bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermally enhanced photoluminescence for heat harvesting in photovoltaics
Authors: Manor Assaf , Kruger Nimrod , Sabapathy Tamilarasan , Rotschild Carmel
Published: October 2016

The maximal Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit of 41% for single-junction photovoltaics is primarily caused by heat dissipation following energetic-photon absorption. Solar-thermophotovoltaics concepts attempt to harvest this heat loss, but the required high temperatures (T>2,000 K) hinder device realization. Conversely, we have recently demonstrated how thermally enhanced photoluminescence is an efficient optical heat-pump that operates in comparably low temperatures. Here we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate such a thermally enhanced photoluminescence based solar-energy converter. Here heat is harvested by a low bandgap photoluminescent absorber that emits thermally enhanced photoluminescence towards a higher bandgap photovoltaic cell, resulting in a maximum theoretical efficiency of 70% at a temperature of 1,140 K. We experimentally demonstrate the key feature of sub-bandgap photon thermal upconversion with an efficiency of 1.4% at only 600 K. Experiments on white light excitation of a tailored Cr:Nd:Yb glass absorber suggest that conversion efficiencies as high as 48% at 1,500 K are in reach.
Pressure-induced commensurate stacking of graphene on boron nitride
Authors: Yankowitz Matthew , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , San-Jose Pablo , LeRoy Brian J.
Published: October 2016

Combining atomically-thin van der Waals materials into heterostructures provides a powerful path towards the creation of designer electronic devices. The interaction strength between neighbouring layers, most easily controlled through their interlayer separation, can have significant influence on the electronic properties of these composite materials. Here, we demonstrate unprecedented control over interlayer interactions by locally modifying the interlayer separation between graphene and boron nitride, which we achieve by applying pressure with a scanning tunnelling microscopy tip. For the special case of aligned or nearly-aligned graphene on boron nitride, the graphene lattice can stretch and compress locally to compensate for the slight lattice mismatch between the two materials. We find that modifying the interlayer separation directly tunes the lattice strain and induces commensurate stacking underneath the tip. Our results motivate future studies tailoring the electronic properties of van der Waals heterostructures by controlling the interlayer separation of the entire device using hydrostatic pressure.
A direct-sensing galactose chemoreceptor recently evolved in invasive strains of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Day Christopher J. , King Rebecca M. , Shewell Lucy K. , Tram Greg , Najnin Tahria , Hartley-Tassell Lauren E. , Wilson Jennifer C. , Fleetwood Aaron D. , Zhulin Igor B. , Korolik Victoria
Published: October 2016

A rare chemotaxis receptor, Tlp11, has been previously identified in invasive strains of Campylobacter jejuni, the most prevalent cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Here we use glycan and small-molecule arrays, as well as surface plasmon resonance, to show that Tlp11 specifically interacts with galactose. Tlp11 is required for the chemotactic response of C. jejuni to galactose, as shown using wild type, allelic inactivation and addition mutants. The inactivated mutant displays reduced virulence in vivo, in a model of chicken colonization. The Tlp11 sensory domain represents the first known sugar-binding dCache_1 domain, which is the most abundant family of extracellular sensors in bacteria. The Tlp11 signalling domain interacts with the chemotaxis scaffolding proteins CheV and CheW, and comparative genomic analysis indicates a likely recent evolutionary origin for Tlp11. We propose to rename Tlp11 as CcrG, Campylobacter ChemoReceptor for Galactose.
Oscillation dynamics underlie functional switching of NF-κB for B-cell activation
Authors: Inoue Kentaro , Shinohara Hisaaki , Behar Marcelo , Yumoto Noriko , Tanaka Gouhei , Hoffmann Alexander , Aihara Kazuyuki , Okada-Hatakeyama Mariko
Published: October 2016

Transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) shows cooperative switch-like activation followed by prolonged oscillatory nuclear translocation in response to extracellular stimuli. These dynamics are important for activation of the NF-κB transcriptional machinery, however, NF-κB activity regulated by coordinated actions of these dynamics has not been elucidated at the system level. Using a variety of B cells with artificially rewired NF-κB signaling networks, we show that oscillations and switch-like activation of NF-κB can be dissected and that, under some conditions, these two behaviors are separated upon antigen receptor activation. Comprehensive quantitative experiments and mathematical analysis showed that the functional role of switch activation in the NF-κB system is to overcome transient IKK (IκB kinase) activity to amplify nuclear translocation of NF-κB, thereby inducing the prolonged NF-κB oscillatory behavior necessary for target gene expression and B-cell activation.
Changes in Central Asia’s Water Tower: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Chen Yaning , Li Weihong , Deng Haijun , Fang Gonghuan , Li Zhi
Published: October 2016

The Tienshan Mountains, with its status as “water tower”, is the main water source and ecological barrier in Central Asia. The rapid warming affected precipitation amounts and fraction as well as the original glacier/snowmelt water processes, thereby affecting the runoff and water storage. The ratio of snowfall to precipitation (S/P) experienced a downward trend, along with a shift from snow to rain. Spatially, the snow cover area in Middle Tienshan Mountains decreased significantly, while that in West Tienshan Mountains increased slightly. Approximately 97.52% of glaciers in the Tienshan Mountains showed a retreating trend, which was especially obvious in the North and East Tienshan Mountains. River runoff responds in a complex way to changes in climate and cryosphere. It appears that catchments with a higher fraction of glacierized area showed mainly increasing runoff trends, while river basins with less or no glacierization exhibited large variations in the observed runoff changes. The total water storage in the Tienshan Mountains also experienced a significant decreasing trend in Middle and East Tienshan Mountains, but a slight decreasing trend in West Tienshan Mountains, totally at an average rate of −3.72 mm/a. In future, water storage levels are expected to show deficits for the next half-century.
The Effects of Puerarin on Rat Ventricular Myocytes and the Potential Mechanism
Authors: Xu Hao , Zhao Manxi , Liang Shenghui , Huang Quanshu , Xiao Yunchuan , Ye Liang , Wang Qinyi , He Longmei , Ma Lanxiang , Zhang Hua , Zhang Li , Jiang Hui , Ke Xiao , Gu Yuchun
Published: October 2016

Puerarin, a known isoflavone, is commonly found as a Chinese herb medicine. It is widely used in China to treat cardiac diseases such as angina, cardiac infarction and arrhythmia. However, its cardioprotective mechanism remains unclear. In this study, puerarin significantly prolonged ventricular action potential duration (APD) with a dosage dependent manner in the micromolar range on isolated rat ventricular myocytes. However, submicromolar puerarin had no effect on resting membrane potential (RMP), action potential amplitude (APA) and maximal velocity of depolarization (Vmax) of action potential. Only above the concentration of 10 mM, puerarin exhibited more aggressive effect on action potential, and shifted RMP to the positive direction. Millimolar concentrations of puerarin significantly inhibited inward rectified K+ channels in a dosage dependent manner, and exhibited bigger effects upon Kir2.1 vs Kir2.3 in transfected HEK293 cells. As low as micromolar range concentrations of puerarin significantly inhibited Kv7.1 and IKs. These inhibitory effects may due to the direct inhibition of puerarin upon channels not via the PKA-dependent pathway. These results provided direct preclinical evidence that puerarin prolonged APD via its inhibitory effect upon Kv7.1 and IKs, contributing to a better understanding the mechanism of puerarin cardioprotection in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Simultaneous generation of high-efficiency broadband asymmetric anomalous refraction and reflection waves with few-layer anisotropic metasurface
Authors: Li Zhancheng , Liu Wenwei , Cheng Hua , Liu Jieying , Chen Shuqi , Tian Jianguo
Published: October 2016

Optical metasurfaces consisting of single-layer nanostructures have immensely promising applications in wavefront control because they can be used to arbitrarily manipulate wave phase, and polarization. However, anomalous refraction and reflection waves have not yet been simultaneously and asymmetrically generated, and the limited efficiency and bandwidth of pre-existing single-layer metasurfaces hinder their practical applications. Here, a few-layer anisotropic metasurface is presented for simultaneously generating high-efficiency broadband asymmetric anomalous refraction and reflection waves. Moreover, the normal transmission and reflection waves are low and the anomalous waves are the predominant ones, which is quite beneficial for practical applications such as beam deflectors. Our work provides an effective method of enhancing the performance of anomalous wave generation, and the asymmetric performance of the proposed metasurface shows endless possibilities in wavefront control for nanophotonics device design and optical communication applications.
PolyHIPE Derived Freestanding 3D Carbon Foam for Cobalt Hydroxide Nanorods Based High Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Patil Umakant M. , Ghorpade Ravindra V. , Nam Min Sik , Nalawade Archana C. , Lee Sangrae , Han Haksoo , Jun Seong Chan
Published: October 2016

The current paper describes enhanced electrochemical capacitive performance of chemically grown Cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2) nanorods (NRs) decorated porous three dimensional graphitic carbon foam (Co(OH)2/3D GCF) as a supercapacitor electrode. Freestanding 3D porous GCF is prepared by carbonizing, high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerized styrene and divinylbenzene. The PolyHIPE was sulfonated and carbonized at temperature up to 850 °C to obtain graphitic 3D carbon foam with high surface area (389 m2 g−1) having open voids (14 μm) interconnected by windows (4 μm) in monolithic form. Moreover, entangled Co(OH)2 NRs are anchored on 3D GCF electrodes by using a facile chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The wide porous structure with high specific surface area (520 m2
g−1) access offered by the interconnected 3D GCF along with Co(OH)2 NRs morphology, displays ultrahigh specific capacitance, specific energy and power. The Co(OH)2/3D GCF electrode exhibits maximum specific capacitance about ~1235 F g−1 at ~1 A g−1 charge-discharge current density, in 1 M aqueous KOH solution. These results endorse potential applicability of Co(OH)2/3D GCF electrode in supercapacitors and signifies that, the porous GCF is a proficient 3D freestanding framework for loading pseudocapacitive nanostructured materials.
Revealing Deactivation Pathways Hidden in Time-Resolved Photoelectron Spectra
Authors: Ruckenbauer Matthias , Mai Sebastian , Marquetand Philipp , González Leticia
Published: October 2016

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy is commonly employed with the intention to monitor electronic excited-state dynamics occurring in a neutral molecule. With the help of theory, we show that when excited-state processes occur on similar time scales the different relaxation pathways are completely obscured in the total photoionization signal recorded in the experiment. Using non-adiabatic molecular dynamics and Dyson norms, we calculate the photoionization signal of cytosine and disentangle the transient contributions originating from the different deactivation pathways of its tautomers. In the simulations, the total signal from the relevant keto and enol tautomers can be decomposed into contributions either from the neutral electronic state populations or from the distinct mechanistic pathways across the multiple potential surfaces. The lifetimes corresponding to these contributions cannot be extracted from the experiment, thereby illustrating that new experimental setups are necessary to unravel the intricate non-adiabatic pathways occurring in polyatomic molecules after irradiation by light.
Microfluidic co-culture system for cancer migratory analysis and anti-metastatic drugs screening
Authors: Mi Shengli , Du Zhichang , Xu Yuanyuan , Wu Zhengjie , Qian Xiang , Zhang Min , Sun Wei
Published: October 2016

Tumour metastasis is an important reason for cancer death, and cancer cell migration is an important step in the process of tumour metastasis. Studying cancer cell migration is of great significance. Here, we present a novel microfluidic co-culture system and establish mild, moderate and severe cancer models by using HMEpiC and MDA-MB–231 cells to study cancer cell migration and anti-cancer drug screening. Using this device, we achieved high cell viability (over 90%) and a stable analysis of the migration ability of cancer cells. We observed that the density of the cancer cells determined the probability of the occurrence of metastatic cells and that the induction of normal cells affected the metastatic velocity of each cancer cell. We verified that the increase in the migration ability of MDA-MB-231 cells co-cultured with HMEpiC cells was relative to the increased secretion of IL-6 and that this was verified by an IL-6 inhibitor assay. This co-culture also led to decreased CK-14 secretion and morphological changes in HMEpiC cells. Finally, significant inhibition of paclitaxel and tamoxifen on cancer migration was observed. Taken together, our microfluidic device could be a useful tool for the quantitation of the migratory capability and anti-metastatic drug screening.
A liquid-liquid transition can exist in monatomic transition metals with a positive melting slope
Authors: Lee Byeongchan , Lee Geun Woo
Published: October 2016

Liquid-liquid transitions under high pressure are found in many elemental materials, but the transitions are known to be associated with either sp-valent materials or f-valent rare-earth elements, in which the maximum or a negative slope in the melting line is readily suggestive of the transition. Here we find a liquid-liquid transition with a positive melting slope in transition metal Ti from structural, electronic, and thermodynamic studies using ab-initio molecular dynamics calculations, showing diffusion anomaly, but no density anomaly. The origin of the transition in liquid Ti is a pressure-induced increase of local structures containing very short bonds with directionality in electronic configurations. This behavior appears to be characteristic of the early transition metals. In contrast, the late transition metal liquid Ni does not show the L-L transition with pressure. This result suggests that the possibility of the L-L transition decreases from early to late transition metals as electronic structures of late transition metals barely have a Jahn-Teller effect and bond directionality. Our results generalize that a phase transition in disordered materials is found with any valence band regardless of the sign of the melting slope, but related to the symmetry of electronic structures of constituent elements.
Biologically templated assembly of hybrid semiconducting nanomesh for high performance field effect transistors and sensors
Authors: Byeon Hye-Hyeon , Lee Seung-Woo , Lee Eun-Hee , Kim Woong , Yi Hyunjung
Published: October 2016

Delicately assembled composites of semiconducting nanomaterials and biological materials provide an attractive interface for emerging applications, such as chemical/biological sensors, wearable health monitoring devices, and therapeutic agent releasing devices. The nanostructure of composites as a channel and a sensing material plays a critical role in the performance of field effect transistors (FETs). Therefore, it is highly desirable to prepare elaborate composite that can allow the fabrication of high performance FETs and also provide high sensitivity and selectivity in detecting specific chemical/biological targets. In this work, we demonstrate that high performance FETs can be fabricated with a hydrodynamically assembled composite, a semiconducting nanomesh, of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (S-SWNTs) and a genetically engineered M13 phage to show strong binding affinity toward SWNTs. The semiconducting nanomesh enables a high on/off ratio (~104) of FETs. We also show that the threshold voltage and the channel current of the nanomesh FETs are sensitive to the change of the M13 phage surface charge. This biological gate effect of the phage enables the detection of biologically important molecules such as dopamine and bisphenol A using nanomesh-based FETs. Our results provide a new insight for the preparation of composite material platform for highly controllable bio/electronics interfaces.
Bone Marrow Stem/Progenitor Cells Attenuate the Inflammatory Milieu Following Substitution Urethroplasty
Authors: Liu Joceline S. , Bury Matthew I. , Fuller Natalie J. , Sturm Renea M. , Ahmad Nida , Sharma Arun K.
Published: October 2016

Substitution urethroplasty for the treatment of male stricture disease is often accompanied by subsequent tissue fibrosis and secondary stricture formation. Patients with pre-existing morbidities are often at increased risk of urethral stricture recurrence brought upon in-part by delayed vascularization accompanied by overactive inflammatory responses following surgery. Within the context of this study, we demonstrate the functional utility of a cell/scaffold composite graft comprised of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) combined with CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) to modulate inflammation and wound healing in a rodent model of substitution urethroplasty. Composite grafts demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects with regards to tissue macrophage and neutrophil density following urethral tissue analyses. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β and further resulted in an earlier transition to tissue remodeling and maturation with a shift in collagen type III to I. Grafted animals demonstrated a progressive maturation and increase in vessel size compared to control animals. Overall, MSC/CD34+ HSPC composite grafts reduce inflammation, enhance an earlier transition to wound remodeling and maturation concurrently increasing neovascularization in the periurethral tissue. We demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of a stem cell-seeded synthetic graft in a rodent substitution urethroplasty model.
Integrated mRNA and miRNA transcriptome reveal a cross-talk between developing response and hormone signaling for the seed kernels of Siberian apricot
Authors: Niu Jun , Wang Jia , An Jiyong , Liu Lili , Lin Zixin , Wang Rui , Wang Libing , Ma Chao , Shi Lingling , Lin Shanzhi
Published: October 2016

Recently, our transcriptomic analysis has identified some functional genes responsible for oil biosynthesis in developing SASK, yet miRNA-mediated regulation for SASK development and oil accumulation is poorly understood. Here, 3 representative periods of 10, 30 and 60 DAF were selected for sRNA sequencing based on the dynamic patterns of growth tendency and oil content of developing SASK. By miRNA transcriptomic analysis, we characterized 296 known and 44 novel miRNAs in developing SASK, among which 36 known and 6 novel miRNAs respond specifically to developing SASK. Importantly, we performed an integrated analysis of mRNA and miRNA transcriptome as well as qRT-PCR detection to identify some key miRNAs and their targets (miR156-SPL, miR160-ARF18, miR164-NAC1, miR171h-SCL6, miR172-AP2, miR395-AUX22B, miR530-P2C37, miR393h-TIR1/AFB2 and psi-miRn5-SnRK2A) potentially involved in developing response and hormone signaling of SASK. Our results provide new insights into the important regulatory function of cross-talk between development response and hormone signaling for SASK oil accumulation.
The role of ion transport phenomena in memristive double barrier devices
Authors: Dirkmann Sven , Hansen Mirko , Ziegler Martin , Kohlstedt Hermann , Mussenbrock Thomas
Published: October 2016

In this work we report on the role of ion transport for the dynamic behavior of a double barrier quantum mechanical Al/Al2O3/NbxOy/Au memristive device based on numerical simulations in conjunction with experimental measurements. The device consists of an ultra-thin NbxOy solid state electrolyte between an Al2O3 tunnel barrier and a semiconductor metal interface at an Au electrode. It is shown that the device provides a number of interesting features such as an intrinsic current compliance, a relatively long retention time, and no need for an initialization step. Therefore, it is particularly attractive for applications in highly dense random access memories or neuromorphic mixed signal circuits. However, the underlying physical mechanisms of the resistive switching are still not completely understood yet. To investigate the interplay between the current transport mechanisms and the inner atomistic device structure a lumped element circuit model is consistently coupled with 3D kinetic Monte Carlo model for the ion transport. The simulation results indicate that the drift of charged point defects within the NbxOy is the key factor for the resistive switching behavior. It is shown in detail that the diffusion of oxygen modifies the local electronic interface states resulting in a change of the interface properties.
Performance and microbial ecology of a nitritation sequencing batch reactor treating high-strength ammonia wastewater
Authors: Chen Wenjing , Dai Xiaohu , Cao Dawen , Wang Sha , Hu Xiaona , Liu Wenru , Yang Dianhai
Published: October 2016

The partial nitrification (PN) performance and the microbial community variations were evaluated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for 172 days, with the stepwise elevation of ammonium concentration. Free ammonia (FA) and low dissolved oxygen inhibition of nitrite-oxidized bacteria (NOB) were used to achieve nitritation in the SBR. During the 172 days operation, the nitrogen loading rate of the SBR was finally raised to 3.6 kg N/m3/d corresponding the influent ammonium of 1500 mg/L, with the ammonium removal efficiency and nitrite accumulation rate were 94.12% and 83.54%, respectively, indicating that the syntrophic inhibition of FA and low dissolved oxygen contributed substantially to the stable nitrite accumulation. The results of the 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing revealed that Nitrospira, the only nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in the system, were successively inhibited and eliminated, and the SBR reactor was dominated finally by Nitrosomonas, the ammonium-oxidizing bacteria, which had a relative abundance of 83%, indicating that the Nitrosomonas played the primary roles on the establishment and maintaining of nitritation. Followed by Nitrosomonas, Anaerolineae (7.02%) and Saprospira (1.86%) were the other mainly genera in the biomass.
Identification of a regulation network in response to cadmium toxicity using blood clam Tegillarca granosa as model
Authors: Bao Yongbo , Liu Xiao , Zhang Weiwei , Cao Jianping , Li Wei , Li Chenghua , Lin Zhihua
Published: October 2016

Clam, a filter-feeding lamellibranch mollusk, is capable to accumulate high levels of trace metals and has therefore become a model for investigation the mechanism of heavy metal toxification. In this study, the effects of cadmium were characterized in the gills of Tegillarca granosa during a 96-hour exposure course using integrated metabolomic and proteomic approaches. Neurotoxicity and disturbances in energy metabolism were implicated according to the metabolic responses after Cd exposure, and eventually affected the osmotic function of gill tissue. Proteomic analysis showed that oxidative stress, calcium-binding and sulfur-compound metabolism proteins were key factors responding to Cd challenge. A knowledge-based network regulation model was constructed with both metabolic and proteomic data. The model suggests that Cd stimulation mainly inhibits a core regulation network that is associated with histone function, ribosome processing and tight junctions, with the hub proteins actin, gamma 1 and Calmodulin 1. Moreover, myosin complex inhibition causes abnormal tight junctions and is linked to the irregular synthesis of amino acids. For the first time, this study provides insight into the proteomic and metabolomic changes caused by Cd in the blood clam T. granosa and suggests a potential toxicological pathway for Cd.
Long Term Surgical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Atypical and Malignant Meningiomas
Authors: Wang Yu-Chi , Chuang Chi-Cheng , Wei Kuo-Chen , Chang Cheng-Nen , Lee Shih-Tseng , Wu Chieh-Tsai , Hsu Yung-Hsin , Lin Tzu-Kan , Hsu Peng-Wei , Huang Yin-Cheng , Tseng Chen-Kan , Wang Chun-Chieh , Chen Yao-Liang , Chen Pin-Yuan
Published: October 2016

Atypical and malignant meningiomas are rare. Our aim was to examine the treatment outcomes following surgical resection, and analyze associations between clinical characteristics and overall survival (OS) or relapse free survival (RFS). 102 patients with atypical or malignant meningiomas underwent microsurgical resection between June 2001 and November 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. We compared demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, and complications. The five-year and ten-year overall survival rates were 93.5% and 83.4%, respectively. Three factors significantly reduced OS: Malignant meningiomas (p < 0.001), which also decreased RFS (p < 0.001); female patients (p = 0.049), and patients with Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) < 70 at diagnosis (p = 0.009). Fifty two patients (51%) experienced tumor relapse. Total resection of tumors significantly impacted RFS (p = 0.013). Tumors located at parasagittal and posterior fossa area lead to higher relapse rate (p = 0.004). Subtotal resection without adjuvant radiotherapy lead to the worst local control of tumor (p = 0.030). An MIB-1 index <8% improved OS and RFS (p = 0.003). Total resection of atypical and malignant meningiomas provided better outcome and local control. Adjuvant radiation therapy is indicated for patients with malignant meningiomas, with incompletely excised tumors; or with tumors in the parasagittal or posterior fossa area. The MIB-1 index of the tumor is an independent prognostic factor of clinical outcome.
Only child syndrome in snakes: Eggs incubated alone produce asocial individuals
Authors: Aubret Fabien , Bignon Florent , Kok Philippe J. R. , Blanvillain Gaëlle
Published: October 2016

Egg-clustering and communal nesting behaviours provide advantages to offspring. Advantages range from anti-predatory benefits, maintenance of moisture and temperature levels within the nest, preventing the eggs from rolling, to enabling hatching synchrony through embryo communication. It was recently suggested that embryo communication may extend beyond development fine-tuning, and potentially convey information about the quality of the natal environment as well as provide an indication of forthcoming competition amongst siblings, conspecifics or even heterospecifics. Here we show that preventing embryos from communicating not only altered development rates but also strongly influenced post-natal social behaviour in snakes. Clutches of water snakes, Natrix maura, were split evenly into half-clutches and incubated as (1) clusters (i.e. eggs in physical contact with each other) or (2) as single eggs placed in individual goblets (i.e. no physical contact amongst sibling eggs). Single incubated eggs produced less-sociable young snakes than their siblings that were incubated in a cluster: the former were more active, less aggregated and physically contacted each other less often than the latter. Potential long-term effects and evolutionary drivers for this new example of informed dispersal are discussed.
Metformin sensitizes the response of oral squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin treatment through inhibition of NF-κB/HIF-1α signal axis
Authors: Qi Xiaofeng , Xu Wengguang , Xie Junqi , Wang Yufeng , Han Shengwei , Wei Zheng , Ni Yanhong , Dong Yingchun , Han Wei
Published: October 2016

Resistance towards chemotherapy is a common complication in treatment of oral cancers, which leads to treatment failure and poor outcome. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has shown that tumour hypoxia significantly contributes to chemoresistance. Metformin, a widely used oral hypoglycaemic drug, can reportedly potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in various cancers; however, the underlying mechanisms are intricate and have not been fully understood. In this study, we explored the role of metformin in chemosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (OSCC) to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo, and attempted to elucidate its possible underlying mechanisms. Encouragingly, we found that metformin synergistically enhanced cisplatin cytotoxicity and reversed the chemoresistance to certain extent. This mechanism could likely be related with inhibition of the NF-κB/HIF-1α signal axis and lead to the downregulation of hypoxia-regulated genes products. Therefore, metformin could serve as a chemosensitiser for cisplatin-based regimens for OSCC, thereby providing a theoretical basis for future use in the treatment of oral cancers.
The universal characteristics of a thermodynamic model to conform to the Gibbs-Duhem equation
Authors: Tao Dong-Ping
Published: October 2016

In a multi-component homogeneous system, the relationship between partial molar and molar quantity (RPMQ) is proved to be an equivalent relation of the Gibbs-Duhem equation. The universal characteristics of a thermodynamic model to conform to the Gibbs-Duhem equation are inferred from the RPMQ. Based on the inference, an asymmetric regular solution model is suggested to deal with those systems that exhibit strong negative deviation, strong positive deviation, and both strong positive and negative deviation from ideality.
Macroscopic irreversibility and microscopic paradox: A Constructal law analysis of atoms as open systems
Authors: Lucia Umberto
Published: October 2016

The relation between macroscopic irreversibility and microscopic reversibility is a present unsolved problem. Constructal law is introduced to develop analytically the Einstein’s, Schrödinger’s, and Gibbs’ considerations on the interaction between particles and thermal radiation (photons). The result leads to consider the atoms and molecules as open systems in continuous interaction with flows of photons from their surroundings. The consequent result is that, in any atomic transition, the energy related to the microscopic irreversibility is negligible, while when a great number of atoms (of the order of Avogadro’s number) is considered, this energy related to irreversibility becomes so large that its order of magnitude must be taken into account. Consequently, macroscopic irreversibility results related to microscopic irreversibility by flows of photons and amount of atoms involved in the processes.
Formaldehyde impairs transepithelial sodium transport
Authors: Cui Yong , Li Huiming , Wu Sihui , Zhao Runzhen , Du Deyi , Ding Yan , Nie Hongguang , Ji Hong-Long
Published: October 2016

Unsaturated oxidative formaldehyde is a noxious aldehyde in cigarette smoke that causes edematous acute lung injury. However, the mechanistic effects of formaldehyde on lung fluid transport are still poorly understood. We examined how formaldehyde regulates human epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) in H441 and expressed in Xenopus oocytes and exposed mice in vivo. Our results showed that formaldehyde reduced mouse transalveolar fluid clearance in vivo. Formaldehyde caused a dose-dependent inhibition of amiloride-sensitive short-circuit Na+ currents in H441 monolayers and of αβγ-ENaC channel activity in oocytes. α-ENaC protein was reduced, whereas phosphorylation of the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) increased significantly post exposure. Moreover, both α- and γ-ENaC transcripts were down-regulated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was elevated significantly by formaldehyde in addition to markedly augmented membrane permeability of oocytes. These data suggest that formaldehyde contributes to edematous acute lung injury by reducing transalveolar Na+ transport, through decreased ENaC activity and enhanced membrane depolarization, and by elevating ROS production over long-term exposure.
A method for the measurement of lactate, glycerol and fatty acid production from14C-glucose in primary cultures of rat epididymal adipocytes
Authors: Ho-Palma Ana Cecilia , Rotondo Floriana , Romero María del Mar , Memmolo Serena , Remesar Xavier , Fernández-López José Antonio , Alemany Marià
Published: October 2016

We have developed a method for the analysis of the main metabolic products of utilization of glucose by isolated adipocytes.
All-solid state, flexible, high-energy integrated hybrid micro-supercapacitors based on 3D LSG/CoNi2S4nanosheets
Authors: Moosavifard Seyyed Ebrahim , Shamsi Javad , Altafi Mohammad Kazem , Moosavifard Zeinab Sadat
Published: October 2016

3D LSG/CoNi2S4//LSG interdigitated microelectrodes have been firstly developed by a facile, scalable and low cost process for all-solid-state, flexible integrated asymmetric micro-supercapacitors.
Creation of mesostructured hollow Y zeolite by selective demetallation of an artificial heterogeneous Al distributed zeolite crystal
Authors: Yuan Delin , Kang Chunyan , Wang Wennian , Li Hao , Zhu Xiaochun , Wang Yandan , Gao Xionghou , Wang Baojie , Zhao Hongjuan , Liu Conghua , Shen Baojian
Published: October 2016

A hollow mesoporous Y zeolite has been fabricated via a selective demetallation method based on an artificial heterogeneous Al distribution strategy.
Reduction of hypervalent iodine by coordination to iron(iii) and the crystal structures of PhIO and PhIO2
Authors: Wegeberg Christina , Frankær Christian Grundahl , McKenzie Christine J.
Published: October 2016

Iodine L3-edge XANES spectra using reference compounds with formal iodine oxidation states spanning −1 to +7 show that iodine in an Fe(iii) coordinated iodosylbenzene (PhIO) is reduced compared to parent hypervalent PhIO which has been structurally characterized.
Electrophilic phenoxy-substituted phosphonium cations
Authors: LaFortune James H. W. , Johnstone Timothy C. , Pérez Manuel , Winkelhaus Daniel , Podgorny Vitali , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: October 2016

A family of electrophilic phenoxy-substituted phosphonium salts [(RO)P(C6F5)3][B(C6F5)4] (R = C6H5, 4-FC6H4, 2,4-F2C6H3, C6F5) have been synthesized, used as Lewis acid catalysts and their air stability was evaluated.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of memantine nitrates as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Liu Zheng , Yang Si , Jin Xiaoyong , Zhang Gaoxiao , Guo Baojian , Chen Haiyun , Yu Pei , Sun Yewei , Zhang Zaijun , Wang Yuqiang
Published: October 2016

A series of memantine nitrate derivatives, as dual functional compounds with neuroprotective and vasodilatory activity for neurodegenerative diseases, was designed and synthesized.
Insights into understanding water mediated proton conductivity in an intercalated hybrid solid of kaolinite at ambient temperature
Authors: Yang Hao , Sun Xin , Liu Shao-Xian , Zou Yang , Li Li , Liu Jian-Lan , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: October 2016

The intercalated hybrid solid of kaolinite mineral with a natural amino acidl-alanine is a green and low-cost material and shows water mediated high proton conductivity at room temperature.
Enantioselective total synthesis and structural assignment of callyspongiolide
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Kassekert Luke A. , Bungard Joseph D.
Published: October 2016

Elucidation of absolute configuration, assignment of stereochemistry at the C-21 center and total synthesis of callyspongiolide are described.
Silver-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of aminals with ethyl diazoacetate: a new pathway to β-amino-α-diazoesters
Authors: Li Jiawen , Qin Guiping , Huang Hanmin
Published: October 2016

A novel silver-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of aminals with ethyl diazoacetate producing β-amino-α-diazoesters has been developed. A series of aminals with different amino moieties and substituents were successfully incorporated in this reaction.
A trifunctional linker suitable for conducting three orthogonal click chemistries in one pot
Authors: Knall Astrid-Caroline , Hollauf Manuel , Saf Robert , Slugovc Christian
Published: October 2016

A facile one-pot triple-click protocol involving mutually orthogonal azide–alkyne, tetrazine–alkene and Michael thiol–ene click reactions is presented.
Effective in situ repair and bacteriostatic material of tooth enamel based on salivary acquired pellicle inspired oligomeric procyanidins
Authors: Zhang Shuhui , He Libang , Yang Yinxin , Yang Bo , Liao Yixue , Xu Xinyuan , Li Jiyao , Yang Xiao , Li Jianshu
Published: October 2016

Remineralization and reduction of cariogenic bacteria at the tooth surface are effective ways to treat dental caries.
Synthesis and micellization of a multi-stimuli responsive block copolymer based on spiropyran
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Chen Shengli , Pang Meili , Zhang Wangqing
Published: October 2016

A pH-, light-, LCST- and UCST-responsive block copolymer based on spiropyran is synthesized and the modulated micellization is demonstrated.
RNA model evaluation based on MD simulation of four tRNA analogs
Authors: Grzybkowska Anna , Jędrzejczyk Dominika , Rostkowski Michał , Chworos Arkadiusz , Dybala-Defratyka Agnieszka
Published: October 2016

Characteristic of 3D structures of tRNA analogs generated from primary sequence, subjected to all-atom MD simulation and assessed using selected RNA model evaluation methods.
Evidence of competition in the incorporation of Co2+and Mn2+ions into the structure of ZnTe nanocrystals
Authors: Silva Alessandra S. , Pelegrini Fernando , Figueiredo Leandro C. , de Souza Paulo E. N. , da Silva Sebastião W. , de Morais Paulo C. , Dantas Noelio O.
Published: October 2016

Glass-embedded Zn1−x−yMnxCoyTe nanocrystals (withx= 0.01 andyvarying from 0.000 to 0.800) were successfully synthesized using a protocol based on the melting–nucleation synthesis route and herein investigated by several experimental techniques.
First principles studies on the thermoelectric properties of (SrO)m(SrTiO3)n superlattice
Authors: Zhang Liang , Lü Tie-Yu , Wang Hui-Qiong , Zhang Wen-Xing , Yang Shuo-Wang , Zheng Jin-Cheng
Published: October 2016

The electronic structures and thermoelectric properties of (SrO)m(SrTiO3)n superlattices have been investigated using first-principles calculations and the Boltzmann transport theory.
Carbon–carbon vs. carbon–oxygen bond activation in 2- and 3-furonitriles with nickel
Authors: García-Ventura Ilnett , Flores-Alamo Marcos , García Juventino J.
Published: October 2016

The reaction between [(dippe)NiH]2(1) (dippe = 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-ethane) and 2- and 3-furonitrile (2-FNand3-FN) was carried out at room temperature.
Maleimide copolymers containing azobenzene moieties – synthesis and study of liquid crystalline and optical properties
Authors: Cozan Vasile , Hulubei Camelia , Airinei Anton , Morariu Simona
Published: October 2016

New reactive copolymers have been synthesized by copolymerization of two functional N-substituted-maleimides with styrene.
Degradation and regeneration of hybrid perovskites
Authors: Seth Charu , Khushalani Deepa
Published: October 2016

CH3NH3PbI3 has been deposited on three different substrates: FTO and two types of TiO2 electron transport layers. It has been evaluated for degradation under UV and visible light, and the phase has also been regenerated by a simple chemical treatment.
Macroporous TiO2encapsulated Au@Pd bimetal nanoparticles for the photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols in water under visible-light
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Baiyila Dahu , Li Xiaotian
Published: October 2016

A novel macroporous photocatalyst Au@Pd@TiO2has been reported and showed excellent catalytic activity and stability in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water at ambient temperature when using air as the oxidizing agent under visible light irradiation.
Reactivity descriptor for the retro Diels–Alder reaction of partially saturated 2-pyrones: DFT study on substituents and solvent effects
Authors: Khan Tuhin S. , Gupta Shelaka , Alam Md. Imteyaz , Haider M. Ali
Published: October 2016

​The retro-Diels–Alder (rDA) reaction of partially saturated 2-pyrones were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations in polar and non-polar solvents, and fundamental descriptors were proposed to understand the electronic and solvent effect.
New PDI-based small-molecule cathode interlayer material with strong electron extracting ability for polymer solar cells
Authors: Li Zelin , Yang Dalei , Zhao Xiaoli , Li Zidong , Zhang Tong , Wu Fan , Yang Xiaoniu
Published: October 2016

A solution-processed and thickness-insensitive small-molecule perylene diimide derivative, namely PDI-N3I, was synthesized and successfully applied to conventional PSCs.
Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on polydopamine coated Fe3O4 as magnetically isolable, highly active and reusable catalysts for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane
Authors: Manna Joydev , Akbayrak Serdar , Özkar Saim
Published: October 2016

Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on polydopamine coated magnetic ferrite nanopowders are highly active and reusable catalyst in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane with a turnover frequency of 14.5 min−1 at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C.
BODIPY appended copper(ii) complexes for cellular imaging and singlet oxygen mediated anticancer activity in visible light
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arnab , Dixit Akanksha , Banerjee Samya , Roy Bijan , Kumar Arun , Karande Anjali A. , Chakravarty Akhil R.
Published: October 2016

BODIPY-appended copper(ii) complexes are for cellular imaging and visible light-induced remarkable PDT activity in HeLa/MCF-7 cells with1O2-mediated cellular apoptosis.
A simple grinding-calcination approach to prepare the Co3O4–In2O3 heterojunction structure with high-performance gas-sensing property toward ethanol
Authors: Song Kai , Meng Xiaoqian , Zhang Jianli , Zhang Yue , Wang Xin , Zhu Junwu
Published: October 2016

The development of gas sensing devices with high sensitivity, good selectivity and excellent stability is becoming increasingly important since toxic or harmful gases are a threat to human health.
Quantitative 13C NMR characterization of fast pyrolysis oils
Authors: Happs R. M. , Iisa K. , Ferrell III J. R.
Published: October 2016

DEPT spectra illustrate the overlap of aromatic C–H signals in the aromatic C–C region for catalytic and hydrotreated pyrolysis oils.
Yolk–shell structured CoFe2O4 microspheres as novel catalysts for peroxymonosulfate activation for efficient degradation of butyl paraben
Authors: Chen Chen , Zuo Wei-Qi , Yang Jia-Cheng E. , Cui Hao-Jie , Fu Ming-Lai
Published: October 2016

Three-dimensional yolk–shell structured CoFe2O4 microspheres were successfully fabricated to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for efficiently catalytic degradation of butyl paraben (BPB) in wastewater.
Highly conductive PEDOT:PSS treated by sodium dodecyl sulfate for stretchable fabric heaters
Authors: Yeon C. , Kim G. , Lim J. W. , Yun S. J.
Published: October 2016

The most effective method, BD-method (combination of blending and dipping), is reported for increasing the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS using sodium dodecyl sulfate and the Joule heating behaviour of the fabric heater is demonstrated.
Fluorogenic sensor platform for the histone code using receptors from dynamic combinatorial libraries
Authors: Peacor Brendan C. , Ramsay Christopher M. , Waters Marcey L.
Published: October 2016

A sensor array has been developed that can differentiate multiple post-translational modifications in the same peptide and their relative positions in the sequence, including multiple methylations, providing a promising new tool for deciphering the histone code.
Plasma surface functionalization induces nanostructuring and nitrogen-doping in carbon cloth with enhanced energy storage performance
Authors: Ouyang Bo , Zhang Yongqi , Wang Ying , Zhang Zheng , Fan Hong Jin , Rawat Rajdeep Singh
Published: October 2016

N2 plasma induces simultaneous nanoporosity and N-doping in carbon cloth, making it an active electrode for supercapacitors, batteries and probably electrocatalysts.
An electron-rich 2-alkylthieno[3,4-b]thiophene building block with excellent electronic and morphological tunability for high-performance small-molecule solar cells
Authors: Xu Shengjie , Zhou Zichun , Fan Haijun , Ren Longbin , Liu Feng , Zhu Xiaozhang , Russell Thomas P.
Published: October 2016

2-Alkylthieno[3,4-b]thiophene functions: to modulate electronic structure, to manipulate thin-film morphology, to link donor and acceptor moieties.
Indoor light recycling: a new home for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Cutting Christie L. , Bag Monojit , Venkataraman D.
Published: October 2016

A new home for organic photovoltaics.
[{VOCl2(CH2(COOEt)2)}4] as a molecular precursor for thermochromic monoclinic VO2 thin films and nanoparticles
Authors: Blackburn Ben , Powell Michael J. , Knapp Caroline E. , Bear Joseph C. , Carmalt Claire J. , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: October 2016

The synthesis of thermochromic monoclinic vanadium(iv) oxide (VO2 (M)) thin films and vanadium oxide nanocrystals from a molecular precursor, [{VOCl2(CH2(COOEt)2)}4] is described.
Self-reducible copper ion complex ink for air sinterable conductive electrodes
Authors: Cho Sanghun , Yin Zhenxing , Ahn Yong-keon , Piao Yuanzhe , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Youn Sang
Published: October 2016

We introduce a novel self-reducible Cu ion complex ink, composed of formate, alkanolamine groups and poly alcohols, for the air sinterable, low-cost, environment-friendly fabrication of Cu conductive electrodes.
How Hearing Loss and Age Affect Emotional Responses to Nonspeech Sounds
Authors: Picou Erin M.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hearing loss and age on subjective ratings of emotional valence and arousal in response to nonspeech sounds.

Method

Three groups of adults participated: 20 younger listeners with normal hearing (
M
= 24.8 years), 20 older listeners with normal hearing (
M
= 55.8 years), and 20 older listeners with mild-to-severe acquired hearing loss (
M
= 65.6 years). Stimuli were presented via headphones at either 35 and 65 dB SPL or 50 and 80 dB SPL on the basis of random assignment within each group. Participants rated the emotional valence and arousal for previously normed nonspeech auditory stimuli.

Results

Linear mixed model analyses were conducted separately for ratings of valence and arousal. Results revealed that listeners with hearing loss exhibited a reduced range of emotional ratings. Furthermore, for stimuli presented at 80 dB SPL, valence ratings from listeners with hearing loss were significantly lower than ratings from listeners with normal hearing.

Conclusions

Acquired hearing loss, not increased age, affected emotional responses by reducing the range of subjective ratings and by reducing the reported valence of the highest intensity stimuli. These results have potentially important clinical implications for aural rehabilitation.
An Index of Pseudo-Discrimination Loss
Authors: Campbell Richard A.
Published: October 2016

An Index of Pseudo-Discrimination Loss (PDL-Index) has been developed for use with the recorded W-22 discrimination tests and is described. This PDL-Index is based on consideration of the kinds of errors made by the patient and provides an objective estimate of the relative contribution of extra-auditory influences to an obtained discrimination loss score. Good agreement was found between PDL-Index ratings and ratings by clinicians. Suggested interpretations of various PDL-Index values are presented.