bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation and release of a bacterial carotenoid from hydrogel matrix: Characterization, kinetics and antioxidant study
Authors: Bera Surojit , Dutta Debjani
Published: February 2017

Various natural polymers with hydrophilic properties have been used to form hydrogels for the encapsulation and delivery of nutrients and drugs in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among them, chitosan (ChiHG)‐ and alginate (AlgHG)‐ based hydrogels have been extensively explored for delivery of several nutraceuticals in recent years. Release of natural canthaxanthin (CX) obtained from Dietzia maris NITD (accession number: HM151403) has been investigated with emphasis on biomedical applications. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in degree of swelling and moisture content (% dry basis) were found after encapsulation of bacterial canthaxanthin (BCX), but the gel content remained unchanged. BCX encapsulation efficiency was calculated to be 55.92% and 60.45% in ChiHG and AlgHG, respectively. A noticeable change in heat of fusion d melting point was recorded in ChiHG and AlgHG after BCX encapsulation. Swelling and BCX release from gel matrix was performed under two different pH (1.2 and 7.4). The results showed that swelling of hydrogel and BCX release was facilitated at higher pH (7.4) than acidic pH (1.2). With regard to the release kinetics data, it was found that BCX is released from bothand AlgHG in a diffusion transport method. In addition, antioxidant activity of BCX encapsulated hydrogels was found significantly higher (P < 0.001) in terms of DPPH, ABTS, nitrite, hydroxyl radical scavenging and reducing power assay. These results indicated that BCX can be successfully encapsulated into a polymeric hydrogel to obtain a dynamic biomaterial that may be used in drug delivery applications in future.
Experimental investigations on combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of stationary CI engine fueled with diesel–methanol and biodiesel–methanol blends
Authors: Jamrozik Arkadiusz , Tutak Wojciech , Pyrc Michał , Sobiepański Michał
Published: February 2017

This article presents the experimental studies of the one‐cylinder, stationary diesel engine powered by blends of diesel and biodiesel with methanol. In the case of diesel–methanol mixture (DM) investigated, there is up to 40% of the alcohol content in the mixture, while in the case of biodiesel–methanol mixture (BM), the share of the alcohol was up to 50%. The normal combustion process achieved up to 30% of alcohol fraction. Further increase in the alcohol content led to a significant drop in cylinder pressure and the abnormal combustion process. The analysis of the test results showed that in both cases the alcohol content in the mixture should not exceed 30%. In case of DM blend, the increase in ITE by 13% and for BM by 11% compared to powering by diesel or biodiesel fuel. IMEP is kept on near the same level equal to 6.6 bar for DM and 5.8 bar for BM. For these mixtures, it was not exceeded the limited value of COVIMEP equal to 10. The increase in the methanol content up to 30% does not significantly affect changes in emissions of hydrocarbons (THC) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and reduces emission of carbon monoxide (CO). The increase in methanol fraction in blend up to 30% causes large decrease in CO emission (of about 60%) and it does not cause significant changes in hydrocarbon emissions THC and CO2. This methanol fraction causes the increase in NOx emission. The emission of NOx was increased by 68% for DM and by 35% for BM. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1151–1163, 2017
Probabilistic‐based secrecy rate maximisation for MIMOME wiretap channels: Towards novel convexification procedures
Authors: Zamanipour Makan
Published: February 2017

The paper first provides a general overview on the existing probabilistic‐driven methods aimed at convexifying the secrecy rate maximisation problem. Challenges and requirements of the procedures are fully taken into consideration for multiinput multioutput multiantenna eavesdropper wiretap channels. The problem constrained by an outage probability for the pure Ergodic capacity (perfect secrecy defined by Shannon) is analytically solved. Such analytical solution is performed robustly, something that originates principally from our imperfect statistical knowledge of the wiretap channel at the transmitter. Then, solely concentrating on McDiarmid inequality, we also extend our previous work to propose 2 new approaches. The bounds of our represented schemes are obviously accurate, tight, and achievable, something that effectively guarantee the system to overcome the probable challenges, eg, correlation in multiinput multioutput antenna arrays. Furthermore, the procedures are straightforwardly compared with each other from standpoint of complexity. Results are technically conducted to assure us about the proposed methods' merits, merely defining the significantly more favourable asymptotic bounds and the less resultant complexities. In particular, our proposed approaches sensibly outperform all the procedures, per se, something that can be accordingly assigned for other ergodic equilibria.
A new fifth order finite difference WENO scheme for Hamilton‐Jacobi equations
Authors: Zhu Jun , Qiu Jianxian
Published: February 2017

In this continuing paper of (Zhu and Qiu, J Comput Phys 318 (2016), 110–121), a new fifth order finite difference weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (WENO) scheme is designed to approximate the viscosity numerical solution of the Hamilton‐Jacobi equations. This new WENO scheme uses the same numbers of spatial nodes as the classical fifth order WENO scheme which is proposed by Jiang and Peng (SIAM J Sci Comput 21 (2000), 2126–2143), and could get less absolute truncation errors and obtain the same order of accuracy in smooth region simultaneously avoiding spurious oscillations nearby discontinuities. Such new WENO scheme is a convex combination of a fourth degree accurate polynomial and two linear polynomials in a WENO type fashion in the spatial reconstruction procedures. The linear weights of three polynomials are artificially set to be any random positive constants with a minor restriction and the new nonlinear weights are proposed for the sake of keeping the accuracy of the scheme in smooth region, avoiding spurious oscillations and keeping sharp discontinuous transitions in nonsmooth region simultaneously. The main advantages of such new WENO scheme comparing with the classical WENO scheme proposed by Jiang and Peng (SIAM J Sci Comput 21 (2000), 2126–2143) are its efficiency, robustness and easy implementation to higher dimensions. Extensive numerical tests are performed to illustrate the capability of the new fifth WENO scheme. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1095–1113, 2017
Exact and approximation product solutions form of heat equation with nonlocal boundary conditions using Ritz–Galerkin method with Bernoulli polynomials basis
Authors: Barikbin Z. , Keshavarz Hedayati E.
Published: February 2017

In this article, a new method is introduced for finding the exact solution of the product form of parabolic equation with nonlocal boundary conditions. Approximation solution of the present problem is implemented by the Ritz–Galerkin method in Bernoulli polynomials basis. The properties of Bernoulli polynomials are first presented, then Ritz–Galerkin method in Bernoulli polynomials is used to reduce the given differential equation to the solution of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the techniques presented in this article for finding the exact and approximation solutions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1143–1158, 2017
Influence of carbon black and carbon nanotubes on the conductivity, morphology, and rheology of conductive ternary polymer blends
Authors: Brigandi Paul J. , Cogen Jeffrey M. , Reffner John R. , Wolf Casey A. , Pearson Raymond A.
Published: February 2017

The influence of carbon black (CB) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) with different colloidal properties on the phase morphology, electrical properties, and rheological behavior in a polypropylene (PP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) ternary polymer blend was studied. A PP/PMMA/(EAA‐CNT) system was compared to two different PP/PMMA/(EAA‐CB) systems. The relationship between the phase morphology, electrical percolation threshold, and rheological behavior was analyzed. The critical percolation threshold for the ternary system was found to be around 0.5 vol% for the PP/PMMA/(EAA‐CB1) and 0.2 vol% for the PP/PMMA/(EAA‐CB2) and PP/PMMA/(EAA‐CNT), which were more than 8 times lower than for the single phase systems. The rheological threshold coincided with the electrical resistivity percolation threshold inversion point. It was proposed that beyond a critical loading of conductive filler particles in the minor EAA phase, especially for high aspect ratio fillers such as the CB2 and CNT, phase separation is slowed significantly due to the aggregation of particles into a network formation within the EAA phase causing a significant increase in phase viscosity. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the kinetics of phase separation and resulting formation of a tri‐continuous morphology are dictated by the viscosity of the minor phase relative to the two major phases. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1329–1339, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Concepts for external light trapping and its utilization in colored and image displaying photovoltaic modules
Authors: van Dijk Lourens , van de Groep Jorik , Veldhuizen Leon W. , Di Vece Marcel , Schropp Ruud E. I.
Published: February 2017

The reflection of incident sunlight prevents photovoltaic modules from reaching their full energy conversion potential. Recently, we demonstrated significant absorption enhancement in various solar cells by external light trapping, using 3D‐printed and milled light traps. In order to facilitate direct module integration, we introduce an external light trapping design concept tackling the reflection issues at the module level. In this module design, a lens array on the module cover glass funnels the incident sunlight through small apertures in a reflective coating at the backside of the cover glass. This adapted cover glass can be applied on a conventional module design. The reflector and the solar cells together form an optical cavity, in which most reflected light is recycled by directing the reflected light back to the solar cell. A unique feature of this light trapping module is its capability to simultaneously recycle the broadband reflection from the metal front grid, the front interfaces, the reflective backside of the cell, and the white back sheet. Moreover, it allows separate integration and contacting of low and high bandgap solar cells for highly efficient hybrid tandem modules that have no current matching related losses. We show five module designs for improved light management combined with additional features such as color and image display. We discuss the optimal harvesting of the diffuse and direct component of the sunlight. The outlook of highly efficient, colored, and even image displaying modules makes this technology an interesting candidate for a new class of photovoltaic modules. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benzimidazole‐indole‐chalcone connected methacrylate‐based side chain D‐π‐A polymer and its application in organic photovoltaics
Authors: Selvam Ramasamy , Subramanian Kathavarayan
Published: February 2017

Herein, we report four metal‐free organic polymethacrylates (In‐In‐BzI)PMA, (Ac‐In‐BzI)PMA, (TPA‐In‐BzI)PMA, and (Py‐In‐BzI)PMA with pendant chromophores donor‐π‐conjugated‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) molecular framework as photosensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In which the donor‐acceptor units are attached by an indole‐chalcone extending side chain to inhibit back electron transfer and charge recombination; the π‐linker component contains varied chalcone‐based substituents to enhance the sunlight‐harvesting ability of the solar device. Photon‐current cells based on the DSSC format were fabricated using the polymers as sensitizers. The DSSC device assembled using (TPA‐In‐BzI)PMA exhibits a considerably better IPCE peak and J–V response, with an overall power conversion efficiency of 3.70% under the illumination of AM 1.5G (100 mW cm–2). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 997–1007
High‐density polyethylene/expanded graphite nanocomposites produced by polymerization‐filling technique using an industrial heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: da Cruz Kátia Z. C , Casagrande Adriana C. A. , Casagrande Osvaldo L.
Published: February 2017

High‐density polyethylene nanocomposites with different expanded graphite (EG) contents (0.34–1.80 wt %) were prepared by polymerization‐filling technique using an industrial heterogeneous catalyst (cat K), and characterized using a range techniques: melting flow index (MFI), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The MFI data showed that EG acts as a plasticizer decreasing melt viscosity in comparison to neat HDPE produced exclusively by cat K. DSC results showed that EG nucleated the HDPE crystallization as established by the increased crystallization temperature, and the degree of crystallinity. HDPE/EG nanocomposites displayed a significant improvement in the flexural (increased from 1458 to 1831 MPa), and storage modulus (increased from 122 to 1627 MPa) at only 1.80 wt % EG content. TEM images confirmed a homogeneous distribution of EG into the polymer matrix with the presence of dispersed, intercalated and aggregated EG nanofillers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 55, 1260–1267
Classical information transfer between distant quantum dots using individual electrons in fast moving quantum dots
Authors: Hermelin Sylvain , Bertrand Benoit , Takada Shintaro , Yamamoto Michihisa , Tarucha Seigo , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Bäuerle Christopher , Meunier Tristan
Published: February 2017

Over the past two decades, lateral quantum dots have permitted a tremendous advancement in the manipulation of individual electrons. In order to have a complete toolbox for electronics at the single electron level, local manipulation in a quantum dot needs to be associated with the controlled transport of individual electrons. Here, we review results on the transfer of individual electrons and their spin degree of freedom between distant lateral quantum dots. The electron is transported in a surface acoustic wave‐generated moving quantum dot, with an efficiency of 92%. Furthermore, we will review recent results showing that classical spin information/magnetization can be partially transferred using this method. The fidelity was proven to be limited by the current sample design and implementation, and no fundamental limitation was met. This transfer capability opens new avenues in spin‐based quantum information processing and in the implementation of quantum optics experiments with flying electrons.
Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val(108/158)Met polymorphism affects fronto-limbic connectivity during emotional processing in bipolar disorder
Authors: Vai B. , Riberto M. , Poletti S. , Bollettini I. , Lorenzi C. , Colombo C. , Benedetti F.
Published: February 2017

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines, Val/Val genotype was associated to an increased amygdala (Amy) response to negative stimuli and can influence the symptoms severity and the outcome of bipolar disorder, probably mediated by the COMT polymorphism (rs4680) interaction between cortical and subcortical dopaminergic neurotransmission. The aim of this study is to explore how rs4680 and implicit emotional processing of negative emotional stimuli could interact in affecting the Amy connectivity in bipolar depression. Forty-five BD patients (34 Met carriers vs. 11 Val/Val) underwent fMRI scanning during implicit processing of fearful and angry faces. We explore the effect of rs4680 on the strength of functional connectivity from the amygdalae to whole brain. Val/Val and Met carriers significantly differed for the connectivity between Amy and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and supramarginal gyrus. Val/Val patients showed a significant positive connectivity for all of these areas, where Met carriers presented a significant negative one for the connection between DLPFC and Amy. Our findings reveal a COMT genotype-dependent difference in corticolimbic connectivity during affective regulation, possibly identifying a neurobiological underpinning of clinical and prognostic outcome of BD. Specifically, a worse antidepressant recovery and clinical outcome previously detected in Val/Val patients could be associated to a specific increased sensitivity to negative emotional stimuli.
Street Music in London in the Nineteenth Century: ‘Evidence’ from Charles Dickens, Charles Babbage and Lucy Broadwood
Authors: Watt Paul
Published: February 2017

What evidence is there that street music was widespread, problematic and immoral in nineteenth-century London? This article re-examines a substantial literature that has been used to build a case or argument of the pervasive notion that street music was a curse in nineteenth-century London. Looking at a variety of sources afresh the article argues that historical evidence has often been misunderstood, misread or misconstrued in establishing historical narratives about street music in nineteenth-century London.
The Effects of Single- and Multiple-Weed Interference on Soybean Yield in the Far-Eastern Region of Russia
Authors: Song Jong-Seok , Kim Jin-Won , Im Ji-Hoon , Lee Kyu-Jong , Lee Byun-Woo , Kim Do-Soon
Published: February 2017

Lack of understanding the effects of single- and multiple-weed interference on soybean yield has led to inadequate weed management in Primorsky Krai, resulting in much lower average yield than neighboring regions. A 2 yr field experiment was conducted in a soybean field located in Bogatyrka (43.82°N, 131.6°E), Primorsky Krai, Russia, in 2013 and 2014 to investigate the effects of single and multiple interference caused by naturally established weeds on soybean yield and to model these effects. Aboveground dry weight was negatively affected the most by weed interference, followed by number of pods and seeds. Soybean yield under single-weed interference was best demonstrated by a rectangular hyperbolic model, showing that common ragweed and barnyardgrass were the most competitive weed species, followed by annual sowthistle, American sloughgrass, and common lambsquarters. In the case of multiple-weed interference, soybean yield loss was accurately described by a multivariate rectangular hyperbolic model, with total density equivalent as the independent variable. Parameter estimates indicated that weed-free soybean yields were similar in 2013 and 2014, i.e., estimated as 1.72 t and 1.75 t ha−1, respectively, and competitiveness of each weed species was not significantly different between the two years. Economic thresholds for single-weed interference were 0.74, 0.66, 1.15, 1.23, and 1.45 plants m−2for common ragweed, barnyardgrass, annual sowthistle, American sloughgrass, and common lambsquarters, respectively. The economic threshold for multiple-weed interference was 0.70 density equivalent m−2. These results, including the model, thus can be applied to a decision support system for weed management in soybean cultivation under single and multiple-weed interference in Primorsky Krai and its neighboring regions of Russia.
Kynurenine pathway metabolomics predicts and provides mechanistic insight into multiple sclerosis progression
Authors: Lim Chai K. , Bilgin Ayse , Lovejoy David B. , Tan Vanessa , Bustamante Sonia , Taylor Bruce V. , Bessede Alban , Brew Bruce J. , Guillemin Gilles J.
Published: February 2017

Activation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism results from chronic inflammation and is known to exacerbate progression of neurodegenerative disease. To gain insights into the links between inflammation, the KP and multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, we investigated the KP metabolomics profile of MS patients. Most significantly, we found aberrant levels of two key KP metabolites, kynurenic acid (KA) and quinolinic acid (QA). The balance between these metabolites is important as it determines overall excitotoxic activity at the N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor. We also identified that serum KP metabolic signatures in patients can discriminate clinical MS subtypes with high sensitivity and specificity. A C5.0 Decision Tree classification model discriminated the clinical subtypes of MS with a sensitivity of 91%. After validation in another independent cohort, sensitivity was maintained at 85%. Collectively, our studies suggest that abnormalities in the KP may be associated with the switch from early-mild stage MS to debilitating progressive forms of MS and that analysis of KP metabolites in MS patient serum may have application as MS disease biomarkers.
Preoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization cannot improve the long term outcome of radical therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jianyong Lei , Jinjing Zhong , Lunan Yan , Jingqiang Zhu , Wentao Wang , Yong Zeng , Bo Li , Tianfu Wen , Jiaying Yang
Published: February 2017

Combinations of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radical therapies (pretransplantation, resection and radiofrequency ablation) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported as controversial issues in recent years. A consecutive sample of 1560 patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A/B HCC who underwent solitary Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), resection or liver transplantation (LT) or adjuvant pre-operative TACE were included. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates and tumor-free survival rates were comparable between the solitary radical therapy group and TACE combined group in the whole group and in each of the subgroups (RFA, resection and LT) (P > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, according to BCLC stage A or B, the advantages of adjuvant TACE were also not observed (P > 0.05). A Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) more than 4, multiple tumor targets, BCLC stage B, and poor histological grade were significant contributors to the overall and tumor-free survival rates. In conclusions, our results indicated that preoperative adjuvant TACE did not prolong long-term overall or tumor-free survival, but LT should nevertheless be considered the first choice for BCLC stage A or B HCC patients. Radical therapies should be performed very carefully in BCLC stage B HCC patients.
Thermal conductance of Nb thin films at sub-kelvin temperatures
Authors: Feshchenko A. V. , Saira O.-P. , Peltonen J. T. , Pekola J. P.
Published: February 2017

We determine the thermal conductance of thin niobium (Nb) wires on a silica substrate in the temperature range of 0.1–0.6 K using electron thermometry based on normal metal-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions. We find that at 0.6 K, the thermal conductance of Nb is two orders of magnitude lower than that of Al in the superconducting state, and two orders of magnitude below the Wiedemann-Franz conductance calculated with the normal state resistance of the wire. The measured thermal conductance exceeds the prediction of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory, and demonstrates a power law dependence on temperature as T4.5, instead of an exponential one. At the same time, we monitor the temperature profile of the substrate along the Nb wire to observe possible overheating of the phonon bath. We show that Nb can be successfully used for thermal insulation in a nanoscale circuit while simultaneously providing an electrical connection.
Failure and recovery in dynamical networks
Authors: Böttcher L. , Luković M. , Nagler J. , Havlin S. , Herrmann H. J.
Published: February 2017

Failure, damage spread and recovery crucially underlie many spatially embedded networked systems ranging from transportation structures to the human body. Here we study the interplay between spontaneous damage, induced failure and recovery in both embedded and non-embedded networks. In our model the network’s components follow three realistic processes that capture these features: (i) spontaneous failure of a component independent of the neighborhood (internal failure), (ii) failure induced by failed neighboring nodes (external failure) and (iii) spontaneous recovery of a component. We identify a metastable domain in the global network phase diagram spanned by the model’s control parameters where dramatic hysteresis effects and random switching between two coexisting states are observed. This dynamics depends on the characteristic link length of the embedded system. For the Euclidean lattice in particular, hysteresis and switching only occur in an extremely narrow region of the parameter space compared to random networks. We develop a unifying theory which links the dynamics of our model to contact processes. Our unifying framework may help to better understand controllability in spatially embedded and random networks where spontaneous recovery of components can mitigate spontaneous failure and damage spread in dynamical networks.
A seed-expanding method based on random walks for community detection in networks with ambiguous community structures
Authors: Su Yansen , Wang Bangju , Zhang Xingyi
Published: February 2017

Community detection has received a great deal of attention, since it could help to reveal the useful information hidden in complex networks. Although most previous modularity-based and local modularity-based community detection algorithms could detect strong communities, they may fail to exactly detect several weak communities. In this work, we define a network with clear or ambiguous community structures based on the types of its communities. A seed-expanding method based on random walks is proposed to detect communities for networks, especially for the networks with ambiguous community structures. We identify local maximum degree nodes, and detect seed communities in a network. Then, the probability of a node belonging to each community is calculated based on the total probability model and random walks, and each community is expanded by repeatedly adding the node which is most likely to belong to it. Finally, we use the community optimization method to ensure that each node is in a community. Experimental results on both computer-generated and real-world networks demonstrate that the quality of the communities detected by the proposed algorithm is superior to the- state-of-the-art algorithms in the networks with ambiguous community structures.
Molecular mutagenesis of ppGpp: turning a RelA activator into an inhibitor
Authors: Beljantseva Jelena , Kudrin Pavel , Jimmy Steffi , Ehn Marcel , Pohl Radek , Varik Vallo , Tozawa Yuzuru , Shingler Victoria , Tenson Tanel , Rejman Dominik , Hauryliuk Vasili
Published: February 2017

The alarmone nucleotide (p)ppGpp is a key regulator of bacterial metabolism, growth, stress tolerance and virulence, making (p)ppGpp-mediated signaling a promising target for development of antibacterials. Although ppGpp itself is an activator of the ribosome-associated ppGpp synthetase RelA, several ppGpp mimics have been developed as RelA inhibitors. However promising, the currently available ppGpp mimics are relatively inefficient, with IC50 in the sub-mM range. In an attempt to identify a potent and specific inhibitor of RelA capable of abrogating (p)ppGpp production in live bacterial cells, we have tested a targeted nucleotide library using a biochemical test system comprised of purified Escherichia coli components. While none of the compounds fulfilled this aim, the screen has yielded several potentially useful molecular tools for biochemical and structural work.
Antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice compound CePt3P
Authors: Chen Jian , Wang Zhen , Zheng Shiyi , Feng Chunmu , Dai Jianhui , Xu Zhu’an
Published: February 2017

A new ternary platinum phosphide CePt3P was synthesized and characterized by means of magnetic, thermodynamic and transport measurements. The compound crystallizes in an antiperovskite tetragonal structure similar to that in the canonical family of platinum-based superconductors APt3P (A = Sr, Ca, La) and closely related to the noncentrosymmetric heavy fermion superconductor CePt3Si. In contrast to all the superconducting counterparts, however, no superconductivity is observed in CePt3P down to 0.5 K. Instead, CePt3P displays a coexistence of antiferromagnetic ordering, Kondo effect and crystalline electric field effect. A field-induced spin-flop transition is observed below the magnetic ordering temperature TN1 of 3.0 K while the Kondo temperature is of similar magnitude as TN1. The obtained Sommerfeld coefficient of electronic specific heat is γCe = 86 mJ/mol·K2 indicating that CePt3P is a moderately correlated antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice compound.
Hysteretic photochromic switching of Eu-Mg defects in GaN links the shallow transient and deep ground states of the Mg acceptor
Authors: Singh A. K. , O’Donnell K. P. , Edwards P. R. , Lorenz K. , Kappers M. J. , Boćkowski M.
Published: February 2017

Although p-type activation of GaN by Mg underpins a mature commercial technology, the nature of the Mg acceptor in GaN is still controversial. Here, we use implanted Eu as a ‘spectator ion’ to probe the lattice location of Mg in doubly doped GaN(Mg):Eu. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of this material exemplifies hysteretic photochromic switching (HPS) between two configurations, Eu0 and Eu1(Mg), of the same Eu-Mg defect, with a hyperbolic time dependence on ‘switchdown’ from Eu0 to Eu1(Mg). The sample temperature and the incident light intensity at 355 nm tune the characteristic switching time over several orders of magnitude, from less than a second at 12.5 K, ~100 mW/cm2 to (an estimated) several hours at 50 K, 1 mW/cm2. Linking the distinct Eu-Mg defect configurations with the shallow transient and deep ground states of the Mg acceptor in the Lany-Zunger model, we determine the energy barrier between the states to be 27.7(4) meV, in good agreement with the predictions of theory. The experimental results further suggest that at low temperatures holes in deep ground states are localized on N atoms axially bonded to Mg acceptors.
The molecular basis of talin2’s high affinity toward β1-integrin
Authors: Yuan Yaxia , Li Liqing , Zhu Yanyan , Qi Lei , Azizi Latifeh , Hytönen Vesa P. , Zhan Chang-Guo , Huang Cai
Published: February 2017

Talin interacts with β-integrin tails and actin to control integrin activation, thus regulating focal adhesion dynamics and cell migration. There are two talin genes, Tln1 and Tln2, which encode talin1 and talin2, and it is generally believed that talin2 functions redundantly with talin1. However, we show here that talin2 has a higher affinity to β1-integrin tails than talin1. Mutation of talin2 S339 to leucine, which can cause Fifth Finger Camptodactyly, a human genetic disease, completely disrupted its binding to β–integrin tails. Also, substitution of talin1 C336 with Ser enhanced the affinity of talin1, whereas substitution of talin2 S339 with Cys diminished that of talin2. Further computational modeling analysis shows that talin2 S339 formed a hydrogen bond with E353, which is critical for inducing key hydrogen bonds between talin2 N326 and β1-integrin R760, and between talin2 K327 and β1-integrin D759. Mutation at any of these residues significantly diminished the interaction of talin2 with β1- integrin tails. These hydrogen bonds were not observed in talin1/β1-integrin, but did exist in talin1C336S/β1-integrin complex. These results suggest that talin2 S339 forms a hydrogen bond with E353 to mediate its high affinity to β1-integrin.
Promoting Cas9 degradation reduces mosaic mutations in non-human primate embryos
Authors: Tu Zhuchi , Yang Weili , Yan Sen , Yin An , Gao Jinquan , Liu Xudong , Zheng Yinghui , Zheng Jiezhao , Li Zhujun , Yang Su , Li Shihua , Guo Xiangyu , Li Xiao-Jiang
Published: February 2017

CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful new tool for genome editing, but this technique creates mosaic mutations that affect the efficiency and precision of its ability to edit the genome. Reducing mosaic mutations is particularly important for gene therapy and precision genome editing. Although the mechanisms underlying the CRSIPR/Cas9-mediated mosaic mutations remain elusive, the prolonged expression and activity of Cas9 in embryos could contribute to mosaicism in DNA mutations. Here we report that tagging Cas9 with ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation signals can facilitate the degradation of Cas9 in non-human primate embryos. Using embryo-splitting approach, we found that shortening the half-life of Cas9 in fertilized zygotes reduces mosaic mutations and increases its ability to modify genomes in non-human primate embryos. Also, injection of modified Cas9 in one-cell embryos leads to live monkeys with the targeted gene modifications. Our findings suggest that modifying Cas9 activity can be an effective strategy to enhance precision genome editing.
Calcium phosphate bone cement/mesoporous bioactive glass composites for controlled growth factor delivery
Authors: Schumacher M. , Reither L. , Thomas J. , Kampschulte M. , Gbureck U. , Lode A. , Gelinsky M.
Published: February 2017

The composites of calcium phosphate bone cements and mesoporous bioactive glass allow the controlled, local delivery of growth factors into specific bone defects while maintaining their biologic activity.
Enhanced bioreduction-responsive biodegradable diselenide-containing poly(ester urethane) nanocarriers
Authors: Wei Chao , Zhang Yan , Song Zhongchen , Xia Yiru , Xu Heng , Lang Meidong
Published: February 2017

Enhanced bioreduction responsive nanocarriers based on diselenide-containing poly(ε-caprolactone) based poly(ester urethane) were developed with superior therapeutic efficacy.
A new strategy towards the synthesis of a room-temperature discotic nematic liquid crystal employing triphenylene and pentaalkynylbenzene units
Authors: Gupta Monika , Gupta Santosh Prasad , Rasna M. V. , Adhikari Debashis , Dhara Surajit , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: February 2017

A new approach for the design of a room temperature ND liquid crystal dimer plausibly through folding of dimeric unit as suggested by modelling in the mesophase derived from X-ray scattering results and DFT calculations.
Heterodinuclear titanium/zinc catalysis: synthesis, characterization and activity for CO2/epoxide copolymerization and cyclic ester polymerization
Authors: Garden Jennifer A. , White Andrew J. P. , Williams Charlotte K.
Published: February 2017

The preparation of heterodinuclear complexes, especially those comprising early-late transition metals coordinated by a simple or symmetrical ancillary ligand, represents a fundamental challenge and an opportunity to prepare catalysts benefitting from synergic properties.
Theoretical and numerical analysis of nano-actuators based on grafted polyelectrolytes in an electric field
Authors: Brilliantov N. V. , Budkov Yu. A. , Seidel C.
Published: February 2017

We analyze, theoretically and by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the generation of mechanical force by a polyelectrolyte (PE) chain grafted to a plane and exposed to an external electric field; the free end of the chain is linked to a deformable target body. Varying the field, one can alter the length of the non-adsorbed (bulk) part of the chain and hence the deformation of the target body and the arising force. We focus on the impact of added salt on the magnitude of the generated force, which is especially important for applications. In particular, we develop a simple variational theory for the double layer formed near electrodes to compute the electric field acting on the bulk part of the chain. Our theoretical predictions agree well with the MD simulations. Next, we study the effectiveness of possible PE-based nano-vices, comprised of two clenching planes connected by PEs exposed to an external electric field. We analyze a novel phenomenon – two-dimensional diffusion of a nano-particle, clenched between two planes, and introduce a quantitative criterion for clenching efficiency, the clenching coefficient. It is defined as a logarithm of the ratio of the diffusion coefficients of a free and clenched particle. Using first a microscopic counterpart of the Coulomb friction model, and then a novel microscopic model based on surface phonons, with the vibration direction normal to the surface, we calculate the clenching coefficient as a function of the external electric field. Our results demonstrate a dramatic decrease of the diffusion coefficient of a clenched nano-particle for the range of parameters relevant for applications; this proves the effectiveness of the PE-based nano-vices.
A low-cost smartphone-based platform for highly sensitive point-of-care testing with persistent luminescent phosphors
Authors: Paterson Andrew S. , Raja Balakrishnan , Mandadi Vinay , Townsend Blane , Lee Miles , Buell Alex , Vu Binh , Brgoch Jakoah , Willson Richard C.
Published: February 2017

Time-gated imaging on a smartphone of a lateral flow test strip run with persistent luminescent nanophosphors.
Active droplet sorting in microfluidics: a review
Authors: Xi Heng-Dong , Zheng Hao , Guo Wei , Gañán-Calvo Alfonso M. , Ai Ye , Tsao Chia-Wen , Zhou Jun , Li Weihua , Huang Yanyi , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Tan Say Hwa
Published: February 2017

This review presents the fundamentals of different active methods for sorting droplets in microfluidics.
Designing an efficient multi-epitope oral vaccine against Helicobacter pylori using immunoinformatics and structural vaccinology approaches
Authors: Nezafat Navid , Eslami Mahboobeh , Negahdaripour Manica , Rahbar Mohammad Reza , Ghasemi Younes
Published: February 2017

In this study, we have applied bioinformatics approaches to design potential vaccine target for oral immunization against Helicobacter pylori.
Protein subcellular localization prediction using multiple kernel learning based support vector machine
Authors: Hasan Md. Al Mehedi , Ahmad Shamim , Molla Md. Khademul Islam
Published: February 2017

An efficient multi-label protein subcellular localization prediction system was developed by introducing multiple kernel learning (MKL) based support vector machine (SVM).
Mesoporous carbon confined palladium–copper alloy composites for high performance nitrogen selective nitrate reduction electrocatalysis
Authors: Fan Jianwei , Xu Huawei , Lv Menghua , Wang Jinxiu , Teng Wei , Ran Xianqiang , Gou Xiao , Wang Xiaomin , Sun Yu , Yang Jianping
Published: February 2017

A mesoporous carbon confined PdCu bimetallic electrocatalyst is fabricated, which delivers a superior nitrate conversion yield and nitrogen selectivity.
Photocatalytic esterification under Mitsunobu reaction conditions mediated by flavin and visible light
Authors: März M. , Chudoba J. , Kohout M. , Cibulka R.
Published: February 2017

Excited flavin facilitates stereoselective coupling of alcohols and acids to esters in the presence of triphenylphosphine and catalytic amount of dialkyl hydrazinedicarboxylate.
The binding of free and copper-complexed fluoroquinolones to OmpF porins: an experimental and molecular docking study
Authors: C. F. Sousa , J. T. S. Coimbra , I. Gomes , R. Franco , P. A. Fernandes , P. Gameiro
Published: February 2017

Bacterial resistance is a critical public health issue and the development of alternative antibiotics to counteract this problem is an urgent matter.
Highly efficient visible-light-driven plasmonic photocatalysts based on graphene oxide mediated hybridization of graphite and Ag/AgBr
Authors: Geng Guangwei , Guan Bo , Chen Penglei , Zhu Mingshan , Yang Changchun , Liu Minghua
Published: February 2017

Graphite (Gr) has been facilely hybridized with Ag/AgBr under the assistance of graphene oxide (GO). The as-produced Gr/GO/Ag/AgBr displays substantially boosted photocatalytic performances compared to Ag/AgBr, GO/Ag/AgBr, and Gr/Ag/AgBr.
Advanced anti-corrosion coatings prepared from α-zirconium phosphate/polyurethane nanocomposites
Authors: Huang Tsao-Cheng , Lai Guan-Hui , Li Chen-En , Tsai Mei-Hui , Wan Peng-Yun , Chung Yi-Hsiu , Lin Meng-Hung
Published: February 2017

This paper presents the first successful application of α-zirconium phosphate/polyurethane (ZrP/PU) nanocomposites for corrosion protection.
An ultrafiltration membrane with enhanced photocatalytic performance from grafted N–TiO2/graphene oxide
Authors: Chen Wei , Ye Ting , Xu Hang , Chen Taoyuan , Geng Nannan , Gao Xiaohong
Published: February 2017

An ultrafiltration membrane with enhanced photocatalytic performance from grafted N–TiO2/graphene oxide is prepared, characterized and tested.
Dielectric metasurface based high-efficiency polarization splitters
Authors: Guo Zhongyi , Zhu Lie , Shen Fei , Zhou Hongping , Gao Rongke
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a novel polarization splitter has been designed based on the dielectric metasurface consisted of silicon nanobricks array, which can generate two different wavefronts for two orthogonal input polarizations with over 90% transmitted efficiency.
Fabrication of a superhydrophobic surface with a hierarchical nanoflake–micropit structure and its anti-icing properties
Authors: Wang Guanyu , Shen Yizhou , Tao Jie , Luo Xinyi , Zhang Liqing , Xia Yiping
Published: February 2017

Herein, we report a novel route to fabricate a robust anti-icing superhydrophobic surface with a hierarchical nanoflake–micropit structure (constructed by a combination of lithography processing and chemical etching methods) on an aluminum substrate.
Charge storage mechanisms of electrospun Mn3O4 nanofibres for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Suktha Phansiri , Phattharasupakun Nutthaphon , Dittanet Peerapan , Sawangphruk Montree
Published: February 2017

Mixed oxidation states of manganese oxides are widely used as the electrodes in supercapacitors due to their high theoretical pseudocapacitances.
In situ preparation of oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres with modified {001} facets for enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Liu Xiaogang , Bi Yingpu
Published: February 2017

A facile in situ synthetic strategy has been developed to prepare highly active oxygen-deficient anatase TiO2 microspheres single crystal with modified {001} faceted by simply controlling the hydrothermal reaction time.
An amphiphilic non-viral gene vector prepared by a combination of enzymatic atom transfer radical polymerization and enzymatic ring-opening polymerization
Authors: Wang Xinghuo , Yun Wenjing , Jiang Wei , Wang Ding , Zhang Ling , Tang Jun
Published: February 2017

An amphiphilic non-viral gene vector (PCL-b-PGEA) was prepared by a combination of enzymatic ring-opening polymerization and enzymatic atom transfer radical polymerization for the first time and the kinetic features and gene delivery properties were investigated.
The impact of graphene nano-plates on the behavior of novel conducting polyazomethine nanocomposites
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud A. , El-Shishtawy Reda M. , Obaid Abdullah Y.
Published: February 2017

Highly conducting polyazomethine/graphene nano-plate nanocomposites were easily fabricated, and their electrical conductivity values reach those of semiconductors.
Lactoferrin-modified nanoparticles loaded with potent antioxidant Mn-porphyrins exhibit enhanced antioxidative activity in vitro intranasal brain delivery model
Authors: Matsuho Motoyuki , Kubota Riku , Asayama Shoichiro , Kawakami Hiroyoshi
Published: February 2017

In this study, for efficient intranasal brain delivery, we have prepared lactoferrin (Lf)-modified nanoparticles loaded with an amphiphilic Mn-porphyrin derivative, MndMImP3P (MnP) (Lf-NP-MnP).
Rapid identification of dual p53-MDM2/MDMX interaction inhibitors through virtual screening and hit-based substructure search
Authors: Chen Si , Li Xiang , Yuan Weirong , Zou Yan , Guo Zhongwu , Chai Yifeng , Lu Wuyuan
Published: February 2017

A virtual screening method coupled with hit-based substructure search strategy was developed to identify dual inhibitors of the p53-MDM2/MDMX interactions and a series of novel scaffolds with moderate inhibitory activity were obtained.
CASSCF and CASMP2 study on the photoisomerization mechanisms of [tris(trialkylsilyl)silyl]cyclotetrasilene and related cyclobutene molecules
Authors: Su Ming-Der
Published: February 2017

The photo-isomerization reaction mechanisms for both cyclotetrasilene and cyclobutene are theoretically studied. The model computations show that the conical intersection mechanism plays a key role in these photochemical reactions and that there are no radicals.
Band gap opening of bilayer graphene by graphene oxide support doping
Authors: Tang Shaobin , Wu Weihua , Xie Xiaojun , Li Xiaokang , Gu Junjing
Published: February 2017

In contrast to the metallic monolayer graphene by graphene oxides (GOs) doping, the sizable band gap of bilayer graphene is opened by GOs.
Highly reversible sodium storage in a GeP5/C composite anode with large capacity and low voltage
Authors: Li Wenwu , Ke Linbo , Wei Yaqing , Guo Shaohua , Gan Lin , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou , Zhou Haoshen
Published: February 2017

GeP5/C nanocomposite synthesized by a facile ball-milling method can deliver a highly reversible sodium storage capacity of 1250 mA h g−1, a first coulombic efficiency of 93%, and a low average redox potential of 0.4 V vs. Na+/Na with smooth charge/charge plateaus, suggesting its promising application as a new anode for emerging SIBs.
Polaron self-localization in white-light emitting hybrid perovskites
Authors: Cortecchia Daniele , Yin Jun , Bruno Annalisa , Lo Shu-Zee Alencious , Gurzadyan Gagik G. , Mhaisalkar Subodh , Brédas Jean-Luc , Soci Cesare
Published: February 2017

Ultra-broadband photoluminescence in two-dimensional (2D) perovskites (EDBE)PbX4 (where X = Cl, Br) is shown to originate from self-trapped polaronic excitons localised at specific inorganic lattice sites.
Torque characteristic analysis and measurement of axial flux-type non-contact permanent magnet device with Halbach array based on 3D analytical method
Authors: Jang Gang-Hyeon , Koo Min-Mo , Kim Jeong-Man , Choi Jang-Young
Published: February 2017

This paper addresses the torque characteristic analysis of an axial flux-type non-contact permanent magnet device with a Halbach magnet array using a 3D analytical method based on transfer relations. We obtain the magnetic field distribution due to the permanent magnet. The magnetic torque is derived from the magnetic field using a Maxwell stress tensor. The analytical results are validated extensively by comparison with 3D finite element analysis. Therefore, we derive an accurate analytical solution to reduce the analysis time, and we present an experimental verification using a manufactured model.