bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of particle size and ligand configuration on the asymmetric catalytic properties of proline-functionalized Pt-nanoparticles
Authors: Schrader Imke , Neumann Sarah , Himstedt Rieke , Zana Alessandro , Warneke Jonas , Kunz Sebastian
Published: September 2015

Particle size alters activity but not stereoselectivity of ligand-functionalized nanoparticles suggesting that stereoselectivity is primarily determined by the ligand–reactant combination.
Efficient singlet oxygen generation from sugar pendant C60 derivatives for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Yano Shigenobu , Naemura Masami , Toshimitsu Akio , Akiyama Motofusa , Ikeda Atsushi , Kikuchi Jun-ichi , Shen Xiande , Duan Qian , Narumi Atsushi , Inoue Masahiro , Ohkubo Kei , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: September 2015

Glc-pendant C60 compounds exhibited high photocytotoxicity against HeLa cells due to the more efficient singlet oxygen generation as compared with that of Glc-pendant azafulleroids.
Poly(ionic liquid)s as phase splitting promoters in aqueous biphasic systems
Authors: João Karen G. , Tomé Liliana C. , Isik Mehmet , Mecerreyes David , Marrucho Isabel M.
Published: September 2015

The ability of hydrophilic pyrrolidinium-based PILs to promote phase splitting in aqueous solutions of K3PO4 is disclosed in this work for the first time.
Do resonance-assisted intramolecular halogen bonds exist without a charge transfer and a σ-hole?
Authors: Vijaya Pandiyan B. , Deepa P. , Kolandaivel P.
Published: September 2015

To analyze the properties and mechanisms of six types of intramolecular resonance-assisted halogen bonds (Br⋯O, Cl⋯O, F⋯O, Br⋯O, Cl⋯S and F⋯S), we have chosen the five-membered closed ring system X–C1R1= C3R2–C2R3= Y (X = Br, Cl & F; Y = O & S) of unsaturated compounds with the substituents NO2, CH3and H.
Measurement and prediction of quantum coherence effects in biological processes
Authors: de la Lande Aurélien , Moliner Vicent , Salahub Dennis
Published: September 2015

This themed issue presents a collection of articles on the measurement and prediction of quantum coherence effects in biological processes.
Boronate affinity materials for separation and molecular recognition: structure, properties and applications
Authors: Li Daojin , Chen Yang , Liu Zhen
Published: September 2015

We critically survey recent advances in boronate affinity materials for separation and molecular recognition, which have gained rapid development recently.
The mechanics of tessellations – bioinspired strategies for fracture resistance
Authors: Fratzl Peter , Kolednik Otmar , Fischer F. Dieter , Dean Mason N.
Published: September 2015

Two- or three-dimensional tiling improves the fracture resistance of natural and bioinspired materials and may even provide additional functionality.
The electronic structures and photophysical properties of platinum complexes with C^N^N ligands: the influence of the carborane substituent
Authors: Zhang Wenting , Luo Yafei , Xu Yanyan , Tian Li , Li Ming , He Rongxing , Shen Wei
Published: September 2015

Introduction ofo-carborane leads to a significant blue-shifted emission band and an obviously-higher electroluminescence efficiencyviasystemic and in-depth theoretical studies.
Racemic cobalt phosphonates incorporating flexible bis(imidazole) co-ligands
Authors: Feng Jian-Shen , Cai Zhong-Sheng , Ren Min , Bao Song-Song , Zheng Li-Min
Published: September 2015

Racemic cobalt phosphonates based on 3-phenyl-3-((phosphonomethyl)amino)propanoic acid (3-ppapH3) show layered structures composed of Co3(3-ppap)2 chains and bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (bix) linkers in trans-modes.
Structure and gelation properties of casein micelles doped with curcumin under acidic conditions
Authors: Khanji Aya N. , Michaux Florentin , Jasniewski Jordane , Petit Jeremy , Lahimer Emna , Cherif Mohamed , Salameh Dominique , Rizk Toufic , Banon Sylvie
Published: September 2015

In this study, the ability of micellar casein (MC) to interact with curcumin during acidification and to produce acid gel was investigated.
An anti-biodegradable hydrophobic sulfonate-based acrylamide copolymer containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Gou Shaohua , He Yang , Zhou Lihua , Zhao Peng , Zhang Qin , Li Shiwei , Guo Qipeng
Published: September 2015

We report the synthesis of a novel hydrophobic sulfonate-based acrylamide copolymer which exhibits remarkable water solubility, excellent resistance to biodegradability, and superior ability to enhance oil recovery.
Improving the anode performances of TiO2–carbon–rGO composites in lithium ion batteries by UV irradiation
Authors: Zhang Xiujun , Zhang Juan , Liu Yanyan , Wang Xiangyu , Li Baojun
Published: September 2015

A three-dimensional TiO2–carbon–rGO (TCG) composite was fabricated and post-treated with UV irradiation (254 nm) for 0.5 h to improve the anode performances in LIBs.
Diverse synthesis of natural product inspired fused and spiro-heterocyclic scaffolds via ring distortion and ring construction strategies
Authors: Bathula Chandramohan , Dangi Poonam , Hati Santanu , Agarwal Rahul , Munshi Parthapratim , Singh Ashutosh , Singh Shailja , Sen Subhabrata
Published: September 2015

A toolkit of indole scaffolds inspired from natural products.
Regioselective and diastereoselective iodocyclization reaction of alkene-thioureas: an efficient approach to bicyclic β-lactams
Authors: Garud Dinesh R. , Sonawane Amol D. , Auti Jyoti B. , Rode Navnath D. , Ranpise Vinod R. , Joshi Rohini R. , Joshi Ramesh A.
Published: September 2015

Bicyclic β-lactams, i.e. 3-thia-1-dethiacephams were synthesized via a highly regioselective and diastereoselective iodocyclization reaction of alkene-thioureas with molecular iodine.
Hierarchical structures based on gold nanoparticles embedded into hollow ceria spheres and mesoporous silica layers with high catalytic activity and stability
Authors: Zhang Yiwei , Xu Yuanmei , Zhou Yuming , Xiang Sanming , Sheng Xiaoli , Wang Qianli , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2015

CeO2/Au@mSiO2 composite multifunctional materials were synthesized, and this hollow hierarchical catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity and stability.
Bottom-up, hard template and scalable approaches toward designing nanostructured Li2S for high performance lithium sulfur batteries
Authors: Chen Lin , Liu Yuzi , Dietz-Rago Nancy , Shaw Leon L.
Published: September 2015

Li2S with a high theoretical capacity of 1166 mA h g−1 and the capability to pair with lithium free anodes has drawn much attention for lithium sulfur (Li–S) battery applications.
An easy-to-prepare mini-scaffold for DNA origami
Authors: Brown S. , Majikes J. , Martínez A. , Girón T. M. , Fennell H. , Samano E. C. , LaBean T. H.
Published: September 2015

A system is described for easy ssDNA production; folding of the 2404-base scaffold into several DNA origami shapes is demonstrated.
Mononuclear iron(iii) complexes of tridentate ligands with efficient nuclease activity and studies of their cytotoxicity
Authors: Tyagi Nidhi , Chakraborty Ajanta , Singh Udai P. , Roy Partha , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: September 2015

Mono- and bis-chelated iron(iii) complexes derived from phenolato-based tridentate ligands have been synthesised and characterized. These complexes show electrostatic DNA interactions and efficient DNA cleavage via OH˙ radicals, and induce cytotoxicity in MCF7 cell lines.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 3] cyclocondensation of bromoenals with hydrazones: highly enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyridazones
Authors: Zhang Chun-Lin , Wang Dong-Ling , Chen Kun-Quan , Ye Song
Published: September 2015

The N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 3] cyclocondensation of bromoenals and hydrazones is developed to give the corresponding chiral 4,5-dihydropyridazones in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.
Exploring the mechanism of isomerisation and water-migration in the water-complexes of amino-acid l-proline: electrostatic potential and vibrational analysis
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Vikas
Published: September 2015

This work reveals interesting pathways for water-migration and neutral ↔ zwitterionic isomerisation in the water complexes of l-proline.
Synthesis of 3-dimensional porous graphene nanosheets using electron cyclotron resonance plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Thomas Rajesh , Rao G. Mohan
Published: September 2015

Microwave plasma driven chemical vapour deposition was used to synthesize graphene nanosheets from a mixture of acetylene and hydrogen gas molecules.
Facile synthesis of Ni0.85Se on Ni foam for high-performance asymmetric capacitors
Authors: Gong Chao , Huang Miaoliang , Zhang Jinfang , Lai Min , Fan Leqing , Lin Jianming , Wu Jihuai
Published: September 2015

Ni0.85Se was in situ grown on Ni foam via a facile hydrothermal process as a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors.
Advancement in methodologies for reduction of nitroarenes
Authors: Kadam Hari K. , Tilve Santosh G.
Published: September 2015

Recent advancement in reduction methods of nitroarenes are reviewed. The different methods are classified based on the source of hydrogen utilized during reduction and the mechanism involved in the reduction process.
Textile dye degradation potential of plant laccase significantly enhances upon augmentation with redox mediators
Authors: Kagalkar Anuradha N. , Khandare Rahul V. , Govindwar Sanjay P.
Published: September 2015

A redox mediator significantly enhances the textile dye degradation potential of plant laccase.
Synthesis of small Fe2O3 nanocubes and their enhanced water vapour adsorption–desorption properties
Authors: Cao Feng , Li Duanyang , Deng Ruiping , Huang Lijian , Pan Daocheng , Wang Jianmin , Li Song , Qin Gaowu
Published: September 2015

Uniform ordered Fe2O3 nanocubes showed an excellent humidity-controlling ability, due to their appropriate pore size distribution near the condensation critical radius.
Phosphotungstic acid embedded sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) copolymers with amino groups for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Xu Lishuang , Han Hailan , Liu Meiyu , Xu Jingmei , Ni Hongzhe , Zhang Hailong , Xu Da , Wang Zhe
Published: September 2015

The acid–base interaction between HPW and the amino groups can immobilize HPW to maintain high proton conductivity at medium-high temperature in the composite membranes.
Hexagonal ZnO nanorings: synthesis, formation mechanism and trimethylamine sensing properties
Authors: Li Chao , Lin Ying , Li Feng , Zhu Linghui , Sun Dongming , Shen Liang , Chen Yu , Ruan Shengping
Published: September 2015

ZnO nanorings are synthesized by the Ostwald ripening of ZnO nanoplates and the porous film formed by ZnO nanorings shows an excellent trimethylamine-sensing property.
Hybrid biomaterial based on porous silica nanoparticles and Pluronic F-127 for sustained release of sildenafil: in vivo study on prostate cancer
Authors: Silveira C. P. , Apolinário L. M. , Fávaro W. J. , Paula A. J. , Durán N.
Published: September 2015

We describe here a drug depot hydrogel system comprising sildenafil (Viagra®) incorporated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (60 nm) and conjugated with a thermosensitive poloxamer, which presents a high efficiency against prostate cancer.
Facile route to synthesis and morphology control of anionic waterborne polyurethane hollow microspheres via self-crosslinking reaction
Authors: Guo W. H. , Wang W. S. , Yu X. K. , Peng X. M. , Ma N. Y.
Published: September 2015

Porous waterborne polyurethane (WPU) hollow microspheres were synthesized via a self-crosslinking reaction of WPU prepolymer terminated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES).
Hierarchical Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide/MnO2 sphere architecture as an efficient noble metal-free electrocatalyst for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline solution
Authors: Jia Zhijun , Wang Yi , Qi Tao
Published: September 2015

Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets and hierarchical Ni–Fe LDH@MnO2 spheres are synthesized by a facile and cost-effective approach for highly efficient ethanol electro-oxidation.
Increasing power density and dye decolorization of an X-3B-fed microbial fuel cell via TiO2 photocatalysis pretreatment
Authors: Su Lin , Fan Xianpeng , Yin Tao , Chen Haihua , Lin Xiaoxia , Yuan Chunwei , Fu Degang
Published: September 2015

With pretreatment via photocatalysis, the output power density of MFC increased and more X-3B was removed.
Template-induced synthesis and superior antibacterial activity of hierarchical Ag/TiO2composites
Authors: Cheng Hang , Ye Junwei , Sun Yuan , Yuan Wenjie , Tian Junying , Bogale Raji Feyisa , Tian Peng , Ning Guiling
Published: September 2015

Hierarchical Ag/TiO2composites were successfully synthesizedviahydrated magnesium carbonate hydroxide template-induced route, which exhibit superior and long-term antimicrobial activity.
A series of coordination polymers based on varied polycarboxylates and different imidazole-containing ligands: syntheses, crystal structures and physical properties
Authors: Wang Xiao-Feng , Yu Min , Liu Guang-Xiang
Published: September 2015

To investigate the effect of organic ligands on the coordination frameworks, seven nickel(ii) coordination polymers, based on varied polycarboxylates and different imidazole-containing ligands, are synthesized under hydrothermal method.
Ammonolytical conversion of microcrystalline gallium antimonide GaSb to nanocrystalline gallium nitride GaN: thermodynamics vs. topochemistry
Authors: Drygaś Mariusz , Jeleń Piotr , Bućko Mirosław M. , Olejniczak Zbigniew , Janik Jerzy F.
Published: September 2015

Reaction of microcrystalline powders of gallium antimonide GaSb with ammonia afforded in one step high yields of nanocrystalline powders of the semiconductor gallium nitride GaN. The product was made as a mixture of the cubic and hexagonal polytypes.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the open-access ChemWiki resource as a replacement for traditional general chemistry textbooks
Authors: Allen Gregory , Guzman-Alvarez Alberto , Smith Amy , Gamage Alan , Molinaro Marco , Larsen Delmar S.
Published: September 2015

Open educational resources (OERs) provide a potential alternative to costly textbooks and can allow content to be edited and adapted to a variety of classroom environments. At the University of California, Davis, the OER “ChemWiki” project, as part of the greater STEMWiki Hyperlibrary, was developed to supplant traditional post-secondary chemistry textbooks. The effectiveness of using this OER was assessed by comparing two general chemistry classes, one using ChemWiki and one using a traditional textbook, during the spring quarter of 2014. Student performance was measured using common midterms, final, and a pre/post content exam. We also employed surveys, the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey (CLASS) for Chemistry, and a weekly time-on-task survey to quantify students’ attitudes and study habits. The effectiveness of the ChemWiki compared to a traditional textbook was examined using multiple linear regression analysis with a standard non-inferiority testing framework. Results show that the performance of students who were assigned readings from the ChemWiki section was non-inferior to the performance of students in the section who were assigned readings from the traditional textbook, indicating that the ChemWiki does not substantially differ from the standard textbook in terms of student learning outcomes. The results from the surveys also suggest that the two classes were similar in their beliefs about chemistry and minimal overall study time. These results indicate that the ChemWiki is a viable cost-saving alternative to traditional textbooks.
Synergistic photoluminescence enhancement in conjugated polymer-di-ureasil organic–inorganic composites
Authors: Willis-Fox Niamh , Marques Ana-Teresa , Arlt Jochen , Scherf Ullrich , Carlos Luís D. , Burrows Hugh D. , Evans Rachel C.
Published: September 2015

Energy transfer between a hybrid di-ureasil host and conjugated polymer dopants results in a dramatic enhancement in the photoluminescence quantum yield due to exciton isolation at long-lived trap sites.
Effect of friction on the peeling test at zero-degrees
Authors: Ponce Suomi , Bico José , Roman Benoît
Published: September 2015

How much pulling force can a rubber strip adhering through van der Waals interactions sustain? The answer lies in friction.
The hydrodynamics of colloidal gelation
Authors: Varga Zsigmond , Wang Gang , Swan James
Published: September 2015

Simulations of attractive colloids with and without long-ranged hydrodynamic interactions indicate gelation boundary is sensitive to hydrodynamic flow.
Three-dimensional nickel hydroxide/graphene composite hydrogels and their transformation to NiO/graphene composites for energy storage
Authors: Meng Xiaoqian , Zhu Junwu , Bi Huiping , Fu Yongsheng , Han Qiaofeng , Wang Xin
Published: September 2015

Ni(OH)2/graphene composite hydrogels are successfully prepared with the Ni(OH)2 nanoplates uniformly grown on graphene sheets in situ.
The influence of the mesoporous TiO2scaffold on the performance of methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPI) perovskite solar cells: charge injection, charge recombination and solar cell efficiency relationship
Authors: Matas Adams Alba , Marin-Beloqui Jose Manuel , Stoica Georgiana , Palomares Emilio
Published: September 2015

This works shows the influence of the mesoporous TiO2nature over the carrier recombination kinetics and the perovskite efficiency.
Chemical extraction of Zn from ZnMn2O4-based spinels
Authors: Knight James C. , Therese Soosairaj , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: September 2015

The chemical extraction of Zn from the spinel structure has been studied. Acid treatment extracts Zn through a Mn disproportionation mechanism, whereas NO2BF4 did not due to Zn2+–Zn2+ ion repulsion.
Unique synthesis of mesoporous peapod-like NiCo2O4–C nanorods array as an enhanced anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Peng Liang , Zhang Huijiuan , Bai Yuanjuan , Yang Jiao , Wang Yu
Published: September 2015

A novel peapod-like NiCo2O4–C nanorods array on a 3D Ni-foam was synthesized for the first time and used as an anode for lithium ion batteries.
Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) block copolymers – evaluation as drug carriers for a localized and sustained delivery system
Authors: Park Ji Hoon , Kang Hwi Ju , Kwon Doo Yeon , Lee Bo Keun , Lee Bong , Jang Ju Woong , Chun Heung Jae , Kim Jae Ho , Kim Moon Suk
Published: September 2015

To develop an appropriate drug carrier for drug delivery systems, we prepared random poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLGC) copolymers in comparison to commercial poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) grades.
Strategies for skeletal muscle tissue engineering: seed vs. soil
Authors: Sicari Brian M. , Londono Ricardo , Badylak Stephen F.
Published: September 2015

The most commonly used tissue engineering approach includes theex vivocombination of site-appropriate cell(s) and scaffold material(s) to create three-dimensional constructs for tissue replacement or reconstruction. Biologic scaffold materials facilitate endogenous cell recruitment.
Naturally-derived and bioinspired materials
Authors: Leach Jennie B. , Shoichet Molly S.
Published: September 2015

Guest editors Jennie B. Leach and Molly S. Shoichet introduce this Journal of Materials Chemistry B themed issue on Bio-inspired and Natural Materials.
Liquid-crystalline compounds containing both a strong push–pull azo chromophore and a cholesteryl unit as photoresponsive molecular glass materials
Authors: Wei Renbo , Xu Zeda , Liu Xiyang , He Yaning , Wang Xiaogong
Published: September 2015

A series of liquid-crystalline (LC) compounds (R-Chol, R: CA, CN and NT), containing both a strong push–pull azo chromophore and a cholesteryl unit, was synthesized as novel molecular glass materials.
Effects of mid-respiratory chain inhibition on mitochondrial function in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Broom Ashley J. , Ambroso Jeffrey , Brunori Gino , Burns Angie K. , Armitage James R. , Francis Ian , Gandhi Mitul , Peterson Richard A. , Gant Timothy W. , Boobis Alan R. , Lyon Jonathan J.
Published: September 2015

Relating the in vitro mitochondrial effects of drug candidates to likely in vivo outcomes remains challenging. Better understanding of this relationship, alongside improved methods to assess mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo, would both guide safer drug candidate selection and better support discovery programmes targeting mitochondria for pharmacological intervention. The aim of this study was to profile the in vivo effects of a compound with suspected complex III electron transport chain (ETC) inhibitory activity (GSK932121A) at doses associated with clinical signs, and relate findings back to in vitro data with the same compound. Control liver mitochondria or HepG2 cells were treated in vitro with GSK932121A to assess mitochondrial effects on both calcium retention capacity (CRC) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) respectively. The same assessments were then performed on liver mitochondria isolated from Crl:CD(SD) rats, 5 hours following intraperitoneal (IP) administration of GSK932121A. Lactate/pyruvate assessment, hepatic microscopy, blood gas analysis, glutathione profiling and transcriptomics were used to characterise the acute toxicity. In vivo, GSK932121A caused hypothermia, increased levels of hepatocellular oxidative stress and a metabolic shift in energy production, resulting in an increased lactate/pyruvate ratio, liver steatosis and glycogen depletion, together with gene expression changes indicative of a fasted state. As would be expected of an ETC inhibitor, GSK932121A reduced the CRC of liver mitochondria isolated from naive control animals and the OCR of HepG2 cells when treated directly in vitro. In contrast, mitochondria isolated from animals treated with GSK932121A in vivo unexpectedly showed an increase in CRC and basal OCR. Whilst seemingly contradictory, these differences likely reflect an adapted state in vivo resulting from the initial insult in combination with compensatory changes made by the tissue to maintain energy production. Only the initial, unconfounded, response is observable in vitro. These findings improve current understanding of the toxicological and molecular consequences of ETC inhibition. Furthermore, this work highlights key differences in the way that mitochondrial perturbation is manifest in vivo versus in vitro in terms of functional endpoints and helps guide endpoint selection for future studies with potential mitochondrial toxicants or drugs designed to modulate mitochondrial function for therapeutic benefit.
Distributed finite‐time attitude dynamic tracking control for multiple rigid spacecraft
Authors: Ma Long , Wang Shicheng , Min Haibo , Liu Yuan , Liao Shouyi
Published: September 2015

In this study, the authors study the distributed finite‐time attitude dynamic tracking control problem for multiple rigid spacecraft systems with a single dynamic leader under directed graphs. By constructing a sliding‐mode estimator for each follower, they remove the requirement of the angular acceleration information. Based upon a sliding‐mode observation vector, the distributed input torques are designed to guarantee that not only the attitude but also the angular velocity of the followers will converge to the leader's. Necessary and sufficient criteria are established for the proposed protocol. Finally, the theoretical result is illustrated by a numerical simulation.
Decentralised moving‐horizon state estimation for a class of networked spatial‐navigation systems with random parametric uncertainties and communication link failures
Authors: Gao Chao , Zhao Guorong , Lu Jianhua , Pan Shuang
Published: September 2015

This study is concerned with the navigational state estimation problem for a class of networked spatial‐navigation systems subject to random parametric uncertainties (RPUs) and communication link failures (CLFs). The observations of the novel systems, comprising remote‐access neighbours' states and relative measures, are communicated through wireless packets, and thus are exposed to the impacts of RPUs and CLFs. In this study, a decentralised moving‐horizon estimation approach is introduced to handle these ill‐conditioned issues, and comprises two stages. First, a regional estimation is determined based on cooperative observations of spatial neighbours; and second, a collective estimation is derived through the fusion of regional estimation, local estimation and/or the cooperative estimations from spatial neighbours. Moreover, the resulting min–max problem is solved by a robust recursive scheme, which allows one to determine approximate estimates with a reduced computational condition. The convergence properties of the optimal estimator are also studied. The obtained stability condition implicitly establishes a relationship among the upper bound of estimation error, RPUs, and the CLF probability. Finally, an illustrative example of networked unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is given to demonstrate the main features of the proposed estimator design approach.
H ∞ control via dynamic output feedback for positive systems with multiple delays
Authors: Zhang Qingling , Zhang Youmei , Du Baozhu , Tanaka Tamaki
Published: September 2015

This study is concerned with H ∞ control problems for positive systems with time delays using dynamic output feedback. Novel bounded real lemma for continuous‐time systems with time delays is first presented, which shows one of the remarkable properties of diagonal positive definite matrix solutions to linear matrix inequalities for positive systems. The proposed results reveal that H ∞ norms of positive systems with time delays in state and output equations are equivalent to that of the corresponding systems with zero delays. The positivity preserving H ∞ control problem by means of dynamic output feedback is also considered, and thus necessary and sufficient conditions in the forms of matrix equalities are established for the solvability of such problem. The desired controller gains can be obtained by means of cone complementarity linearisation techniques. A numerical example is finally given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Zero coefficient‐aware fast butterfly‐based inverse discrete cosine transform algorithm
Authors: Park Sang‐hyo , Choi Kiho , Jang Euee S.
Published: September 2015

The latest video coding standards, including Moving Picture Experts Group‐4 (MPEG‐4) advanced video coding (AVC)/H.264 and high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC), use a discrete cosine transform (DCT) process as the core for compression efficiency, sacrificing the computational complexity at decoder. There have been a number of attempts to reduce the complexity of inverse DCT (IDCT). Butterfly‐based factorisation remains the most commonly used method for such a reduction. In this study, the authors propose a zero (Z) coefficient‐aware fast butterfly‐based IDCT algorithm for video decoding. They focus on a reduction in the computational complexity of the butterfly‐based 8 × 8 IDCT by removing the unnecessary computations of one‐dimensional (1D) IDCT kernels, and adaptively applying IDCT kernels based on the number of non‐Z DCT coefficients to speed‐up 1D data. Their experimental results show that the average operation numbers using the proposed IDCT is approximately half that for the 8 × 8 IDCT implemented in the MPEG‐4 AVC/H.264 and HEVC reference software. The improved computational complexity of the proposed method is demonstrated by measuring the running time, which requires only one‐half of the IDCT time using the reference software.
Image super‐resolution based on the pairwise dictionary selected learning and improved bilateral regularisation
Authors: Gou Shuiping , Liu Shuzhen , Wu Yaosheng , Jiao Licheng
Published: September 2015

A pairwise dictionary selected learning (PDSL) model is proposed in this study, which is specially tailored to synthesise a low‐resolution image. This is accomplished with the use of an external dictionary of high‐resolution images, which is selectively learned based on the internal dictionary of the target reconstruction image. The PDSL can avoid interpolating the fictitious information to the reconstructed image. Optimisation is performed using a bilateral regularisation term in an edge reserving based on the aid of spatial and directional proximity. Using the proposed approach, the results achieved are superior to the existing dictionary learning‐based methods. The authors also present a quantitative evaluation of super‐resolution reconstruction using various statistics which demonstrated significant average peak signal‐to‐noise ratio improvements by their model. A comparison of the proposed method with five other state‐of‐the‐art methods is presented and the authors’ method achieves better visual effects in edge structures.
Validation of an automatic segmentation method to detect vertebral interfaces in ultrasound images
Authors: Aventaggiato Matteo , Conversano Francesco , Pisani Paola , Casciaro Ernesto , Franchini Roberto , Lay‐Ekuakille Aimè , Muratore Maurizio , Casciaro Sergio
Published: September 2015

Aim of this study was to perform a detailed clinical validation of a new fully automatic algorithm for vertebral interface segmentation in echographic images. Abdominal echographic scans of lumbar vertebrae L1–L4 were carried out on 150 female subjects with variable age and body mass index (BMI). Acquired datasets were automatically processed by the algorithm and the accuracy of the obtained segmentations was then evaluated by three independent experienced operators. Obtained results showed a very good specificity in vertebra detection (93.3%), coupled with a reasonable sensitivity (68.1%), representing a suitable compromise between the detection of a sufficient number of vertebrae for reliable diagnoses and the limitation of the corresponding computation time. Importantly, there was only a minimum presence of ‘false vertebrae’ detected (2.8%), resulting in a very low influence on subsequent diagnostic analyses. Furthermore, the algorithm was specifically tuned to provide an improved sensitivity (up to 73.1%) with increasing patient BMI, to keep a suitable number of correctly detected vertebrae even when the acquisition was intrinsically more difficult because of the augmented thickness of abdominal soft tissues. The proposed algorithm will represent an essential added value for developing echographic methods for the diagnosis of osteoporosis on lumbar vertebrae.
Effects of light and phosphorus on summer DMS dynamics in subtropical waters using a global ocean biogeochemical model
Authors: Masotti Italo , Belviso Sauveur , Bopp Laurent , Tagliabue Alessandro , Bucciarelli Eva
Published: September 2015

Environmental context
Models are needed to predict the importance of the changes in marine emissions of dimethylsulfide (DMS) in response to ocean warming, increased stratification and acidification, and to evaluate the potential effects on the Earth’s climate. We use complementary simulations to further our understanding of the marine cycle of DMS in subtropical waters, and show that a lack of phosphorus may exert a more important control on surface DMS concentrations than an excess of light.

Abstract
The occurrence of a summer DMS paradox in the vast subtropical gyres is a strong matter of debate because approaches using discrete measurements, climatological data and model simulations yielded contradictory results. The major conclusion of the first appraisal of prognostic ocean DMS models was that such models need to give more weight to the direct effect of environmental forcings (e.g. irradiance) on DMS dynamics to decouple them from ecological processes. Here, the relative role of light and phosphorus on summer DMS dynamics in subtropical waters is assessed using the ocean general circulation and biogeochemistry model NEMO-PISCES in which macronutrient concentrations were restored to monthly climatological data values to improve the representation of phosphate concentrations. Results show that the vertical and temporal decoupling between chlorophyll and DMS concentrations observed in the Sargasso Sea during the summer months is captured by the model. Additional sensitivity tests show that the simulated control of phosphorus on surface DMS concentrations in the Sargasso Sea is much more important than that of light. By extending the analysis to the whole North Atlantic Ocean, we show that the longitudinal distribution of DMS during summer is asymmetrical and that a correlation between the solar radiation dose and DMS concentrations only occurs in the Sargasso Sea. The lack of a widespread summer DMS paradox in our model simulation as well as in the comparison of discrete and climatological data could be due to the limited occurrence of phosphorus limitation in the global ocean.
Effects of iron limitation and UV radiation on Phaeocystis antarctica growth and dimethylsulfoniopropionate, dimethylsulfoxide and acrylate concentrations
Authors: Kinsey Joanna D. , Kieber David J. , Neale Patrick J.
Published: September 2015

Environmental context Low iron concentrations and solar ultraviolet radiation can affect the growth of marine algae. We observed reduced growth and substantial increases in dissolved dimethylsulfoxide and cellular acrylate concentrations in low-iron cultures of a prevalent Southern Ocean algal species, Phaeocystis antarctica, with comparatively small increases observed for cellular dimethylsulfoniopropionate concentrations. Exposure of P. antarctica to high levels of ultraviolet and visible light had very little effect on concentrations of these compounds in culture, even under iron-limitation. Our results highlight the importance of iron to P. antarctica. Abstract Iron is a key nutrient regulating primary production in the Southern Ocean. We investigated the effect of iron limitation with and without exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 290–400nm) on concentrations of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and acrylate in axenic batch cultures of Phaeocystis antarctica, a dominant algal species in Antarctic waters. Cellular concentrations of DMSP and acrylate, and cell-number normalised dissolved DMSO concentrations were 1.4-, 11.5- and 6.9-fold higher in iron-limited cultures compared to iron-replete cultures, which we propose resulted from (1) increased reactions of DMSP and dimethylsulfide (DMS) with reactive oxygen species to produce DMSO and (2) increased DMSP cleavage under iron limitation to produce acrylate. Short-term exposure (4h) of iron-limited and iron-replete cultures to a range of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and UVR+PAR irradiances did not appreciably affect P. antarctica biomass or total DMSP, DMSO or acrylate concentrations, except at high UVR intensities, suggesting that iron limitation was the primary driver regulating growth and changes in concentrations of these compounds in P. antarctica. High millimolar cellular DMSP and acrylate concentrations under both iron-replete and iron-limited conditions indicated that these two compounds served as de facto antioxidants allowing P. antarctica to thrive under high UVR exposure and low iron concentrations. High dissolved acrylate concentrations indicate significant carbon removal possibly as part of an overflow mechanism during unbalanced growth.
Effects of environmental changes, tissue types and reproduction on the emissions of dimethyl sulfide from seaweeds that form green tides
Authors: Van Alstyne Kathryn L. , Gifford Sue-Ann , Dohman Jenna M. , Savedo Monique M.
Published: September 2015

Environmental context Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is released by marine algae and is important to sulfur transfer between the oceans and the atmosphere. We measured DMS emissions from algae that form large blooms, and found that the hydration of the plants, seawater temperatures and salinity affect DMS release, but their effects were species-specific. Thus, the effect of algal blooms on sulfur transfer will depend on the bloom’s species composition and the environmental conditions experienced by the algae. Abstract Bloom-forming ulvoid macroalgae produce dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), which when cleaved in response to biotic and abiotic stresses results in the emission of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) into the atmosphere. We quantified DMS emission rates from three intertidal seaweeds (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca and Ulvaria obscura) that form green tide blooms in the Salish Sea. The algae were subjected to different salinities (freshwater to seawater), temperatures (15 to 35°C) and desiccation levels, and DMS emission rates were measured. We also quantified tissue DMSP concentrations and DMS emissions by different life history stages of U. intestinalis. All three species had significantly higher emission rates if the plants were dry, relative to damp or submerged plants, with highest emissions in the high intertidal species and lowest emissions in the low intertidal species. Seawater temperature did not affect emission rates by U. intestinalis or U. lactuca, but emission rates by U. obscura were significantly higher at 35°C. Hyposaline conditions also increased emission rates by U. obscura and U. lactuca but had no effect on emission by U. intestinalis. DMSP concentrations did not differ in sporophytes and gametophytes, but were twice as high in the tips as the bases of sporophytes. Most spores were released from the tips of the blades. Spores had average DMSP concentrations of 258±114 fmol spore–1. Our results demonstrate that the amounts of DMS emitted by green tides will depend on the bloom’s species composition and the environmental conditions experienced by the algae.
Marine microplastic-associated biofilms – a review
Authors: Oberbeckmann Sonja , Löder Martin G. J. , Labrenz Matthias
Published: September 2015

Environmental context Marine microbial communities, which play a crucial role in all biogeochemical processes in the oceans, could be affected by microplastic pollution. Research is necessary to understand the interactions between marine microbial communities and microplastics, and to explore the potential for microplastics to serve as transport systems for pathogenic microorganisms. Our review summarises first insights into these topics and discusses gaps in our current knowledge. Abstract The accumulation of plastic in the marine environment is a long-known issue, but the potential relevance of this pollution for the ocean has been recognised only recently. Within this context, microplastic fragments (<5mm) represent an emerging topic. Owing to their small size, they are readily ingested by marine wildlife and can accumulate in the food web, along with associated toxins and microorganisms colonising the plastic. We are starting to understand that plastic biofilms are diverse and are, comparably with non-plastic biofilms, driven by a complex network of influences, mainly spatial and seasonal factors, but also polymer type, texture and size of the substratum. Within this context, we should raise the question about the potential of plastic particles to serve as vectors for harmful microorganisms. The main focus of the review is the discussion of first insights and research gaps related to microplastic-associated microbial biofilm communities.
Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase MARIS functions downstream of
Cr
RLK1L-dependent signaling during tip growth
Authors: Boisson-Dernier Aurélien , Franck Christina Maria , Lituiev Dmytro S. , Grossniklaus Ueli
Published: September 2015

Significance

Plant cells constantly survey their environment to fine-tune their internal processes. Plant receptor-like kinases (RLKs) of the
Catharanthus roseus
RLK1-like (
Cr
RLK1L) subfamily have been implicated in many signaling processes, including the coordination of the intracellular growth machinery with the performance of the extracellular matrix, i.e. the cell wall (CW). To avoid loss of integrity and growth and to adapt their CWs to developmental and environmental perturbations, growing plant cells have developed complex sensing mechanisms. The
Cr
RLK1Ls ANXUR1 and ANXUR2 and their closest homolog FERONIA control CW integrity in the tip-growing pollen tubes and root hairs, respectively. Here, we identify and characterize the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase MARIS as a novel downstream component of the
Cr
RLK1L-dependent signaling cascade that controls CW integrity in tip-growing cells.
On the crepant resolution conjecture for Donaldson-Thomas invariants
Authors: Calabrese John
Published: September 2015

We prove a comparison formula for curve-counting invariants in the setting of the McKay correspondence, related to the crepant resolution conjecture for Donaldson-Thomas invariants. The conjecture is concerned with comparing the invariants of a (hard Lefschetz) Calabi-Yau orbifold of dimension three with those of a specific crepant resolution of its coarse moduli space. We prove the conjecture for point classes and give a conditional proof for general curve classes. We also prove a variant of the formula for curve classes. Along the way we identify the image of the standard heart of the orbifold under the Bridgeland-King-Reid equivalence.
Caenorhabditis elegansAurora A kinase is required for the formation of spindle microtubules in female meiosis
Authors: Sumiyoshi Eisuke , Fukata Yuma , Namai Satoshi , Sugimoto Asako
Published: September 2015

In many animals, female meiotic spindles are assembled in the absence of centrosomes, the major microtubule (MT)-organizing centers. How MTs are formed and organized into meiotic spindles is poorly understood. Here we report that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, Aurora A kinase/AIR-1 is required for the formation of spindle microtubules during female meiosis. When AIR-1 was depleted or its kinase activity was inhibited in C. elegans oocytes, although MTs were formed around chromosomes at germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), they were decreased during meiotic prometaphase and failed to form a bipolar spindle, and chromosomes were not separated into two masses. Whereas AIR-1 protein was detected on and around meiotic spindles, its kinase-active form was concentrated on chromosomes at prometaphase and on interchromosomal MTs during late anaphase and telophase. We also found that AIR-1 is involved in the assembly of short, dynamic MTs in the meiotic cytoplasm, and these short MTs were actively incorporated into meiotic spindles. Collectively our results suggest that, after GVBD, the kinase activity of AIR-1 is continuously required for the assembly and/or stabilization of female meiotic spindle MTs.
Conserved function of the lysine-based KXD/E motif in Golgi retention for endomembrane proteins among different organisms
Authors: Woo Cheuk Hang , Gao Caiji , Yu Ping , Tu Linna , Meng Zhaoyue , Banfield David K. , Yao Xiaoqiang , Jiang Liwen
Published: September 2015

We recently identified a new COPI-interacting KXD/E motif in the C-terminal cytosolic tail (CT) of Arabidopsis endomembrane protein 12 (AtEMP12) as being a crucial Golgi retention mechanism for AtEMP12. This KXD/E motif is conserved in CTs of all EMPs found in plants, yeast, and humans and is also present in hundreds of other membrane proteins. Here, by cloning selective EMP isoforms from plants, yeast, and mammals, we study the localizations of EMPs in different expression systems, since there are contradictory reports on the localizations of EMPs. We show that the N-terminal and C-terminal GFP-tagged EMP fusions are localized to Golgi and post-Golgi compartments, respectively, in plant, yeast, and mammalian cells. In vitro pull-down assay further proves the interaction of the KXD/E motif with COPI coatomer in yeast. COPI loss of function in yeast and plants causes mislocalization of EMPs or KXD/E motif–containing proteins to vacuole. Ultrastructural studies further show that RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of coatomer expression in transgenic Arabidopsis plants causes severe morphological changes in the Golgi. Taken together, our results demonstrate that N-terminal GFP fusions reflect the real localization of EMPs, and KXD/E is a conserved motif in COPI interaction and Golgi retention in eukaryotes.
Crescerin uses a TOG domain array to regulate microtubules in the primary cilium
Authors: Das Alakananda , Dickinson Daniel J. , Wood Cameron C. , Goldstein Bob , Slep Kevin C.
Published: September 2015

Eukaryotic cilia are cell-surface projections critical for sensing the extracellular environment. Defects in cilia structure and function result in a broad range of developmental and sensory disorders. However, mechanisms that regulate the microtubule (MT)-based scaffold forming the cilia core are poorly understood. TOG domain array–containing proteins ch-TOG and CLASP are key regulators of cytoplasmic MTs. Whether TOG array proteins also regulate ciliary MTs is unknown. Here we identify the conserved Crescerin protein family as a cilia-specific, TOG array-containing MT regulator. We present the crystal structure of mammalian Crescerin1 TOG2, revealing a canonical TOG fold with conserved tubulin-binding determinants. Crescerin1's TOG domains possess inherent MT-binding activity and promote MT polymerization in vitro. Using Cas9-triggered homologous recombination in Caenorhabditis elegans, we demonstrate that the worm Crescerin family member CHE-12 requires TOG domain–dependent tubulin-binding activity for sensory cilia development. Thus, Crescerin expands the TOG domain array–based MT regulatory paradigm beyond ch-TOG and CLASP, representing a distinct regulator of cilia structure.
A non-negative matrix factorization method for detecting modules in heterogeneous omics multi-modal data
Authors: Yang Zi , Michailidis George
Published: September 2015

Motivation: Recent advances in high-throughput omics technologies have enabled biomedical researchers to collect large-scale genomic data. As a consequence, there has been growing interest in developing methods to integrate such data to obtain deeper insights regarding the underlying biological system. A key challenge for integrative studies is the heterogeneity present in the different omics data sources, which makes it difficult to discern the coordinated signal of interest from source-specific noise or extraneous effects.

Results: We introduce a novel method of multi-modal data analysis that is designed for heterogeneous data based on non-negative matrix factorization. We provide an algorithm for jointly decomposing the data matrices involved that also includes a sparsity option for high-dimensional settings. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on synthetic data and on real DNA methylation, gene expression and miRNA expression data from ovarian cancer samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The results show the presence of common modules across patient samples linked to cancer-related pathways, as well as previously established ovarian cancer subtypes.

Availability and implementation: The source code repository is publicly available at https://github.com/yangzi4/iNMF.

Contact:  gmichail@umich.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.