bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylation of ribosomal RNA by NSUN5 is a conserved mechanism modulating organismal lifespan
Authors: Schosserer Markus , Minois Nadege , Angerer Tina B. , Amring Manuela , Dellago Hanna , Harreither Eva , Calle-Perez Alfonso , Pircher Andreas , Gerstl Matthias Peter , Pfeifenberger Sigrid , Brandl Clemens , Sonntagbauer Markus , Kriegner Albert , Linder Angela , Weinhäusel Andreas , Mohr Thomas , Steiger Matthias , Mattanovich Diethard , Rinnerthaler Mark , Karl Thomas , Sharma Sunny , Entian Karl-Dieter , Kos Martin , Breitenbach Michael , Wilson Iain B.H. , Polacek Norbert , Grillari-Voglauer Regina , Breitenbach-Koller Lore , Grillari Johannes
Published: January 2015

Several pathways modulating longevity and stress resistance converge on translation by targeting ribosomal proteins or initiation factors, but whether this involves modifications of ribosomal RNA is unclear. Here, we show that reduced levels of the conserved RNA methyltransferase NSUN5 increase the lifespan and stress resistance in yeast, worms and flies. Rcm1, the yeast homologue of NSUN5, methylates C2278 within a conserved region of 25S rRNA. Loss of Rcm1 alters the structural conformation of the ribosome in close proximity to C2278, as well as translational fidelity, and favours recruitment of a distinct subset of oxidative stress-responsive mRNAs into polysomes. Thus, rather than merely being a static molecular machine executing translation, the ribosome exhibits functional diversity by modification of just a single rRNA nucleotide, resulting in an alteration of organismal physiological behaviour, and linking rRNA-mediated translational regulation to modulation of lifespan, and differential stress response.
Ultimately short ballistic vertical graphene Josephson junctions
Authors: Lee Gil-Ho , Kim Sol , Jhi Seung-Hoon , Lee Hu-Jong
Published: January 2015

Much efforts have been made for the realization of hybrid Josephson junctions incorporating various materials for the fundamental studies of exotic physical phenomena as well as the applications to superconducting quantum devices. Nonetheless, the efforts have been hindered by the diffusive nature of the conducting channels and interfaces. To overcome the obstacles, we vertically sandwiched a cleaved graphene monoatomic layer as the normal-conducting spacer between superconducting electrodes. The atomically thin single-crystalline graphene layer serves as an ultimately short conducting channel, with highly transparent interfaces with superconductors. In particular, we show the strong Josephson coupling reaching the theoretical limit, the convex-shaped temperature dependence of the Josephson critical current and the exceptionally skewed phase dependence of the Josephson current; all demonstrate the bona fide short and ballistic Josephson nature. This vertical stacking scheme for extremely thin transparent spacers would open a new pathway for exploring the exotic coherence phenomena occurring on an atomic scale.
Label-free detection of kanamycin based on a G-quadruplex DNA aptamer-based fluorescent intercalator displacement assay
Authors: Xing Yun-Peng , Liu Chun , Zhou Xiao-Hong , Shi Han-Chang
Published: January 2015

This work was the first to report that the kanamycin-binding DNA aptamer (5′-TGG GGG TTG AGG CTA AGC CGA-3′) can form stable parallel G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) structures by themselves and that this phenomenon can be verified by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Based on these findings, we developed a novel label-free strategy for kanamycin detection based on the G4-DNA aptamer-based fluorescent intercalator displacement assay with thiazole orange (TO) as the fluorescence probe. In the proposed strategy, TO became strongly fluorescent upon binding to kanamycin-binding G4-DNA. However, the addition of kanamycin caused the displacement of TO from the G4-DNA–TO conjugate, thereby resulting in decreased fluorescent signal, which was inversely related to the kanamycin concentration. The detection limit of the proposed assay decreased to 59 nM with a linear working range of 0.1 μM to 20 μM for kanamycin. The cross-reactivity against six other antibiotics was negligible compared with the response to kanamycin. A satisfactory recovery of kanamycin in milk samples ranged from 80.1% to 98.0%, confirming the potential of this bioassay in the measurement of kanamycin in various applications. Our results also served as a good reference for developing similar fluorescent G4-DNA-based bioassays in the future.
Field resistance of transgenic plantain to nematodes has potential for future African food security
Authors: Tripathi Leena , Babirye Annet , Roderick Hugh , Tripathi Jaindra N. , Changa Charles , Urwin Peter E. , Tushemereirwe Wilberforce K. , Coyne Danny , Atkinson Howard J.
Published: January 2015

Plant parasitic nematodes impose losses of up to 70% on plantains and cooking bananas in Africa. Application of nematicides is inappropriate and resistant cultivars are unavailable. Where grown, demand for plantain is more than for other staple crops. Confined field testing demonstrated that transgenic expression of a biosafe, anti-feedant cysteine proteinase inhibitor and an anti-root invasion, non-lethal synthetic peptide confers resistance to plantain against the key nematode pests Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. The best peptide transgenic line showed improved agronomic performance relative to non-transgenic controls and provided about 99% nematode resistance at harvest of the mother crop. Its yield was about 186% in comparison with the nematode challenged control non-transgenic plants based on larger bunches and diminished plant toppling in storms, due to less root damage. This is strong evidence for utilizing this resistance to support the future food security of 70 million, mainly poor Africans that depend upon plantain as a staple food.
Spatiotemporal chaotic unjamming and jamming in granular avalanches
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2015

We have investigated the spatiotemporal chaotic dynamics of unjamming and jamming of particles in a model experiment – a rotating drum partially filled with bidisperse disks to create avalanches. The magnitudes of the first Lyapunov vector δu(t) and velocity v(t) of particles are directly measured for the first time to yield insights into their spatial correlation Cδu,v, which is on statistical average slightly larger near the unjamming than the value near the jamming transition. These results are consistent with the recent work of Banigan et al (Nature Phys. 2013) and it is for the first time to validate their theoretical models in a real scenario. v(t) shows rich dynamics: it grows exponentially for unstable particles and keeps increasing despite stochastic interactions; after the maximum, it decays with large fluctuations. Hence the spatiotemporal chaotic dynamics of avalanche particles are entangled, causing temporal correlations of macroscopic quantities of the system. We propose a simple model for these observations.
Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, a fast growing cyanobacterial chassis for biosynthesis using light and CO2
Authors: Yu Jingjie , Liberton Michelle , Cliften Paul F. , Head Richard D. , Jacobs Jon M. , Smith Richard D. , Koppenaal David W. , Brand Jerry J. , Pakrasi Himadri B.
Published: January 2015

Photosynthetic microbes are of emerging interest as production organisms in biotechnology because they can grow autotrophically using sunlight, an abundant energy source and CO2, a greenhouse gas. Important traits for such microbes are fast growth and amenability to genetic manipulation. Here we describe Synechococcuselongatus UTEX 2973, a unicellular cyanobacterium capable of rapid autotrophic growth, comparable to heterotrophic industrial hosts such as yeast. Synechococcus UTEX 2973 can be readily transformed for facile generation of desired knockout and knock-in mutations. Genome sequencing coupled with global proteomics studies revealed that Synechococcus UTEX 2973 is a close relative of the widely studied cyanobacterium Synechococcuselongatus PCC 7942, an organism that grows more than two times slower. A small number of nucleotide changes are the only significant differences between the genomes of these two cyanobacterial strains. Thus, our study has unraveled genetic determinants necessary for rapid growth of cyanobacterial strains of significant industrial potential.
Microcontroller-Assisted Compensation of Adenosine Triphosphate Levels: Instrument and Method Development
Authors: Hu Jie-Bi , Chen Ting-Ru , Chen Yu-Chie , Urban Pawel L.
Published: January 2015

In order to ascertain optimum conditions for biocatalytic processes carried out in vitro, we have designed a bio-opto-electronic system which ensures real-time compensation for depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in reactions involving transfer of phosphate groups. The system covers ATP concentration range of 2–48 μM. The report demonstrates feasibility of the device operation using apyrase as the ATP-depleting enzyme.
Oxygen-18 isotope of breath CO2 linking to erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase activity: a biomarker for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ghosh Chiranjit , Banik Gourab D. , Maity Abhijit , Som Suman , Chakraborty Arpita , Selvan Chitra , Ghosh Shibendu , Chowdhury Subhankar , Pradhan Manik
Published: January 2015

Carbonic anhydrase (CA), a well-characterized metalloenzyme, is associated with oxygen-18 ( 18O)-isotopic fractionations of CO2. To investigate how CA activity links the 18O of breath CO2 to pre-diabetes (PD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) during metabolism, we studied pre- and post-dose CA activities in erythrocytes with simultaneous monitoring of 18O/ 16O-isotope ratios of breath CO2 and thereafter elucidated potential metabolic pathways underlying CA alteration in the pathogenesis of T2D. Here we show that the post-dose CA activity in both T2D and PD was markedly enhanced, whereas the non-diabetic controls (NDC) exhibited a considerable reduction in post-dose CA activity when compared with their basal CA activities. However, T2D and PD exhibited isotopic enrichments of 18O in breath CO2, while a marked depletion of 18O in CO2 was manifested in NDC. Thus, the isotopic enrichments and depletions of 18O in breath CO2 were well correlated with the changes in CA activities for controls, PD and T2D. Our findings suggest the changes in CA activities in erythrocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of T2D and the breath C 18O 16O regulated by the CA activity as a potential biomarker for non-invasive assessment of T2D and thus may open a new method for treating T2D.
Identification and application of keto acids transporters in Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Liu Peiran , Madzak Catherine , Du Guocheng , Zhou Jingwen , Chen Jian
Published: January 2015

Production of organic acids by microorganisms is of great importance for obtaining building-block chemicals from sustainable biomass. Extracellular accumulation of organic acids involved a series of transporters, which play important roles in the accumulation of specific organic acid while lack of systematic demonstration in eukaryotic microorganisms. To circumvent accumulation of by-product, efforts have being orchestrated to carboxylate transport mechanism for potential clue in Yarrowia lipolytica WSH-Z06. Six endogenous putative transporter genes, YALI0B19470g, YALI0C15488g, YALI0C21406g, YALI0D24607g, YALI0D20108g and YALI0E32901g, were identified. Transport characteristics and substrate specificities were further investigated using a carboxylate-transport-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. These transporters were expressed in Y. lipolytica WSH-Z06 to assess their roles in regulating extracellular keto acids accumulation. In a Y. lipolytica T1 line over expressing YALI0B19470g, α-ketoglutarate accumulated to 46.7 g·L−1, whereas the concentration of pyruvate decreased to 12.3 g·L−1. Systematic identification of these keto acids transporters would provide clues to further improve the accumulation of specific organic acids with higher efficiency in eukaryotic microorganisms.
Transcriptome Analysis of Sexually Dimorphic Chinese White Wax Scale Insects Reveals Key Differences in Developmental Programs and Transcription Factor Expression
Authors: Yang Pu , Chen Xiao-Ming , Liu Wei-Wei , Feng Ying , Sun Tao
Published: January 2015

The Chinese white wax scale insect,Ericerus pela, represents one of the most dramatic examples of sexual dimorphism in any insect species. In this study, we showed that althoughE. pelamales display complete metamorphosis similar to holometabolous insects, the species forms the sister group toAcyrthosiphon pisumand cluster with hemimetabolous insects. The gene expression profile and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses revealed that the two sexes engaged in distinct developmental programs. In particular, female development appeared to prioritize the expression of genes related to cellular, metabolic and developmental processes and to anatomical structure formation in nymphs. By contrast, male nymphal development is characterized by the significant down-regulation of genes involved in chitin, the respiratory system and neurons. The wing and appendage morphogenesis, anatomical and tissue structure morphogenesis programs activated after male nymphal development. Transcription factors (that convey juvenile hormone or ecdysone signals and Hox genes) and DNA methyltransferase were also differentially expressed between females and males. These results may indicate the roles that these differentially expressed genes play in regulating sexual dimorphism through orchestrating complex genetic programs. This differential expression was particularly prominent for processes linked to female development and wing development in males.
Suspending Effect on Low-Frequency Charge Noise in Graphene Quantum Dot
Authors: Song Xiang-Xiang , Li Hai-Ou , You Jie , Han Tian-Yi , Cao Gang , Tu Tao , Xiao Ming , Guo Guang-Can , Jiang Hong-Wen , Guo Guo-Ping
Published: January 2015

Charge noise is critical in the performance of gate-controlled quantum dots (QDs). Such information is not yet available for QDs made out of the new material graphene, where both substrate and edge states are known to have important effects. Here we show the 1/f noise for a microscopic graphene QD is substantially larger than that for a macroscopic graphene field-effect transistor (FET), increasing linearly with temperature. To understand its origin, we suspended the graphene QD above the substrate. In contrast to large area graphene FETs, we find that a suspended graphene QD has an almost-identical noise level as an unsuspended one. Tracking noise levels around the Coulomb blockade peak as a function of gate voltage yields potential fluctuations of order 1 μeV, almost one order larger than in GaAs/GaAlAs QDs. Edge states and surface impurities rather than substrate-induced disorders, appear to dominate the 1/f noise, thus affecting the coherency of graphene nano-devices.
Dual-band-enhanced Transmission through a Subwavelength Aperture by Coupled Metamaterial Resonators
Authors: Guo Yunsheng , Zhou Ji
Published: January 2015

In classical mechanics, it is well known that a system consisting of two identical pendulums connected by a spring will steadily oscillate with two modes: one at the fundamental frequency of a single pendulum and one in which the frequency increases with the stiffness of the spring. Inspired by this physical concept, we present an analogous approach that uses two metamaterial resonators to realize dual-band-enhanced transmission of microwaves through a subwavelength aperture. The metamaterial resonators are formed by the periodically varying and strongly localized fields that occur in the two metal split-ring resonators, which are placed gap-to-gap on either side of the aperture. The dual-band frequency separation is determined by the coupling strength between the two resonators. Measured transmission spectra, simulated field distributions and theoretical analyses verify our approach.
Antihyperglycemic mechanism of metformin occurs via the AMPK/LXRα/POMC pathway
Authors: Cho Kumsun , Chung Jae Yong , Cho Sung Kweon , Shin Hyun-Woo , Jang In-Jin , Park Jong-Wan , Yu Kyung-Sang , Cho Joo-Youn
Published: January 2015

Metformin is a first-line drug for treating type 2 diabetes. Although metformin is known to phosphorylate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), it is unclear how the glucose-lowering effect of metformin is related to AMPK activation. The aim of this study was to identify the urinary endogenous metabolites affected by metformin and to identify the novel underlying molecular mechanisms related to its anti-diabetic effect. Fourteen healthy male subjects were orally administered metformin (1000 mg) once. First morning urine samples were taken before and after administration to obtain metabolomic data. We then further investigated the anti-diabetic mechanism of metformin in vitro and in vivo. The fluctuation of the metabolite cortisol indicated that the neuroendocrine system was involved in the anti-diabetic effect of metformin. Actually we found that metformin induced AMPK/liver X receptor α (LXRα) phosphorylation, followed by pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) suppression in rat pituitary cells. We confirmed this result by administering metformin in an animal study. Given that cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis, we propose the anti-hyperglycemic effect of metformin is attributed to reduced POMC/adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)/cortisol levels following AMPK/LXRα phosphorylation in the pituitaries.
Global-scale computational analysis of genomic sequences reveals the recombination pattern and coevolution dynamics of cereal-infecting geminiviruses
Authors: Wu Beilei , Shang Xiaonan , Schubert Jörg , Habekuß Antje , Elena Santiago F. , Wang Xifeng
Published: January 2015

Genetic diversity and recombination patterns were evaluated for 229 isolates of Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), which are important cereal-infecting geminiviruses. Recombination hot spots were concentrated at the boundary of the genes encoding for the replication protein (Rep), the coat protein (cp) and the movement protein (mp), as well as inside Rep and cp and in the short intergenic regions (SIR). Phylogenomic analyses confirmed that the global population of WDV clustered into two groups according to their specific host: wheat and barley and the crucial regions for the division of two groups were mp and the large intergenic regions (LIR). The computationally inferred pattern of coevolution between amino acid residues and the predicted 3D structure for the viral proteins provided further differences among the strains or species at the genome and protein level. Pervasive interaction between Rep and Rep A proteins in WDV-wheat-specific group reflected their important and complex function in the replication and transcription of WDV. Furthermore, significant predicted interactions between CP and Rep and CP and Rep A proteins in the WDV-wheat-specific group are thought to be crucial for successful encapsidation and movement of the virus during infection.
Sensitive luminescent paper-based sensor for the determination of gaseous hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Petruci João Flávio da Silveira , Cardoso Arnaldo Alves
Published: January 2015

Sampling and measurements without extraction steps.
Multifunctional magnetic silica nanotubes for MR imaging and targeted drug delivery
Authors: Huang Liang , Ao Lijiao , Wang Wei , Hu Dehong , Sheng Zonghai , Su Wu
Published: January 2015

Magnetic nanotubes with strong superparamagnetism and sustained drug release were fabricated for MR imaging and magnetically guided/cancer targeted drug delivery.
A hybrid of holey graphene and Mn3O4 and its oxygen reduction reaction performance
Authors: Lv Xiaohui , Lv Wei , Wei Wei , Zheng Xiaoyu , Zhang Chen , Zhi Linjie , Yang Quan-Hong
Published: January 2015

A hybrid of holey graphene and Mn3O4 is prepared by a one-step process, in which the formation of a holey structure is accompanied with Mn3O4 nanoparticles through a high temperature reaction between graphene oxide sheets and KMnO4.
A fluorescent turn-on low dose detection of gamma-radiation based on aggregation-induced emission
Authors: Dong Xiaobiao , Hu Fang , Liu Zitong , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing
Published: January 2015

A new sensitive fluorescence turn-on detection of gamma-radiation is reported by taking advantage of AIE property of the tetraphenylethylene unit and the cascade radiochemical and protonation reactions.
Wavelength dispersion of the local field intensity in silver–gold nanocages
Authors: Pilot R. , Zoppi A. , Trigari S. , Deepak F. L. , Giorgetti E. , Bozio R.
Published: January 2015

Combined theoretical and experimental analysis of the far-field (extinction) and of the near-field (SERS enhancement) spectral distribution in hollow nanoparticles, that is, silver–gold nanocages (NCs).
Waveguide-coupled directional Raman radiation for surface analysis
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Jin-Yang , Wang Li , Lu Dan-Feng , Qi Zhi-Mei
Published: January 2015

Guided-mode-excited and guided-mode-coupled directional Raman spectroscopy can be used to obtain an ultrahigh depth resolution and thus an excellent surface selectivity.
Structural properties of methanol–water binary mixtures within the quantum cluster equilibrium model
Authors: Matisz G. , Kelterer A.-M. , Fabian W. M. F. , Kunsági-Máté S.
Published: January 2015

The Quantum Cluster Equilibrium (QCE) method computes cluster distributions and thermodynamic properties of binary methanol–water mixtures in agreement with experiments.
Influence of the coordination environment on slow magnetic relaxation and photoluminescence behavior in two mononuclear dysprosium(iii) based single molecule magnets
Authors: Mondal Amit Kumar , Goswami Soumyabrata , Konar Sanjit
Published: January 2015

Two luminescent mononuclear Dy(iii) based complexes with SMM behaviour have been reported. The SMM behaviours differ due to the slight variation of local symmetry around the Dy(iii) centers and photoluminescence study showed quantum yields of 0.98 and 1.44%.
Reactivity of TCNE and TCNQ derivatives of quinonoid zwitterions with Cu(i)
Authors: Kauf Thomas , Rosa Vitor , Fliedel Christophe , Pattacini Roberto , Deibel Naina , Avilés Teresa , Sarkar Biprajit , Braunstein Pierre
Published: January 2015

The reactions of TCNE- and TCNQ-functionalized zwitterionic benzoquinonemonoimines with a Cu(i)-BIAN complex have been investigated and found to follow a diversity of interesting patterns.
Study on photogenerated charge transfer properties and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity of p-type Bi2O3/n-type ZnO heterojunctions
Authors: Yi Shasha , Yue Xinzheng , Xu Dandan , Liu Zhipeng , Zhao Fei , Wang Dejun , Lin Yanhong
Published: January 2015

The high-efficiency separation of photo-generated charges provides a catalyst with excellent photocatalytic activity.
A novel magnetic polysaccharide–graphene oxide composite for removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solution
Authors: Gao Liang , Wang Yaoguang , Yan Tao , Cui Limei , Hu Lihua , Yan Liangguo , Wei Qin , Du Bin
Published: January 2015

Magnetic adsorbents with more adsorption sites can realize efficient adsorption of cationic dyes.
The effect of porphyrins suspended with different electronegative moieties on the photovoltaic performance of monolithic porphyrin-sensitized solar cells with carbon counter electrodes
Authors: Chen Jiangzhao , Ko Songguk , Liu Linfeng , Sheng Yusong , Han Hongwei , Li Xiong
Published: January 2015

Compared with WH-C3 and WH-C4, the WH-C5-sensitized device shows a significantly enhanced Voc, Jsc and power conversion efficiency (η).
Monolithic multiscale bilayer inverse opal electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cell applications
Authors: Lee Jung Woo , Moon Jun Hyuk
Published: January 2015

A bilayer of a mesoscopic inverse opal and a top macroporous inverse opal layer were fabricated for electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Catalytic dehydrogenative aromatization: an alternative route to functionalized arenes
Authors: Girard Simon A. , Huang Huawen , Zhou Feng , Deng Guo-Jun , Li Chao-Jun
Published: January 2015

Catalytic dehydrogenative aromatization has emerged as an efficient and environmentally friendly way to access functionalized arenes in recent years.
Phytosynthesis of silver–reduced graphene oxide (Ag–RGO) nanocomposite with an enhanced antibacterial effect using Potamogeton pectinatus extract
Authors: Sedki Mohammed , Mohamed Mona B. , Fawzy Manal , Abdelrehim Dalia A. , Abdel-Mottaleb Mohamed M. S. A.
Published: January 2015

Green synthesized silver–reduced graphene oxide (Ag–RGO) nanocomposite usingPotamogeton pectinatus(Po) plant extract.
Observation of weak localization of light in gold nanofluids synthesized using the marine derived fungus Aspergillus niger
Authors: Dave Vishakha , Vala Anjana K. , Patel Rajesh
Published: January 2015

Decreasing particle size with increasing pH in gold nanofluids.
Bimetallic V and Ti incorporated MCM-41 molecular sieves and their catalytic properties
Authors: Li Baoshan , Wu Naijin , Wu Kai , Liu Jianjun , Han Chunying , Li Xianfen
Published: January 2015

V and Ti atoms incorporated into the framework of MCM-41 in the form of tetrahedral coordination with excellent catalytic performance.
Defect-induced metallic-to-semiconducting transition in multilayer graphene
Authors: Thiyagarajan Kaliannan , Ananth Antony , Saravanakumar Balasubramaniam , Mok Young Sun , Kim Sang-Jae
Published: January 2015

The morphological disorder in multilayer graphene behaves like a semiconductor in low temperature.
Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by Cr3+ doping SrTiO3 cubic nanoparticles
Authors: Cai Fanpeng , Tang Yubin , Chen Fangyan , Yan Yan , Shi Weidong
Published: January 2015

The removal of tetracyclines (TC), the extensively used antibiotics, from the environment has become an important issue.
Crystal feature and electronic structure of novel mixed alanate LiCa(AlH4)3: a density functional theory investigation
Authors: Wang Hai-Chen , Zheng Jie , Wu Dong-Hai , Wei Liu-Ting , Tang Bi-Yu
Published: January 2015

The H coordinates are predicted for LiCa(AlH4)3 in which Li–H bonding and Ca–H anti-bonding interactions are illustrated.
A series of heterospin complexes based on lanthanides and pyridine biradicals: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties
Authors: Zhou Shang Yong , Li Xin , Li Ting , Tian Li , Liu Zhong Yi , Wang Xiu Guang
Published: January 2015

Six LnIII-biradical tri-spin complexes have been synthesized, and they exhibit interesting magnetic properties.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of hematite-reduced graphene oxide composites for efficient removal of malachite green from aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Airong , Zhou Wen , Shen Kaile , Liu Jing , Zhang Xixi
Published: January 2015

The α-Fe2O3–rGO materials prepared by one-pot hydrothermal conditions exhibit an excellent capacity to remove MG from water.
Integrating electrochemical detection with centrifugal microfluidics for real-time and fully automated sample testing
Authors: Andreasen Sune Z. , Kwasny Dorota , Amato Letizia , Brøgger Anna Line , Bosco Filippo G. , Andersen Karsten B. , Svendsen Winnie E. , Boisen Anja
Published: January 2015

Here we present a robust, stable and low-noise experimental set-up for performing electrochemical detection on a centrifugal microfluidic platform.
Synthesis of Pt dendritic nanocubes with enhanced catalytic properties
Authors: Xie Ruigang , Pan Yue , Gu Hongwei
Published: January 2015

Pt dendritic nanocubes (DNCs) were successfully synthesized in oleylamine under a 1 bar H2 atmosphere. The catalytic activity of Pt DNCs was much greater than conventional Pt nanoparticles (NPs) for methanol electrooxidation.
Bio-inspired beehive-like hierarchical nanoporous carbon derived from bamboo-based industrial by-product as a high performance supercapacitor electrode material
Authors: Tian Weiqian , Gao Qiuming , Tan Yanli , Yang Kai , Zhu Lihua , Yang Chunxiao , Zhang Hang
Published: January 2015

BHNC synthesized by carbonizing a bamboo-based industrial by-product possesses excellent energy-power synergetic outputting properties among the best ever reported for carbon-based supercapacitors in the Ragone chart.
An insight into the controllable synthesis of Cd(ii) complexes with a new multifunctional ligand and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells and luminescence properties
Authors: Gao Song , Fan Rui Qing , Wang Xin Ming , Qiang Liang Sheng , Wei Li Guo , Wang Ping , Zhang Hui Jie , Yang Yu Lin , Wang Yu Lei
Published: January 2015

This synergism, resulting from the combination of luminescence and DSSCs, opens up the way to new multifunctional materials.
Preparation of magnetic metal–organic framework nanocomposites for highly specific separation of histidine-rich proteins
Authors: Zheng Jiangnan , Lin Zian , Lin Guo , Yang Huanghao , Zhang Lan
Published: January 2015

This work reports a novel metal–organic framework (MOF)-based metal affinity platform for the rapid and highly specific separation of histidine-rich proteins using zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 coated magnetic nanocomposites (denoted as Fe3O4@ZIF-8).
Binary DNA hairpin-based colorimetric biochip for simultaneous detection of Pb2+ and Hg2+ in real-world samples
Authors: Shi Xiaoli , Gao Xiaoyi , Zhang Lingling , Li Yunchao , Fan Louzhen , Yu Hua-Zhong
Published: January 2015

A novel microarray-format colorimetric biochip was constructed for simultaneously detecting the trace amounts of Pb2+ and Hg2+ in various real-world samples.
A selective fluorescence turn-on sensing system for evaluation of Cu2+ polluted water based on ultra-fast formation of fluorescent copper nanoclusters
Authors: Li Dan , Li Biao , Yang Sung Ik
Published: January 2015

We report on a rapid and selective fluorescence turn-on detection system for Cu2+ based on the formation of highly fluorescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs).
Copper-catalysed cross-coupling of arylzirconium reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides
Authors: Thapa Surendra , Basnet Prakash , Gurung Santosh K. , Giri Ramesh
Published: January 2015

An unprecedented CuI-catalysed cross-coupling of arylzirconium reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides is reported. Mechanistic studies with a Cp2ZrAr2 complex revealed that Cp2Zr(Ar)(Cl) is the reactive species that undergoes transmetalation with (PN-1)CuI.
Bioconjugated persistent luminescence nanoparticles for Föster resonance energy transfer immunoassay of prostate specific antigen in serum and cell extracts without in situ excitation
Authors: Wu Bo-Yue , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: January 2015

A novel Föster resonance energy transfer (FRET) immunoassay based on persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNP) for PSA detection in serum and cell extracts in the absence of in situ excitation.
ATP dephosphorylation can be either enhanced or inhibited by pH-controlled interaction with a dendrimer molecule
Authors: Bazzicalupi Carla , Bianchi Antonio , Giorgi Claudia , Savastano Matteo , Morales-Lara Fracisco
Published: January 2015

The dendrimer binds ATP in solution and is able to either accelerate or decelerate the nucleotide dephosphorylation rates depending on the solution pH.
Triply twisted Möbius annulene: a new class of two-photon active material – a computational study
Authors: Kundi Varun , Alam Md Mehboob , Thankachan Pompozhi Protasis
Published: January 2015

The present study clearly reveals that the triply twisted Möbius annulene molecules decorated with suitable donor–acceptor groups can be used as a potential two-photon active material.
Solid nanoarchitecture – Cu(ii) solution: dynamics of the chemical communication
Authors: Millesi Salvatrice , Maccarrone Giuseppe , Gulino Antonino
Published: January 2015

The response of a porphyrin nanoarchitecture, covalently supported on quartz, was investigated upon the external chemical Cu(ii) stimulus. The overall structure behaves as a ternary optical system.
Relating voltage and thermal safety in Li-ion battery cathodes: a high-throughput computational study
Authors: Jain Anubhav , Hautier Geoffroy , Ong Shyue Ping , Dacek Stephen , Ceder Gerbrand
Published: January 2015

High voltage and high thermal safety are desirable characteristics of cathode materials, but difficult to achieve simultaneously DFT calculations on >1400 Li ion battery cathode materials indicate a complex inverse relationship between voltage and thermal safety.
Beneficial effect of lycopene on anti-diabetic nephropathy through diminishing inflammatory response and oxidative stress
Authors: Guo Ying , Liu Yihui , Wang Yuxia
Published: January 2015

Lycopene is widely used for nutritional supplementation, but the potential benefits in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unknown.
Correction: Toughened bio-based epoxy blend network modified with transesterified epoxidized soybean oil: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Sahoo Sushanta K. , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K.
Published: January 2015

Correction for ‘Toughened bio-based epoxy blend network modified with transesterified epoxidized soybean oil: synthesis and characterization’ by Sushanta K. Sahoo et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 13674–13691.
CuO/Cu2O porous composites: shape and composition controllable fabrication inherited from metal organic frameworks and further application in CO oxidation
Authors: Zhang Suoying , Liu Hong , Sun Chencheng , Liu Pengfei , Li Licheng , Yang Zhuhong , Feng Xin , Huo Fengwei , Lu Xiaohua
Published: January 2015

CuO/Cu2O porous composites with adjustable composition and various morphologies, including cube, octahedron, rod and wire, have been successfully achieved.
Cotton derived carbonaceous aerogels for the efficient removal of organic pollutants and heavy metal ions
Authors: Chen He , Wang Xiangxue , Li Jiaxing , Wang Xiangke
Published: January 2015

Carbon aerogels were made from waste cotton for the efficient removal of pollutants from aqueous solution.
Joint sparse graph over GF(q) for code division multiple access systems
Authors: Wen Lei , Su Man
Published: January 2015

Low‐density signature code division multiple access (LDS‐CDMA) and low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) code can both be represented by a single sparse graph. In this study, the authors propose a joint sparse graph (JSG) over GF(q) which combines LDS‐CDMA and non‐binary LDPC codes, namely JSG‐CDMA. On the JSG, multiple accessing and channel coding are well‐linked together, in addition, joint detection and decoding are performed by message passing algorithm. Two schedules for message updating on the JSG, that is, flooding and serial schedules, are, respectively, presented. To predict the convergence behaviour of the joint detection and decoding, they depict the iterative structure of the JSG‐CDMA receiver and analyse its extrinsic information transfer chart. Key factors of JSG‐CDMA include message passing schedule, maximum iteration number and Galois field order. Simulation results show that JSG‐CDMA performs much better than conventional CDMA, in addition, compared with LDS‐CDMA and turbo structured LDS‐CDMA, at a bit error rate of 3 × 10−4, JSG‐CDMA brings about 1.9 and 1.1 dB gain, respectively.
Power quality surveys of photovoltaic power plants: characterisation and analysis of grid‐code requirements
Authors: Honrubia‐Escribano Andres , García‐Sánchez Tania , Gómez‐Lázaro Emilio , Muljadi E. , Molina‐García Angel
Published: January 2015

In the past few years, grid‐code requirements for grid‐connected photovoltaic power plants have experienced a continuous evolution in different countries to ensure a reliable power system operation as the level of renewable energy penetration increases to high levels. According to several European grid‐codes, PV power plants must be able to ride through specific and severe disturbances without disconnections. Under this new framework, the present study analyses intensive power quality surveys carried out from 2008 to 2011 in three different Spanish PV power plants: a fixed array installation with 4 MW PV power capacity, a PV power plant including dual axis–trackers with 1 MW PV power capacity, and one more fixed array PV power plant with 5 MW PV power capacity. Voltage dips and supply interruptions have been collected, discussing several methods to characterise the monitored disturbances and to compare these events to current Grid‐Code requirements. Furthermore, the time interval around the residual voltage is proposed and defined by the authors as an additional parameter to provide a complete characterisation of the severity of the disturbances. Results from both characterisations of collected data and comparison with current requirements are also included in the study.
Sacroiliac Coalition: First Description and Report of a Successful Resection
Authors: Greiner Axel , Baur-Melnyk Andrea , Berezowska Sabina , D'Anastasi Melvin , Birkenmaier Christof
Published: January 2015

Study Design

Case report.

Objective

This report describes the first case of a sacroiliac coalition, its clinical features, the diagnostic difficulties, and the surgical treatment chosen in this case.

Methods

A 33-year-old man presented to our outpatient clinics complaining of severe left-sided low back pain with an intermitted nondermatomal radiation into the left thigh. The only abnormality on a pelvic radiograph was a coin-size, faint hyperdensity, which was almost overlooked. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed two bridging bone spurs on the anterior surface of the left joint with a fibrous interruption at the apex. After the conservative treatment failed, a surgical treatment was offered to the patient. The coalition was resected via an anterior retroperitoneal approach and through the tissue plane between the psoas and the iliacus muscles. A histopathologic examination was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of a coalition.

Results

The patient's pain resolved immediately after surgery. After 8 months, a follow-up CT scan showed complete removal of the coalition without any signs of recurrence, and at 12 months’ follow-up, the patient remained pain-free.

Conclusions

This is the first published case of a sacroiliac coalition. The only sign of this rare condition on the plain radiographs was very easy to miss. As has been discussed in the literature, CT and MRI are important in the differential diagnostics of such lesions. The histopathologic findings included that of a fibrous bar, confirming the diagnosis, which is further corroborated by the complete resolution of the symptoms.
A Meta-Analysis of the Clinical and Fusion Results following Treatment of Symptomatic Cervical Pseudarthrosis
Authors: McAnany Steven J. , Baird Evan O. , Overley Samuel C. , Kim Jun S. , Qureshi Sheeraz A. , Anderson Paul A.
Published: January 2015

Study Design

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objective

This study is a meta-analysis assessing the fusion rate and the clinical outcomes of cervical pseudarthrosis treated with either a posterior or a revision anterior approach.

Methods

A literature search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase was performed. Variables of interest included fusion rate and clinical success. The effect size based on logit event rate was calculated from the pooled results. The studies were weighted by the inverse of the variance, which included both within- and between-study error. The confidence intervals were reported at 95%. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and I2, where I2 is the estimate of the percentage of error due to between-study variation.

Results

Sixteen studies reported fusion outcomes; 10 studies reported anterior and/or posterior results. The pooled fusion success was 86.4% in the anterior group and 97.1% in the posterior group ( p = 0.028). The anterior group demonstrated significant heterogeneity with Q value of 34.2 and I2 value of 73.7%; no heterogeneity was seen in the posterior group. The clinical outcomes were reported in 10 studies, with eight reporting results of anterior and posterior approaches. The pooled clinical success rate was 77.0% for anterior and 71.7% for posterior ( p = 0.55) approaches. There was significant heterogeneity in both groups ( I2 16.1; 19.2).

Conclusions

Symptomatic cervical pseudarthrosis can be effectively managed with either an anterior or a posterior approach. The posterior approach demonstrates a significantly greater fusion rate compared with the anterior approach, though the clinical outcome does not differ between the two groups.
Demonstration of transverse-magnetic deep-ultraviolet stimulated emission from AlGaN multiple-quantum-well lasers grown on a sapphire substrate
Authors: Li Xiao-Hang , Kao Tsung-Ting , Satter Md. Mahbub , Wei Yong O. , Wang Shuo , Xie Hongen , Shen Shyh-Chiang , Yoder P. Douglas , Fischer Alec M. , Ponce Fernando A. , Detchprohm Theeradetch , Dupuis Russell D.
Published: January 2015

We demonstrate transverse-magnetic (TM) dominant deep-ultraviolet (DUV) stimulated emission from photo-pumped AlGaN multiple-quantum-well lasers grown pseudomorphically on an AlN/sapphire template by means of photoluminescence at room temperature. The TM-dominant stimulated emission was observed at wavelengths of 239, 242, and 243 nm with low thresholds of 280, 250, and 290 kW/cm2, respectively. In particular, the lasing wavelength of 239 nm is shorter compared to other reports for AlGaN lasers grown on foreign substrates including sapphire and SiC. The peak wavelength difference between the transverse-electric (TE)-polarized emission and TM-polarized emission was approximately zero for the lasers in this study, indicating the crossover of crystal-field split-off hole and heavy-hole valence bands. The rapid variation of polarization between TE- and TM-dominance versus the change in lasing wavelength from 243 to 249 nm can be attributed to a dramatic change in the TE-to-TM gain coefficient ratio for the sapphire-based DUV lasers in the vicinity of TE-TM switch.
Ultrasound influence on I–V–T characteristics of silicon Schottky barrier structure
Authors: Olikh O. Ya. , Voytenko K. V. , Burbelo R. M.
Published: January 2015

The influence of ultrasonic loading on current-voltage characteristics has been investigated in Mo/n–n+–Si structures in the temperature range from 130 to 330 K. The longitudinal ultrasonic waves were of 8.4 MHz in frequency and had the intensity approaching 0.3 W/cm2. The acoustically induced reversible modification of the ideality factor and the Schottky barrier height was observed. The temperature dependence of the ultrasound effect was found to be non-monotonic and the parameters variation decreased with the temperature increase from 200 to 330 K. The obtained results have been analyzed on account of the inhomogeneous Schottky barrier model. The ultrasonic loading has been shown to increase the effective density of patches, the barrier height of the uniform region and the patches region and to broaden the patch parameter distribution.
Temperature dependence of exciton-surface plasmon polariton coupling in Ag, Au, and Al films on InxGa1−xN/GaN quantum wells studied with time-resolved cathodoluminescence
Authors: Estrin Y. , Rich D. H. , Keller S. , DenBaars S. P.
Published: January 2015

The optical properties and coupling of excitons to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in Ag, Au, and Al-coated InxGa1−xN/GaN multiple and single quantum wells (SQWs) were probed with time-resolved cathodoluminescence. Excitons were generated in the metal coated SQWs by injecting a pulsed high-energy electron beam through the thin metal films. The Purcell enhancement factor (Fp) was obtained by direct measurement of changes in the temperature-dependent radiative lifetime caused by the SQW exciton-SPP coupling. Three chosen plasmonic metals of Al, Ag, and Au facilitate an interesting comparison of the exciton-SPP coupling for energy ranges in which the SP energy is greater than, approximately equal to, and less than the excitonic transition energy for the InGaN/GaN QW emitter. A modeling of the temperature dependence of the Purcell enhancement factor, Fp, included the effects of ohmic losses of the metals and changes in the dielectric properties due to the temperature dependence of (i) the intraband behavior in the Drude model and (ii) the interband critical point transition energies which involve the d-bands of Au and Ag. We show that an inclusion of both intraband and interband effects is essential when calculating the ω vs k SPP dispersion relation, plasmon density of states (DOS), and the dependence of Fp on frequency and temperature. Moreover, the “back bending” in the SPP dispersion relation when including ohmic losses can cause a finite DOS above ωsp and lead to a measurable Fp in a limited energy range above ωsp, which can potentially be exploited in plasmonic devices utilizing Ag and Au.
Effects of water concentration in the coating solution on the wall relaxation rate of octadecyltrichlorosilane coated rubidium vapor cells
Authors: Zhang Guiying , Wei Lihua , Wang Meiling , Zhao Kaifeng
Published: January 2015

High quality anti-relaxation surface coatings for atomic vapor cells are essential for the preservation of atomic spin coherence and the enhancement of measurement sensitivity. In this paper, we studied the effects of water concentration in octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) coating solution on the relaxation rate and its reproducibility of OTS coated Rubidium vapor cells. We found that appropriate water concentration can improve the anti-relaxation performance of OTS coated cells.
Electromagnetic turbulent structures: A ubiquitous feature of the edge region of toroidal plasma configurations
Authors: Spolaore M. , Vianello N. , Furno I. , Carralero D. , Agostini M. , Alonso J. A. , Avino F. , Cavazzana R. , De Masi G. , Fasoli A. , Hidalgo C. , Martines E. , Momo B. , Scaggion A. , Scarin P. , Spagnolo S. , Spizzo G. , Theiler C. , Zuin M.
Published: January 2015

Electromagnetic features of turbulent filaments, emerging from a turbulent plasma background, have been studied in four different magnetic configurations: the stellarator TJ-II, the Reversed Field Pinch RFX-mod, a device that can be operated also as a ohmic tokamak, and the Simple Magnetized Torus, TORPEX. By applying an analogous diagnostic concept in all cases, direct measurements of both field-aligned current density and vorticity were performed inside the filament. The inter-machine comparison reveals a clear dependence of the filament vorticity upon the local time-averaged E × B flow shear. Furthermore, a wide range of local beta was explored allowing concluding that this parameter plays a fundamental role in the appearance of filament electromagnetic features.