bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemosensory signalling pathways involved in sensing of amino acids by the ghrelin cell
Authors: Vancleef L. , Van Den Broeck T. , Thijs T. , Steensels S. , Briand L. , Tack J. , Depoortere I.
Published: October 2015

Taste receptors on enteroendocrine cells sense nutrients and transmit signals that control gut hormone release. This study aimed to investigate the amino acid (AA) sensing mechanisms of the ghrelin cell in a gastric ghrelinoma cell line, tissue segments and mice. Peptone and specific classes of amino acids stimulate ghrelin secretion in the ghrelinoma cell line. Sensing of L-Phe occurs via the CaSR, monosodium glutamate via the TAS1R1-TAS1R3 while L-Ala and peptone act via 2 different amino acid taste receptors: CaSR & TAS1R1-TAS1R3 and CaSR & GPRC6A, respectively. The stimulatory effect of peptone on ghrelin release was mimicked ex vivo in gastric but not in jejunal tissue segments, where peptone inhibited ghrelin release. The latter effect could not be blocked by receptor antagonists for CCK, GLP-1 or somatostatin. In vivo, plasma ghrelin levels were reduced both upon intragastric (peptone or L-Phe) or intravenous (L-Phe) administration, indicating that AA- sensing is not polarized and is due to inhibition of ghrelin release from the stomach or duodenum respectively. In conclusion, functional AA taste receptors regulate AA-induced ghrelin release in vitro. The effects differ between stomach and jejunum but these local nutrient sensing mechanisms are overruled in vivo by indirect mechanisms inhibiting ghrelin release.
CH-π Interaction Driven Macroscopic Property Transition on Smart Polymer Surface
Authors: Li Minmin , Qing Guangyan , Xiong Yuting , Lai Yuekun , Sun Taolei
Published: October 2015

Life systems have evolved to utilize weak noncovalent interactions, particularly CH-π interaction, to achieve various biofunctions, for example cellular communication, immune response and protein folding. However, for artificial materials, it remains a great challenge to recognize such weak interaction, further transform it into tunable macroscopic properties and realize special functions. Here we integrate monosaccharide-based CH-π receptor capable of recognizing aromatic peptides into a smart polymer with three-component “Recognition-Mediating-Function” design and report the CH-π interaction driven surface property switching on smart polymer film, including wettability, adhesion, viscoelasticity and stiffness. Detailed studies indicate that, the CH-π interaction induces the complexation between saccharide unit and aromatic peptide, which breaks the initial amphiphilic balance of the polymer network, resulting in contraction-swelling conformational transition for polymer chains and subsequent dramatic switching in surface properties. This work not only presents a new approach to control the surface property of materials, but also points to a broader research prospect on CH-π interaction at a macroscopic level.
Amiodarone as an autophagy promoter reduces liver injury and enhances liver regeneration and survival in mice after partial hepatectomy
Authors: Lin Chih-Wen , Chen Yaw-Sen , Lin Chih-Che , Chen Yun-Ju , Lo Gin-Ho , Lee Po-Huang , Kuo Po-Lin , Dai Chia-Yen , Huang Jee-Fu , Chung Wang-Long , Yu Ming-Lung
Published: October 2015

The deregulation of autophagy is involved in liver regeneration. Here, we investigated the role of autophagy in the regulation of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) and the development of pharmacological interventions for improved liver regeneration after PHx. We show that autophagy was activated in the early stages of liver regeneration following 70% PHx in vivo. Moreover, amiodarone was associated with a significant enhancement of autophagy, liver growth and hepatocyte proliferation, along with reduced liver injury and the termination of liver regeneration due to decreased transforming growth factor-β1 expression after 70% PHx. The promotion of autophagy appeared to selectively increase the removal of damaged mitochondria. We also found that Atg7 knockdown or pretreatment with chloroquine aggravated the liver injury associated with 70% PHx and reduced liver growth and hepatocyte proliferation. Finally, amiodarone improved liver regeneration, survival and liver injury after 90% PHx. In conclusion, our results indicate that autophagy plays an important role in mouse liver regeneration and that modulating autophagy with amiodarone may be an effective method of improving liver regeneration, increasing survival and ameliorating liver injury following PHx.
Beneficial effects of low dose radiation in response to the oncogenic KRAS induced cellular transformation
Authors: Kim Rae-Kwon , Kim Min-Jung , Seong Ki Moon , Kaushik Neha , Suh Yongjoon , Yoo Ki-Chun , Cui Yan-Hong , Jin Young Woo , Nam Seon Young , Lee Su-Jae
Published: October 2015

Recently low dose irradiation has gained attention in the field of radiotherapy. For lack of understanding of the molecular consequences of low dose irradiation, there is much doubt concerning its risks on human beings. In this article, we report that low dose irradiation is capable of blocking the oncogenicKRAS-induced malignant transformation. To address this hypothesis, we showed that low dose irradiation, at doses of 0.1 Gray (Gy); predominantly provide defensive response against oncogenicKRAS-induced malignant transformation in human cells through the induction of antioxidants without causing cell death and acts as a critical regulator for the attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, we elucidated that knockdown of antioxidants significantly enhanced ROS generation, invasive and migratory properties and abnormal acini formation inKRAStransformed normal as well as cancer cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that low dose irradiation reduces theKRASinduced malignant cellular transformation through diminution of ROS. This interesting phenomenon illuminates the beneficial effects of low dose irradiation, suggesting one of contributory mechanisms for reducing the oncogene induced carcinogenesis that intensify the potential use of low dose irradiation as a standard regimen.
The neural correlates of risky decision making across short and long runs
Authors: Rao Li-Lin , Dunn John C. , Zhou Yuan , Li Shu
Published: October 2015

People frequently change their preferences for options of gambles which they play once compared to those they play multiple times. In general, preferences for repeated play gambles are more consistent with the expected values of the options. According to the one-process view, the change in preference is due to a change in the structure of the gamble that is relevant to decision making. According to the two-process view, the change is attributable to a shift in the decision making strategy that is used. To adjudicate between these two theories, we asked participants to choose between gambles played once or 100 times and to choose between them based on their expected value. Consistent with the two-process theory, we found a set of brain regions that were sensitive to the extent of behavioral change between single and aggregated play and also showed significant (de)activation in the expected value choice task. These results support the view that people change their decision making strategies for risky choice considered once or multiple times.
Influence of dust and mud on the optical, chemical and mechanical properties of a pv protective glass
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami. , Ali Haider , Khaled Mazen M. , Al-Aqeeli Nasser , Abu-Dheir Numan , Varanasi Kripa K.
Published: October 2015

Recent developments in climate change have increased the frequency of dust storms in the Middle East. Dust storms significantly influence the performances of solar energy harvesting systems, particularly (photovoltaic) PV systems. The characteristics of the dust and the mud formed from this dust are examined using various analytical tools, including optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, X-ray diffraction, energy spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adhesion, cohesion and frictional forces present during the removal of dry mud from the glass surface are determined using a microtribometer. Alkali and alkaline earth metal compounds in the dust dissolve in water to form a chemically active solution at the glass surface. This solution modifies the texture of the glass surface, thereby increasing the microhardness and decreasing the transmittance of the incident optical radiation. The force required to remove the dry mud from the glass surface is high due to the cohesive forces that result from the dried mud solution at the interface between the mud and the glass. The ability altering the characteristics of the glass surface could address the dust/mud-related limitations of protective surfaces and has implications for efficiency enhancements in solar energy systems.
Atmospheric ammonia and its impacts on regional air quality over the megacity of Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Nan Jialiang , Shi Chanzhen , Fu Qingyan , Gao Song , Wang Dongfang , Cui Huxiong , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , Zhou Bin
Published: October 2015

Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) has great environmental implications due to its important role in ecosystem and global nitrogen cycle, as well as contribution to secondary particle formation. Here, we report long-term continuous measurements of NH3 at different locations (i.e. urban, industrial and rural) in Shanghai, China, which provide an unprecedented portrait of temporal and spatial characteristics of atmospheric NH3 in and around this megacity. In addition to point emission sources, air masses originated from or that have passed over ammonia rich areas, e.g. rural and industrial sites, increase the observed NH3 concentrations inside the urban area of Shanghai. Remarkable high-frequency NH3 variations were measured at the industrial site, indicating instantaneous nearby industrial emission peaks. Additionally, we observed strong positive exponential correlations between NH4+/(NH4++NH3) and sulfate-nitrate-ammonium (SNA) aerosols, PM2.5 mass concentrations, implying a considerable contribution of gas-to-particle conversion of ammonia to SNA aerosol formation. Lower temperature and higher humidity conditions were found to favor the conversion of gaseous ammonia to particle ammonium, particularly in autumn. Although NH3 is currently not included in China’s emission control policies of air pollution precursors, our results highlight the urgency and importance of monitoring gaseous ammonia and improving its emission inventory in and around Shanghai.
Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes formed by solution processed red emitters with evaporated blue common layer structure
Authors: Cho Ye Ram , Kim Hyung Suk , Yu Young-Jun , Suh Min Chul
Published: October 2015

We prepared highly-efficient solution-processed red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with a blue common layer structure that can reasonably confine the triplet excitons inside of the red emission layer (EML) with the assistance of a bipolar exciton blocking layer. The red PHOLEDs containing EML with a 7 : 3 ratio of 11-(4,6-diphenyl-[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-12-phenyl-11,12-dihydro-11,12-diaza-indeno[2,1-a]fluorene (n-type host, NH) : 4-(3-(triphenylen-2-yl)phenyl)dibenzo[b,d]thiophene (p-type host, PH) doped with 5% Iridium(III) bis(2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinolinato-N,C2’)tetramethylheptadionate (Red Dopant, RD) produced the highest current and power efficiencies at 23.4 cd/A and 13.6 lm/W, with a 19% external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m2. To the best of our knowledge, such efficiency was the best among those that have been obtained from solution-processed small molecular red PHOLEDs. In addition, the host molecules utilized in this study have no flexible spacers, such as an alkyl chain, which normally deteriorate the stability of the device.
Comparative histology of muscle in free ranging cetaceans: shallow versus deep diving species
Authors: Sierra E. , Fernández A. , Espinosa de los Monteros A. , Díaz-Delgado J. , Bernaldo de Quirós Y. , García-Álvarez N. , Arbelo M. , Herráez P.
Published: October 2015

Different marine mammal species exhibit a wide range of diving behaviour based on their breath-hold diving capabilities. They are classically categorized as long duration, deep-diving and short duration, shallow-diving species. These abilities are likely to be related to the muscle characteristics of each species. Despite the increasing number of publications on muscle profile in different cetacean species, very little information is currently available concerning the characteristics of other muscle components in these species. In this study, we examined skeletal muscle fiber type, fiber size (cross sectional area and lesser diameter), intramuscular substrates and perimysium-related structures, by retrospective study in 146 stranded cetaceans involving 15 different species. Additionally, we investigated diving profile-specific histological features. Our results suggest that deep diving species have higher amount of intramyocyte lipid droplets and evidence higher percentage of intramuscular adipose tissue and larger fibre sizes in this group of animals.
Two Quantum Protocols for Oblivious Set-member Decision Problem
Authors: Shi Run-hua , Mu Yi , Zhong Hong , Cui Jie , Zhang Shun
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we defined a new secure multi-party computation problem, called Oblivious Set-member Decision problem, which allows one party to decide whether a secret of another party belongs to his private set in an oblivious manner. There are lots of important applications of Oblivious Set-member Decision problem in fields of the multi-party collaborative computation of protecting the privacy of the users, such as private set intersection and union, anonymous authentication, electronic voting and electronic auction. Furthermore, we presented two quantum protocols to solve the Oblivious Set-member Decision problem. Protocol I takes advantage of powerful quantum oracle operations so that it needs lower costs in both communication and computation complexity; while Protocol II takes photons as quantum resources and only performs simple single-particle projective measurements, thus it is more feasible with the present technology.
Diversity of key players in the microbial ecosystems of the human body
Authors: Jordán Ferenc , Lauria Mario , Scotti Marco , Nguyen Thanh-Phuong , Praveen Paurush , Morine Melissa , Priami Corrado
Published: October 2015

Coexisting bacteria form various microbial communities in human body parts. In these ecosystems they interact in various ways and the properties of the interaction network can be related to the stability and functional diversity of the local bacterial community. In this study, we analyze the interaction network among bacterial OTUs in 11 locations of the human body. These belong to two major groups. One is the digestive system and the other is the female genital tract. In each local ecosystem we determine the key species, both the ones being in key positions in the interaction network and the ones that dominate by frequency. Beyond identifying the key players and discussing their biological relevance, we also quantify and compare the properties of the 11 networks. The interaction networks of the female genital system and the digestive system show totally different architecture. Both the topological properties and the identity of the key groups differ. Key groups represent four phyla of prokaryotes. Some groups appear in key positions in several locations, while others are assigned only to a single body part. The key groups of the digestive and the genital tracts are totally different.
Evidence for microRNA-31 dependent Bim-Bax interaction preceding mitochondrial Bax translocation during radiation-induced apoptosis
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Ghosh Soma , Chandna Sudhir
Published: October 2015

Downregulation of microRNA-31 has been linked with enhanced stress resistance, while its overexpression leads to cell death. In this study, we found mediatory role of microRNA-31 in γ-radiation-induced apoptosis in a model insect cell line Sf9 carrying well-conserved apoptotic machinery. Mature microRNA-31 is perfectly conserved amongst insects; hence we used biotinylated probes designed from Bombyx mori sequence for its successful detection in Sf9 cells. Target identification using Bombyx mori 3′UTRs predicted miR-31′s potential role in Lepidopteran apoptosis, which prompted us to investigate alterations in its expression during radiation-induced cell death. We found significant overexpression of Sf-miR-31 following lethal dose (1,000Gy–3,000Gy) irradiation. Its mediatory role was finally confirmed as antisense-microRNA-31 could successfully inhibit radiation-induced cytochrome-c release, caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. While Bax/Bcl-2 expression remained unchanged, lethal radiation doses induced Bim overexpression and direct Bim-Bax interaction (co-immunoprecipitation) which is not yet unequivocally demonstrated during apoptosis. Quite important, these events were found to be dependent on radiation-induced miR-31 overexpression, as antisense-miR-31 inhibited both the responses and resulted in significant inhibition of cell death. Pro-apoptotic role of miR-31 was further confirmed when miR-31 mimic induced apoptosis involving similar Bim/Bax alterations. Therefore, our study reveals an important mediatory role of miR-31 in radiation-induced cell death.
Topological Superfluid and Majorana Zero Modes in Synthetic Dimension
Authors: Yan Zhongbo , Wan Shaolong , Wang Zhong
Published: October 2015

Recently it has been shown that multicomponent spin-orbit-coupled fermions in one-dimensional optical lattices can be viewed as spinless fermions moving in two-dimensional synthetic lattices with synthetic magnetic flux. The quantum Hall edge states in these systems have been observed in recent experiments. In this paper we study the effect of an attractive Hubbard interaction. Since the Hubbard interaction is long-range in the synthetic dimension, it is able to efficiently induce Cooper pairing between the counterpropagating chiral edge states. The topological class of the resultant one-dimensional superfluid is determined by the parity (even/odd) of the Chern number in the two-dimensional synthetic lattice. We also show the presence of a chiral symmetry in our model, which implies Z classification and the robustness of multiple zero modes when this symmetry is unbroken.
Waste-Glycerol-Directed Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica and Carbon with Superior Performance in Room-Temperature Hydrogen Production from Formic Acid
Authors: Lee Dong-Wook , Jin Min-Ho , Park Ji Chan , Lee Chun-Boo , Oh Duckkyu , Lee Sung-Wook , Park Jin-Woo , Park Jong-Soo
Published: October 2015

The development of easier, cheaper and more ecofriendly synthetic methods for mesoporous materials remains a challenging topic to commercialize them and the transformation of waste glycerol, as a biodiesel byproduct, into something useful and salable is one of the pending issues to be resolved. Here we first report that mesoporous silica (KIE-6) and carbon (KIE-7) can be simultaneously synthesized by using cheap and ecofriendly crude-waste-glycerol of biodiesel with or without glycerol purification and we demonstrated the excellent performance of the mesoporous material as a catalyst support for formic acid decomposition. As a result, Pd-MnOx catalysts supported on NH2-functionalized KIE-6 showed the highest catalytic activity (TOF: 540.6 h−1) ever reported for room-temperature formic acid decomposition without additives. Moreover, we conducted life-cycle assessment (LCA) from biomass cultivation through biodiesel production to KIE-6 and KIE-7 preparation and it was confirmed that CO2 emission during synthesis of KIE-6 and KIE-7 could be reduced by 87.1% and 85.7%, respectively. We believe that our study suggested more ecofriendly and industry-friendly approaches for preparation of mesoporous materials and utilization of waste glycerol.
Phosphorylation of NR2B NMDA subunits by protein kinase C in arcuate nucleus contributes to inflammatory pain in rats
Authors: Bu Fan , Tian Huiyu , Gong Shan , Zhu Qi , Xu Guang-Yin , Tao Jin , Jiang Xinghong
Published: October 2015

The arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus plays a key role in pain processing. Although it is well known that inhibition of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in ARC attenuates hyperalgesia induced by peripheral inflammation, the underlying mechanism of NMDAR activation in ARC remains unclear. Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in several signalling cascades activated in physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, we hypothesised that upregulation of PKC activates NMDARs in the ARC, thus contributing to inflammatory hyperalgesia. Intra-ARC injection of chelerythrine (CC), a specific PKC inhibitor, attenuated complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo extracellular recordings showed that microelectrophoresis of CC or MK-801 (a NMDAR antagonist) significantly reduced the enhancement of spontaneous discharges and pain-evoked discharges of ARC neurons. In addition, CFA injection greatly enhanced the expression of total and phosphorylated PKCγ in the ARC. Interestingly, CFA injection also remarkably elevated the level of phosphorylated NR2B (Tyr1472) without affecting the expression of total NR2B. Importantly, intra-ARC injection of CC reversed the upregulation of phosphorylated NR2B subunits in the ARC. Taken together, peripheral inflammation leads to an activation of NMDARs mediated by PKC activation in the ARC, thus producing thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia.
CFTR-regulated MAPK/NF-κB signaling in pulmonary inflammation in thermal inhalation injury
Authors: Dong Zhi Wei , Chen Jing , Ruan Ye Chun , Zhou Tao , Chen Yu , Chen YaJie , Tsang Lai Ling , Chan Hsiao Chang , Peng Yi Zhi
Published: October 2015

The mechanism underlying pulmonary inflammation in thermal inhalation injury remains elusive. Cystic fibrosis, also hallmarked with pulmonary inflammation, is caused by mutations in CFTR, the expression of which is temperature-sensitive. We investigated whether CFTR is involved in heat-induced pulmonary inflammation. We applied heat-treatment in 16HBE14o- cells with CFTR knockdown or overexpression and heat-inhalation in rats in vivo. Heat-treatment caused significant reduction in CFTR and, reciprocally, increase in COX-2 at early stages both in vitro and in vivo. Activation of ERK/JNK, NF-κB and COX-2/PGE2 were detected in heat-treated cells, which were mimicked by knockdown and reversed by overexpression of CFTR or VX-809, a reported CFTR mutation corrector. JNK/ERK inhibition reversed heat-/CFTR-knockdown-induced NF-κB activation, whereas NF-κB inhibitor showed no effect on JNK/ERK. IL-8 was augmented by heat-treatment or CFTR-knockdown, which was abolished by inhibition of NF-κB, JNK/ERK or COX-2. Moreover, in vitro or in vivo treatment with curcumin, a natural phenolic compound, significantly enhanced CFTR expression and reversed the heat-induced increases in COX-2/PGE2/IL-8, neutrophil infiltration and tissue damage in the airway. These results have revealed a CFTR-regulated MAPK/NF-κB pathway leading to COX-2/PGE2/IL-8 activation in thermal inhalation injury and demonstrated therapeutic potential of curcumin for alleviating heat-induced pulmonary inflammation.
A New Strategy of Lithography Based on Phase Separation of Polymer Blends
Authors: Guo Xu , Liu Long , Zhuang Zhe , Chen Xin , Ni Mengyang , Li Yang , Cui Yushuang , Zhan Peng , Yuan Changsheng , Ge Haixiong , Wang Zhenlin , Chen Yanfeng
Published: October 2015

Herein, we propose a new strategy of maskless lithographic approach to fabricate micro/nano-porous structures by phase separation of polystyrene (PS)/Polyethylene glycol (PEG) immiscible polymer blend. Its simple process only involves a spin coating of polymer blend followed by a development with deionized water rinse to remove PEG moiety, which provides an extremely facile, low-cost, easily accessible nanofabrication method to obtain the porous structures with wafer-scale. By controlling the weight ratio of PS/PEG polymer blend, its concentration and the spin-coating speed, the structural parameters of the porous nanostructure could be effectively tuned. These micro/nano porous structures could be converted into versatile functional nanostructures in combination with follow-up conventional chemical and physical nanofabrication techniques. As demonstrations of perceived potential applications using our developed phase separation lithography, we fabricate wafer-scale pure dielectric (silicon)-based two-dimensional nanostructures with high broadband absorption on silicon wafers due to their great light trapping ability, which could be expected for promising applications in the fields of photovoltaic devices and thermal emitters with very good performances and Ag nanodot arrays which possess a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor up to 1.64 × 108 with high uniformity across over an entire wafer.
Light-intensity grazing improves alpine meadow productivity and adaption to climate change on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhang Yangjian , Xu Mingjie , Zhu Juntao , Wimberly Michael C. , Yu Guirui , Niu Shuli , Xi Yi , Zhang Xianzhou , Wang Jingsheng
Published: October 2015

To explore grazing effects on carbon fluxes in alpine meadow ecosystems, we used a paired eddy-covariance (EC) system to measure carbon fluxes in adjacent fenced (FM) and grazed (GM) meadows on the Tibetan plateau. Gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Re) were greater at GM than FM for the first two years of fencing. In the third year, the productivity at FM increased to a level similar to the GM site. The higher productivity at GM was mainly caused by its higher photosynthetic capacity. Grazing exclusion did not increase carbon sequestration capacity for this alpine grassland system. The higher optimal photosynthetic temperature and the weakened ecosystem response to climatic factors at GM may help to facilitate the adaption of alpine meadow ecosystems to changing climate.
Adrenergic DNA damage of embryonic pluripotent cells via β2 receptor signalling
Authors: Sun Fan , Ding Xu-Ping , An Shi-Min , Tang Ya-Bin , Yang Xin-Jie , Teng Lin , Zhang Chun , Shen Ying , Chen Hong-Zhuan , Zhu Liang
Published: October 2015

Embryonic pluripotent cells are sensitive to genotoxicity though they need more stringent genome integrity to avoid compromising multiple cell lineages and subsequent generations. However it remains unknown whether the cells are susceptible to adrenergic stress which can induce somatic cell genome lesion. We have revealed that adrenergic stress mediators cause DNA damage of the cells through the β2 adrenergic receptor/adenylate cyclase/cAMP/PKA signalling pathway involving an induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The adrenergic stress agonists adrenaline, noradrenaline and isoprenaline caused DNA damage and apoptosis of embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonal carcinoma stem cells. The effects were mimicked by β2 receptor-coupled signalling molecules and abrogated by selective blockade of β2 receptors and inhibition of the receptor signalling pathway. RNA interference targeting β2 receptors of ES cells conferred the cells the ability to resist the DNA damage and apoptosis. In addition, adrenergic stimulation caused a consistent accumulation of ROS in the cells and the effect was abrogated by β2 receptor blockade; quenching of ROS reversed the induced DNA damage. This finding will improve the understanding of the stem cell regulatory physiology/pathophysiology in an adrenergic receptor subtype signalling mechanism.
Perfect spin filtering effect and negative differential behavior in phosphorus-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Zou Fei , Zhu Lin , Yao Kailun
Published: October 2015

On the basis of the density functional theory combined with the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green’s function method, we investigate the spin-dependent transport properties of single-edge phosphorus-doped ZGNR systems with different widths. The results show a perfect spin filtering effect reaching 100% at a wide bias range in both parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) spin configurations for all systems, especially for 6-ZGNR-P system. Instructively, for the AP spin configuration, the spin down current of the 4-ZGNR-P system exhibits a negative differential effect. By analyzing the transmission spectrum and the spin-resolved band structures of the electrodes, we elucidate the mechanism for these peculiar properties. Our findings provide a new way to produce multifunctional spintronic devices based on phosphorus-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons.
Deletion of Cyclophilin D Impairs β-Oxidation and Promotes Glucose Metabolism
Authors: Tavecchio Michele , Lisanti Sofia , Bennett Michael J. , Languino Lucia R. , Altieri Dario C.
Published: October 2015

Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a mitochondrial matrix protein implicated in cell death, but a potential role in bioenergetics is not understood. Here, we show that loss or depletion of CypD in cell lines and mice induces defects in mitochondrial bioenergetics due to impaired fatty acid β-oxidation. In turn, CypD loss triggers a global compensatory shift towards glycolysis, with transcriptional upregulation of effectors of glucose metabolism, increased glucose consumption and higher ATP production. In vivo, the glycolytic shift secondary to CypD deletion is associated with expansion of insulin-producing β-cells, mild hyperinsulinemia, improved glucose tolerance and resistance to high fat diet-induced liver damage and weight gain. Therefore, CypD is a novel regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics and unexpectedly controls glucose homeostasis, in vivo.
Optical Surface Transformation: Changing the optical surface by homogeneous optic-null medium at will
Authors: Sun Fei , He Sailing
Published: October 2015

A new theory on designing electromagnetic/optical devices is proposed, namely, an optical surface transformation (OST). One arbitrary surface can establish the corresponding relationship with another surface entirely optically with an optic-null medium (ONM), (i.e. the electromagnetic wave propagates from one surface to its equivalent surface without any phase delay). Many novel optical devices can be designed by an OST with the help of an ONM. Compared with traditional devices designed by Transformation Optics, our optical surface-reshaping devices have two main advantages. Firstly, the design process is very simple (i.e. we do not need to consider any mathematics on how to make a coordinate transformation and what we need to do is simply to design the shapes of the input and the output surfaces of the devices). Secondly, we only need one homogeneous anisotropic medium to realize all devices designed by this method. Our method will explore a new way to design novel optical devices without considering any coordinate transformations.
Microwave-Assisted Polymerization
Authors: Mishra Anuradha , Vats Tanvi , Clark James H
Published: October 2015

Polymer science faces the challenge of meeting growing market demand for polymers whilst achieving sustainability through environmentally friendly processes. Microwave heating has emerged as a greener technique that accelerates a variety of chemical reactions, including polymerization. Microwave-assisted reactions can be cleaner and more rapid and economic analyses suggest that the cost of curing polymers may be reduced by switching over to the use of microwaves.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of microwave-assisted polymerization. The first chapter introduces readers to the theory behind the accelerating effects of microwaves on chemical reactions and covers the types of commercial microwave reactors being used for synthesis and processing of polymers that are available on the market. Subsequent chapters are organised by type of reaction, including radical homo and co-polymerizations, step growth polymerization and peptide synthesis. Importantly, analysis of processes and product properties in comparison with conventional methods is also detailed.

This book will be a valuable resource for green chemists and polymer scientists and engineers who want to develop sustainable processes.
Is food allergen analysis flawed? Health and supply chain risks and a proposed framework to address urgent analytical needs
Authors: Walker M. J. , Burns D. T. , Elliott C. T. , Gowland M. H. , Mills E. N. Clare
Published: October 2015

Food allergy is an increasing problem. If we fail to realise the promise of current risk assessment and risk management of food allergens through lack of ability to measure them reproducibly and with traceability to an international unit of measurement, the analytical community will have failed a significant societal challenge.
Grating coupled SPR microarray analysis of proteins and cells in blood from mice with breast cancer
Authors: Mendoza A. , Torrisi D. M. , Sell S. , Cady N. C. , Lawrence D. A.
Published: October 2015

Grating couple surface plasmon resonance (GCSPR) microarrays can be used to analyze proteins and circulating tumor cells in mice.
A portable optical waveguide resonance light-scattering scanner for microarray detection
Authors: Xing Xuefeng , Liu Wanyao , Li Tao , Xing Shu , Fu Xueqi , Wu Dongyang , Liu Dianjun , Wang Zhenxin
Published: October 2015

A portable and low-cost planar waveguide based RLS microarray scanner was successfully fabricated to analyze 15 T2DM patient genotypes simultaneously.
Synthesis of multi-functional materials through self-assembly of N-alkyl phenothiazine linked poly(aryl ether) dendrons
Authors: Vidhya Lakshmi Neelakandan , Madhu Babu Thunga , Prasad Edamana
Published: October 2015

Multi-functional materials developed from low molecular weight dendron gelators for phase selective gelation, a hydrophobic surface and invisible ink-gel formation.
Towards an all-copper redox flow battery based on a copper-containing ionic liquid
Authors: Schaltin Stijn , Li Yun , Brooks Neil R. , Sniekers Jeroen , Vankelecom Ivo F. J. , Binnemans Koen , Fransaer Jan
Published: October 2015

The first all-copper redox flow battery based on ionic liquids or liquid metal salts.
Substrate-controlled Rh(ii)-catalyzed single-electron-transfer (SET): divergent synthesis of fused indoles
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhu Zi-Zhong , Liu Jia-Xin , Tang Xiang-Ying , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: October 2015

Rh(ii)-catalyzed diversified ring expansions controlled by single-electron-transfer (SET) have been disclosed in this communication.
Nucleic-acid-programmed Ag-nanoclusters as a generic platform for visualization of latent fingerprints and exogenous substances
Authors: Ran Xiang , Wang Zhenzhen , Zhang Zhijun , Pu Fang , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: October 2015

A nucleic acid controlled AgNC platform for simultaneous imaging and quantitative detection of substances in fingerprints.
Chemical modification of graphene aerogels for electrochemical capacitor applications
Authors: Hong Jin-Yong , Wie Jeong Jae , Xu Yu , Park Ho Seok
Published: October 2015

The demand for graphene aerogel-based ECs with enhanced capacitance and mechanical properties has led to the development of diverse synthetic techniques.
Quantitative monitoring of the removal of non-encapsulated material external to filled carbon nanotube samples
Authors: Martincic Markus , Pach Elzbieta , Ballesteros Belén , Tobias Gerard
Published: October 2015

UV-Vis spectroscopy has been employed to monitor the removal of non-encapsulated external material from samples of filled carbon nanotubes.
Probing the effects of 2D confinement on hydrogen dynamics in water and ice adsorbed in graphene oxide sponges
Authors: Romanelli Giovanni , Senesi Roberto , Zhang Xuan , Loh Kian Ping , Andreani Carla
Published: October 2015

In this paper we present the results of a Deep Inelastic Neutron Scattering (DINS) study of the hydrogen dynamics of water and ice 2D-adsorbed in GO layered sponges atT= 293 K andT= 20 K, using neutrons with high momentum,ℏq, and energy transfers,ℏω.
Molecular design of electron transport with orbital rule: toward conductance-decay free molecular junctions
Authors: Tada Tomofumi , Yoshizawa Kazunari
Published: October 2015

In this study, we report our viewpoint of single molecular conductance in terms of frontier orbitals.
π-Topology and spin alignment in the photo-excited states of phenylanthracene-t-butylnitroxide radicals
Authors: Teki Yoshio , Miyamoto Sadaharu , Koide Kentaro
Published: October 2015

We have studied the relationship between the π-topology and the photo-excited high-spin states of π-conjugated spin systems, 9-anthracen-(3-phenyl-t-butylnitroxide) radical (1m) and 9-anthracen-(4-phenyl-t-butylnitroxide) radical (1p) systems, by time-resolved ESR and transient absorption spectroscopies.
Oxidative coupling of anilines to azobenzenes using heterogeneous manganese oxide catalysts
Authors: Wang Min , Ma Jiping , Yu Miao , Zhang Zhe , Wang Feng
Published: October 2015

Cryptomelane-type manganese oxide shows high efficiency for the NN formation reaction in the oxidative coupling of anilines to azobenzenes. The difference of the Hammett constants (Δσ) of two substituted groups determines the selectivity to unsymmetric azobenzenes in cross-coupling reactions, which are favored at Δσ< 0.32.
Hydrogen evolution catalyzed by cobalt-promoted molybdenum phosphide nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Dezhi , Zhang Dezun , Tang Chaoyun , Zhou Pan , Wu Zhuangzhi , Fang Baizeng
Published: October 2015

Co-promoted molybdenum phosphide nanoparticles have been successfully prepared and explored for the first time as a cost-effective electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Ni nanoparticles supported on CNTs with excellent activity produced by atomic layer deposition for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Authors: Zhang Jiankang , Chen Chaoqiu , Yan Wenjun , Duan Feifei , Zhang Bin , Gao Zhe , Qin Yong
Published: October 2015

Highly efficient Ni nanoparticles deposited on CNTs were synthesized by atomic layer deposition used for hydrogen generation from AB hydrolysis.
Molecular ruthenium water oxidation catalysts carrying non-innocent ligands: mechanistic insight through structure–activity relationships and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Kärkäs Markus D. , Liao Rong-Zhen , Laine Tanja M. , Åkermark Torbjörn , Ghanem Shams , Siegbahn Per E. M. , Åkermark Björn
Published: October 2015

Herein is highlighted how structure–activity relationships can be used to provide mechanistic insight into H2O oxidation catalysis.
A highly selective on–off–on responsive lanthanide(iii) based probe for recognition of copper and hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Yip Yuk-Wang , Law Ga-Lai , Wong Wing-Tak
Published: October 2015

Highly selective EuL1 was developed for the detection of Cu(ii) ions with binding constant of 74 026 ± 2899 M−1 and a sensitive detection limit. The stable EuL1Cu showed a specific binding response to H2S with detection limit of 2.7 ± 0.1 μM. Its on–off–on luminescent response was observed by alternate addition of Cu(ii) and H2S ions.
Self-terminated electrodeposition of iridium electrocatalysts
Authors: Ahn Sang Hyun , Tan Haiyan , Haensch Mareike , Liu Yihua , Bendersky Leonid A. , Moffat Thomas P.
Published: October 2015

This study details a “wet” atomic layer deposition process that uses potential modulation and H adsorption to terminate Ir deposition at high deposition overpotentials. The ultrathin Ir films match or exceed the best reported electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen production and oxidation reaction (HER and HOR) on bulk Ir electrodes.
Conversion of carbohydrates to furfural via selective cleavage of the carbon–carbon bond: the cooperative effects of zeolite and solvent
Authors: Cui Jinglei , Tan Jingjing , Deng Tiansheng , Cui Xiaojing , Zhu Yulei , Li Yongwang
Published: October 2015

The cooperative effects of zeolite and solvent enable the efficient conversion of carbohydrates to furfural via selective cleavage of the carbon–carbon bond.
Highly selective catalytic conversion of furfural to γ-butyrolactone
Authors: Li Xiaodan , Lan Xiaocheng , Wang Tiefeng
Published: October 2015

A two-step strategy consisting of furfural oxidation and selective hydrogenation of 2(5H)-furanone was developed to produce γ-butyrolactone from furfural.
Plasma nanotextured polymeric lab-on-a-chip for highly efficient bacteria capture and lysis
Authors: Tsougeni K. , Papadakis G. , Gianneli M. , Grammoustianou A. , Constantoudis V. , Dupuy B. , Petrou P. S. , Kakabakos S. E. , Tserepi A. , Gizeli E. , Gogolides E.
Published: October 2015

We show a plasma nanotextured cell capture and lysis module for trapping S. Typhimurium cells with extremely high efficiency and selectivity versus Escherichia coli for bacterial identification in food samples.
Tungsten oxide by non-hydrolytic sol–gel: effect of molecular precursor on morphology, phase and photocatalytic performance
Authors: Oakton Emma , Siddiqi Georges , Fedorov Alexey , Copéret Christophe
Published: October 2015

The synthesis, characterisation and photocatalytic water splitting activity of blue tungsten oxide materials prepared from W(vi) and W(iv) precursors is reported.
Diterpenoids of terrestrial origin
Authors: Hanson James R.
Published: October 2015

This review covers the isolation and chemistry of diterpenoids from terrestrial as opposed to marine sources and includes, labdanes, clerodanes, pimaranes, abietanes, kauranes, gibberellins, cembranes and their cyclization products. The literature from January to December, 2014 is reviewed.
Enhancing the photoluminescence quantum yields of blue-emitting cationic iridium(iii) complexes bearing bisphosphine ligands
Authors: Rota Martir Diego , Bansal Ashu K. , Di Mascio Vincent , Cordes David B. , Henwood Adam F. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Kamer Paul C. J. , Martínez-Sarti Laura , Pertegás Antonio , Bolink Henk J. , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate a turn-on strategy for blue-emitting [Ir(C^N)2(P^P)]PF6 complexes and apply them to EL devices.
State of the art of biodiesel production processes: a review of the heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: Ruhul A. M. , Kalam M. A. , Masjuki H. H. , Fattah I. M. Rizwanul , Reham S. S. , Rashed M. M.
Published: October 2015

This study described the latest technology for fixed batch and continues biodiesel production for both laboratory and industrial scale as well as the role of the heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel production process.
Role of Zn-interstitial defect states on d0 ferromagnetism of mechanically milled ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Ghose Srabantika , Rakshit Tamita , Ranganathan R. , Jana D.
Published: October 2015

An impurity defect level formed by interstitial zinc at the surfaces of undoped ZnO nanoparticles plays a crucial role for d0 ferromagnetism.
Simultaneous electrochemical determination of acetaminophen, caffeine and ascorbic acid using a new electrochemical sensor based on CuO–graphene nanocomposite
Authors: Khoshhesab Z. Monsef
Published: October 2015

A sensor using CuO nanoparticles and graphene was constructed. It is a useful tool for determining of acetaminophen, caffeine and ascorbic acid.
Performance evaluation of highly conductive graphene (RGOHI–AcOH) and graphene/metal nanoparticle composites (RGO/Ni) coated on carbon cloth for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Valipour Alireza , Hamnabard Nazanin , Ahn Young-Ho
Published: October 2015

The application of graphene (RGO)-based composites as electrode materials in supercapacitors can be limited by the fabrication complexity and costs, and the non-environmentally friendly nature of the production process.
Characterization of polysaccharide from longan pulp as the macrophage stimulator
Authors: Yi Yang , Wang Hongxun , Zhang Ruifen , Min Ting , Huang Fei , Liu Lei , Zhang Mingwei
Published: October 2015

A 44.7-kDa polysaccharide LPIIa from longan pulp was mainly composed of →6)-Glc-(1→, →5)-Ara-(1→, →4)-Man-(1→ and →6)-Gal-(1→. It stimulated macrophage activation partlyviaTLR4 and TLR2, followed by p38 MAPK- and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways.
Preparing acid-resistant Ru-based catalysts by carbothermal reduction for hydrogenation of itaconic acid
Authors: Huang Qianqian , Yu Weiqiang , Lu Rui , Lu Fang , Gao Jin , Miao Hong , Xu Jie
Published: October 2015

Ru-based catalysts with good stability and acid-resistance for hydrogenation of itaconic acid to methylsuccinc acid were prepared via carbothermal reduction, in which CO generated in situ functioned as an efficient reducing species.
Dual responsive macroemulsion stabilized by Y-shaped amphiphilic AB2 miktoarm star copolymers
Authors: Li Heng , Yang Duanguang , Gao Yong , Li Huaming , Xu Jianxiong
Published: October 2015

Y-shaped amphiphilic PS–(PDMAEMA)2 miktoarm star copolymers stabilized o/w macroemulsion showed pH-induced demulsification and thermo-induced phase inversion.
Fast electrodeposition, influencing factors and catalytic properties of dendritic Cu–M (M = Ni, Fe, Co) microstructures
Authors: Zhang Huying , Ni Yonghong , Zhong Yiman , Wu Hao , Zhai Muheng
Published: October 2015

Dendritic Cu–M (M = Fe/Co/Ni) microstructures with good catalytic performances were successfully prepared through a rapid electrodeposition route.
Preparation of chestnut-like porous NiO nanospheres as electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Yu Feng , Zhu Li , You Ting , Wang Faxing , Wen Zubiao
Published: October 2015

Nanospheres with chestnut-like structure have been prepared and show good electrochemical capacitance and cycling performance.
Why do the structural properties of complexes formed by glucans and carbon nanotubes differ so much?
Authors: Fu Haohao , Chipot Christophe , Shao Xueguang , Cai Wensheng
Published: October 2015

Effect of glycosidic bond linkage on the structural properties of complexes formed by glucans and carbon nanotubes.
A separator modified by high efficiency oxygen plasma for lithium ion batteries with superior performance
Authors: Jiang Qianqian , Li Zhen , Wang Shuangyin , Zhang Han
Published: October 2015

The separator modified by high efficiency oxygen plasma is used for the Li/LiMn2O4batteries, which show excellent electrochemical performance in terms of capacity and cycling performance, especially at the elevated temperature of Li-ion batteries.
A comparative investigation of carbon black (Super-P) and vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) as conductive additives for lithium-ion battery cathodes
Authors: Cho Inseong , Choi Jaecheol , Kim Kyuman , Ryou Myung-Hyun , Lee Yong Min
Published: October 2015

The synergistic effect of different types of conductive additives, vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCF) and carbon black (Super-P) on the cathode performance of lithium-ion batteries was investigated.
Novel synthesis of Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O nanoplate as a precursor to fabricate high performance LiMnPO4/C composite for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Kaipeng , Hu Guorong , Peng Zhongdong , Zhang Zhijian , Cao Yanbing , Du Ke
Published: October 2015

Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O precursor was synthesized by a novel precipitation process using ethanol as initiator, and was lithiated to LiMnPO4/C composite via a combination of wet ball-milling and heat treatment.
Direct printed silver nanowire thin film patterns for flexible transparent heaters with temperature gradients
Authors: Wang Po-Hsuan , Chen Shih-Pin , Su Chun-Hao , Liao Ying-Chih
Published: October 2015

Silver nanowire thin film patterns are printed precisely to form transparent heaters with uniform or gradient temperature distributions.
Electroluminescence and fluorescence response towards acid vapors depending on the structures of indole-fused phospholes
Authors: Gong Peng , Ye Kaiqi , Sun Jingbo , Chen Peng , Xue Pengchong , Yang Hao , Lu Ran
Published: October 2015

New isomers of phosphole heteroacenes 2-DIPO and 3-DIPO, in which indoles were fused with phospholes in different manners, have been synthesized.