bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural insights into YfiR sequestering by YfiB in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Li Shanshan , Li Tingting , Xu Yueyang , Zhang Qionglin , Zhang Wei , Che Shiyou , Liu Ruihua , Wang Yingying , Bartlam Mark
Published: November 2015

YfiBNR is a tripartite signalling system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that modulates intracellular c-di-GMP levels in response to signals received in the periplasm. YfiB is an outer membrane lipoprotein and presumed sensor protein that sequesters the repressor protein YfiR. To provide insights into YfiBNR function, we have determined three-dimensional crystal structures of YfiB and YfiR from P. aeruginosa PAO1 alone and as a 1:1 complex. A YfiB(27–168) construct is predominantly dimeric, whereas a YfiB(59–168) is monomeric, indicating that YfiB can dimerize via its N-terminal region. YfiR forms a stable complex with YfiB(59–168), while the YfiR binding interface is obstructed by the N-terminal region in YfiB(27–168). The YfiB-YfiR complex reveals a conserved interaction surface on YfiR that overlaps with residues predicted to interact with the periplasmic PAS domain of YfiN. Comparison of native and YfiR-bound structures of YfiB suggests unwinding of the N-terminal linker region for attachment to the outer membrane. A model is thus proposed for YfiR sequestration at the outer membrane by YfiB. Our work provides the first detailed insights into the interaction between YfiB and YfiR at the molecular level and is a valuable starting point for further functional and mechanistic studies of the YfiBNR signalling system.
P2×7 purinergic signaling in dilated cardiomyopathy induced by auto-immunity against muscarinic M2 receptors: autoantibody levels, heart functionality and cytokine expression
Authors: Martinez Camila Guerra , Zamith-Miranda Daniel , da Silva Marcia Gracindo , Ribeiro Karla Consort , Brandão Izaíra Trincani , Silva Celio Lopes , Diaz Bruno Lourenço , Bellio Maria , Persechini Pedro Muanis , Kurtenbach Eleonora
Published: November 2015

Autoantibodies against the M2 receptors (M2AChR) have been associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). In the heart, P2×7 receptors influence electrical conduction, coronary circulation and response to ischemia. They can also trigger pro-inflammatory responses and the development of neurological, cardiac and renal disorders. Here, P2×7−/− mice displayed an increased heart rate and ST segment depression, but similar exercise performance when compared to wild type (WT) animals. After immunization with plasmid containing M2AChR cDNA sequence, WT mice produced anti-M2AChR antibodies, while P2×7−/− mice showed an attenuated production. Despite this, WT and P2×7−/− showed left ventricle cavity enlargement and decreased exercise tolerance. Transfer of serum from M2AChR WT immunized mice to näive recipients led to an alteration in heart shape. P2×7−/− mice displayed a significant increase in the frequency of spleen regulatory T cells population, which is mainly composed by the FoxP3+CD25− subset. M2AChR WT immunized mice showed an increase in IL-1β, IFNγ and IL-17 levels in the heart, while P2×7−/− group produced lower amounts of IL-1β and IL-17 and higher amounts of IFNγ. These results pointed to previously unnoticed roles of P2×7 in cardiovascular and immune systems and underscored the participation of IL-17 and IFNγ in the progress of autoimmune DCM.
Mimosoid legume plastome evolution: IR expansion, tandem repeat expansions and accelerated rate of evolution in clpP
Authors: Dugas Diana V. , Hernandez David , Koenen Erik J.M. , Schwarz Erika , Straub Shannon , Hughes Colin E. , Jansen Robert K. , Nageswara-Rao Madhugiri , Staats Martijn , Trujillo Joshua T. , Hajrah Nahid H. , Alharbi Njud S. , Al-Malki Abdulrahman L. , Sabir Jamal S. M. , Bailey C. Donovan
Published: November 2015

The Leguminosae has emerged as a model for studying angiosperm plastome evolution because of its striking diversity of structural rearrangements and sequence variation. However, most of what is known about legume plastomes comes from few genera representing a subset of lineages in subfamily Papilionoideae. We investigate plastome evolution in subfamily Mimosoideae based on two newly sequenced plastomes (Inga and Leucaena) and two recently published plastomes (Acacia and Prosopis) and discuss the results in the context of other legume and rosid plastid genomes. Mimosoid plastomes have a typical angiosperm gene content and general organization as well as a generally slow rate of protein coding gene evolution, but they are the largest known among legumes. The increased length results from tandem repeat expansions and an unusual 13 kb IR-SSC boundary shift in Acacia and Inga. Mimosoid plastomes harbor additional interesting features, including loss of clpP intron1 in Inga, accelerated rates of evolution in clpP for Acacia and Inga and dN/dS ratios consistent with neutral and positive selection for several genes. These new plastomes and results provide important resources for legume comparative genomics, plant breeding and plastid genetic engineering, while shedding further light on the complexity of plastome evolution in legumes and angiosperms.
Selection of best-performing reference gene products for investigating transcriptional regulation across silvering in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Authors: Franzellitti Silvia , Kiwan Alisar , Valbonesi Paola , Fabbri Elena
Published: November 2015

The focus of the present study was to set a methodological approach for evaluating molecular mechanisms underlying silvering transformation in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Silvering is a tightly controlled process during which eels undergo significant morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, pre-adapting for the oceanic spawning migration. Female eels showing different silver indexes were caught in different seasons in the Comacchio Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea, Italy). Isolated hepatocytes from these eels were selected as the experimental model given the relevant role of these cells in metabolic functions potentially altered during silvering. Expression profiles of 7 candidate reference transcripts were analyzed seeking the most viable and robust strategies for accurate qPCR data normalization during silvering. Stability analysis and further statistical validation identified transcripts encoding the ribosomal proteins L13 and ARP as the appropriate reference genes in studies on A. anguilla through silvering. The identified reference transcripts were further used to evaluate expression profiles of target transcripts encoding the thyroid hormone receptor β (THRβ) and vitellogenin (vtg), known to be involved in silvering processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing THRβ expression in European eels across silvering.
Experiments and Model for Serration Statistics in Low-Entropy, Medium-Entropy and High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Carroll Robert , Lee Chi , Tsai Che-Wei , Yeh Jien-Wei , Antonaglia James , Brinkman Braden A. W. , LeBlanc Michael , Xie Xie , Chen Shuying , Liaw Peter K. , Dahmen Karin A.
Published: November 2015

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are new alloys that contain five or more elements in roughly-equal proportion. We present new experiments and theory on the deformation behavior of HEAs under slow stretching (straining) and observe differences, compared to conventional alloys with fewer elements. For a specific range of temperatures and strain-rates, HEAs deform in a jerky way, with sudden slips that make it difficult to precisely control the deformation. An analytic model explains these slips as avalanches of slipping weak spots and predicts the observed slip statistics, stress-strain curves and their dependence on temperature, strain-rate and material composition. The ratio of the weak spots’ healing rate to the strain-rate is the main tuning parameter, reminiscent of the Portevin-LeChatellier effect and time-temperature superposition in polymers. Our model predictions agree with the experimental results. The proposed widely-applicable deformation mechanism is useful for deformation control and alloy design.
Tunable zero-field ferromagnetic resonance frequency from S to X band in oblique deposited CoFeB thin films
Authors: Li Chengyi , Chai Guozhi , Yang Chengcheng , Wang Wenfeng , Xue Desheng
Published: November 2015

Tunable zero-field ferromagnetic resonance frequency in wide range is very useful for the application of microwave devices. We performed an investigation of the static and high frequency magnetic properties for oblique sputtered CoFeB thin films. The static magnetic results revealed that oblique sputtered CoFeB thin films possess well defined in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, which increases monotonically from 50.1 to 608.8 Oe with the increasing of deposition angle from 10° to 70°. Continuous modification of the resonance frequency of CoFeB thin films in a range of 2.83–9.71 GHz (covers three microwave bands including S, C and X bands) has been achieved. This behavior can be explained as the result of the microstructure due to the self-shadowing effect mainly. These CoFeB thin films with tunable magnetic properties may be good candidates for usage in microwave devices.
Oncogenic miR-9 is a target of erlotinib in NSCLCs
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhu Lingjun , Ma Zhuo , Sun Geng , Luo Xuan , Li Min , Zhai Sulan , Li Ping , Wang Xuerong
Published: November 2015

EGFR-targeted cancer therapy is a breakthrough in non-small cell carcinoma. miRNAs have been proved to play important roles in cancer. Currently, for the role of miRNAs in EGFR-targeted cancer therapy is unclear. In this study, first we found that erlotinib reduced the expression of miR-9. MiR-9 expression was increased in human lung cancer tissues compared with peripheral normal tissues and miR-9 promoted the growth of NSCLC cells. Overexpression of miR-9 decreased the growth inhibitory effect of erlotinib. Second, miR-9 decreased FoxO1 expression by directly inhibition of its mRNA translation. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of FoxO1 or siRNA-mediated downregulation of FoxO1 negatively regulated cell growth. And exogenous overexpression FoxO1 reduced the pro-growth effect of miR-9. Finally, we found that erlotinib upregulated FoxO1 protein expression. Moreover, overexpression of miR-9 decreased erlotinib-induced FoxO1 expression and overexpression of FoxO1 enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of erlotinib. Additionally, we found that erlotinib downregulates miR-9 expression through suppressing the transcrption of miR-9-1 and enhanced DNA methylation maybe involved. These findings suggest that oncogenic miR-9 targeted FoxO1 to promote cell growth and downregulation of this axis was involved in erlotinib’s growth inhibitory effects. Clarifying the regulation of miRNAs by erlotinib may indicate novel strategies for enhancing EGFR-targeted cancer therapy.
Modeling the consequences of the demise and potential recovery of a keystone-species: wild rabbits and avian scavengers in Mediterranean landscapes
Authors: Cortés-Avizanda Ainara , Colomer Maria Àngels , Margalida Antoni , Ceballos Olga , Donázar José Antonio
Published: November 2015

Restoration of demised keystone-species populations is an overriding concern in conservation biology. However, since no population is independent of its environment, progress is needed in predicting the efficacy of restoration in unstable ecological contexts. Here, by means of Population Dynamics P-system Models (PDP), we studied long-term changes in the population size of Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) inhabiting a Natural Park, northern Spain, to changes in the numbers of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a keystone-species of Mediterranean ecosystems that have suffered >90% population decline after a hemorrhagic disease outbreak. Low availability of rabbit carcasses leads Egyptian vultures to extend their foraging activities to unprotected areas with higher non-natural mortality whereas growing numbers of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), a dominant competitor, progressively monopolize trophic resources resulting in a focal population decrease. Modeling shows that, even if keystone-species populations recover in core protected areas, the return to the original studied population size may be unfeasible, due to both the high non-natural mortality rates in humanized areas and long-term changes in the scavenger guild structure. Policy decisions aimed to restore keystone-species should rely on holistic approaches integrating the effects of spatial heterogeneity on both producer and consumer populations as well as within-guild processes.
Beta diversity determinants in Badagongshan, a subtropical forest in central China
Authors: Qiao Xiujuan , Li Qianxi , Jiang Qinghu , Lu Junmeng , Franklin Scott , Tang Zhiyao , Wang Qinggang , Zhang Jiaxin , Lu Zhijun , Bao Dachuan , Guo Yili , Liu Haibo , Xu Yaozhan , Jiang Mingxi
Published: November 2015

Niche and neutral theories emphasize different processes contributing to the maintenance of species diversity. In this study, we calculated the local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD) of every cell, using variation partitioning in combination with spatial distance and environmental variables of the 25-ha Badagongshan plot (BDGS), to determine the contribution of environmentally-related variation versus pure spatial variation. We used topography and soil characteristics as environmental variables, distance-based Moran’s eigenvectors maps (dbMEM) to describe spatial relationships among cells and redundancy analysis (RDA) to apportion the variation in beta diversity into three components: pure environmental, spatially-structured environmental and pure spatial. Results showed LCBD values were negatively related to number of common species and positively related to number of rare species. Environment and space jointly explained ~60% of the variation in species composition; soil variables alone explained 21.6%, slightly more than the topographic variables that explained 15.7%; topography and soil together explained 27%, slightly inferior to spatial variables that explained 34%. The BDGS forest was controlled both by the spatial and environmental variables and the results were consistent across different life forms and life stages.
Neuron Image Analyzer: Automated and Accurate Extraction of Neuronal Data from Low Quality Images
Authors: Kim Kwang-Min , Son Kilho , Palmore G. Tayhas R.
Published: November 2015

Image analysis software is an essential tool used in neuroscience and neural engineering to evaluate changes in neuronal structure following extracellular stimuli. Both manual and automated methods in current use are severely inadequate at detecting and quantifying changes in neuronal morphology when the images analyzed have a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This inadequacy derives from the fact that these methods often include data from non-neuronal structures or artifacts by simply tracing pixels with high intensity. In this paper, we describe Neuron Image Analyzer (NIA), a novel algorithm that overcomes these inadequacies by employing Laplacian of Gaussian filter and graphical models (i.e., Hidden Markov Model, Fully Connected Chain Model) to specifically extract relational pixel information corresponding to neuronal structures (i.e., soma, neurite). As such, NIA that is based on vector representation is less likely to detect false signals (i.e., non-neuronal structures) or generate artifact signals (i.e., deformation of original structures) than current image analysis algorithms that are based on raster representation. We demonstrate that NIA enables precise quantification of neuronal processes (e.g., length and orientation of neurites) in low quality images with a significant increase in the accuracy of detecting neuronal changes post-stimulation.
A combination approach to treating fungal infections
Authors: Shrestha Sanjib K. , Fosso Marina Y. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: November 2015

Azoles are antifungal drugs used to treat fungal infections such as candidiasis in humans. Their extensive use has led to the emergence of drug resistance, complicating antifungal therapy for yeast infections in critically ill patients. Combination therapy has become popular in clinical practice as a potential strategy to fight resistant fungal isolates. Recently, amphiphilic tobramycin analogues, C12 and C14, were shown to display antifungal activities. Herein, the antifungal synergy of C12 and C14 with four azoles, fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), posaconazole (POS) and voriconazole (VOR), was examined against seven Candida albicans strains. All tested strains were synergistically inhibited by C12 when combined with azoles, with the exception of C. albicans 64124 and MYA-2876 by FLC and VOR. Likewise, when combined with POS and ITC, C14 exhibited synergistic growth inhibition of all C. albicans strains, except C. albicans MYA-2876 by ITC. The combinations of FLC-C14 and VOR-C14 showed synergistic antifungal effect against three C. albicans and four C. albicans strains, respectively. Finally, synergism between C12/C14 and POS were confirmed by time-kill and disk diffusion assays. These results suggest the possibility of combining C12 or C14 with azoles to treat invasive fungal infections at lower administration doses or with a higher efficiency.
Elevated Extinction Rates as a Trigger for Diversification Rate Shifts: Early Amniotes as a Case Study
Authors: Brocklehurst Neil , Ruta Marcello , Müller Johannes , Fröbisch Jörg
Published: November 2015

Tree shape analyses are frequently used to infer the location of shifts in diversification rate within the Tree of Life. Many studies have supported a causal relationship between shifts and temporally coincident events such as the evolution of “key innovations”. However, the evidence for such relationships is circumstantial. We investigated patterns of diversification during the early evolution of Amniota from the Carboniferous to the Triassic, subjecting a new supertree to analyses of tree balance in order to infer the timing and location of diversification shifts. We investigated how uneven origination and extinction rates drive diversification shifts and use two case studies (herbivory and an aquatic lifestyle) to examine whether shifts tend to be contemporaneous with evolutionary novelties. Shifts within amniotes tend to occur during periods of elevated extinction, with mass extinctions coinciding with numerous and larger shifts. Diversification shifts occurring in clades that possess evolutionary innovations do not coincide temporally with the appearance of those innovations, but are instead deferred to periods of high extinction rate. We suggest such innovations did not cause increases in the rate of cladogenesis, but allowed clades to survive extinction events. We highlight the importance of examining general patterns of diversification before interpreting specific shifts.
EM∩IM: software for relating ion mobility mass spectrometry and electron microscopy data
Authors: Degiacomi Matteo T. , Benesch Justin L. P.
Published: November 2015

EM∩IM enables the calculation of collision cross-sections from electron density maps obtained, for example, by means of transmission electron microscopy. This capability will further aid the integration of ion mobility mass spectrometry with modern structural biology.
Sensing protein antigen and microvesicle analytes using high-capacity biopolymer nano-carriers
Authors: Kumar Saroj , Milani Gloria , Takatsuki Hideyo , Lana Tobia , Persson Malin , Frasson Chiara , te Kronnie Geertruy , Månsson Alf
Published: November 2015

Self-assembled and self-propelling biopolymer nanocarriers exhibit order of magnitude improved protein antigen sensing and open new avenues for microvesicle detection.
A one-pot synthesis of polysulfane-bearing block copolymer nanoparticles with tunable size and refractive index
Authors: Lim Jeewoo , Cho Yunshik , Kang Eun-Hye , Yang Sanghee , Pyun Jeffrey , Choi Tae-Lim , Char Kookheon
Published: November 2015

High sulfur-content polysulfane-bearing polymer nanoparticles with tunable size and refractive index were prepared from ROMP.
Capturing Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) from contaminated water sources by electro-deposition on hydrotalcite-like compounds
Authors: González M. A. , Trócoli R. , Pavlovic I. , Barriga C. , La Mantia F.
Published: November 2015

Two different hydrotalcite-like compounds were prepared and used as substrates for the electrochemical removal of extremely toxic pollutant cations, such as Cd(ii) and Pb(ii), from aqueous solutions, and their posterior recovery for further potential applications.
The role of interparticle interaction and environmental coupling in a two-particle open quantum system
Authors: Laguna Humberto G. , Sagar Robin P. , Tempel David G. , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: November 2015

At t = 0, the magnitudes of the statistical correlation between the particles positions depends on the strength of the repulsive interparticle potential (green, strongest potential; red, weakest potential). As the bath is turned on, the relative magnitudes of the correlation are inverted.
Adsorption of sodium diclofenac on graphene: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Jauris I. M. , Matos C. F. , Saucier C. , Lima E. C. , Zarbin A. J. G. , Fagan S. B. , Machado F. M. , Zanella I.
Published: November 2015

The interactions of sodium diclofenac drug (s-DCF) with different graphene species were investigated using both first principles calculations based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and adsorption experiments.
Realizing diverse electronic and magnetic properties in hybrid zigzag BNC nanoribbons via hydrogenation
Authors: Sun Yuanhui , Yu Guangtao , Liu Jingwei , Shen Xiaopeng , Huang Xuri , Chen Wei
Published: November 2015

Hydrogenation is an effective strategy to precisely modulate the electronic and magnetic behaviors of hybrid BNC nanoribbons.
A fast but accurate excitonic simulation of the electronic circular dichroism of nucleic acids: how can it be achieved?
Authors: Loco Daniele , Jurinovich Sandro , Bari Lorenzo Di , Mennucci Benedetta
Published: November 2015

The CD spectra of nucleic acids can be simulated and interpreted through an excitonic approach combining TDDFT and polarizable MM.
Optimization of Al2O3/TiO2 nanolaminate thin films prepared with different oxide ratios, for use in organic light-emitting diode encapsulation, via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
Authors: Kim Lae Ho , Jeong Yong Jin , An Tae Kyu , Park Seonuk , Jang Jin Hyuk , Nam Sooji , Jang Jaeyoung , Kim Se Hyun , Park Chan Eon
Published: November 2015

The shelf-life of the OLED devices passivated with and without PEALD-based films at 60 °C and 90% RH.
Stimuli-responsive smart gating membranes
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Wang Wei , Xie Rui , Ju Xiao-Jie , Chu Liang-Yin
Published: November 2015

This review highlights recent developments in stimuli-responsive smart gating membranes, including design and fabrication strategies, versatile stimuli-responsive gating models and advanced applications.
Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of metal–organic frameworks based on new tetradentate ligands
Authors: Liang Yue , Yuan Wei-Guan , Zhang Shu-Fang , He Zhan , Xue Junru , Zhang Xia , Jing Lin-Hai , Qin Da-Bin
Published: November 2015

Three MOFs have been synthesized based on two new tetradentate imidazole ligands with flexible chain and rigid functional groups, and their properties have been explored.
Crystal structure evolution and luminescence properties of color tunable solid solution phosphors Ca2+xLa8−x(SiO4)6−x(PO4)xO2:Eu2+
Authors: Xia Yufei , Chen Jian , Liu Yan-gai , Molokeev Maxim S. , Guan Ming , Huang Zhaohui , Fang Minghao
Published: November 2015

The substitution of La3+ by Ca2+ in a series of phosphors led to a crystal structure variation and the emitted color changing from green to blue.
Interesting copper(ii)-assisted transformations of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine
Authors: Kitos Alexandros A. , Efthymiou Constantinos G. , Manos Manolis J. , Tasiopoulos Anastasios J. , Nastopoulos Vassilios , Escuer Albert , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: November 2015

Novel CuII-assisted transformations have been observed in the reactions of copper(ii) sources and 2-pyridyl ketones.
Evaluation of transition metal phosphides supported on ordered mesoporous materials as catalysts for phenol hydrodeoxygenation
Authors: Berenguer A. , Sankaranarayanan T. M. , Gómez G. , Moreno I. , Coronado J. M. , Pizarro P. , Serrano D. P.
Published: November 2015

Transition metal phosphides (Ni2P, Co2P and MoP) supported over mesoporous materials: Al-SBA-15, m-Al2O3 and CMK-3 have been probed as potential catalysts in HDO of pyrolysis bio-oils using phenol as model compound.
Enhancement of photochemical heterogeneous water oxidation by a manganese based soft oxometalate immobilized on a graphene oxide matrix
Authors: Das Santu , Misra Archismita , Roy Soumyajit
Published: November 2015

Enhancement of photochemical water oxidation using a graphene oxide matrix for [Na17[Mn6P3W24O94(H2O)2]·43H2O@GO] soft-oxometalate is shown.
TiO2/vanadate (Sr10V6O25, Ni3V2O8, Zn2V2O7) heterostructured photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity for photoreduction of CO2 into CH4
Authors: Yan Yabin , Yu Yanlong , Wu Di , Yang Yajun , Cao Yaan
Published: November 2015

A series of TiO2/vanadate (Sr10V6O25, Ni3V2O8, Zn2V2O7) heterostructured photocatalysts were prepared by a simple sol–gel method.
Interactions between C and Cu atoms in single-layer graphene: direct observation and modelling
Authors: Kano Emi , Hashimoto Ayako , Kaneko Tomoaki , Tajima Nobuo , Ohno Takahisa , Takeguchi Masaki
Published: November 2015

We directly observed unique morphological changes in Cu-doped graphene by aberration-corrected TEM. DFT calculations reveal a reduction of energy barrier that caused rotation of C–C bonds near Cu atoms. Our results suggest that individual Cu atoms can catalyse reconstruction of carbon nanostructures.
Antibacterial Au nanostructured surfaces
Authors: Wu Songmei , Zuber Flavia , Brugger Juergen , Maniura-Weber Katharina , Ren Qun
Published: November 2015

We present here a technological platform for engineering Au nanotopographies by templated electrodeposition on antibacterial surfaces.
Mesoporous Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters anchored on super-aligned carbon nanotubes as high performance electrodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Sun Li , Kong Weibang , Wu Hengcai , Wu Yang , Wang Datao , Zhao Fei , Jiang Kaili , Li Qunqing , Wang Jiaping , Fan Shoushan
Published: November 2015

A binder-free composite anode constructed by anchoring mesoporous lithium titanate nanoclusters in a carbon nanotube network exhibits high capacities, long-term cyclic stability, and excellent high-rate capability.
Energy transfer in diiodoBodipy-grafted upconversion nanohybrids
Authors: Francés-Soriano Laura , Liras Marta , Kowalczyk Agnieszka , Bednarkiewicz Artur , González-Béjar Maria , Pérez-Prieto Julia
Published: November 2015

The Yb3+ excited state can decay via two competitive energy transfer processes: sensitization of IBDP after absorption of a second NIR photon and population of Er3+ excited states.
Catalytic combustion of methane over Pd/Ce–Zr oxides washcoated monolithic catalysts under oxygen lean conditions
Authors: Jin Jianhui , Li Chuang , Tsang Chi-Wing , Xu Bin , Liang Changhai
Published: November 2015

Pd/CeZr coated monolith catalysts showed good activity and stability for methane combustion under oxygen-lean conditions.
A glowing antioxidant from tasar silk cocoon
Authors: Kusurkar Tejas Sanjeev , Gangwar Anamika , Bawankar Mangesh , Mandal Anupam , Dethe Dattatraya , Thakur Ashwani Kumar , Singh Sushil Kumar , Bhargava Kalpana , Khurana Sukant , Sethy Niroj Kumar , Das Mainak
Published: November 2015

In this study, a fluorophore can be easily localized inside animal cell line H9c2 using a novel N-TER™ based strategy, and the internalized fluorophore acts both as a fluorescent dye and as an antioxidant.
Exceptional effect of nitro substituent on the phosphonation of imines: the first report on phosphonation of imines to α-iminophosphonates and α-(N-phosphorylamino)phosphonates
Authors: Motevalli Somayeh , Iranpoor Nasser , Etemadi-Davan Elham , Moghadam Khashayar Rajabi
Published: November 2015

A novel chemoselective method for the simple phosphonation of imines withH-phosphonate diethyl ester and study of the electronic and orientation effects of the substituents on phosphorylation reaction.
Large micro-sized K2TiF6:Mn4+red phosphors synthesised by a simple reduction reaction for high colour-rendering white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Han Tao , Lang Tianchun , Wang Jun , Tu Mingjing , Peng Lingling
Published: November 2015

Large micro-sized K2TiF6:Mn4+red phosphors synthesised by a simple reduction reaction for high colour-rendering white light-emitting diodes.
Effect of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the distribution and partition of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in a water–sediment system
Authors: Yin Donggao , Peng Hui , Yin Hua , Zhou Su , Xiong Shichang , Liu Zehua , Dang Zhi
Published: November 2015

The combined pollution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and heavy metals in electronic waste dismantling areas has received increasing concern in recent years.
Enhanced fluoride removal by loading Al/Zr onto carboxymethyl starch sodium: synergistic interactions between Al and Zr
Authors: Cai Huimei , Chen Guijie , Peng Chuanyi , Xu Lingyun , Zhang Zhengzhu , Ke Fei , Wan Xiaochun
Published: November 2015

In this paper, a novel type of adsorbent was prepared by loading Al/Zr onto carboxymethyl starch sodium to generate CMS–Al, CMS–Zr or CMS–Al–Zr.
ROCK-regulated synergistic effect of macropore/nanowire topography on cytoskeletal distribution and cell differentiation
Authors: Pan Houhua , Xie Youtao , Li Kai , Hu Dandan , Zhao Jun , Zheng Xuebin , Tang Tingting
Published: November 2015

Synergistic effect of cytoskeleton distribution on macro/nano surfaces led to higher intracellular tension and better differentiation performance.
Insight into ETS-10 synthesis for the preparation of mixed matrix membranes for CO2/CH4 gas separation
Authors: Sorribas Sara , Comesaña-Gándara Bibiana , Lozano Angel E. , Zornoza Beatriz , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: November 2015

An in-depth study into the synthesis of the titanosilicate ETS-10 has been carried out to obtain crystals with different particle sizes, roughness and porosity.
Well-defined SiO2-coated Fe2Co nanoparticles prepared by reduction with CaH2
Authors: Yamamoto S. , Tsujimoto M.
Published: November 2015

Well-defined SiO2-coated Fe2Co nanoparticles can be prepared by the reduction of SiO2-coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with CaH2 even at 250 °C.
Facile preparation of a SiO2–Al2O3 aerogel using coal gangue as a raw material via an ambient pressure drying method and its application in organic solvent adsorption
Authors: Zhu Jinmeng , Guo Shaohui , Li Xuanhua
Published: November 2015

The SiO2–Al2O3 aerogel has been synthesized using coal gangue as a raw material via an ambient pressure drying method.
Controlling grain size in columnar YSZ coating formation by droplet filtering assisted PS-PVD processing
Authors: Chen Qing-Yu , Li Cheng-Xin , Wei Tao , Sun Hai-Bin , Zhang Shan-Lin , Luo Xiao-Tao , Yang Guan-Jun , Li Chang-Jiu , Liu Mei-Lin
Published: November 2015

Grain size is important to the effect of material performance, particularly when reduced to nanoscale size.
Significant enhancement of the electroactive β-phase of PVDF by incorporating hydrothermally synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Dutta Biplab , Kar Epsita , Bose Navonil , Mukherjee Sampad
Published: November 2015

The influence of copper oxide nanoparticles on the polymorphism of PVDF is systematically investigated. Strong interfacial interactions between the negative nanoparticle surface and positive –CH2dipoles of PVDF enhance the electroactive β-phase.
Novel polysaccharide nanowires; synthesized from pectin-modified methacrylate
Authors: Kollarigowda Ravichandran H.
Published: November 2015

Preparation of nanowires and nanoparticles of water/oil emulsion method using methacrylated pectin (Ma-pectin).
A monometallic lanthanide bis(methanediide) single molecule magnet with a large energy barrier and complex spin relaxation behaviour
Authors: Gregson Matthew , Chilton Nicholas F. , Ariciu Ana-Maria , Tuna Floriana , Crowe Iain F. , Lewis William , Blake Alexander J. , Collison David , McInnes Eric J. L. , Winpenny Richard E. P. , Liddle Stephen T.
Published: November 2015

We report a monometallic dysprosium(iii) single molecule magnet with record energy barriers and unusual spin relaxation behaviour.
Calcium-induced tetramerization and zinc chelation shield human calprotectin from degradation by host and bacterial extracellular proteases
Authors: Stephan Jules R. , Nolan Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2015

Coordination to divalent cations protects the human host-defense protein calprotectin from proteolytic degradation.
Time-resolved proteomic analysis of quorum sensing in Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Bagert John D. , van Kessel Julia C. , Sweredoski Michael J. , Feng Lihui , Hess Sonja , Bassler Bonnie L. , Tirrell David A.
Published: November 2015

Bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging allows time-resolved proteomic analysis of quorum sensing inVibrio harveyi.
High efficiency hysteresis-less inverted planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells with a solution-derived NiOxhole contact layer
Authors: Yin Xingtian , Que Meidan , Xing Yonglei , Que Wenxiu
Published: November 2015

A solution-derived NiOxfilm was successfully employed to work as the hole selective contact for a high efficiency inverted planar heterojunction perovskite solar cell with negligible hysteresis.
Gradient‐based signal reconstruction algorithm in Hermite transform domain
Authors: Brajović M. , Orović I. , Daković M. , Stanković S.
Published: November 2015

An algorithm for compressive sensing reconstruction of signals in the Hermite expansion domain is proposed. The compressive sensing problem is formulated in the Hermite framework, allowing fast and efficient reconstruction of missing data by exploiting the concentration of signal's representation in the Hermite basis.
Hidden attractors in a practical Chua's circuit based on a modified Chua's diode
Authors: Bao Bo‐Cheng , Jiang Pan , Xu Quan , Chen Mo
Published: November 2015

Hidden attractors were reported to find in a normalised Chua's equation. To find the hidden attractors in a practical Chua's circuit, a modified Chua's diode is presented and its equivalent realisation circuit is designed. On the basis of proposed modified Chua's diode, a new Chua's circuit is rebuilt and hidden attractors under special initial conditions are captured by numerical simulations and circuit simulations.
Wideband radar cross‐section reduction by AMC
Authors: Esmaeli S.H. , Sedighy S.H.
Published: November 2015

A new planar wideband chessboard structure is designed to reduce the radar cross‐section (RCS) of an object. This proposed chessboard configuration is composed of two different artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) tiles. One of these tiles is formed by saltire arrow unit cells, whereas the other one is formed by four E‐shaped ones. A 180° ± 30° phase difference between these tiles achieved by precise design of the AMC unit cells of more than 9.4–23.28 GHz (85%) reduces the RCS by more than 10 dB. The fabricated board results show very good agreement with the simulated ones, which verify the ability and capability of the proposed structure.
Inductively coupled modular battery system for electric vehicles
Authors: Kandasamy Karthik , Vilathgamuwa Don Mahinda , Madawala Udaya Kumara , Tseng King‐Jet
Published: November 2015

This study proposes two novel modularised battery systems capable of controlling the power of each module independently, and with inductive interface for convenient battery swapping. The proposed systems aid in overcoming the limitations such as unavailability of electric vehicle (EV) due to battery pack fault and lengthy battery recharging time which largely hampers the adoption of EVs for personal transportation. The proposed systems consist of a plurality of battery modules which are wirelessly coupled to the EV through inductive power transfer technology. The proposed systems are described in detail, and models are presented to analyse their steady‐state behaviours. A design guideline for a 24 kWh 80 kW battery micro‐pack system is discussed. Performances of the proposed topologies are investigated using simulations. To demonstrate the applicability, prototype systems of 1.5 kW are implemented and tested under various operating conditions. Results convincingly indicate that the proposed systems improve the vehicle's availability under fault condition.
Enhanced double flying capacitor multicell power converter controlled with a new switching pattern
Authors: Dargahi Vahid , Khoshkbar Sadigh Arash , Corzine Keith
Published: November 2015

This study proposes an enhanced topology for pulse‐width‐modulated double flying capacitor multicell (DFCM) converter controlled with a new switching pattern in order to reduce voltage diversity and stored energy of flying capacitor (FC) to augment converter's integrity and modularity. The proposed power converter is a hybrid topology realised by cascade connection of DFCM and cascaded H‐bridge (CHB) converters while combining, employing, and featuring advantages of both converters. The dc voltage sources and also power switches forming CHB converters’ structure in the proposed hybrid topology possess low voltage‐ratings, hence imposing low additional costs and prices on DFCM converter whereas improving and enhancing output voltage power quality significantly by increasing the number of output voltage‐levels and improving output voltage frequency spectrum. This progress results in reducing the bulky and costly FCs, their voltage ratings and stored energy. The FC voltages of DFCM topology in the proposed hybrid converter get stabilised naturally at their requisite voltage‐levels because of the redundant charging/discharging states. First, experimental measurements of the three‐cell‐seven‐level DFCM are provided. Afterward, simulation results and experimental observations of 15‐level enhanced DFCM converter are presented to verify and validate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed topology as well as its suggested control and modulation strategy.
Current source converter based D-STATCOM for voltage sag mitigation
Authors: Singh Moirangthem Deben , Mehta Ram Krishna , Singh Arvind Kumar
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a novel method of realizing one of the custom power controllers, the distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) using current source converter (CSC) topology. Almost all the custom power controllers such as dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) including D-STATCOM are generally designed and implemented by using voltage source converters (VSC) and not much research publications with CSC based approach has been reported over the last one decade. Since the D-STATCOM is a current injection device, its performance can be improved when realized by a current-source converter which can generate a controllable current directly at its output terminals and offers many advantageous features. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the performance of a CSC based D-STATCOM suitable for use in the power distribution system in order to mitigate voltage sag and improve power quality. The proposed model uses a three leg CSC whose switching strategy is based on sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM). The model has been simulated in the Matlab/Simulink environment. The results of the simulation runs under steady state and dynamic load perturbation provide excellent voltage and current waveforms that support the justification of the proposed model.
Simple Implant Augmentation Rhinoplasty
Authors: Nguyen Anh H. , Bartlett Erica L. , Kania Katarzyna , Bae Sang Mo
Published: November 2015

Augmentation rhinoplasty among Asian patients is often performed to improve the height of the nasal dorsum. As the use of autogenous tissues poses certain limitations, alloplastic materials are a viable alternative with a long history of use in Asia. The superiority of one implant prosthesis over another for augmentation rhinoplasty is a matter of debate, with each material representing varying strengths and weaknesses, indications for use, and precautions to consider in nasal implant placement. An implant prosthesis should be used on a case-by-case basis. Augmentation rhinoplasty requires the consideration of specific anatomical preoperative factors, including the external nose, nasal length, nasofrontal angle, humps, and facial proportions. It is equally important to consider several operative guidelines to appropriately shape implants to minimize the occurrence of adverse effects and postoperative complications. The most common postoperative complications include infection, nasal height change, movement of implant prosthesis, and silicone implant protrusion. In addition, the surgeon should consider the current standards of Asian beauty aesthetics to better understand the patient's desired outcome.
Kinetics of chemi-ionization reactions of lanthanide metals (Nd, Sm) from 150 to 450 K
Authors: Ard Shaun G. , Shuman Nicholas S. , Martinez Oscar , Brumbach Michael T. , Viggiano Albert A.
Published: November 2015

The kinetics of chemi-ionization reactions of neodymium and samarium atoms with an oxygen atom to yield a metal monoxide cation and electron were studied using a flow tube apparatus over a temperature range of 150–450 K. Nd reacts efficiently with O, near the hard-sphere collision limit at all temperatures, with a rate constant of 3 × 10−10 cm3 s−1 at 300 K and a slight positive temperature dependence. No chemi-ionization of Nd with N2O was observed, despite the reaction being exothermic. Chemi-ionization of Sm with O is slow, with a rate constant at 300 K determined to be 7 × 10−12 cm3 s−1, although with large uncertainty. The Sm reaction also shows a slightly positive temperature dependence, described by a small activation energy of 60 meV. Although not definitive, the data suggest that excited states of Sm react efficiently whereas ground state Sm reacts inefficiently.
Electronic spectra of azaindole and its excited state mixing: A symmetry-adapted cluster configuration interaction study
Authors: Arulmozhiraja Sundaram , Coote Michelle L. , Hasegawa Jun-ya
Published: November 2015

Electronic structures of azaindole were studied using symmetry-adapted cluster configuration interaction theory utilizing Dunning’s cc-pVTZ basis set augmented with appropriate Rydberg spd functions on carbon and nitrogen atoms. The results obtained in the present study show good agreement with the available experimental values. Importantly, and contrary to previous theoretical studies, the excitation energy calculated for the important n–π∗ state agrees well with the experimental value. A recent study by Pratt and co-workers concluded that significant mixing of π-π∗ and n-π∗ states leads to major change in the magnitude and direction of the dipole moment of the upper state vibrational level in the 0,0 + 280 cm−1 band in the S1←S0 transition when compared to that of the zero-point level of the S1 state. The present study, however, shows that all the four lowest lying excited states, 1Lb π-π∗, 1La π-π∗, n-π∗, and π-σ∗, cross each other in one way or another, and hence, significant state mixing between them is likely. The upper state vibrational level in the 0,0 + 280 cm−1 band in the S1←S0 transition benefits from this four-state mixing and this can explain the change in magnitude and direction of the dipole moment of the S1 excited vibrational level. This multistate mixing, and especially the involvement of π-σ∗ state in mixing, could also provide a route for hydrogen atom detachment reactions. The electronic spectra of benzimidazole, a closely related system, were also investigated in the present study.
Scaling effects in Schottky contacts
Authors: Ruzin A.
Published: November 2015

This article reports on scaling effects in Schottky contacts on various types of semiconductors, including low resistivity, semi-intrinsic, and deep-level compensated. The investigation was performed using a finite element computation and drift-diffusion transport model. In low resistivity semiconductors, the currents scale with contact area as long as thermionic emission process dominates the current transport, with limited impact of velocity saturation effect. In high resistivity semiconductors, the scaling is much more complex due to the considerable impact of minority carrier contribution. In several cases, the currents scale with contact radius, rather than with area, due to corresponding electric field variations. In some compensated materials, the impact of velocity saturation was shown to boost the current, due to carrier accumulation and corresponding space charge variations.
Investigating size effects of complex nanostructures through Young-Laplace equation and finite element analysis
Authors: Lu Dingjie , Xie Yi Min , Li Qing , Huang Xiaodong , Zhou Shiwei
Published: November 2015

Analytical studies on the size effects of a simply-shaped beam fixed at both ends have successfully explained the sudden changes of effective Young's modulus as its diameter decreases below 100 nm. Yet they are invalid for complex nanostructures ubiquitously existing in nature. In accordance with a generalized Young-Laplace equation, one of the representative size effects is transferred to non-uniformly distributed pressure against an external surface due to the imbalance of inward and outward loads. Because the magnitude of pressure depends on the principal curvatures, iterative steps have to be adopted to gradually stabilize the structure in finite element analysis. Computational results are in good agreement with both experiment data and theoretical prediction. Furthermore, the investigation on strengthened and softened Young's modulus for two complex nanostructures demonstrates that the proposed computational method provides a general and effective approach to analyze the size effects for nanostructures in arbitrary shape.
Continuum modeling of the electric-field-induced tension in deforming lipid vesicles
Authors: McConnell Lane C. , Miksis Michael J. , Vlahovska Petia M.
Published: November 2015

We computationally investigate the deformation of a closed bilayer membrane (vesicle) in a DC electric pulse with a goal of understanding cell electroporation. The electric stresses exerted on the area-incompressible interface generate non-uniform tension that can exceed the membrane lysis tension and drive pore opening. Using the two-dimensional boundary integral method, we track the spatial and temporal evolution of the highest membrane tension. Our simulations highlight the dynamic nature of electrotension and, in contrast to the common assumption, a possibility of electroporation away from the poles.
Diffusion coefficients of Fokker-Planck equation for rotating dust grains in a fusion plasma
Authors: Bakhtiyari-Ramezani M. , Mahmoodi J. , Alinejad N.
Published: November 2015

In the fusion devices, ions, H atoms, and H2 molecules collide with dust grains and exert stochastic torques which lead to small variations in angular momentum of the grain. By considering adsorption of the colliding particles, thermal desorption of H atoms and normal H2 molecules, and desorption of the recombined H2 molecules from the surface of an oblate spheroidal grain, we obtain diffusion coefficients of the Fokker-Planck equation for the distribution function of fluctuating angular momentum. Torque coefficients corresponding to the recombination mechanism show that the nonspherical dust grains may rotate with a suprathermal angular velocity.