bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential clonal evolution in oesophageal cancers in response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Findlay John M. , Castro-Giner Francesc , Makino Seiko , Rayner Emily , Kartsonaki Christiana , Cross William , Kovac Michal , Ulahannan Danny , Palles Claire , Gillies Richard S. , MacGregor Thomas P. , Church David , Maynard Nicholas D. , Buffa Francesca , Cazier Jean-Baptiste , Graham Trevor A. , Wang Lai-Mun , Sharma Ricky A. , Middleton Mark , Tomlinson Ian
Published: April 2016

How chemotherapy affects carcinoma genomes is largely unknown. Here we report whole-exome and deep sequencing of 30 paired oesophageal adenocarcinomas sampled before and after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Most, but not all, good responders pass through genetic bottlenecks, a feature associated with higher mutation burden pre-treatment. Some poor responders pass through bottlenecks, but re-grow by the time of surgical resection, suggesting a missed therapeutic opportunity. Cancers often show major changes in driver mutation presence or frequency after treatment, owing to outgrowth persistence or loss of sub-clones, copy number changes, polyclonality and/or spatial genetic heterogeneity. Post-therapy mutation spectrum shifts are also common, particularly C>A and TT>CT changes in good responders or bottleneckers. Post-treatment samples may also acquire mutations in known cancer driver genes (for example, SF3B1, TAF1 and CCND2) that are absent from the paired pre-treatment sample. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy can rapidly and profoundly affect the oesophageal adenocarcinoma genome. Monitoring molecular changes during treatment may be clinically useful.
Cdk1 activity acts as a quantitative platform for coordinating cell cycle progression with periodic transcription
Authors: Banyai Gabor , Baïdi Feriel , Coudreuse Damien , Szilagyi Zsolt
Published: April 2016

Cell proliferation is regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and requires the periodic expression of particular gene clusters in different cell cycle phases. However, the interplay between the networks that generate these transcriptional oscillations and the core cell cycle machinery remains largely unexplored. In this work, we use a synthetic regulable Cdk1 module to demonstrate that periodic expression is governed by quantitative changes in Cdk1 activity, with different clusters directly responding to specific activity levels. We further establish that cell cycle events neither participate in nor interfere with the Cdk1-driven transcriptional program, provided that cells are exposed to the appropriate Cdk1 activities. These findings contrast with current models that propose self-sustained and Cdk1-independent transcriptional oscillations. Our work therefore supports a model in which Cdk1 activity serves as a quantitative platform for coordinating cell cycle transitions with the expression of critical genes to bring about proper cell cycle progression.
Frequency and bandwidth conversion of single photons in a room-temperature diamond quantum memory
Authors: Fisher Kent A. G. , England Duncan G. , MacLean Jean-Philippe W. , Bustard Philip J. , Resch Kevin J. , Sussman Benjamin J.
Published: April 2016

The spectral manipulation of photons is essential for linking components in a quantum network. Large frequency shifts are needed for conversion between optical and telecommunication frequencies, while smaller shifts are useful for frequency-multiplexing quantum systems, in the same way that wavelength division multiplexing is used in classical communications. Here we demonstrate frequency and bandwidth conversion of single photons in a room-temperature diamond quantum memory. Heralded 723.5 nm photons, with 4.1 nm bandwidth, are stored as optical phonons in the diamond via a Raman transition. Upon retrieval from the diamond memory, the spectral shape of the photons is determined by a tunable read pulse through the reverse Raman transition. We report central frequency tunability over 4.2 times the input bandwidth, and bandwidth modulation between 0.5 and 1.9 times the input bandwidth. Our results demonstrate the potential for diamond, and Raman memories in general, as an integrated platform for photon storage and spectral conversion.
Prevention of gastrointestinal lead poisoning using recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing human metallothionein-I fusion protein
Authors: Xiao Xue , Zhang Changbin , Liu Dajun , Bai Weibin , Zhang Qihao , Xiang Qi , Huang Yadong , Su Zhijian
Published: April 2016

Low-level lead poisoning is an insidious disease that affects millions of children worldwide, leading to biochemical and neurological dysfunctions. Blocking lead uptake via the gastrointestinal tract is an important prevention strategy. With this in mind, we constructed the recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain pGSMT/MG1363, which constitutively expressed the fusion protein glutathione S-transferase (GST)–small molecule ubiquitin-like modifier protein (SUMO)–metallothionein-I (GST-SUMO-MT). The thermodynamic data indicated that the average number of lead bound to a GST-SUMO-MT molecule was 3.655 and this binding reaction was a spontaneous, exothermic and entropy-increasing process. The total lead-binding capacity of pGSMT/MG1363 was 4.11 ± 0.15 mg/g dry mass. Oral administration of pGSMT/MG1363 (1 × 1010 Colony-Forming Units) to pubertal male rats that were also treated with 5 mg/kg of lead acetate daily significantly inhibited the increase of blood lead levels, the impairment of hepatic function and the decrease of testosterone concentration in the serum, which were all impaired in rats treated by lead acetate alone. Moreover, the administration of pGSMT/MG1363 for 6 weeks did not affect the serum concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium or sodium ions. This study provides a convenient and economical biomaterial for preventing lead poisoning via the digestive tract.
N-acetylaspartate catabolism determines cytosolic acetyl-CoA levels and histone acetylation in brown adipocytes
Authors: Prokesch A. , Pelzmann H. J. , Pessentheiner A. R. , Huber K. , Madreiter-Sokolowski C. T. , Drougard A. , Schittmayer M. , Kolb D. , Magnes C. , Trausinger G. , Graier W. F. , Birner-Gruenberger R. , Pospisilik J. A. , Bogner-Strauss J. G.
Published: April 2016

Histone acetylation depends on the abundance of nucleo-cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA. Here, we present a novel route for cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA production in brown adipocytes. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is a highly abundant brain metabolite catabolized by aspartoacylase yielding aspartate and acetate. The latter can be further used for acetyl-CoA production. Prior to this work, the presence of NAA has not been described in adipocytes. Here, we show that accumulation of NAA decreases the brown adipocyte phenotype. We increased intracellular NAA concentrations in brown adipocytes via media supplementation or knock-down of aspartoacylase and measured reduced lipolysis, thermogenic gene expression and oxygen consumption. Combinations of approaches to increase intracellular NAA levels showed additive effects on lipolysis and gene repression, nearly abolishing the expression of Ucp1, Cidea, Prdm16 and Ppara. Transcriptome analyses of aspartoacylase knock-down cells indicate deficiencies in acetyl-CoA and lipid metabolism. Concordantly, cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA levels and global histone H3 acetylation were decreased. Further, activating histone marks (H3K27ac and H3K9ac) in promoters/enhancers of brown marker genes showed reduced acetylation status. Taken together, we present a novel route for cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA production in brown adipocytes. Thereby, we mechanistically connect the NAA pathway to the epigenomic regulation of gene expression, modulating the phenotype of brown adipocytes.
Molecular Interactions between Tarantula Toxins and Low-Voltage-Activated Calcium Channels
Authors: Salari Autoosa , Vega Benjamin S. , Milescu Lorin S. , Milescu Mirela
Published: April 2016

Few gating-modifier toxins have been reported to target low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium channels and the structural basis of toxin sensitivity remains incompletely understood. Studies of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels have identified the S3b–S4 “paddle motif,” which moves at the protein-lipid interface to drive channel opening, as the target for these amphipathic neurotoxins. Voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels contain four homologous voltage sensor domains, suggesting multiple toxin binding sites. We show here that the S3–S4 segments within Cav3.1 can be transplanted into Kv2.1 to examine their individual contributions to voltage sensing and pharmacology. With these results, we now have a more complete picture of the conserved nature of the paddle motif in all three major voltage-gated ion channel types (Kv, Nav and Cav). When screened with tarantula toxins, the four paddle sequences display distinct toxin binding properties, demonstrating that gating-modifier toxins can bind to Cav channels in a domain specific fashion. Domain III was the most commonly and strongly targeted and mutagenesis revealed an acidic residue that is important for toxin binding. We also measured the lipid partitioning strength of all toxins tested and observed a positive correlation with their inhibition of Cav3.1, suggesting a key role for membrane partitioning.
Discovery and characterisation of a novel toxin from Dendroaspis angusticeps, named Tx7335, that activates the potassium channel KcsA
Authors: Rivera-Torres Iván O. , Jin Tony B. , Cadene Martine , Chait Brian T. , Poget Sébastien F.
Published: April 2016

Due to their central role in essential physiological processes, potassium channels are common targets for animal toxins. These toxins in turn are of great value as tools for studying channel function and as lead compounds for drug development. Here, we used a direct toxin pull-down assay with immobilised KcsA potassium channel to isolate a novel KcsA-binding toxin (called Tx7335) from eastern green mamba snake (Dendroaspis angusticeps) venom. Sequencing of the toxin by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry revealed a 63 amino acid residue peptide with 4 disulphide bonds that belongs to the three-finger toxin family, but with a unique modification of its disulphide-bridge scaffold. The toxin induces a dose-dependent increase in both open probabilities and mean open times on KcsA in artificial bilayers. Thus, it unexpectedly behaves as a channel activator rather than an inhibitor. A charybdotoxin-sensitive mutant of KcsA exhibits similar susceptibility to Tx7335 as wild-type, indicating that the binding site for Tx7335 is distinct from that of canonical pore-blocker toxins. Based on the extracellular location of the toxin binding site (far away from the intracellular pH gate), we propose that Tx7335 increases potassium flow through KcsA by allosterically reducing inactivation of the channel.
Realization of Minimum and Maximum Gate Function in Ta2O5-based Memristive Devices
Authors: Breuer Thomas , Nielen Lutz , Roesgen Bernd , Waser Rainer , Rana Vikas , Linn Eike
Published: April 2016

Redox-based resistive switching devices (ReRAM) are considered key enablers for future non-volatile memory and logic applications. Functionally enhanced ReRAM devices could enable new hardware concepts, e.g. logic-in-memory or neuromorphic applications. In this work, we demonstrate the implementation of ReRAM-based fuzzy logic gates using Ta2O5 devices to enable analogous Minimum and Maximum operations. The realized gates consist of two anti-serially connected ReRAM cells offering two inputs and one output. The cells offer an endurance up to 106 cycles. By means of exemplary input signals, each gate functionality is verified and signal constraints are highlighted. This realization could improve the efficiency of analogous processing tasks such as sorting networks in the future.
Synergy of TLR3 and 7 ligands significantly enhances function of DCs to present inactivated PRRSV antigen through TRIF/MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Hu Yue , Cong Xiaoyan , Chen Lei , Qi Jing , Wu Xiangju , Zhou Mingming , Yoo Dongwan , Li Feng , Sun Wenbo , Wu Jiaqiang , Zhao Xiaomin , Chen Zhi , Yu Jiang , Du Yijun , Wang Jinbao
Published: April 2016

PRRS is one of the most important diseases in swine industry. Current PRRS inactivated vaccine provides only a limited protection and cannot induce sufficient cell-mediated immune responses. In this study, we first found that the mRNA and protein levels of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) were significantly increased through TRIF/MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway when porcine peripheral blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) were treated with poly (I: C) of TLR3 ligand and imiquimod of TLR7 ligand, along with inactivated PRRSV antigen. Meanwhile, the ability of catching PRRSV antigen was also significantly enhanced. In mice experiment, it was found that the PRRSV-specific T lymphocyte proliferation, the percentages of CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and PRRSV-specific CD3+ T cells producing IFN-γ and IL-4, the levels of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines and the titers of neutralization antibody were significantly enhanced in poly (I: C), imiquimod along with inactivated PRRSV group. Taken together, results of our experiments described for the first time that synergy of TLR3 and 7 ligands could significantly enhance the function of DCs to present inactivated PRRSV antigen through TRIF/MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway and be used as adjuvant candidate for the development of novel PRRS inactivated vaccine.
Predator-prey dynamics stabilised by nonlinearity explain oscillations in dust-forming plasmas
Authors: Ross A. E. , McKenzie D. R.
Published: April 2016

Dust-forming plasmas are ionised gases that generate particles from a precursor. In nature, dust-forming plasmas are found in flames, the interstellar medium and comet tails. In the laboratory, they are valuable in generating nanoparticles for medicine and electronics. Dust-forming plasmas exhibit a bizarre, even puzzling behaviour in which they oscillate with timescales of seconds to minutes. Here we show how the problem of understanding these oscillations may be cast as a predator-prey problem, with electrons as prey and particles as predators. The addition of a nonlinear loss term to the classic Lotka-Volterra equations used for describing the predator-prey problem in ecology not only stabilises the oscillations in the solutions for the populations of electrons and particles in the plasma but also explains the behaviour in more detail. The model explains the relative phase difference of the two populations, the way in which the frequency of the oscillations varies with the concentration of the precursor gas and the oscillations of the light emission, determined by the populations of both species. Our results demonstrate the value of adopting an approach to a complex physical science problem that has been found successful in ecology, where complexity is always present.
Identification of four new gene members of the KAP6 gene family in sheep
Authors: Zhou Huitong , Gong Hua , Wang Jiqing , Dyer Jolon M. , Luo Yuzhu , Hickford Jon G. H.
Published: April 2016

KAP6 is a high glycine-tyrosine keratin-associated protein (HGT-KAP) family. This family is thought to contain multiple genes. In this study, we used a KRTAP6 coding sequence to search the Ovine Genome (v3.1) and identified five homologous regions (R1–R5). All these regions contained an open reading frame and they were either identical to, or highly similar to, sheep skin Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R1–R5 were clustered with KAP6 sequences from different species and formed a group distinct to other HGT-KAPs. R1 was very similar to the characterised KRTAP6-1 sequence, but the remaining genes appeared to be new. PCR primers were designed to amplify and confirm the presence of these new genes. Amplicons were obtained for all of the 96 sheep investigated. Six, five, three and six PCR-SSCP patterns representing six, five, three and six DNA sequences were observed for KRTAP6-2 to KRTAP6-5 respectively. KRTAP6-2 and KRTAP6-4 had five and three SNPs respectively. Three SNPs and a 45-bp insertion/deletion were detected for KRTAP6-3 and five SNPs and an 18-bp insertion/deletion were identified for KRTAP6-5. Allele frequencies for these KAP6 genes differed between Merino and Romney sheep.
90Sr in teeth of cattle abandoned in evacuation zone: Record of pollution from the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Koarai Kazuma , Kino Yasushi , Takahashi Atsushi , Suzuki Toshihiko , Shimizu Yoshinaka , Chiba Mirei , Osaka Ken , Sasaki Keiichi , Fukuda Tomokazu , Isogai Emiko , Yamashiro Hideaki , Oka Toshitaka , Sekine Tsutomu , Fukumoto Manabu , Shinoda Hisashi
Published: April 2016

Here we determined the90Sr concentrations in the teeth of cattle abandoned in the evacuation area of the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident.90Sr activity concentrations in the teeth varied from 6–831 mBq (g Ca)−1and exhibited a positive relationship with the degree of radioactive contamination that the cattle experienced. Even within an individual animal, the specific activity of90Sr (Bq (g Sr)−1) varied depending on the development stage of the teeth during the FNPP accident: teeth that were early in development exhibited high90Sr specific activities, while teeth that were late in development exhibited low specific activities. These findings demonstrate that90Sr is incorporated into the teeth during tooth development; thus, tooth90Sr activity concentrations reflect environmental90Sr levels during tooth formation. Assessment of90Sr in teeth could provide useful information about internal exposure to90Sr radiation and allow for the measurement of time-course changes in the degree of environmental90Sr pollution.
Detection of nuclease activity using a simple fluorescence based biosensor
Authors: Mozioğlu Erkan , Akgoz Muslum , Kocagöz Tanıl , Tamerler Candan
Published: April 2016

A simple fluorescence based biosensor for detection of nuclease activity is reported.
A systematic approach to design task-specific ionic liquids and their optimal operating conditions
Authors: Chong Fah Keen , Foo Dominic C. Y. , Eljack Fadwa T. , Atilhan Mert , Chemmangattuvalappil Nishanth G.
Published: April 2016

The contribution of this work is the introduction to identification of optimal operating conditions when simultaneously solving an ionic liquid design problem.
The synthesis of flexible tetrapyridylethanes from pyridylpyrylium dications
Authors: Le Poul Pascal , Le Poul Nicolas , Golhen Stephane , Robin-Le Guen Françoise , Caro Bertrand
Published: April 2016

Novel tetrapyridylethanes and bis-phenylpyridylmethylenepyrans as potential ligands for coordination chemistry.
Graphene oxide–TiO2 composite: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the green synthesis of pyrazoles and pyridines
Authors: Kumari Shweta , Shekhar Amiya , Pathak Devendra D.
Published: April 2016

GO–TiO2 has been found to be a highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of pyrazoles and pyridines in aqueous medium at room temperature.
Long-term stability of novel double rhodanine indoline dyes having one and two anchor carboxyl group(s) in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Matsui M. , Tanaka N. , Kubota Y. , Funabiki K. , Jin J. , Higashijima S. , Miura H. , Manseki K.
Published: April 2016

An indoline dye having both α-cyanoacrylic and rhodanine acetic acid anchor groups at the acceptor moiety exhibited improved stability upon fluorescence lamp irradiation.
Superparamagnetic nalidixic acid grafted magnetite (Fe3O4/NA) for rapid and efficient mercury removal from water
Authors: Husnain Syed M. , Kim Jae-Hawn , Lee Chung-Seop , Chang Yoon-Young , Um Wooyong , Chang Yoon-Seok
Published: April 2016

A new nanomaterial, nalidixic acid grafted magnetite (Fe3O4/NA), was synthesizedviaa chemical reaction with nano sized magnetite particles.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering of dendritic Ag nanostructures grown with anodic aluminium oxide
Authors: Rafailović L. D. , Gammer C. , Srajer J. , Trišović T. , Rahel J. , Karnthaler H. P.
Published: April 2016

Ag dendrites grown simultaneously with anodic aluminium oxide showing long-term stability for reuse even after one year and a simulated Ag dendrite both demonstrating surface enhanced Raman scattering.
A new residue method for the determination of flonicamid in agricultural and environmental samples using enzyme immunoassay systems
Authors: Liu Zhenjiang , Ren Kewei , Li Ming , Wang Jiagao , Sun Jianfan , Du Daolin
Published: April 2016

An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for flonicamid was developed based on a polyclonal antibody.
Chemical analysis of racing fuels using total vaporization and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
Authors: Bors Dana , Goodpaster John
Published: April 2016

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the governing body of North American drag racing.
Rh(iii)-catalyzed chemoselective C–H functionalizations of tertiary aniline N-oxides with alkynes
Authors: Huang Xiaolei , Liang Wenbo , Shi Yang , You Jingsong
Published: April 2016

Two novel Rh(iii)-catalyzed chemoselective functionalizations of tertiary aniline N-oxides with alkynes, including annulation via the sequential C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–N activation and an O-atom transfer (OAT) process, have been described.
Endohedrally stabilized C70 isomer with fused pentagons characterized by crystallography
Authors: Feng Lai , Zhang Meirong , Hao Yajuan , Tang Qiangqiang , Chen Ning , Slanina Zdeněk , Uhlík Filip
Published: April 2016

In this study, we report for the first time, the X-ray structure of an unconventional endohedral C70 fullerene, Sc2O@C2(7892)-C70.
Further insights into the chemistry of the Bi–U–O system
Authors: Popa Karin , Prieur Damien , Manara Dario , Naji Mohamed , Vigier Jean-François , Martin Philippe M. , Dieste Blanco Oliver , Scheinost Andreas C. , Prüβmann Tim , Vitova Tonya , Raison Philippe E. , Somers Joseph , Konings Rudy J. M.
Published: April 2016

The non-linear variation of the lattice parameter in the UIVO2–Bi2O3 system under inert atmosphere is due to the uranium oxidation.
Development of radiodetection systems towards miniaturised quality control of PET and SPECT radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Taggart Matthew P. , Tarn Mark D. , Esfahani Mohammad M. N. , Schofield Daniel M. , Brown Nathaniel J. , Archibald Stephen J. , Deakin Tom , Pamme Nicole , Thompson Lee F.
Published: April 2016

Miniaturised silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) were employed for the detection of radioactivity, towards the microfluidic quality control testing of radiopharmaceuticals.
Smart material platforms for miniaturized devices: implications in disease models and diagnostics
Authors: Verma Ritika , Adhikary Rishi Rajat , Banerjee Rinti
Published: April 2016

The review highlights examples of the use of stimulus-responsive smart materials to design integral components in miniaturized-devices with specific focus on disease models and diagnostics.
Interactions of omeprazole-based analogues with cytochrome P450 2C19: a computational study
Authors: Li Junhao , Du Hanwen , Wu Zengrui , Su Haixia , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun , Li Weihua
Published: April 2016

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) is one of 57 drug metabolizing enzymes in humans and is responsible for the metabolism of ∼7–10% of drugs in clinical use.
Non-redox metal ion promoted oxidative coupling of indoles with olefins by the palladium(ii) acetate catalyst through dioxygen activation: experimental results with DFT calculations
Authors: Zhang Sicheng , Chen Zhuqi , Qin Shuhao , Lou Chenlin , Senan Ahmed M. , Liao Rong-Zhen , Yin Guochuan
Published: April 2016

Non-redox metal ions can sharply improve the Pd(ii)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of indoles with acrylates, leading to one-step synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives.
Synthesis of single layer graphene on Cu(111) by C60 supersonic molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Tatti Roberta , Aversa Lucrezia , Verucchi Roberto , Cavaliere Emanuele , Garberoglio Giovanni , Pugno Nicola M. , Speranza Giorgio , Taioli Simone
Published: April 2016

High kinetic energy impacts between inorganic surfaces and molecular beams seeded by organics represent a fundamental tool in materials science, particularly when they activate chemical–physical processes leading to nanocrystals' growth.
Luminescence properties of single-phase color-tunable Li4SrCa(Si2O4N8/3):Eu2+ phosphor for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Li Chenxia , Dai Jian , Yu Hua , Deng Degang , Huang Jun , Wang Le , Hua Youjie , Xu Shiqing
Published: April 2016

A white LED consisting of a LSCSN:0.03Eu2+ phosphor and a 375 nm UV LED chip had CIE color coordinates of (0.3568, 0.3111) and achieved a Ra of 82.5 around the correlated color temperature of 3318 K.
Design and synthesis of one-dimensional Co3O4/Co3V2O8 hybrid nanowires with improved Li-storage properties
Authors: Li Yang , Kang Long , Kong Ling-Bin , Liu Mao-Cheng , Wang Xi-Xin , Zhang Wei-Bin
Published: April 2016

A new nanostructure of one-dimensional Co3O4/Co3V2O8 hybrid nanowires directly grown on Ti substrates with improved electrochemical Li-storage properties are successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal strategy.
Effects of optical and magnetic fields on the electrical characteristics of colloidal graphene quantum dots
Authors: Nandi Sukanta , Naidu Majji Shanmukh , Misra Abha
Published: April 2016

The effects of optical, magnetic fields and microwave heating time (MHT) have a pronounced influence on the electrical performance of graphene quantum dots (GQDs).
Enhancement of dielectric performance upto GHz of the composites with polymer encapsulated hybrid BaTiO3–Cu as fillers: multiple interfacial polarizations playing a key role
Authors: Li Chengliang , Yu Shuhui , Luo Suibin , Yang Wenhu , Ge Zaochuan , Huang Haitao , Sun Rong , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: April 2016

Cu nanoparticles with diameters of 15–25 nm were grown discretely on the surface of BaTiO3 (about 100 nm) via a hydrothermal method, and a polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG-4000) layer was coated on the surface of the obtained BT–Cu hybrid particles.
Detection of radon based on the lead-induced conformational change in aptamer T30695
Authors: Deng Han , Long Minzhi , Tian Gang , Song Chunli , Liu Hongwen , Hu Liqin , Lv Changyin
Published: April 2016

A novel G-quadruplex sensor for the highly selective detection of accumulated radon and its decay products with low interference.
Humidity sensor based on electrospun MEH-PPV:PVP microstructured composite
Authors: Azmer Mohamad Izzat , Zafar Qayyum , Ahmad Zubair , Sulaiman Khaulah
Published: April 2016

Schematic diagram of the fabrication process of the electro-spun humidity sensor.
Wheat germ agglutinin modification of lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles: enhanced cellular uptake and bioadhesion
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhao Yiqing , Liu Jinguang , Zhang Meiying , Yu Minglei , Feng Nianping
Published: April 2016

WGA-modified lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (WGA-LPNs) showed increased intestinal bioadhesion and cellular uptake and have the potential to improve the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.
Highly porous carbons derived from MOFs for shape-stabilized phase change materials with high storage capacity and thermal conductivity
Authors: Tang Jia , Yang Ming , Dong Wenjun , Yang Mu , Zhang Huan , Fan Shuang , Wang Jun , Tan Li , Wang Ge
Published: April 2016

Highly porous carbons (HPCs) are applied as supporting materials to prepare PEG based shape-stabilized PCMs, and the obtained composite PCMs exhibit excellent phase change enthalpy and good thermal conductivity.
Flexible Janus nanoribbons to help obtain simultaneous color-tunable enhanced photoluminescence, magnetism and electrical conduction trifunctionality
Authors: Tian Jiao , Ma Qianli , Dong Xiangting , Yu Wensheng , Yang Ming , Yang Ying , Wang Jinxian , Liu Guixia
Published: April 2016

Upon the unique feature of the asymmetry dual-sided Janus structure, the strong luminescence of the luminescent–electrical–magnetic Janus nanoribbons can be achieved.
Effect of γ-PVDF on enhanced thermal conductivity and dielectric property of Fe-rGO incorporated PVDF based flexible nanocomposite film for efficient thermal management and energy storage applications
Authors: Karan Sumanta Kumar , Das Amit Kumar , Bera Ranadip , Paria Sarbaranjan , Maitra Anirban , Shrivastava Nilesh Kumar , Khatua Bhanu Bhusan
Published: April 2016

Dependence of thermal conductivity and energy density on the amount of crystalline γ-phase and γ-crystallite size of PVDF in Fe-rGO/PVDF nanocomposites has been explored.
Phosphine-free chiral iridium catalysts for asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation of simple ketones
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Irrgang Torsten , Kostakis George E. , Kempe Rhett
Published: April 2016

Phosphine free iridium catalysts with simple structures show efficient enantioselectivities and activities in the asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones by using chiral iridium catalysts to chiral alcohols with up to 96% ee.
Combination effect of MoS2 with aluminum hypophosphite in flame retardant ethylene-vinyl acetate composites
Authors: Zhou Keqing , Tang Gang , Jiang Saihua , Gui Zhou , Hu Yuan
Published: April 2016

A series of flame retardant ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) composites, with different aluminum hypophosphite (AHP), melamine cyanurate (MCA) and MoS2 content, has been prepared.
Atmospheric chemistry of ethers, esters, and alcohols on the lifetimes, temperature dependence, and kinetic isotope effect: an example of CF3CX2CX2CX2OX with OX reactions (X = H, D)
Authors: Bai Feng-Yang , Wang Xu , Sun Yan-Qiu , Wang Rong-Shun , Pan Xiu-Mei
Published: April 2016

Mechanisms and kinetics of the reaction of CF3CX2CX2CX2OX with OX (X= H, D) radical are investigated on a sound theoretical basis.
A new approach to the determination of folic acid at trace levels: using a Fe(iii)-folic acid complex to amplify analytical signal
Authors: Ulusoy Songül , Acıdereli Hilal , Erdoğan Selim , İbrahim Ulusoy Halil
Published: April 2016

A fast, efficient, and cost-effective, and environmental friendly analytical methodology was developed for preconcentration and determination of trace folic acid in food samples prior to HPLC-DAD.
High-efficiency cucurbit[7]uril capillary column for gas chromatographic separations of structural and positional isomers
Authors: Zhang Yan , Qi Meiling , Fu Ruonong
Published: April 2016

The CB7–OV capillary column by incorporation of CB7 into OV-210 achieved extremely high column efficiency and outstanding resolving performance for various types of structural and positional isomers.
Molecular-level insight into the interactions of DNA with phospholipid bilayers: barriers and triggers
Authors: Antipina A. Yu. , Gurtovenko A. A.
Published: April 2016

A zwitterionic phospholipid bilayer represents a repulsive barrier for DNA binding; this barrier can be overcome through adsorption of divalent cations to the bilayer surface.
Synthesis of five metal based nanocomposite via ultrasonic high temperature spray pyrolysis with excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activity
Authors: Karunakaran Gopalu , Yudin Andrey Grigorjevich , Jagathambal Matheswaran , Mandal Arup Ratan , Minh Nguyen Van , Gusev Alexander , Kolesnikov Evgeny , Kuznetsov Denis
Published: April 2016

A unique five metal (Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, and Mg) based nanocomposite material was preparedviaultrasonication high temperature spray pyrolysis maintained at 1200 °C.
Can chiral P(iii) coordinate Eu(iii)? Unexpected solvent dependent circularly polarised luminescence of BINAP and Eu(iii)(hfa)3 in chloroform and acetone
Authors: Kono Yuki , Nakabayashi Kazuki , Kitamura Sayaka , Shizuma Motohiro , Fujiki Michiya , Imai Yoshitane
Published: April 2016

The coordination of Eu(iii) (from Eu(iii)(hfa)3) by chiral P(iii) (from BINAP) led to circularly polarised luminescence in dilute solutions on the order of |gem| ≈ 10−2 at 5D0 → F1 and |gem| ≈ 10−2 at 5D0 → F2 transitions, i.e., in chloroform and acetone.
Correction: Green catalytic conversion of bio-based sugars to 5-chloromethyl furfural in deep eutectic solvent, catalyzed by metal chlorides
Authors: Zuo Miao , Li Zheng , Jiang Yetao , Tang Xing , Zeng Xianhai , Sun Yong , Lin Lu
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Green catalytic conversion of bio-based sugars to 5-chloromethyl furfural in deep eutectic solvent, catalyzed by metal chlorides’ by Miao Zuo et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 27004–27007.
Attenuated atrial natriuretic peptide-mediated lipolysis in subcutaneous adipocytes of obese type 2 diabetic men
Authors: Verboven Kenneth , Hansen Dominique , Moro Cedric , Eijnde Bert O. , Hoebers Nicole , Knol Joep , Bouckaert Wim , Dams Anne , Blaak Ellen E. , Jocken Johan W.E.
Published: April 2016

Catecholamines and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are major regulators of adipocyte lipolysis. Although obesity is characterized by catecholamine resistance in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT), data on ANP lipolytic response and sensitivity in different adipose tissue (AT) depots of metabolically distinct humans are scarce. Ex vivo catecholamine- and ANP-induced lipolysis was investigated in adipocytes derived from SCAT and visceral AT (VAT) depot of lean (n=13) and obese men, with (n=11) or without (n=18) type 2 diabetes (HbA1c < or ≥ 6.5%). Underlying molecular mechanisms were examined by looking at functional receptors in the NP signalling pathway at the mRNA and protein level. Maximal ANP- and catecholamine-induced lipolysis in SCAT was blunted in obese type 2 diabetics compared with age-matched lean men whereas non-diabetic obese subjects showed intermediate responses. This blunted ANP-mediated lipolytic response was accompanied by lower mRNA and protein expression of the type-A natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor and higher mRNA but reduced protein expression of the scavenging type-C receptor. Maximal ANP-induced lipolysis was lower in VAT compared with SCAT but not different between groups. Collectively, our data show that both ANP- and catecholamine-mediated lipolysis is attenuated in SCAT of obese men with type 2 diabetes, and might be partially explained by NP receptor defects. Therefore, improving maximal ANP responsiveness in adipose tissue might be a potential novel strategy to improve obesity-associated metabolic complications.
Gallium vacancy complexes as a cause of Shockley-Read-Hall recombination in III-nitride light emitters
Authors: Dreyer Cyrus E. , Alkauskas Audrius , Lyons John L. , Speck James S. , Van de Walle Chris G.
Published: April 2016

We describe a mechanism by which complexes between gallium vacancies and oxygen and/or hydrogen act as efficient channels for nonradiative recombination in InGaN alloys. Our identification is based on first-principles calculations of defect formation energies, charge-state transition levels, and nonradiative capture coefficients for electrons and holes. The dependence of these quantities on alloy composition is analyzed. We find that modest concentrations of the proposed defect complexes (∼1016 cm−3) can give rise to Shockley-Read-Hall coefficients A=(107−109) s−1. The resulting nonradiative recombination would significantly reduce the internal quantum efficiency of optoelectronic devices.
Comment on “Surface waves on quantum plasma half-space with electron exchange-correlation effects” [Phys. Plasmas 22, 122112 (2015)]
Authors: Akbari-Moghanjoughi M.
Published: April 2016

More recently, Khalilpour in his paper [Phys. Plasmas 22, 122112 (2015)] has studied the dispersion relation for propagation of surface waves in a half-space quantum plasma using a hydrodynamic model including the electron exchange-correlation effect, which he calls the modified quantum hydrodynamic model. While this paper looks similar to the previously published one [M. Shahmansouri, Phys. Plasmas 22, 092106 (2015)] in structure, the only difference appears to be inclusion of the recently suggested kinetic factor of γ=1/9 for the quantum Bohm potential. In this comment, we would like to clarify the application of the mentioned factor in the standard quantum hydrodynamic model and stress out that the so-called modified quantum fluid model does not exist and the current extension of author is meaningless in the context of quantum hydrodynamics.
Decentralized distributed generation in India: A review
Authors: Arunachalam Kartik , Pedinti Venkateswaran Sankaran , Goel Sanket
Published: April 2016

There is an imperative need of developing new strategies and models for meeting the swelling demand of electricity in developing nations like India. One of the promising models for this would be Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG). DDG locates the power generating source closer to the consumer utilizing locally available Renewable Energy (RE) resources, thereby decreasing the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses. Despite the numerous advantages with DDG, there have been some minor issues preventing its large scale deployment and utilization in India. This paper discusses the various technology options which can be used for DDG in India and the problems which the Indian power sector has been facing for a long time. This paper aims to provide a complete analysis of the best possible RE based technology options for DDG in India along with their cost of generation, benefits, barriers, applications, and the possible pathways for its deployment.
Fault detection, isolation, and diagnosis of status self-validating gas sensor arrays
Authors: Chen Yin-sheng , Xu Yong-hui , Yang Jing-li , Shi Zhen , Jiang Shou-da , Wang Qi
Published: April 2016

The traditional gas sensor array has been viewed as a simple apparatus for information acquisition in chemosensory systems. Gas sensor arrays frequently undergo impairments in the form of sensor failures that cause significant deterioration of the performance of previously trained pattern recognition models. Reliability monitoring of gas sensor arrays is a challenging and critical issue in the chemosensory system. Because of its importance, we design and implement a status self-validating gas sensor array prototype to enhance the reliability of its measurements. A novel fault detection, isolation, and diagnosis (FDID) strategy is presented in this paper. The principal component analysis-based multivariate statistical process monitoring model can effectively perform fault detection by using the squared prediction error statistic and can locate the faulty sensor in the gas sensor array by using the variables contribution plot. The signal features of gas sensor arrays for different fault modes are extracted by using ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) coupled with sample entropy (SampEn). The EEMD is applied to adaptively decompose the original gas sensor signals into a finite number of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual. The SampEn values of each IMF and the residual are calculated to reveal the multi-scale intrinsic characteristics of the faulty sensor signals. Sparse representation-based classification is introduced to identify the sensor fault type for the purpose of diagnosing deterioration in the gas sensor array. The performance of the proposed strategy is compared with other different diagnostic approaches, and it is fully evaluated in a real status self-validating gas sensor array experimental system. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed strategy provides an excellent solution to the FDID of status self-validating gas sensor arrays.
Dynamics of two interacting active Janus particles
Authors: Bayati Parvin , Najafi Ali
Published: April 2016

Starting from a microscopic model for a spherically symmetric active Janus particle, we study the interactions between two such active motors. The ambient fluid mediates a long range hydrodynamic interaction between two motors. This interaction has both direct and indirect hydrodynamic contributions. The direct contribution is due to the propagation of fluid flow that originated from a moving motor and affects the motion of the other motor. The indirect contribution emerges from the re-distribution of the ionic concentrations in the presence of both motors. Electric force exerted on the fluid from this ionic solution enhances the flow pattern and subsequently changes the motion of both motors. By formulating a perturbation method for very far separated motors, we derive analytic results for the translation and rotational dynamics of the motors. We show that the overall interaction at the leading order modifies the translational and rotational speeds of motors which scale as O[1/D]3 and O[1/D]4 with their separation, respectively. Our findings open up the way for studying the collective dynamics of synthetic micro-motors.
Effect of sequence-dependent rigidity on plectoneme localization in dsDNA
Authors: Medalion Shlomi , Rabin Yitzhak
Published: April 2016

We use Monte-Carlo simulations to study the effect of variable rigidity on plectoneme formation and localization in supercoiled double-stranded DNA. We show that the presence of soft sequences increases the number of plectoneme branches and that the edges of the branches tend to be localized at these sequences. We propose an experimental approach to test our results in vitro, and discuss the possible role played by plectoneme localization in the search process of transcription factors for their targets (promoter regions) on the bacterial genome.
Inhomogeneous screening near the dielectric interface
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Zhen-Gang
Published: April 2016

Screening is one of the most important concepts in the study of charged systems. Near a dielectric interface, the ion distribution in a salt solution can be highly nonuniform. Here, we develop a theory that self-consistently treats the inhomogeneous screening effects. At higher concentrations when the bulk Debye screening length is comparable to the Bjerrum length, the double layer structure and interfacial properties are significantly affected by the inhomogeneous screening. In particular, the depletion zone is considerably wider than that predicted by the bulk screening approximation or the WKB approximation. The characteristic length of the depletion layer in this regime scales with the Bjerrum length, resulting in a linear increase of the negative adsorption of ions with concentration, in agreement with experiments. For asymmetric salts, inhomogeneous screening leads to enhanced charge separation and surface potential.
Lateral stress evolution in chromium sulfide cermets with varying excess chromium
Authors: Petel O. E. , Appleby-Thomas G. J. , Wood D. C. , Capozzi A. , Nabavi A. , Goroshin S. , Frost D. L. , Hazell P. J.
Published: April 2016

The shock response of chromium sulfide-chromium, a cermet of potential interest as a matrix material for ballistic applications, has been investigated at two molar ratios. Using a combustion synthesis technique allowed for control of the molar ratio of the material, which was investigated under near-stoichiometric (cermet) and excess chromium (interpenetrating composite) conditions, representing chromium:sulfur molar ratios of 1.15:1 and 4:1, respectively. The compacts were investigated via the plate-impact technique, which allowed the material to be loaded under a one-dimensional state of strain. Embedded manganin stress gauges were employed to monitor the temporal evolution of longitudinal and lateral components of stress in both materials. Comparison of these two components has allowed assessment of the variation of material shear strength both with impact pressure/strain-rate and time for the two molar ratio conditions. The two materials exhibited identical material strength despite variations in their excess chromium contents.
Interpretation of the predissociation of the CO Rydberg W 1Π (v = 1) level
Authors: Lefebvre-Brion H. , Kalemos A.
Published: April 2016

With the goal to interpret the experimental results obtained quite recently by Heays et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 141, 144311 (2014)] on the predissociation of the Rydberg W 1Π (v = 1) vibrational level of the CO molecule, we report herein ab initio potential energy curves of some of its valence and Rydberg states of both 1Π and 3Π symmetry. Our results confirm that the above vibrational level is perturbed by a new electronic 1Π state not observed until now. They correctly reproduce the linewidths of predissociation of the two interacting levels.
Reconstruction of high temporal resolution Thomson scattering data during a modulated electron cyclotron resonance heating using conditional averaging
Authors: Kobayashi T. , Ida K. , Itoh K. , Yoshinuma M. , Moon C. , Inagaki S. , Yamada I. , Funaba H. , Yasuhara R. , Tsuchiya H. , Ohdachi S. , Yoshimura Y. , Igami H. , Shimozuma T. , Kubo S. , Tsujimura T. I.
Published: April 2016

This paper provides a software application of the sampling scope concept for fusion research. The time evolution of Thomson scattering data is reconstructed with a high temporal resolution during a modulated electron cyclotron resonance heating (MECH) phase. The amplitude profile and the delay time profile of the heat pulse propagation are obtained from the reconstructed signal for discharges having on-axis and off-axis MECH depositions. The results are found to be consistent with the MECH deposition.
Apparatus for low temperature thermal desorption spectroscopy of portable samples
Authors: Stuckenholz S. , Büchner C. , Ronneburg H. , Thielsch G. , Heyde M. , Freund H.-J.
Published: April 2016

An experimental setup for low temperature thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) integrated in an ultrahigh vacuum-chamber housing a high-end scanning probe microscope for comprehensive multi-tool surface science analysis is described. This setup enables the characterization with TDS at low temperatures (T > 22 K) of portable sample designs, as is the case for scanning probe optimized setups or high-throughput experiments. This combination of techniques allows a direct correlation between surface morphology, local spectroscopy, and reactivity of model catalysts. The performance of the multi-tool setup is illustrated by measurements of a model catalyst. TDS of CO from Mo(001) and from Mo(001) supported MgO thin films were carried out and combined with scanning tunneling microscopy measurements.
Discrete quantum dot like emitters in monolayer MoSe2: Spatial mapping, magneto-optics, and charge tuning
Authors: Branny Artur , Wang Gang , Kumar Santosh , Robert Cedric , Lassagne Benjamin , Marie Xavier , Gerardot Brian D. , Urbaszek Bernhard
Published: April 2016

Transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers such as MoSe2, MoS2, and WSe2 are direct bandgap semiconductors with original optoelectronic and spin-valley properties. Here we report on spectrally sharp, spatially localized emission in monolayer MoSe2. We find this quantum dot-like emission in samples exfoliated onto gold substrates and also suspended flakes. Spatial mapping shows a correlation between the location of emitters and the existence of wrinkles (strained regions) in the flake. We tune the emission properties in magnetic and electric fields applied perpendicular to the monolayer plane. We extract an exciton g-factor of the discrete emitters close to −4, as for 2D excitons in this material. In a charge tunable sample, we record discrete jumps on the meV scale as charges are added to the emitter when changing the applied voltage.
Optical performance of an ultra-sensitive horn-coupled transition-edge-sensor bolometer with hemispherical backshort in the far infrared
Authors: Audley Michael D. , de Lange Gert , Gao Jian-Rong , Khosropanah Pourya , Hijmering Richard , Ridder Marcel , Mauskopf Philip D. , Morozov Dmitry , Trappe Neil A. , Doherty Stephen
Published: April 2016

The next generation of far infrared space observatories will require extremely sensitive detectors that can be realized only by combining extremely low intrinsic noise with high optical efficiency. We have measured the broad-band optical response of ultra-sensitive transtion edge sensor (TES) bolometers (NEP≈2aW/Hz) in the 30–60-μm band where radiation is coupled to the detectors with a few-moded conical feedhorn and a hemispherical backshort. We show that these detectors have an optical efficiency of 60% (the ratio of the power detected by the TES bolometer to the total power propagating through the feedhorn). We find that the measured optical efficiency can be understood in terms of the modes propagating through the feedhorn with the aid of a spatial mode-filtering technique.