with the increased NaCl/KCl. When the obtained carbons are used as the catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), high catalytic activities are obtained, which result from the porous structure and doping effect of N atoms. Meanwhile, a volcano trend of the electrochemical performance for as‐prepared carbons is also shown, which is a result of multiple factors possessing the opposite effect on ORR. Importantly, producing N,S‐doped carbon from egg white in NaCl/KCl molten salt medium could provide a promising approach to synthesise the opened N,S‐doped carbons with a controllably porous structure and large SSA based on biomass precursors.
Properties of the circumgalactic medium in simulations compared to observations
Authors: Machado R. E. G. , Tissera P. B. , Lima Neto G. B. , Sodré L.
Published: January 2018

Context. Galaxies are surrounded by extended gaseous halos that store significant fractions of chemical elements. These are syntethized by the stellar populations and later ejected into the circumgalactic medium (CGM) by different mechanism, of which supernova feedback is considered one of the most relevant.

Aims. We aim to explore the properties of this metal reservoir surrounding star-forming galaxies in a cosmological context aiming to investigate the chemical loop between galaxies and their CGM, and the ability of the subgrid models to reproduce observational results.

Methods. Using cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, we have analysed the gas-phase chemical contents of galaxies with stellar masses in the range 109−1011 M⊙. We estimated the fractions of metals stored in the different CGM phases, and the predicted O vi and Si iii column densities within the virial radius.

Results. We find roughly 107 M⊙ of oxygen in the CGM of simulated galaxies having M⋆ ~ 1010 M⊙, in fair agreement with the lower limits imposed by observations. The Moxy is found to correlate with M⋆, at odds with current observational trends but in agreement with other numerical results. The estimated profiles of O vi column density reveal a substantial shortage of that ion, whereas Si iii, which probes the cool phase, is overpredicted. Nevertheless, the radial dependences of both ions follow the respective observed profiles. The analysis of the relative contributions of both ions from the hot, warm and cool phases suggests that the warm gas (105 K < T < 106 K) should be more abundant in order to bridge the mismatch with the observations, or alternatively, that more metals should be stored in this gas-phase. These discrepancies provide important information to improve the subgrid physics models. Our findings show clearly the importance of tracking more than one chemical element and the difficulty of simultaneously satisfying the observables that trace the circumgalactic gas at different physical conditions. Additionally, we find that the X-ray coronae around the simulated galaxies have luminosities and temperatures in decent agreement with the available observational estimates.