bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for catalytically restrictive dynamics of a high-energy enzyme state
Authors: Kovermann Michael , Ådén Jörgen , Grundström Christin , Elisabeth Sauer-Eriksson A. , Sauer Uwe H. , Wolf-Watz Magnus
Published: July 2015

An emerging paradigm in enzymology is that transient high-energy structural states play crucial roles in enzymatic reaction cycles. Generally, these high-energy or ‘invisible’ states cannot be studied directly at atomic resolution using existing structural and spectroscopic techniques owing to their low populations or short residence times. Here we report the direct NMR-based detection of the molecular topology and conformational dynamics of a catalytically indispensable high-energy state of an adenylate kinase variant. On the basis of matching energy barriers for conformational dynamics and catalytic turnover, it was found that the enzyme’s catalytic activity is governed by its dynamic interconversion between the high-energy state and a ground state structure that was determined by X-ray crystallography. Our results show that it is possible to rationally tune enzymes’ conformational dynamics and hence their catalytic power—a key aspect in rational design of enzymes catalysing novel reactions.
Low-temperature thermodynamics with quantum coherence
Authors: Narasimhachar Varun , Gour Gilad
Published: July 2015

Thermal operations are an operational model of non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics. In the absence of coherence between energy levels, exact state transition conditions under thermal operations are known in terms of a mathematical relation called thermo-majorization. But incorporating coherence has turned out to be challenging, even under the relatively tractable model wherein all Gibbs state-preserving quantum channels are included. Here we find a mathematical generalization of thermal operations at low temperatures, ‘cooling maps’, for which we derive the necessary and sufficient state transition condition. Cooling maps that saturate recently discovered bounds on coherence transfer are realizable as thermal operations, motivating us to conjecture that all cooling maps are thermal operations. Cooling maps, though a less-conservative generalization to thermal operations, are more tractable than Gibbs-preserving operations, suggesting that cooling map-like models at general temperatures could be of use in gaining insight about thermal operations.
Genome-wide microRNA screening reveals that the evolutionary conserved miR-9a regulates body growth by targeting sNPFR1/NPYR
Authors: Suh Yoon Seok , Bhat Shreelatha , Hong Seung-Hyun , Shin Minjung , Bahk Suhyoung , Cho Kyung Sang , Kim Seung-Whan , Lee Kyu-Sun , Kim Young-Joon , Jones Walton D. , Yu Kweon
Published: July 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many physiological processes including body growth. Insulin/IGF signalling is the primary regulator of animal body growth, but the extent to which miRNAs act in insulin-producing cells (IPCs) is unclear. Here we generate a UAS-miRNA library of Drosophila stocks and perform a genetic screen to identify miRNAs whose overexpression in the IPCs inhibits body growth in Drosophila. Through this screen, we identify miR-9a as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of insulin signalling and body growth. IPC-specific miR-9a overexpression reduces insulin signalling and body size. Of the predicted targets of miR-9a, we find that loss of miR-9a enhances the level of sNPFR1. We show via an in vitro binding assay that miR-9a binds to sNPFR1 mRNA in insect cells and to the mammalian orthologue NPY2R in rat insulinoma cells. These findings indicate that the conserved miR-9a regulates body growth by controlling sNPFR1/NPYR-mediated modulation of insulin signalling.
Intra-unit-cell magnetic correlations near optimal doping in YBa2Cu3O6.85
Authors: Mangin-Thro L. , Sidis Y. , Wildes A. , Bourges P.
Published: July 2015

The pseudo-gap phenomenon in copper oxide superconductors is central to any description of these materials as it prefigures the superconducting state itself. A magnetic intra-unit-cell order was found to occur just at the pseudo-gap temperature in four cuprate high-Tc superconducting families. Here we present polarized neutron-scattering measurements of nearly optimally doped YBa2Cu3O6.85, carried out on two different spectrometers, that reveal several features. The intra-unit-cell order consists of finite-sized planar domains that are very weakly correlated along the c axis. At high temperature, only the out-of-plane magnetic components correlate, indicating a strong Ising anisotropy. An aditional in-plane response develops at low temperature, giving rise to an apparent tilt of the magnetic moment. The discovery of these two regimes puts stringent constraints, which are tightly bound to the pseudo-gap physics, on the intrinsic nature of intra-unit-cell order.
Revisiting the intraperoxisomal pathway of mammalian PEX7
Authors: Rodrigues Tony A. , Grou Cláudia P. , Azevedo Jorge E.
Published: July 2015

Newly synthesized peroxisomal proteins containing a cleavable type 2 targeting signal (PTS2) are transported to the peroxisome by a cytosolic PEX5-PEX7 complex. There, the trimeric complex becomes inserted into the peroxisomal membrane docking/translocation machinery (DTM), a step that leads to the translocation of the cargo into the organelle matrix. Previous work suggests that PEX5 is retained at the DTM during all the steps occurring at the peroxisome but whether the same applies to PEX7 was unknown. By subjecting different pre-assembled trimeric PEX5-PEX7-PTS2 complexes to in vitro co-import/export assays we found that the export competence of peroxisomal PEX7 is largely determined by the PEX5 molecule that transported it to the peroxisome. This finding suggests that PEX7 is also retained at the DTM during the peroxisomal steps and implies that cargo proteins are released into the organelle matrix by DTM-embedded PEX7. The release step does not depend on PTS2 cleavage. Rather, our data suggest that insertion of the trimeric PEX5-PEX7-PTS2 protein complex into the DTM is probably accompanied by conformational alterations in PEX5 to allow release of the PTS2 protein into the organelle matrix.
Machine learning plus optical flow: a simple and sensitive method to detect cardioactive drugs
Authors: Lee Eugene K. , Kurokawa Yosuke K. , Tu Robin , George Steven C. , Khine Michelle
Published: July 2015

Current preclinical screening methods do not adequately detect cardiotoxicity. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs), more physiologically relevant preclinical or patient-specific screening to detect potential cardiotoxic effects of drug candidates may be possible. However, one of the persistent challenges for developing a high-throughput drug screening platform using iPS-CMs is the need to develop a simple and reliable method to measure key electrophysiological and contractile parameters. To address this need, we have developed a platform that combines machine learning paired with brightfield optical flow as a simple and robust tool that can automate the detection of cardiomyocyte drug effects. Using three cardioactive drugs of different mechanisms, including those with primarily electrophysiological effects, we demonstrate the general applicability of this screening method to detect subtle changes in cardiomyocyte contraction. Requiring only brightfield images of cardiomyocyte contractions, we detect changes in cardiomyocyte contraction comparable to – and even superior to – fluorescence readouts. This automated method serves as a widely applicable screening tool to characterize the effects of drugs on cardiomyocyte function.
Comparative assessment of vaccine vectors encoding ten malaria antigens identifies two protective liver-stage candidates
Authors: Longley Rhea J. , Salman Ahmed M. , Cottingham Matthew G. , Ewer Katie , Janse Chris J. , Khan Shahid M. , Spencer Alexandra J. , Hill Adrian V. S.
Published: July 2015

The development of an efficacious Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine remains a top priority for global health. Vaccination with irradiated sporozoites is able to provide complete sterile protection through the action of CD8+ T cells at the liver-stage of infection. However, this method is currently unsuitable for large-scale deployment and focus has instead turned to the development of sub-unit vaccines. Sub-unit vaccine efforts have traditionally focused on two well-known pre-erythrocytic antigens, CSP and TRAP, yet thousands of genes are expressed in the liver-stage. We sought to assess the ability of eight alternative P. falciparum pre-erythrocytic antigens to induce a high proportion of CD8+ T cells. We show that all antigens, when expressed individually in the non-replicating viral vectors ChAd63 and MVA, are capable of inducing an immune response in mice. Furthermore, we also developed chimeric P. berghei parasites expressing the cognate P. falciparum antigen to enable assessment of efficacy in mice. Our preliminary results indicate that vectors encoding either PfLSA1 or PfLSAP2 are capable of inducing sterile protection dependent on the presence of CD8+ T cells. This work has identified two promising P. falciparum liver-stage candidate antigens that will now undergo further testing in humans.
Growth, Quantitative Growth Analysis and Applications of Graphene on γ-Al2O3 catalysts
Authors: Park Jaehyun , Lee Joohwi , Choi Jung-Hae , Hwang Do Kyung , Song Yong-Won
Published: July 2015

The possibilities offered by catalytic γ-Al2O3 substrates are explored and the mechanism governing graphene formation thereon is elucidated using both numerical simulations and experiments. The growth scheme offers metal-free synthesis at low temperature, grain-size customization, large-area uniformity of electrical properties, single-step preparation of graphene/dielectric structures and readily detachable graphene. We quantify based on thermodynamic principles the activation energies associated with graphene nucleation/growth on γ-Al2O3, verifying the low physical and chemical barriers. Importantly, we derive a universal equation governing the adsorption-based synthesis of graphene over a wide range of temperatures in both catalytic and spontaneous growth regimes. Experimental results support the equation, highlighting the catalytic function of γ-Al2O3 at low temperatures. The synthesized graphene is manually incorporated as a ‘graphene sticker’ into an ultrafast mode-locked laser.
Motion-induced blindness continues outside visual awareness and without attention
Authors: Dieter Kevin C. , Tadin Duje , Pearson Joel
Published: July 2015

Visual phenomena demonstrating striking perceptual disappearances of salient stimuli have fascinated researchers because of their utility in identifying neural processes that underlie subjective visibility and invisibility. Motion-induced blindness (MIB) is appealing for such purposes because it, like a class of ostensibly related paradigms such as binocular rivalry, features periods of unequivocal subjective disappearances despite constant physical stimulation. It remains unclear, however, exactly how the mechanisms that cause MIB are related to subjectively observed fluctuations in visual awareness. To address this question, we used continuous flash suppression (CFS) to present the MIB stimulus outside visual awareness. Results indicated that MIB occasionally reappeared from suppression with its salient yellow target absent. To quantify this observation, we measured reaction times (RTs) to detect the yellow dot target following visible or perceptually suppressed MIB and indeed found no difference in RTs between these conditions. We also provide evidence that MIB fluctuations can occur without attention. In sum, these experiments indicate that MIB fluctuations are effectively changes in stimulus strength, which under typical conditions result in unmistakable subjective disappearances, but are not inherently fluctuations in stimulus visibility. More broadly, these results challenge the assumed privileged link between bistable stimuli and visual awareness.
Can plasmonic Al nanoparticles improve absorption in triple junction solar cells?
Authors: Yang L. , Pillai S. , Green M. A.
Published: July 2015

Plasmonic nanoparticles located on the illuminated surface of a solar cell can perform the function of an antireflection layer, as well as a scattering layer, facilitating light-trapping. Al nanoparticles have recently been proposed to aid photocurrent enhancements in GaAs photodiodes in the wavelength region of 400–900 nm by mitigating any parasitic absorption losses. Because this spectral region corresponds to the top and middle sub-cell of a typical GaInP/GaInAs/Ge triple junction solar cell, in this work, we investigated the potential of similar periodic Al nanoparticles placed on top of a thin SiO2 spacer layer that can also serve as an antireflection coating at larger thicknesses. The particle period, diameter and the thickness of the oxide layers were optimised for the sub-cells using simulations to achieve the lowest reflection and maximum external quantum efficiencies. Our results highlight the importance of proper reference comparison and unlike previously published results, raise doubts regarding the effectiveness of Al plasmonic nanoparticles as a suitable front-side scattering medium for broadband efficiency enhancements when compared to standard single-layer antireflection coatings. However, by embedding the nanoparticles within the dielectric layer, they have the potential to perform better than an antireflection layer and provide enhanced response from both the sub-cells.
DNA methylation as a potential diagnosis indicator for rapid discrimination of rare cancer cells and normal cells
Authors: Si Xingyu , Zhao Yaoyao , Yang Chengdui , Zhang Sichun , Zhang Xinrong
Published: July 2015

The global DNA methylation degree may be a ubiquitous and early biomarker to distinguish cancer cells from benign cells. However, its usefulness in clinical diagnosis was scarcely demonstrated, because the cancer cells isolated from patients were usually very rare. Even if 10 mL of peripheral blood was sampled from a patient, only tens of cancer cells could be isolated. So a method to quantify DNA methylation from small number of cells was needed to apply DNA methylation in clinical environment. In this study, we found that normal breast cell line MCF10A and breast cancer cell line MCF7 cells present significantly different percentage of genomic 5-methylcytosine (p < 0.02, n = 8), it could be a potential indicator for rapid discrimination of rare cancer cells from normal cells. However, conventional mass spectrometry needs usually ~106 cells to quantify DNA methylation degree, which was too large to be applied in clinical diagnosis. Here we developed a fast mass spectrometry-based method capable of analyzing the DNA methylation degree from only ~100 human cells. Our method could reveal the different DNA methylation degree between MCF10A and MCF7 cells in less than two hours, having the potential to provide reliable information for clinical application.
Proteasome Accessory Factor C (pafC) Is a novel gene Involved in Mycobacterium Intrinsic Resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics - Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Li Qiming , Xie Longxiang , Long Quanxin , Mao Jinxiao , Li Hui , Zhou Mingliang , Xie Jianping
Published: July 2015

Antibiotics resistance poses catastrophic threat to global public health. Novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of action will inspire better measures to control drug resistance. Fluoroquinolones are potent and widely prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. Bacterial protein degradation pathways represent novel druggable target for the development of new classes of antibiotics. Mycobacteria proteasome accessory factor C (pafC), a component of bacterial proteasome, is involved in fluoroquinolones resistance. PafC deletion mutants are hypersensitive to fluoroquinolones, including moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, but not to other antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampicin, spectinomycin, chloramphenicol, capreomycin. This phenotype can be restored by complementation. The pafC mutant is hypersensitive to H2O2 exposure. The iron chelator (bipyridyl) and a hydroxyl radical scavenger (thiourea) can abolish the difference. The finding that pafC is a novel intrinsic selective resistance gene provided new evidence for the bacterial protein degradation pathway as druggable target for the development of new class of antibiotics.
QoL analyses from INFORM study, a phase III study of gefitinib versus placebo as maintenance therapy in advanced NSCLC
Authors: Yang Yun-Peng , Ma Yu-Xiang , Huang Yan , Zhao Yuan-Yuan , Fang Wen-Feng , Hong Shao-Dong , Tian Ying , Xue Cong , Sheng Jin , Zhang Li
Published: July 2015

This report aimed to provide the full results of QoL assessment in INFORM study. QoL was assessed by FACT-L questionnaire. QoL improvement ratio in gefitinib arm was higher than placebo arm (FACT-L: 46% vs. 22%, p < 0.001; TOI: 41% vs. 18%, p < 0.001; LCS: 46% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). Gefitinib prolonged time-to-worsening of QoL (FACT-L: 2.8 m vs 1.4 m, p = 0.019; TOI: 3.5 m vs 1.4 m, p = 0.006; LCS: 2.8 vs 1.4 m, p = 0.028). Patients with an improvement in QoL had longer PFS (FACT-L: 9.4 m vs. 2.8 m vs. 2.7 m, P < 0.001; TOI: 9.9 m vs. 2.8 m vs. 2.1 m, P < 0.001; LCS: 9.4 m vs. 2.9 m vs. 2.1 m, P < 0.001) and OS (FACT-L: 25.4 m vs. 19.9 m vs. 14.4 m, P = 0.003; TOI: 25.7 m vs. 19.0 m vs. 12.7 m, P = 0.002; LCS: 25.4 m vs. 19.3 m vs. 14.7 m, P = 0.004) compared with patients with stable or worsened QoL. Furthermore, in patients with good QoL at baseline, the treatment of gefitinib couldn’t improve OS compared to placebo, whereas patients with low QoL experienced marginal significant improvement in OS (20.6 m vs 14.4, p = 0.051). Our study indicated that gefitinib could improve patients’ QoL, confirmed the prognostic value of QoL changes during treatment and implied patients with low QoL at baseline may be the potential population which will gain OS benefit from maintenance EGFR-TKI therapy.
Discovery of ODM-201, a new-generation androgen receptor inhibitor targeting resistance mechanisms to androgen signaling-directed prostate cancer therapies
Authors: Moilanen Anu-Maarit , Riikonen Reetta , Oksala Riikka , Ravanti Laura , Aho Eija , Wohlfahrt Gerd , Nykänen Pirjo S. , Törmäkangas Olli P. , Palvimo Jorma J. , Kallio Pekka J.
Published: July 2015

Activation of androgen receptor (AR) is crucial for prostate cancer growth. Remarkably, also castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is dependent on functional AR and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the addiction. Known causes of CRPC include gene amplification and overexpression as well as point mutations of AR. We report here the pharmacological profile of ODM-201, a novel AR inhibitor that showed significant antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile in phase 1/2 studies in men with CRPC. ODM-201 is a full and high-affinity AR antagonist that, similar to second-generation antiandrogens enzalutamide and ARN-509, inhibits testosterone-induced nuclear translocation of AR. Importantly, ODM-201 also blocks the activity of the tested mutant ARs arising in response to antiandrogen therapies, including the F876L mutation that confers resistance to enzalutamide and ARN-509. In addition, ODM-201 reduces the growth of AR-overexpressing VCaP prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in a castration-resistant VCaP xenograft model. In contrast to other antiandrogens, ODM-201 shows negligible brain penetrance and does not increase serum testosterone levels in mice. In conclusion, ODM-201 is a potent AR inhibitor that overcomes resistance to AR-targeted therapies by antagonizing both overexpressed and mutated ARs. ODM-201 is currently in a phase 3 trial in CRPC.
CTAB induced mitochondrial apoptosis by activating the AMPK–p53 pathway in hepatocarcinoma cells
Authors: Pan Yue , Wang Zheng , Shao Dan , Zheng Huilin , Chen Yujing , Zheng Xiao , Zhang Ming , Li Jing , Li Feng , Chen Li
Published: July 2015

CTAB induced mitochondrial apoptosis by activating the AMPK-p53 pathway in hepatocarcinoma cells.
An electrochemiluminescence sensor based on a sulfur-terminal CdS2L complex
Authors: Zhang Chunyan , Wang Lei , Zhang Shengyi , Mao Changjie , Song Jiming , Niu Helin , Jin Baokang , Tian Yupeng
Published: July 2015

A sulfur-terminal CdS2L complex was synthesized by a solvothermal reaction, and its electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties were studied. A solid-state ECL sensor was fabricated with the CdS2L complex, with a linear range from 0.002 mM to 4 mM and a detection limit of 0.67 nM for GSH.
Design of a hyperpolarized15N NMR probe that induces a large chemical-shift change upon binding of calcium ions
Authors: Hata Ryunosuke , Nonaka Hiroshi , Takakusagi Yoichi , Ichikawa Kazuhiro , Sando Shinsuke
Published: July 2015

A new hyperpolarized15N NMR probe that induces a large chemical-shift change upon binding of Ca2+was developed.
Multivalent thioglycopeptoids via photoclick chemistry: potent affinities towards LecA and BC2L-A lectins
Authors: Caumes C. , Gillon E. , Legeret B. , Taillefumier C. , Imberty A. , Faure S.
Published: July 2015

The straightforward access to peptoid-based multivalent thioglycoclusters displaying 1-thio-β-d-galactose or 1-thio-α/β-d-mannose and their evaluation towards two bacterial lectins are described.
AgNO2-mediated cleavage of the N–N bond of sulfonylhydrazones and oxygen transfer: access to fulleroisoxazolines via radical cyclization with [60]fullerene
Authors: Liu Tong-Xin , Ma Jinliang , Chao Di , Zhang Pengling , Liu Qingfeng , Shi Lei , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhang Guisheng
Published: July 2015

The first example involving cleavage of the N–N bond of sulfonylhydrazones is presented, and a new methodology for the synthesis of fulleroisoxazolines is developed.
Synthetic tools for studying the chemical biology of InsP8
Authors: Riley Andrew M. , Wang Huanchen , Shears Stephen B. , L. Potter Barry V.
Published: July 2015

Synthetic mimics of InsP8, Nature's most phosphorylated inositol phosphate, interact differentially with the kinase PPIP5K2 and provide stabilised, complementary tools to investigate this orphan signal.
Regioselective aerobic oxidative Heck reactions with electronically unbiased alkenes: efficient access to α-alkyl vinylarenes
Authors: Zheng Changwu , Stahl Shannon S.
Published: July 2015

A Pd(TFA)2/2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline catalyst enables branched-selective oxidative coupling of arylboronic acids and electronically unbiased alkenes.
Modulating light propagation in ZnO–Cu2O-inverse opal solar cells for enhanced photocurrents
Authors: Yantara Natalia , Pham Thi Thu Trang , Boix Pablo P. , Mathews Nripan
Published: July 2015

The advantages of employing an interconnected periodic ZnO morphology, i.e. an inverse opal structure, in electrodeposited ZnO/Cu2O devices are presented.
Formation mechanisms and yields of small imidazoles from reactions of glyoxal with NH4+ in water at neutral pH
Authors: Maxut A. , Nozière B. , Fenet B. , Mechakra H.
Published: July 2015

Yields of imidazoles produced by the reactions of glyoxal with NH4+.
Alkylfluorenyl substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes in copper(i) catalysed hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones
Authors: Teci Matthieu , Lentz Nicolas , Brenner Eric , Matt Dominique , Toupet Loïc
Published: July 2015

An alkylfluorenyl-substituted imidazolylidene copper complex efficiently catalyses the hydrosilylation of functionalized and/or sterically demanding carbonyl compounds, using triethylsilane as cost-effective hydride source; the catalyst displays remarkable stability.
Effects of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in Cr3 triangular spin clusters detected by specific heat and multi-frequency electron spin resonance
Authors: Ghirri Alberto , van Tol Johan , Vitorica-Yrezabal Inigo , Timco Grigore A. , Winpenny Richard E. P.
Published: July 2015

An oxo-centered [Cr3O(O2CtBu)6(H2O)3](O2CtBu) HO2CtBu·2EtOH triangular cluster has been synthesized and its magnetic properties have been studied by means of complementary techniques.
Albumin binding and ligand-exchange processes of the Ru(iii) anticancer agent NAMI-A and its bis-DMSO analogue determined by ENDOR spectroscopy
Authors: Webb Michael I. , Walsby Charles J.
Published: July 2015

Coordination of Ru(iii) anticancer candidates to albuminviahistidine imidazoles has been demonstrated by electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy.
Structure of the high voltage phase of layered P2-Na2/3−z[Mn1/2Fe1/2]O2 and the positive effect of Ni substitution on its stability
Authors: Talaie Elahe , Duffort Victor , Smith Hillary L. , Fultz Brent , Nazar Linda F.
Published: July 2015

Using in-depth structural and spectroscopic analysis, we unravel the nature of phenomena specific to the Fe3+/Fe4+ redox couple in P2-Na0.67−z[NiyMn0.5+yFe0.5−2y]O2.
Tetragonal tungsten bronzes Nb8−xW9+xO47−δ: optimization strategies and transport properties of a new n-type thermoelectric oxide
Authors: Heinrich Christophe P. , Schrade Matthias , Cerretti Giacomo , Lieberwirth Ingo , Leidich Patrick , Schmitz Andreas , Fjeld Harald , Mueller Eckhard , Finstad Terje G. , Norby Truls , Tremel Wolfgang
Published: July 2015

Tetragonal tungsten bronzes Nb8−xW9+xO47−δallow a continuous variation of the charge carrier concentration while fulfilling the concept of a “phonon-glass electron-crystal” through intrinsic nanostructure.
Recent advances in the use of vibrational chiroptical spectroscopic methods for stereochemical characterization of natural products
Authors: Batista Jr. João M. , Blanch Ewan W. , Bolzani Vanderlan da Silva
Published: July 2015

A comprehensive look into application of vibrational optical activity methods for conformational and configurational assignments in natural product molecules over the last 15 years is provided.
A generic amplification strategy for electrochemical aptasensors using a non-enzymatic nanoceria tag
Authors: Bulbul Gonca , Hayat Akhtar , Andreescu Silvana
Published: July 2015

A generic strategy for the fabrication of electrochemical aptasensors involving a non-enzymatic nanoceria tag and graphene oxide for sensitive and inexpensive detection of aptamer targets.
Au-modified three-dimensional In2O3 inverse opals: synthesis and improved performance for acetone sensing toward diagnosis of diabetes
Authors: Xing Ruiqing , Li Qingling , Xia Lei , Song Jian , Xu Lin , Zhang Jiahuan , Xie Yi , Song Hongwei
Published: July 2015

3DIO macroporous In2O3 films with additional via-hole architectures were fabricated and Au NPs were loaded, which were applied for detecting of acetone gas in exhaled breath.
Synthesis of a new class of iminosugars based on constrained azaspirocyclic scaffolds by way of catalytic C–H amination
Authors: Nocquet Pierre-Antoine , Hensienne Raphaël , Wencel-Delord Joanna , Wimmer Eric , Hazelard Damien , Compain Philippe
Published: July 2015

High level of regiocontrol has been achieved in the C–H amination of substrates with a high density of reactive C–H bonds, allowing the access to a new class of conformationally constrained iminosugars.
Highly efficient photovoltaics and field-effect transistors based on copolymers of mono-fluorinated benzothiadiazole and quaterthiophene: synthesis and effect of the molecular weight on device performance
Authors: Hao Minghui , Li Xiaodong , Shi Keli , Xie Dongjun , Zeng Xuan , Fang Junfeng , Yu Gui , Yang Chuluo
Published: July 2015

A D–A conjugated polymer based on mono-fluorinated benzothiadiazole (FBT) was designed and synthesized, and high performance photovoltaics and FETs were achieved.
Effect of chain curvature on the performance of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer solar cells
Authors: Li Hui , Zheng Xiaolin , Wang Xuedong , Liu Fangbin , Fu Hongbing
Published: July 2015

Two polymer semiconductors with different degrees of chain curvature are designed and synthesized. The curved polymer blended with PC71BM exhibits a higher PCE of 5.3% than that of a linear polymer.
Modulation and evaluation of the charge carrier mobility in a polymer alloy of polythiophene and an insulating matrix with an electron accepting molecule
Authors: Fukumatsu Takahiro , Saeki Akinori , Seki Shu
Published: July 2015

Non-contact measurements with time-resolved microwave conductivity and absorption spectroscopy offer direct access to the charge carrier mobility in conjugated backbones.
Tertiary amine catalyzed photo-induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylates
Authors: Fu Qiang , McKenzie Thomas G. , Tan Shereen , Nam Eunhyung , Qiao Greg G.
Published: July 2015

A novel tertiary amine catalyst and trithiocarbonate synergistic photo-induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylates has been realized under mild UV irradiation, yielding polymethacrylates with low molecular weight distributions and excellent end-group fidelity.
Intramolecular C–H insertion vs. Friedel–Crafts coupling induced by silyl cation-promoted C–F activation
Authors: Allemann Oliver , Baldridge Kim K. , Siegel Jay S.
Published: July 2015

Silyl cation-promoted aryl C–F activation can lead to formal C–H activation and the formation of new C(ar)–C(alkyl) bonds.
Effect of cellulose nanocrystal polymorphs on mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) based bionanocomposites
Authors: Dhar Prodyut , Tarafder Debashis , Kumar Amit , Katiyar Vimal
Published: July 2015

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) using different cellulose polymorphs have been fabricated from raw bamboo pulp. Their structural and morphological effects on the mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) have been investigated.
Catalytic performance of Co/Zn–Al2O3 Fischer–Tropsch catalysts: a comparative study of zinc introduction methodologies
Authors: Du Juan , Yan Junkun , Hong Jingping , Zhang Yuhua , Chen Sufang , Li Jinlin
Published: July 2015

Co-precipitated Zn–Al2O3 showed improved pore structure, and the supported catalyst presented the best FTS performance.
A highly sensitive persulfate sensor based on a hybrid nanocomposite with silicomolybdate doping poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) on multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Lin Kuo Chiang , Wu Tsung Han , Chen Shen Ming
Published: July 2015

Negatively charged silicomolybdate doped positively charged PEDOT through electropolymerization of EDOT monomers to form a MWCNT-hybrid composite.
Large-scale synthesis and characterization of magnetic poly(acrylic acid) nanogels via miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Lu Zhengquan , Wu Mingyuan , Wu Qingyun , Yang Jianjun
Published: July 2015

A facile method for the large-scale preparation of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) nanogels was reported by miniemulsion polymerization. After the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic PAA nanogels were fabricated successfully.
The dependence of the non-linear creep properties of TATB-based polymer bonded explosives on the molecular structure of the polymer binder: (II) effects of the comonomer ratio in fluoropolymers
Authors: Lin Congmei , Liu Shijun , Huang Zhong , He Guansong , Gong Feiyan , Liu Yonggang , Liu Jiahui
Published: July 2015

TATB-based polymer bonded explosives (PBXs), with three polymer binders containing different molar ratios of comonomer vinylidene fluoride and chlorotrifluoroethylene, were studied by non-linear time dependent creep tests.
Porous ceramic hollow fiber-supported Pebax/PEGDME composite membrane for CO2 separation from biohythane
Authors: Cheng Jun , Hu Leiqing , Ji Chaofan , Zhou Junhu , Cen Kefa
Published: July 2015

Ceramic hollow fiber-supported Pebax/PEGDME membrane was prepared to separate CO2. The composite membrane showed excellent performance of removing CO2 from biohythane. The ideal CO2/H2 selectivity increased to 26 when temperature decreased to 10 °C.
Palladium(ii) complexes containing ONO tridentate hydrazone for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of aryl chlorides in aqueous-organic media
Authors: Arumugam Vignesh , Kaminsky Werner , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. P. , Nallasamy Dharmaraj
Published: July 2015

Robust and recyclable pincer type palladium(ii) complexes for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of challenging aryl chlorides in aqueous-organic media.
Rational synthesis of normal, abnormal and anionic NHC–gallium alkyl complexes: structural, stability and isomerization insights
Authors: Uzelac Marina , Hernán-Gómez Alberto , Armstrong David R. , Kennedy Alan R. , Hevia Eva
Published: July 2015

Using two alternative methodologies, new light has been shed on the stability and rational formation of abnormal NHC–gallium complexes.
Formamidinium tin-based perovskite with low Eg for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Koh Teck Ming , Krishnamoorthy Thirumal , Yantara Natalia , Shi Chen , Leong Wei Lin , Boix Pablo P. , Grimsdale Andrew C. , Mhaisalkar Subodh G. , Mathews Nripan
Published: July 2015

A lead-free low bandgap organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite, formamidinium tin iodide, is introduced as a photovoltaic material.
Improved performance by morphology control via fullerenes in PBDT-TBT-alkoBT based organic solar cells
Authors: Khatiwada Devendra , Venkatesan Swaminathan , Chen Qiliang , Chen Jihua , Adhikari Nirmal , Dubey Ashish , Mitul Abu Farzan , Mohammed Lal , Qiao Qiquan
Published: July 2015

In this work, we report improved performance by controlling morphology using different fullerene derivatives in PBDT-TBT-alkoBT based organic solar cells.
Covalent triazine framework-supported palladium nanoparticles for catalytic hydrogenation of N-heterocycles
Authors: He Teng , Liu Lin , Wu Guotao , Chen Ping
Published: July 2015

With their high surface area, large amount of nitrogen functionalities and high basicity, covalent triazine framework-supported Pd nanoparticles showed a markedly improved activity in the hydrogenation of N-heterocycles compared to the active carbon-supported catalyst.
Porous Ni nanofibers with enhanced catalytic effect on the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2
Authors: Chen Jie , Xia Guanglin , Guo Zaiping , Huang Zhenguo , Liu Huakun , Yu Xuebin
Published: July 2015

Porous Ni nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized via a single-nozzle electrospinning technique with subsequent calcination and reduction.
Naphtho[2,1-b:3,4-b′]bisthieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-based semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Li Zhaoguang , Zhang Ji , Zhang Kai , Zhang Weifeng , Guo Lei , Huang Jianyao , Yu Gui , Wong Man Shing
Published: July 2015

Naphtho[2,1-b:3,4-b′]bisthieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene derivatives exhibiting a hole mobility of up to 0.25 cm2 V−1 s−1 show promise as useful building blocks to construct next-generation high performance organic semiconductors.
From non-detectable to decent: replacement of oxygen with sulfur in naphthalene diimide boosts electron transport in organic thin-film transistors (OTFT)
Authors: Chen Wangqiao , Zhang Jing , Long Guankui , Liu Yi , Zhang Qichun
Published: July 2015

We demonstrated a dramatic enhancement of the electron mobility of naphthalene diimide in thin film transistors under ambient conditions using a simple step reaction replacing oxygen with sulfur atoms.
The Hedgehog signalling pathway mediates drug response of MCF-7 mammosphere cells in breast cancer patients
Authors: He Miao , Fu Yingzi , Yan Yuanyuan , Xiao Qinghuan , Wu Huizhe , Yao Weifan , Zhao Haishan , Zhao Lin , Jiang Qian , Yu Zhaojin , Jin Feng , Mi Xiaoyi , Wang Enhua , Cui Zeshi , Fu Liwu , Chen Jianju , Wei Minjie
Published: July 2015

BCSCs (breast cancer stem cells) have been shown to be resistant to chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms underlying BCSC-mediated chemoresistance remain poorly understood. The Hh (Hedgehog) pathway is important in the stemness maintenance of CSCs. Nonetheless, it is unknown whether the Hh pathway is involved in BCSC-mediated chemoresistance. In the present study, we cultured breast cancer MCF-7 cells in suspension in serum-free medium to obtain BCSC-enriched MCF-7 MS (MCF-7 mammosphere) cells. We showed that MCF-7 MS cells are sensitive to salinomycin, but not paclitaxel, distinct from parent MCF-7 cells. The expression of the critical components of Hh pathway, i.e. PTCH (Patched), SMO (Smoothened), Gli1 and Gli2, was significantly up-regulated in MCF-7 MS cells; salinomycin, but not paclitaxel, treatment caused a remarkable decrease in expression of those genes in MCF-7 MS cells, but not in MCF-7 cells. Salinomycin, but not paclitaxel, increased apoptosis, decreased the migration capacity of MCF-7 MS cells, accompanied by a decreased expression of c-Myc, Bcl-2 and Snail, the target genes of the Hh pathway. The salinomycin-induced cytotoxic effect could be blocked by Shh (Sonic Hedgehog)-mediated Hh signalling activation. Inhibition of the Hh pathway by cyclopamine could sensitize MCF-7 MS cells to paclitaxel. In addition, salinomycin, but not paclitaxel, significantly reduced the tumour growth, accompanied by decreased expression of PTCH, SMO, Gli1 and Gli2 in xenograft tumours. Furthermore, the expression of SMO and Gli1 was positively correlated with the expression of CD44+/CD24−, and the expression of SMO and Gli1 in CD44+/CD24− tissues was associated with a significantly shorter OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease-free survival) in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Thin Versus Thick Description: Analyzing Representations of People and Their Life Worlds in the Literature of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Authors: Hengst Julie A. , Devanga Suma , Mosier Hillary
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Evidence-based practice relies on clinicians to translate research evidence for individual clients. This study, the initial phase of a broader research project, examines the textual resources of such translations by analyzing how people with acquired cognitive-communication disorders (ACCD) and their life worlds have been represented in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) research articles.

Method

Using textual analysis, we completed a categorical analysis of 6,059 articles published between 1936 and 2012, coding for genre, population, and any evidence of thick representations of people and their life worlds, and a discourse analysis of representations used in 56 ACCD research articles, identifying
thin
and
thick
representations in 4 domains (derived from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health) and across article sections.

Results

The categorical analysis identified a higher percentage of ACCD articles with some evidence of thick representation (30%) compared with all CSD articles (12%) sampled. However, discourse analysis of ACCD research articles found that thick representations were quite limited; 34/56 articles had thin representational profiles, 19/56 had mixed profiles, and 3/56 had thick profiles.

Conclusions

These findings document the dominance of thin representations in the CSD literature, which we suggest makes translational work more difficult. How clinicians translate such evidence will be addressed in the next research phase, an interview study of speech-language pathologists.
VLSI implementation of fractional motion estimation interpolation for high efficiency video coding
Authors: Kang Donggil , Kang Youngsuk , Hong Youpyo
Published: July 2015

Interpolation plays a key role in the fractional motion estimation (FME) of video encoders. A hardware implementation of a FME interpolator is presented for high efficiency video coding. The proposed interpolator processes each 8 × 8 block in a pipelined manner with efficiently shared finite impulse response filters to improve the performance while reducing gate counts. Implementation results show that the proposed design leads to fewer execution cycles with a small silicon area compared with conventional designs.
Chaotic behaviour of state variable filters with saturation‐type integrators
Authors: Petrzela J.
Published: July 2015

The possibility to see route‐to‐chaos scenarios in common analogue filtering structures known as state variable filters is described. It is shown that strange attractors characterised by a fractal geometrical dimension can be observed in these naturally linear network structures if integrators are supposed to be exclusive nonlinear two‐ports.
Pleural effusion detection system using wideband slot‐loaded loop antenna
Authors: Ahdi Rezaeieh S. , Abbosh A.M. , Zamani A. , Bialkowski K.
Published: July 2015

Pleural effusion (PE) is the accumulation of fluids around the lungs due to various diseases, such as cancer, liver and heart failure. Given the fact that fluid provides a high contrast in terms of dielectric constant at microwave frequencies, a radar‐based microwave imaging system is proposed to utilise that change in properties for the early detection of PE. The system uses a wideband slot‐loaded loop antenna to scan the torso, a portable vector network analyser for signal generation and recording, and a laptop for signal processing and image formation using a frequency‐based imaging algorithm. The utilised antenna is designed to have a compact size (in wavelengths) of 0.23 × 0.23 that is one‐third the size of recent designs. By using proper slots in a conventional slot‐loaded loop and adding a staircase‐shaped patch to the loop's perimeter, the antenna achieves a fractional bandwidth of 50% (0.72–1.19 GHz), and a peak gain of 4.9 dBi. The practicality of the proposed system is successfully tested by detecting a small amount of fluid (3 mL) around the lungs of a realistic life‐size torso phantom.
Protein interaction network constructing based on text mining and reinforcement learning with application to prostate cancer
Authors: Zhu Fei , Liu Quan , Zhang Xiaofang , Shen Bairong
Published: July 2015

Constructing interaction network from biomedical texts is a very important and interesting work. The authors take advantage of text mining and reinforcement learning approaches to establish protein interaction network. Considering the high computational efficiency of co‐occurrence‐based interaction extraction approaches and high precision of linguistic patterns approaches, the authors propose an interaction extracting algorithm where they utilise frequently used linguistic patterns to extract the interactions from texts and then find out interactions from extended unprocessed texts under the basic idea of co‐occurrence approach, meanwhile they discount the interaction extracted from extended texts. They put forward a reinforcement learning‐based algorithm to establish a protein interaction network, where nodes represent proteins and edges denote interactions. During the evolutionary process, a node selects another node and the attained reward determines which predicted interaction should be reinforced. The topology of the network is updated by the agent until an optimal network is formed. They used texts downloaded from PubMed to construct a prostate cancer protein interaction network by the proposed methods. The results show that their method brought out pretty good matching rate. Network topology analysis results also demonstrate that the curves of node degree distribution, node degree probability and probability distribution of constructed network accord with those of the scale‐free network well.
Detecting small attractors of large Boolean networks by function‐reduction‐based strategy
Authors: Zheng Qiben , Shen Liangzhong , Shang Xuequn , Liu Wenbin
Published: July 2015

Boolean networks (BNs) are widely used to model gene regulatory networks and to design therapeutic intervention strategies to affect the long‐term behaviour of systems. A central aim of Boolean‐network analysis is to find attractors that correspond to various cellular states, such as cell types or the stage of cell differentiation. This problem is NP‐hard and various algorithms have been used to tackle it with considerable success. The idea is that a singleton attractor corresponds to n consistent subsequences in the truth table. To find these subsequences, the authors gradually reduce the entire truth table of Boolean functions by extending a partial gene activity profile (GAP). Not only does this process delete inconsistent subsequences in truth tables, it also directly determines values for some nodes not extended, which means it can abandon the partial GAPs that cannot lead to an attractor as early as possible. The results of simulation show that the proposed algorithm can detect small attractors with length p = 4 in BNs of up to 200 nodes with average indegree K = 2.
Behandlung einer erwachsenen Patientin mit dolichofazialem Wachstum, skelettaler Klasse III und asymmetrischem Unterkiefer
Authors: Sánchez B. I. , Pérez-Varela J. C.
Published: July 2015

In diesem Fallbericht wird die Behandlung einer Patientin mit skelettaler Klasse III und asymmetrischem Unterkiefer vorgestellt. Die Patientin zeigte ein konkaves Gesichtprofil, das untere Gesichtsdrittel war vergrößert, die oberen Schneidezähne standen normal und die unteren retroklin.

Um sämtliche Behandlungsziele sowie die ästhetische Verbesserung des Gesichtes zu erreichen, wäre hier ein kieferorthopädisch-chirurgisches Verfahren notwendig.

Obwohl es sich dabei um die ideale Behandlungsoption handelt, verweigern Patienten häufig eine kombinierte kieferorthopädisch-chirurgische Therapie. In solchen Fällen sind kompensierende Behandlungsmaßnahmen erforderlich.

Wir präsentieren hier einen Fall, in dem bei einer erwachsenen dolichofazialen Patientin mit skelettaler Klasse III und Asymmetrie des Unterkiefers eine ausschließlich kieferorthopädische kompensierende Behandlung mit einseitiger Extraktion von Zähnen durchgeführt wurde.
Latent heat of vaporization of nanofluids: Measurements and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Tanvir S. , Jain S. , Qiao L.
Published: July 2015

This paper reports measured and calculated (through molecular dynamics simulations) latent heat of vaporization (Hfg) for water and ethanol based nanofluids. The experimental results showed that the addition of 3 wt. % Ag and Fe nanoparticles in water results in a substantial reduction in Hfg (25% and 17%, respectively). On the contrary, 3 wt. % Al addition slightly increases Hfg (3%). Similar trends were observed for ethanol based nanofluids: 3 wt. % addition of Ag and Fe resulted in a reduction in Hfg by 19% and 13%, respectively, whereas 3 wt. % Al addition resulted in an increases in Hfg by 2%. Molecular dynamics simulations, which determine Hfg by calculating the total enthalpy change of a system before and after vaporization from a molecular level, showed that the strength of bonding between the nanoparticles and the fluid molecules is the governing factor in the variation of Hfg upon particle addition. It was found that the strength of Al/water bonds was much greater than Ag/water, resulting in a reduction in Hfg for the Ag/water nanofluids.
Semi-classical trace asymptotics for magnetic Schrödinger operators with Robin condition
Authors: Kachmar Ayman , Nasrallah Marwa
Published: July 2015

We compute the sum and number of eigenvalues for a certain class of magnetic Schrödinger operators in a domain with boundary. Functions in the domain of the operator satisfy a (magnetic) Robin condition. The calculations are valid in the semi-classical asymptotic limit and the eigenvalues concerned correspond to eigenstates localized near the boundary of the domain. The formulas we derive display the influence of the boundary and the boundary condition and are valid under a weak regularity assumption of the boundary function. Our approach relies on three main points: reduction to the boundary, construction of boundary coherent states, and handling the boundary term as a surface electric potential and controlling the errors by various Lieb-Thirring inequalities.