bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecularly Imprinted Biodegradable Nanoparticles
Authors: Gagliardi Mariacristina , Bertero Alice , Bifone Angelo
Published: January 2017

Biodegradable polymer nanoparticles are promising carriers for targeted drug delivery in nanomedicine applications. Molecu- lar imprinting is a potential strategy to target polymer nanoparticles through binding of endogenous ligands that may promote recognition and active transport into specific cells and tissues. However, thelock-and-keymechanism of molecular imprinting requires relatively rigid cross-linked structures, unlike those of many biodegradable polymers. To date, no fully biodegradable molecularly imprinted particles have been reported in the literature. This paper reports the synthesis of a novel molecularly- imprinted nanocarrier, based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and acrylic acid, that combines biodegradability and molec- ular recognition properties. A novel three-arm biodegradable cross-linker was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of glycolide and lactide initiated by glycerol. The resulting macromer was functionalized by introduction of end-functions through reaction with acryloyl chloride. Macromer and acrylic acid were used for the synthesis of narrowly-dispersed nanoparticles by radical polymerization in diluted conditions in the presence of biotin as template molecule. The binding capacity of the imprinted nanoparticles towards biotin and biotinylated bovine serum albumin was twentyfold that of non-imprinted nanoparti- cles. Degradation rates and functional performances were assessed inin vitrotests and cell cultures, demonstrating effective biotin-mediated cell internalization.
Diel-scale temporal dynamics recorded for bacterial groups in Namib Desert soil
Authors: Gunnigle Eoin , Frossard Aline , Ramond Jean-Baptiste , Guerrero Leandro , Seely Mary , Cowan Don A.
Published: January 2017

Microbes in hot desert soil partake in core ecosystem processes e.g., biogeochemical cycling of carbon. Nevertheless, there is still a fundamental lack of insights regarding short-term (i.e., over a 24-hour [diel] cycle) microbial responses to highly fluctuating microenvironmental parameters like temperature and humidity. To address this, we employed T-RFLP fingerprinting and 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA-derived cDNA to characterize potentially active bacteria in Namib Desert soil over multiple diel cycles. Strikingly, we found that significant shifts in active bacterial groups could occur over a single 24-hour period. For instance, members of the predominant Actinobacteria phyla exhibited a significant reduction in relative activity from morning to night, whereas many Proteobacterial groups displayed an opposite trend. Contrary to our leading hypothesis, environmental parameters could only account for 10.5% of the recorded total variation. Potential biotic associations shown through co-occurrence networks indicated that non-random inter- and intra-phyla associations were ‘time-of-day-dependent’ which may constitute a key feature of this system. Notably, many cyanobacterial groups were positioned outside and/or between highly interconnected bacterial associations (modules); possibly acting as inter-module ‘hubs’ orchestrating interactions between important functional consortia. Overall, these results provide empirical evidence that bacterial communities in hot desert soils exhibit complex and diel-dependent inter-community associations.
Neural codes of seeing architectural styles
Authors: Choo Heeyoung , Nasar Jack L. , Nikrahei Bardia , Walther Dirk B.
Published: January 2017

Images of iconic buildings, such as the CN Tower, instantly transport us to specific places, such as Toronto. Despite the substantial impact of architectural design on people’s visual experience of built environments, we know little about its neural representation in the human brain. In the present study, we have found patterns of neural activity associated with specific architectural styles in several high-level visual brain regions, but not in primary visual cortex (V1). This finding suggests that the neural correlates of the visual perception of architectural styles stem from style-specific complex visual structure beyond the simple features computed in V1. Surprisingly, the network of brain regions representing architectural styles included the fusiform face area (FFA) in addition to several scene-selective regions. Hierarchical clustering of error patterns further revealed that the FFA participated to a much larger extent in the neural encoding of architectural styles than entry-level scene categories. We conclude that the FFA is involved in fine-grained neural encoding of scenes at a subordinate-level, in our case, architectural styles of buildings. This study for the first time shows how the human visual system encodes visual aspects of architecture, one of the predominant and longest-lasting artefacts of human culture.
In situ Characterization of Nanoparticles Using Rayleigh Scattering
Authors: Santra Biswajit , Shneider Mikhail N. , Car Roberto
Published: January 2017

We report a theoretical analysis showing that Rayleigh scattering could be used to monitor the growth of nanoparticles under arc discharge conditions. We compute the Rayleigh scattering cross sections of the nanoparticles by combining light scattering theory for gas-particle mixtures with calculations of the dynamic electronic polarizability of the nanoparticles. We find that the resolution of the Rayleigh scattering probe is adequate to detect nanoparticles as small as C60 at the expected concentrations of synthesis conditions in the arc periphery. Larger asymmetric nanoparticles would yield brighter signals, making possible to follow the evolution of the growing nanoparticle population from the evolution of the scattered intensity. Observable spectral features include characteristic resonant behaviour, shape-dependent depolarization ratio, and mass-dependent line shape. Direct observation of nanoparticles in the early stages of growth with unobtrusive laser probes should give insight on the particle formation mechanisms and may lead to better-controlled synthesis protocols.
Sinonasal Delivery of Resveratrol via Mucoadhesive Nanostructured Microparticles in a Nasal Polyp Mouse Model
Authors: Lee Mingyu , Park Chun Gwon , Huh Beom Kang , Kim Se-Na , Lee Seung Ho , Khalmuratova Roza , Park Jong-Wan , Shin Hyun-Woo , Choy Young Bin
Published: January 2017

Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to effectively suppress chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in a mouse model; however, when locally administered to the sinonasal cavity, bolus RSV is limited by low drug bioavailability owing to its low aqueous solubility and relatively rapid clearance from the administration site. To address this limitation, we propose mucoadhesive nanostructured microparticles (PLGA/PEG NM) as a potential carrier for the sinonasal delivery of RSV. In this study, PLGA/PEG NM released RSV in a sustained manner. Owing to the enlarged specific surface area of the nanostructures, PLGA/PEG NM had synergistically enhanced mucoadhesiveness and thus showed improvedin vivoretention properties in the sinonasal cavity. Therefore, when tested in a mouse nasal polyp model, PLGA/PEG NM mitigated polyp formation and restored epithelial integrity better than the control treatments. The therapeutic effect was similar at half the dose of PLGA/PEG NM, suggesting improved local bioavailability of RSV in the sinonasal cavity.
IK acts as an immunoregulator of inflammatory arthritis by suppressing TH17 cell differentiation and macrophage activation
Authors: Park Hye-Lim , Lee Sang-Myeong , Min Jun-Ki , Moon Su-Jin , Kim Inki , Kang Kyung-Won , Park Sooho , Choi SeulGi , Jung Ha-Na , Lee Dong-Hee , Nam Jae-Hwan
Published: January 2017

Pathogenic T helper cells (TH) and macrophages have been implicated in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can lead to severe synovial inflammation and bone destruction. A range of therapies have been widely used for RA, including specific monoclonal antibodies and chemical inhibitors against inflammatory cytokines produced by these cells. However, these have not been sufficient to meet the medical need. Here, we show that in transgenic mice expressing truncated IK (tIK) cytokine, inflammatory arthritis symptoms were ameliorated as the result of suppression of the differentiation of TH1 and TH17 cells and of macrophage activation. During inflammatory responses, tIK cytokine systemically regulated macrophage functions and TH17 cell differentiation through inactivation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Interestingly, the level of tIK cytokine was higher in synovial fluid of RA patients compared with that in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Our observations suggest that tIK cytokine can counterbalance the induction of inflammatory cells related to RA and thus could be a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.
Assessment of phospholipid synthesis related biomarkers for perinatal asphyxia: a piglet study
Authors: Sánchez-Illana Ángel , Solberg Rønnaug , Lliso Isabel , Pankratov Leonid , Quintás Guillermo , Saugstad Ola Didrik , Vento Máximo , Kuligowski Julia
Published: January 2017

The prompt and reliable identification of infants at risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy secondary to perinatal asphyxia in the first critical hours is important for clinical decision-making and yet still remains a challenge. This work strives for the evaluation of a panel of metabolic biomarkers that have been associated with the hypoxic-ischemic insult in the perinatal period. Plasma and urine samples from a consolidated newborn piglet model of hypoxia and withdrawn before and at different time points after a hypoxic insult were analyzed and compared to a control group. Time-dependent metabolic biomarker profiles were studied and observed patterns were similar to those of lactate levels, which are currently considered the gold standard for assessing hypoxia. Class prediction performance could be improved by the use of a combination of the whole panel of determined metabolites in plasma as compared to lactate values. Using a multivariate model including lactate together with the studied metabolic biomarkers allowed to improve the prediction performance of duration of hypoxia time, which correlates with the degree of brain damage. The present study evidences the usefulness of choline and related metabolites for improving the early assessment of the severity of the hypoxic insult.
Tryptophan and Non-Tryptophan Fluorescence of the Eye Lens Proteins Provides Diagnostics of Cataract at the Molecular Level
Authors: Gakamsky Anna , Duncan Rory R. , Howarth Nicola M. , Dhillon Baljean , Buttenschön Kim K. , Daly Daniel J. , Gakamsky Dmitry
Published: January 2017

The chemical nature of the non-tryptophan (non-Trp) fluorescence of porcine and human eye lens proteins was identified by Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Fluorescence Steady-State and Lifetime spectroscopy as post-translational modifications (PTM) of Trp and Arg amino acid residues. Fluorescence intensity profiles measured along the optical axis of human eye lenses with age-related nuclear cataract showed increasing concentration of fluorescent PTM towards the lens centre in accord with the increased optical density in the lens nucleolus. Significant differences between fluorescence lifetimes of “free” Trp derivatives hydroxytryptophan (OH-Trp), N-formylkynurenine (NFK), kynurenine (Kyn), hydroxykynurenine (OH-Kyn) and their residues were observed. Notably, the lifetime constants of these residues in a model peptide were considerably greater than those of their “free” counterparts. Fluorescence of Trp, its derivatives and argpyrimidine (ArgP) can be excited at the red edge of the Trp absorption band which allows normalisation of the emission spectra of these PTMs to the fluorescence intensity of Trp, to determine semi-quantitatively their concentration. We show that the cumulative fraction of OH-Trp, NFK and ArgP emission dominates the total fluorescence spectrum in both emulsified post-surgical human cataract protein samples, as well as in whole lenses and that this correlates strongly with cataract grade and age.
Independent Aftereffects of Fat and Muscle: Implications for neural encoding, body space representation, and body image disturbance
Authors: Sturman Daniel , Stephen Ian D. , Mond Jonathan , Stevenson Richard J , Brooks Kevin R.
Published: January 2017

Although research addressing body size misperception has focused on socio-cognitive processes, such as internalization of the “ideal” images of bodies in the media, the perceptual basis of this phenomenon remains largely unknown. Further, most studies focus on body size per se even though this depends on both fat and muscle mass – variables that have very different relationships with health. We tested visual adaptation as a mechanism for inducing body fat and muscle mass misperception, and assessed whether these two dimensions of body space are processed independently. Observers manipulated the apparent fat and muscle mass of bodies to make them appear “normal” before and after inspecting images from one of four adaptation conditions (increased fat/decreased fat/increased muscle/decreased muscle). Exposure resulted in a shift in the point of subjective normality in the direction of the adapting images along the relevant (fat or muscle) axis, suggesting that the neural mechanisms involved in body fat and muscle perception are independent. This supports the viability of adaptation as a model of real-world body size misperception, and extends its applicability to clinical manifestations of body image disturbance that entail not only preoccupation with thinness (e.g., anorexia nervosa) but also with muscularity (e.g., muscle dysmorphia).
Three-dimensional surgical simulation improves the planning for correction of facial prognathism and asymmetry: A qualitative and quantitative study
Authors: Ho Cheng-Ting , Lin Hsiu-Hsia , Liou Eric J. W. , Lo Lun-Jou
Published: January 2017

Traditional planning method for orthognathic surgery has limitations of cephalometric analysis, especially for patients with asymmetry. The aim of this study was to assess surgical plan modification after 3-demensional (3D) simulation. The procedures were to perform traditional surgical planning, construction of 3D model for the initial surgical plan (P1), 3D model of altered surgical plan after simulation (P2), comparison between P1 and P2 models, surgical execution, and postoperative validation using superimposition and root-mean-square difference (RMSD) between postoperative 3D image and P2 simulation model. Surgical plan was modified after 3D simulation in 93% of the cases. Absolute linear changes of landmarks in mediolateral direction (x-axis) were significant and between 1.11 to 1.62 mm. The pitch, yaw, and roll rotation as well as ramus inclination correction also showed significant changes after the 3D planning. Yaw rotation of the maxillomandibular complex (1.88 ± 0.32°) and change of ramus inclination (3.37 ± 3.21°) were most frequently performed for correction of the facial asymmetry. Errors between the postsurgical image and 3D simulation were acceptable, with RMSD 0.63 ± 0.25 mm for the maxilla and 0.85 ± 0.41 mm for the mandible. The information from this study could be used to augment the clinical planning and surgical execution when a conventional approach is applied.
De novo assembly, annotation, and characterization of the whole brain transcriptome of male and female Syrian hamsters
Authors: McCann Katharine E. , Sinkiewicz David M. , Norvelle Alisa , Huhman Kim L.
Published: January 2017

Hamsters are an ideal animal model for a variety of biomedical research areas such as cancer, virology, circadian rhythms, and behavioural neuroscience. The use of hamsters has declined, however, most likely due to the dearth of genetic tools available for these animals. Our laboratory uses hamsters to study acute social stress, and we are beginning to investigate the genetic mechanisms subserving defeat-induced behavioural change. We have been limited, however, by the lack of genetic resources available for hamsters. In this study, we sequenced the brain transcriptome of male and female Syrian hamsters to generate the necessary resources to continue our research. We completed a de novo assembly and after assembly optimization, there were 113,329 transcripts representing 14,530 unique genes. This study is the first to characterize transcript expression in both female and male hamster brains and offers invaluable information to promote understanding of a host of important biomedical research questions for which hamsters are an excellent model.
Early life peripheral lipopolysaccharide challenge reprograms catecholaminergic neurons
Authors: Ong Lin Kooi , Fuller Erin A. , Sominsky Luba , Hodgson Deborah M. , Dunkley Peter R. , Dickson Phillip W.
Published: January 2017

Neonatal immune challenge with the bacterial mimetic lipopolysaccharide has the capacity to generate long-term changes in the brain. Neonatal rats were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (0.05 mg/kg) on postnatal day (PND) 3 and again on PND 5. The activation state of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was measured in the locus coeruleus, ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra on PND 85. In the locus coeruleus there was an approximately four-fold increase in TH activity. This was accompanied by a significant increase in TH protein together with increased phosphorylation of all three serine residues in the N-terminal region of TH. In the ventral tegmental area, a significant increase in TH activity and increased phosphorylation of the serine 40 residue was seen. Neonatal lipopolysaccharide had no effect on TH activation in the substantia nigra. These results indicate the capacity of a neonatal immune challenge to generate long-term changes in the activation state of TH, in particular in the locus coeruleus. Overall, the current results demonstrate the enduring outcomes of a neonatal immune challenge on specific brain catecholaminergic regions associated with catecholamine synthesis. This highlights a novel mechanism for long-term physiological and behavioural alterations induced by this model.
Osteoclastic miR-214 targets TRAF3 to contribute to osteolytic bone metastasis of breast cancer
Authors: Liu Jin , Li Defang , Dang Lei , Liang Chao , Guo Baosheng , Lu Cheng , He Xiaojuan , Cheung Hilda Y. S. , He Bing , Liu Biao , Li Fangfei , Lu Jun , Wang Luyao , Shaikh Atik Badshah , Jiang Feng , Lu Changwei , Peng Songlin , Zhang Zongkang , Zhang Bao-Ting , Pan Xiaohua , Xiao Lianbo , Lu Aiping , Zhang Ge
Published: January 2017

The role of osteoclastic miRNAs in regulating osteolytic bone metastasis (OBM) of breast cancer is still underexplored. Here, we examined the expression profiles of osteoclastogenic miRNAs in human bone specimens and identified that miR-214-3p was significantly upregulated in breast cancer patients with OBM. Consistently, we found increased miR-214-3p within osteoclasts, which was associated with the elevated bone resorption, during the development of OBM in human breast cancer xenografted nude mice (BCX). Furthermore, genetic ablation of osteoclastic miR-214-3p in nude mice prevent the development of OBM. Conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 cells dramatically stimulated miR-214-3p expression to promote osteoclast differentiation. Mechanistically, a series of in vitro study showed that miR-214-3p directly targeted Traf3 to promote osteoclast activity and bone-resorbing activity. In addition, osteoclast-specific miR-214-3p knock-in mice showed remarkably increased bone resorption when compared to the littermate controls, which was attenuated after osteoclast-targeted treatment with Traf3 3′UTR-containing plasmid. In BCX nude mice, osteoclast-targeted antagomir-214-3p delivery could recover the TRAF3 protein expression and attenuate the development of OBM, respectively. Collectively, inhibition of osteoclastic miR-214-3p may be a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer patients with OBM. Meanwhile, the intraosseous TRAF3 could be a promising biomarker for evaluation of the treatment response of antagomir-214-3p.
A subwavelength resolution microwave/6.3 GHz camera based on a metamaterial absorber
Authors: Xie Yunsong , Fan Xin , Chen Yunpeng , Wilson Jeffrey D. , Simons Rainee N. , Xiao John Q.
Published: January 2017

The design, fabrication and characterization of a novel metamaterial absorber based camera with subwavelength spatial resolution are investigated. The proposed camera is featured with simple and lightweight design, easy portability, low cost, high resolution and sensitivity, and minimal image interference or distortion to the original field distribution. The imaging capability of the proposed camera was characterized in both near field and far field ranges. The experimental and simulated near field images both reveal that the camera produces qualitatively accurate images with negligible distortion to the original field distribution. The far field demonstration was done by coupling the designed camera with a microwave convex lens. The far field results further demonstrate that the camera can capture quantitatively accurate electromagnetic wave distribution in the diffraction limit. The proposed camera can be used in application such as non-destructive image and beam direction tracer.
Homoepitaxial Growth of Metal Halide Crystals Investigated by Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction
Authors: Chen Pei , Kuttipillai Padmanaban S. , Wang Lili , Lunt Richard R.
Published: January 2017

We report the homoepitaxial growth of a metal halide on single crystals investigated with in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). Epitaxial growth of NaCl on NaCl (001) is explored as a function of temperature and growth rate which provides the first detailed report of RHEED oscillations for metal halide growth. Layer-by-layer growth is observed at room temperature accompanied by clear RHEED oscillations while the growth mode transitions to an island (3D) mode at low temperature. At higher temperatures (>100 °C), RHEED oscillations and AFM data indicate a transition to a step-flow growth mode. To show the importance of such metal halide growth, green organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are demonstrated using a doped NaCl film with a phosphorescent emitter as the emissive layer. This study demonstrates the ability to perform in situ and non-destructive RHEED monitoring even on insulating substrates and could enable doped single crystals and crystalline substrates for a range of optoelectronic applications.
The early growth response protein 1-miR-30a-5p-neurogenic differentiation factor 1 axis as a novel biomarker for schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment monitoring
Authors: Liu S , Zhang F , Shugart Y Y , Yang L , Li X , Liu Z , Sun N , Yang C , Guo X , Shi J , Wang L , Cheng L , Zhang K , Yang T , Xu Y
Published: January 2017

To date, diagnosis of schizophrenia is still based on clinical interviews and careful observations, which is subjective and variable, and can lead to misdiagnosis and/or delay in diagnosis. As early intervention in schizophrenia is important in improving outcomes, objective tests that can be used for schizophrenia diagnosis or treatment monitoring are thus in great need. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate target gene expression and their biogenesis is tightly controlled by various factors including transcription factors (TFs). Dysregulation of miRNAs in brain tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from patients with schizophrenia has been well documented, but analysis of the sensitivity and specificity for potential diagnostic utility of these alternations is limited. In this study, we explored the TF-miRNA-30-target gene axis as a novel biomarker for schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Using bioinformatics analysis, we retrieved all TFs that control the biogenesis of miRNA 30 members as well as all target genes that are regulated by miRNA-30 members. Further, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the early growth response protein 1 (EGR1) and miR-30a-5p were remarkably downregulated, whereas neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1) was significantly upregulated in PBMNCs from patients in acute psychotic state. Antipsychotics treatment resulted in the elevation of EGR1 and miR-30a-5p but the reduction of NEUROD1. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the EGR1-miR-30a-5p-NEUROD1 axis possessed significantly greater diagnostic value than miR-30a-5p alone. Our data suggest the EGR1-miR-30a-5p-NEUROD1 axis might serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosis and treatment monitoring for those patients in acute psychotic state.
Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of α-amino acrylonitriles: an efficient approach to synthesizing chiral α-amino nitriles
Authors: Li Xiuxiu , You Cai , Yang Yusheng , Wang Fangyuan , Li Shuailong , Lv Hui , Zhang Xumu
Published: January 2017

An efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of α-amino acrylonitriles has been achieved, affording chiral α-amino nitriles in excellent yields and enantioselectivities regardless of the cis–trans configuration of α-amino acrylonitriles.
Molecular electronic structure in one-dimensional Coulomb systems
Authors: Ball Caleb J. , Loos Pierre-François , Gill Peter M. W.
Published: January 2017

In this work we explore the nature of chemical bonding in one dimensional molecules.
Temperature-controlled colossal magnetoresistance and perfect spin Seebeck effect in hybrid graphene/boron nitride nanoribbons
Authors: Zhu Lin , Li Ruimin , Yao Kailun
Published: January 2017

Thermal spin transport properties of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride nanoribbon heterojunctions have been investigated using density functional theory calculations combined with the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function approach.
Molecular dynamics simulations of phosphonic acid–aluminum oxide self-organization and their evolution into ordered monolayers
Authors: Dietrich H. , Schmaltz T. , Halik M. , Zahn D.
Published: January 2017

We outline an unprejudiced molecular dynamics simulation approach to study the mechanisms of self-organization encompassing the evolution of surfactant–surface interactions to the growth of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs).
Migration of cations induces reversible performance losses over day/night cycling in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Domanski Konrad , Roose Bart , Matsui Taisuke , Saliba Michael , Turren-Cruz Silver-Hamill , Correa-Baena Juan-Pablo , Carmona Cristina Roldan , Richardson Giles , Foster Jamie M. , De Angelis Filippo , Ball James M. , Petrozza Annamaria , Mine Nicolas , Nazeeruddin Mohammad K. , Tress Wolfgang , Grätzel Michael , Steiner Ullrich , Hagfeldt Anders , Abate Antonio
Published: January 2017

Perovskite cells benefit from a good night's sleep.
The degree of processing of foods which are most widely consumed by the French elderly population is associated with satiety and glycemic potentials and nutrient profiles
Authors: Fardet Anthony , Méjean Caroline , Labouré Hélène , Andreeva Valentina A. , Feron Gilles
Published: January 2017

This study aimed at exploring relations between the level of food processing, consumption and nutrient profiles and satiety and glycemic potentials among 6686 French elderly people (>65 years).
Au@PdOx with a PdOx-rich shell and Au-rich core embedded in Co3O4 nanorods for catalytic combustion of methane
Authors: Yang Nating , Liu Jingwei , Sun Yuhan , Zhu Yan
Published: January 2017

Au@PdOx/Co3O4 nanorods exhibited enhanced catalytic performance for methane catalytic combustion, compared to monometallic Pd or Au/Co3O4 and conventional PdAu/Co3O4 catalysts.
Correction: β-Amyrin synthase from Euphorbia tirucalli L. functional analyses of the highly conserved aromatic residues Phe413, Tyr259 and Trp257 disclose the importance of the appropriate steric bulk, and cation–π and CH–π interactions for the efficient catalytic action of the polyolefin cyclization cascade
Authors: Ito Ryousuke , Nakada Chika , Hoshino Tsutomu
Published: January 2017

Correction for ‘β-Amyrin synthase from Euphorbia tirucalli L. functional analyses of the highly conserved aromatic residues Phe413, Tyr259 and Trp257 disclose the importance of the appropriate steric bulk, and cation–π and CH–π interactions for the efficient catalytic action of the polyolefin cyclization cascade’ by Ryousuke Ito et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 177–188.
1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions with meso-tetraarylchlorins – site selectivity and mixed bisadducts
Authors: Almeida José , Aguiar António , Leite Andreia , Silva André M. N. , Cunha-Silva Luís , de Castro Baltazar , Rangel Maria , Barone Giampaolo , Tomé Augusto C. , Silva Ana M. G.
Published: January 2017

Mixed bisadducts resulting from the sequential addition of a nitrone and an azomethine ylide to the porphyrin macrocycle were efficiently obtained, in a site selective approach.
Lewis acid stabilization and activation of primary N-nitrosamides
Authors: Bohle D. Scott , Chua Zhijie , Perepichka Inna , Rosadiuk Kristopher
Published: January 2017

The primary nitrosamides, here exemplified by the N-nitrosoalkylcarbamates, ROC(O)NHNO [R = CH3 (1), R = C2H5 (2)], show a markedly Lewis acid dependent chemistry.
pH- and ligand-induced release of loads from DNA–acrylamide hydrogel microcapsules
Authors: Liao Wei-Ching , Lilienthal Sivan , Kahn Jason S. , Riutin Marianna , Sohn Yang Sung , Nechushtai Rachel , Willner Itamar
Published: January 2017

A generic method of preparing stimuli-responsive substrate-loaded hydrogel microcapsules, composed of polyacrylamide chains cross-linked by nucleic acids, has been described. The triggered release of loads from the microcapsules proceeds via either the formation of an ATP aptamer or a cocaine aptamer, or the pH-induced generation of i-motif structures.
Facile preparation and highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of novel CuxNiy nanoalloy/graphene nanohybrids
Authors: Li Xiangqing , Xu Honglei , Luo Qiang , Kang Shizhao , Qin Lixia , Li Guodong , Yang Jinghui
Published: January 2017

The noble metal-free CuxNiy bimetallic nanoalloy decorated graphene nanohybrids (CuxNiy/G) exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production. It provides a new and cheaper noble-metal-free graphene-based photocatalyst system for visible light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Improved mechanical adhesion and electronic stability of organic solar cells with thermal ageing: the role of diffusion at the hole extraction interface
Authors: Greenbank W. , Rolston N. , Destouesse E. , Wantz G. , Hirsch L. , Dauskardt R. , Chambon S.
Published: January 2017

Organic photovoltaic solar cells are a promising option for cheap, renewable energy, but must improve in their stability.
Tuning chemical compositions of bimetallic AuPd catalysts for selective catalytic hydrogenation of halogenated quinolines
Authors: Zhang Sai , Xia Zhaoming , Ni Ting , Zhang Huan , Wu Chao , Qu Yongquan
Published: January 2017

Au1−xPdx bimetallic catalysts with low Pd entities on CeO2 nanorods delivered high activity and chemoselectivity for hydrogenation of halogenated quinolines. Improved chemoselectivity could be attributed to the selective adsorption configurations of halogenated quinolines on Au via tilted orientation rather than on Pd via flat orientation.
Hemin-mediated construction of iridium oxide with superior stability for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Liu Pei-Yin , Hsu Chia-Chen , Chuang Min-Chieh
Published: January 2017

A hydrous IrOx catalyst with superior stability for the OER was electroflocculated with the aid of hemin-catalysed oxygen depletion.
Specific synthesis of CoS2nanoparticles embedded in porous Al2O3nanosheets for efficient hydrogen evolution and enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Fang Ling , Zhang Yan , Guan Yongxin , Zhang Huijuan , Wang Shilong , Wang Yu
Published: January 2017

CoS2NP/Al2O3NSs were developed as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution and as an anode for lithium ion batteries.
Tetragonal-structured anisotropic 2D metal nitride monolayers and their halides with versatile promises in energy storage and conversion
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Zihe , Zhao Xudong , Wu Dihua , Zhang Xin , Zhou Zhen
Published: January 2017

We proposed a series of novel 2D tetragonal-structured metal nitride (t-MN, M = Ti, Zr, or Hf) materials mainly bonded with strong hybridization of N-p and M-d orbitals.
A novel colorimetric immunoassay strategy using iron(iii) oxide magnetic nanoparticles as a label for signal generation and amplification
Authors: Zhang Zeying , Xie Jin , Yu Jie , Lu Zhisong , Liu Yingshuai
Published: January 2017

A novel colorimetric immunoassay strategy has been developed using an iron oxide magnetic nanoparticle as a label for both signal generation and amplification.
Correction: Raw product of rare-earth ore works as a high-k gate insulator for low-voltage operable organic field-effect transistors
Authors: She Xue-feng , Wang Jingsong , Xue Qingguo , Xu Wentao
Published: January 2017

Correction for ‘Raw product of rare-earth ore works as a high-k gate insulator for low-voltage operable organic field-effect transistors’ by Xue-feng She et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 114593–114598.
Splash threshold of a droplet impacting a moving substrate
Authors: Hao Jiguang , Green Sheldon I.
Published: January 2017

The effect of ambient pressure on the corona splash resulting from a droplet impacting on a smooth dry moving substrate is investigated experimentally. As the ambient pressure is reduced the upstream-enhanced corona splash is initially suppressed to a prompt splash, and on further reduction of the ambient pressure prompt splash transitions to deposition. The splash threshold pressure is measured under different conditions including droplet diameter, droplet speed, substrate speed, and liquid viscosity. The splash and suppression mechanisms are explained based on aerodynamics. A model for the splash threshold pressure is presented that incorporates the substrate velocity into an existing model for droplet impingement on a stationary substrate. This new model approximately collapses the results from experiments with a multitude of variables onto a single curve.
Mass transport characteristics of diffusioosmosis: Potential applications for liquid phase transportation and separation
Authors: Hoshyargar Vahid , Ashrafizadeh Seyed Nezameddin , Sadeghi Arman
Published: January 2017

This study is to investigate the transport of neutral analytes being dispersed in a diffusioosmotic flow. Along this line, an accurate approximate formula is derived for the locally developed velocity distribution, considering a relatively thin electrical double layer (EDL) thickness and a small concentration gradient along the channel, based on which analytical solutions are presented for the Taylor dispersion of the analytes. To track the hydrodynamic dispersion of the analytes from the time of injection, a full numerical method is also developed that models the diffusioosmotic flow in its most general form and estimates the effective diffusivity from statistical computations. Despite the fact that the two approaches considered have basic differences, both in the assumptions and in measuring the dispersion coefficient, the analytical and numerical results agree well with a maximum error of about 10% which is much smaller for thin EDLs. We demonstrate that the hydrodynamic dispersion in the diffusioosmotic flow may get even smaller than that of electroosmosis under certain conditions; accordingly, diffusioosmosis is of potential applications in lab-on-a-chip devices where minimum solute dispersion is sought. Moreover, the results that are corresponding to the centroid and time-evolution of the injected analytes reveal that diffusioosmosis can be employed for the separation of uncharged samples.
Electrochemically sliced low loss AlGaN optical microresonators
Authors: Bruch Alexander W. , Xiong Kanglin , Jung Hojoong , Guo Xiang , Zhang Cheng , Han Jung , Tang Hong X.
Published: January 2017

High quality single crystal III-Nitride films are often formed over a thick buffer to reduce growth induced defects on a lattice mismatched substrate. However, it is challenging to fabricate nanophotonic waveguiding structures directly from this very top layer. Here, we demonstrate electrochemical slicing of high quality AlGaN thin films and its subsequent transfer to a lower index oxided silicon substrate for lithographic patterning of photonic waveguide and microresonators. TEM analysis of the nanomembrane waveguide demonstrates an AlGaN layer free of misfit dislocations commonly found in conventional epitaxial AlGaN grown on sapphire or Si. We probe the low material optical loss (1.22 dB/cm) of the nanomembrane by measuring the optical quality (Q) factor at 780 nm. High intrinsic quality factors of 680 000 are achieved after optimizing fabrication process. This versatile, low loss AlGaN device opens applications for nonlinear photonics at visible wavelengths.
Symmetry and magnetism in Ni9Te6 clusters ligated by CO or phosphine ligands
Authors: Reber Arthur C. , Chauhan Vikas , Khanna Shiv N.
Published: January 2017

The removal of a single ligand from the magnetic Ni9Te6(L)8 (L = P(CH3)3, CO) clusters is found to quench the magnetic moment. The reduction in magnetic moment is caused by a geometric deformation of the Ni9Te6 core that breaks the octahedral symmetry of the cluster. This effect is observed in both the CO and phosphine based ligands. The octahedral symmetry bare cluster is also found to have a large magnetic moment. These results highlight the dilemma faced by magnetic ligand protected clusters whose symmetry has been broken: whether to break the spin symmetry as in Hund’s rules or to break the spatial symmetry as in the Jahn-Teller effect. The spatial symmetry breaking is found to be an oblate distortion that forms additional Ni–Te bonds resulting in the enhanced stability of the cluster.
Ultra-high sulfurization temperature drives the growth of oxide-derived Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film with very large grain
Authors: Chen Guilin , Wang Weihuang , Zhang Jin , Chen Shuiyuan , Huang Zhigao , Jian Rongkun
Published: January 2017

Small grain size is one of the main obstacles for preparing high efficiency Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) photovoltaic devices. The high thermal energy (high annealing temperature) is used to facilitate the driving force of grain growth. In this paper, the CZTS thin films were synthesized by means of sulfurizing oxide-precursors at relatively high sulfurization temperatures (550–700 °C). The effect of sulfurization temperature on properties of CZTS thin films was investigated through XRD, Raman, SEM, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Both the crystallinity of the CZTS films and the size of their grains were greatly enhanced, which is attributed to the acceleration of atomic inter-diffusion during the growing process of thin films under ultra-high temperature.
Combined electrical transport and capacitance spectroscopy of a MoS2-LiNbO3 field effect transistor
Authors: Michailow Wladislaw , Schülein Florian J. R. , Möller Benjamin , Preciado Edwin , Nguyen Ariana E. , von Son Gretel , Mann John , Hörner Andreas L. , Wixforth Achim , Bartels Ludwig , Krenner Hubert J.
Published: January 2017

We have measured both the current-voltage (ISD-VGS) and capacitance-voltage (C-VGS) characteristics of a MoS2-LiNbO3 field effect transistor. From the measured capacitance, we calculate the electron surface density and show that its gate voltage dependence follows the theoretical prediction resulting from the two-dimensional free electron model. This model allows us to fit the measured ISD-VGS characteristics over the entire range of VGS. Combining this experimental result with the measured current-voltage characteristics, we determine the field effect mobility as a function of gate voltage. We show that for our device, this improved combined approach yields significantly smaller values (more than a factor of 4) of the electron mobility than the conventional analysis of the current-voltage characteristics only.
Enhancement in (002) texture of electroplated Co-based hard magnet layers
Authors: Hsiao Chi-Ju , Hsiao Heng-Sheng , Tseng Chien-Yao , Chang Jen-Yuan (James) , Sung Cheng-Kuo , Wang Sheng-Ching , Chin Tsung-Shune
Published: January 2017

Electroplated hard magnet layers with out-of-plane performance play important roles in electro-mechanical devices. We designed to improve magnetic performance of electroplated Co-based hard magnet layer via the enhancement of HCP(002) texture using a thin seed-layer whose HCP(002) texture is intrinsically high. The seed-layer is either CoP or CoNiMnP fixed at 1μm thickness. Top hard magnet layers CoNiP and CoP with varied thickness were electroplated on top of the seed-layer. The results indicate that the improvement in out-of-plane magnetic properties of top layer is 38% to 100% in Br, 13% to 100% in Hc and 57% to 300% in (BH)max due to introduction of the seed-layer. The evolution in texture coefficient of HCP(002) of the top layer was quantitatively studied. The resultant magnetic properties correlate well with the induced texture coefficient.
Towards a magnetoresistive platform for neural signal recording
Authors: Sharma P. P. , Gervasoni G. , Albisetti E. , D’Ercoli F. , Monticelli M. , Moretti D. , Forte N. , Rocchi A. , Ferrari G. , Baldelli P. , Sampietro M. , Benfenati F. , Bertacco R. , Petti D.
Published: January 2017

A promising strategy to get deeper insight on brain functionalities relies on the investigation of neural activities at the cellular and sub-cellular level. In this framework, methods for recording neuron electrical activity have gained interest over the years. Main technological challenges are associated to finding highly sensitive detection schemes, providing considerable spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, the possibility to perform non-invasive assays would constitute a noteworthy benefit. In this work, we present a magnetoresistive platform for the detection of the action potential propagation in neural cells. Such platform allows, in perspective, the in vitro recording of neural signals arising from single neurons, neural networks and brain slices.
Magnetic characteristics measurements of ethanol–water mixtures using a hybrid-type high-temperature superconducting quantum-interference device magnetometer
Authors: Tsukada Keiji , Matsunaga Yasuaki , Isshiki Ryota , Nakamura Yuta , Sakai Kenji , Kiwa Toshihiko
Published: January 2017

The magnetic characteristics of ethanol–water mixtures were investigated using our newly developed hybrid-type magnetometer based on a high-temperature superconducting quantum-interference device. The magnetization (M-H) curves of ethanol–water mixtures show good diamagnetic characteristics. The magnetic moments of the mixture show ethanol concentration dependence. However, the variation in magnetic moment differs from the characteristics expected by considering the magnetic moment ratio between water and ethanol, and volume-reduction rate. It showed two decrement regions separated at approximately 50–60% concentration values. It is also observed that the concentration dependence of the magnetic moment measured using the sample vibration method under a uniform magnetic field and that by the sample rotation method showed slightly different characteristics. These anomalies are attributed to the formation of clustered structures in the mixture.
Non-monotonic probability of thermal reversal in thin-film biaxial nanomagnets with small energy barriers
Authors: Kani N. , Naeemi A. , Rakheja S.
Published: January 2017

The goal of this paper is to investigate the short time-scale, thermally-induced probability of magnetization reversal for an biaxial nanomagnet that is characterized with a biaxial magnetic anisotropy. For the first time, we clearly show that for a given energy barrier of the nanomagnet, the magnetization reversal probability of an biaxial nanomagnet exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on its saturation magnetization. Specifically, there are two reasons for this non-monotonic behavior in rectangular thin-film nanomagnets that have a large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. First, a large perpendicular anisotropy lowers the precessional period of the magnetization making it more likely to precess across the x^=0 plane if the magnetization energy exceeds the energy barrier. Second, the thermal-field torque at a particular energy increases as the magnitude of the perpendicular anisotropy increases during the magnetization precession. This non-monotonic behavior is most noticeable when analyzing the magnetization reversals on time-scales up to several tens of ns. In light of the several proposals of spintronic devices that require data retention on time-scales up to 10’s of ns, understanding the probability of magnetization reversal on the short time-scales is important. As such, the results presented in this paper will be helpful in quantifying the reliability and noise sensitivity of spintronic devices in which thermal noise is inevitably present.
Characterization of magnetic phase transitions in PrMn2Ge2 compound investigated by magnetization and hyperfine field measurements
Authors: Bosch-Santos B. , Cabrera-Pasca G. A. , Saxena R. N. , Freitas R. S. , Carbonari A. W.
Published: January 2017

The magnetic properties of PrMn2Ge2 compound have been investigated by perturbed γ−γ angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy using 111In(111Cd) as probe nuclei as well as by magnetization measurements. This ternary intermetallic compound exhibits different magnetic structures depending on the temperature. The magnetic ordering is mainly associated with the magnetic moment of 3d-Mn sublattice but at low temperatures a magnetic contribution due to ordering of the magnetic moment from 4f-Pr sublattice appears. PAC results with 111Cd probe nuclei at Mn sites show that the temperature dependence of hyperfine field Bhf(T) follows the expected behavior for the host magnetization, which could be fitted by two Brillouin functions, one for antiferromagnetic phase and the other for ferromagnetic phase, associated with the magnetic ordering of Mn ions. Magnetization measurements showed the magnetic behavior due to Mn ions highlighting the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition around 326 K and an increase in the magnetization around 36 K, which is ascribed to Pr ions ordering.
Task-specific reorganization of the auditory cortex in deaf humans
Authors: Bola Łukasz , Zimmermann Maria , Mostowski Piotr , Jednoróg Katarzyna , Marchewka Artur , Rutkowski Paweł , Szwed Marcin
Published: January 2017

Significance

What principles govern large-scale reorganization of the brain? In the blind, several visual regions preserve their task specificity but switch to tactile or auditory input. It remains open whether this type of reorganization is unique to the visual cortex or is a general mechanism in the brain. Here we asked deaf and hearing adults to discriminate between temporally complex sequences of stimuli during an fMRI experiment. We show that the same auditory regions were activated when deaf subjects performed the visual version of the task and when hearing subjects performed the auditory version of the task. Thus, switching sensory input while preserving the task specificity of recruited areas might be a general principle that guides cortical reorganization in the brain.
Uranium(IV) adsorption by natural organic matter in anoxic sediments
Authors: Bone Sharon E. , Dynes James J. , Cliff John , Bargar John R.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Uranium is an important fuel source and pollutant, and its chemical form determines its reactivity in the environment. However, information on the speciation of tetravalent U [U(IV)] in sediments is lacking. The research presented herein takes a holistic view of U(IV) speciation in a natural material containing microbial cells, organic matter, and minerals. Our work demonstrates unequivocally that U(IV) adsorbs to natural organic matter under anoxic, field-relevant conditions. Furthermore, we put forward a conceptual model that provides a framework for future studies of U biogeochemistry in which postreduction surface complexation processes can be used to predict U(IV) behavior. Our work has ramifications for remediation of U-contaminated sites and also informs in situ mining practices.