bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing noise structure in single-cell RNA-seq distinguishes genuine from technical stochastic allelic expression
Authors: Kim Jong Kyoung , Kolodziejczyk Aleksandra A. , Ilicic Tomislav , Teichmann Sarah A. , Marioni John C.
Published: October 2015

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) facilitates identification of new cell types and gene regulatory networks as well as dissection of the kinetics of gene expression and patterns of allele-specific expression. However, to facilitate such analyses, separating biological variability from the high level of technical noise that affects scRNA-seq protocols is vital. Here we describe and validate a generative statistical model that accurately quantifies technical noise with the help of external RNA spike-ins. Applying our approach to investigate stochastic allele-specific expression in individual cells, we demonstrate that a large fraction of stochastic allele-specific expression can be explained by technical noise, especially for lowly and moderately expressed genes: we predict that only 17.8% of stochastic allele-specific expression patterns are attributable to biological noise with the remainder due to technical noise.
Bioinspired superhydrophobic surfaces, fabricated through simple and scalable roll-to-roll processing
Authors: Park Sung-Hoon , Lee Sangeui , Moreira David , Bandaru Prabhakar R. , Han InTaek , Yun Dong-Jin
Published: October 2015

A simple, scalable, non-lithographic, technique for fabricating durable superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces, based on the fingering instabilities associated with non-Newtonian flow and shear tearing, has been developed. The high viscosity of the nanotube/elastomer paste has been exploited for the fabrication. The fabricated SH surfaces had the appearance of bristled shark skin and were robust with respect to mechanical forces. While flow instability is regarded as adverse to roll-coating processes for fabricating uniform films, we especially use the effect to create the SH surface. Along with their durability and self-cleaning capabilities, we have demonstrated drag reduction effects of the fabricated films through dynamic flow measurements.
Ultralow thermal sensitivity of phase and propagation delay in hollow core optical fibres
Authors: Slavík Radan , Marra Giuseppe , Fokoua Eric Numkam , Baddela Naveen , Wheeler Natalie V. , Petrovich Marco , Poletti Francesco , Richardson David J.
Published: October 2015

Propagation time through an optical fibre changes with the environment, e.g., a change in temperature alters the fibre length and its refractive index. These changes have negligible impact in many key fibre applications, e.g., telecommunications, however, they can be detrimental in many others. Examples are fibre-based interferometry (e.g., for precise measurement and sensing) and fibre-based transfer and distribution of accurate time and frequency. Here we show through two independent experiments that hollow-core photonic bandgap fibres have a significantly smaller sensitivity to temperature variations than traditional solid-core fibres. The 18 times improvement observed, over 3 times larger than previously reported, makes them the most environmentally insensitive fibre technology available and a promising candidate for many next-generation fibre systems applications that are sensitive to drifts in optical phase or absolute propagation delay.
Neuromodulation accompanying focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening
Authors: Chu Po-Chun , Liu Hao-Li , Lai Hsin-Yi , Lin Chung-Yin , Tsai Hong-Chieh , Pei Yu-Cheng
Published: October 2015

Burst-mode focused ultrasound (FUS) induces microbubble cavitation in the vasculature and temporarily disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to enable therapeutic agent delivery. However, it remains unclear whether FUS-induced BBB opening is accompanied by neuromodulation. Here we characterized the functional effects of FUS-induced BBB opening by measuring changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) responses. Rats underwent burst-mode FUS (mechanical index (MI) of 0.3, 0.55 or 0.8) to the forelimb region in the left primary somatosensory cortex to induce BBB opening. Longitudinal measurements were followed for up to 1 week to characterize the temporal dynamics of neuromodulation. We observed that 0.8-MI FUS profoundly suppressed SSEP amplitude and prolonged latency and this effect lasted 7 days. 0.55-MI FUS resulted in minimal and short-term suppression of SSEP for less than 60 minutes and didn’t affect latency. BOLD responses were also suppressed in an MI-dependent manner, mirroring the effect on SSEPs. Furthermore, repetitive delivery of 0.55-MI FUS every 3 days elicited no accumulative effects on SSEPs or tissue integrity. This is the first evidence that FUS-induced BBB opening is accompanied by reversible changes in neuron responses and may provide valuable insight toward the development of FUS-induced BBB opening for clinical applications.
Biplot evaluation of test environments and identification of mega-environment for sugarcane cultivars in China
Authors: Luo Jun , Pan Yong-Bao , Que Youxiong , Zhang Hua , Grisham Michael Paul , Xu Liping
Published: October 2015

Test environments and classification of regional ecological zones into mega environments are the two key components in regional testing of sugarcane cultivars. This study aims to provide the theoretical basis for test environment evaluation and ecological zone division for sugarcane cultivars. In the present study, sugarcane yield data from a three-year nationwide field trial involving 21 cultivars and 14 pilot test locations were analysed using both analysis of variance (ANOVA) and heritability adjusted-genotype main effect plus genotype-environment interaction (HA-GGE) biplot. The results showed that among the interactive factors, the GE interaction had the greatest impact, while the genotype and year interaction showed the lowest impact. Kaiyuan, Lincang and Baoshan of Yunnan, Zhangzhou and Fuzhou of Fujian and Hechi, Liuzhou and Chongzuo of Guangxi and Lingao of Hainan were ideal test environments with a demonstrated high efficiency in selecting new cultivars with a wide adaptability, whereas Baise of Guangxi was not. Based on HA-GGE biplot analysis, there are three ecological sugarcane production zones in China, the Southern China Inland Zone, the Southwestern Plateau Zone and the Southern Coastal Zone. The HA-GGE biplot analysis here presents the ideal test environments and also identifies the mega-environment for sugarcane cultivars in China.
Principal nonlinear dynamical modes of climate variability
Authors: Mukhin Dmitry , Gavrilov Andrey , Feigin Alexander , Loskutov Evgeny , Kurths Juergen
Published: October 2015

We suggest a new nonlinear expansion of space-distributed observational time series. The expansion allows constructing principal nonlinear manifolds holding essential part of observed variability. It yields low-dimensional hidden time series interpreted as internal modes driving observed multivariate dynamics as well as their mapping to a geographic grid. Bayesian optimality is used for selecting relevant structure of nonlinear transformation, including both the number of principal modes and degree of nonlinearity. Furthermore, the optimal characteristic time scale of the reconstructed modes is also found. The technique is applied to monthly sea surface temperature (SST) time series having a duration of 33 years and covering the globe. Three dominant nonlinear modes were extracted from the time series: the first efficiently separates the annual cycle, the second is responsible for ENSO variability and combinations of the second and the third modes explain substantial parts of Pacific and Atlantic dynamics. A relation of the obtained modes to decadal natural climate variability including current hiatus in global warming is exhibited and discussed.
Fluorine doping: a feasible solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance wide bandgap Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components
Authors: Liu Lishu , Mei Zengxia , Hou Yaonan , Liang Huili , Azarov Alexander , Venkatachalapathy Vishnukanthan , Kuznetsov Andrej , Du Xiaolong
Published: October 2015

N-type doping of high-resistance wide bandgap semiconductors, wurtzite high-Mg-content MgxZn1–xO for instance, has always been a fundamental application-motivated research issue. Herein, we report a solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components, which has been reliably achieved by fluorine doping via radio-frequency plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxial growth. Fluorine dopants were demonstrated to be effective donors in Mg0.51Zn0.49O single crystal film having a solar-blind 4.43 eV bandgap, with an average concentration of 1.0 × 1019 F/cm3.The dramatically increased carrier concentration (2.85 × 1017 cm−3 vs ~1014 cm−3) and decreased resistivity (129 Ω · cm vs ~106 Ω cm) indicate that the electrical properties of semi-insulating Mg0.51Zn0.49O film can be delicately regulated by F doping. Interestingly, two donor levels (17 meV and 74 meV) associated with F were revealed by temperature-dependent Hall measurements. A Schottky type metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetector manifests a remarkably enhanced photocurrent, two orders of magnitude higher than that of the undoped counterpart. The responsivity is greatly enhanced from 0.34 mA/W to 52 mA/W under 10 V bias. The detectivity increases from 1.89 × 109 cm Hz1/2/W to 3.58 × 1010 cm Hz1/2/W under 10 V bias at room temperature.These results exhibit F doping serves as a promising pathway for improving the performance of high-Mg-content MgxZn1-xO-based devices.
Sculpting the band gap: a computational approach
Authors: Prasai Kiran , Biswas Parthapratim , Drabold D. A.
Published: October 2015

Materials with optimized band gap are needed in many specialized applications. In this work, we demonstrate that Hellmann-Feynman forces associated with the gap states can be used to find atomic coordinates that yield desired electronic density of states. Using tight-binding models, we show that this approach may be used to arrive at electronically designed models of amorphous silicon and carbon. We provide a simple recipe to include a priori electronic information in the formation of computer models of materials and prove that this information may have profound structural consequences. The models are validated with plane-wave density functional calculations.
Biconnectivity of the cellular metabolism: A cross-species study and its implication for human diseases
Authors: Kim P. , Lee D.-S. , Kahng B.
Published: October 2015

The maintenance of stability during perturbations is essential for living organisms and cellular networks organize multiple pathways to enable elements to remain connected and communicate, even when some pathways are broken. Here, we evaluated the biconnectivity of the metabolic networks of 506 species in terms of the clustering coefficients and the largest biconnected components (LBCs), wherein a biconnected component (BC) indicates a set of nodes in which every pair is connected by more than one path. Via comparison with the rewired networks, we illustrated how biconnectivity in cellular metabolism is achieved on small and large scales. Defining the biconnectivity of individual metabolic compounds by counting the number of species in which the compound belonged to the LBC, we demonstrated that biconnectivity is significantly correlated with the evolutionary age and functional importance of a compound. The prevalence of diseases associated with each metabolic compound quantifies the compounds vulnerability, i.e., the likelihood that it will cause a metabolic disorder. Moreover, the vulnerability depends on both the biconnectivity and the lethality of the compound. This fact can be used in drug discovery and medical treatments.
High-level production of violacein by the newly isolated Duganella violaceinigra str. NI28 and its impact on Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Choi Seong Yeol , Kim Sooyeon , Lyuck Sungsoo , Kim Seung Bum , Mitchell Robert J.
Published: October 2015

A violacein-producing bacterial strain was isolated and identified as a relative of Duganella violaceinigra YIM 31327 based upon phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA, gyrB and vioA gene sequences and a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. This new strain was designated D. violaceinigra str. NI28. Although these two strains appear related based upon these analyses, the new isolate was phenotypically different from the type strain as it grew 25% faster on nutrient media and produced 45-fold more violacein. When compared with several other violacein producing strains, including Janthinobacterium lividum, D. violaceinigra str. NI28 was the best violacein producer. For instance, the crude violacein yield with D. violaceinigra str. NI28 was 6.0 mg/OD at 24 hours, a value that was more than two-fold higher than all the other strains. Finally, the antibacterial activity of D. violaceinigra str. NI28 crude violacein was assayed using several multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Addition of 30 μM crude violacein led to a 96% loss in the initial S. aureus population while the minimum inhibitory concentration was 1.8 μM. Consequently, this novel isolate represents a phenotypic variant of D. violaceinigra capable of producing much greater quantities of crude violacein, an antibiotic effective against multidrug resistant S. aureus.
Are invasive plants more competitive than native conspecifics? Patterns vary with competitors
Authors: Zheng Yulong , Feng Yulong , Valiente-Banuet Alfonso , Li Yangping , Liao Zhiyong , Zhang Jiaolin , Chen Yajun
Published: October 2015

Invasive plants are sometimes considered to be more competitive than their native conspecifics, according to the prediction that the invader reallocates resources from defense to growth due to liberation of natural enemies [‘Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability’ (EICA) hypothesis]. However, the differences in competitive ability may depend on the identity of competitors. In order to test the effects of competitors, Ageratina adenophora plants from both native and invasive ranges competed directly and competed with native residents from both invasive (China) and native (Mexico) ranges respectively. Invasive A. adenophora plants were more competitive than their conspecifics from native populations when competing with natives from China (interspecific competition), but not when competing with natives from Mexico. Invasive A. adenophora plants also showed higher competitive ability when grown in high-density monoculture communities of plants from the same population (intrapopulation competition). In contrast, invasive A. adenophora plants showed lower competitive ability when competing with plants from native populations (intraspecific competition). Our results indicated that in the invasive range A. adenophora has evolved to effectively cope with co-occurring natives and high density environments, contributing to invasion success. Here, we showed the significant effects of competitors, which should be considered carefully when testing the EICA hypothesis.
Auditory Sensory Substitution is Intuitive and Automatic with Texture Stimuli
Authors: Stiles Noelle R. B. , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: October 2015

Millions of people are blind worldwide. Sensory substitution (SS) devices (e.g., vOICe) can assist the blind by encoding a video stream into a sound pattern, recruiting visual brain areas for auditory analysis via crossmodal interactions and plasticity. SS devices often require extensive training to attain limited functionality. In contrast to conventional attention-intensive SS training that starts with visual primitives (e.g., geometrical shapes), we argue that sensory substitution can be engaged efficiently by using stimuli (such as textures) associated with intrinsic crossmodal mappings. Crossmodal mappings link images with sounds and tactile patterns. We show that intuitive SS sounds can be matched to the correct images by naive sighted participants just as well as by intensively-trained participants. This result indicates that existing crossmodal interactions and amodal sensory cortical processing may be as important in the interpretation of patterns by SS as crossmodal plasticity (e.g., the strengthening of existing connections or the formation of new ones), especially at the earlier stages of SS usage. An SS training procedure based on crossmodal mappings could both considerably improve participant performance and shorten training times, thereby enabling SS devices to significantly expand blind capabilities.
Programmable gradational micropatterning of functional materials using maskless lithography controlling absorption
Authors: Jung Yushin , Lee Howon , Park Tae-Joon , Kim Sungsik , Kwon Sunghoon
Published: October 2015

The demand for patterning functional materials precisely on surfaces of stimuli-responsive devices has increased in many research fields. In situ polymerization technology is one of the most convenient ways to place the functional materials on a desired location with micron-scale accuracy. To fabricate stimuli-responsive surfaces, controlling concentration of the functional material is much as important as micropatterning them. However, patterning and controlling concentration of the functional materials simultaneously requires an additional process, such as preparing multiple co-flow microfluidic structures and numbers of solutions with various concentrations. Despite applying these processes, fabricating heterogeneous patterns in large scale (millimeter scale) is still impossible. In this study, we propose an advanced in situ polymerization technique to pattern the surface in micron scale in a concentration-controlled manner. Because the concentration of the functional materials is manipulated by self-assembly on the surface, a complex pattern could be easily fabricated without any additional procedure. The complex pattern is pre-designed with absorption amount of the functional material, which is pre-determined by the duration of UV exposure. We show that the resolution reaches up to 2.5 μm and demonstrate mm-scale objects, maintaining the same resolution. We also fabricated Multi-bit barcoded micro particles verify the flexibility of our system.
Engineering a pyridoxal 5’-phosphate supply for cadaverine production by using Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalysis
Authors: Ma Weichao , Cao Weijia , Zhang Bowen , Chen Kequan , Liu Quanzhen , Li Yan , Ouyang Pingkai
Published: October 2015

Although the routes of de novo pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) biosynthesis have been well described, studies of the engineering of an intracellular PLP supply are limited and the effects of cellular PLP levels on PLP-dependent enzyme-based whole-cell biocatalyst activity have not been described. To investigate the effects of PLP cofactor availability on whole-cell biocatalysis, the ribose 5-phosphate (R5P)-dependent pathway genes pdxS and pdxT of Bacillus subtilis were introduced into the lysine decarboxylase (CadA)-overexpressing Escherichia coli strain BL-CadA. This strain was then used as a whole-cell biocatalyst for cadaverine production from L-lysine. Co-expression strategies were evaluated and the culture medium was optimised to improve the biocatalyst performance. As a result, the intracellular PLP concentration reached 1144 nmol/gDCW and a specific cadaverine productivity of 25 g/gDCW/h was achieved; these values were 2.4-fold and 2.9-fold higher than those of unmodified BL-CadA, respectively. Additionally, the resulting strain AST3 showed a cadaverine titre (p = 0.143, α = 0.05) similar to that of the BL-CadA strain with the addition of 0.1 mM PLP. These approaches for improving intracellular PLP levels to enhance whole-cell lysine bioconversion activity show great promise for the engineering of a PLP cofactor to optimise whole-cell biocatalysis.
MR diffusion-weighted imaging-based subcutaneous tumour volumetry in a xenografted nude mouse model using 3D Slicer: an accurate and repeatable method
Authors: Ma Zelan , Chen Xin , Huang Yanqi , He Lan , Liang Cuishan , Liang Changhong , Liu Zaiyi
Published: October 2015

Accurate and repeatable measurement of the gross tumour volume(GTV) of subcutaneous xenografts is crucial in the evaluation of anti-tumour therapy. Formula and image-based manual segmentation methods are commonly used for GTV measurement but are hindered by low accuracy and reproducibility. 3D Slicer is open-source software that provides semiautomatic segmentation for GTV measurements. In our study, subcutaneous GTVs from nude mouse xenografts were measured by semiautomatic segmentation with 3D Slicer based on morphological magnetic resonance imaging(mMRI) or diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)(b = 0,20,800 s/mm2) . These GTVs were then compared with those obtained via the formula and image-based manual segmentation methods with ITK software using the true tumour volume as the standard reference. The effects of tumour size and shape on GTVs measurements were also investigated. Our results showed that, when compared with the true tumour volume, segmentation for DWI(P = 0.060–0.671) resulted in better accuracy than that mMRI(P < 0.001) and the formula method(P < 0.001). Furthermore, semiautomatic segmentation for DWI(intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.9999) resulted in higher reliability than manual segmentation(ICC = 0.9996–0.9998). Tumour size and shape had no effects on GTV measurement across all methods. Therefore, DWI-based semiautomatic segmentation, which is accurate and reproducible and also provides biological information, is the optimal GTV measurement method in the assessment of anti-tumour treatments.
Runx2 contributes to the regenerative potential of the mammary epithelium
Authors: Ferrari Nicola , Riggio Alessandra I. , Mason Susan , McDonald Laura , King Ayala , Higgins Theresa , Rosewell Ian , Neil James C. , Smalley Matthew J. , Sansom Owen J. , Morris Joanna , Cameron Ewan R. , Blyth Karen
Published: October 2015

Although best known for its role in bone development and associated structures the transcription factor RUNX2 is expressed in a wide range of lineages, including those of the mammary gland. Previous studies have indicated that Runx2 can regulate aspects of mammary cell function and influence the properties of cancer cells. In this study we investigate the role of Runx2 in the mammary stem/progenitor population and its relationship with WNT signalling. Results show that RUNX2 protein is differentially expressed throughout embryonic and adult development of the murine mammary gland with high levels of expression in mammary stem-cell enriched cultures. Importantly, functional analysis reveals a role for Runx2 in mammary stem/progenitor cell function in in vitro and in vivo regenerative assays. Furthermore, RUNX2 appears to be associated with WNT signalling in the mammary epithelium and is specifically upregulated in mouse models of WNT-driven breast cancer. Overall our studies reveal a novel function for Runx2 in regulating mammary epithelial cell regenerative potential, possibly acting as a downstream target of WNT signalling.
Gene Expression Profiling Identifies Interferon Signalling Molecules and IGFBP3 in Human Degenerative Annulus Fibrosus
Authors: Kazezian Zepur , Gawri Rahul , Haglund Lisbet , Ouellet Jean , Mwale Fackson , Tarrant Finbarr , O’Gaora Peadar , Pandit Abhay , Alini Mauro , Grad Sibylle
Published: October 2015

Low back pain is a major cause of disability especially for people between 20 and 50 years of age. As a costly healthcare problem, it imposes a serious socio-economic burden. Current surgical therapies fail to replace the normal disc in facilitating spinal movements and absorbing load. The focus of regenerative medicine is on identifying biomarkers and signalling pathways to improve our understanding about cascades of disc degeneration and allow for the design of specific therapies. We hypothesized that comparing microarray profiles from degenerative and non-degenerative discs will lead to the identification of dysregulated signalling and pathophysiological targets. Microarray data sets were generated from human annulus fibrosus cells and analysed using IPA ingenuity pathway analysis. Gene expression values were validated by qRT-PCR and respective proteins were identified by immunohistochemistry. Microarray analysis revealed 238 differentially expressed genes in the degenerative annulus fibrosus. Seventeen of the dysregulated molecular markers showed log2-fold changes greater than ±1.5. Various dysregulated cellular functions, including cell proliferation and inflammatory response, were identified. The most significant canonical pathway induced in degenerative annulus fibrosus was found to be the interferon pathway. This study indicates interferon-alpha signalling pathway activation with IFIT3 and IGFBP3 up-regulation, which may affect cellular function in human degenerative disc.
Unusually high thermal stability and peroxidase activity of cytochrome c in ionic liquid colloidal formulation
Authors: Bharmoria Pankaj , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2015

All ionic liquid-based colloidal formulation as a thermally stable medium for enzyme biocatalysis.
Maleimide-assisted anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation of vinylarenes using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant
Authors: Nakaoka Sonoe , Murakami Yuka , Kataoka Yasutaka , Ura Yasuyuki
Published: October 2015

Arylacetaldehydes were successfully synthesized by anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation of vinylarenes using 1 atm O2 as a terminal oxidant.
A triacontanuclear [Zn12Dy18] cluster: a ring of [Dy4] cubes
Authors: Stavgianoudaki Nikoleta , Siczek Milosz , Lis Tadeusz , Inglis Ross , Milios Constantinos J.
Published: October 2015

A ring of cubes: synthesis and properties of a triacontanuclear [Zn12Dy18] cluster.
From simplicity to complex systems with bioinspired pseudopeptides
Authors: Alfonso Ignacio
Published: October 2015

This feature article highlights some of the recent advances in creating complexity from simple pseudopeptidic molecules. The bioinspired approaches discussed here allowed an increase in the structural, chemical and interactional complexity (see figure).
Layer like porous materials with hierarchical structure
Authors: Roth Wieslaw J. , Gil Barbara , Makowski Wacław , Marszalek Bartosz , Eliášová Pavla
Published: October 2015

Various hierarchical structures have been produced spontaneously or by modification from layered solids consisting of extended sheets with thickness not greater than a few nanometers.
Construction of NiIILnIIIMIII (Ln = GdIII, TbIII; M = FeIII, CrIII) clusters showing slow magnetic relaxations
Authors: Chen Chao , Liu Yashu , Li Ping , Zhou Hongbo , Shen Xiaoping
Published: October 2015

Several new 3d–3d′–4f clusters, LnIIINiIIMIII (Ln = Gd, Tb; M = Fe, Cr), which show slow magnetic relaxations are presented.
Predicting the solar thermochemical water splitting ability and reaction mechanism of metal oxides: a case study of the hercynite family of water splitting cycles
Authors: Muhich Christopher L. , Ehrhart Brian D. , Witte Vanessa A. , Miller Samantha L. , Coker Eric N. , Musgrave Charles B. , Weimer Alan W.
Published: October 2015

We report and validate a method for predicting the solar thermal water splitting abilities of novel materials using easily calculated quantities.
Catalytic reduction of CO2 by H2 for synthesis of CO, methanol and hydrocarbons: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Porosoff Marc D. , Yan Binhang , Chen Jingguang G.
Published: October 2015

Controlling the catalytic reduction of CO2 by H2 to produce CO, methanol or hydrocarbons requires stabilization of key reaction intermediates.
Heterogeneous epoxidation of alkenes with H2O2 catalyzed by a recyclable organic–inorganic polyoxometalate-based framework catalyst
Authors: Haddadi Hedayat , Hafshejani Shahrbanou Moradpour , Farsani Mostafa Riahi , Babahydari Ali Kazemi
Published: October 2015

PW-MOF as an efficient, recyclable and stable catalyst for the selective oxidation of alkenes with hydrogen peroxide.
Probing individual point defects in graphene via near-field Raman scattering
Authors: Mignuzzi Sandro , Kumar Naresh , Brennan Barry , Gilmore Ian S. , Richards David , Pollard Andrew J. , Roy Debdulal
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate the capability of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to probe individual point defects in graphene.
Chemical sporulation and germination: cytoprotective nanocoating of individual mammalian cells with a degradable tannic acid–FeIIIcomplex
Authors: Lee Juno , Cho Hyeoncheol , Choi Jinsu , Kim Doyeon , Hong Daewha , Park Ji Hun , Yang Sung Ho , Choi Insung S.
Published: October 2015

Individual mammalian cells are coated cytocompatibly with a degradable complex of tannic acid and FeIIIwith the aim of chemically mimicking the sporulation and germination.
Study of the nucleation and growth of antibiotic labeled Au NPs and blue luminescent Au8 quantum clusters for Hg2+ ion sensing, cellular imaging and antibacterial applications
Authors: Khandelwal Puneet , Singh Dheeraj K. , Sadhu Subha , Poddar Pankaj
Published: October 2015

We report a mechanistic study for AuNPs and Au8QCs synthesis by cefradine (an antibiotic) molecule, and their application in mercury ion sensing, imaging and antibacterial activity.
Inkjet printed fluorescent nanorod layers exhibit superior optical performance over quantum dots
Authors: Halivni Shira , Shemesh Shay , Waiskopf Nir , Vinetsky Yelena , Magdassi Shlomo , Banin Uri
Published: October 2015

Printed fluorescent nanorod layers maintain high fluorescence efficiency and stable color performance, while quantum dots exhibit quenching and color shifts.
Rectification of nanopores in aprotic solvents – transport properties of nanopores with surface dipoles
Authors: Plett Timothy , Shi Wenqing , Zeng Yuhan , Mann William , Vlassiouk Ivan , Baker Lane A. , Siwy Zuzanna S.
Published: October 2015

Surface dipoles rendered by adsorbed solvent molecules influence ionic transport at nanoscale.
Photocontrol of ion permeation in lipid vesicles with (bola)amphiphilic spirooxazines
Authors: Kandasamy Yamuna S. , Cai Jianxin , Ottaviano John G. , Smith Kelti A. , Williams Ashley N. , Moore Jarod , Louis Kristen M. , Selzler Lindsay , Beler Alisha , Okwuonu Tobechi , Murphy R. Scott
Published: October 2015

(Bola)amphiphilic spirooxazines have been prepared and photocontrol of ion permeation was observed in lipid vesicles.
Synthesis of a polymethyl(methacrylate)-polystyrene-based diblock copolymer containing biotin for selective protein nanopatterning
Authors: Lagunas A. , Sasso B. , Tesson N. , Cantos C. , Martínez E. , Samitier J.
Published: October 2015

Synthesis of a polymethyl(methacrylate) (PMMA)-polystyrene (PS)-based diblock copolymer capable of segregating into biotin-containing PS nanodomains within an antifouling pegylated PMMA matrix: effective protein nanopatterning through streptavidin molecular recognition.
Amidic C–N bond cleavage of isatin: chemoselective synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3,4-kl]acridin-1-ones using Ag NPs decorated rGO composite as an efficient and recoverable catalyst under microwave irradiation
Authors: Dandia Anshu , Sharma Amit , Parewa Vijay , Kumawat Begraj , Rathore Kuldeep S. , Sharma Amit
Published: October 2015

A facile route for the chemo-selective synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3,4-kl]acridin-1-ones via ring-opening or amidic C–N bond cleavage of isatin under microwave irradiation using Ag NPs/rGO composite as an effective and robust catalyst has been described.
Facile fabrication of a magnetically assembled colloidal photonic crystal film via radical polymerization
Authors: You Aimei , Cao Yuhua , Cao Guangqun
Published: October 2015

A facile, economical and practical technique to fabricate a magnetically assembled colloidal photonic crystal in a polyacrylamide hydrogel matrix was demonstrated by an instant radical polymerization.
The pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and excretion of columbianetin acetate and its metabolite columbianetin were analysed in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS after administration of columbianetin acetate and Angelicae pubescentis radix extract
Authors: Jiao Xiu-cheng , Li Jin , Yu Xie-an , Liu Wei , Tian Ji , He Jun , Jin Hua , Gao Xiu-mei , Chang Yan-xu
Published: October 2015

Angelicae pubescentis radix (APR) has been widely used in the clinic for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Influence of different exchangeable cations (Li+, Na+ and Ca2+) on the modification effects and properties of organomontmorillonites used in oil-based drilling fluids/muds
Authors: Zhou Daojin , Zhang Zepeng , Tang Jialun , Zhang Xiangming , Wang Qiang , Liao Libing
Published: October 2015

The effects of exchangeable cations on the structure, surface polarity and thixotropy of CA-OMts.
A self-assembling polycationic nanocarrier that exhibits exceptional gene transfection efficiency
Authors: Sarkar Kishor , Krishna Meka Sai Rama , Madras Giridhar , Chatterjee Kaushik
Published: October 2015

A novel polycationic gene carrier was prepared by conjugation of low molecular weight polyethyleneimine with gelatin through 4-bromonaphthaleic anhydride with exceptionally high transfection efficiency.
Effect of injection timing and EGR on engine-out-responses of a common-rail diesel engine fueled with neat biodiesel
Authors: Teoh Y. H. , Masjuki H. H. , Kalam M. A. , How H. G.
Published: October 2015

This work attempts to reduce the emissions of BSNOx and smoke from the levels of fossil diesel by using palm methyl ester biodiesel. With PME fuel, engine operation at 30% EGR resulted in the optimum trade-off between BSNOx and smoke emissions.
Preparation and microwave-absorbing property of BaFe12O19 nanoparticles and BaFe12O19/Fe3C/CNTs composites
Authors: Yin Liangjun , Chen Tong , Liu Shiyu , Gao Yuqi , Wu Biao , Wei Yufeng , Li Gang , Jian Xian , Zhang Xin
Published: October 2015

A novel kind of BaFe12O19/Fe3C/CNTs composite was developed by the acetylene chemical vapor deposition process. The composites perform great improvement in the microwave absorbing properties compared with pure BaFe12O19 ferrite in 2–18 GHz range.
Constructing aligned γ-Fe2O3 nanorods with internal void space anchored on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets for excellent lithium storage
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Mujtaba Jawayria , Fang Fang , Ahmad Mashkoor , Arandiyan Hamidreza , Yang Hongping , Sun Guoxing , Sun Hongyu
Published: October 2015

Unique 1D aligned γ-Fe2O3 nanorods with internal void spaces anchored on 2D rGO nanosheets were successfully constructed. The resultant nanocomposites of γ-Fe2O3/rGO exhibit excellent lithium storage properties.
The impacts of various operating conditions on submerged membrane photocatalytic reactors (SMPR) for organic pollutant separation and degradation: a review
Authors: Ong C. S. , Lau W. J. , Goh P. S. , Ng B. C. , Ismail A. F. , Choo C. M.
Published: October 2015

The rapid development of membrane based wastewater treatment has led to the emerging technology of submerged membrane photocatalytic reactors (SMPR), which are less susceptible to fouling and capable of separating and degrading organic pollutants in the wastewater.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of a pigment–protein complex from Chlorella vulgaris on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in vivo
Authors: Cai Xixi , Yang Qian , Wang Shaoyun
Published: October 2015

A pigment–protein complex isolated from Chlorella exhibited significant antioxidant activity in vitro and manifested discernible protective action in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo.
Structure–property relationships of aromatic polyamides and polythioamides: comparative consideration with those of analogous polyesters, polythioesters and polydithioesters
Authors: Nagasawa Masayuki , Ishii Tatsuya , Abe Daisuke , Sasanuma Yuji
Published: October 2015

The structure and properties of aromatic polyamides and polythioamides were investigated and compared with those of analogous polyesters, polythioesters, and polydithioesters.
BODIPY-based colorimetric/ratiometric fluorescence probes for sulfite in aqueous solution and in living cells
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Song Lun , Sun Qian , Chen Zhaoyang , Ge Yu , Zhang Weibing , Qian Junhong
Published: October 2015

Two colorimetric/ratiomrtric fluorescence probes for sulfite utilizing the Michael-addition mechanism were designed. BSP1 could be applied in the imaging of sulfite in living cells.
A graphitic-C3N4-hybridized Ag3PO4 tetrahedron with reactive {111} facets to enhance the visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Tang Chunni , Liu Enzhou , Fan Jun , Hu Xiaoyun , Ma Yongning , Wan Jun
Published: October 2015

A graphitic-C3N4-hybridized Ag3PO4 tetrahedron with reactive {111} facets was prepared though a facile solvent evaporation method and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue and removal of NO under visible light irradiation.
Novel La3GaGe5O16 : Mn4+based deep red phosphor: a potential color converter for warm white light
Authors: Zhang Shaoan , Hu Yihua , Duan He , Chen Li , Fu Yinrong , Ju Guifang , Wang Tao , He Miao
Published: October 2015

We gained insight into the temperature-dependent relative emission intensity of La3GaGe5O16: Mn4+phosphor, and the luminescence quenching temperature and the activation energy for thermal quenching (ΔE) were obtained.
Recycling lead from spent lead pastes using oxalate and sodium oxalate and preparation of novel lead oxide for lead-acid batteries
Authors: Ma Cheng , Shu Yuehong , Chen Hongyu
Published: October 2015

A sustainable method, with minimal pollution and low energy cost in comparison with the conventional smelting method, is proposed for treating components of spent lead acid batteries with oxalate and sodium oxalate.
The effect of peripheral substituents attached to phthalocyanines on the third order nonlinear optical properties of graphene oxide–zinc(ii)phthalocyanine hybrids
Authors: Wang Zhao , He Chunying , Song Weina , Gao Yachen , Chen Zhimin , Dong Yongli , Zhao Cheng , Li Zongle , Wu Yiqun
Published: October 2015

Both kinds of GO–ZnPc hybrid materials exhibit transformation of the NLO response from SA to RSA, and the β value of GO–ZnPc(DG)4 is larger than that of GO–ZnPc(TD)4 because of the stronger electron-donating peripheral substituents.
[TM13@Bi20]− clusters in three-shell icosahedral matryoshka structure: being as superatoms
Authors: Kou C. Y. , Zhuang L. , Wang G. Q. , Cui H. , Yuan H. K. , Tian C. L. , Wang J. Z. , Chen H.
Published: October 2015

Using the density functional theory (DFT) method, three-shell icosahedral matryoshka [TM13@Bi20]− clusters (TM = 3d, 4d) have been systematically examined to explore the possibility of clusters being as superatoms.
Cooperative duplex formation by synthetic H-bonding oligomers
Authors: Stross Alexander E. , Iadevaia Giulia , Hunter Christopher A.
Published: October 2015

Flexible phenol-phosphine oxide oligomers show promise as a new class of synthetic information molecule.
The role of membrane curvature for the wrapping of nanoparticles
Authors: Bahrami Amir Houshang , Lipowsky Reinhard , Weikl Thomas R.
Published: October 2015

Energetic barriers for wrapping arise if the membrane initially bulges towards the nanoparticle. In contrast, stable partially wrapped states occur if the membrane initially bulges away from the nanoparticle.
Critical nucleation mesh-size of coarsening transient colloidal networks
Authors: Maier Florian Johannes , Fischer Thomas Martin
Published: October 2015

Isotropic magnetic field modulations cause the formation and coarsening of transient two dimensional paramagnetic colloidal networks.
Peptide nanofiber–CaCO3 composite microparticles as adjuvant-free oral vaccine delivery vehicles
Authors: Snook Joshua D. , Chesson Charles B. , Peniche Alex G. , Dann Sara M. , Paulucci Adriana , Pinchuk Iryna V. , Rudra Jai S.
Published: October 2015

To combat mucosal pathogens that cause gastrointestinal (GI) infections, local mucosal immunity is required which is best achieved through oral vaccination.
Single step synthesis of carbon dot embedded chitosan nanoparticles for cell imaging and hydrophobic drug delivery
Authors: Ray Chowdhuri Angshuman , Tripathy Satyajit , Haldar Chanchal , Roy Somenath , Sahu Sumanta Kumar
Published: October 2015

The florescent carbon dot conjugated chitosan nanoparticles are developed for the cellular imaging and delivery of poorly water soluble drug telmisartan (TEL).
Distortionless segmentation image fusion and coordinate system transformation for 3D scene reconstruction on fibre‐to‐chip coupling
Authors: Liu Xu , Sun Xiaohan
Published: October 2015

A three‐dimensional (3D) scene of fibre‐to‐chip coupling is reconstructed from three captured 2D graphics in which coordinate system transformation and distortionless segmentation image fusion algorithm are presented to visually guide precise alignment and nanopositioning procedures based on the established single lens photometric machine vision system. As an instance, the 3D scene on wedge‐shaped fibre (WSF) coupling with indium phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip is demonstrated, where the wedged angle is calculated to be 46.5°, differing from the nominal value of 45° with the error <3.5%, and for the longitudinal displacement, the computation of 94 μm has the error within 7% compared with the measurement of 88 μm. Under the guidance of 3D scene reconstruction on WSF‐InP PIC, the coupling efficiency is 2 dB higher than that without such stereoscopic image.
Dispersion insensitive demodulation using spectral symmetry of real‐valued signals
Authors: Yoshida M. , Yonenaga K. , Hirano A.
Published: October 2015

A chromatic dispersion insensitive demodulation for real‐valued signals (e.g. binary shift keying and 4 amplitude shift keying) is proposed. This method utilises the symmetric spectrum of the signals and can be implemented simply in feed‐forward manner. Its feasibility is confirmed by simulations and experiments.
Poly‐Si TFTs with bottom‐gate structure using excimer laser crystallisation for AMOLED displays
Authors: Oh K. , Yang S. , Lee J. , Park K. , Sung M.Y.
Published: October 2015

An n‐type polycrystalline silicon thin‐film transistor (poly‐Si TFT) with a bottom‐gate structure using excimer laser annealing (ELA) for active matrix organic light‐emitting diode displays is proposed. A problem with bottom‐gate poly‐Si TFTs (BGPs) using ELA, namely, the disconnection of poly‐Si at the boundary of the gate metal during the ELA crystallisation, was solved by developing a novel process to control the slope of the gate metal. We realised ELA BGPs with pure‐Mo gate having a thickness of more than 150 nm. The BGPs have better breakdown voltage characteristics compared with the conventional top‐gate poly‐Si TFTs because of its flat channel region and homogeneous electric field distribution in the gate insulator.
Narrow‐band emitting microcavity OLED with ITO DBR electrode for sensing applications
Authors: Tien W.C. , Chen L.Y. , Zeng Y.W. , Chang K.W. , Chu A.K.
Published: October 2015

Microcavity organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with ITO distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) were proposed. For the 6.5‐period DBR electrode, the Bragg reflectivity and sheet resistance of 92.3% and 30 Ω/ square were obtained. In addition, the full width at half maximum of the electroluminescence spectra of the microcavity OLED was <7 nm and the enhancement of the optical intensity was 4.6 times higher in amplitude than that of the non‐cavity OLED.
Compact water‐loaded reconfigurable antenna for DVB‐H applications
Authors: Xing L. , Huang Y. , Xu Q. , Alja'afreh S.
Published: October 2015

An ultra‐compact water loaded, 3D reconfigurable antenna is presented for digital video broadcasting‐handheld (DVB‐H) and ultra‐high frequency (UHF) applications. By integrating a varactor diode, the operating frequency of this antenna can be continuously tuned from 463 to 900 MHz. A mixture of the water and water holder is effectively utilised as a dielectric loading to reduce the size of the antenna by 50%. The radiating element occupies a very compact volume (0.013λ × 0.016λ × 0.005λ at 470 MHz). Measurements are conducted to qualify and validate the antenna performance. It is demonstrated that this new antenna is an excellent candidate for UHF and DVB‐H applications.
2 ps resolution, fine‐grained delay element in 28 nm FDSOI
Authors: Hua W. , Tadros R.N. , Beerel P.
Published: October 2015

A novel diversely body‐biased current‐starved delay element (DE) architecture for fine‐grained DEs is presented. Using fully depleted silicon‐on‐insulator back‐body biasing, it achieves a resolution of 2 ps with a delay quantisation error of 7.1%. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art DEs, it exhibits the least leakage current and efficient overall energy consumption and is the most robust to process variations.
Homotopy‐enhanced short‐circuit calculation for general distribution networks with non‐linear loads
Authors: Liu Pan , Chiang Hsiao‐Dong
Published: October 2015

Many existing short‐circuit calculation (SCC) methods may encounter the issue of divergence in solving distribution systems with distributed generators (DGs) and ZIP (constant power, constant current, and constant impedance) loads. To address this problem, this study presents a robust homotopy‐enhanced numerical SCC method for general distribution networks with non‐linear loads. Numerical studies reveal that the difference of SCC results between ZIP loads and constant impedance loads can be as large as 37.9% for the IEEE 8500‐node test system, highlighting the importance of load modelling in calculating short‐circuit currents. To demonstrate its robustness and effectiveness, the proposed method is evaluated on the IEEE 13‐bus network and the IEEE 8500‐node test system. The evaluation results are very promising. One distinguished feature of the proposed method is that it can assist several existing SSC methods to solve the short‐circuit equations of distribution networks with DGs and ZIP loads.
Optimal control strategy of voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current under unbalanced grid voltage conditions
Authors: Sun Li‐Xia , Chen Yu , Wang Zhe , Ju Ping , Jin Yu‐Qing
Published: October 2015

This study presents an optimisation control strategy for the power control of voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current transmission under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. To facilitate simple implementation and flexible operation, the current references are derived and synthesised into one generalised equation that introduces two individually adaptable parameters. The two parameters can be adapted to eliminate the oscillations of instantaneous active and reactive power, as well as the currents at the grid side under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. The optimisation method based on particle swarm optimisation algorithm is presented to determine the two parameters. The simulation is conducted with PSCAD/EMTDC. The results show that the proposed strategy is effective and feasible.
Genetic algorithm‐based phasor measurement unit placement method considering observability and security criteria
Authors: Müller Heloisa H. , Castro Carlos A.
Published: October 2015

The phasor measurement technology has made it possible the monitoring and control of wide‐area power systems. In this study, a new genetic algorithm based method for optimal placement of phasor measurement units (PMUs) considering observability and security issues is proposed. The idea is to allocate the least number of PMUs while providing the most redundant set of measurements. This allocation philosophy ensures reliability in the state estimation process. Moreover, the allocation method also takes into account security issues, by preserving the system's observability in case of loss of PMUs. In particular, the loss of a single PMU [(n − 1) criterion] is considered. The proposed method was tested on IEEE standard test systems and the results are discussed and evaluated.