bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Ocean Stewardship in the Arctic: Needs, Challenges and Possible Models for an Arctic Ocean Coordinating Agreement
Authors: Baker Betsy , Yeager Brooks
Published: September 2015

This article proposes an Arctic Ocean Coordinating Agreement (AOCA) as a framework for more effective coordination and sharing of practices regarding national conservation and management policies in the marine Arctic. It envisions a nimble, versatile body that operates without creating new institutions and focuses instead on convening and coordinating existing individuals and institutions whose expertise can assist the Arctic states with questions that the Arctic states define. The AOCA could incorporate aspects of regional seas agreements (RSAs) into a less formal regional arrangement that would differ significantly from traditional RSAs. Identifying the Arctic Council as the right entity to launch AOCA discussions, the article proposes that an AOCA should draw on entities already engaged in work relevant to the emerging challenges in the Arctic Ocean: the Helsinki and OSPAR Commissions, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), and other institutions that have successfully convened appropriate sets of actors for targeted responses to shared marine management concerns around the world.
Die Behandlung des Nasenblutens
Authors: Murer Karin , Soyka Michael B.
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung. Nasenbluten ist einer der häufigsten ORL-Notfälle und weit verbreitet in der allgemeinen Bevölkerung. Die meisten Fälle sind selbstlimitierend, und Patienten suchen in der Regel keinen Arzt auf. Allerdings können einige Fälle schwer verlaufen und sogar lebensbedrohlich sein. Während die meisten vorderen Blutungen wirksam durch einfache Massnahmen wie Nasenflügelkompression, vasokonstriktorische Mittel (Schnupfenspray) und Elektrokoagulation behandelt werden können, erfordern wenige Blutungen zusätzliche Massnahmen, wie z.B. eine Tamponade. Posteriore Epistaxis kann schwierig zu behandeln sein. Hier zeigten neuere Studien, dass die chirurgische Ligatur der A. sphenopalatina und/oder A. ethmoidalis anterior die effektivsten Behandlungen sind und von den Patienten am besten toleriert werden. Die Nasentamponade wird als unangenehm empfunden, ist aber die Therapie, die überall am schnellsten verfügbar ist.
Signature of magnetic-dependent gapless odd frequency states at superconductor/ferromagnet interfaces
Authors: Di Bernardo A. , Diesch S. , Gu Y. , Linder J. , Divitini G. , Ducati C. , Scheer E. , Blamire M.G. , Robinson J.W.A.
Published: September 2015

The theory of superconductivity developed by Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer (BCS) explains the stabilization of electron pairs into a spin-singlet, even frequency, state by the formation of an energy gap within which the density of states is zero. At a superconductor interface with an inhomogeneous ferromagnet, a gapless odd frequency superconducting state is predicted, in which the Cooper pairs are in a spin-triplet state. Although indirect evidence for such a state has been obtained, the gap structure and pairing symmetry have not so far been determined. Here we report scanning tunnelling spectroscopy of Nb superconducting films proximity coupled to epitaxial Ho. These measurements reveal pronounced changes to the Nb subgap superconducting density of states on driving the Ho through a metamagnetic transition from a helical antiferromagnetic to a homogeneous ferromagnetic state for which a BCS-like gap is recovered. The results prove odd frequency spin-triplet superconductivity at superconductor/inhomogeneous magnet interfaces.
Postnatal β-cell maturation is associated with islet-specific microRNA changes induced by nutrient shifts at weaning
Authors: Jacovetti Cécile , Matkovich Scot J. , Rodriguez-Trejo Adriana , Guay Claudiane , Regazzi Romano
Published: September 2015

Glucose-induced insulin secretion is an essential function of pancreatic β-cells that is partially lost in individuals affected by Type 2 diabetes. This unique property of β-cells is acquired through a poorly understood postnatal maturation process involving major modifications in gene expression programs. Here we show that β-cell maturation is associated with changes in microRNA expression induced by the nutritional transition that occurs at weaning. When mimicked in newborn islet cells, modifications in the level of specific microRNAs result in a switch in the expression of metabolic enzymes and cause the acquisition of glucose-induced insulin release. Our data suggest microRNAs have a central role in postnatal β-cell maturation and in the determination of adult functional β-cell mass. A better understanding of the events governing β-cell maturation may help understand why some individuals are predisposed to developing diabetes and could lead to new strategies for the treatment of this common metabolic disease.
Realizing high figure of merit in heavy-band p-type half-Heusler thermoelectric materials
Authors: Fu Chenguang , Bai Shengqiang , Liu Yintu , Tang Yunshan , Chen Lidong , Zhao Xinbing , Zhu Tiejun
Published: September 2015

Solid-state thermoelectric technology offers a promising solution for converting waste heat to useful electrical power. Both high operating temperature and high figure of merit zT are desirable for high-efficiency thermoelectric power generation. Here we report a high zT of ∼1.5 at 1,200 K for the p-type FeNbSb heavy-band half-Heusler alloys. High content of heavier Hf dopant simultaneously optimizes the electrical power factor and suppresses thermal conductivity. Both the enhanced point-defect and electron–phonon scatterings contribute to a significant reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity. An eight couple prototype thermoelectric module exhibits a high conversion efficiency of 6.2% and a high power density of 2.2 W cm−2 at a temperature difference of 655 K. These findings highlight the optimization strategy for heavy-band thermoelectric materials and demonstrate a realistic prospect of high-temperature thermoelectric modules based on half-Heusler alloys with low cost, excellent mechanical robustness and stability.
The links between ecosystem multifunctionality and above- and belowground biodiversity are mediated by climate
Authors: Jing Xin , Sanders Nathan J. , Shi Yu , Chu Haiyan , Classen Aimée T. , Zhao Ke , Chen Litong , Shi Yue , Jiang Youxu , He Jin-Sheng
Published: September 2015

Plant biodiversity is often correlated with ecosystem functioning in terrestrial ecosystems. However, we know little about the relative and combined effects of above- and belowground biodiversity on multiple ecosystem functions (for example, ecosystem multifunctionality, EMF) or how climate might mediate those relationships. Here we tease apart the effects of biotic and abiotic factors, both above- and belowground, on EMF on the Tibetan Plateau, China. We found that a suite of biotic and abiotic variables account for up to 86% of the variation in EMF, with the combined effects of above- and belowground biodiversity accounting for 45% of the variation in EMF. Our results have two important implications: first, including belowground biodiversity in models can improve the ability to explain and predict EMF. Second, regional-scale variation in climate, and perhaps climate change, can determine, or at least modify, the effects of biodiversity on EMF in natural ecosystems.
SC06, a novel small molecule compound, displays preclinical activity against multiple myeloma by disrupting the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Han Kunkun , Xu Xin , Xu Zhuan , Chen Guodong , Zeng Yuanying , Zhang Zubin , Cao Biyin , Kong Yan , Tang Xiaowen , Mao Xinliang
Published: September 2015

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is extensively involved in multiple myeloma (MM) pathophysiology. In the present study, we reported a novel small molecule SC06 that induced MM cell apoptosis and delayed MM xenograft growth in vivo. Oral administration of SC06 to mice bearing human MM xenografts resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth at doses that were well tolerated. Mechanistic studies revealed that SC06 selectively inhibited the mTOR signaling pathway but had no effects on other associated kinases, such as AKT, ERK, p38, c-Src and JNK. Further studies showed that SC06-decreased mTOR activation was associated with the downregulation of Raptor, a key component of the mTORC1 complex. SC06 also suppressed the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and P70S6K, two typical substrates in the mTORC1 signaling pathway. Notably, expression of Raptor, phosphorylation of mTOR and phosphorylated 4E-BP1 was also decreased in the tumor tissues from SC06-treated mice, which was consistent with the cellular studies. Therefore, given the potency and low toxicity, SC06 could be developed as a potential anti-MM drug candidate by disrupting the mTOR signaling.
Wide-Angle Viewing System versus Conventional Indirect Ophthalmoscopy for Scleral Buckling
Authors: Tomita Yohei , Kurihara Toshihide , Uchida Atsuro , Nagai Norihiro , Shinoda Hajime , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: September 2015

Wide-angle viewing systems (WAVSs) were originally established for pars plana vitrectomy. However, their application to scleral buckling surgery was recently reported. In this study, we compared the outcomes of scleral buckling using a noncontact WAVS with that of scleral buckling using conventional indirect ophthalmoscopy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The clinical records of 39 eyes (39 patients) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment primarily treated between November 2012 and June 2014 at the Vitreo-Retina Surgical Division Clinic at the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Scleral bucking was performed using WAVS with surgical placement of an endoilluminator in 16 eyes and indirect ophthalmoscopy in 23 eyes. The patients in these groups were consecutive over different intervals. The preoperative demographics, success rate of retinal reattachment, intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were evaluated. There were no significant differences in pre- or postoperative conditions between groups and similar surgical outcomes were achieved with the WAVS and conventional procedures. However, compared with the conventional procedure, the WAVS procedure resulted in fewer intraoperative corneal epithelial disorders (p = 0.049) and decreased the surgical duration of segmental buckling (p = 0.02); therefore, it may be suggested as an effective alternative procedure.
Erratum: A cross comparison of technologies for the detection of microRNAs in clinical FFPE samples of hepatoblastoma patients
Authors: Chatterjee Aniruddha , Leichter Anna L. , Fan Vicky , Tsai Peter , Purcell Rachel V. , Sullivan Michael J. , Eccles Michael R
Published: September 2015

Although formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue is a major biological source in cancer research, it is challenging to work with due to macromolecular fragmentation and nucleic acid crosslinking. Therefore, it is important to characterise the quality of data that can be obtained from FFPE samples. We have compared three independent platforms (next generation sequencing, microarray and NanoString) for profiling microRNAs (miRNAs) using clinical FFPE samples from hepatoblastoma (HB) patients. The number of detected miRNAs ranged from 228 to 345 (median=294) using the next generation sequencing platform, whereas 79 to 125 (median=112) miRNAs were identified using microarrays in three HB samples, including technical replicates. NanoString identified 299 to 372 miRNAs in two samples. Between the platforms, we observed high reproducibility and significant levels of shared detection. However, for commonly detected miRNAs, a strong correlation between platforms was not observed. Analysis of 10 additional HB samples with NanoString identified significantly overlapping miRNA expression profiles, and an alternative pattern was identified in a poorly differentiated HB with an aggressive phenotype. This investigation serves as a roadmap for future studies investigating miRNA expression in clinical FFPE samples, and as a guideline for the selection of an appropriate platform.
Erratum: 18 GHz electromagnetic field induces permeability of Gram-positive cocci
Authors: Nguyen The Hong Phong , Shamis Yury , Croft Rodney J. , Wood Andrew , McIntosh Robert L. , Crawford Russell J. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: September 2015

The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures at the microwave (MW) frequency of 18 GHz, on four cocci, Planococcus maritimus KMM 3738, Staphylococcus aureus CIP 65.8T, S. aureus ATCC 25923 and S. epidermidis ATCC 14990T, was investigated. We demonstrate that exposing the bacteria to an EMF induced permeability in the bacterial membranes of all strains studied, as confirmed directly by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and indirectly via the propidium iodide assay and the uptake of silica nanospheres. The cells remained permeable for at least nine minutes after EMF exposure. It was shown that all strains internalized 23.5 nm nanospheres, whereas the internalization of the 46.3 nm nanospheres differed amongst the bacterial strains (S. epidermidis ATCC 14990T~ 0%; Staphylococcus aureus CIP 65.8TS. aureus ATCC 25923, ~40%; Planococcus maritimus KMM 3738, ~80%). Cell viability experiments indicated that up to 84% of the cells exposed to the EMF remained viable. The morphology of the bacterial cells was not altered, as inferred from the scanning electron micrographs, however traces of leaked cytosolic fluids from the EMF exposed cells could be detected. EMF-induced permeabilization may represent an innovative, alternative cell permeability technique for applications in biomedical engineering, cell drug delivery and gene therapy.
Erratum: Retina specific GCAPs in zebrafish acquire functional selectivity in Ca2+-sensing by myristoylation and Mg2+-binding
Authors: Sulmann Stefan , Vocke Farina , Scholten Alexander , Koch Karl-Wilhelm
Published: September 2015

Zebrafish photoreceptor cells express six guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (zGCAPs) that share a high degree of amino acid sequence homology, but differ in Ca2+-binding properties, Ca2+-sensitive target regulation and spatial-temporal expression profiles. We here study a general problem in cellular Ca2+-sensing, namely how similar Ca2+-binding proteins achieve functional selectivity to control finely adjusted cellular responses. We investigated two parameters of critical importance for the trigger and switch function of guanylate cyclase-activating proteins: the myristoylation status and the occupation of Ca2+-binding sites with Mg2+. All zGCAPs can be myristoylated in living cells using click chemistry. Myristoylation does not facilitate membrane binding of zGCAPs, but it significantly modified the regulatory properties of zGCAP2 and zGCAP5. We further determined for all zGCAPs at least two binding sites exhibiting high affinities for Ca2+ with KD values in the submicromolar range, whereas for other zGCAPs (except zGCAP3) the affinity of the third binding site was in the micromolar range. Mg2+ either occupied the low affinity Ca2+-binding site or it shifted the affinities for Ca2+-binding. Hydrodynamic properties of zGCAPs are more influenced by Ca2+ than by Mg2+, although to a different extent for each zGCAP. Posttranslational modification and competing ion-binding can tailor the properties of similar Ca2+-sensors.
Erratum: Strategical incoherence regulates cooperation in social dilemmas on multiplex networks
Authors: Matamalas Joan T. , Poncela-Casasnovas Julia , Gómez Sergio , Arenas Alex
Published: September 2015

Cooperation is a very common, yet not fully-understood phenomenon in natural and human systems. The introduction of a network within the population is known to affect the outcome of cooperative dynamics, allowing for the survival of cooperation in adverse scenarios. Recently, the introduction of multiplex networks has yet again modified the expectations for the outcome of the Prisoner’s Dilemma game, compared to the monoplex case. However, much remains unstudied regarding other social dilemmas on multiplex, as well as the unexplored microscopic underpinnings of it. In this paper, we systematically study the evolution of cooperation in all four games in the T − S plane on multiplex. More importantly, we find some remarkable and previously unknown features in the microscopic organization of the strategies, that are responsible for the important differences between cooperative dynamics in monoplex and multiplex. Specifically, we find that in the stationary state, there are individuals that play the same strategy in all layers (coherent), and others that don’t (incoherent). This second group of players is responsible for the surprising fact of a non full-cooperation in the Harmony Game on multiplex, never observed before, as well as a higher-than-expected cooperation rates in some regions of the other three social dilemmas.
The generalized Shockley-Queisser limit for nanostructured solar cells
Authors: Xu Yunlu , Gong Tao , Munday Jeremy N.
Published: September 2015

The Shockley-Queisser limit describes the maximum solar energy conversion efficiency achievable for a particular material and is the standard by which new photovoltaic technologies are compared. This limit is based on the principle of detailed balance, which equates the photon flux into a device to the particle flux (photons or electrons) out of that device. Nanostructured solar cells represent a novel class of photovoltaic devices and questions have been raised about whether or not they can exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit. Here we show that single-junction nanostructured solar cells have a theoretical maximum efficiency of ∼42% under AM 1.5 solar illumination. While this exceeds the efficiency of a non-concentrating planar device, it does not exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit for a planar device with optical concentration. We consider the effect of diffuse illumination and find that with optical concentration from the nanostructures of only × 1,000, an efficiency of 35.5% is achievable even with 25% diffuse illumination. We conclude that nanostructured solar cells offer an important route towards higher efficiency photovoltaic devices through a built-in optical concentration.
Reconfigurable multi-scale colloidal assembly on excluded volume patterns
Authors: Edwards Tara D. , Yang Yuguang , Everett W. Neil , Bevan Michael A.
Published: September 2015

The ability to create multi-scale, periodic colloidal assemblies with unique properties is important to emerging applications. Dynamically manipulating colloidal structures via tunable kT-scale attraction can provide the opportunity to create particle-based nano- and microstructured materials that are reconfigurable. Here, we report a novel tactic to obtain reconfigurable, multi-scale, periodic colloidal assemblies by combining thermoresponsive depletant particles and patterned topographical features that, together, reversibly mediate local kT-scale depletion interactions. This method is demonstrated in optical microscopy experiments to produce colloidal microstructures that reconfigure between well-defined ordered structures and disordered fluid states as a function of temperature and pattern feature depth. These results are well described by Monte Carlo simulations using theoretical depletion potentials that include patterned excluded volume. Ultimately, the approach reported here can be extended to control the size, shape, orientation and microstructure of colloidal assemblies on multiple lengths scales and on arbitrary pre-defined pattern templates.
Mimicking a natural pathway for de novo biosynthesis: natural vanillin production from accessible carbon sources
Authors: Ni Jun , Tao Fei , Du Huaiqing , Xu Ping
Published: September 2015

Plant secondary metabolites have been attracting people’s attention for centuries, due to their potentials; however, their production is still difficult and costly. The rich diversity of microbes and microbial genome sequence data provide unprecedented gene resources that enable to develop efficient artificial pathways in microorganisms. Here, by mimicking a natural pathway of plants using microbial genes, a new metabolic route was developed in E. coli for the synthesis of vanillin, the most widely used flavoring agent. A series of factors were systematically investigated for raising production, including efficiency and suitability of genes, gene dosage and culture media. The metabolically engineered strain produced 97.2 mg/L vanillin from l-tyrosine, 19.3 mg/L from glucose, 13.3 mg/L from xylose and 24.7 mg/L from glycerol. These results show that the metabolic route enables production of natural vanillin from low-cost substrates, suggesting that it is a good strategy to mimick natural pathways for artificial pathway design.
Tet-mediated imprinting erasure in H19 locus following reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Bermejo-Álvarez P. , Ramos-Ibeas P. , Park K.E. , Powell A. P. , Vansandt L. , Derek Bickhart , Ramirez M. A. , Gutiérrez-Adán A. , Telugu B. P.
Published: September 2015

Selective methylation of CpG islands at imprinting control regions (ICR) determines the monoparental expression of a subset of genes. Currently, it is unclear whether artificial reprogramming induced by the expression of Yamanaka factors disrupts these marks and whether cell type of origin affects the dynamics of reprogramming. In this study, spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) that harbor paternalized imprinting marks and fibroblasts were reprogrammed to iPSC (SSCiPSC and fiPSC). The SSCiPSC were able to form teratomas and generated chimeras with a higher skin chimerism than those derived from fiPSC. RNA-seq revealed extensive reprogramming at the transcriptional level with 8124 genes differentially expressed between SSC and SSCiPSC and only 490 between SSCiPSC and fiPSC. Likewise, reprogramming of SSC affected 26 of 41 imprinting gene clusters known in the mouse genome. A closer look at H19 ICR revealed complete erasure in SSCiPSC in contrast to fiPSC. Imprinting erasure in SSCiPSC was maintained even after in vivo differentiation into teratomas. Reprogramming of SSC from Tet1 and Tet2 double knockout mice however lacked demethylation of H19 ICR. These results suggest that imprinting erasure during reprogramming depends on the epigenetic landscape of the precursor cell and is mediated by TETs at the H19 locus.
Europium Luminescence: Electronic Densities and Superdelocalizabilities for a Unique Adjustment of Theoretical Intensity Parameters
Authors: Dutra José Diogo L. , Lima Nathalia B. D. , Freire Ricardo O. , Simas Alfredo M.
Published: September 2015

We advance the concept that the charge factors of the simple overlap model and the polarizabilities of Judd-Ofelt theory for the luminescence of europium complexes can be effectively and uniquely modeled by perturbation theory on the semiempirical electronic wave function of the complex. With only three adjustable constants, we introduce expressions that relate: (i) the charge factors to electronic densities and (ii) the polarizabilities to superdelocalizabilities that we derived specifically for this purpose. The three constants are then adjusted iteratively until the calculated intensity parameters, corresponding to the 5D0→7F2 and 5D0→7F4 transitions, converge to the experimentally determined ones. This adjustment yields a single unique set of only three constants per complex and semiempirical model used. From these constants, we then define a binary outcome acceptance attribute for the adjustment and show that when the adjustment is acceptable, the predicted geometry is, in average, closer to the experimental one. An important consequence is that the terms of the intensity parameters related to dynamic coupling and electric dipole mechanisms will be unique. Hence, the important energy transfer rates will also be unique, leading to a single predicted intensity parameter for the 5D0→7F6 transition.
Does the climate warming hiatus exist over the Tibetan Plateau?
Authors: Duan Anmin , Xiao Zhixiang
Published: September 2015

The surface air temperature change over the Tibetan Plateau is determined based on historical observations from 1980 to 2013. In contrast to the cooling trend in the rest of China and the global warming hiatus post-1990s, an accelerated warming trend has appeared over the Tibetan Plateau during 1998–2013 (0.25 °C decade−1), compared with that during 1980–1997 (0.21 °C decade−1). Further results indicate that, to some degree, such an accelerated warming trend might be attributable to cloud–radiation feedback. The increased nocturnal cloud over the northern Tibetan Plateau would warm the nighttime temperature via enhanced atmospheric back-radiation, while the decreased daytime cloud over the southern Tibetan Plateau would induce the daytime sunshine duration to increase, resulting in surface air temperature warming. Meanwhile, the in situ surface wind speed has recovered gradually since 1998 and thus the energy concentration cannot explain the accelerated warming trend over the Tibetan Plateau after the 1990s. It is suggested that cloud–radiation feedback may play an important role in modulating the recent accelerated warming trend over the Tibetan Plateau.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 in breast milk controls neonatal intestine function
Authors: Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Hondares Elayne , Giralt Marta , Mampel Teresa , Iglesias Roser , Villarroya Francesc
Published: September 2015

FGF21 is a hormonal factor with important functions in the control of metabolism. FGF21 is found in rodent and human milk. Radiolabeled FGF21 administered to lactating dams accumulates in milk and is transferred to neonatal gut. The small intestine of neonatal (but not adult) mice highly expresses β-Klotho in the luminal area. FGF21-KO pups fed by FGF21-KO dams showed decreased expression and circulating levels of incretins (GIP and GLP-1), reduced gene expression of intestinal lactase and maltase-glucoamylase and low levels of galactose in plasma, all associated with a mild decrease in body weight. When FGF21-KO pups were nursed by wild-type dams (expressing FGF21 in milk), intestinal peptides and digestive enzymes were up-regulated, lactase enzymatic activity was induced and galactose levels and body weight were normalized. Neonatal intestine explants were sensitive to FGF21, as evidenced by enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Oral infusion of FGF21 into neonatal pups induced expression of intestinal hormone factors and digestive enzymes, lactase activity and lactose absorption. These findings reveal a novel role of FGF21 as a hormonal factor contributing to neonatal intestinal function via its presence in maternal milk. Appropriate signaling of FGF21 to neonate is necessary to ensure optimal digestive and endocrine function in developing intestine.
Effect of miR-34a in regulating steatosis by targeting PPARα expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ding Jiexia , Li Meng , Wan Xingyong , Jin Xi , Chen Shaohua , Yu Chaohui , Li Youming
Published: September 2015

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is thought to be involved in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the association between altered expression of miR-34a and the pathophysiological features of NAFLD remains unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which miR-34a influences NAFLD through the PPARα-related pathway. Real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting and other assays kit were used to investigate the expression and function of miR-34a in an NAFLD model. Cultured cells transfected with miR-34a inhibitor and C57BL/6 mice injected with the miR-34a inhibitor through vein tail were conducted for the effects of miR-34a on its target. MiR-34a levels were significantly upregulated in steatosis-induced hepatocytes and in liver tissues of high-fat diet-fed mice. The upregulation of miR-34a resulted in the downregulation of hepatic PPARα and SIRT1 that are the direct targets of miR-34a. Silencing miR-34a led to an initially increased expression of PPARα, SIRT1 and PPARα’s downstream genes. Activation of the central metabolic sensor AMPK was also increased. The miR-34a inhibitor suppressed lipid accumulation and improved the degree of steatosis. Taken together, our data indicated that decreased expression of miR-34a potentially contributes to altered lipid metabolism in NAFLD. Downregulation of miR-34a may be a therapeutic strategy against NAFLD by regulating its target PPARα and SIRT1.
Micro-concentration Lipopolysaccharide as a Novel Stimulator of Megakaryocytopoiesis that Synergizes with IL-6 for Platelet Production
Authors: Wu Di , Xie Jun , Wang Xuejun , Zou Bingcheng , Yu Yin , Jing Tao , Zhang Songmei , Zhang Qing
Published: September 2015

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces platelet activation and enhances platelet sensitivity to aggregation, which might alter platelet counts. We found that serial doses of micro-concentration LPS significantly increased the platelet count in mice treated with kanamycin, along with increased expression of IL-6 compared with IL-3 and TPO in megakaryocytes obtained from the mouse bone morrow following LPS administration. Furthermore, LPS at lower levels ranging plus IL-6 effectively stimulated CFU-MK formation and increased CD41 expression and megakaryocyte polyploidization. Meanwhile, there was a sustained rise in the percentage of reticulated platelets in the whole blood in response to low-dosage LPS combined with IL-6. In vivo experiments also demonstrated that the administration of LPS combined with IL-6 substantially enhanced the number of circulating platelets in normal and thrombocytopenic mice. Notably, the optimal LPS concentration in combination with IL-6 might be a novel stimulator of TLR4 and IL-6R expression in Dami cell lines, which initially occurs through TLR4-IL-6R crosstalk and then involves the activation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. These data suggest a new paradigm for the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production via a synergistic effect of LPS and IL-6, which has the potential to be used for the design of new therapies.
A multianalytical X-ray based micro-spectroscopic approach for the analysis of carbonates in beachrock cements
Authors: Arrieta Nikole , Iturregui Ane , Martínez-Arkarazo Irantzu , Olazabal María Ángeles , Murelaga Xabier , Baceta Juan Ignacio , Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: September 2015

The molecular micro-characterization and the estimation of the Mg content of CaCO3cements are crucial to define the environmental biophysicochemical conditions in which unusual temperate latitude beachrock formations materialize.
Predicting solvent effects on the structure of porous organic molecules
Authors: Santolini Valentina , Tribello Gareth A. , Jelfs Kim E.
Published: September 2015

A general computational approach to predict the solvent effects on the structure of porous organic molecules is presented.
Effects of GPI-anchored TNAP on the dynamic structure of model membranes
Authors: Garcia A. F. , Simão A. M. S. , Bolean M. , Hoylaerts M. F. , Millán J. L. , Ciancaglini P. , Costa-Filho A. J.
Published: September 2015

GPI-anchored TNAP perturbs the bilayer dynamic structure, increasing the fluidity and decreasing the ordering.
Optical spectra of CdMnSe of nano-ferro- and antiferro-magnets
Authors: Proshchenko Vitaly , Dahnovsky Yuri
Published: September 2015

We study optical transitions in CdSe quantum dots doped by Mn atoms. For low concentrations the transitions are spin forbidden. Nevertheless, strong light absorption was experimentally found. To explain this effect we propose a mechanism that includes two or more Mn atoms closely placed to each other. We find that the strongest absorption from the gap is for an antiferromagnetic arrangement.
The composition effect on the optical properties of aqueous synthesized Cu–In–S and Zn–Cu–In–S quantum dot nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang Butian , Wang Yucheng , Yang Chengbin , Hu Siyi , Gao Yuan , Zhang Yiping , Wang Yue , Demir Hilmi Volkan , Liu Liwei , Yong Ken-Tye
Published: September 2015

The relationship between the optical properties and the compositional variation was investigated in aqueous synthesized Cu–In–S and Zn–Cu–In–S QDs.
Chemical-shift tensors of heavy nuclei in network solids: a DFT/ZORA investigation of 207Pb chemical-shift tensors using the bond-valence method
Authors: Alkan Fahri , Dybowski C.
Published: September 2015

Accurate computation of 207Pb magnetic shielding principal components is within the reach of quantum chemistry methods by employing relativistic ZORA/DFT and cluster models adapted from the bond valence model.
The origin of enhanced optical absorption of the BiFeO3/ZnO heterojunction in the visible and terahertz regions
Authors: Feng Hong-Jian , Yang Kang , Deng Wan , Li Mengmeng , Wang Mingzi , Duan Bi , Liu Feng , Tian Jinshou , Guo Xiaohui
Published: September 2015

The separation of photoinduced carriers makes the BiFeO3/ZnO heterostructure a promising candidate for BiFeO3-based ferroelectric photovoltaic cells.
H–Si bonding-induced unusual electronic properties of silicene: a method to identify hydrogen concentration
Authors: Lin Shih-Yang , Chang Shen-Lin , Thuy Tran Ngoc Thanh , Yang Po-Hua , Lin Ming-Fa
Published: September 2015

Hydrogenated silicenes possess peculiar properties owing to the strong H–Si bonds, as revealed by an investigation using first principles calculations.
Glycosyltransferases: mechanisms and applications in natural product development
Authors: Liang Dong-Mei , Liu Jia-Heng , Wu Hao , Wang Bin-Bin , Zhu Hong-Ji , Qiao Jian-Jun
Published: September 2015

Glycosylation reactions mainly catalyzed by glycosyltransferases (Gts) occur almost everywhere in the biosphere, and always play crucial roles in vital processes.
Surfactant-mediated electrodeposition of a water-oxidizing manganese oxide
Authors: Osowiecki Wojciech T. , Sheehan Stafford W. , Young Karin J. , Durrell Alec C. , Mercado Brandon Q. , Brudvig Gary W.
Published: September 2015

Use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) during electrodeposition improves the mechanical stability and catalytic activity of manganese dioxide for electrocatalytic water oxidation.
Naphthylaminoborane: from structural switches to frustrated Lewis pair reactivity
Authors: Pla Daniel , Sadek Omar , Cadet Sarah , Mestre-Voegtlé Béatrice , Gras Emmanuel
Published: September 2015

Boron-nitrogenperi-substituted naphthyl scaffolds: small variations but different behaviours.
Uniform yolk–shell Sn4P3@C nanospheres as high-capacity and cycle-stable anode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Jun , Kopold Peter , Wu Chao , van Aken Peter A. , Maier Joachim , Yu Yan
Published: September 2015

Uniform yolk–shell Sn4P3@C nanospheres exhibit very high reversible capacity, superior rate capability and stable cycling performance for Na-ion batteries.
Overcoming lignin heterogeneity: reliably characterizing the cleavage of technical lignin
Authors: Stiefel S. , Marks C. , Schmidt T. , Hanisch S. , Spalding G. , Wessling M.
Published: September 2015

Investigate lignin cleavage by statistical design of experiment.
Tailored mesoporous copper/ceria catalysts for the selective hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived glycerol and sugar alcohols
Authors: Zhu Shanhui , Gao Xiaoqing , Zhu Yulei , Li Yongwang
Published: September 2015

Mesoporous copper/ceria catalysts prepared by a grinding-assisted nanocasting method present excellent activity and stability for the hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived sugar alcohols.
Property-based characterization of kinase-like ligand space for library design and virtual screening
Authors: Bajusz Dávid , Ferenczy György G. , Keserű György M.
Published: September 2015

A property-based desirability scoring scheme has been developed for kinase-focused library design and ligand-based pre-screening of large compound sets.
A dopant-free spirobi[cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene] based hole-transport material for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Franckevičius Marius , Mishra Amaresh , Kreuzer Franziska , Luo Jingshan , Zakeeruddin Shaik Mohammed , Grätzel Michael
Published: September 2015

A new spiro-cyclopentadithiophene-based hole transport material has been developed for perovskite solar cells exhibiting an excellent power conversion efficiency of 13.4% without the use of any additives and dopants.
Synthesis of silsesquioxane urethane hybrid materials by a modified sol–gel process
Authors: Wang Sizhe , Li Guangli , Chiao John J. , Wang Z. Jeffrey , Duan Yanwen Yvonne
Published: September 2015

UV-curable molecular hybrids were prepared by a sol–gel process that could be adopted industrially. The stability was improved and additional functional groups introduced.
Engineering the nanostructure of a polymer-nanocomposite film containing Ti-based core–shell particles to enhance dielectric response
Authors: Mahadevegowda Amoghavarsha , Young Neil P. , Grant Patrick S.
Published: September 2015

A design-led approach that places Ag and Ti (core)–oxide (shell) nanoparticles at discrete positions in a polymer-based film offers enhanced dielectric response.
Layer-by-layer grown scalable redox-active ruthenium-based molecular multilayer thin films for electrochemical applications and beyond
Authors: Kaliginedi Veerabhadrarao , Ozawa Hiroaki , Kuzume Akiyoshi , Maharajan Sivarajakumar , Pobelov Ilya V. , Kwon Nam Hee , Mohos Miklos , Broekmann Peter , Fromm Katharina M. , Haga Masa-aki , Wandlowski Thomas
Published: September 2015

Reporting the first study on the electrochemical energy storage application of surface immobilized ruthenium-complex multilayers.
Protein-based photothermal theranostics for imaging-guided cancer therapy
Authors: Rong Pengfei , Huang Peng , Liu Zhiguo , Lin Jing , Jin Albert , Ma Ying , Niu Gang , Yu Lun , Zeng Wenbin , Wang Wei , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: September 2015

We developed a clinically translatable photothermal theranostic agent based on a heptamethine dye, CySCOOH conjugated HSA, for multimodality imaging and photothermal tumor ablation.
Reactivity, swelling and aggregation of mixed-size silicate nanoplatelets
Authors: Segad M. , Cabane B. , Jönsson Bo
Published: September 2015

The aggregation phenomenon in clay-water systems is a reversible process. The origin of extra-lamellar swelling in Ca montmorillonite dispersion has been revealed. The number of platelets per aggregate/tactoid increases with platelet size, and with very small nanoplatelets no tactoids are observed.
Self-assembly of ultrathin Cu2MoS4 nanobelts for highly efficient visible light-driven degradation of methyl orange
Authors: Zhang Ke , Chen Wenxing , Lin Yunxiang , Chen Haiping , Haleem Yasir A. , Wu Chuanqiang , Ye Fei , Wang Tianxing , Song Li
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate ultrathin self-assembled Cu2MoS4 nanobelts synthesized by using Cu2O as the starting sacrificial template via a hydrothermal method.
A 3D graphene oxide microchip and a Au-enwrapped silica nanocomposite-based supersandwich cytosensor toward capture and analysis of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Li Na , Xiao Tingyu , Zhang Zhengtao , He Rongxiang , Wen Dan , Cao Yiping , Zhang Weiying , Chen Yong
Published: September 2015

This is the first strategy to combine 3D microchips and an electrochemical method for sensitive and quantitative detection of CTCs.
Ultrahigh electron-deficient pyrrolo-acenaphtho-pyridazine-dione based donor–acceptor conjugated polymers for electrochromic applications
Authors: Cho Ching Mui , Ye Qun , Neo Wei Teng , Lin Tingting , Lu Xuehong , Xu Jianwei
Published: September 2015

New ultrahigh electron-deficient acceptors pyrrolo-acenaphtho-pyridazine-diones (PAPD) were synthesized via a regio-selective inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction and their corresponding conjugated polymers showed electrochromism with long-term stability.
Thermoplastic polyester elastomers based on long-chain crystallizable aliphatic hard segments
Authors: Stempfle Florian , Schemmer Brigitta , Oechsle Anna-Lena , Mecking Stefan
Published: September 2015

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers prepared from a plant-oil derived crystallizable long-chain aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acid have been investigated.
Correction: Structural and thermal properties of poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) containing isosorbide
Authors: Koo J. M. , Hwang S. Y. , Yoon W. J. , Lee Y. , Kim S. H. , Im S. S.
Published: September 2015

Correction for ‘Structural and thermal properties of poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) containing isosorbide’ by J. M. Koo, et al., Polym. Chem., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5py01152c.
Selectfluor promoted NHC–oxazoline gold(i) complex catalyzed cycloaddition/oxidation reaction of enynones with alkenes
Authors: Xu Qin , Gu Peng , Wang Feijun , Shi Min
Published: September 2015

Two kinds of ortho- and meta-oxazoline substituted NHC–gold(i) complexes have been synthesized. These gold complexes could react with Selectfluor to give ionic chelated NHC–oxazoline gold(i) complexes which could smoothly catalyze the cycloaddition/oxidation reaction of enynones with alkene.
Thermal and spectroscopic characteristics of disordered melilite Nd:BaLaGa3O7 crystal
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xuping , Yang Yuguo , Liu Bing , Lv Xianshun , Wei Lei , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin
Published: September 2015

1 at% Nd:BaLaGa3O7 disordered crystal has a large emission bandwidth of 32 nm at 1060 nm.
Porous metallic nanocone arrays for high-density SERS hot spots via solvent-assisted nanoimprint lithography of block copolymer
Authors: Ryu Yunha , Kang Gumin , Lee Chang-Won , Kim Kyoungsik
Published: September 2015

We present a facile method of fabricating SERS substrate by combining solvent-assisted nanoimprint lithography and selective etching of block copolymer.
Comparison of the effects of microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals on Fe3O4/C nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Shan , Liu Yan-Jun , Deng Fu , Ma Ming-Guo , Bian Jing
Published: September 2015

Fe3O4/C nanocomposites with relatively high superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic performances were obtained by an ultrasound method combining calcination, which provided promising applications for the dye removal and wastewater treatment fields.
Graphene layers on Si-face and C-face surfaces and interaction with Si and C atoms in layer controlled graphene growth on SiC substrates
Authors: Shan Xiaoye , Wang Qiang , Bian Xin , Li Wei-qi , Chen Guang-hui , Zhu Hongjun
Published: September 2015

It is important to understand the interface and interaction between graphene layers and SiC surfaces as well as the interaction of key intermediate Si and C atoms with these surfaces and interfaces in epitaxial graphene growth on SiC substrates.
SnCl4-functionalized nano-Fe3O4encapsulated-silica particles as a novel heterogeneous solid acid for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives
Authors: Bamoniri Abdolhamid , Fouladgar Sara
Published: September 2015

A simple and general synthetic method for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines under ultrasonic irradiation was developed using Fe3O4@SiO2–SnCl4as an efficient catalyst.
Red-emission enhancement of the CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphor by partial substitution for Ca3N2 by CaCO3 and excess calcium source addition
Authors: Li ShuXing , Liu XueJian , Mao RiHua , Huang ZhengRen , Xie RongJun
Published: September 2015

Red-emission enhancement of the CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphor by partial substitution for Ca3N2 by CaCO3 and excessive calcium source addition.
(−) and (+)-Merrilliaquinone, a pair of new quinone enantiomers from Illicium merrillianum and their distinctive effect on human hepatoma and hepatic cells
Authors: Tian Xinhui , Li Li , Pei Jinpeng , Yue Rongcai , Fang Xin , Zhang Jianping , He Weiwei , Shan Lei , Shen Yunheng , Zhang Weidong
Published: September 2015

Two new quinone enantiomers (−) and (+)-merrilliaquinone (1a, 1b) were isolated from Illicium merrillianum, 1b exhibited a selective cytotoxicity between human hepatoma cell lines and normal human hepatic cells, while 1a didn't have such activity.
In vitro model reaction of sulfur containing bio-relevant ligands with Pt(ii) complex: kinetics, mechanism, bioactivity and computational studies
Authors: Mukherjee Subhajit , Reddy B. Venkata P. , Mitra Ishani , Saha Rajnarayan , K. Jagadeesh C. Bose , Reddy Dodda Subba , Linert Wolfgang , Moi Sankar Ch.
Published: September 2015

In vitrodrug reservoir model reactions of thiols with novel Pt(ii) complex were investigated in aqueous medium and the complex and its substituted products show remarkable anticancer property.
Fabrication of photostable PEGylated polymer nanoparticles from AIE monomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhang Xiaoyong , Zhang Xiqi , Fan Xingliang , Li Zhen , Huang Zengfang , Zhang Qingsong , Wei Yen
Published: September 2015

Fabrication of biocompatible and photostable PEGylated nanoparticles from AIE monomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate for cellular imaging.
A novel bisoxazoline/Pd composite microsphere: a highly active catalyst for Heck reactions
Authors: Wang Junke , Zong Yingxiao , Yue Guoren , Hu Yulai , Wang Xicun
Published: September 2015

A novel bisoxazoline/Pd microsphere catalyst was successfully prepared.
Applications of the class II lanthipeptide protease LicP for sequence-specific, traceless peptide bond cleavage
Authors: Tang Weixin , Dong Shi-Hui , Repka Lindsay M. , He Chang , Nair Satish K. , van der Donk Wilfred A.
Published: September 2015

The class II lanthipeptide protease LicP maturates through self-cleavage and enables sequence-specific, traceless peptide bond cleavage.
Linear scaling relationships and volcano plots in homogeneous catalysis – revisiting the Suzuki reaction
Authors: Busch Michael , Wodrich Matthew D. , Corminboeuf Clémence
Published: September 2015

Volcano plots, commonly used to identify attractive heterogeneous catalysts are applied, for the first time, to a prototypical homogeneous system.
Coaxial nanotubes of stimuli responsive polymers with tunable release kinetics
Authors: Armagan Efe , Ozaydin Ince Gozde
Published: September 2015

Coaxial nanotubes with different stimuli responsive polymer layers demonstrate triggered response with release rates that can be controlled by tuning the polymer chemistry.
Topology-mediated electro-optical behaviour of a wide-temperature liquid crystalline amorphous blue phase
Authors: Kim Min Su , Chien Liang-Chy
Published: September 2015

The polymer-stabilized amorphous blue phase manifests a tens of microseconds response time, a consistent achromatic dark state and it is intrinsically electro-optical hysteresis-free.
Manganese oxides supported on hydrogenated TiO2 nanowire array catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction in water electrolysis
Authors: Li Nan , Xia Wei-Yan , Wang Jing , Liu Zi-Li , Li Qing-Yu , Chen Sheng-Zhou , Xu Chang-Wei , Lu Xi-Hong
Published: September 2015

Manganese oxide/hydrogenated TiO2 core–shell nanowires exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction in water electrolysis.
Iron(ii) molybdate (FeMoO4) nanorods as a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries: structural and chemical evolution upon cycling
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Li Wenyue , Ng Tsz-Wai , Kang Wenpei , Lee Chun-Sing , Zhang Wenjun
Published: September 2015

FeMoO4nanorods are demonstrated as a high-performance anode for LIBs. The structural and chemical evolution of the nanorods during long-term cycling is systematically exposed. The improved battery performance is attributed to the self-induced structural optimization.
Hydrochloric acid accelerated formation of planar CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite with high humidity tolerance
Authors: Li Ge , Zhang Taiyang , Zhao Yixin
Published: September 2015

With HCl addition, both the one step and sequential deposition methods can be used to fabricate high quality planar perovskite films.
CO catalytic oxidation on Al-doped graphene-like ZnO monolayer sheets: a first-principles study
Authors: Ma Dongwei , Wang Qinggao , Li Tingxian , Tang Zhenjie , Yang Gui , He Chaozheng , Lu Zhansheng
Published: September 2015

Three mechanisms for CO catalytic oxidation on Al-doped g-ZnO monolayer sheets were comparably studied, among which the Eley–Rideal mechanism is both energetically and dynamically more favorable.