bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of Li/S Battery Electrodes On 3D Current Collectors Studied Using X-ray Phase Contrast Tomography
Authors: Zielke L. , Barchasz C. , Waluś S. , Alloin F. , Leprêtre J.-C. , Spettl A. , Schmidt V. , Hilger A. , Manke I. , Banhart J. , Zengerle R. , Thiele S.
Published: June 2015

Lithium/sulphur batteries are promising candidates for future energy storage systems, mainly due to their high potential capacity. However low sulphur utilization and capacity fading hinder practical realizations. In order to improve understanding of the system, we investigate Li/S electrode morphology changes for different ageing steps, using X-ray phase contrast tomography. Thereby we find a strong decrease of sulphur loading after the first cycle and a constant loading of about 15% of the initial loading afterwards. While cycling, the mean sulphur particle diameters decrease in a qualitatively similar fashion as the discharge capacity fades. The particles spread, migrate into the current collector and accumulate in the upper part again. Simultaneously sulphur particles lose contact area with the conducting network but regain it after ten cycles because their decreasing size results in higher surface areas. Since the capacity still decreases, this regain could be associated with effects such as surface area passivation and increasing charge transfer resistance.
Stable Odor Recognition by a neuro-adaptive Electronic Nose
Authors: Martinelli Eugenio , Magna Gabriele , Polese Davide , Vergara Alexander , Schild Detlev , Di Natale Corrado
Published: June 2015

Sensitivity, selectivity and stability are decisive properties of sensors. In chemical gas sensors odor recognition can be severely compromised by poor signal stability, particularly in real life applications where the sensors are exposed to unpredictable sequences of odors under changing external conditions. Although olfactory receptor neurons in the nose face similar stimulus sequences under likewise changing conditions, odor recognition is very stable and odorants can be reliably identified independently from past odor perception. We postulate that appropriate pre-processing of the output signals of chemical sensors substantially contributes to the stability of odor recognition, in spite of marked sensor instabilities. To investigate this hypothesis, we use an adaptive, unsupervised neural network inspired by the glomerular input circuitry of the olfactory bulb. Essentially the model reduces the effect of the sensors’ instabilities by utilizing them via an adaptive multicompartment feed-forward inhibition. We collected and analyzed responses of a 4 × 4 gas sensor array to a number of volatile compounds applied over a period of 18 months, whereby every sensor was sampled episodically. The network conferred excellent stability to the compounds’ identification and was clearly superior over standard classifiers, even when one of the sensors exhibited random fluctuations or stopped working at all.
Molecular ion battery: a rechargeable system without using any elemental ions as a charge carrier
Authors: Yao Masaru , Sano Hikaru , Ando Hisanori , Kiyobayashi Tetsu
Published: June 2015

Is it possible to exceed the lithium redox potential in electrochemical systems? It seems impossible to exceed the lithium potential because the redox potential of the elemental lithium is the lowest amongallthe elements, which contributes to the high voltage characteristics of the widely used lithium ion battery. However, it should bepossiblewhen we use a molecule-based ion which is not reduced even at the lithium potential in principle. Here we propose a new model system using a molecular electrolyte salt with polymer-based active materials in order to verify whether a molecular ion species serves as a charge carrier. Although the potential of the negative-electrode is not yet lower than that of lithium at present, this study reveals that a molecular ion can work as a charge carrier in a battery and the system is certainly a molecular ion-based “rocking chair” type battery.
Infection of host plants by Cucumber mosaic virus increases the susceptibility of Myzus persicae aphids to the parasitoid Aphidius colemani
Authors: Mauck Kerry E. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: June 2015

Plant viruses can profoundly alter the phenotypes of their host plants, with potentially far-reaching implications for ecology. Yet few studies have explored the indirect, host-mediated, effects of plant viruses on non-vector insects. We examined how infection ofCucurbita pepoplants byCucumber mosaic virus(CMV) impacted the susceptibility of aphids (Myzus persicae) to attack by the parasitoid waspAphidius colemani. In semi-natural foraging assays, we observed higher rates of aphid parasitism on infected plants compared to healthy plants. Subsequent experiments revealed that this difference is not explained by different attack rates on plants differing in infection status, but rather by the fact that parasitoid larvae successfully complete their development more often when aphid hosts feed on infected plants. This suggests that the reduced nutritional quality of infected plants as host for aphids—documented in previous studies—compromises their ability to mount effective defenses against parasitism. Furthermore, our current findings indicate that the aphid diet during parasitoid development (rather than prior to wasp oviposition) is a key factor influencing resistance. These findings complement our previous work showing that CMV-induced changes in host plant chemistry alter patterns of aphid recruitment and dispersal in ways conducive to virus transmission.
All-nanophotonic NEMS biosensor on a chip
Authors: Fedyanin Dmitry Yu. , Stebunov Yury V.
Published: June 2015

Integrated chemical and biological sensors give advantages in cost, size and weight reduction and open new prospects for parallel monitoring and analysis. Biosensors based on nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are the most attractive candidates for the integrated platform. However, actuation and transduction techniques (e.g. electrostatic, magnetomotive, thermal or piezoelectric) limit their operation to laboratory conditions. All-optical approach gives the possibility to overcome this problem, nevertheless, the existing schemes are either fundamentally macroscopic or excessively complicated and expensive in mass production. Here we propose a novel scheme of extremely compact NEMS biosensor monolithically integrated on a chip with all-nanophotonic transduction and actuation. It consists of the nanophotonic waveguide and the nanobeam cantilever placed above the waveguide, both fabricated in the same CMOS-compatible process. Being in the near field of the strongly confined photonic or plasmonic mode, cantilever is efficiently actuated and its response is directly read out using the same waveguide, which results in a very high sensitivity and capability of single-molecule detection even in atmosphere.
Flat Panel Light Source with Lateral Gate Structure Based on SiC Nanowire Field Emitters
Authors: Youh Meng-Jey , Tseng Chun-Lung , Jhuang Meng-Han , Chiu Sheng-Cheng , Huang Li-Hu , Gong Jyun-An , Li Yuan-Yao
Published: June 2015

A field-emission light source with high luminance, excellent luminance uniformity and tunable luminance characteristics with a novel lateral-gate structure is demonstrated. The lateral-gate triode structure comprises SiC nanowire emitters on a Ag cathode electrode and a pair of Ag gate electrodes placed laterally on both sides of the cathode. The simple and cost-effective screen printing technique is employed to pattern the lateral-gates and cathode structure on soda lime glass. The area coverage of the screen-printed cathode and gates on the glass substrate (area: 6 × 8 cm2) is in the range of 2.04% – 4.74% depending on the set of cathode-gate electrodes on the substrate. The lateral-gate structure with its small area coverage exhibits a two-dimensional luminance pattern with high brightness and good luminance uniformity. A maximum luminance of 10952 cd/cm2 and a luminance uniformity of >90% can be achieved with a gate voltage of 500 V and an anode voltage of 4000 V, with an anode current of 1.44 mA and current leakage to the gate from the cathode of about 10%.
Pathway-based gene signatures predicting clinical outcome of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chang Ya-Hsuan , Chen Chung-Ming , Chen Hsuan-Yu , Yang Pan-Chyr
Published: June 2015

Lung adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Patients with different clinical outcomes may have similar clinico-pathological characteristics. The results of previous studies for biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma have generally been inconsistent and limited in clinical application. In this study, we used inverse-variance weighting to combine the hazard ratios for the four datasets and performed pathway analysis to identify prognosis-associated gene signatures. A total of 2,418 genes were found to be significantly associated with overall survival. Of these, a 21-gene signature in the HMGB1/RAGE signalling pathway and a 31-gene signature in the clathrin-coated vesicle cycle pathway were significantly associated with prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma across all four datasets (all p-values < 0.05, log-rank test). We combined the scores for the three pathways to derive a combined pathway-based risk (CPBR) score. Three pathway-based signatures and CPBR score also had more predictive power than single genes. Finally, the CPBR score was validated in two independent cohorts (GSE14814 and GSE13213 in the GEO database) and had significant adjusted hazard ratios 2.72 (p-value < 0.0001) and 1.71 (p-value < 0.0001), respectively. These results could provide a more complete picture of the lung cancer pathogenesis.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy characterisation of functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Botti Sabina , Laurenzi Susanna , Mezi Luca , Rufoloni Alessandro , Santonicola M. Gabriella
Published: June 2015

By applying SERS, we recorded spectral features from functional molecules bound to the nanotube surface, which are otherwise very difficult to see.
Trace detection of tetrabromobisphenol A by SERS with DMAP-modified magnetic gold nanoclusters
Authors: Kadasala Naveen Reddy , Wei Alexander
Published: June 2015

Hydrophobic analytes are detected at picomolar levels by modulating the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of 4-dimethylaminopyridine on magnetic gold nanoclusters.
A novel strategy for the classification of naturally colored cotton fibers based on digital imaging and pattern recognition techniques
Authors: Gonçalves Maria Ivanda S. , Vilar Welma T. S. , Medeiros Everaldo Paulo , Coelho Pontes Márcio José
Published: June 2015

This study proposes the use of digital images and multivariate analysis as an alternative methodology for the classification of naturally colored cotton fiber, according to cultivar type.
Metabolites of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extract by intestinal bacteria from normal and chronic kidney disease rats in vitro
Authors: Zhao Min , Qian Dawei , Shang Er-xin , Liu Pei , Jiang Shu , Guo Jianming , Su Shu-lan , Duan Jin-ao , Du Leyue , Tao Jinhua
Published: June 2015

Catapol was metabolized to its aglycone and hydrogenated catapol aglycone while acteoside was converted to the De-caffeic acid moieties acteoside, hydroxytyrosol, caffeic acid and methylated caffeic acid.
Gas promotes the crystallization of nano-sized metal–organic frameworks in ionic liquid
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Zhang Bingxing , Zhang Jianling , Peng Li , Kang Xinchen , Han Buxing , Wu Tianbin , Sang Xinxin , Ma Xue
Published: June 2015

Gas can promote metal–organic framework (MOF) crystallization and MOF nanoparticles were obtained at room temperature.
Copper-catalyzed aerobic conversion of the CO bond of ketones to a CN bond using ammonium salts as the nitrogen source
Authors: Xu Bin , Jiang Qing , Zhao An , Jia Jing , Liu Qiang , Luo Weiping , Guo Cancheng
Published: June 2015

The copper-catalyzed conversion of the CO bond of ketones to a CN bond is described using ammonium salts as the nitrogen source in the presence of molecular oxygen.
Hunting for the elusive shallow traps in TiO2 anatase
Authors: Antila Liisa J. , Santomauro Fabio G. , Hammarström Leif , Fernandes Daniel L. A. , Sá Jacinto
Published: June 2015

Understanding electron mobility on TiO2 is crucial because of its applications in photocatalysis and solar cells.
Catalytic asymmetric desymmetrization of N-arylmaleimides: efficient construction of both atom chirality and axial chirality
Authors: Zhang Jianlin , Zhang Yulong , Lin Lili , Yao Qian , Liu Xiaohua , Feng Xiaoming
Published: June 2015

The asymmetric Michael addition/desymmetrization reaction catalyzed by a N,N′-dioxide-Sc(iii) complex was realized, leading to the succinimides with two kinds of stereogenic elements—atom chirality and axial chirality in up to 99% yield, 99% ee and >19 : 1 d.r.
Copper-catalyzed oxidative oxyalkylation of enol ethers with α-amino carbonyl compounds and hydroperoxides
Authors: Wei Wen-Ting , Li Hai-Bing , Song Ren-Jie , Li Jin-Heng
Published: June 2015

The first example of alkene oxyalkylation through C(sp3)–H functionalization is described for the synthesis of 2-amino-3,4-dioxy carbonyl compounds.
Graphene quantum dot-doped polyaniline nanofiber as high performance supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Mondal Sanjoy , Rana Utpal , Malik Sudip
Published: June 2015

Novel graphene quantum dot-doped polyaniline composites are visualized as supercapacitor electrode materials that show excellent specific capacitance value and good cyclic stability.
Thia-bridged triarylamine heterohelicene radical cations as redox-driven molecular switches
Authors: Menichetti S. , Cecchi S. , Procacci P. , Innocenti M. , Becucci L. , Franco L. , Viglianisi C.
Published: June 2015

Remarkably stable radical cations as redox-driven molecular switches.
Sensitive fluorescence-based detection of magnetic field effects in photoreactions of flavins
Authors: Evans Emrys W. , Li Jing , Storey Jonathan G. , Maeda Kiminori , Henbest Kevin B. , Dodson Charlotte A. , Hore P. J. , Mackenzie Stuart R. , Timmel Christiane R.
Published: June 2015

Prompt fluorescence measurements on flavin-based photoreactions are shown to provide a step-change in sensitivity for the detection of magnetic field effects in these biologically relevant systems.
Pyrite in contact with supercritical water: the desolation of steam
Authors: Stirling András , Rozgonyi Tamás , Krack Matthias , Bernasconi Marco
Published: June 2015

The supercritical water and pyrite interface has been studied by DFT calculations. A surprisingly dry surface has been found which points to a new reactivity under extreme conditions which has relevance in the iron–sulfur world prebiotic chemistry of the early Earth.
Role of thermal excitation in ultrafast energy transfer in chlorosomes revealed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Jun Sunhong , Yang Cheolhee , Kim Tae Wu , Isaji Megumi , Tamiaki Hitoshi , Ihee Hyotcherl , Kim Jeongho
Published: June 2015

Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy reveals the role of thermal excitation in excitation energy transfer in chlorosomes.
Chemically induced porosity on BiVO4 films produced by double magnetron sputtering to enhance the photo-electrochemical response
Authors: Thalluri Sitaramanjaneya Mouli , Rojas Roberto Mirabal , Rivera Osmary Depablos , Hernández Simelys , Russo Nunzio , Rodil Sandra Elizabeth
Published: June 2015

An overview of the sputtering procedure, the chemical treatment involved in the production of a porous BiVO4 film and its activity.
In silico phase separation in the presence of GM1 in ternary and quaternary lipid bilayers
Authors: Basu Ipsita , Mukhopadhyay Chaitali
Published: June 2015

Using coarse grain molecular dynamics simulations, the spontaneous phase separation in the ternary (POPC [1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine]/cholesterol/GM1) and quaternary (POPC/PSM[palmitoyl sphingomyelin]/cholesterol/GM1) lipid bilayers into liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) domains, due to self-aggregation of GM1 molecules and co-localization of cholesterol with GM1 in accordance with experiments, is studied.
Investigation of the vertical electrical transport in a-Si:H/nc-Si:H superlattice thin films
Authors: Das Debajyoti , Kar Debjit
Published: June 2015

Studies on the vertical electrical transport of size-controlled silicon nano-crystallites (Si-ncs) obtained simply by controlling the thickness of the nc-Si:H sub-layer (tnc) in the a-Si:H/nc-Si:H superlattice thin films grown by low temperature plasma processing in PE-CVD.
Electronic structures of anatase (TiO2)1−x(TaON)x solid solutions: a first-principles study
Authors: Dang Wenqiang , Chen Hungru , Umezawa Naoto , Zhang Junying
Published: June 2015

Solid solutions (TiO2)1−x(TaON)x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) within an anatase crystal structure have substantially narrower band gaps than pristine TiO2. Incorporation of high-concentration N by the strategy of introducing Ta along with N for the sake of carrier compensation is promising to overcome the difficulty in N-doped TiO2.
Diamond monohydride: the most stable three-dimensional hydrocarbon
Authors: Kondrin Mikhail V. , Brazhkin Vadim V.
Published: June 2015

We have proposed the crystal structure of a three-dimensional completely covalently bonded hydrocarbon with cohesive energy comparable to those of benzene and graphane.
Band gap engineering of bulk and nanosheet SnO: an insight into the interlayer Sn–Sn lone pair interactions
Authors: Zhou Wei , Umezawa Naoto
Published: June 2015

The effects of interlayer lone-pair interactions on the electronic structure of SnO are explored using density-functional theory.
Structural stability and polarisation of ionic liquid films on silica surfaces
Authors: Federici Canova Filippo , Mizukami Masashi , Imamura Takako , Kurihara Kazue , Shluger Alexander L.
Published: June 2015

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied the structure of [BMIM][NTF2] and [BMIM][BF4] liquid films on hydroxylated silica surfaces. The results pointed out that the main features of the solid–liquid interface were present on both crystalline and amorphous silica, and how these determine their electrostatic properties.
Acid–base equilibrium dynamics in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide probed by two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Chiho , Son Hyewon , Park Sungnam
Published: June 2015

Two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy was successfully used to investigate the acid dissociation equilibrium of HN3 in methanol (CH3OH) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
Probing the π → π* photoisomerization mechanism of cis-azobenzene by multi-state ab initio on-the-fly trajectory dynamics simulation
Authors: Yu Le , Xu Chao , Zhu Chaoyuan
Published: June 2015

Four important conical intersections for cis-azobenzene photoisomerization mechanisms upon S2 and S3 ππ* excitation.
Donor's position-specific channel interference in substituted biphenyl molecules
Authors: Mehboob Alam Md.
Published: June 2015

Changing the relative positions of the donor group can reverse the nature of channel interference in donor–acceptor substituted biphenyls.
Colorimetric plasmon sensors with multilayered metallic nanoparticle sheets
Authors: Shinohara Shuhei , Tanaka Daisuke , Okamoto Koichi , Tamada Kaoru
Published: June 2015

Colorimetric plasmon sensors for naked-eye detection by adsorption of gold nanoparticles onto multilayered silver nanoparticle sheets on an Au substrate.
Quantifying the photothermal efficiency of gold nanoparticles using tryptophan as an in situ fluorescent thermometer
Authors: Chiu Ming-Jui , Chu Li-Kang
Published: June 2015

The photothermal efficiencies, denoting the efficiency of transducing incident light to heat, of gold nanoparticles of different diameters (∅ = 22–86 nm) were quantified upon exposure at 532 nm.
Ir(iii) complexes designed for light-emitting devices: beyond the luminescence color array
Authors: Zanoni Kassio Papi Silva , Coppo Rodolfo Lopes , Amaral Ronaldo Costa , Murakami Iha Neyde Yukie
Published: June 2015

This Perspective highlights the photophysics and recent breakthroughs in the study of emissive Ir(iii) compounds, including a personal account elucidating the role of molecular and electronic structures in controlling the photophysics of heteroleptic [Ir(N^C)2(L^X)]+ complexes.
A review of cathode materials and structures for rechargeable lithium–air batteries
Authors: Ma Zhong , Yuan Xianxia , Li Lin , Ma Zi-Feng , Wilkinson David P. , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jiujun
Published: June 2015

This review is specifically focused on the progress in the cathodes for non-aqueous Li–air batteries in the terms of the materials, structure and fabrication.
Relation between operating parameters and desalination performance of capacitive deionization with activated carbon electrodes
Authors: Liu Danyang , Huang Kuan , Xie Leijie , Tang Hao L.
Published: June 2015

This work presents a novel attempt at using a statistical modeling approach to predict the desalination performance of CDI.
A multigram-scale lower E-factor procedure for MIBA-catalyzed direct amidation and its application to the coupling of alpha and beta aminoacids
Authors: Fatemi Solmaz , Gernigon Nicolas , Hall Dennis G.
Published: June 2015

More economical conditions for direct amidation between amines and carboxylic acids, including α- and β-amino acids, have been optimized using the MIBA catalyst (5-methoxy-2-iodophenylboronic acid, 6).
Production of 5-(chloromethyl)furan-2-carbonyl chloride and furan-2,5-dicarbonyl chloride from biomass-derived 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF)
Authors: Dutta Saikat , Wu Linglin , Mascal Mark
Published: June 2015

Biomass-derived CMF is oxidized to the acid chloride CMFCC in a single step using inexpensive t-butyl hypochlorite. Likewise, DFF, also a CMF derivative, is oxidized directly to the diacid chloride FDCC. The products are platforms for a variety of chemical derivatives of carbohydrates.
Improved plutonium concentration analysis in specimens originating from the nuclear fuel cycle using high resolution ICP-OES
Authors: Krachler Michael , Alvarez-Sarandes Rafael
Published: June 2015

High resolution ICP-OES allows for the reliable determination of plutonium in radioactive samples.
Probing the epigenetic regulation of HIF-1α transcription in developing tissue
Authors: Mistry I. N. , Smith P. J. S. , Wilson D. I. , Tavassoli A.
Published: June 2015

HIF-1-mediated hypoxia signalling in embryonic tissue is probed by assessing the methylation status of the HIF-1α and EPO HRE promoters using bisulfite sequencing.
Synthesis of a large library of macrocyclic peptides containing multiple and diverse N-alkylated residues
Authors: Morimoto Jumpei , Kodadek Thomas
Published: June 2015

A large library of macrocyclic peptides containing multiple N-alkylated structures was prepared as one-bead one-compound format.
RGD-peptides modifying dexamethasone: to enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy and limit the risk of osteoporosis
Authors: Yu Hualong , Mei Shenghui , Zhao Li , Zhao Ming , Wang Yuji , Zhu Haimei , Wang Yaonan , Wu Jianhui , Cui Chunying , Xu Wenyun , Peng Shiqi
Published: June 2015

RGD-peptides modifying dexamethasone can enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy and limit the risk of osteoporosis.
Quality by design based development of a selective stability-indicating UPLC method of dolutegravir and characterization of its degradation products by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS
Authors: Kalariya Pradipbhai D. , Patel Prinesh N. , Srinivas R. , Talluri M. V. N. Kumar
Published: June 2015

Systematic method development was performed for dolutegravir and its stress degradation products. Structural elucidation of all degradants was carried out.
Cu–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with 1-naphthol-3,8-disulfonate and dodecyl sulfate: adsorption of substituted phenols from aqueous media
Authors: Kameda Tomohito , Uchiyama Tomomi , Yoshioka Toshiaki
Published: June 2015

Proposed molecular orientation of 1-N-3,8-DS2−(left) and DS−(right) intercalated in the Cu–Al LDH interlayer.
One ligand fits all: lanthanide and actinide sandwich complexes comprising the 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyl (=COT′′) ligand
Authors: Rausch Janek , Apostolidis Christos , Walter Olaf , Lorenz Volker , Hrib Cristian G. , Hilfert Liane , Kühling Marcel , Busse Sabine , Edelmann Frank T.
Published: June 2015

Twelve new lanthanide and actinide sandwich complexes containing the 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyl ligand (COT′′) have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.
Photoredox catalysis for oxygenation/deoxygenation between sulfides and sulfoxides by visible-light-responsive polyoxometalates
Authors: Suzuki Kosuke , Jeong Jinu , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Mizuno Noritaka
Published: June 2015

We report the visible-light-responsive photoredox catalysis of a lacunary silicotungstate for selective aerobic oxygenation of sulfides and deoxygenation of sulfoxides.
Real-time, non-invasive monitoring of hydrogel degradation using LiYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ NIR-to-NIR upconverting nanoparticles
Authors: Jalani Ghulam , Naccache Rafik , Rosenzweig Derek H. , Lerouge Sophie , Haglund Lisbet , Vetrone Fiorenzo , Cerruti Marta
Published: June 2015

LiYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ upconverting nanoparticles are used for real-time tracking of degradation of chitosan-hyaluronic acid gels in live intervertebral discs using photoluminescence spectroscopy and NIR imaging.
Technical tip: high-resolution isolation of nanoparticle–protein corona complexes from physiological fluids
Authors: Di Silvio Desirè , Rigby Neil , Bajka Balazs , Mayes Andrew , Mackie Alan , Baldelli Bombelli Francesca
Published: June 2015

Here we present a one-step methodology to recover NPs from complex biological media in a stable non-aggregated form without affecting the structure or composition of the corona.
Exploring carbonic anhydrase inhibition with multimeric coumarins displayed on a fullerene scaffold
Authors: Abellán-Flos Marta , Tanç Muhammet , Supuran Claudiu T. , Vincent Stéphane P.
Published: June 2015

This study reports the first synthesis of multimeric suicide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases.
Expanding the scope of N → S acyl transfer in native peptide sequences
Authors: Cowper Ben , Shariff Leila , Chen Wenjie , Gibson Samantha M. , Di Wei-Li , Macmillan Derek
Published: June 2015

A wider variety of Xaa-Cys motifs than originally envisaged were capable of undergoing efficient N → S acyl transfer to form thioesters and cyclic peptides, and our findings are applied to synthesis of wild-type Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor-1 (SFTI-1).
Highly water-soluble and tumor-targeted photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Yuxi , Wang Jin , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Guo Wenjun , Li Fu , Yu Min , Kong Xiuqi , Wu Wenjie , Hong Zhangyong
Published: June 2015

Biological uses of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT) often suffer from a lack of tumor selectivity; a strategy based on molecule-targeted cancer therapies could provide a promising solution.
Syndiotactic- and heterotactic-specific radical polymerization of N-n-propylmethacrylamide complexed with alkali metal ions
Authors: Hirano Tomohiro , Segata Tadashi , Hashimoto Junpei , Miwa Yohei , Oshimura Miyuki , Ute Koichi
Published: June 2015

Addition of Li+ enhanced the radical polymerization of N-n-propylmethacrylamide, in which the stoichiometry of the monomer–Li+ complexes determined the stereospecificity of the radical polymerization.
Nickel nanoparticles highly dispersed in silica pillared clay as an efficient catalyst for chlorobenzene dechlorination
Authors: Ren Zhiming , Zhang Fei , Yue Liwen , Li Xuan , Tao Yu , Zhang Ge , Wu Kai , Wang Cong , Li Baoshan
Published: June 2015

A series of highly dispersed nickel nanoparticles (with a uniform size of 4.7 nm) between the lamellae of silica pillared clay was synthesized, which exhibit high catalytic performance for the hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene.
Preparation and performance of a novel complex material Eu-modified reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Zou Xuefeng , Zhang Wenjun
Published: June 2015

Bright fluorescence emissions of yellow, orange, and green were obtained by utilizing Eu–GO to modify RB in sunlight.
Synthesis of high aspect ratio CuO submicron rods through oriented attachment and their application in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Hequan , Zong Yunpeng , Zhao Wenxia , Sun Li , Xin Ling , Liu Yong
Published: June 2015

High aspect ratio CuO submicron rods were synthesized via the polymer-assisted oriented attachment of nanocrystal building blocks along with calcination.
A general and practical route to 4,5-disubstituted oxazoles using acid chlorides and isocyanides
Authors: Tiwari Dipak Kumar , Pogula Jaya , Tiwari Dharmendra Kumar
Published: June 2015

An efficient and mild method for the synthesis of 4,5-di-substituted oxazolesvia[3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of isocyanides and acid chlorides is reported.
A unified approach toward the rational design of selective low nanomolar human neutrophil elastase inhibitors
Authors: Areias L. R. P. , Ruivo E. F. P. , Gonçalves L. M. , Duarte M. T. , André V. , Moreira R. , Lucas S. D. , Guedes R. C.
Published: June 2015

A computer-aided campaign boosted the discovery of potent human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors.
The evolution of a GaN/sapphire interface with different nucleation layer thickness during two-step growth and its influence on the bulk GaN crystal quality
Authors: Shang Lin , Lu Taiping , Zhai Guangmei , Jia Zhigang , Zhang Hua , Ma Shufang , Li Tianbao , Liang Jian , Liu Xuguang , Xu Bingshe
Published: June 2015

The role of the nucleation layer thickness on the GaN crystal quality grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition is explored.
Simultaneous enhancement of microalgae biomass growth and lipid accumulation under continuous aeration with 15% CO2
Authors: Huang Yun , Cheng Jun , Lu Hongxiang , Huang Rui , Zhou Junhu , Cen Kefa
Published: June 2015

Continuous aeration with 15% CO2 induced nitrogen deprivation during Chlorella PY-ZU1 cultivation, thus simultaneously promoting biomass (2.78 g L−1) and lipid (47.04%) production.
Ocular biocompatibility evaluation of POSS nanomaterials for biomedical material applications
Authors: Shen Chenghui , Han Yuemei , Wang Bailiang , Tang Junmei , Chen Hao , Lin Quankui
Published: June 2015

The ocular biocompatibility of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) was systematically evaluated for ocular biomedical device applications.
Structure observation of graphene quantum dots by single-layered formation in layered confinement space
Authors: Song Liqing , Shi Jingjing , Lu Jun , Lu Chao
Published: June 2015

We observe the structure of single-layered graphene quantum dots prepared in the 2D confined space of layered double hydroxides.
Confined self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals in a shrinking droplet
Authors: Jativa Fernando , Schütz Christina , Bergström Lennart , Zhang Xuehua , Wicklein Bernd
Published: June 2015

Self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals in a shrinking droplet was studied. The evolution of liquid crystalline phases and the morphology of the resultant microbeads can be controlled by the dissolution kinetics of the droplet.
Oil diffusivity through fat crystal networks
Authors: Green Nicole L. , Rousseau Dérick
Published: June 2015

The inevitable issue of oil migration in fat crystal networks shows marked similarities to diffusion in polymer networks.
Supercapacitors based on camphor-derived meso/macroporous carbon sponge electrodes with ultrafast frequency response for ac line-filtering
Authors: Joseph Jickson , Paravannoor Anjali , Nair Shantikumar V. , Han Zhao Jun , (Ken)Ostrikov Kostya , Balakrishnan Avinash
Published: June 2015

Supercapacitor electrodes assembled from meso/macroporous camphor-derived carbon sponges show highly promising performance in ac line-filtering.
Correction: Fibrous and flexible supercapacitors comprising hierarchical nanostructures with carbon spheres and graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Lai Yuekun , Ge Mingzheng , Zheng Yaxin , Zhang Ke-Qin , Lin Zhiqun
Published: June 2015

Correction for ‘Fibrous and flexible supercapacitors comprising hierarchical nanostructures with carbon spheres and graphene oxide nanosheets’ by Xiong Zhang et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5ta03252k.
Stable polymersomes based on ionic–zwitterionic block copolymers modified with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Kania Gabriela , Kwolek Urszula , Nakai Keita , Yusa Shin-ichi , Bednar Jan , Wójcik Tomasz , Chłopicki Stefan , Skórka Tomasz , Szuwarzyński Michał , Szczubiałka Krzysztof , Kepczynski Mariusz , Nowakowska Maria
Published: June 2015

Novel biocompatible polymersomes with semipermeable ionic membranes were used as promising delivery systems.
Different dimensional silica materials prepared using shaped block copolymer nanoobjects as catalytic templates
Authors: Yao Dongdong , Chen Yongming , Jin Renhua
Published: June 2015

A general approach for fabrication of inorganic nanoobjects of different shapes was developed by using shaped core–shell block copolymer nanoobjects as catalytic templates.
Large in-plane/out-of-plane anisotropic conduction in PEDOT-based hybrid films: lamellar assemblies structured by mono-layered nanosheets
Authors: Fujii S. , Suzuki Y. , Kawamata J. , Tsunashima R.
Published: June 2015

Hybrid films of the conductive polymer PEDOT and nanosheets exhibited large anisotropic conduction at a ratio of 105 between the in-plane and out-of-plane directions.
MIMO antenna design with built‐in decoupling mechanism for WLAN dual‐band applications
Authors: Wang Shun‐Min , Hwang Lih‐Tyng , Lee Cho‐Jung , Hsu Chung‐Yi , Chang Fa‐Shian
Published: June 2015

A multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna with a built‐in decoupling mechanism is proposed for wireless local area network (WLAN) 2.4/5 GHz dual‐band operations. The antennas were printed on an FR4 substrate and were located at the top portion of the FR4 board. The size of the antenna is 20 × 11 mm. The MIMO antenna system consists of two parallel folded branch monopoles with coupled feeds configured as two sets of two off‐centred circular pads; the smaller ones were connected to the feeds and the larger ones were connected to the branch antennas. The coupled feed was used to achieve broad impedance matching bands. The two coupled feeds, separated by a small gap, were found to exhibit a built‐in isolation mechanism, due to the opposite currents generated at the feeds and at the edges of the circular pads. That is, no additional physical structure was necessary to facilitate the needed isolation. The measured results show that both antennas have good impedance matching and port isolation. The antenna port envelope correlation coefficient was less than about 0.2 over the dual 2.4/5 GHz bands.
Effect of region contrast on visual comfort of stereoscopic images
Authors: Ren Hui , Su Zhibin , Lv Chaohui , Zou Fangju
Published: June 2015

The effect of different regions of contrast on visual comfort through a subjective evaluation experiment with stereoscopic images generated by a computer is investigated. The image sequences varied across the factors of disparity magnitude, disparity type, region contrast and in the luminance relationship between the main part of the image and the background. Experimental results indicated that the region contrast would significantly affect the feeling of visual comfort under different combinations of disparity magnitude and disparity type. When the disparity magnitude of the main body was too large that may cause obvious convergence–accommodation conflict, decreasing the region contrast would effectively reduce the discomfort.
Observation of second flexural mode enhancement in graphene resonators
Authors: Chen T. , Mastropaolo E. , Bunting A. , Cheung R.
Published: June 2015

The enhancement of the second flexural mode in a monolayer graphene resonator by an inhomogeneous electrostatic actuation force has been observed. The devices have been fabricated by transferring the graphene onto a poly‐Si/SiO2/Si substrate whereby the poly‐Si has been released to produce graphene resonators. Enhancement of the second harmonic has been demonstrated by varying the actuation voltage, achieving an amplitude enhancement of up to 95% of the fundamental mode. The reported findings open new perspectives for graphene resonant sensors with enhanced sensitivity.
Core network supported multicast routing protocol for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Maddali Bala Krishna
Published: June 2015

Multicast routing protocols improve the network performance by optimising the parameters such as bandwidth, channel utilisation and throughput rate. In wireless sensor network, the primary multicast routing protocol is geographic multicast routing. This study proposes core network supported multicast routing (CNSMR) protocol, a stateful‐based distributed multicast routing protocol for sensor networks. The proposed protocol comprises of heterogeneous nodes such as cluster head (CH) nodes, core nodes (CNs) and sensor nodes (SNs). The distinct set of nodes known as CNs have computing, storage and energy resources more than the SNs. CH nodes and CNs form the core network, and CNs with core network and SNs form the core network supported multicast tree. SNs participate in multicast routing supported by the core network and thus save the node energy. Multicast routing in the proposed core network supported multicast trees balance the load in the network and improve the network performance as compared to the existing WSN multicast routing protocols. The proposed CNSMR protocol is compared with the existing WSN multicast routing protocols such as DCME‐MR, Intelligent‐MR, H‐GMR and OnDemand‐MR. Simulation results indicate improvements in delay latency, energy save ratio, throughput rate, end‐to‐end packet delay, multicast control overhead ratio and packet delivery ratio for the proposed protocol.
Reaction dynamics of initial O2 sticking on Pd(100)
Authors: den Dunnen Angela , Wiegman Sandra , Jacobse Leon , Juurlink Ludo B.F.
Published: June 2015

We have determined the initial sticking probability of O2 on Pd(100) using the King and Wells method for various kinetic energies, surface temperatures, and incident angles. The data suggest two different mechanisms to sticking and dissociation. Dissociation proceeds mostly through a direct process with indirect dissociation contributing only at low kinetic energies. We suggest a dynamical precursor state to account for the indirect dissociation channel, while steering causes the high absolute reactivity. A comparison of our results to those previously obtained for Pd(111) and Pd(110) highlights how similar results for different surfaces are interpreted to suggest widely varying dynamics.
Energy harvesting using arrays of granular chains and solid rods
Authors: Li Kaiyuan , Rizzo Piervincenzo
Published: June 2015

In the last two decades, it has been demonstrated that highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs) can be used in many physics and engineering applications, such as acoustic lenses, impurity detectors, and nondestructive testing. HNSWs are compact nondispersive waves that propagate in nonlinear media such as 1D chains of spherical particles. In this paper, we propose to couple an array of granular particles that support the propagation of HNSWs, to a wafer-type lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer in order to harvest the energy of an object tapping the array. This latter is in contact with a polycarbonate block where the nonlinear waves become linear and coalesce at a designed focal point. Here, the PZT converts the acoustic energy into electricity that powers a load resistor. The performance of this harvester is compared to a similar system where the chains are replaced by solid rods. The results demonstrate that the granular system generates more electricity.
Strong thermal nonequilibrium in hypersonic CO and CH4 probed by CRDS
Authors: Louviot M. , Suas-David N. , Boudon V. , Georges R. , Rey M. , Kassi S.
Published: June 2015

A new experimental setup coupling a High Enthalpy Source (HES) reaching 2000 K to a cw-cavity ring-down spectrometer has been developed to investigate rotationally cold hot bands of polyatomic molecules in the [1.5, 1.7] μm region. The rotational and vibrational molecular degrees of freedom are strongly decoupled in the hypersonic expansion produced by the HES and probed by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Carbon monoxide has been used as a first test molecule to validate the experimental approach. Its expansion in argon led to rotational and vibrational temperatures of 6.7 ± 0.8 K and 2006 ± 476 K, respectively. The tetradecad polyad of methane (1.67 μm) was investigated under similar conditions leading to rotational and vibrational temperatures of 13 ± 5 K and 750 ± 100 K, respectively. The rotationally cold structure of the spectra reveals many hot bands involving highly excited vibrational states of methane.
Enhancement of orientation gradients during simple shear deformation by application of simple compression
Authors: Jahedi Mohammad , Ardeljan Milan , Beyerlein Irene J. , Paydar Mohammad Hossein , Knezevic Marko
Published: June 2015

We use a multi-scale, polycrystal plasticity micromechanics model to study the development of orientation gradients within crystals deforming by slip. At the largest scale, the model is a full-field crystal plasticity finite element model with explicit 3D grain structures created by DREAM.3D, and at the finest scale, at each integration point, slip is governed by a dislocation density based hardening law. For deformed polycrystals, the model predicts intra-granular misorientation distributions that follow well the scaling law seen experimentally by Hughes et al., Acta Mater. 45(1), 105–112 (1997), independent of strain level and deformation mode. We reveal that the application of a simple compression step prior to simple shearing significantly enhances the development of intra-granular misorientations compared to simple shearing alone for the same amount of total strain. We rationalize that the changes in crystallographic orientation and shape evolution when going from simple compression to simple shearing increase the local heterogeneity in slip, leading to the boost in intra-granular misorientation development. In addition, the analysis finds that simple compression introduces additional crystal orientations that are prone to developing intra-granular misorientations, which also help to increase intra-granular misorientations. Many metal working techniques for refining grain sizes involve a preliminary or concurrent application of compression with severe simple shearing. Our finding reveals that a pre-compression deformation step can, in fact, serve as another processing variable for improving the rate of grain refinement during the simple shearing of polycrystalline metals.
Optical tweezing electrophoresis of single biotinylated colloidal particles for avidin concentration measurement
Authors: Brans Toon , Strubbe Filip , Schreuer Caspar , Neyts Kristiaan , Beunis Filip
Published: June 2015

We present a novel approach for label-free concentration measurement of a specific protein in a solution. The technique combines optical tweezers and microelectrophoresis to establish the electrophoretic mobility of a single microparticle suspended in the solution. From this mobility measurement, the amount of adsorbed protein on the particle is derived. Using this method, we determine the concentration of avidin in a buffer solution. After calibration of the setup, which accounts for electro-osmotic flow in the measurement device, the mobilities of both bare and biotinylated microspheres are measured as a function of the avidin concentration in the mixture. Two types of surface adsorption are identified: the biotinylated particles show specific adsorption, resulting from the binding of avidin molecules with biotin, at low avidin concentrations (below 0.04 μg/ml) while at concentrations of several μg/ml non-specific on both types of particles is observed. These two adsorption mechanisms are incorporated in a theoretical model describing the relation between the measured mobility and the avidin concentration in the mixture. This model describes the electrophoretic mobility of these particles accurately over four orders of magnitude of the avidin concentration.
Plasma acceleration using a radio frequency self-bias effect
Authors: Rafalskyi D. , Aanesland A.
Published: June 2015

In this work plasma acceleration using a RF self-bias effect is experimentally studied. The experiments are conducted using a novel plasma accelerator system, called Neptune, consisting of an inductively coupled plasma source and a RF-biased set of grids. The plasma accelerator can operate in a steady state mode, producing a plasma flow with separately controlled plasma flux and velocity without any magnetic configuration. The operating pressure at the source output is as low as 0.2 mTorr and can further be decreased. The ion and electron flows are investigated by measuring the ion and electron energy distribution functions both space resolved and with different orientations with respect to the flow direction. It is found that the flow of electrons from the source is highly anisotropic and directed along the ion flow and this global flow of accelerated plasma is well localized in the plasma transport chamber. The maximum flux is about 7.5·1015 ions s−1 m−2 (at standard conditions) on the axis and decreasing to almost zero at a radial distances of more than 15 cm from the flow axis. Varying the RF acceleration voltage in the range 20–350 V, the plasma flow velocity can be changed between 10 and 35 km/s. The system is prospective for different technology such as space propulsion and surface modification and also interesting for fundamental studies for space-related plasma simulations and investigation of the dynamo effect using accelerated rotating plasmas.
Deformability-based circulating tumor cell separation with conical-shaped microfilters: Concept, optimization, and design criteria
Authors: Aghaamoo Mohammad , Zhang Zhifeng , Chen Xiaolin , Xu Jie
Published: June 2015

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) separation technology has made positive impacts on cancer science in many aspects. The ability of detecting and separating CTCs can play a key role in early cancer detection and treatment. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using deformability-based CTC separation microfilters due to their simplicity and low cost. Most of the previous studies in this area are mainly based on experimental work. Although experimental research provides useful insights in designing CTC separation devices, there is still a lack of design guidelines based on fundamental understandings of the cell separation process in the filters. While experimental efforts face challenges, especially microfabrication difficulties, we adopt numerical simulation here to study conical-shaped microfilters using deformability difference between CTCs and blood cells for the separation process. We use the liquid drop model for modeling a CTC passing through such microfilters. The accuracy of the model in predicting the pressure signature of the system is validated by comparing it with previous experiments. Pressure-deformability analysis of the cell going through the channel is then carried out in detail in order to better understand how a CTC behaves throughout the filtration process. Different system design criteria such as system throughput and unclogging of the system are discussed. Specifically, pressure behavior under different system throughput is analyzed. Regarding the unclogging issue, we define pressure ratio as a key parameter representing the ability to overcome clogging in such CTC separation devices and investigate the effect of conical angle on the optimum pressure ratio. Finally, the effect of unclogging applied pressure on the system performance is examined. Our study provides detailed understandings of the cell separation process and its characteristics, which can be used for developing more efficient CTC separation devices.