bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ab initio study of the polytypism in InP
Authors: Dacal Luis C. O. , Cantarero A.
Published: September 2016

The existence of polytypism in semiconductor nanostructures gives rise to the appearance of stacking faults which many times can be treated as quantum wells. In some cases, despite of a careful growth, the polytypism can be hardly avoided. In this work, we perform an ab initio study of zincblende stacking faults in a wurtzite InP system, using the supercell approach and taking the limit of low density of narrow stacking faults regions. Our results confirm the type II band alignment between the phases, producing a reliable qualitative description of the band gap evolution along the growth axis. These results show an spacial asymmetry in the zincblende quantum wells, that is expected due to the fact that the wurtzite stacking sequence (ABAB) is part of the zincblende one (ABCABC), but with an unexpected asymmetry between the valence and the conduction bands. We also present results for the complex dielectric function, clearly showing the influence of the stacking on the homostructure values and surprisingly proving that the correspondent bulk results can be used to reproduce the polytypism even in the limit we considered.
Erratum: Weibel-Palade body size modulates the adhesive activity of its von Willebrand Factor cargo in cultured endothelial cells
Authors: Ferraro Francesco , da Silva Mafalda Lopes , Grimes William , Lee Hwee Kuan , Ketteler Robin , Kriston-Vizi Janos , Cutler Daniel F.
Published: September 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 32473; published online: 31 August 2016; updated: 26 September 2016. The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Mafalda Lopes da Silva which was incorrectly given as Silva Mafalda Lopes da. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Enhancement of trichothecene mycotoxins of Fusarium oxysporum by ferulic acid aggravates oxidative damage in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch
Authors: Li Zhen Fang , He Chen Ling , Wang Ying , Li Ming Jie , Dai Ya Jing , Wang Tong , Lin Wenxiong
Published: September 2016

Rehmannia glutinosa is an important medicinal herb that cannot be replanted in the same field due to the effects of autotoxic substances. The effects of these substances on R. glutinosa in continuous cropping systems are unknown. In the present study, bioassays revealed that R. glutinosa exhibited severe growth restriction and higher disease indices in the FO+FA (F.oxysporum pretreated with ferulic acid) treatment. The increases in the contents of MDA and H2O2 were greater in the FA+FO treatment than in the FA or FO only treatments, respectively. Consistent with this result, the enzyme activities in the seedlings increased with treatment time. To identify the main factor underlying the increased pathogenicity of FO, macroconidia and trichothecene mycotoxins coproduced by FO were separated and used to treat R. glutinosa seedlings. The MDA and H2O2 contents were similar in the seedlings treated with deoxynivalenol and in the FA+FO treatment. Quantification of the relative expression of certain genes involved in Ca2+ signal transduction pathways suggested that trichothecene mycotoxins play an important role in the increased pathogenicity of FO. In conclusion, FA not only directly enhances oxidative damage in R. glutinosa but also increases wilting symptom outbreaks by promoting the secretion of trichothecene mycotoxins by FO.
A naturally occurring bovine APOBEC3 confers resistance to bovine lentiviruses: implication for the co-evolution of bovids and their lentiviruses
Authors: Yamada Eri , Yoshikawa Rokusuke , Nakano Yusuke , Misawa Naoko , Kobayashi Tomoko , Ren Fengrong , Izumi Taisuke , Miyazawa Takayuki , Koyanagi Yoshio , Sato Kei
Published: September 2016

Mammals have co-evolved with lentiviruses for a long time. As evidence, viral infectivity factor (Vif), encoded by lentiviruses, antagonizes the anti-viral action of cellular APOBEC3 of their hosts. Here, we address the co-evolutionary dynamics of bovine APOBEC3 and the following two bovine lentiviruses: bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and Jembrana disease virus (JDV). We determined the sequences of threeAPOBEC3genes of bovids belonging to the generaBosandBisonand showed that bovineAPOBEC3Z3is under a strong positive selection. We found that APOBEC3Z3 of gaur, a bovid in the genusBos, acquired resistance to JDV Vif-mediated degradation after diverging from the other bovids through conversion of the structural composition of the loop 1 domain. Interestingly, the resistance of gaur APOBEC3Z3 can be attributed to the positive selection of residue 62. This study provides the first evidence, suggesting that a co-evolutionary arms race between bovids and lentiviruses occurred in Asia.
Gender effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms and miRNAs targeting clock-genes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients (mCRC)
Authors: Garufi Carlo , Giacomini Elisa , Torsello Angela , Sperduti Isabella , Melucci Elisa , Mottolese Marcella , Zeuli Massimo , Ettorre Giuseppe Maria , Ricciardi Teresa , Cognetti Francesco , Magnani Mauro , Ruzzo Annamaria
Published: September 2016

The circadian system is composed of a set of clock-genes including PERIOD, CLOCK, BMAL1 and CRY. Disrupting this system promotes cancer development and progression. The expression levels of miR-206, miR-219, miR-192, miR-194 and miR-132 regulating clock-genes and three functional polymorphisms rs11133373 C/G, rs1801260 T/C, rs11133391 T/C in CLOCK sequence were associated with the survival of 83 mCRC patients (50 males and 33 females). Longer overall survival (OS) was observed in women compared to men, 50 versus 31 months. This difference was associated with rs11133373 C/C genotype (p = 0.01), rs1801260 T/C+C/C genotype (p = 0.06) and rs11133391 T/T genotype (p = 0.06). Moreover women expressing high levels (H) of miR-192 (p = 0.03), miR-206 (p = 0.003), miR-194 (p = 0.02) and miR-219 (p = 0.002) had a longer OS compared to men. In women longer OS was reinforced by the simultaneous presence of two or more H-miR, 58 months versus 15 months (p = 0.0008); in this group of women an OS of 87 months was reached with the additional presence of rs11133391T/T genotype (p = 0.02). In this study we identified a subgroup of female patients who seems to have a better prognosis. Personalized medicine should prospectively take into account both genetic and gender differences.
Large area Germanium Tin nanometer optical film coatings on highly flexible aluminum substrates
Authors: Jin Lichuan , Zhang Dainan , Zhang Huaiwu , Fang Jue , Liao Yulong , Zhou Tingchuan , Liu Cheng , Zhong Zhiyong , Harris Vincent G.
Published: September 2016

Germanium Tin (GeSn) films have drawn great interest for their visible and near-infrared optoelectronics properties. Here, we demonstrate large area Germanium Tin nanometer thin films grown on highly flexible aluminum foil substrates using low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Ultra-thin (10–180 nm) GeSn film-coated aluminum foils display a wide color spectra with an absorption wavelength ranging from 400–1800 nm due to its strong optical interference effect. The light absorption ratio for nanometer GeSn/Al foil heterostructures can be enhanced up to 85%. Moreover, the structure exhibits excellent mechanical flexibility and can be cut or bent into many shapes, which facilitates a wide range of flexible photonics. Micro-Raman studies reveal a large tensile strain change with GeSn thickness, which arises from lattice deformations. In particular, nano-sized Sn-enriched GeSn dots appeared in the GeSn coatings that had a thickness greater than 50 nm, which induced an additional light absorption depression around 13.89 μm wavelength. These findings are promising for practical flexible photovoltaic and photodetector applications ranging from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths.
High-speed microscopy of continuously moving cell culture vessels
Authors: Schenk Friedrich Walter , Brill Nicolai , Marx Ulrich , Hardt Daniel , König Niels , Schmitt Robert
Published: September 2016

We report a method of high-speed phase contrast and bright field microscopy which permits large cell culture vessels to be scanned at much higher speed (up to 30 times faster) than when conventional methods are used without compromising image quality. The object under investigation moves continuously and is captured using a flash illumination which creates an exposure time short enough to prevent motion blur. During the scan the object always stays in focus due to a novel hardware-autofocus system.
DNA barcoding reveals that the common cupped oyster in Taiwan is the Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata (Ostreoida; Ostreidae), not C. gigas
Authors: Hsiao Sheng-Tai , Chuang Shin-Chang , Chen Kao-Sung , Ho Ping-Ho , Wu Chi-Lun , Chen Chaolun Allen
Published: September 2016

The Pacific cupped oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is one of the major aquacultural shellfish species that has been introduced to Europe and America from its native source in the West Pacific. In Taiwan, the cultivated cupped oysters along the west coast have been identified as C. gigas for over centuries; however, several molecular phylogenetic studies have cast doubt upon the existence of this species in Taiwan and adjacent waters. Indeed, our analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences from 313 Crassostrea collected from 12 locations along Taiwanese and southern Chinese coastlines confirm that all samples were the Portuguese oyster, C. angulata, rather than C. gigas. Multiple lines of evidence, including haplotypic and nucleotide diversity of the COI gene, demographic history and population genetics, suggest that Taiwanese C. angulata is unique, probably experienced a sudden population expansion after the Last Glacial Maxima around 20,000 years ago and has a significantly limited genetic connectivity across the Taiwan Strait. Our study applies an extended sampling and DNA barcoding to confirm the absence of C. gigas in natural and cultivated populations in Taiwan and southern China, where we only found C. angulata. We highlight the importance of conserving the gene pool of the C. angulata population in Taiwan, particularly considering the current threats by large-scale environmental disturbances such as marine pollution, habitat destruction and climate change.
Multi-functional nano silver: A novel disruptive and theranostic agent for pathogenic organisms in real-time
Authors: Gopinath Ponnusamy Manogaran , Ranjani Anandan , Dhanasekaran Dharumadurai , Thajuddin Nooruddin , Archunan Govindaraju , Akbarsha Mohammad Abdulkader , Gulyás Balázs , Padmanabhan Parasuraman
Published: September 2016

The present study was aimed at evaluating the fluorescence property, sporicidal potency against Bacillus and Clostridium endospores, and surface disinfecting ability of biogenic nano silver. The nano silver was synthesized using an actinobacterial cell-filtrate. The fluorescence property as well as imaging facilitator potency of this nano silver was verified adopting spectrofluorometer along with fluorescent and confocal laser scanning microscope wherein strong emission and bright green fluorescence, respectively, on the entire spore surface was observed. Subsequently, the endospores of B. subtilis, B. cereus, B. amyloliquefaciens, C. perfringens and C. difficile were treated with physical sporicides, chemical sporicides and nano silver, in which the nano silver brought about pronounced inhibition even at a very low concentration. Finally, the environmental surface-sanitizing potency of nano silver was investigated adopting cage co-contamination assay, wherein vital organs of mice exposed to the nano silver-treated cage did not show any signs of pathological lesions, thus signifying the ability of nano silver to completely disinfect the spore or reduce the count required for infection. Taken these observations together, we have shown the multi-functional biological properties of the nano silver, synthesized using an actinobacterial cell-filtrate, which could be of application in advanced diagnostics, biomedical engineering and therapeutics in the near future.
Mechanism of metamifop inhibition of the carboxyltransferase domain of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in Echinochloa crus-galli
Authors: Xia Xiangdong , Tang Wenjie , He Shun , Kang Jing , Ma Hongju , Li Jianhong
Published: September 2016

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) plays crucial roles in fatty acid metabolism and is an attractive target for herbicide discovery. Metamifop is a novel ACCase-inhibiting herbicide that can be applied to control sensitive weeds in paddy fields. In this study, the effects of metamifop on the chloroplasts, ACCase activity and carboxyltransferase (CT) domain gene expression in Echinochloa crus-galli were investigated. The results showed that metamifop interacted with the CT domain of ACCase in E. crus-galli. The three-dimensional structure of the CT domain of E. crus-galli ACCase in complex with metamifop was examined by homology modelling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Metamifop has a different mechanism of inhibiting the CT domain compared with other ACCase inhibitors as it interacted with a different region in the active site of the CT domain. The protonation of nitrogen in the oxazole ring of metamifop plays a crucial role in the interaction between metamifop and the CT domain. The binding mode of metamifop provides a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism of target resistance and cross-resistance among ACCase herbicides and for designing and optimizing ACCase inhibitors.
Relationships between functional diversity and aboveground biomass production in the Northern Tibetan alpine grasslands
Authors: Zhu Juntao , Jiang Lin , Zhang Yangjian
Published: September 2016

Functional diversity, the extent of functional differences among species in a community, drives biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships. Here, four species traits and aboveground biomass production (ABP) were considered. We used two community-wide measures of plant functional composition, (1) community weighted means of trait values (CWM) and (2) functional trait diversity based on Rao’s quadratic diversity (FDQ) to evaluate the effects of functional diversity on the ABP in the Northern Tibetan alpine grasslands. Both species and functional diversity were positively related to the ABP. Functional trait composition had a larger predictive power for the ABP than species diversity and FDQ, indicating a primary dependence of ecosystem property on the identity of dominant species in our study system. Multivariate functional diversity was ineffective in predicting ecosystem function due to the trade-offs among different traits or traits selection criterions. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms driving the BEF relationships in stressed ecosystems and especially emphasizes that abiotic and biotic factors affect the BEF relationships in alpine grasslands.
Controllable Edge Oxidation and Bubbling Exfoliation Enable the Fabrication of High Quality Water Dispersible Graphene
Authors: Tian Suyun , Sun Jing , Yang Siwei , He Peng , Wang Gang , Di Zengfeng , Ding Guqiao , Xie Xiaoming , Jiang Mianheng
Published: September 2016

Despite significant progresses made on mass production of chemically exfoliated graphene, the quality, cost and environmental friendliness remain major challenges for its market penetration. Here, we present a fast and green exfoliation strategy for large scale production of high quality water dispersible few layer graphene through a controllable edge oxidation and localized gas bubbling process. Mild edge oxidation guarantees that the pristine sp2 lattice is largely intact and the edges are functionalized with hydrophilic groups, giving rise to high conductivity and good water dispersibility at the same time. The aqueous concentration can be as high as 5.0 mg mL−1, which is an order of magnitude higher than previously reports. The water soluble graphene can be directly spray-coated on various substrates, and the back-gated field effect transistor give hole and electron mobility of ~496 and ~676 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. These results achieved are expected to expedite various applications of graphene.
Human and mouse monocytes display distinct signalling and cytokine profiles upon stimulation with FFAR2/FFAR3 short-chain fatty acid receptor agonists
Authors: Ang Zhiwei , Er Jun Zhi , Tan Nguan Soon , Lu Jinhua , Liou Yih-Cherng , Grosse Johannes , Ding Jeak Ling
Published: September 2016

Knockout mice studies implicate the mammalian short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) receptors, FFAR2 and FFAR3– in colitis, arthritis and asthma. However, the correlation with human biology is uncertain. Here, we detected FFAR2 and FFAR3 expression in human monocytes via immunohistochemistry. Upon treatment with acetate SCFA or FFAR2- and FFAR3-specific synthetic agonists, human monocytes displayed elevated p38 phosphorylation and attenuated C5, CCL1, CCL2, GM-CSF, IL-1α, IL-1β and ICAM-1 inflammatory cytokine expression. Acetate and FFAR2 agonist treatment also repressed Akt and ERK2 signalling. Surprisingly, mouse monocytes displayed a distinct response to acetate treatment, elevating GM-CSF, IL-1α and IL-1β cytokine expression. This effect persisted in FFAR2/3-knockout mouse monocytes and was not reproduced by synthetic agonists, suggesting a FFAR2/3 independent mechanism in mice. Collectively, we show that SCFAs act via FFAR2/3 to modulate human monocyte inflammatory responses– a pathway that is absent in mouse monocytes.
Highly-stretchable 3D-architected Mechanical Metamaterials
Authors: Jiang Yanhui , Wang Qiming
Published: September 2016

Soft materials featuring both 3D free-form architectures and high stretchability are highly desirable for a number of engineering applications ranging from cushion modulators, soft robots to stretchable electronics; however, both the manufacturing and fundamental mechanics are largely elusive. Here, we overcome the manufacturing difficulties and report a class of mechanical metamaterials that not only features 3D free-form lattice architectures but also poses ultrahigh reversible stretchability (strain > 414%), 4 times higher than that of the existing counterparts with the similar complexity of 3D architectures. The microarchitected metamaterials, made of highly stretchable elastomers, are realized through an additive manufacturing technique, projection microstereolithography and its postprocessing. With the fabricated metamaterials, we reveal their exotic mechanical behaviors: Under large-strain tension, their moduli follow a linear scaling relationship with their densities regardless of architecture types, in sharp contrast to the architecture-dependent modulus power-law of the existing engineering materials; under large-strain compression, they present tunable negative-stiffness that enables ultrahigh energy absorption efficiencies. To harness their extraordinary stretchability and microstructures, we demonstrate that the metamaterials open a number of application avenues in lightweight and flexible structure connectors, ultraefficient dampers, 3D meshed rehabilitation structures and stretchable electronics with designed 3D anisotropic conductivity.
G9a inhibits MEF2C activity to control sarcomere assembly
Authors: Ow Jin Rong , Palanichamy Kala Monica , Rao Vinay Kumar , Choi Min Hee , Bharathy Narendra , Taneja Reshma
Published: September 2016

In this study, we demonstrate that the lysine methyltransferase G9a inhibits sarcomere organization through regulation of the MEF2C-HDAC5 regulatory axis. Sarcomeres are essential for muscle contractile function. Presently, skeletal muscle disease and dysfunction at the sarcomere level has been associated with mutations of sarcomere proteins. This study provides evidence that G9a represses expression of several sarcomere genes and its over-expression disrupts sarcomere integrity of skeletal muscle cells. G9a inhibits MEF2C transcriptional activity that is essential for expression of sarcomere genes. Through protein interaction assays, we demonstrate that G9a interacts with MEF2C and its co-repressor HDAC5. In the presence of G9a, calcium signaling-dependent phosphorylation and export of HDAC5 to the cytoplasm is blocked which likely results in enhanced MEF2C-HDAC5 association. Activation of calcium signaling or expression of constitutively active CaMK rescues G9a-mediated repression of HDAC5 shuttling as well as sarcomere gene expression. Our results demonstrate a novel epigenetic control of sarcomere assembly and identifies new therapeutic avenues to treat skeletal and cardiac myopathies arising from compromised muscle function.
Coxsackievirus A16 induced neurological disorders in young gerbils which could serve as a new animal model for vaccine evaluation
Authors: Sun Yi-Sheng , Li Ya-jing , Xia Yong , Xu Fang , Wang Wei-wei , Yang Zhang-Nv , Lu Hang-Jing , Chen Zhi-Ping , Miao Zi-Ping , Liang Wei-Feng , Xu Zhi-Yao , Dong Hong-Jun , Qiu Dan-Hong , Zhu Zhi-Yong , van der Veen Stijn , Qian Jie , Zhou Bin , Yao Ping-Ping , Zhu Han-Ping
Published: September 2016

Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) is one of the major pathogens associated with human hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the Asia-pacific region. Although CA16 infections are generally mild, severe neurological manifestations or even death has been reported. Studies on CA16 pathogenesis and vaccine development are severely hampered because the small animal models that are currently available show major limitations. In this study, gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were investigated for their suitability as an animal model to study CA16 pathogenesis and vaccine development. Our results showed that gerbils up to the age of 21 days were fully susceptible to CA16 and all died within five days post-infection. CA16 showed a tropism towards the skeletal muscle, spinal cord and brainstem of gerbils, and severe lesions, including necrosis, were observed. In addition, an inactivated CA16 whole-virus vaccine administrated to gerbils was able to provide full protection to the gerbils against lethal doses of CA16 strains. These results demonstrate that gerbils are a suitable animal model to study CA16 infection and vaccine development.
Correcting the fundamental ion mobility equation for field effects
Authors: Siems William F. , Viehland Larry A. , Hill Herbert H.
Published: September 2016

Cross sections measured by ion mobility spectrometry are corrected for collision frequency and cooling/heating-controlled momentum transfer.
Novel tubulin-targeted cell penetrating antimitotic octapeptide
Authors: Bhunia Debmalya , Mohapatra Saswat , Kurkute Prashant , Ghosh Subhajit , Jana Batakrishna , Mondal Prasenjit , Saha Abhijit , Das Gaurav , Ghosh Surajit
Published: September 2016

Here, we have discovered an antimitotic cell penetrating octapeptide containing single Arg amino acid.
Activation of SO2 by [Zn(Cp*)2] and [(Cp*)ZnI–ZnI(Cp*)]
Authors: Kelly Rory P. , Kazeminejad Neda , Lamsfus Carlos A. , Maron Laurent , Roesky Peter W.
Published: September 2016

The reactions of SO2 with [Zn(Cp*)2] and [(Cp*)ZnI–ZnI(Cp*)] proceeded with insertion of SO2 into the Zn–C bonds, and oxidation of the ZnI–ZnI bond in the reaction with [(Cp*)ZnI–ZnI(Cp*)].
A MOF-membrane based on the covalent bonding driven assembly of a NMOF with an organic oligomer and its application in membrane reactors
Authors: Jiang Wei-Ling , Ding Luo-Gang , Yao Bing-Jian , Wang Jian-Cheng , Chen Gong-Jun , Li Yan-An , Ma Jian-Ping , Ji Jun , Dong Ying , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: September 2016

Fabrication of a covalent bonding driven UiO-66-MOF-based membrane, which is generated from the self-assembly of NMOFs with organic oligomer SBUs, and its application in membrane reactors are reported.
Directing the Viedma ripening of ethylenediammonium sulfate using “Tailor-made” chiral additives
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao , Cheung Pui Shan Monica , Werber Liora , Gagnon Jacinthe , Sivakumar Reajean , Lennox Cameron , Sossin Aaron , Mastai Yitzhak , Cuccia Louis A.
Published: September 2016

Viedma ripening of ethylenediammonium sulfate can be directed with chiral 1,2-diammonium sulfate derivatives according to the “rule-of-reversal”.
Tandem triggering of wormlike micelles using CO2 and redox
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , Yang Chengcheng , Guo Shuang , Chen Hui , Liu Xuefeng
Published: September 2016

Wormlike micelles reversibly and tandemly respond to biocompatible CO2 and redox, which in turn leads to a change in their rheological properties.
Kinetically controlled simplification of a multiresponsive [10 × 10] dynamic imine library
Authors: Hsu Chia-Wei , Miljanić Ognjen Š.
Published: September 2016

We report the iterative simplification of a large imine dynamic combinatorial library (DCL) constructed from 10 aldehydes and 10 anilines, under the sequential influence of an oxidant, an adsorbent, and an increase in temperature. Six components of this initial DCL are mechanically isolated and amplified at least three-fold relative to their equilibrium distributions at the outset of the sorting process.
Radical trideuteromethylation with deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide in the synthesis of heterocycles and labelled building blocks
Authors: Caporaso Roberta , Manna Srimanta , Zinken Sarah , Kochnev Alexander R. , Lukyanenko Evgeny R. , Kurkin Alexander V. , Antonchick Andrey P.
Published: September 2016

A selective introduction of trideuteromethyl groups for the synthesis of labelled compounds under radical reaction conditions is demonstrated.
Isotropic rotation in amphidynamic crystals of stacked carbazole-based rotors featuring halogen-bonded stators
Authors: Colin-Molina Abraham , Pérez-Estrada Salvador , Roa Arian E. , Villagrana-Garcia Alvin , Hernández-Ortega Simón , Rodríguez Mario , Brown Stuart E. , Rodríguez-Molina Braulio
Published: September 2016

An isotropic rotation in the solid state of 1,4-phenylenes has been discovered in crystalline molecular rotors featuring peripheral halogen bonds.
Initial dissolution of D2O at the gas–liquid interface of the ionic liquid [C4min][NTf2] associated with hydrogen-bond network formation
Authors: Ohoyama H. , Teramoto T.
Published: September 2016

The initial dissolution of D2O at the interfacial surface of the flowing jet sheet beam of the ionic liquid (IL) [C4min][NTf2] was measured using the King and Wells method as a function of both the temperature and collision energy of the IL.
A redox-active radical as an effective nanoelectronic component: stability and electrochemical tunnelling spectroscopy in ionic liquids
Authors: Rudnev Alexander V. , Franco Carlos , Crivillers Núria , Seber Gonca , Droghetti Andrea , Rungger Ivan , Pobelov Ilya V. , Veciana Jaume , Mas-Torrent Marta , Rovira Concepció
Published: September 2016

PTM radical exhibits effective redox-mediated enhancement of tunnelling current, demonstrating its applicability as an active nanoelectronic component.
Self-assembled dimethyldihydropyrene-pyridyl substituted ligands with zinc(ii) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin via axial coordination
Authors: Bakkar A. , Cobo S. , Lafolet F. , Boggio-Pasqua M. , Royal G. , Saint Aman E.
Published: September 2016

A series of dimethyldihydropyrene (DHP)-pyridyl photochromic derivatives has been synthesized and its photochemical behaviour characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods.
A facile room temperature chemical transformation approach for binder-free thin film formation of Ag2Te and lithiation/delithiation chemistry of the film
Authors: Kim Eun-Kyung , Park Dasom , Shrestha Nabeen K. , Chang Jinho , Yi Cheol-Woo , Han Sung-Hwan
Published: September 2016

An aqueous solution based synthetic method for binder-free Ag2Te thin films using ion exchange induced chemical transformation of Ag/AgxO thin films.
Bis[alkynylplatinum(ii)] terpyridine molecular tweezer with conformationally-rigid spacer: modulating the binding selectivity in a three-component supramolecular recognition system
Authors: Li Zijian , Han Yifei , Jin Fan , Gao Zongchun , Gao Zhao , Ao Lei , Wang Feng
Published: September 2016

Modulation of binding selectivity in a three-component molecular tweezer/guest recognition system.
Molecular mechanisms of the anti-obesity effect of bioactive compounds in tea and coffee
Authors: Pan Min-Hsiung , Tung Yen-Chen , Yang Guliang , Li Shiming , Ho Chi-Tang
Published: September 2016

The anti-obesity effects of tea and coffee in cells, animals, humans and the gut microbiota.
A platform for more sustainable chitin films from an ionic liquid process
Authors: King Catherine , Shamshina Julia L. , Gurau Gabriela , Berton Paula , Khan Nur Farahnadiah Abdul Faruk , Rogers Robin D.
Published: September 2016

Biocompatible porous and non-porous chitin films were prepared using ionic liquids and their potential for drug delivery demonstrated using caffeine as a model drug.
Hierarchical mesoporous organic polymer with an intercalated metal complex for the efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from flue gas
Authors: Chen Jian , Li He , Zhong Mingmei , Yang Qihua
Published: September 2016

Direct conversion of flue gas and epoxides to cyclocarbonates has been shown, using a 2,2-bipyridine Zn(ii) based hierarchical meso/microporous polymer as a catalyst. Mesopores facilitate reactant diffusion, while micropores enhance CO2 enrichment.
Highly productive cobalt nanoparticles supported on mesocellular silica foam for the Fischer–Tropsch reaction
Authors: Park Ji Chan , Kwon Jae In , Kang Shin Wook , Chun Dong Hyun , Jung Heon , Lee Ho-Tae , Yang Jung-Il
Published: September 2016

The Co/MCF nanocatalyst containing well-dispersed and highly loaded Co nanoparticles exhibits very high hydrocarbon productivity in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis.
An efficient five-component synthesis of thioether containing dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles: a green domino strategy
Authors: Ramesh Vediyappan , Shanmugam Sivakumar , Devi Natarajan Savitha
Published: September 2016

A one-pot, five component domino synthesis of novel thioether containing dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions is demonstrated.
Denitrogenative hydrofluorination of aromatic aldehyde hydrazones using (difluoroiodo)toluene
Authors: Kulkarni Kaivalya G. , Miokovic Boris , Sauder Matthew , Murphy Graham K.
Published: September 2016

(Difluoroiodo)toluene acts as both the oxidant and the fluoride source in this one-pot oxidation/denitrogenative hydrofluorination reaction.
Field responsive materials: photo-, electro-, magnetic- and ultrasound-sensitive polymers
Authors: Manouras Theodore , Vamvakaki Maria
Published: September 2016

Recent advances in field-responsive polymers, which have emerged as highly promising materials for numerous applications, are highlighted.
Well-saturated ferroelectric polarization in PbTiO3–SmFeO3 thin films
Authors: Wang Yilin , Zhao Hanqing , Zhang Linxing , Liu Zhanning , Chen Jun , Deng Jinxia , Wang Jiaou , Ibrahim Kurash , Ilinykh Nina I. , Xing Xianran
Published: September 2016

Large remanent polarization in PbTiO3–SmFeO3 thin films with distinct a-domains.
Engineering active sites of two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets for improving hydrogen evolution
Authors: Kong Xiangkai , Shen Xiaochen , Zhang Changlin , Oliaee Shirin Norooz , Peng Zhenmeng
Published: September 2016

S edges were peeled off to disclose inner S as new under-coordinated atoms, which exposed more fresh active sites.
Coal fly ash/CoFe2O4 composites: a magnetic adsorbent for the removal of malachite green from aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Miaomiao , Mao Yanpeng , Wang Wenlong , Yang Shanxiu , Song Zhanlong , Zhao Xiqiang
Published: September 2016

The removal efficiency for malachite green using CFA/CFO as adsorbent is significantly improved.
Scalable synthesis of nano-sandwich N-doped carbon materials with hierarchical-structure for energy conversion and storage
Authors: Ding Kui , Liu Qin , Bu Yakun , Huang Yiyin , Lv Jiangquan , Wu Jing , Abbas Syed Comail , Wang Yaobing
Published: September 2016

In this work, we report the synthesis a series of nano-sandwich porous carbon/graphene/porous carbon nanomaterials with function-oriented hierarchical-structure for applications in microbial fuel cells, supercapacitor and gas storage.
Density functional theory and liquid chromatography-multistage mass spectrometry to characterize raltitrexed photo-degradation mechanisms
Authors: Sadou-Yayé Hassane , Karoui Maher , Secrétan Philippe-Henri , Ghermani Noureddine , Gillet Jean-Michel , Safta Fathi , Yagoubi Najet , Do Bernard
Published: September 2016

The structure of raltitrexed photoproducts was elucidated by LC-ESI-HR-MSn. Photodegradation pathways are proposed, using DFT approach to support assumptions. Ralitrexed photodegrades as per photosensitization mechanisms.
Microstructure and thermal characteristics of Mg–Sn alloys as phase change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Fang Dong , Cheng Xiaomin , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Zheng
Published: September 2016

Latent heat storage proves to be one of the most efficient ways of storing thermal energy.
Synthesis, molecular and electronic structure of a stacked half-sandwich dititanium complex incorporating a cyclic π-faced bridging ligand
Authors: Gyepes Róbert , Pinkas Jiří , Císařová Ivana , Kubišta Jiří , Horáček Michal , Mach Karel
Published: September 2016

The thermally robust ground singlet state complex [bis(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium)-μ-(η4:η4-1,2,4,5-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-1-4-diene-3,6-diyl)] (3) arises from thermolysis of Cp*TiMe3.
Sub-diffraction demagnification imaging lithography by hyperlens with plasmonic reflector layer
Authors: Liu Ling , Liu Kaipeng , Zhao Zeyu , Wang Changtao , Gao Ping , Luo Xiangang
Published: September 2016

The sub-diffraction demagnification imaging of hyperlens with plasmonic reflector was demonstrated experimentally in lithography performance at 365 nm light wavelength.
Switchable foam control by a new surface-active ionic liquid
Authors: Shi Shaoxiong , Yin Tianxiang , Shen Weiguo
Published: September 2016

Switchable foam control was achieved for aqueous solution of new surface-active ionic liquid ([BAzoTMA][NTf2]) by alternatively adding cucurbit[7]uril and spermine.
Photostable far-red emitting pluronic silicate nanoparticles: perfect blood pool fluorophores for biphotonic in vivo imaging of the leaky tumour vasculature
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Caraguel Flavien , Liao Yuan-Yuan , Andraud Chantal , van der Sanden Boudewijn , Bretonnière Yann
Published: September 2016

A new non-diffusible fluorescent probe for two photon microscopy, comprising a hydrophobic push-pull dye in the apolar core of Pluronic F127–silica nanoparticles, shows intense red emission (Φf 39% at 650 nm) and two-photon absorption properties in the NIR.
In situ TEM observing structural transitions of MoS2upon sodium insertion and extraction
Authors: Zhang Liqiang , Tang Yushu , Wang Yuecun , Duan Yongli , Xie Degang , Wu Chunyang , Cui Lishan , Li Yongfeng , Ning Xiaohui , Shan Zhiwei
Published: September 2016

The sodiation and desodiation process of MoS2was characterized by in situ TEM technique. The structural evolutions of MoS2, especially its phase transition from 2H to 1T-MoS2and the occupancy of the Na ions during the intercalation are recognized.
Bioinspired fabrication of mechanically durable superhydrophobic materials with abrasion-enhanced properties
Authors: Qu Mengnan , Liu Shanshan , He Jinmei , Yu Chunxia , Liu Xiangrong , Yao Yali , Feng Juan
Published: September 2016

A novel mechanically durable superhydrophobic material is prepared from kaolin by mimicking the lotus leaf's ability of self-repairing micro-structures and regenerating hydrophobic wax layer.
Vertically aligned gold nanomushrooms on graphene oxide sheets as multifunctional nanocomposites with enhanced catalytic, photothermal and SERS properties
Authors: Zhen Shu Jun , Fu Wen Liang , Chen Bin Bin , Zhan Lei , Zou Hong Yan , Gao Ming Xuan , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: September 2016

The nanocomposites of graphene oxide and gold nanomushrooms with excellent catalytic, photothermal, and SERS properties have been prepared.
A superhydrophobic hyper-cross-linked polymer synthesized at room temperature used as an efficient adsorbent for volatile organic compounds
Authors: Wang Junhui , Wang Wan-Qiu , Hao Zhengping , Wang Gang , Li Yang , Chen Jian-Gang , Li Miaomiao , Cheng Jie , Liu Zhao-Tie
Published: September 2016

The hyper-cross-linked polymers CLBE-xwere prepared at room temperature and exhibit a large surface area, super-hydrophobicity and high adsorption for benzene.
ZnO–graphene composites with high photocatalytic activities under visible light
Authors: Xu Junli , Cui Ya , Han Yide , Hao Men , Zhang Xia
Published: September 2016

Porous ZnO–graphene composites prepared by a chemical corrosion process show good photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.
Tellurium-containing nanoparticles for controlled delivery of cisplatin based on coordination interaction
Authors: Cao Wei , Li Feng , Chen Ruofan , Xu Huaping
Published: September 2016

Tellurium containing nanoparticles were designed and synthesized for the delivery of cisplatin.
Iridescent graphene/cellulose nanocrystal film with water response and highly electrical conductivity
Authors: Nan Fuchun , Chen Qi , Liu Ping , Nagarajan S. , Duan Yongxin , Zhang Jianming
Published: September 2016

The co-assembly of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and thermal reduced graphene (TRG) leads to composite films with highly ordered, layered structures at submicrometer level, which can be reversibly changed by the hydration or dehydration process.
Turn-on fluorescence detection of ciprofloxacin in tablets based on lanthanide coordination polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Baoxia , Huang Yankai , Shen Qi , Zhu Xu , Hao Yuanqiang , Qu Peng , Xu Maotian
Published: September 2016

Metal–organic coordination polymers (MOCPs) have emerged as a new family of functional nanomaterials.
Copper-free click chemistry for microdroplet's W/O interface engineering
Authors: Ursuegui S. , Mosser M. , Wagner A.
Published: September 2016

Microdroplets surface engineering using an azide fluorosurfactant prone to react with various functional heads conjugated beforehand to a strained alkyne.
Novel electrospun bilayered composite fibrous membrane endowed with tunable and simultaneous quadrifunctionality of electricity–magnetism at one layer and upconversion luminescence–photocatalysis at the other layer
Authors: Li Jiaorui , Ma Qianli , Dong Xiangting , Li Dan , Xi Xue , Yu Wensheng , Wang Jinxian , Liu Guixia
Published: September 2016

A novel [PANI/Fe3O4/PAN]/[Bi2WO6:Yb3+,Er3+/PAN] bilayered composite, fibrous membrane with tunable quadrifunctionality of electricity, magnetism, upconversion luminescence and photocatalysis has been successfully synthesized.
Phase transition, interband electronic transitions and enhanced ferroelectric properties in Mn and Sm co-doped bismuth ferrite films
Authors: Liu Yalong , Wei Jie , Guo Yaxin , Yang Tiantian , Xu Zuo
Published: September 2016

Polycrystalline BSFM (Bi0.95Sm0.05Fe0.925Mn0.075O3) films with enhanced polarazation by Mn–Sm co-doping due to the phase transition and energy splitting.
Is UV/Ce(iv) process a chloride-resistant AOPs for organic pollutants decontamination?
Authors: Liu Wenqian , Fang Changling , Huang Ying , Ai Luoyan , Yang Fei , Wang Zhaohui , Liu Jianshe
Published: September 2016

Negligible AOX formation is observed in UV/Ce(iv)/Cl− process due to the varied reaction pathways in the presence of chloride.
Constructing densely functionalized Hajos–Parrish-type ketones with six contiguous stereogenic centers and two quaternary carbons in a formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition cascade
Authors: Peng Chieh-Hung , Hong Bor-Cherng , Raja Arun , Chang Chun-Wei , Lee Gene-Hsiang
Published: September 2016

Efficient construction of Hajos–Parrish-type ketones with six contiguous stereogenic centers in a formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition cascade. The spontaneous resolution of racemic product without the need for chiral agent has been achieved.
Identification of monodentate oxazoline as a ligand for copper-promoted ortho-C–H hydroxylation and amination
Authors: Shang Ming , Shao Qian , Sun Shang-Zheng , Chen Yan-Qiao , Xu Hui , Dai Hui-Xiong , Yu Jin-Quan
Published: September 2016

The use of a weakly coordinating monodentate directing group for copper-mediated ortho-hydroxylation and amination reactions allows for the identification of an external oxazoline ligand as a promoter.
Self-assembling solid-state hydrogen source for drylands photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Li Lihua , Lin Zhaoyong , Yu Lili , Li Weijia , Yang Guowei
Published: September 2016

Herein, for the first time, we have prepared a self-assembling solid-state hydrogen source (SHS) for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Low‐power time‐based ADC with alternating time‐residue amplification
Authors: Jung J. , Shin S.
Published: September 2016

A time‐based analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC) that can exhibit both low power and high resolution is introduced. By amplifying alternate time residues and successively subtracting the comparator‐induced timing offset, both fast conversion speed of 2N cycles for an N‐bit converter and very small input‐referred timing offset are achieved. For a 12‐bit ADC implemented in a 0.18 µm CMOS process, an effective number of bits of 10.8 has been measured at a sampling frequency of 100 kHz, while consuming 30 µW of total power.
Improved multiple feedback successive interference cancellation algorithms for near‐optimal MIMO detection
Authors: Mandloi Manish , Hussain Mohammed Azahar , Bhatia Vimal
Published: September 2016

In this study, the authors propose an improved multiple feedback successive interference cancellation (IMF‐SIC) algorithm and an ordered IMF‐SIC (OIMF‐ SIC) algorithm for near‐optimal multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) detection. In particular, the multiple feedback (MF) strategy in successive interference cancellation (SIC) detector is based on the concept of shadow region, where, if a decision falls in the shadow region, then multiple neighbouring constellation points are used in the decision feedback loop followed by the SIC technique, and the best candidate symbol is selected by using maximum likelihood cost. However, while deciding the best symbol, the shadow condition is not checked in the subsequent layers which may result in an unreliable decision. Thus, to improve the accuracy of a decision, the authors propose an improved MF strategy where the shadow region condition is checked recursively. Further, the authors also propose an OIMF‐SIC algorithm where the log likelihood ratio based dynamic ordering is utilised for ordering the detection sequence. Simulation results validate superiority of the proposed algorithms over the other SIC based detection techniques. In addition, to validate robustness of the proposed algorithms, BER performance is computed and compared under channel state information mismatch.
Energy efficiency analysis of cache‐enabled cooperative dense small cell networks
Authors: Liu Jinbo , Sun Shaohui
Published: September 2016

Dense small cells have been considered as a promising solution for improving system throughput in the future 5th generation networks. When a large number of small cells are overlapped, serious inter‐cell interference becomes one of the major technical challenges. Meanwhile, the energy efficiency (EE) of dense small cell networks (SCNs) attracts considerable concern, as well as the number of small cell base stations (SCBS)s in system, transmission power of each SCBS and caching capacity. Thus, the authors attempt to explore the potential of EE of cache‐enabled cooperative dense SCNs in this study. By deriving the closed‐form expression of the EE based on affinity propagation‐based clustering, the authors analyse the relationship between EE and the transmitter power, and that between EE and the number of SCBSs in system. Then, the optimal transmit power and the optimal number of SCBSs in the system are worked out under different antennas of each SCBS. Through numerical analysis and simulation, the authors demonstrate the feasibility and validity of their research.
Multivariable continuous fixed‐time second‐order sliding mode control: design and convergence time estimation
Authors: Basin Michael , Bharath Panathula Chandrasekhara , Shtessel Yuri
Published: September 2016

The contribution of this study is threefold. First, a vector (multivariable) super‐twisting algorithm is designed to provide a direct extension of the conventional scalar super‐twisting control, without any additional terms. An upper estimate of its convergence (settling) time is calculated. Second, a fixed‐time convergent continuous vector super‐twisting‐like algorithm is presented and its fixed convergence time is estimated. Third, an estimate of the finite convergence time of the scalar super‐twisting algorithm is obtained as a particular case of the vector super‐twisting one, which occurs to be less conservative than the one derived specially for the scalar case. The proposed theoretical concepts are illustrated in a number of scalar and multivariable examples.
Trajectory tracking controller for quadrotors without velocity and angular velocity measurements
Authors: Zou Yao
Published: September 2016

This study presents a non‐linear trajectory tracking controller for quadrotors without velocity and angular velocity measurements. The rotation matrix is utilised to represent the quadrotor attitude. Based on the hierarchical control strategy, the position and attitude loops are investigated separately, where two novel auxiliary systems are, respectively, introduced to obviate usage of the velocity and angular velocity information in the corresponding control developments. In addition, a criterion for choosing the position loop control parameters is established to ensure the singularity‐free extraction of the command rotation matrix. Further, an attitude control scheme with the initial condition constraint is exploited to ensure the attitude tracking error converging to the desired equilibrium all the time. In terms of the hierarchical system synthesis theory, it is demonstrated that the quadrotor, with the proposed controller, is able to accomplish trajectory tracking manoeuvres with asymptotically stable property. Finally, simulations verify theoretical results.
Adaptive threshold based new active islanding protection scheme for multiple PV based microgrid application
Authors: Dhar Snehamoy , Dash Pradipta Kishore
Published: September 2016

A new adaptive active islanding protection scheme is presented for a multiple photovoltaic (PV) based microgrid environment, where islanding detection parameters are estimated in adaptive manner according to operational PV penetration level. Dynamic threshold calculation is obtained by a piecewise cubic Hermite polynomial interpolation to detect islanding for a PV based voltage source converter (VSC), where inconsistent solar irradiation profile is subjected to the system connected to local utility through point of common coupling (PCC). The VSC pulse‐width modulation inputs are obtained from primary second‐order phase locked loop based control path, where instability to detect islanding is achieved by active injection of error dynamics (parallel islanding protection path). The disturbance injection is decided from islanding detection parameter (i.e. harmonic amplification factor, %HAF) of PCC voltage and the VSC instability is achieved by desired unstable closed‐loop poles of parallel detection path. UL 1741 standard is considered for the proposed multi‐PV microgrid, for worst‐case scenario study.