bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supersymmetry in quantum optics and in spin-orbit coupled systems
Authors: Tomka Michael , Pletyukhov Mikhail , Gritsev Vladimir
Published: August 2015

Light-matter interaction is naturally described by coupled bosonic and fermionic subsystems. This suggests that a certain Bose-Fermi duality is naturally present in the fundamental quantum mechanical description of photons interacting with atoms. We reveal submanifolds in parameter space of a basic light-matter interacting system where this duality is promoted to a supersymmetry (SUSY) which remains unbroken. We show that SUSY is robust with respect to decoherence and dissipation. In particular, the stationary density matrix at the supersymmetric lines in parameter space has a degenerate subspace. The dimension of this subspace is given by the Witten index and thus is topologically protected. As a consequence, the dissipative dynamics is constrained by a robust additional conserved quantity which translates information about an initial state into the stationary state. In addition, we demonstrate that the same SUSY structures are present in condensed matter systems with spin-orbit couplings of Rashba and Dresselhaus types and therefore spin-orbit coupled systems at the SUSY lines should be robust with respect to various types of disorder. Our findings suggest that optical and condensed matter systems at the SUSY points can be used for quantum information technology and can open an avenue for quantum simulation of SUSY field theories.
Cultivating the uncultured: growing the recalcitrant cluster-2 Frankia strains
Authors: Gtari Maher , Ghodhbane-Gtari Faten , Nouioui Imen , Ktari Amir , Hezbri Karima , Mimouni Wajdi , Sbissi Imed , Ayari Amani , Yamanaka Takashi , Normand Philippe , Tisa Louis S , Boudabous Abdellatif
Published: August 2015

The repeated failures reported in cultivating some microbial lineages are a major challenge in microbial ecology and probably linked, in the case of Frankia microsymbionts to atypical patterns of auxotrophy. Comparative genomics of the so far uncultured cluster-2 Candidatus Frankia datiscae Dg1, with cultivated Frankiae has revealed genome reduction, but no obvious physiological impairments. A direct physiological assay on nodule tissues from Coriaria myrtifolia infected with a closely-related strain permitted the identification of a requirement for alkaline conditions. A high pH growth medium permitted the recovery of a slow-growing actinobacterium. The strain obtained, called BMG5.1, has short hyphae, produced diazovesicles in nitrogen-free media and fulfilled Koch’s postulates by inducing effective nodules on axenically grown Coriaria spp. and Datisca glomerata. Analysis of the draft genome confirmed its close proximity to the Candidatus Frankia datiscae Dg1 genome with the absence of 38 genes (trehalose synthase, fumarylacetoacetase, etc) in BMG5.1 and the presence of 77 other genes (CRISPR, lanthionine synthase, glutathione synthetase, catalase, Na+/H+ antiporter, etc) not found in Dg1. A multi-gene phylogeny placed the two cluster-2 strains together at the root of the Frankia radiation.
Mitochondrial Haplotypes Influence Metabolic Traits in Porcine Transmitochondrial Cybrids
Authors: Yu Guanghui , Xiang Hai , Tian Jianhui , Yin Jingdong , Pinkert Carl A. , Li Qiuyan , Zhao Xingbo
Published: August 2015

In farm animals, mitochondrial DNA mutations exist widely across breeds and individuals. In order to identify differences among mtDNA haplotypes, two porcine transmitochondrial cybrids were generated by fusion of a Lantang pig cell line devoid of mitochondrial DNA with enucleated cytoplasm from either a Large White pig or a Xiang pig harboring potentially divergent mitochondrial haplotypes. These cybrid cells were subjected to mitochondrial genome sequencing, copy number detecting and analysis of biochemical traits including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, ATP content and susceptibility to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The Lantang and Xiang mitochondrial genomes were highly homologous with only 18 polymorphic sites and differed radically from the Large White with 201 and 198 mutations respectively. The Large White and Xiang cybrids exhibited similar mtDNA copy numbers and different values among biochemical traits, generated greater ROS production (P < 0.05) and less SDH activity (P < 0.05) and a lesser ATP content (P < 0.05). The results show that functional differences exist between cybrid cells which differ in mitochondrial genomic background. In conclusion, transmitochondrial cybrids provide the first direct evidence on pig biochemical traits linking different mitochondrial genome haplotypes.
Generation of entanglement in quantum parametric oscillators using phase control
Authors: Gonzalez-Henao J. C. , Pugliese E. , Euzzor S. , Abdalah S.F. , Meucci R. , Roversi J. A.
Published: August 2015

The control of quantum entanglement in systems in contact with environment plays an important role in information processing, cryptography and quantum computing. However, interactions with the environment, even when very weak, entail decoherence in the system with consequent loss of entanglement. Here we consider a system of two coupled oscillators in contact with a common heat bath and with a time dependent oscillation frequency. The possibility to control the entanglement of the oscillators by means of an external sinusoidal perturbation applied to the oscillation frequency has been theoretically explored. We demonstrate that the oscillators become entangled exactly in the region where the classical counterpart is unstable, otherwise when the classical system is stable, entanglement is not possible. Therefore, we can control the entanglement swapping from stable to unstable regions by adjusting amplitude and phase of our external controller. We also show that the entanglement rate is approximately proportional to the real part of the Floquet coefficient of the classical counterpart of the oscillators. Our results have the intriguing peculiarity of manipulating quantum information operating on a classical system.
Female heterogamety in Madagascar chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae: Furcifer): differentiation of sex and neo-sex chromosomes
Authors: Rovatsos Michail , Pokorná Martina Johnson , Altmanová Marie , Kratochvíl Lukáš
Published: August 2015

Amniotes possess variability in sex determining mechanisms, however, this diversity is still only partially known throughout the clade and sex determining systems still remain unknown even in such a popular and distinctive lineage as chameleons (Squamata: Acrodonta: Chamaeleonidae). Here, we present evidence for female heterogamety in this group. The Malagasy giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) (chromosome number 2n = 22) possesses heteromorphic Z and W sex chromosomes with heterochromatic W. The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) (2n = 22 in males, 21 in females), the second most popular chameleon species in the world pet trade, exhibits a rather rare Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W system of multiple sex chromosomes, which most likely evolved from W-autosome fusion. Notably, its neo-W chromosome is partially heterochromatic and its female-specific genetic content has expanded into the previously autosomal region. Showing clear evidence for genotypic sex determination in the panther chameleon, we resolve the long-standing question of whether or not environmental sex determination exists in this species. Together with recent findings in other reptile lineages, our work demonstrates that female heterogamety is widespread among amniotes, adding another important piece to the mosaic of knowledge on sex determination in amniotes needed to understand the evolution of this important trait.
Gap junctional protein Cx43 is involved in the communication between extracellular vesicles and mammalian cells
Authors: Soares Ana Rosa , Martins-Marques Tania , Ribeiro-Rodrigues Teresa , Ferreira Joao Vasco , Catarino Steve , Pinho Maria João , Zuzarte Monica , Isabel Anjo Sandra , Manadas Bruno , P.G. Sluijter Joost , Pereira Paulo , Girao Henrique
Published: August 2015

Intercellular communication is vital to ensure tissue and organism homeostasis and can occur directly, between neighbour cells via gap junctions (GJ), or indirectly, at longer distances, through extracellular vesicles, including exosomes. Exosomes, as intercellular carriers of messenger molecules, mediate the transfer of biological information between donor and acceptor cells. Although the biological effects of exosomes in target cells have been intensively studied, the mechanisms that govern exosomal uptake are not fully understood. Here, we show that Connexin 43 (Cx43), the most widely expressed GJ protein, is present in exosomes in the form of hexameric channels and, more importantly, that exosomal Cx43 is able to modulate the interaction and transfer of information between exosomes and acceptor cells. This study envisions a new paradigm where Cx43-containing channels mediate the release of exosomal content into cells, which constitutes a novel and unanticipated mechanism to modulate intercellular communication.
Simple synthesis of highly catalytic carbon-free MnCo2O4@Ni as an oxygen electrode for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries with long-term stability
Authors: Kalubarme Ramchandra S. , Jadhav Harsharaj S. , Ngo Duc Tung , Park Ga-Eun , Fisher John G. , Choi Yun-Il , Ryu Won-Hee , Park Chan-Jin
Published: August 2015

An effective integrated design with a free standing and carbon-free architecture of spinel MnCo2O4 oxide prepared using facile and cost effective hydrothermal method as the oxygen electrode for the Li–O2 battery, is introduced to avoid the parasitic reactions of carbon and binder with discharge products and reaction intermediates, respectively. The highly porous structure of the electrode allows the electrolyte and oxygen to diffuse effectively into the catalytically active sites and hence improve the cell performance. The amorphous Li2O2 will then precipitate and decompose on the surface of free-standing catalyst nanorods. Electrochemical examination demonstrates that the free-standing electrode without carbon support gives the highest specific capacity and the minimum capacity fading among the rechargeable Li–O2 batteries tested. The Li-O2 cell has demonstrated a cyclability of 119 cycles while maintaining a moderate specific capacity of 1000 mAh g−1. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the fast kinetics of electron transport provided by the free-standing structure and the high electro-catalytic activity of the spinel oxide enables excellent performance of the oxygen electrode for Li-O2 cells.
Taming of Modulation Instability by Spatio-Temporal Modulation of the Potential
Authors: Kumar S. , Herrero R. , Botey M. , Staliunas K.
Published: August 2015

Spontaneous pattern formation in a variety of spatially extended nonlinear systems always occurs through a modulation instability, sometimes called Turing instability: the homogeneous state of the system becomes unstable with respect to growing modulation modes. Therefore, the manipulation of the modulation instability is of primary importance in controlling and manipulating the character of spatial patterns initiated by that instability. We show that a spatio-temporal periodic modulation of the potential of spatially extended systems results in a modification of its pattern forming instability. Depending on the modulation character the instability can be partially suppressed, can change its spectrum (for instance the long wave instability can transform into short wave instability), can split into two, or can be completely eliminated. The latter result is of special practical interest, as it can be used to stabilize the intrinsically unstable system. The result bears general character, as it is shown here on a universal model of the Complex Ginzburg-Landau equation in one and two spatial dimensions (and time). The physical mechanism of the instability suppression can be applied to a variety of intrinsically unstable dissipative systems, like self-focusing lasers, reaction-diffusion systems, as well as in unstable conservative systems, like attractive Bose Einstein condensates.
All-solid-state lithium-oxygen battery with high safety in wide ambient temperature range
Authors: Kitaura Hirokazu , Zhou Haoshen
Published: August 2015

There is need to develop high energy storage devices with high safety to satisfy the growing industrial demands. Here, we show the potential to realize such batteries by assembling a lithium-oxygen cell using an inorganic solid electrolyte without any flammable liquid or polymer materials. The lithium-oxygen battery using Li1.575Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 solid electrolyte was examined in the pure oxygen atmosphere from room temperature to 120 °C. The cell works at room temperature and first full discharge capacity of 1420 mAh g−1 at 10 mA g−1 (based on the mass of carbon material in the air electrode) was obtained. The charge curve started from 3.0 V and that the majority of it lay below 4.2 V. The cell also safely works at high temperature over 80 °C with the improved battery performance. Furthermore, fundamental data of the electrochemical performance, such as cyclic voltammogram, cycle performance and rate performance was obtained and this work demonstrated the potential of the all-solid-state lithium-oxygen battery for wide temperature application as a first step.
Atomic View of Filament Growth in Electrochemical Memristive Elements
Authors: Lv Hangbing , Xu Xiaoxin , Sun Pengxiao , Liu Hongtao , Luo Qing , Liu Qi , Banerjee Writam , Sun Haitao , Long Shibing , Li Ling , Liu Ming
Published: August 2015

Memristive devices, with a fusion of memory and logic functions, provide good opportunities for configuring new concepts computing. However, progress towards paradigm evolution has been delayed due to the limited understanding of the underlying operating mechanism. The stochastic nature and fast growth of localized conductive filament bring difficulties to capture the detailed information on its growth kinetics. In this work, refined programming scheme with real-time current regulation was proposed to study the detailed information on the filament growth. By such, discrete tunneling and quantized conduction were observed. The filament was found to grow with a unit length, matching with the hopping conduction of Cu ions between interstitial sites of HfO2 lattice. The physical nature of the formed filament was characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Copper rich conical filament with decreasing concentration from center to edge was identified. Based on these results, a clear picture of filament growth from atomic view could be drawn to account for the resistance modulation of oxide electrolyte based electrochemical memristive elements.
Ion manipulations in structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM): computational evaluation of a 90° turn and a switch
Authors: Garimella Sandilya V. B. , Ibrahim Yehia. M. , Webb Ian K. , Ipsen Andreas B. , Chen Tsung-Chi , Tolmachev Aleksey V. , Baker Erin S. , Anderson Gordon A. , Smith Richard D.
Published: August 2015

Mobility Selected Ion Manipulations into Orthogonal Channels.
Multi-stage, charge conversional, stimuli-responsive nanogels for therapeutic protein delivery
Authors: Zhang Xuejiao , Zhang Kai , Haag Rainer
Published: August 2015

A two-stage charge conversional nanogel with ATP/pH-sensitivity was generated. The first-stage charge conversion at tumor extracellular pH can enhance the tumor cellular uptake and the second-stage charge conversion in the acidic intracellular organelles (endo/lysosome) can result in the endosomal escape.
A new strategy for site-specific alkylation of DNA using oligonucleotides containing an abasic site and alkylating probes
Authors: Sato Norihiro , Tsuji Genichiro , Sasaki Yoshihiro , Usami Akira , Moki Takuma , Onizuka Kazumitsu , Yamada Ken , Nagatsugi Fumi
Published: August 2015

In this communication, we report a new strategy for the selective alkylation of DNA using an oligonucleotide containing an abasic site and alkylating probes.
Synthesis of novel book-like K0.23V2O5 crystals and their electrochemical behavior in lithium batteries
Authors: Xu Maowen , Han Jin , Li Guannan , Niu Yubin , Liu Sangui , Hou Junke , Wang Minqiang , Song Jie , Li Chang Ming
Published: August 2015

A novel book-like K0.23V2O5 crystal is obtained by a simple hydrothermal method and is explored as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries for the first time.
Hydrogen storage in high surface area graphene scaffolds
Authors: Klechikov Alexey , Mercier Guillaume , Sharifi Tiva , Baburin Igor A. , Seifert Gotthard , Talyzin Alexandr V.
Published: August 2015

Graphene scaffold materials with a surface area of ∼3300 m2 g−1 showed hydrogen uptakes up to ∼7.5 wt% at 77 K.
Modelling of graphene functionalization
Authors: Pykal Martin , Jurečka Petr , Karlický František , Otyepka Michal
Published: August 2015

This perspective describes the available theoretical methods and models for simulating graphene functionalization based on quantum and classical mechanics.
Singlet lifetime measurements in an all-proton chemically equivalent spin system by hyperpolarization and weak spin lock transfers
Authors: Zhang Y. , Basu K. , Canary J. W. , Jerschow A.
Published: August 2015

We show that a PHIP-originated singlet state in a chemically equivalent proton spin system can be revealed by a weak power spin-lock.
Nickel-supported carbon nitride photocatalyst combined with organic dye for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution from water
Authors: Mori Kohsuke , Itoh Taiki , Kakudo Hiroki , Iwamoto Tomoyuki , Masui Yoichi , Onaka Makoto , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: August 2015

The combination of an active Ni site and thiazole orange photosensitizer on g-C3N4 enables visible-light-driven H2 production in aqueous media.
Diarylferrocene tweezers for cation binding
Authors: Lima Carlos F. R. A. C. , Fernandes Ana M. , Melo André , Gonçalves Luís M. , Silva Artur M. S. , Santos Luís M. N. B. F.
Published: August 2015

Diarylferrocenes can act as molecular tweezers of cations. Their unique molecular shape and low torsional potentials allow for strong binding of small cations in the gas phase.
An intermediate band dye-sensitised solar cell using triplet–triplet annihilation
Authors: Simpson Catherine , Clarke Tracey M. , MacQueen Rowan W. , Cheng Yuen Yap , Trevitt Adam J. , Mozer Attila J. , Wagner Pawel , Schmidt Timothy W. , Nattestad Andrew
Published: August 2015

A new mechanism of charge photogeneration is demonstrated for the first time, based on organic molecular structures.
Correction: Correlation between hierarchical structure of crystal networks and macroscopic performance of mesoscopic soft materials and engineering principles
Authors: Lin Naibo , Liu Xiang Yang
Published: August 2015

Correction for ‘Correlation between hierarchical structure of crystal networks and macroscopic performance of mesoscopic soft materials and engineering principles’ by Naibo Lin et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cs00074b.
Nitrogen–boron coordination versus OH⋯N hydrogen bonding in pyridoxaboroles – aza analogues of benzoxaboroles
Authors: Steciuk I. , Durka K. , Gontarczyk K. , Dąbrowski M. , Luliński S. , Woźniak K.
Published: August 2015

Pyridoxaboroles are novel amphoteric heterocycles forming either hydrogen-bonded networks or polymeric aggregates depending on the donor properties of a nitrogen atom.
Unexpected synthesis of an Au2In2 tetrametallatricyclic complex from α-aminophosphines and formation of Au–In–P and Ag–In–P nanomaterials
Authors: Chen Hsiao Wei , Andy Hor T. S. , Pattacini Roberto , Braunstein Pierre
Published: August 2015

Four Au–(μ-phosphinite)–In units form an unprecedented Au2In2 12-membered metallacycle which intersects at the In centres an 8-membered ring containing two In–μ-phosphinate linkages, resulting in a tricyclic structure.
Spontaneous dehydrocoupling in peri-substituted phosphine–borane adducts
Authors: Taylor Laurence J. , Surgenor Brian A. , Wawrzyniak Piotr , Ray Matthew J. , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Kilian Petr
Published: August 2015

Borane adducts of peri-substituted bis(phosphines) eliminate hydrogen at room temperature, without the presence of catalysts. These reactions are the first examples of “spontaneous” phosphine–borane dehydrocoupling.
High-yield, fluoride-free and large-scale synthesis of MIL-101(Cr)
Authors: Zhao Tian , Jeremias Felix , Boldog Ishtvan , Nguyen Binh , Henninger Stefan K. , Janiak Christoph
Published: August 2015

MIL-101(Cr), one of the most important prototypical MOFs, is well investigated and widely used in many scientific fields.
Facile kinetic induction of a dihydropyridide to pyrrolide ring contraction
Authors: Carbery David R. , Hill Michael S. , Mahon Mary F. , Weetman Catherine
Published: August 2015

A sterically demanding N-aryl carbodiimide reacts with magnesium 1,4-dihydropyridides to initiate heterocyclic ring contraction and pyrrolide formation under unprecedentedly mild conditions.
Microfluidic mazes to characterize T-cell exploration patterns following activation in vitro
Authors: Jain Namrata G. , Wong Elisabeth A. , Aranyosi Alexander J. , Boneschansker Leo , Markmann James F. , Briscoe David M. , Irimia Daniel
Published: August 2015

We designed microfluidic maze devices to quantify the exploratory migration patterns of T-cells and found that mitogen activation and chemoattractant gradients significantly increase exploration patterns.
Matrix effects of carbon and bromine in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Wiltsche Helmar , Winkler Monika , Tirk Paul
Published: August 2015

In inductively coupled plasma based techniques the signal enhancing effect of carbon on high ionization potential elements is not only caused by changes in the nebulization efficiency and charge exchange reactions, but also by increased plasma power density and the state of matter of the introduced carbon species.
An integrated network platform for contextual prioritization of drugs and pathways
Authors: Segura-Cabrera Aldo , Singh Navneet , Komurov Kakajan
Published: August 2015

Network-based analyses facilitate contextual drug repositioning.
Catalytic one-pot microwave assisted synthesis of 4-azapodophyllotoxin derivatives and rational design of experiment
Authors: Chang Peng , Aillerie Alexandre , Kosmala Marion , Pellegrini Sylvain , Bousquet Till , Bigan Muriel , Pélinski Lydie
Published: August 2015

A catalytic one-pot microwave assisted synthesis of 4-azapodophyllotoxin has been described. Rational design of experiment has been used to obtain the reaction yield.
Cinchona alkaloid-based chiral catalysts act as highly efficient multifunctional organocatalysts for the asymmetric conjugate addition of malonates to nitroolefins
Authors: Ashokkumar Veeramanoharan , Siva Ayyanar
Published: August 2015

New pentaerythritol tetrabromide based chiral quaternary ammonium salts have been prepared and used as organocatalysts for enantioselective Michael addition reactions between various nitroolefins and Michael donors under mild reaction conditions with very good chemical yields and ee's.
Enamine/butadienylborane cycloaddition in the frustrated Lewis pair regime
Authors: Chen Guo-Qiang , Türkyilmaz Fatma , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Bannwarth Christoph , Grimme Stefan , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: August 2015

The dienylborane2aunderwent a stepwise cycloaddition reaction with enamines followed by amidoborane elimination.
Helical peptaibol mimics are better ionophores when racemic than when enantiopure
Authors: Pike Sarah J. , Jones Jennifer E. , Raftery James , Clayden Jonathan , Webb Simon J.
Published: August 2015

Short helical peptide foldamers rich in α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) can transport ions across the membranes of phospholipid vesicles, with racemic mixtures more active than their enantiopure counterparts.
Reverse-hydroformylation: a missing reaction explored
Authors: Nandakumar Avanashiappan , Sahoo Manoj K. , Balaraman Ekambaram
Published: August 2015

Recent progress in transition-metal catalysed acceptor- and acceptorless-reverse hydroformylation of aldehydes for the conversion of olefins has been discussed. The aldehyde feedstock serves as a source for production of syngas and valuable alkenes.
Insulating oxide film formation with acid catalyzed hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors in supercritical fluid carbon dioxide
Authors: Wang Joanna S. , Wai Chien M. , Brown Gail J. , Apt Scott D.
Published: August 2015

Insulating oxide films can be produced by hydrolysis of metal alkoxide precursors in the presence of an acid catalyst in supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (sc-CO2).
Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: a magnetically separable and reusable catalyst for Petasis-Borono–Mannich reaction
Authors: Kulkarni Aparna M. , Pandit Kapil S. , Chavan Pramod V. , Desai Uday V. , Wadgaonkar Prakash P.
Published: August 2015

Magnetically separable cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe2O4, NPS): an efficient catalyst in Petasis-Borono–Mannich (PBM) reaction between salicylaldehydes, sec. amines and aryl boronic acids.
New antimalarial 3-methoxy-1,2-dioxanes: optimization of cellular pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties by incorporation of amino and N-heterocyclic moieties at C4
Authors: Sonawane D. P. , Persico M. , Corbett Y. , Chianese G. , Di Dato A. , Fattorusso C. , Taglialatela-Scafati O. , Taramelli D. , Trombini C. , Dhavale D. D. , Quintavalla A. , Lombardo M.
Published: August 2015

A new series of 3-methoxy-1,2-dioxanes containing an amino moiety at C4 was synthesized, displaying nanomolar antimalarial activity without being cytotoxic.
Structural characterization, optical properties and photocatalytic activity of MOF-5 and its hydrolysis products: implications on their excitation mechanism
Authors: Rodríguez N. A. , Parra R. , Grela M. A.
Published: August 2015

Hydrolysis of MOF-5 gives place to a mixture of two compounds: MOF-5W and zinc terephthalate dihydrate. The analysis of optical and photochemical properties allows to infer the preeminence of a ligand to ligand charge-transfer.
Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of novel fluoroalkyl-substituted pyrazolyl oxazolidinones
Authors: Yan Lili , Wu Jingjing , Chen Heng , Zhang Shaowu , Wang Zhi , Wang Hui , Wu Fanhong
Published: August 2015

A series of novel fluoroalkyl-substituted pyrazole bearing oxazolidinone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against six Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Most have good antibacterial activity, three being comparable to linezolid.
Joint antisense RNA strategies for regulating isoprene production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Chun-Li , Lv Qiang , Tan Tian-Wei
Published: August 2015

Isoprene (C5H8) is a key chemical ingredient for the production of synthetic rubber and plastic.
In silico studies on the origin of selective uptake of carbon dioxide with cucurbit[7]uril amorphous material
Authors: Sahu Debashis , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: August 2015

The efficient capture and storage of flue gases is of current interest due to environmental problems. The DFT calculation demonstrates the origin of the physisorption of flue gases (CO2, N2and CH4) on amorphous solid cucurbit[7]uril.
Assessment of biochar as feedstock in a direct carbon solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Konsolakis Michalis , Kaklidis Nikolaos , Marnellos George E. , Zaharaki Dimitra , Komnitsas Kostas
Published: August 2015

The feasibility of directly converting biochar to electricity in a novel Direct Biomass Fuel Cell (DBFC) was investigated. Three different types of biochars, i.e., pistachio shells (PI), pecan shells (PE) and sawdust (SD) were employed as feedstock.
Synthesis of silica–titania composite aerogel beads for the removal of Rhodamine B in water
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Zhu Mengwei , Liang Wenlang , Rhodes Samuel , Fang Jiyu
Published: August 2015

Silica–titania (SiO2–TiO2) aerogel beads are synthesized by a single-step sol–gel reaction, followed by supercritical drying. They show the good capability of removing RhB from water even after several successive adsorption–photodegradation cycles.
Toward the design of bio-solar cells: high efficiency cascade energy transfer among four donor–acceptor dyes self-assembled in a highly ordered protein–DNA matrix
Authors: Kumar Challa V. , Novak Marc J. , Benson Kyle R. , Baveghems Clive , Thilakarathne Vindya K. , Stromer Bobbi S. , Ross Filicia M.
Published: August 2015

Artificial antenna complexes built via self-assembly are reported, indicating efficient cascade energy transfer, unprecedented thermal stability, and ease of formation.
Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of a new class of fluorescent amidoanthracenophanes
Authors: Kannan Ayyavoo , Rajakumar Perumal
Published: August 2015

The synthesized amidoanthracenophanes1–4exhibit intense fluorescence emission and electrochemical oxidation reduction characteristic of a flourophoric unit.
Amorphous Na2Si2O5 as a fast Na+ conductor: an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Lei Xueling , Jee Youngseok , Huang Kevin
Published: August 2015

An ab initio molecular dynamics simulation suggests a fast Na+ conduction in amorphous Na2Si2O5.
Scaffolding an ultrathin CdS layer on a ZnO nanorod array using pulsed electrodeposition for improved photocharge transport under visible light illumination
Authors: Tang Yiming , Traveerungroj Patrapark , Tan Hui Ling , Wang Peng , Amal Rose , Ng Yun Hau
Published: August 2015

ZnO nanorod arrays are used as suitable large area scaffolds to support CdS for improved visible light photoelectrochemical performances.
Graphene oxide grafted polyethylenimine electron transport materials for highly efficient organic devices
Authors: Kim Jeongmo , Lee Heeryung , Lee Seung Joo , da Silva Wilson Jose , bin Mohd Yusoff Abd. Rashid , Jang Jin
Published: August 2015

We propose a mixture of graphene oxide and polyethylenimine ethoxylate as an efficient electron transport layer for organic solar cells.
A multifunctional PEG–PLL drug conjugate forming redox-responsive nanoparticles for intracellular drug delivery
Authors: Zhou Zhuxian , Tang Jianbin , Sun Qihang , Murdoch William J. , Shen Youqing
Published: August 2015

Tumor-targeting camptothecin (CPT)-conjugated nanoparticles with high stability and GSH-triggered drug release were developed for cancer targeting drug delivery.
Electrochemical deposition to construct a nature inspired multilayer chitosan/layered double hydroxides hybrid gel for stimuli responsive release of protein
Authors: Zhao Pengkun , Liu Youyu , Xiao Ling , Deng Hongbing , Du Yumin , Shi Xiaowen
Published: August 2015

A single electrodeposition process to fabricate multilayered chitosan/layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hybrid hydrogel for stimuli responsive protein release.
Multi-phase microstructures drive exciton dissociation in neat semicrystalline polymeric semiconductors
Authors: Paquin Francis , Rivnay Jonathan , Salleo Alberto , Stingelin Natalie , Silva-Acuña Carlos
Published: August 2015

The exciton dissociation yield of macromolecular semiconductors depend fundamentally on their solid-state microstructure and phase morphology.
Rational design of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based oligomers with deep HOMO level and tunable liquid crystal behavior by modulating the sequence and strength of the donor moiety
Authors: Wang Jin-Liang , Chang Zheng-Feng , Song Xiao-Xin , Liu Kai-Kai , Jing Ling-Min
Published: August 2015

A family of narrow-band gap π-conjugated oligomers and isomers based on diketopyrrolopyrrole and difluorobenzothiadiazole coupled with an oligothiophene or thiazole ring have been successfully synthesized.
PvD1 defensin, a plant antimicrobial peptide with inhibitory activity against Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: do Nascimento Viviane V. , Mello Érica de O. , Carvalho Laís P. , de Melo Edésio J.T. , Carvalho André de O. , Fernandes Katia V.S. , Gomes Valdirene M.
Published: August 2015

Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich peptides and exhibit antimicrobial activity against a variety of both plant and human pathogens. Despite the broad inhibitory activity that plant defensins exhibit against different micro-organisms, little is known about their activity against protozoa. In a previous study, we isolated a plant defensin named PvD1 from Phaseolus vulgaris (cv. Pérola) seeds, which was seen to be deleterious against different yeast cells and filamentous fungi. It exerted its effects by causing an increase in the endogenous production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and NO (nitric oxide), plasma membrane permeabilization and the inhibition of medium acidification. In the present study, we investigated whether PvD1 could act against the protozoan Leishmania amazonensis. Our results show that, besides inhibiting the proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes, the PvD1 defensin was able to cause cytoplasmic fragmentation, formation of multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles and membrane permeabilization in the cells of this organism. Furthermore, we show, for the first time, that PvD1 defensin was located within the L. amazonensis cells, suggesting the existence of a possible intracellular target.
Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) enhances hippocampal excitatory and seizure activity through IGF-1 receptor-mediated mechanisms in the epileptic brain
Authors: Jiang Guohui , Wang Wei , Cao Qingqing , Gu Juan , Mi Xiujuan , Wang Kewei , Chen Guojun , Wang Xuefeng
Published: August 2015

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is known to promote neurogenesis and survival. However, recent studies have suggested that IGF-1 regulates neuronal firing and excitatory neurotransmission. In the present study, focusing on temporal lobe epilepsy, we found that IGF-1 levels and IGF-1 receptor activation are increased in human epileptogenic tissues, and pilocarpine- and pentylenetetrazole-treated rat models. Using an acute model of seizures, we showed that lateral cerebroventricular infusion of IGF-1 elevates IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signalling before pilocarpine application had proconvulsant effects. In vivo electroencephalogram recordings and power spectrogram analysis of local field potential revealed that IGF-1 promotes epileptiform activities. This effect is diminished by co-application of an IGF-1R inhibitor. In an in vitro electrophysiological study, we demonstrated that IGF-1 enhancement of excitatory neurotransmission and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor- and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents is inhibited by IGF-1R inhibitor. Finally, activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2 and protein kinase B (Akt) in seizures in rats is increased by exogenous IGF-1 and diminished by picropodophyllin. A behavioural study reveals that the ERK1/2 or Akt inhibitor attenuates seizure activity. These results indicate that increased IGF-1 levels after recurrent hippocampal neuronal firings might, in turn, promote seizure activity via IGF-1R-dependent mechanisms. The present study presents a previously unappreciated role of IGF-1R in the development of seizure activity.
Modelling and vibration control for a flexible string system in three‐dimensional space
Authors: He Wei , Qin Hui , Liu Jin‐Kun
Published: August 2015

In this study, the control design and stability analysis are presented for a three‐dimensional (3D) string system with the payload dynamics. A set of partial differential equations and ordinary differential equations (PDEs–ODEs) are developed to describe the motion of the 3D string system. The dynamic model considers the comprehensive effects of environmental loads, which are critical for the design of a string system. Based on the Lyapunov's direct method and the properties of the string system dynamics, three boundary control inputs are applied at the boundary to suppress the vibrations of the system under the external loads. Uniform boundedness of the 3D dynamics with the proposed control is achieved. Exponential stability is proved via the Lyapunov's direct method when there is no distributed load. Simulation examples are provided by using the finite difference method, and some useful conclusions are drawn.
Technology of gravity aided inertial navigation system and its trial in South China Sea
Authors: Wang Hubiao , Wu Lin , Chai Hua , Hsu Houtse , Wang Yong
Published: August 2015

The technology of gravity aided inertial navigation system and its trial in South China Sea is presented in this study. The principle and technology are introduced and the results of its sea trial in South China Sea are illustrated and discussed. The gravity data was measured with marine gravimeter. After data preprocessing, multi‐model Kalman filter iterative algorithm is used to estimate position of the underwater vehicle in the stored gravity reference maps. At last the navigation results were compared with GPS's record, a 1.92 n miles optimal position accuracy of two actual marine trajectories is obtained. Furthermore, two aspects (the accuracy of measurements and gravity reference map, the gravity feature variations) and three key parameters, which influence the position accuracy, are discussed and analysed. The trial results show that the gravity aided inertial navigation system is feasible and effective, and the position accuracy of inertial navigation system can be obviously improved with this proposed navigation approach.
Wideband multiple‐input multiple‐output radar waveform design with low peak‐to‐average ratio constraint
Authors: Tang Yonghao , Zhang Yimin D. , Amin Moeness G. , Sheng Weixing
Published: August 2015

Multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar systems allow array antennas to transmit different waveforms and enable flexible transmit beampattern synthesis. Most existing transmit beampattern synthesis methods focus on narrowband MIMO radar system configurations. In this study, the authors propose a novel technique to design transmit waveforms for wideband MIMO radar systems. This technique is based on the optimisation of the cross‐spectral density matrix and achieves a low peak‐to‐average power ratio as desired in practical radar systems. Simulation results are provided to verify the low PAR waveform design capability corresponding to arbitrary beampatterns.
Transcaruncular Approach for Treatment of Medial Wall and Large Orbital Blowout Fractures
Authors: Nguyen Dennis C. , Shahzad Farooq , Snyder-Warwick Alison , Patel Kamlesh B. , Woo Albert S.
Published: August 2015

We evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transcaruncular approach for reconstruction of medial orbital wall fractures and the combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach for reconstruction of large orbital defects involving the medial wall and floor. A retrospective review of the clinical and radiographic data of patients who underwent either a transcaruncular or a combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach by a single surgeon for orbital fractures between June 2007 and June 2013 was undertaken. Seven patients with isolated medial wall fractures underwent a transcaruncular approach, and nine patients with combined medial wall and floor fractures underwent a transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach with a lateral canthotomy. Reconstruction was performed using a porous polyethylene implant. All patients with isolated medial wall fractures presented with enophthalmos. In the combined medial wall and floor group, five out of eight patients had enophthalmos with two also demonstrating hypoglobus. The size of the medial wall defect on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan ranged from 2.6 to 4.6 cm2; the defect size of combined medial wall and floor fractures was 4.5 to 12.7 cm2. Of the 11 patients in whom postoperative CT scans were obtained, all were noted to have acceptable placement of the implant. All patients had correction of enophthalmos and hypoglobus. One complication was noted, with a retrobulbar hematoma having developed 2 days postoperatively. The transcaruncular approach is a safe and effective method for reconstruction of medial orbital floor fractures. Even large fractures involving the orbital medial wall and floor can be adequately exposed and reconstructed with a combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival-lateral canthotomy approach. The level of evidence of this study is IV (case series with pre/posttest).
Value Appropriation between the Platform Provider and App Developers in Mobile Platform Mediated Networks
Authors: Oh Jungsuk , Koh Byungwan , Raghunathan Srinivasan
Published: August 2015

The mobile ecosystem has recently experienced a transition in platform leadership from network operators to mobile operating system providers. In each system the platform provider exerts effort in order to attract other firms for generativity and profitability. In this paper, we identify and analyze the working mechanism of one business practice that significantly influences the ecosystem's generativity and platform provider's profitability via value appropriation. Revenue sharing has become a common practice in the mobile ecosystem following NTT DoCoMo's radical revenue-sharing model contributing toward mobile service success in Japan. Studies further argue that offering a wide portfolio of services through an attractive or innovative revenue-sharing model is one of key success factors in the mobile ecosystem. However, app developers have continuously claimed that they do not receive their fair share and the press reports a substantial number of disputes concerning revenue sharing between the platform provider and app developers. We propose a new bargaining model, the modified apex game, that investigates how value is likely to be appropriated between the platform provider and app developers within a given mobile platform mediated network. We support our theoretical predictions using data collected from the early mobile ecosystem by a network operator as well as the iOS and Android mediated networks.
Current and surface charge modified hysteresis loops in ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Balke Nina , Jesse Stephen , Li Qian , Maksymovych Petro , Baris Okatan M. , Strelcov Evgheni , Tselev Alexander , Kalinin Sergei V.
Published: August 2015

Polarization domains in ferroelectric materials and the ability to orient them with an external electric field lead to the development of a variety of applications from information storage to actuation. The development of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) has enabled researchers to investigate ferroelectric domains and ferroelectric domain switching on the nanoscale, which offers a pathway to study structure-function relationships in this important material class. Due to its commercial availability and ease of use, PFM has become a widely used research tool. However, measurement artifacts, i.e., alternative signal origins besides the piezoelectric effect are barely discussed or considered. This becomes especially important for materials with a small piezoelectric coefficient or materials with unknown ferroelectric properties, including non-ferroelectric materials. Here, the role of surface charges and current flow during PFM measurements on classical ferroelectrics are discussed and it will be shown how they alter the PFM hysteresis loop shape. This will help to better address alternative signal origins in PFM-type experiments and offer a pathway to study additional phenomena besides ferroelectricity.
Development of highly accurate approximate scheme for computing the charge transfer integral
Authors: Pershin Anton , Szalay Péter G.
Published: August 2015

The charge transfer integral is a key parameter required by various theoretical models to describe charge transport properties, e.g., in organic semiconductors. The accuracy of this important property depends on several factors, which include the level of electronic structure theory and internal simplifications of the applied formalism. The goal of this paper is to identify the performance of various approximate approaches of the latter category, while using the high level equation-of-motion coupled cluster theory for the electronic structure. The calculations have been performed on the ethylene dimer as one of the simplest model systems. By studying different spatial perturbations, it was shown that while both energy split in dimer and fragment charge difference methods are equivalent with the exact formulation for symmetrical displacements, they are less efficient when describing transfer integral along the asymmetric alteration coordinate. Since the “exact” scheme was found computationally expensive, we examine the possibility to obtain the asymmetric fluctuation of the transfer integral by a Taylor expansion along the coordinate space. By exploring the efficiency of this novel approach, we show that the Taylor expansion scheme represents an attractive alternative to the “exact” calculations due to a substantial reduction of computational costs, when a considerably large region of the potential energy surface is of interest. Moreover, we show that the Taylor expansion scheme, irrespective of the dimer symmetry, is very accurate for the entire range of geometry fluctuations that cover the space the molecule accesses at room temperature.
Coupled-cluster theory for atoms and molecules in strong magnetic fields
Authors: Stopkowicz Stella , Gauss Jürgen , Lange Kai K. , Tellgren Erik I. , Helgaker Trygve
Published: August 2015

An implementation of coupled-cluster (CC) theory to treat atoms and molecules in finite magnetic fields is presented. The main challenges for the implementation stem from the magnetic-field dependence in the Hamiltonian, or, more precisely, the appearance of the angular momentum operator, due to which the wave function becomes complex and which introduces a gauge-origin dependence. For this reason, an implementation of a complex CC code is required together with the use of gauge-including atomic orbitals to ensure gauge-origin independence. Results of coupled-cluster singles–doubles–perturbative-triples (CCSD(T)) calculations are presented for atoms and molecules with a focus on the dependence of correlation and binding energies on the magnetic field.