bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial metabolic networks in a complex electrogenic biofilm recovered from a stimulus-induced metatranscriptomics approach
Authors: Ishii Shun’ichi , Suzuki Shino , Tenney Aaron , Norden-Krichmar Trina M. , Nealson Kenneth H. , Bretschger Orianna
Published: October 2015

Microorganisms almost always exist as mixed communities in nature. While the significance of microbial community activities is well appreciated, a thorough understanding about how microbial communities respond to environmental perturbations has not yet been achieved. Here we have used a combination of metagenomic, genome binning and stimulus-induced metatranscriptomic approaches to estimate the metabolic network and stimuli-induced metabolic switches existing in a complex microbial biofilm that was producing electrical current via extracellular electron transfer (EET) to a solid electrode surface. Two stimuli were employed: to increase EET and to stop EET. An analysis of cell activity marker genes after stimuli exposure revealed that only two strains within eleven binned genomes had strong transcriptional responses to increased EET rates, with one responding positively and the other responding negatively. Potential metabolic switches between eleven dominant members were mainly observed for acetate, hydrogen and ethanol metabolisms. These results have enabled the estimation of a multi-species metabolic network and the associated short-term responses to EET stimuli that induce changes to metabolic flow and cooperative or competitive microbial interactions. This systematic meta-omics approach represents a next step towards understanding complex microbial roles within a community and how community members respond to specific environmental stimuli.
Finding cannabinoids in hair does not prove cannabis consumption
Authors: Moosmann Bjoern , Roth Nadine , Auwärter Volker
Published: October 2015

Hair analysis for cannabinoids is extensively applied in workplace drug testing and in child protection cases, although valid data on incorporation of the main analytical targets, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH), into human hair is widely missing. Furthermore, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), the biogenetic precursor of THC, is found in the hair of persons who solely handled cannabis material. In the light of the serious consequences of positive test results the mechanisms of drug incorporation into hair urgently need scientific evaluation. Here we show that neither THC nor THCA-A are incorporated into human hair in relevant amounts after systemic uptake. THC-COOH, which is considered an incontestable proof of THC uptake according to the current scientific doctrine, was found in hair, but was also present in older hair segments, which already grew before the oral THC intake and in sebum/sweat samples. Our studies show that all three cannabinoids can be present in hair of non-consuming individuals because of transfer through cannabis consumers, via their hands, their sebum/sweat, or cannabis smoke. This is of concern for e.g. child-custody cases as cannabinoid findings in a child’s hair may be caused by close contact to cannabis consumers rather than by inhalation of side-stream smoke.
Design, Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship Optimization of Lycorine Derivatives for HCV Inhibition
Authors: Chen Duozhi , Cai Jieyun , Cheng Junjun , Jing Chenxu , Yin Junlin , Jiang Jiandong , Peng Zonggen , Hao Xiaojiang
Published: October 2015

Lycorine is reported to be a multifunctional compound. We previously showed that lycorine is an HCV inhibitor with strong activity. Further research on the antivirus mechanism indicated that lycorine does not affect the enzymes that are indispensable to HCV replication but suppresses the expression of Hsc70 in the host cell to limit HCV replication. However, due to the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction of lycorine, lycorine is unsafe to be a anti-HCV agent for clinical application. As a result of increasing interest, its structure was optimized for the first time and a novel series of lycorine derivatives was synthesized, all of which lost their cytotoxicity to different degrees. Structure-activity analysis of these compounds revealed that disubstitution on the free hydroxyl groups at C1 and C2 and/or degradation of the benzodioxole group would markedly reduce the cytotoxicity. Furthermore, an α, β-unsaturated ketone would improve the HCV inhibitory activity of lycorine. The C3-C4 double bond is crucial to the anti-HCV activity because hydrogenation of this double bond clearly weakened HCV inhibition.
Rhesus monkey model of liver disease reflecting clinical disease progression and hepatic gene expression analysis
Authors: Wang Hong , Tan Tao , Wang Junfeng , Niu Yuyu , Yan Yaping , Guo Xiangyu , Kang Yu , Duan Yanchao , Chang Shaohui , Liao Jianpeng , Si Chenyang , Ji Weizhi , Si Wei
Published: October 2015

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a significant public health issue with heavy medical and economic burdens. The aetiology of ALD is not yet completely understood. The development of drugs and therapies for ALD is hampered by a lack of suitable animal models that replicate both the histological and metabolic features of human ALD. Here, we characterize a rhesus monkey model of alcohol-induced liver steatosis and hepatic fibrosis that is compatible with the clinical progression of the biochemistry and pathology in humans with ALD. Microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression was conducted to identify potential molecular signatures of ALD progression. The up-regulation of expression of hepatic genes related to liver steatosis (CPT1A, FASN, LEPR, RXRA, IGFBP1, PPARGC1A and SLC2A4) was detected in our rhesus model, as was the down-regulation of such genes (CYP7A1, HMGCR, GCK and PNPLA3) and the up-regulation of expression of hepatic genes related to liver cancer (E2F1, OPCML, FZD7, IGFBP1 and LEF1). Our results demonstrate that this ALD model reflects the clinical disease progression and hepatic gene expression observed in humans. These findings will be useful for increasing the understanding of ALD pathogenesis and will benefit the development of new therapeutic procedures and pharmacological reagents for treating ALD.
Food Sources of Calcium Vary by Ethnicity and Geography
Authors: Willows Noreen
Published: October 2015

Sources of dietary calcium vary worldwide. Dairy is included in European, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines; however, it is not a part of traditional Polynesian cuisines, nonpastoral African cuisines, the cuisines of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, or most Asian cuisines. Westernization has resulted in increased dairy intake among many ethnic groups that did not historically consume it. Although dairy is often the top source of calcium where it is consumed, it does not always provide the majority of calcium in the diet and other sources of calcium are required for adequacy. Nondairy contributors of calcium in Asia include grains, vegetables, legumes, and fish with edible bones. Soups made with vinegar-soaked bones and preserved eggs may be important to the calcium nutrition of postpartum women. In Africa, wild greens and insects contribute calcium to the diet. In some Latin American countries, tortillas prepared using flour from corn kernels soaked in calcium hydroxide contribute to calcium nutrition. To widen our understanding of calcium nutrition increased knowledge of the calcium contribution of nondairy food sources like insects, wild greens and Asian soups is required.
Calcium Availability in Specific Foods: Milk and Dairy Products, Legumes, Vegetables, Cereals, Baked Goods and Cooked Meals
Authors: Aguilar Vilas Mª Victorina
Published: October 2015

Calcium is an essential nutrient and it is present in varying amounts in foods of animal and plant origin; meat, fish and fruit have low calcium content, whereas dairy products, cereals, vegetables and legumes provide more than 90% of calcium intake in Western countries. Unfortunately, humans are not able to absorb all the calcium they ingest because some foodstuffs also contain antinutrients that decrease its bioavailability. However, other compounds, such as lactose or certain organic acids, enhance calcium absorption. Knowledge of the effect of these compounds on calcium bioavailability is important in order to formulate strategies for optimizing the absorption of ingested calcium and to establish dietary recommendations based on the eating habits of different population groups.
Vitamin D and Impact on Total-Body Calcium
Authors: Morris Howard A.
Published: October 2015

Calcium is an essential daily nutrient. Critical functions of life are dependent on narrow concentration limits for plasma calcium, which is subject to obligatory losses from the body requiring a complex homeostatic mechanism and a daily nutrient intake. Stringent regulation of plasma calcium homeostasis is maintained by an intricate pathway of agents for which the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-diydroxyvitamin D, is one component. Ninety nine per cent of total body calcium is present in the skeleton. One of its functions is as a store of body calcium. Vitamin D exerts activities as an endocrine agent at the intestine, kidney and bone tissues and as an autocrine/paracrine agent within bone tissue to both stimulate bone mineral resorption and inhibit bone formation or to inhibit bone resorption and stimulate bone formation. These activities are coordinated by a range of regulatory factors to maintain plasma calcium homeostasis with secondary effects on bone-mineral status.
Using Fluorescent Polyanions to Assay for Osteoclastic Calcium-Resorption Activity
Authors: Miyazaki Tatsuya , Suzuki Osamu
Published: October 2015

To analyze the bone resorption activity of osteoclast, pit assay is principally performed. The assay measures the calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) resorption in vitro, using dentin slices or calcium-phosphate-coated plate. However, it requires trained techniques and time-consuming pit image analysis, and at present there is no alternative easy method for evaluating calciumphosphate resorption. In this chapter, we described a novel approach to quantify the bone resorption activity using a calcium-phosphate labeled with fluorescent polyanion such as chondroitin sulfate or deoxyribonucleic acid. When preosteoclasts were cultured on calcium phosphate coated with fluorescent polyanion under the induction of osteoclast differentiation, a dramatic increase of fluorescence intensity was observed accompanied by the increase of the pit area. Since calcein coating revealed no increase, the long polymer and strong negative charge are thought to be required for tight binding to the calcium-phosphate minerals. The drugs for osteoporosis treatment, such as bisphosphonate inhibited fluorescein release correlated well with the decrease of the pit area. This new method using fluorescent polyanion-labeled calcium phosphate could be a standardized useful assay method evaluating bone resorption activity, which is used as an alternative method for the traditional pit assay.
Bioaccessibility of Calcium in Legumes
Authors: Lagarda Mª Jesús , Cilla Antonio , Barberá Reyes
Published: October 2015

A review is made of the studies on calcium bioaccessibility (BA) (fraction of calcium that is released from its food matrix in the gastrointestinal tract and thus becomes available for intestinal absorption) in legumes and the dietetic factors that condition BA. The highest calcium content always corresponds to the raw legumes, with the exception of some germinated products. In general, a decrease in calcium content is observed in the processed legumes (mainly soaking and dehulling). There are few studies on the BA of calcium in legumes. Calcium BA has been estimated by hydrochloric acid or extractability or solubility/dialysis after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Oxalate, phytate, tannins, dietetic fiber and polyphenols are the main antinutritional components that can negatively affect calcium BA. Soaking for different periods of time, dehulling of soaked seeds, cooking and germination have been reported to lower the levels of antinutrients and increase calcium BA. Traditional legume preparation processes (soaking, germination and fermentation) can activate native phytases and substantially degrade phytic acid. Cooking (domestic or industrially) is responsible for a loss of soluble oxalate contents in legumes. Dehulling the germinating legumes is associated with significant enhancement of calcium BA.
Calcium – Function and Effects: Rice Calcium and Phytic Acid Levels
Authors: Liang Jianfen , He Yifan , Gao Qian , Wang Xuan , Nout M. J. Robert
Published: October 2015

Rice is the primary food source for more than half of the world population. Levels of calcium contents and inhibitor – phytic acid are summarized in this chapter. Phytic acid has a very strong chelating ability and it is the main inhibit factor for calcium in rice products. Calcium contents in brown rice varied with varieties and cultivation locations; white rice contains lower levels of calcium than brown rice caused by loss during milling. Levels of calcium in rice products mainly are due to processing and/or materials used. Calcium solubility in rice products can be improved by a decrease or degradation of phytic acid. Calcium and phytic acid distributed unhomogeneous in rice kernel. Most of the calcium locates in the bran part and more than 70% phytic acid locates in less than 8% of the outermost layer of rice kernel. Soaking, germination and treatment with phytase could degrade phytic acid. Calcium nutrition of rice products could be improved by supplementation, fortification and enhancers.
Addition of Calcium to Gluten and Nongluten Flours for Breadmaking
Authors: Krupa-Kozak Urszula
Published: October 2015

The first bread was probably made 10000 years ago. In traditional breadmaking, cereals are milled into flour to make different types of breads. Cereals are a source of well-balanced macro- and micronutrients, including calcium. The technological processing of cereals affects the level of several nutrients and modifies their bioavailability. In the case of gluten-sensitivity disorders, cereals must be eliminated from a diet. This chapter reviews the existing literature concerning the technological and nutritional aspects of calcium in both traditional and gluten-free breadmaking. Additionally, the role and demands of calcium and gluten-related disorders are described.
The Effect of Prebiotics on Calcium Absorption and Utilization
Authors: Jakeman Steven , Weaver Connie
Published: October 2015

Calcium is an essential nutrient that modulates bone, cardiovascular, and other health parameters. Unfortunately, calcium consumption is below recommended intakes worldwide. Increasing calcium absorption efficiency is one strategy for improving calcium nutrition. Prebiotics, carbohydrates that are fermented by bacteria in the large intestine, have been shown to increase calcium-absorption efficiency in humans and animal models. The mechanism that mediates this increase in calcium absorption is still unclear; however, it is theorized that prebiotics and their breakdown products may increase calcium absorption by modifying the colonic lumen, the large intestine itself, or the microbial populations living in the large intestine. Further research elucidating this mechanism is necessary before this prebiotic effect can be fully harnessed.
Health Aspects of Calcium in Drinking Water
Authors: Alturfan A. Ata , Alturfan Ebru Emekli
Published: October 2015

Drinking water has a great importance for human health. Therefore, the content of drinking water has been the subject of many studies for years. The hardness of drinking water, determined by the calcium and magnesium content, is in particular very important for human health. The hardness of water varies significantly in different world regions, which may lead to some different physiological effects. This chapter reviews the effects of the hardness of the drinking water in particular the calcium content on health aspects. However, the studies conducted about the hardness of drinking water mainly focused on the magnesium content. Therefore focusing more on calcium some remarkable points were also indicated about magnesium.
Calcium in Saliva and Impact on Health
Authors: Yarat Aysen , Alturfan Ebru Emekli , Akyuz Serap
Published: October 2015

Saliva is an oral fluid with a protective role in oral health maintenance. Saliva consists of inorganic and organic compounds and calcium is one of the inorganic components. Calcium, which is the fifth most abundant element in the human body, plays a key role in bone mineralization, in addition to its many other biological functions. It plays a crucial role in the physiological function of both excitable and nonexcitable cells. Beneficial effects of saliva are derived from the cleansing action of salivary flow and from interaction and exchange of the chemical constituents between the saliva and the dental enamel. Proteins such as statherin, proline-rich proteins and mucins prevent calcium precipitation and keep the calcium concentration supersaturated in saliva in order to prevent enamel demineralization. Due to its affinity for being easily taken up by plaque, salivary calcium, is an important factor, not only with regard to the onset of periodontitis but also significantly with regard to oral health. In this chapter, the effects of salivary calcium on oral and dental health have been reviewed.
Intestinal Absorption of Calcium
Authors: Stephens Brian R. , Jolliff James S.
Published: October 2015

The absorption of calcium (Ca2+) from the gastrointestinal tract occurs through two distinct routes and is influenced by vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol). The paracellular pathway describes the permeable movement of Ca2+ ions from the intestinal lumen into the blood through tight junctions. In contrast, the transcellular pathway is the sequential movement of Ca2+ ions from the intestinal lumen into the cytoplasm of the enterocyte, transport of apical Ca2+ to the basolateral side of the cell, followed by energy-dependent extrusion into the blood. These complementary pathways work to ensure optimal calcium absorption from the intestine independent of lumenal calcium concentration.
Interaction of Dietary Calcium with Genes of Transporters, Receptors and Enzymes Involved in Cholesterol Metabolism
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Lei Lin , Liu Yuwei , Ma Ka Ying , Chen Jingnan , Jiao Rui , Huang Yu , Chen Zhen-Yu
Published: October 2015

Dietary calcium has been shown to decrease plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, particularly in postmenopausal women who have regularly taken calcium supplement for prevention of osteoporosis. Two possible mechanisms are associated with cholesterol-lowering activity of calcium supplement. First, calcium increases the bile-acid excretion due to its binding interaction with bile acids in the intestine. This is companied by upregulation of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), a key enzyme in converting cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. Secondly, calcium supplement increases the cholesterol excretion, possibly mediated by downregulation of intestinal Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 (NPC1L1) and acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT-2), both of which are responsible for cholesterol absorption.
Bone Health: The Independent and Combined Effects of Calcium, Vitamin D and Exercise in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Vlachopoulos Dimitris , Gracia-Marco Luis , Barker Alan R. , Huybrechts Inge , Moreno Luis A. , Mouratidou Theodora
Published: October 2015

Early childhood and adolescence is considered the most important period for bone-mass optimization. Calcium, vitamin D and exercise play an important role on bone development during growth. In this chapter, we address the independent and combined effects of calcium and vitamin D and exercise on bone health in children and adolescents. Current research in this population indicates that both calcium and vitamin D intakes have a synergistic effect on bone mass and that adequate levels are necessary for normal bone mineralization. In addition, weight-bearing exercise has been shown to be a strong and positive predictor of bone health with evidence suggesting that its effect is enhanced when combined with adequate calcium and vitamin D intakes. While calcium, vitamin D and exercise are considered important modifiable factors of bone development, there is a need for further investigation on the interactions of these factors in order to improve bone development during the period of growth.
Biomedical applications of nano-titania in theranostics and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Rehman F. U. , Zhao C. , Jiang H. , Wang X.
Published: October 2015

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most abundantly used nanomaterials for human life. It is used in sunscreen, photovoltaic devices, biomedical applications and as a food additive and environmental scavenger.
Uniform decoration of Pt nanoparticles on well-defined CdSe tetrapods and the effect of their Pt cluster size on photocatalytic H2generation
Authors: Sung Younghun , Lim Jaehoon , Koh Jai Hyun , Hill Lawrence J. , Min Byoung Koun , Pyun Jeffrey , Char Kookheon
Published: October 2015

Direct decoration of Pt nanoparticles onto CdSe tetrapods with controlled sizes and their photocatalytic H2generation efficiency.
Characterization of molecular association of poly(2-oxazoline)s-based micelles with various epoxides and diols via the Flory–Huggins theory: a molecular dynamics simulation approach
Authors: Chun Byeong Jae , Lu Jie , Weck Marcus , Jang Seung Soon
Published: October 2015

The hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides has been performed in a shell-crosslinked micellar consisting of amphiphilic triblock copolymers based on poly(2-oxazline)s with Co(iii)-salens at the micelle core.
On the origin of preferred bicarbonate production from carbon dioxide (CO2) capture in aqueous 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP)
Authors: Stowe Haley M. , Vilčiauskas Linas , Paek Eunsu , Hwang Gyeong S.
Published: October 2015

The strong interaction between AMP and H2O is found to promote bicarbonate production while suppressing carbamate formation.
Synthesis, crystal structure, optical and thermal properties of lanthanide hydrogen-polyphosphates Ln[H(PO3)4] (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho)
Authors: Förg Katharina , Höppe Henning A.
Published: October 2015

Lanthanide hydrogen-polyphosphates Ln[H(PO3)4] (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho) as well as Dy[H(PO3)4]:M (M = Ce, Eu) were synthesised as colourless (Ln = Tb, Dy) and light pink (Ln = Ho) crystalline powders by reaction of Tb4O7/Dy2O3/Ho2O3 with H3PO3 at 380 °C.
Mechanistic features of the copper-free Sonogashira reaction from ESI-MS
Authors: Ahmadi Zohrab , Yunker Lars P. E. , Oliver Allen G. , McIndoe J. Scott
Published: October 2015

Continuous mass spectrometric monitoring of the copper-free Sonogashira reaction reveals acceleration by stronger bases and deuterated methanol solvent.
A copper-based layered coordination polymer: synthesis, magnetic properties and electrochemical performance in supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Qi , Liu Xiuxiu , Shi Changdong , Zhang Yanpeng , Feng Xuejun , Cheng Mei-Ling , Su Seng , Gu Jiande
Published: October 2015

A layered copper-based coordination polymer ([Cu(hmt)(tfbdc)(H2O)], Cu-LCP) has been synthesized, which shows ferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent copper(ii) ions and an excellent capacitive performance in supercapacitors.
Complexes of (η6-benzene)ruthenium(ii) with 1,4-bis(phenylthio/seleno-methyl)-1,2,3-triazoles: synthesis, structure and applications in catalytic activation of oxidation and transfer hydrogenation
Authors: Saleem Fariha , Rao Gyandshwar K. , Kumar Satyendra , Singh Mahabir Pratap , Singh Ajai K.
Published: October 2015

1,4-Bis(phenylthio/seleno methyl)-1,2,3-triazoles (L1–L4) synthesized by a ‘Click’ reaction form complexes [(η6-C6H6)RuClL]PF6 (L = L1–L4) suitable as catalyst for oxidation/transfer hydrogenation.
Straightforward synthesis of iron cyclopentadienone N-heterocyclic carbene complexes
Authors: Cingolani Andrea , Cesari Cristiana , Zacchini Stefano , Zanotti Valerio , Cassani Maria Cristina , Mazzoni Rita
Published: October 2015

Silver–NHC transmetallation to iron complexes leads to a novel class of easily prepared iron NHC complexes.
The effect of sequence context on the activity of cytosine DNA glycosylases
Authors: Kimber Scott T. , Brown Tom , Fox Keith R.
Published: October 2015

We have examined how sequence context affects the ability of (N204D:L272A) mutants of uracil DNA glycosylase to cleave CX mismatches.
A novel robust quantitative Förster resonance energy transfer assay for protease SENP2 kinetics determination against its all natural substrates
Authors: Liu Yan , Shen Yali , Zheng Shasha , Liao Jiayu
Published: October 2015

SUMOylation (the process of adding the SUMO [small ubiquitin-like modifier] to substrates) is an important post-translational modification of critical proteins in multiple processes. The kinetics parameters of pre-SUMO1-3 by its protease SENP2 is determined by a quantitative FRET assay in real time.
Gold oxyfluorides, Au(OF)n (n = 1–6): novel superhalogens with oxyfluoride ligands
Authors: Srivastava Ambrish Kumar , Misra Neeraj
Published: October 2015

In Au(OF)n neutral and anionic species, the highest stabilized oxidation state is limited to +4.
The excitonic photoluminescence mechanism and lasing action in band-gap-tunable CdS1−xSex nanostructures
Authors: Dai Jun , Zhou Pengxia , Lu Junfeng , Zheng Hongge , Guo Jiyuan , Wang Fang , Gu Ning , Xu Chunxiang
Published: October 2015

We fabricated CdS1−xSex nanobelts with their band-gap ranging from 2.4 to 1.74 eV, and excitonic photoluminescence and lasing were systematically investigated.
Thermal control of ionic transport and fluid flow in nanofluidic channels
Authors: Taghipoor Mojtaba , Bertsch Arnaud , Renaud Philippe
Published: October 2015

A thermal gate is an effective and fast mechanism for modulating the ionic transport in nanofluidic channels.
Correction: Stereoselective synthesis of the head group of archaeal phospholipid PGP-Me to investigate bacteriorhodopsin–lipid interactions
Authors: Cui Jin , Kawatake Satoshi , Umegawa Yuichi , Lethu Sébastien , Yamagami Masaki , Matsuoka Shigeru , Sato Fuminori , Matsumori Nobuaki , Murata Michio
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Stereoselective synthesis of the head group of archaeal phospholipid PGP-Me to investigate bacteriorhodopsin–lipid interactions’ by Jin Cui, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01252j.
Switchable glucose-responsive volume phase transition behavior of poly(phenylboronic acid) microgels
Authors: Zhou Mingming , Lu Fan , Jiang Xiaomei , Wu Qingshi , Chang Aiping , Wu Weitai
Published: October 2015

We report a poly(phenylboronic acid) microgel that can display switchable glucose-responsive volume phase transition behavior with temperature as a trigger.
A comprehensive review on biodiesel cold flow properties and oxidation stability along with their improvement processes
Authors: Monirul I. M. , Masjuki H. H. , Kalam M. A. , Zulkifli N. W. M. , Rashedul H. K. , Rashed M. M. , Imdadul H. K. , Mosarof M. H.
Published: October 2015

Biodiesel, which comprises fatty acid esters, is derived from different sources, such as vegetable oils from palm, sunflower, soybean, canola, Jatropha, and cottonseed sources, animal fats, and waste cooking oil.
Evaluation of the interactions between rosmarinic acid and bovine milk casein
Authors: Ferraro Vincenza , Madureira Ana Raquel , Fonte Pedro , Sarmento Bruno , Gomes Ana M. , Pintado Manuela E.
Published: October 2015

Non-covalent interactions occur between rosmarinic acid and caseins.
Capsisteroids A–F, withanolides from the leaves of Solanum capsicoides
Authors: Chen Bo-Wei , Chen Yang-Yih , Lin You-Cheng , Huang Chiung-Yao , Uvarani Chokkalingam , Hwang Tsong-Long , Chiang Michael Y. , Liu Ho-Yih , Sheu Jyh-Horng
Published: October 2015

A known withanolide steroid cilistol G (1) and six new withanolides, capsisteroids A–F (2–7), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the leaves of Solanum capsicoides.
Label-free detection of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide based on ligation-triggered exonuclease III-assisted signal amplification
Authors: Zhao Haiyan , Wang Lei , Liu Xingti , Gao Zhiyue , Jiang Wei
Published: October 2015

Schematic illustration of the Exo III-assisted amplification strategy for NAD+detection.
1-Hexanol triggered structural characterization of the worm-like micelle to vesicle transitions in cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate solutions
Authors: Patel Vijay , Ray Debes , Singh Kulbir , Abezgauz Ludmila , Marangoni Gerrard , Aswal Vinod K. , Bahadur P.
Published: October 2015

Incorporation of 1-hexanol close to the palisade layer of CTAT micelles favors transition of worm-like micelles to vesicular structuresviaformation of elongated worm-like micelles.
Optimization of the real-time control strategy in petroleum-refining catalyst production wastewater treatment with shortcut nitrification
Authors: Ma Tianqi , Guo Shaohui , Guo Zhihui , Zhu Qiushi , Chen Jinfu
Published: October 2015

Indicated high pH benefits the accuracy of real-time control strategy, explained why DO as a control parameter is unreliable.
Exchange-coupled SmCo5/Co nanocomposites synthesized by a novel strategy
Authors: Ma Zhenhui , Zhang Tianli , Jiang Chengbao
Published: October 2015

SmCo5/Co nanocomposites with exchange-coupling are synthesized by a reverse design where Co is decomposed from SmCo5 nanoparticles by hydrogen disproportionation process to fabricate two-phase nanocomposites.
Influence of water on the retention of methyl tertiary-butyl ether by high silica ZSM-5 and Y zeolites: a multidisciplinary study on the adsorption from liquid and gas phase
Authors: Martucci A. , Braschi I. , Bisio C. , Sarti E. , Rodeghero E. , Bagatin R. , Pasti L.
Published: October 2015

Ambient temperature adsorption isotherms have been determined for methyltert-butyl ether (MTBE) in aqueous solutions on high silica ZSM-5 and Y zeolites which differ from each other in framework topology and pore window apertures.
A turn-on fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells
Authors: Zhao Miao , Li Hua , Li Hui , Qiao Qinglong , Cao Cheng , Xu Zhaochao
Published: October 2015

Herein, we described a probe for H2S detection based on the reduction of azide to amine. This probe was highly sensitive and selective toward H2S and successfully applied for H2S fluorescent imaging in living cells.
Layer-by-layer deposition of CNT− and CNT+ hybrid films for platinum free counters electrodes of dye-sensitized-solar-cells
Authors: Al-bahrani Majid Raissan , Ahmad Waqar , Ruan Shi-Sen , Yang Zhichun , Cheng Ze , Gao Yihua
Published: October 2015

A nanocomposite film of polyaniline blend poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)/MWCNT and poly (diallydimethyl ammonium chloride)/MWCNT has been prepared as a highly-efficient catalytic material for the counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell.
Adsorption of EDTA onto calcium oxalate monohydrate
Authors: He Junbin , Lin Rihui , Li He , Long Han , Xuan Jincai , He Chaohong , Lan Yurong
Published: October 2015

Effects of contact time (A) and temperature (B) for the adsorption of EDTA onto CaOx monohydrate crystals.
Redox-active cationic organoiron complex: a promising lead structure for developing antimicrobial agents with activity against Gram-positive pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Abd-El-Aziz Alaa S. , Agatemor Christian , Etkin Nola , Overy David P. , Kerr Russell G.
Published: October 2015

A redox-active, cationic organoiron complexes active against multidrug-resistant strain of Gram-positive bacteria is presented as a potential new lead structure for the design of antimicrobial agents.
Manganese dioxide nanoparticles incorporated within ionic liquid derived fibrillated mesoporous carbon: electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Kazemi Sayed Habib , Karimi Babak , Fashi Armin , Behzadnia Hesam , Vali Hojatollah
Published: October 2015

This article is the first example of the incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles within ionic liquid derived nano-fibrillated mesoporous carbon (IFMC), as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications.
Engineering soft magnetic properties by doping ions in low-fired M-type hexaferrite with Bi–Co–Ti substitution
Authors: Bai Yang , Zhang Wenjie , Qiao Lijie , Cao Jiangli
Published: October 2015

M-type hexaferrite with appropriate Co, Ti and Bi co-doping has excellent soft magnetic properties in a very high frequency range and can be sintered at low temperatures.
Viscoelastic polymer flows and elastic turbulence in three-dimensional porous structures
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan , Lyons Kyle , Howe Andrew M. , Clarke Andrew
Published: October 2015

NMR measurement of anomalous diffusion has been used to detect trapped oil-ganglia fluctuations in a complex porous 3D system.
Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of two-dimensional benzodithiophene-thiophene copolymers with pendent rational naphtho[1,2-c:5,6-c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole side chains
Authors: Xu Xiaopeng , Feng Kui , Li Kai , Peng Qiang
Published: October 2015

Rational molecular design of the conjugated side chains and the solvent vapour annealing method were employed in this work to develop high performance two-dimensional copolymer donors and their efficient polymer solar cells.
Impact of confining 3-D polymer networks on dynamics of bacterial ingress and self-organisation
Authors: Truong Vi Khanh , Mainwaring David E. , Murugaraj Pandiyan , Nguyen Duy H. K. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: October 2015

Alignment of microbial colonies along with polymeric cell wall.
VID22 is required for transcriptional activation of the PSD2 gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Miyata Non , Miyoshi Takuya , Yamaguchi Takanori , Nakazono Toshimitsu , Tani Motohiro , Kuge Osamu
Published: October 2015

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is synthesized through decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine (PS), catalysed by PS decarboxylase 1 (Psd1p) and 2 (Psd2p) and the cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP)-ethanolamine (CDP-Etn) pathway. PSD1 null (psd1Δ) and PSD2 null (psd2Δ) mutants are viable in a synthetic minimal medium, but a psd1Δ psd2Δ double mutant exhibits Etn auxotrophy, which is incorporated into PE through the CDP-Etn pathway. We have previously shown that psd1Δ is synthetic lethal with deletion of VID22 (vid22Δ) [Kuroda et al. (2011) Mol. Microbiol. 80, 248–265]. In the present study, we found that vid22Δ mutant exhibits Etn auxotrophy under PSD1-depressed conditions. Deletion of VID22 in wild-type and PSD1-depressed cells caused partial defects in PE formation through decarboxylation of PS. The enzyme activity of PS decarboxylase in an extract of vid22Δ cells was ∼70% of that in wild-type cells and similar to that in psd2Δ cells and the PS decarboxylase activity remaining in the PSD1-depressed cells became almost negligible with deletion of VID22. Thus, the vid22Δ mutation was suggested to cause a defect in the Psd2p activity. Furthermore, vid22Δ cells were shown to be defective in expression of the PSD2 gene tagged with 6×HA, the defect being ameliorated by replacement of the native promoter of the PSD2 gene with a CYC1 promoter. In addition, an α-galactosidase reporter assay revealed that the activity of the promoter of the PSD2 gene in vid22Δ cells was ∼5% of that in wild-type cells. These results showed that VID22 is required for transcriptional activation of the PSD2 gene.
Delay estimation and multipath resistance potential accuracy of continuous phase modulation signals
Authors: Khachaturian Alena B. , Gayvoronsky Dmitry V.
Published: October 2015

Several continuous phase modulation (CPM) models along with binary phase shift keying (BPSK) are compared as for the signal delay estimate potential accuracy with multipath propagation, spectral resources being tightly limited. Despite of the effects of the multipath interference, the CPM formats remain always superior to the BPSK format at least by 8–10 dB under the worst conditions despite of the effects of the multipath interference, the CPM formats remain always superior to the BPSK format at least by 8–10 dB under the worst conditions.
Finite‐time consensus of multi‐agent system via nonlinear event‐triggered control strategy
Authors: Zhu Yakun , Guan Xinping , Luo Xiaoyuan , Li Shaobao
Published: October 2015

This study investigates the finite‐time consensus problem of leaderless and leader‐following multi‐agent systems. Two novel nonlinear consensus protocols are presented based on event‐driven strategies, which can significantly reduce the communication consumption and the frequency of the controller updates. It is shown that the multi‐agent system can achieve consensus in finite time under the proposed nonlinear consensus protocols. Moreover, the bound of the triggering interval is provided to illustrate that no Zeno behaviour exists. Finally, some simulations are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed consensus protocols.
Intelligent digital redesign for non‐linear systems: observer‐based sampled‐data fuzzy control approach
Authors: Bum Koo Geun , Bae Park Jin , Hoon Joo Young
Published: October 2015

In this study, an intelligent digital redesign (IDR) technique is proposed for an observer‐based sampled‐data fuzzy controller of non‐linear systems. By using a Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model, the pre‐designed analog and sampled‐data fuzzy controllers are supposed, and these discretised closed‐loop systems are obtained, respectively. Based on the IDR problem, the authors guarantee both stability and state‐matching conditions. Unlike the previous techniques, the proposed IDR not only improves the state‐matching performance using the state‐matching error cost function, but is also derived in the strict linear matrix inequality format. In a numerical example, the effectiveness of the proposed technique and the results of the improved performance are shown.
Adaptive technique‐based distributed fault estimation observer design for multi‐agent systems with directed graphs
Authors: Zhang Ke , Jiang Bin , Cocquempot Vincent
Published: October 2015

In this study, under the directed communication topology, an adaptive observer‐based distributed fault estimation observer (DFEO) is studied with the use of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) for multi‐agent systems. Firstly, for each agent, a corresponding fault estimation observer is constructed based on their relative output estimation errors. To consider DFEO design from an overall perspective, the whole error dynamics is obtained by defining global error vectors. Then an adaptive technique‐based DFEO design is proposed for multi‐agent systems with directed communication topology. Moreover, the proposed design can be represented with LMIs to establish a systematic design procedure. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design techniques.
Mapping filtered forwarding control for non‐linear systems with input saturation
Authors: Zhang Xu , Huang Xianlin , Lu Hongqian
Published: October 2015

Mapping filtered forwarding control as a novel method has been provided for controlling high‐order non‐linear systems in strict‐feedback form, whereas control input saturation in the practical applications has not been taken into account yet by this technique. In the proposed work, an n ‐dimensional strict‐feedback non‐linear system in the presence of input saturation is mainly considered as the research object, and an effective control algorithm is developed. By employing a well‐defined hyperbolic tangent function to approximate the saturation, the initial plant can be transformed into a standard system with a smooth input non‐linearity, and a bounded unknown disturbance arising from the approximation error. Unlike fuzzy or neural network control schemes for the systems with input saturation, the developed controllers do not require fuzzy logic systems or RBF networks to approximate the given function on a compact space. The benefit of the proposed algorithm lies in its direct design and controller modularisation for real‐time applications. A magnetic levitation system is used to demonstrate the designing procedures and controller performance, and a comparison with the system without considering input saturation is made through numerical simulations.
Decentralised H ∞ fuzzy filter for non‐linear large‐scale systems under imperfect premise matching
Authors: Kim Ho Jun , Park Jin Bae , Joo Young Hoon
Published: October 2015

This study presents a decentralised H ∞ filter design problem for non‐linear large‐scale systems that are represented based on the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model. To enhance the design flexibility of the fuzzy filter for non‐linear large‐scale systems, the imperfect premise matching problem is adopted in the filter design procedure. In the sense of fuzzy Lyapunov, sufficient conditions for both asymptotic stability of the error system and a prescribed level of the H ∞ norm are ensured to guarantee the H ∞ fuzzy filter performance. The sufficient conditions are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which can be solved efficiently using convex optimisation algorithms. Finally, simulation examples are provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Submodels of model of nonlinear diffusion in the inhomogeneous medium involving absorption
Authors: Chirkunov Yu. A.
Published: October 2015

We study the five-parameter model, describing the process of nonlinear diffusion in an inhomogeneous medium in the presence of absorption, for which the differential equation of the model admits a continuous Lie group of transformations, acting on the set of its solutions. We found six submodels of the original model of nonlinear diffusion, with different symmetry properties. Of these six submodels, the five submodels with transient absorption, for which the absorption coefficient depends on time according to a power law, represent the greatest interest with a mathematical point of view and with the point of view of physical applications. For each of these nonlinear submodels, we obtained formulas for producing new solutions that contain arbitrary constants, and we found all invariant submodels. All essentially distinct invariant solutions describing these invariant submodels are found in an explicit form or are reduced to finding the solution of nonlinear integral equations. The presence of the arbitrary constants in the integral equations that determine these solutions provide new opportunities for analytical and numerical study of boundary value problems for the received submodels and, thus, for the original model of nonlinear diffusion. For the received invariant submodels, we studied diffusion processes for which at the initial moment of the time at a fixed point is specified as a concentration and its gradient or as a concentration and its velocity. Solving of boundary value problems describing these processes is reduced to the solving of nonlinear integral equations. We established the existence and uniqueness of solutions of these boundary value problems under some additional conditions. The obtained results can be used to study the diffusion of substances, diffusion of conduction electrons and other particles, diffusion of physical fields and propagation of heat in inhomogeneous medium, and also to study a turbulence (Leith model, differential approximation to wave turbulence).
Electron-scale dissipative electrostatic solitons in multi-species plasmas
Authors: Sultana S. , Kourakis I.
Published: October 2015

The linear and nonlinear properties of small-amplitude electron-acoustic solitary waves are investigated via the fluid dynamical approach. A three-component plasma is considered, composed of hot electrons, cold electrons, and ions (considered stationary at the scale of interest). A dissipative (wave damping) effect is assumed due to electron-neutral collisions. The background (hot) electrons are characterized by an energetic (excessively superthermal) population and are thus modeled via a κ-type nonthermal distribution. The linear characteristics of electron-acoustic excitations are discussed, for different values of the plasma parameters (superthermality index κ and cold versus hot electron population concentration β). Large wavelengths (beyond a threshold value) are shown to be overdamped. The reductive perturbation technique is used to derive a dissipative Korteweg de-Vries (KdV) equation for small-amplitude electrostatic potential disturbances. These are expressed by exact solutions in the form of dissipative solitary waves, whose dynamics is investigated analytically and numerically. Our results should be useful in elucidating the behavior of space and experimental plasmas characterized by a coexistence of electron populations at different temperatures, where electron-neutral collisions are of relevance.
Fluid vs. kinetic magnetic reconnection with strong guide fields
Authors: Stanier A. , Simakov Andrei N. , Chacón L. , Daughton W.
Published: October 2015

The fast rates of magnetic reconnection found in both nature and experiments are important to understand theoretically. Recently, it was demonstrated that two-fluid magnetic reconnection remains fast in the strong guide field regime, regardless of the presence of fast-dispersive waves. This conclusion is in agreement with recent results from kinetic simulations, and is in contradiction to the findings in an earlier two-fluid study, where it was suggested that fast-dispersive waves are necessary for fast reconnection. In this paper, we give a more detailed derivation of the analytic model presented in a recent letter and present additional simulation results to support the conclusions that the magnetic reconnection rate in this regime is independent of both collisional dissipation and system-size. In particular, we present a detailed comparison between fluid and kinetic simulations, finding good agreement in both the reconnection rate and overall length of the current layer. Finally, we revisit the earlier two-fluid study, which arrived at different conclusions, and suggest an alternative interpretation for the numerical results presented therein.
Resting state of the human proton channel dimer in a lipid bilayer
Authors: Li Qufei , Shen Rong , Treger Jeremy S. , Wanderling Sherry S. , Milewski Wieslawa , Siwowska Klaudia , Bezanilla Francisco , Perozo Eduardo
Published: October 2015

Significance

The human proton channel hHv1 is responsible for the extrusion protons during a series of important physiological events with clinical relevance. Yet, the mechanistic details underlying voltage-dependent gating, ion selectivity, and cooperativity between homodimers remain to be determined. We carried out a structural characterization of hHv1 in a lipid bilayer using spectroscopic methods and revealed a strongly focused electric field across its putative selectivity filter. In combination with computational methods, we showed that the recently determined crystal structure of CiVSD-WT is the best structural template for dimeric hHv1, and constructed a full-length model of dimeric hHv1 with spectroscopic constraints. We proposed an explicit mechanism for hHv1 gating with functional predictions according to the one-click model recently established in CiVSD.