bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Route of Producing Zeolite A Resin for Quality‐Improved Detergents
Authors: Meshram Siddharth U. , Khandekar Urvi R. , Mane Savita M. , Mohan Akshay
Published: December 2014

Most of the commercial manufacturers of soap and detergents are still using sodium tripolyphosphate and trisodium phosphate as the builder material which results into eutrophication through laundry. Phosphate mainly originates from detergents and affects the aquatic ecosystem severely. This may increase decomposer organisms that require oxygen, which can deplete the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. To remedy this, many leading detergent manufacturers currently use zeolite A as the builder material which has proven to be a better substitute for phosphatic additives. Zeolite A is a three‐dimensional crystalline aluminosilicate resin having a high exchange capacity towards ions that cause water hardness. In spite of this tremendous potential, the high cost of zeolite A has limited its effective use in detergents. The specific objectives of this study were to synthesize zeolite A resin in a more economically viable fashion using waste material, a composite ash, which is the post‐combustion residue of rice husk blended with coal, and to formulate an eco‐friendly phosphate‐free detergent powder using the same. The studies also focused on evaluating its detergency action by analyzing moisture content, foam height, surface tension, tea/coffee stain test along, and alcohol solubility. The results show that the synthesized detergent has comparable detergency to two known commercial brands of detergent. This economical synthesis combined with the exceptional parameters of zeolite A resin, such as fine particle size, high exchange capacity, inert nature, and anti‐redeposition properties, makes this detergent an elite and cost‐effective product.
Biochemical Characterization of Purified Esterase from Soybean (Glycine max) Seed
Authors: de Barros Márcio , Macedo Gabriela Alves
Published: December 2014

Alkaline esterase (carboxylic‐ester hydrolases; EC 3.1.1.1) extracted from germinated soybean seeds (Glycine max) was purified approximately 3.6 times by chromatography in a DEAE‐cellulose anion exchange column and filtration in Sephadex G100 gel. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated at 45 kDa by gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). The purified enzyme showed a specific activity of 5.6 U mg−1 using p‐nitrophenyl butyrate as substrate. The esterase showed optimal activity at 47 °C in moderately alkaline pH, low stability in temperatures higher than 50 °C, and high stability at pH values between 6 and 9.5. The Ca2+ and Co2+ ions proved to have a positive effect on enzyme activity; however, Hg2+ completely inhibited esterase activity. Using p‐nitrophenyl butyrate as substrate, the enzyme showed a Km of 0.39 mM, Vmax of 31.5 mM mg−1 min−1 and kcat 7.60 × 106 s−1. Regarding substrate affinity, the enzyme showed greater activity for substrates containing short‐chain fatty acids, especially p‐nitrophenyl acetate. Such characteristics give the enzyme great potential for application in the production of low molecular weight esters, in the food industry, and in chemical products. This enzyme is another new member of the family of lipases and esterases from vegetable seeds with high activity and stability in alkaline pH.
The pentapeptide LQVVR plays a pivotal role in human cystatin C fibrillization
Authors: Tsiolaki Paraskevi L. , Hamodrakas Stavros J. , Iconomidou Vassiliki A.
Published: December 2014

Human cystatin C (HCC) is a low molecular weight member of the cystatin family (type2). HCC consists of 120 amino acids. Normally it is an inhibitor of cysteine proteases, but in pathological conditions it forms amyloid fibrils in brain arteries of young adults. An ‘aggregation‐prone’ pentapeptide (47LQVVR51) was located within the HCC sequence using AmylPred, an ‘aggregation‐prone’ peptide prediction algorithm developed in our lab. This peptide was synthesized and self‐assembled into amyloid‐like fibrils in vitro, as electron microscopy, X‐ray fiber diffraction, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier‐Transform Spectroscopy and Congo red staining studies reveal. Thus, the 47LQVVR51 peptide seems to have an important role in HCC fibrillization.
Creation of targeted genomic deletions using TALEN or CRISPR/Cas nuclease pairs in one‐cell mouse embryos
Authors: Brandl Christina , Ortiz Oskar , Röttig Bernhard , Wefers Benedikt , Wurst Wolfgang , Kühn Ralf
Published: December 2014

The use of TALEN and CRISPR/CAS nucleases is becoming increasingly popular as a means to edit single target sites in one‐cell mouse embryos. Nevertheless, an area that has received less attention concerns the engineering of structural genome variants and the necessary religation of two distant double‐strand breaks. Herein, we applied pairs of TALEN or sgRNAs and Cas9 to create deletions in theRab38 gene. We found that the deletion of 3.2 or 9.3 kb, but not of 30 kb, occurs at a frequency of 6–37%. This is sufficient for the direct production of mutants by embryo microinjection. Therefore, deletions up to ∼10 kb can be readily achieved for modeling human disease alleles. This work represents an important step towards the establishment of new protocols that support the ligation of remote DSB ends to achieve even larger rearrangements.
Operational and strategic information processing: Complementing healthcare IT infrastructure
Authors: Gardner John W. , Boyer Kenneth K. , Gray John V.
Published: December 2014

Healthcare information technologies (HIT) have been promoted as key enablers of improved patient safety, reduced medical errors, and increased patient satisfaction but have yielded mixed results. Drawing upon information processing theory and quality management concepts, we examine HIT infrastructure simultaneously with two distinct means of processing information: (1) operational use of error data for detecting and reducing hospital errors, and (2) strategic use of objective data for organizational planning. We use time‐sequenced data to examine HIT infrastructure (secondary data in 2008), information processing mechanisms (primary survey data from 258 hospitals in 2009), and two measures of hospital performance: (1) care quality, and (2) patient satisfaction (secondary data in 2010). Using hierarchical regression analysis we find that whether and how investments in HIT infrastructure are complemented by information processing mechanisms depends upon the performance measure under consideration and the form of information processing employed. Specifically, operational error processing complements HIT infrastructure in its association with higher care quality but not with patient satisfaction. In comparison, higher levels of strategic information processing complement HIT infrastructure in its association with higher patient satisfaction.
Short telomere length in peripheral blood leukocyte predicts poor prognosis and indicates an immunosuppressive phenotype in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Qu Falin , Li Renli , He Xianli , Li Qiucheng , Xie Shuang , Gong Li , Ji Gang , Lu Jianguo , Bao Guoqiang
Published: December 2014

Compelling evidences indicate that relative telomere length (RTL) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) can predict the clinical outcome of several cancers. However, to date, the prognostic value of leukocyte RTL in gastric cancer (GC) patients has not been explored. In this study, relative telomere length (RTL) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) was measured using a real‐time PCR‐based method in a total of 693 GC patients receiving surgical resection. The prognostic value of leukocyte RTL was first explored in the training set (112 patients) using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Then an independent cohort of 581 patients was used as a validation set. To explore potential mechanism, we detected the immunophenotypes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma concentrations of several cytokines in GC patients. Patients with short RTL showed significantly worse overall survival (OS) and relapse‐free survival (RFS) than those with long RTL in all patient sets. Furthermore, leukocyte RTL and TNM stage exhibited a notable joint effect in prognosis prediction. Integration of TNM stage and leukocyte RTL significantly improved the prognosis prediction efficacy for GC. In addition, we found that patients with short RTL had a higher CD4+ T cell percentage in PBMCs, CD19+IL‐10+ Breg percentage in B cells and plasma IL‐10 concentration, indicating an enhanced immunosuppressive status with short leukocyte RTL. In conclusion, our study for the first time demonstrates that leukocyte RTL is an independent prognostic marker complementing TNM stage and associated with an immunosuppressive phenotype in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in GC patients.
Macro-Economic Cycles Related to Climate change in Dynastic China
Authors: Wei Zhudeng , Rosen Arlene M. , Fang Xiuqi , Su Yun , Zhang Xuezhen
Published: December 2014

Investigations of the relationships between climate and human history often place more emphasis on the science of climate change than on understanding human socio-economic processes, and therefore suffer from superficial results and an unbalanced perspective. This is partly due to the lack of high-resolution data concerning long-term socio-economic processes. Here, we base our study of climate and society on a series of 2130-yr-long economic proxy data from China with decadal resolution. The economy was associated significantly with temperature and precipitation at the two predominant bands of 100 and 320 yr. The phase transition of economic states was influenced positively by long-term temperature change combined with triggering effects of short-term changes in precipitation. However, climatic impact on economy should not be recognized as simple causality but some driving-response relation coupled with meditation by human agency at multiple scales. A model of ‘adaptive cycles’ implies, in relative to the developing phases, climate–economy relationship during the declining phases was more easily moderated by slower processes like rigidity and faster processes like unrest. From a more-macro perspective, climatic driving for the macro-economic cycles was moderated by larger and slower processes like social memory, spatial shifting of key economic areas, and social–technical advance.
Optimal laser intensity profiles for a uniform target illumination in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Temporal Mauro , Canaud Benoit , Garbett Warren J. , Ramis Rafael
Published: December 2014

A numerical method providing the optimal laser intensity profiles for a direct-drive inertial confinement fusion scheme has been developed. The method provides an alternative approach to phase-space optimization studies, which can prove computationally expensive. The method applies to a generic irradiation configuration characterized by an arbitrary number

$N_{B}$

of laser beams provided that they irradiate the whole target surface, and thus goes beyond previous analyses limited to symmetric configurations. The calculated laser intensity profiles optimize the illumination of a spherical target. This paper focuses on description of the method, which uses two steps: first, the target irradiation is calculated for initial trial laser intensities, and then in a second step the optimal laser intensities are obtained by correcting the trial intensities using the calculated illumination. A limited number of example applications to direct drive on the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) are described.
The bearable gooeyness of swimming
Authors: Lauga Eric
Published: December 2014

Understanding biolocomotion in fluids has long been a focus of fluid dynamicists. One method to quantify the impact of environmental stresses on locomotion is to systematically change the mechanical properties of the surrounding medium, and measure how that change influences swimming kinematics and energetics. In a recently published investigation, Gagnon et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 758, 2014, R3) employ that approach to investigate the locomotion of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in complex fluids. Specifically, they characterize experimentally how the presence of shear-thinning rheology influences the flow around the organism and its swimming ability. Surprisingly, while they measure an important change to the flow structure around the organism, they find no change in its waving motion and the speed at which it is able to swim. While ‘gooeyness’ is a universal feature of natural biological and environmental media, C. elegans seems to find it perfectly bearable.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have a sustained stimulatory effect on corticosterone release after chronic treatment
Authors: Krass Maarja , Volke Annika , Rünkorg Kertu , Wegener Gregers , Lund Sten , Abildgaard Anders , Vasar Eero , Volke Vallo
Published: December 2014

Objective

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a new group of antidiabetic medications quickly gaining popularity. We aimed to examine behavioural and neuroendocrine changes following chronic treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists in animal models.

Methods

The effects of chronic treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists were determined on behavioural parameters [anxiety level in the light–dark compartment test, the motor activity in automated activity cages, immobility in the forced swimming test (FST)] and on corticosterone release in mice. The possible antidepressant effect of chronic liraglutide treatment was also studied in Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats, a genetic model of depression.

Results

Two weeks of treatment with exenatide (10 µg /kg twice daily) or liraglutide (1200 µg/kg once daily) did not affect the anxiety level in a light–dark compartment test nor induce an antidepressant-like effect in the FST in mice. Moreover, chronic treatment with liraglutide had no effect on depression-related behaviour in FSL rats. Interestingly, hypolocomotion induced by the drugs in mice disappeared after chronic dosing. Both of the GLP-1 receptor agonists induced robust increases in corticosterone levels in mice under basal conditions as well as in the case of combination with swimming stress. Remarkably, exenatide was as potent a stimulator of corticosterone release after 2 weeks as after acute administration.

Conclusions

The increases in corticosterone release seen after acute exenatide or liraglutide treatment do not abate after 2 weeks of treatment demonstrating that tolerance does not develop towards this particular effect of GLP-1 agonists.
Contribution of nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptors to the anti-nociceptive and hypothermic effects of dipyrone
Authors: Ertin Ismet Hande , Gunduz Ozgur , Ulugol Ahmet
Published: December 2014

Background

Dipyrone is one of the most commonly used non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Its anti-nociceptive and hypothermic effects have long been suspected to be centrally mediated. The involvement of the most recently discovered opioid peptide, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), and its receptor (NOP) in pain transmission is controversial. It appears to be pro-nociceptive when administered supra-spinally, but exerts anti-nociceptive effects when injected spinally or systemically.

Objective

Investigation of the role of the N/OFQ system in paracetamol-induced anti-nociception and hypothermia led us to determine its role in the anti-nociceptive and hypothermic effects of dipyrone.

Material and Methods

Hot-plate and tail-flick tests were used to assess nociception, and a rectal thermometer was used to measure rectal temperature in mice.

Results

Mice injected with dipyrone (150, 300, 600 mg/kg, i.p.) displayed dose-related anti-nociception and hypothermia. The NOP receptor antagonist JTC-801 (3 mg/kg, i.p.), at a dose that exerted no effect when used alone, alleviated dipyrone-induced anti-nociception but did not reverse dipyrone-induced hypothermia.

Conclusion

We conclude that NOP receptors participate in the anti-nociceptive, but not in the hypothermic, effects of dipyrone.
Effect of electron beam on the properties of electron-acoustic rogue waves
Authors: El-Shewy E. K. , Elwakil S. A. , El-Hanbaly A. M. , Kassem A. I.
Published: December 2014

The properties of nonlinear electron-acoustic rogue waves have been investigated in an unmagnetized collisionless four-component plasma system consisting of a cold electron fluid, Maxwellian hot electrons, an electron beam and stationary ions. It is found that the basic set of fluid equations is reduced to a nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The dependence of rogue wave profiles and the associated electric field on the carrier wave number, normalized density of hot electron and electron beam, relative cold electron temperature and relative beam temperature are discussed. The results of the present investigation may be applicable in auroral zone plasma.
Did Adultery Mandate Divorce? A Reassessment of Jesus' Divorce Logia
Authors: Loader William R. G.
Published: December 2014

This paper argues that Matthew's so-called exception clauses to the prohibition of divorce (5.32; 19.9) make explicit what was already implicit in versions without them: that adultery required divorce. While biblical law required death for adulterers or expected it as a result of the ordeal of the suspected wife, the issue of divorce arose where communities no longer had capital rights and where guilt was not in question. Matthew's nativity story, the norms of Greek and Roman culture, notions of the defiled wife (Deut 24.1-4) and the use of Gen 2.24 to indicate permanent joining give plausibility to the thesis.
Paul's Triumphal Procession Imagery (2 Cor 2.14–16a): Neglected Points of Background
Authors: Guthrie George H.
Published: December 2014

This article seeks a fresh assessment of Paul'spompa triumphalisimagery at 2 Cor. 2.14–16a by probing a number of neglected aspects of both lexical and cultural background. Included are (1) an analysis of the use of θριαμβεύω in the Greco-Roman literature, with special attention given to claims made concerning the word's use with direct objects; (2) a lexicology of ὀσμή and εὐωδία in literatures of the period; and (3) a probing of the language of ‘salvation’ in the passage, with attention given to a feature of the triumphal procession parades that has until now failed to garner attention in investigations of the passage.
Clinical epidemiology and molecular profiling of human bocavirus in faecal samples from children with diarrhoea in Guangzhou, China
Authors: ZHANG D.-M. , MA M.-M. , WEN W.-T. , ZHU X. , XU L. , HE Z.-J. , HE X. , WU J.-H. , HU Y.-W. , ZHENG Y. , DENG Y. , LIN C.-J. , LU J.-H. , LI M.-F. , CAO K.-Y.
Published: December 2014

To understand the clinical epidemiology and molecular characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV) infection in children with diarrhoea in Guangzhou, South China, we collected 1128 faecal specimens from children with diarrhoea from July 2010 to December 2012. HBoV and five other major enteric viruses were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Human rotavirus (HRV) was the most prevalent pathogen, detected in 250 (22·2%) cases, followed by enteric adenovirus (EADV) in 76 (6·7%) cases, human astrovirus (HAstV) in 38 (3·4%) cases, HBoV in 17 (1·5%) cases, sapovirus (SaV) in 14 (1·2%) cases, and norovirus (NoV) in 9 (0·8%) cases. Co-infections were identified in 3·7% of the study population and 23·5% of HBoV-positive specimens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 14 HBoV strains to be clustered into species HBoV1 with only minor variations among them. Overall, the detection of HBoV appears to partially contribute to the overall detection gap for enteric infections, single HBoV infection rarely results in severe clinical outcomes, and HBoV sequencing data appears to support conserved genomes across strains identified in this study.
Erythrocyte–Platelet Interaction in Uncomplicated Pregnancy
Authors: Swanepoel Albe C. , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: December 2014

Maternal and fetal requirements during uncomplicated pregnancy are associated with changes in the hematopoietic system. Platelets and erythrocytes [red blood cells (RBCs)], and especially their membranes, are involved in coagulation, and their interactions may provide reasons for the changed hematopoietic system during uncomplicated pregnancy. We review literature regarding RBC and platelet membrane structure and interactions during hypercoagulability and hormonal changes. We then study interactions between RBCs and platelets in uncomplicated pregnancy, as their interactions may be one of the reasons for increased hypercoagulability during uncomplicated pregnancy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study whole blood smears from 90 pregnant females in different phases of pregnancy. Pregnancy-specific interaction was seen between RBCs and platelets. Typically, one or more platelets interacted through platelet spreading and pseudopodia formation with a single RBC. However, multiple interactions with RBCs were also shown for a single platelet. Specific RBC–platelet interaction seen during uncomplicated pregnancy may be caused by increased estrogen and/or increased fibrinogen concentrations. This interaction may contribute to the hypercoagulable state associated with healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy and may also play a fundamental role in gestational thrombocytopenia.
Heritability of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Receptor Type 1 Expression and Vitamin D Levels in Healthy Adolescent Twins
Authors: Mills Natalie T. , Wright Margie J. , Henders Anjali K. , Eyles Darryl W. , Baune Bernhard T. , McGrath John J. , Byrne Enda M. , Hansell Narelle K. , Birosova Eva , Scott James G. , Martin Nicholas G. , Montgomery Grant W. , Wray Naomi R. , Vinkhuyzen Anna A. E.
Published: December 2014

Cytokines and vitamin D both have a role in modulating the immune system, and are also potentially useful biomarkers in mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia. Studying the variability of cytokines and vitamin D in a healthy population sample may add to understanding the association between these biomarkers and mental illness. To assess genetic and environmental contributions to variation in circulating levels of cytokines and vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D: 25(OH)D3), we analyzed data from a healthy adolescent twin cohort (mean age 16.2 years; standard deviation 0.25). Plasma cytokine measures were available for 400 individuals (85 MZ, 115 DZ pairs), dried blood spot sample vitamin D measures were available for 378 individuals (70 MZ, 118 DZ pairs). Heritability estimates were moderate but significant for the cytokines transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), 0.57 (95% CI 0.26–0.80) and tumor necrosis factor-receptor type 1 (TNFR1), 0.50 (95% CI 0.11–0.63) respectively. Measures of 25(OH)D3 were within normal range and heritability was estimated to be high (0.86, 95% CI 0.61–0.94). Assays of other cytokines did not generate meaningful results. These potential biomarkers may be useful in mental illness, with further research warranted in larger sample sizes. They may be particularly important in adolescents with mental illness where diagnostic uncertainty poses a significant clinical challenge.
Perianale Erkrankungen – Dermatologische Perspektive
Authors: Häffner Andreas , Vanoli Monique , Zepter Karoline
Published: December 2014

Perianale Dermatosen sind ein häufiges Problem, mit deren Behandlung verschiedene medizinische Fachdisziplinen konfrontiert werden. Aus Gründen der Scham dauert es häufig lange, bis die Betroffenen ärztliche Behandlung suchen. Hinter den geäußerten Beschwerden verbirgt sich eine Vielzahl von Differentialdiagnosen, die neben infektiösen, primär entzündlichen, allergischen und neoplastischen Dermatosen, systemische Erkrankungen, pharmakologische Auslöser und Erkrankungen des Ano-Rektums umfasst. Eine systematische Diagnostik und Therapie, die vor allem auch eine interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit einschließt, ist deshalb von entscheidender Bedeutung, um eine rasche und nachhaltige Abheilung zu erzielen.
Systems Pharmacology of the NGF Signaling Through p75 and TrkA Receptors
Authors: Toni T , Dua P , van der Graaf P H
Published: December 2014

The nerve growth factor (NGF) pathway has been shown to play a key role in pain treatment. Recently, a systems pharmacology model has been proposed that can aid in the identification and validation of drug targets in the NGF pathway. However, this model did not include the role of the p75 receptor, which modulates the signaling of NGF through the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA). The precise mechanism of the interaction between these two receptors has not been completely elucidated, and we therefore adopted a systems pharmacology modeling approach to gain understanding of the effect of p75 on the dynamics of NGF signal transduction. Specifically, models were developed for the so‐called heterodimer and for the ligand‐passing hypotheses. We used the model to compare the effect of inhibition of NGF and TrkA and its implication for drug discovery and development for pain treatment.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e150; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.48; published online 03 December 2014
Using ionic liquid combined with HPLC-DAD to analyze semi-permanent hair dyes in commercial formulations
Authors: Franco Jefferson Honorio , Silva Bianca F. , Zanoni Maria V. B.
Published: December 2014

IL addition can be used to improve the HPLC-DAD detection of hair dyes. Hair dyes are detected in beauty salon wastewater and commercial formulations. IL promotes a better separation of acidic and basic dyes and higher symmetry of chromatographic peaks.
Electrochemical evaluation of a boron-doped diamond electrode for simultaneous determination of an antihypertensive ternary mixture of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan in pharmaceuticals
Authors: Mansano Guilherme Roberto , Pires Eisele Ana Paula , Sartori Elen Romão
Published: December 2014

The simultaneous voltammetric determination of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan using a boron-doped diamond electrode is reported for the first time.
A multi-functional probe to discriminate Lys, Arg, His, Cys, Hcy and GSH from common amino acids
Authors: Lu Xiuhong , Wang Wen , Dong Qian , Bao Xiaolong , Lin Xianfeng , Zhang Weixing , Dong Xiaochun , Zhao Weili
Published: December 2014

A smart probe to classify and differentiate basic amino acids, thiol-containing amino acids and GSH in selected environments.
Compact multi-enzyme pathways in P. pastoris
Authors: Geier Martina , Fauland Pia , Vogl Thomas , Glieder Anton
Published: December 2014

2A peptides enabling the coordinate expression of nine genes in P. pastoris represent a valuable tool for pathway construction and engineering.
Amide–triazole isosteric substitution for tuning self-assembly and incorporating new functions into soft supramolecular materials
Authors: Bachl Jürgen , Mayr Judith , Sayago Francisco J. , Cativiela Carlos , Díaz Díaz David
Published: December 2014

We report the proof-of-concept demonstration for the synthesis of novel supramolecular soft gel materials based on amide–triazole isometric substitution.
Photo-induced sequence defined macromolecules via hetero bifunctional synthons
Authors: Zydziak Nicolas , Feist Florian , Huber Birgit , Mueller Jan O. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: December 2014

We report the first photochemical protocol for the generation of sequence defined macromolecules employing two hetero bifunctional photoreactive synthons, exploiting the orthogonal nature of photochemical – via the use of caged dienes – and thermally driven ligation protocols.
Oxygen reduction reaction on neighboring Fe–N4 and quaternary-N sites of pyrolized Fe/N/C catalyst
Authors: Saputro Adhitya G. , Kasai Hideaki
Published: December 2014

Interactions of Fe–N4 and quaternary-N sites at the zigzag edge of graphene enhance the ORR free-energy profile of the quaternary-N site.
Application of three-coordinate copper(i) complexes with halide ligands in organic light-emitting diodes that exhibit delayed fluorescence
Authors: Osawa Masahisa , Hoshino Mikio , Hashimoto Masashi , Kawata Isao , Igawa Satoshi , Yashima Masataka
Published: December 2014

Conventional bottom-emitting devices with three-layered structures containing sublimable three-coordinate copper(i) complexes produce bright green luminescence with maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQE) of 18.6–22.5%.
Hybrid interfacial layer leads to solid performance improvement of inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Wei , Wu Yongzhen , Liu Jian , Qin Chuanjiang , Yang Xudong , Islam Ashraful , Cheng Yi-Bing , Han Liyuan
Published: December 2014

A hybrid interfacial layer of ultrathin NiO/meso-Al2O3with minimal optical/recombination losses, leads to solid performance improvement of inverted perovskite solar cells.
Online mercury determination by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with the assistance of solution cathode glow discharge
Authors: Zheng Peichao , Liu Hongdi , Wang Jinmei , Shi Minjie , Wang Xiaomeng , Zhang Bin , Yang Rui
Published: December 2014

The trace mercury in an aqueous solution was determined by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with the assistance of a solution cathode glow discharge (SCGD) system.
Improving energy conversion efficiency for triboelectric nanogenerator with capacitor structure by maximizing surface charge density
Authors: He Xianming , Guo Hengyu , Yue Xule , Gao Jun , Xi Yi , Hu Chenguo
Published: December 2014

The charge density on a dielectric polymer is determined by capacitance and can be maximized by mixing the polymer with some carbon nanoparticles.
Fe/N/C hollow nanospheres by Fe(iii)-dopamine complexation-assisted one-pot doping as nonprecious-metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction
Authors: Zhou Dan , Yang Liping , Yu Linghui , Kong Junhua , Yao Xiayin , Liu Wanshuang , Xu Zhichuan , Lu Xuehong
Published: December 2014

Hollow nanospheres with N-doped carbon shells and Fe3O4nanoparticles prepared by one-pot doping exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performances for ORR.
Fixation of sulfur dioxide into small molecules
Authors: Liu Gang , Fan Congbin , Wu Jie
Published: December 2014

Recent advances in the insertion of sulfur dioxide under transition metal catalysis or metal-free conditions via a radical process are presented.
Synthesis of unsaturated phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphates and the effects of substrate unsaturation on SopB phosphatase activity
Authors: Furse Samuel , Mak LokHang , Tate Edward W. , Templer Richard H. , Ces Oscar , Woscholski Rüdiger , Gaffney Piers R. J.
Published: December 2014

Single enantiomers of PI-4-P, with a range ofsn-2-fatty acid esters, were prepared efficiently. The effects of the degree ofsn-2-unsaturation on the kinetic parameters ofSopB were determined.
Phosphine-stabilized Pd nanoparticles supported on silica as a highly active catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Sahu Debojeet , Das Pankaj
Published: December 2014

Highly dispersed silica-supported Pd nanoparticles were synthesizedviaa simple strategy. The material showed excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions and could be reused several times.
ZnO/ITO core/shell nanostructure electrodes for future prototype solar cell devices
Authors: Devika Mudusu , Reddy Nandanapalli Koteeswara , Tu Charles W.
Published: December 2014

Crystalline ZnO/ITO core/shell nanostructures were developed and the devices fabricated with single NR showed excellent Ohmic characteristics under dark and light.
Novel aqueous synthesis methods for ZnTe/ZnSe and Mn2+-doped ZnTe/ZnSe Type-II core/shell quantum dots
Authors: Song Yu , Li Yang , Wang Xinyan , Su Xingguang , Ma Qiang
Published: December 2014

In this paper, novel approaches for the synthesis of Type-II core/shell quantum dots (ZnTe/ZnSe QDs) and Mn2+-doped Type-II core/shell quantum dots (Mn : ZnTe/ZnSe QDs) with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as stabilizer were proposed.
ZnO@ZnS core/shell microrods with enhanced gas sensing properties
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Shurong , Wang Yanshuang , Zhu Zhenyu , Gao Xueling , Yang Jiedi , Zhang Hong xin
Published: December 2014

The fabricated ZnO@ZnS core/shell microrod sensor showed an enhanced response to several common reductive volatile organic pollutants.
Multicomponent synthesis of pyridines via diamine functionalized mesoporous ZrO2 domino intramolecular tandem Michael type addition
Authors: Pagadala Ramakanth , Kommidi Devendar Reddy , Rana Surjyakanta , Maddila Suresh , Moodley Brenda , Koorbanally N. A. , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B.
Published: December 2014

A new and straightforward synthetic method was developed for the facile synthesis of heterocycle-fused pyridine derivatives in aqueous media from Knoevenagel condensation between an aromatic aldehyde and an active methylene compound.
Luminescent Zn(ii)–terpyridine metal–organic gel for visual recognition of anions
Authors: Xiao Bowen , Zhang Qiqi , Huang Chengzhi , Li Yuanfang
Published: December 2014

Luminescent metal–organic gels (MOGs), which is comprised of zinc ion and Hcptpy, can widely differentiate anions in two steps, which is visible with the naked eye.
Review of recent progress in chemical stability of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Niu Guangda , Guo Xudong , Wang Liduo
Published: December 2014

The understanding of how the chemical stability of PSCs is affected by oxygen and moisture, UV light, the solution process, and temperature was reviewed.
Topochemical transformation of Co(ii) coordination polymers to Co3O4 nanoplates for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Guo Jinxue , Jiang Bin , Zhang Xiao , Tang Lin , Wen Yong-hong
Published: December 2014

Co3O4 nanoplates were prepared for the first time via a topochemical route from a MOF template for high, fast and stable lithium storage.
Characterization of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4spinel electrode in the presence of 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene as additive
Authors: Perea Alexis , Zaghib Karim , Bélanger Daniel
Published: December 2014

The addition of 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene to the electrolyte led to improved capacity retention of a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4cathode when cycled between 3.5 and 5.0 V (vs.Li+/Li).
Electrochemical conversion of Ni2(OH)2CO3 into Ni(OH)2 hierarchical nanostructures loaded on a carbon nanotube paper with high electrochemical energy storage performance
Authors: Chen Hongyuan , Kang Yiran , Cai Feng , Zeng Sha , Li Weiwei , Chen Minghai , Li Qingwen
Published: December 2014

Amorphous Ni2(OH)2CO3 nanowire arrays on a CNT paper were electrochemically converted into a Ni(OH)2 nanosheet with high capacitance for supercapacitors.
Fabrication of long-range ordered, broccoli-like SERS arrays and application in detecting endocrine disrupting chemicals
Authors: Chen Jing , Qin Gaowu , Shen Wen , Li Yiyan , Das Biswajit
Published: December 2014

3D periodic broccoli-like Au and Ag SERS arrays having reliability, reproducibility, long-term stability, and high-sensitivity have been fabricated and are used for detecting phthalates.
Metabolic alterations, HFE gene mutations and atherogenic lipoprotein modifications in patients with primary iron overload
Authors: Meroño Tomás , Brites Fernando , Dauteuille Carolane , Lhomme Marie , Menafra Martín , Arteaga Alejandra , Castro Marcelo , Saez María Soledad , Ballerga Esteban González , Sorroche Patricia , Rey Jorge , Lesnik Philippe , Sordá Juan Andrés , Chapman M. John , Kontush Anatol , Daruich Jorge
Published: December 2014

Iron overload (IO) has been associated with glucose metabolism alterations and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Primary IO is associated with mutations in the HFE gene. To which extent HFE gene mutations and metabolic alterations contribute to the presence of atherogenic lipoprotein modifications in primary IO remains undetermined. The present study aimed to assess small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, chemical composition of LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, and HDL functionality in IO patients. Eighteen male patients with primary IO and 16 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited. HFE mutations (C282Y, H63D and S65C), measures of insulin sensitivity and secretion (calculated from the oral glucose tolerance test), chemical composition and distribution profile of LDL and HDL subfractions (isolated by gradient density ultracentrifugation) and HDL functionality (as cholesterol efflux and antioxidative activity) were studied. IO patients compared with controls exhibited insulin resistance (HOMA-IR (homoeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance): +93%, P< 0.001). Metabolic profiles differed across HFE genotypes. C282Y homozygotes (n=7) presented a reduced β-cell function and insulin secretion compared with non-C282Y patients (n=11) (−58% and −73%, respectively, P< 0.05). In addition, C282Y homozygotes featured a predominance of large, buoyant LDL particles (C282Y: 43±5; non-C282Y: 25±8; controls: 32±7%; P< 0.001), whereas non-C282Y patients presented higher amounts of small, dense LDL (C282Y: 23±5; non-C282Y: 39±10; controls: 26±4%; P< 0.01). HDL particles were altered in C282Y homozygotes. However, HDL functionality was conserved. In conclusion, metabolic alterations and HFE gene mutations are involved in the presence of atherogenic lipoprotein modifications in primary IO. To what extent such alterations could account for an increase in CVD risk remains to be determined.
Effect of pH on the structural and optical properties of nanostructured CdO films grown by chemical bath deposition technique
Authors: Ismail Raid A. , Ahmed Hani H. , Al‐Samarai Abdul‐Majeed E. , Mohmed Sabre J.
Published: December 2014

Nanostructured cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films have been deposited on glass substrates using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique at different pH values. To obtain good film stoichiometry, the heating of films in static air at a temperature of 573 K for 3 h was carried out. X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscope investigations confirmed the cubic structure of the deposited CdO films. Films prepared with pH = 12.4 are almost homogeneous and consisted of nanowires with diameters of less than 100 nm. The optical properties showed that the CdO films prepared have an average optical transmittance of ∼86% and the optical bandgap varied from 2.38 to 2.57 eV for pH solutions of 10.2 and 12.4, respectively. The effect of pH on the film thickness, grain size and root‐mean square of roughness was investigated and analysed.
Melittin based on silica nanoparticles for Agrobacterium tumefaciens inhibition
Authors: Li Chun‐Mei , Li Bai‐Ge , Yu Jian‐Ping
Published: December 2014

An effective method for Agrobacterium tumefaciens inhibition using silica nanoparticles (NPs) as the carrier and melittin as the antibacterial drug is developed. The diameters of the inhibition zones of A. tumefaciens treated with different concentrations of melittin‐conjugated silica NPs, pure silica NPs, gentamicin and free melittin are determined. The results indicate that the pure silica NPs have no impact on A. tumefaciens. The melittin‐conjugated silica NPs have strong antibacterial activity against A. tumefaciens. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the melittin‐conjugated silica NPs is dose dependent. The diameter of the inhibition zone caused by the melittin‐conjugated silica NPs is almost the same as the positive control. Compared with the free drug molecules, silica NPs as an ideal carrier can gather a large number of drug molecules on their surface so as to greatly enhance the antibacterial activity.
Observation of high-spin mixed oxidation state of cobalt in ceramic Co3TeO6
Authors: Singh Harishchandra , Ghosh Haranath , Chandrasekhar Rao T. V. , Sinha A. K. , Rajput Parasmani
Published: December 2014

We report coexistence of high spin Co3+ and Co2+ in ceramic Co3TeO6 using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES), DC magnetization, and first principles ab-initio calculations. The main absorption line of cobalt Co K-edge XANES spectra, along with a linear combination fit, led us to estimate relative concentration of Co2+ and Co3+as 60:40. The pre edge feature of XANES spectrum shows crystal field splitting of ∼1.26 eV between eg and t2g states, suggesting a mixture of high spin states of both Co2+ and Co3+. Temperature dependent high field DC magnetization measurements reveal dominant antiferromagnetic order with two Neel temperatures (TN1 ∼ 29 K and TN2 ∼ 18 K), consistent with single crystal study. A larger effective magnetic moment is observed in comparison to that reported for single crystal (which contains only Co2+), supports our inference that Co3+ exists in high spin state. Furthermore, we show that both Co2+ and Co3+ being in high spin states constitute a favorable ground state through first principles ab-initio calculations, where Rietveld refined synchrotron X-ray diffraction data are used as input.
Features of space-charge-limited emission in foil-less diodes
Authors: Wu Ping , Sun Jun , Yuan Keliang , Liu Guozhi
Published: December 2014

Space-charge-limited (SCL) current can always be obtained from the blade surface of annular cathodes in foil-less diodes which are widely used in O-type relativistic high power microwave generators. However, there is little theoretical analysis regarding it due to the mathematical complexity, and almost all formulas about the SCL current in foil-less diodes are based on numerical simulation results. This paper performs an initial trial in calculation of the SCL current from annular cathodes theoretically under the ultra-relativistic assumption and the condition of infinitely large guiding magnetic field. The numerical calculation based on the theoretical research is coherent with the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation result to some extent under a diode voltage of 850 kV. Despite that the theoretical research gives a much larger current than the PIC simulation (41.3 kA for the former and 9.7 kA for the latter), which is induced by the ultra-relativistic assumption in the theoretical research, they both show the basic characteristic of emission from annular cathodes in foil-less diodes, i.e., the emission enhancement at the cathode blade edges, especially at the outer edge. This characteristic is confirmed to some extent in our experimental research of cathode plasma photographing under the same diode voltage and a guiding magnetic field of 4 T.
High-quality II-VI films grown on amorphous substrates using tunable tetradymite templates
Authors: Stoica V. A. , Endicott L. , Shen H. H. , Liu W. , Sun K. , Uher C. , Clarke R.
Published: December 2014

We demonstrate the growth of highly oriented CdSe and ZnTe films at ∼300 °C on amorphous substrates such as glass and flexible polyimide using ultrathin tetradymite buffer layers composed of SbxBi2-xTe3 alloys lattice-matched to the film overgrowth. This leads to significant improvement of the crystallinity, roughness, grain size, and pit density of the II-VI overlayer along with enhancement of the optoelectronic properties. For example, photoluminescence emission is observed at ∼1.74 eV for optimized CdSe films, the same as in a single crystal reference. An in-plane carrier diffusion length of ∼500 nm is inferred from transient optical data. The use of tetradymite buffer layers to control II-VI compound deposition on non-crystalline substrates is a promising route for large area optoelectronic applications such as photovoltaic, light-emission, or infrared detector devices.
Spontaneous magnetization in the polar phase of Bi1−xCaxFeO3−2/x perovskites: The role of anion vacancies
Authors: Khomchenko V. A. , Paixão J. A.
Published: December 2014

Investigation of crystal structure, microstructure, local ferroelectric, and magnetic properties of the aliovalent-doped Bi0.95Ca0.05Fe1−yByO3 (B = Ti and Mn; y = 0, 0.05, 0.1) perovskites has been carried out at room temperature to illustrate the role of anion vacancies in the suppression of cycloidal antiferromagnetic order taking place in the polar (x ≤ 0.1) phase of Bi1−xCaxFeO3−x/2 multiferroics upon Ca2+ substitution. The compounds have been shown to possess the noncentrosymmetric rhombohedral structure specific to the parent Bi0.95Ca0.05FeO2.975. B-site substitution eliminating the oxygen vacancies suppresses a weak ferromagnetic contribution characteristic of the low-doped Bi1−xCaxFeO3−x/2 ferrites. Over-compensatory Ti4+ doping (resulting in the appearance of cation vacancies in the host lattice) restores the weak ferromagnetic phase. The lattice defects dramatically affect both microstructure and ferroelectric domain structure of the Bi0.95Ca0.05Fe1−yByO3 perovskites and tend to decrease an average size of crystal grains and ferroelectric domains. These observations pave the way for understanding the conditions favoring the coexistence of spontaneous magnetization and polarization in BiFeO3-based multiferroics.
Changes in vegetation composition and plant diversity with rangeland degradation in the alpine region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Tang Lin , Dong Shikui , Sherman Ruth , Liu Shiliang , Liu Quanru , Wang Xuexia , Su Xukun , Zhang Yong , Li Yuanyuan , Wu Yu , Zhao Haidi , Zhao Chen , Wu Xiaoyu
Published: December 2014

The changes in vegetation composition and plant diversity of three different alpine ecosystems: alpine meadow, alpine steppe and alpine desert, impacted by different levels of degradation (healthy, lightly degraded and moderately degraded) were examined across a large-scale transect on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The alpine meadow was dominated by sedges, the alpine steppe was dominated by grasses and the alpine desert was dominated by shrubs. The alpine meadow had the highest species diversity, whereas the alpine steppe had the lowest and tended to be dominated by a few species. Forbs were the dominant and most diverse functional group in the alpine meadow and the alpine steppe, which was different from the alpine desert. The importance values of the dominant species and levels of diversity measured by various vegetation indices were only slightly different in the degraded sites as compared with the non-degraded alpine meadow and steppe, whereas the alpine desert showed large changes in the composition and diversity of the plant community in response to degradation. In conclusion, the plant composition of the alpine meadow and alpine steppe ecosystems was more stable and appeared more resistant to disturbance than that of the alpine desert ecosystem.
Robust spectrotemporal decomposition by iteratively reweighted least squares
Authors: Ba Demba , Babadi Behtash , Purdon Patrick L. , Brown Emery N.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Classical spectral estimation techniques use sliding windows to enforce temporal smoothness of the spectral estimates of signals with time-varying spectrotemporal representations. This widely applied approach is not well-suited to signals that have low-dimensional, highly structured time–frequency representations. We develop a new Bayesian spectral decomposition framework—spectrotemporal pursuit—to compute spectral estimates that are smooth in time and sparse in frequency. We use a statistical interpretation of sparse recovery to derive efficient algorithms for computing spectrotemporal pursuit spectral estimates. We apply spectrotemporal pursuit to achieve a more precise delineation of the oscillatory structure of human electroencephalogram and neural spiking data under propofol general anesthesia. Spectrotemporal pursuit offers a principled alternative to existing methods for decomposing a signal into a small number of oscillatory components.