bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition metal-free intramolecular regioselective couplings of aliphatic and aromatic C-H bonds
Authors: Tian Hua , Yang Haijun , Zhu Changjin , Fu Hua
Published: January 2016

Cross-dehydrogenative couplings of two different C-H bonds have emerged as an attractive goal in organic synthesis. However, achieving regioselective C-H activation is a great challenge because C-H bonds are ubiquitous in organic compounds. Actually, the regioselective couplings promoted by enzymes are a common occurrence in nature. Herein, we have developed simple, efficient and general transition metal-free intramolecular couplings of alphatic and aromatic C-H bonds. The protocol uses readily available aryl triazene as the radical initiator, cheap K2S2O8 as the oxidant and the couplings were performed well with excellent tolerance of functional groups. Interestingly, α-carbon configuration of some amino acid residues in the substrates was kept after the reactions and the couplings for substrates with substituted phenylalanine residues exhibited complete β-carbon diastereoselectivity for induction of the chiral α-carbon. Therefore, the present study should provide a novel strategy for regioselective cross-dehydrogenative couplings of two different C-H bonds.
A Reliable Hybrid Adsorbent for Efficient Radioactive Cesium Accumulation from Contaminated Wastewater
Authors: Awual Md. Rabiul , Yaita Tsuyoshi , Miyazaki Yuji , Matsumura Daiju , Shiwaku Hideaki , Taguchi Tomitsugu
Published: January 2016

Cesium (Cs) removal from nuclear liquid wastewater has become an emerging issue for safeguarding public health after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. A novel macrocyclic ligand of o-benzo-p-xylyl-22-crown-6-ether (OBPX22C6) was developed and successfully immobilized onto mesoporous silica for the preparation of hybrid adsorbent. The benzene ring π electron is the part of crown ether of OBPX22C6 for easy orientation of the macrocyclic compound for making the π electron donation with Cs complexation. The potential and feasibility of the hybrid adsorbent as being Cs selective was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and reusability. The results clarified that the Cs removal process was rapid and reached saturation within a short time. Considering the effect of competitive ions, sodium (Na) did not markedly affect the Cs adsorption whereas potassium (K) was slightly affected due to the similar ionic radii. However, the oxygen in long ethylene glycol chain in OBPX22C6 was expected to show strong coordination, including Cs-π interaction with Cs even in the presence of the high amount of K and Na. Due to its high selectivity and reusability, significant volume reduction is expected as this promising hybrid adsorbent is used for Cs removal in Fukushima wastewater.
Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated curl-like porous carbons for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Lou Bih-Show , Veerakumar Pitchaimani , Chen Shen-Ming , Veeramani Vediyappan , Madhu Rajesh , Liu Shang-Bin
Published: January 2016

The synthesis of highly dispersed and stable ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs; ca. 2–3 nm) on porous activated carbons derived from Moringa Oleifera fruit shells (MOC) is reported and were exploited for supercapacitor applications. The Ru/MOC composites so fabricated using the biowaste carbon source and ruthenium acetylacetonate as the co-feeding metal precursors were activated at elevated temperatures (600–900 oC) in the presence of ZnCl2 as the pore generating and chemical activating agent. The as-prepared MOC carbonized at 900 oC was found to possess a high specific surface area (2522 m2 g−1) and co-existing micro- and mesoporosities. Upon incorporating RuNPs, the Ru/MOC nanocomposites loaded with modest amount of metallic Ru (1.0–1.5 wt%) exhibit remarkable electrochemical and capacitive properties, achiving a maximum capacitance of 291 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in 1.0 M H2SO4 electrolyte. These highly stable and durable Ru/MOC electrodes, which can be facily fabricated by the eco-friendly and cost-effective route, should have great potentials for practical applications in energy storage, biosensing and catalysis.
Direct flow cytometry measurements reveal a fine-tuning of symbiotic cell dynamics according to the host developmental needs in aphid symbiosis
Authors: Simonet Pierre , Duport Gabrielle , Gaget Karen , Weiss-Gayet Michèle , Colella Stefano , Febvay Gérard , Charles Hubert , Viñuelas José , Heddi Abdelaziz , Calevro Federica
Published: January 2016

Endosymbiotic associations constitute a driving force in the ecological and evolutionary diversification of metazoan organisms. Little is known about whether and how symbiotic cells are coordinated according to host physiology. Here, we use the nutritional symbiosis between the insect pest, Acyrthosiphon pisum and its obligate symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, as a model system. We have developed a novel approach for unculturable bacteria, based on flow cytometry and used this method to estimate the absolute numbers of symbionts at key stages of aphid life. The endosymbiont population increases exponentially throughout nymphal development, showing a growing rate which has never been characterized by indirect molecular techniques. Using histology and imaging techniques, we have shown that the endosymbiont-bearing cells (bacteriocytes) increase significantly in number and size during the nymphal development and clustering in the insect abdomen. Once adulthood is reached and the laying period has begun, the dynamics of symbiont and host cells is reversed: the number of endosymbionts decreases progressively and the bacteriocyte structure degenerates during insect aging. In summary, these results show a coordination of the cellular dynamics between bacteriocytes and primary symbionts and reveal a fine-tuning of aphid symbiotic cells to the nutritional demand imposed by the host physiology throughout development.
In situ targeting TEM8 via immune response and polypeptide recognition by wavelength-modulated surface plasmon resonance biosensor
Authors: Wang Yimin , Luo Zewei , Liu Kunping , Wang Jie , Duan Yixiang
Published: January 2016

There is an increasing interest in real-time and in situ monitoring of living cell activities in life science and medicine. This paper reports a whole cell sensing protocol over the interface of Au film coupled in a wavelength-modulated surface plasmon resonance (WMSPR) biosensor. With dual parabolic mirrors integrated in the sensor, the compact and miniaturized instrument shows satisfactory refractive index sensitivity (2220 nm/RIU) and a high resolution of resonance wavelength shift of 0.3 nm to liquid samples. The affinity interactions between the biomarker of human tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) and antibody (Ab) or specific polypeptide (PEP) were firstly introduced to WMSPR biosensor analysis. Both the interaction events of Ab-cell and PEP-cell over the Au film interface can be recognized by the sensor and the balance time of interactions is about 20 min. The concentration range of Ab for quantitative monitoring of the TEM8 expression on human colon carcinoma SW620 cells was investigated. The present low-cost and time-saving method provides a time resolution of binding specificity between Ab/PEP and TEM8 for real-time analysis of antigen on living tumor cell surface.
GTPase domain driven dimerization of SEPT7 is dispensable for the critical role of septins in fibroblast cytokinesis
Authors: Abbey Megha , Hakim Cosima , Anand Roopsee , Lafera Juri , Schambach Axel , Kispert Andreas , Taft Manuel H. , Kaever Volkhard , Kotlyarov Alexey , Gaestel Matthias , Menon Manoj B.
Published: January 2016

Septin 7 (SEPT7) has been described to be essential for successful completion of cytokinesis in mouse fibroblasts and Sept7-deficiency in fibroblasts constitutively results in multinucleated cells which stop proliferation. Using Sept7flox/floxfibroblasts we generated a cellular system, where the cytokinetic defects of Cre-mediated deletion of the Sept7 gene can be rescued by ectopically expressed doxycycline-inducible wild type SEPT7. Using this system, we analyzed the ability of SEPT7-mutants with alterations in their GTPase domain-dependent dimerization to prevent multinucleation and rescue proliferation. Although biochemical analysis of the mutants demonstrates differences in homo- and/or hetero-polymerization, in GTP-binding and/or GTPase activities, all analyzed mutants were able to rescue the cytokinesis phenotype of Sept7flox/floxfibroblasts associated with Cre-mediated deletion of endogenous Sept7. These findings indicate that the ability of septins to assemble into well-defined SEPT7-dimerization dependent native filaments is dispensable for cytokinesis in fibroblasts and opens the way to search for other mechanisms of the involvement of SEPT7 in cytokinesis.
Microbiome and Biocatalytic Bacteria in Monkey Cup (Nepenthes Pitcher) Digestive Fluid
Authors: Chan Xin-Yue , Hong Kar-Wai , Yin Wai-Fong , Chan Kok-Gan
Published: January 2016

Tropical carnivorous plant, Nepenthes, locally known as “monkey cup”, utilises its pitcher as a passive trap to capture insects. It then secretes enzymes into the pitcher fluid to digest the insects for nutrients acquisition. However, little is known about the microbiota and their activity in its pitcher fluid. Eighteen bacteria phyla were detected from the metagenome study in the Nepenthes pitcher fluid. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the dominant phyla in the Nepenthes pitcher fluid. We also performed culturomics approach by isolating 18 bacteria from the Nepenthes pitcher fluid. Most of the bacterial isolates possess chitinolytic, proteolytic, amylolytic and cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. Fifteen putative chitinase genes were identified from the whole genome analysis on the genomes of the 18 bacteria isolated from Nepenthes pitcher fluid and expressed for chitinase assay. Of these, six clones possessed chitinase activity. In conclusion, our metagenome result shows that the Nepenthes pitcher fluid contains vast bacterial diversity and the culturomic studies confirmed the presence of biocatalytic bacteria within the Nepenthes pitcher juice which may act in symbiosis for the turn over of insects trapped in the Nepenthes pitcher fluid.
Experimental feline enteric coronavirus infection reveals an aberrant infection pattern and shedding of mutants with impaired infectivity in enterocyte cultures
Authors: Desmarets Lowiese M. B. , Vermeulen Ben L. , Theuns Sebastiaan , Conceição-Neto Nádia , Zeller Mark , Roukaerts Inge D. M. , Acar Delphine D. , Olyslaegers Dominique A. J. , Van Ranst Marc , Matthijnssens Jelle , Nauwynck Hans J.
Published: January 2016

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) results from mutations in the viral genome during a common feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) infection. Since many virological and immunological data on FECV infections are lacking, the present study investigated these missing links during experimental infection of three SPF cats with FECV strain UCD. Two cats showed mild clinical signs, faecal shedding of infectious virus from 4 dpi, a cell-associated viraemia at inconsistent time points from 5 dpi, a highly neutralising antibody response from 9 dpi and no major abnormalities in leukocyte numbers. Faecal shedding lasted for 28–56 days, but virus shed during this stage was less infectious in enterocyte cultures and affected by mutations. Remarkably, in the other cat neither clinical signs nor acute shedding were seen, but virus was detected in blood cells from 3 dpi and shedding of non-enterotropic, mutated viruses suddenly occurred from 14 dpi onwards. Neutralising antibodies arose from 21 dpi. Leukocyte numbers were not different compared to the other cats, except for the CD8+regulatory T cells. These data indicate that FECV can infect immune cells even in the absence of intestinal replication and raise the hypothesis that the gradual adaptation to these cells can allow non-enterotropic mutants to arise.
Structure of an E. coli integral membrane sulfurtransferase and its structural transition upon SCN− binding defined by EPR-based hybrid method
Authors: Ling Shenglong , Wang Wei , Yu Lu , Peng Junhui , Cai Xiaoying , Xiong Ying , Hayati Zahra , Zhang Longhua , Zhang Zhiyong , Song Likai , Tian Changlin
Published: January 2016

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-based hybrid experimental and computational approaches were applied to determine the structure of a full-length E. coli integral membrane sulfurtransferase, dimeric YgaP and its structural and dynamic changes upon ligand binding. The solution NMR structures of the YgaP transmembrane domain (TMD) and cytosolic catalytic rhodanese domain were reported recently, but the tertiary fold of full-length YgaP was not yet available. Here, systematic site-specific EPR analysis defined a helix-loop-helix secondary structure of the YagP-TMD monomers using mobility, accessibility and membrane immersion measurements. The tertiary folds of dimeric YgaP-TMD and full-length YgaP in detergent micelles were determined through inter- and intra-monomer distance mapping and rigid-body computation. Further EPR analysis demonstrated the tight packing of the two YgaP second transmembrane helices upon binding of the catalytic product SCN−, which provides insight into the thiocyanate exportation mechanism of YgaP in the E. coli membrane.
Correlation between Hierarchical Structure and Processing Control of Large-area Spray-coated Polymer Solar Cells toward High Performance
Authors: Huang Yu-Ching , Tsao Cheng-Si , Cha Hou-Chin , Chuang Chih-Min , Su Chun-Jen , Jeng U-Ser , Chen Charn-Ying
Published: January 2016

The formation mechanism of a spray-coated film is different from that of a spin-coated film. This study employs grazing incidence small- and wide-angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS and GIWAXS, respectively) quantitatively and systematically to investigate the hierarchical structure and phase-separated behavior of a spray-deposited blend film. The formation of PCBM clusters involves mutual interactions with both the P3HT crystal domains and droplet boundary. The processing control and the formed hierarchical structure of the active layer in the spray-coated polymer/fullerene blend film are compared to those in the spin-coated film. How the different post-treatments, such as thermal and solvent vapor annealing, tailor the hierarchical structure of the spray-coated films is quantitatively studied. Finally, the relationship between the processing control and tailored BHJ structures and the performance of polymer solar cell devices is established here, taking into account the evolution of the device area from 1 × 0.3 and 1 × 1 cm2. The formation and control of the special networks formed by the PCBM cluster and P3HT crystallites, respectively, are related to the droplet boundary. These structures are favorable for the transverse transport of electrons and holes.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging Studies of Fertilized Fish Eggs: In Vivo Monitoring of Egg Growth at the Molecular Level
Authors: Ishigaki Mika , Kawasaki Shoya , Ishikawa Daitaro , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: January 2016

In this work, the growth of fertilized Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) eggs was monitored in vivo at the molecular level using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and NIR imaging. NIR spectra were recorded noninvasively for three major parts of a fertilized medaka egg, the embryonic body, the oil droplets and the yolk, from the first day after fertilization to the day before hatching. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that water, protein and lipid contents in the egg yolk and oil droplets changed significantly just before hatching. The ratio of the characteristic peaks due to proteins and lipids in the second derivative spectra suggested that the relative concentration of proteins to lipids was constant in the egg yolk, while it dramatically increased just before hatching in the oil droplets. Furthermore, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) predicted the hatching possibility on the next day with 100% and 99.3% accuracy for yolk and oil droplets data, respectively. Two types of NIR images were developed in situ using the band intensities of the lipids and proteins in the second derivative spectra. The egg’s protein and lipid content was successfully visualized noninvasively. This technique should enable noninvasive quality testing of fertilized eggs in the future.
The effects of URAT1/SLC22A12 nonfunctional variants,R90H and W258X, on serum uric acid levels and gout/hyperuricemia progression
Authors: Sakiyama Masayuki , Matsuo Hirotaka , Shimizu Seiko , Nakashima Hiroshi , Nakamura Takahiro , Nakayama Akiyoshi , Higashino Toshihide , Naito Mariko , Suma Shino , Hishida Asahi , Satoh Takahiro , Sakurai Yutaka , Takada Tappei , Ichida Kimiyoshi , Ooyama Hiroshi , Shimizu Toru , Shinomiya Nariyoshi
Published: January 2016

Urate transporter 1 (URAT1/SLC22A12), a urate transporter gene, is a causative gene for renal hypouricemia type 1. Among several reported nonsynonymous URAT1 variants, R90H (rs121907896) and W258X (rs121907892) are frequent causative mutations for renal hypouricemia. However, no case-control study has evaluated the relationship between gout and these two variants. Additionally, the effect size of these two variants on serum uric acid (SUA) levels remains to be clarified. Here, 1,993 primary gout patients and 4,902 health examination participants (3,305 males and 1,597 females) were genotyped with R90H and W258X. These URAT1 variants were not observed in any gout cases, while 174 subjects had the URAT1 variant in 2,499 health examination participants, respectively (P = 8.3 × 10−46). Moreover, in 4,902 health examination participants, the URAT1 nonfunctional variants significantly reduce the risk of hyperuricemia (P = 6.7 × 10−19; risk ratio = 0.036 in males). Males, having 1 or 2 nonfunctional variants of URAT1, show a marked decrease of 2.19 or 5.42 mg/dl SUA, respectively. Similarly, females, having 1 or 2 nonfunctional variants, also evidence a decrease of 1.08 or 3.89 mg/dl SUA, respectively. We show that URAT1 nonfunctional variants are protective genetic factors for gout/hyperuricemia and also demonstrated the sex-dependent effect size of these URAT1 variants on SUA (P for interaction = 1.5 × 10−12).
Direct Experimental Evidence for Differing Reactivity Alterations of Minerals following Irradiation: The Case of Calcite and Quartz
Authors: Pignatelli Isabella , Kumar Aditya , Field Kevin G. , Wang Bu , Yu Yingtian , Le Pape Yann , Bauchy Mathieu , Sant Gaurav
Published: January 2016

Concrete, used in the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs), may be exposed to radiation emanating from the reactor core. Until recently, concrete has been assumed immune to radiation exposure. Direct evidence acquired on Ar+-ion irradiated calcite and quartz indicates, on the contrary, that, such minerals, which constitute aggregates in concrete, may be significantly altered by irradiation. More specifically, while quartz undergoes disordering of its atomic structure resulting in a near complete lack of periodicity, calcite only experiences random rotations and distortions of its carbonate groups. As a result, irradiated quartz shows a reduction in density of around 15% and an increase in chemical reactivity, described by its dissolution rate, similar to a glassy silica. Calcite however, shows little change in dissolution rate - although its density noted to reduce by ≈9%. These differences are correlated with the nature of bonds in these minerals, i.e., being dominantly ionic or covalent and the rigidity of the mineral’s atomic network that is characterized by the number of topological constraints (nc) that are imposed on the atoms in the network. The outcomes have major implications on the durability of concrete structural elements formed with calcite or quartz bearing aggregates in nuclear power plants.
Synthesis and fungicidal activity of novel 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4- thiadiazole derivatives containing 5-phenyl-2-furan
Authors: Cui Zi-Ning , Li Ya-Sheng , Hu De-Kun , Tian Hao , Jiang Jia-Zhen , Wang Yuan , Yan Xiao-Jing
Published: January 2016

A series of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-thiadiazoles were synthesized using Lawesson’s reagent by an efficient approach under microwave irradiation in good yields. Their structures were characterized by MS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. Their in vitro and in vivo fungicidal activities revealed that the title compounds exhibited considerable activity against five selected fungi, especially to Phytophthora infestans. In order to illustrate the mechanism of title compounds against P. infestans, scanning electron micrographs (SEM) and transmission electron micrographs (TEM) were applied. The morphological and ultrastructural studies demonstrated that compound I18 led to swelling of hyphae, thickening and proliferating multilayer cell walls, excessive septation and accumulation of dense bodies. The bioassay results indicated compound I18 might act on cell wall biosynthesis and blocked the nutrition transportation and led to cells senescence and death. Meanwhile, compound I18 had broad fungicidal activity against other twenty different kinds of fungi. These results suggested that title compounds were eligible to be development candidates and compound I18 as a promising lead compound was worthy to be further discovery, especially against P. infestans.
The Laschamp geomagnetic excursion featured in nitrate record from EPICA-Dome C ice core
Authors: Traversi R. , Becagli S. , Poluianov S. , Severi M. , Solanki S. K. , Usoskin I. G. , Udisti R.
Published: January 2016

Here we present the first direct comparison of cosmogenic 10Be and chemical species in the period of 38–45.5 kyr BP spanning the Laschamp geomagnetic excursion from the EPICA-Dome C ice core. A principal component analysis (PCA) allowed to group different components as a function of the main sources, transport and deposition processes affecting the atmospheric aerosol at Dome C. Moreover, a wavelet analysis highlighted the high coherence and in-phase relationship between 10Be and nitrate at this time. The evident preferential association of 10Be with nitrate rather than with other chemical species was ascribed to the presence of a distinct source, here labelled as “cosmogenic”. Both the PCA and wavelet analyses ruled out a significant role of calcium in driving the 10Be and nitrate relationship, which is particularly relevant for a plateau site such as Dome C, especially in the glacial period during which the Laschamp excursion took place. The evidence that the nitrate record from the EDC ice core is able to capture the Laschamp event hints toward the possibility of using this marker for studying galactic cosmic ray flux variations and thus also major geomagnetic field excursions at pluri-centennial-millennial time scales, thus opening up new perspectives in paleoclimatic studies.
Erratum: Impacts of the ENSO Modoki and other Tropical Indo-Pacific Climate-Drivers on African Rainfall
Authors: Preethi B. , Sabin T. P. , Adedoyin J. A. , Ashok K.
Published: January 2016

The study diagnoses the relative impacts of the four known tropical Indo-Pacific drivers, namely, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), ENSO Modoki, Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Indian Ocean Basin-wide mode (IOBM) on African seasonal rainfall variability. The canonical El Niño and El Niño Modoki are in general associated with anomalous reduction (enhancement) of rainfall in southern (northern) hemispheric regions during March-May season. However, both the El Niño flavours anomalously reduce the northern hemispheric rainfall during June-September. Interestingly, during boreal spring and summer, in many regions, the Indian Ocean drivers have influences opposite to those from tropical Pacific drivers. On the other hand, during the October-December season, the canonical El Niño and/or positive IOD are associated with an anomalous enhancement of rainfall in the Eastern Africa, while the El Niño Modoki events are associated with an opposite impact. In addition to the Walker circulation changes, the Indo-Pacific drivers influence the African rainfall through modulating jet streams. During boreal summer, the El Niño Modoki and canonical El Niño (positive IOD) tend to weaken (strengthen) the tropical easterly jet, and result in strengthening (weakening) and southward shift of African easterly jet. This anomalously reduces (enhances) rainfall in the tropical north, including Sahelian Africa.
Combining complement fixation and luminol chemiluminescence for ultrasensitive detection of avian influenza A rH7N9
Authors: Li Man , Shi ZhuanZhuan , Li ChangMing , Yu Ling
Published: January 2016

A luminol chemiluminence system was applied in the complement fixation test for detection of rH7N9 in the range of 0.25 fg mL−1–25 ng mL−1.
Oxidative addition of an aromatic ortho C–H bond of tetraphosphine to asymmetric diiridium(i) centres
Authors: Nakajima Takayuki , Noda Sayo , Sakamoto Miyuki , Matsui Aya , Nakamae Kanako , Kure Bunsho , Ura Yasuyuki , Tanase Tomoaki
Published: January 2016

Intermetallic oxidative addition of the aromatic ortho C–H bond of tetraphosphine dpmppp into the diiridium centre afforded IrII–IrII bonded complexes through a two-metal-cooperative pathway.
Direct construction of 4-aryl tetralones via visible-light-induced cyclization of styrenes with molecular oxygen
Authors: Wang Kuai , Meng Ling-Guo , Zhang Qi , Wang Lei
Published: January 2016

A direct synthesis of 4-aryltetralones from aromatic alkenes and O2 using acridinium as the photocatalyst under visible light irradiation was developed.
Post-functionalization of platinum–NHC complexes by oxime ligation for ligand targeted therapy
Authors: Borré Etienne , Dahm Georges , Guichard Gilles , Bellemin-Laponnaz Stéphane
Published: January 2016

Carbonyl condensation reactions have been used for accessing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) platinum bioconjugate complexes.
Simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin and paracetamol by adsorptive stripping voltammetry using copper zinc ferrite nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode
Authors: Kingsley Mal Phebe , Kalambate Pramod K. , Srivastava Ashwini K.
Published: January 2016

Development of copper zinc ferrite nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode for the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin and paracetamol using adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry.
Effect of humic acid on prometryn bioaccumulation and the induction of oxidative stress in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Zhao Qian , Zhu Lin
Published: January 2016

HA made the toxicity of prometryn stronger and then weaker to Danio rerio during 1∼40 days.
Unusual anti-bacterial behavior and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy coated with diamond-like carbon
Authors: Feng Hongqing , Zhang Xiaolin , Wu Guosong , Jin Weihong , Hao Qi , Wang Guomin , Huang Yifan , Chu Paul K.
Published: January 2016

A corrosion protective DLC film is deposited on magnesium alloy AZ31, and exhibits strong anti-bacterial ability caused by the combined effects of the bacteria adhesion favorable surface and the local release of killing elements from the substrate.
α-Sulfur as a metal-free catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate under visible light irradiation for decolorization
Authors: Andrew Lin Kun-Yi , Zhang Zhi-Yu
Published: January 2016

Orthorhombic α-sulfur (S8), as the first time, is used as a metal-free catalyst to accelerate the activation of a widely-employed oxidant, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light irradiation for decolorization applications.
Wettability and drag reduction of a superhydrophobic aluminum surface
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Yin Liang , Li Ling , Shi Shuyuan , Wang Yang , Liu Xiaowei
Published: January 2016

The friction dragversusthe velocity of the water flowing over surfaces with different adhesion properties.
Periodic DFT study of the donor interactions with the MgCl2surface in the Ziegler–Natta catalytic system
Authors: Xie Kefeng , Zhu Bochao , Xu Renwei , Xu Jingcheng , Liu Peng
Published: January 2016

Using periodic DFT, the present study evaluated the interactions of donors with MgCl2surfaces. The selected donors included 1,3-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylpropane, dimethoxydimethylsilane, and dimethyl phthalate.
Highly selective one-step hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to cyclohexylamine over the supported 10% Ni/carbon catalysts doped with 3‰ Rh
Authors: Lu Xinhuan , chen Yang , Zhao Zhenshuang , Deng Hao , Zhou Dan , Wei Changcheng , Nie Renfeng , Xia Qinghua
Published: January 2016

The catalyst 3‰ Rh–10% Ni/CSC exhibits an excellent performance to achieve 100 mol% conversion of nitrobenzene and 91.6% selectivity of fully-hydrogenated cyclohexylamine under conditions of 3.5 MPa H2 and 140 °C.
An electrochemiluminescence sensor with dual signal amplification of Ru(bpy)32+based on PtNPs and glucose dehydrogenase for diagnosis of gas gangrene
Authors: Jiang Dongneng , Zhang Liqun , Liu Fei , Liu Chang , Liu Linlin , Pu Xiaoyun
Published: January 2016

Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas in tissues in gangrene.C. perfringenswith alpha-toxin plays a key role in gas gangrene. Detection ofC. perfringensis highly important in clinical diagnosis of gas gangrene.
Self-protective action in multicomponent fluorescent self-assembled monolayers
Authors: Barbalinardo Marianna , Gentili Denis , Brucale Marco , Valle Francesco , Manet Ilse , Foschi Giulia , Zambianchi Massimo , Melucci Manuela , Cavallini Massimiliano
Published: January 2016

We report on the fabrication of self-protective self-assembled monolayers constituted by a highly fluorescent component and a linear alkyl chain.
Continuous electrocoagulation treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater: operating cost and sludge study
Authors: Mahesh S. , Garg Krishan Kishor , Srivastava Vimal Chandra , Mishra Indra Mani , Prasad Basheshwar , Mall Indra Deo
Published: January 2016

Schematic view of continuous electrocoagulation set up.
Morphology-controlled synthesis of highly crystalline Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles using a facile thermal decomposition method
Authors: Eom Yunji , Abbas Mohamed , Noh HeeYoon , Kim CheolGi
Published: January 2016

CoFe2O4 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles with controllable morphology were synthesized using a convenient and facile one-pot thermal decomposition method.
Understanding the stereoselectivity in Brønsted acid catalysed Povarov reactions generating cis/trans CF3-substituted tetrahydroquinolines: a DFT study
Authors: Domingo Luis R. , Ríos-Gutiérrez Mar , Emamian Saeedreza
Published: January 2016

Stereochemistry in the Brønsted acid catalysed Povarov reactions.
Characterization of a versatile nitrile hydratase of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid-degrading bacterium Ensifer meliloti CGMCC 7333
Authors: Sun Shi-Lei , Lu Tian-Qi , Yang Wen-Long , Guo Jing-Jing , Rui Xue , Mao Shi-Yun , Zhou Ling-Yan , Dai Yi-Jun
Published: January 2016

The nitrogen-fixing bacteriumEnsifer melilotiCGMCC 7333 and its nitrile hydratase (NHase) degrade the neonicotinoid insecticides, thiacloprid (THI) and acetamiprid (ACE), to their corresponding amide metabolites.
Molecular dynamics study of wetting behavior of grafted thermo-responsive PNIPAAm brushes
Authors: Bhandary Debdip , Benková Zuzana , Cordeiro M. Natália D. S. , Singh Jayant K.
Published: January 2016

Left panel shows variation of contact angle with temperature along with snapshots of the droplets. Right panel shows variation of excess entropy, Sexcess (solid symbols), and second virial coefficient, B2 (open symbols), of polymer–water (blue squares) and water–water (red circles) pairs as a function of temperature.
Multicomponent sequential polymerizations of alkynes, carbonyl chloride and amino ester salts toward helical and luminescent polymers
Authors: Deng Haiqin , Zhao Engui , Leung Anakin C. S. , Hu Rongrong , Zhang Yun , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2016

Sequential coupling-hydroamination polymerizations toward helical and luminescent polymers.
Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays coated with laminin enhance C2C12 skeletal myoblast adhesion and differentiation
Authors: Genchi Giada G. , Nuhn Harald , Liakos Ioannis , Marino Attilio , Marras Sergio , Athanassiou Athanassia , Mattoli Virgilio , Desai Tejal A.
Published: January 2016

TiO2 nanotube arrays of various topography/surface chemistry are tested with C2C12 cells. Improved cell adhesion and differentiation are shown on 10 nm diameter nanotube arrays coated with laminin, encouraging array use for skeletal muscle tissue engineering and stimulation.
High performance nanoporous silicon photoelectrodes co-catalyzed with an earth abundant [Mo3S13]2− nanocluster via drop coating
Authors: Kan Miao , Jia Jinping , Zhao Yixin
Published: January 2016

Earth abundant [Mo3S13]2− nanoclusters efficiently enhance a nanoporous silicon photoelectrode for hydrogen generation.
Direct access to 2-(hetero)arylated pyridines from 6-substituted 2-bromopyridines via phosphine-free palladium-catalyzed C–H bond arylations: the importance of the C6 substituent
Authors: Hagui Wided , Besbes Néji , Srasra Ezzeddine , Soulé Jean-François , Doucet Henri
Published: January 2016

A Pd(OAc)2catalyst promotes the arylation of heteroarenes with 6-substituted 2-bromopyridines,viaC–H bond activation, providing straightforward access to 2-(hetero)arylpyridines.
Cobalt nanoparticles embedded in porous N-rich carbon as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting
Authors: Li Xingyue , Niu Zhiguo , Jiang Jing , Ai Lunhong
Published: January 2016

Cobalt nanoparticles embedded in porous N-rich carbon (PNC/Co) can perform as both active cathode and anode materials to drive the overall water splitting in alkaline media for simultaneous electrogeneration of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Alternative framework of the Gaussian filter for non‐linear systems with synchronously correlated noises
Authors: Yu Han , Zhang Xiu‐Jie , Wang Shuo , Song Shen‐Min
Published: January 2016

To conveniently deduce the Gaussian filter (GF), it is based on the assumption that the process and measurement noises are independent. However, it does not always satisfy this assumption in practice. In this study, a novel framework of GF for non‐linear system in which the process and measurement noises are correlated at the same time is proposed. The novel framework of GF takes the type of synchronous correlation into account. It is inspired by the fact that the probability of process noises conditioned on measurement noises has much more correlation information than its original probability in the situation of measurements data received, and exploits the conditional Gaussian distributions to improve the GF accuracy. In addition, the issue about multi‐dimensional integrals in the implementation of novel framework of GF is solved by the spherical‐radial cubature rule. The cubature Kalman filter with synchronously correlated noises (CKF‐SCN) is derived. The results of simulations on a non‐linear example show better performance of the CKF‐SCN in contrast to the extended Kalman filter with correlation noises, the unscented Kalman filter with correlation noises, the Gaussian approximation recursive filter, and the standard cubature Kalman filter.
Effects of Low Intensity Exercise Against Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rat Heart
Authors: Kanter M. , Aksu F. , Takir M. , Kostek O. , Kanter B. , Oymagil A.
Published: January 2016

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low intensity exercise on heart of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods The rats were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: A (control), B (diabetic untreated), and C (diabetic treated with low intensity exercise); each group contains 8 animals. B and C groups received STZ. Diabetes was induced in 2 groups by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of STZ (40 mg/kg, freshly dissolved in 0,1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.2). 2 days after STZ treatment, diabetes in 2 experimental groups was confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. Rats with blood glucose levels of 250 mg/dl or higher were considered to be diabetic. Animals in the exercise group were made to run the treadmill once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Exercise started 3 days prior to STZ administration.

Results After induction of diabetes, histological abnormalities were observed, including myofibrillar loss, vacuolization of cytoplasm and irregularity of myofibrils. These alterations were attenuated by low intensity exercise. Our data indicates a significant reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes after exercise. Treatment of diabetic animals with low intensity exercise, decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the reduced activities of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in cardiac tissue.

Conclusion These findings suggest that low intensity exercise has a therapeutic protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis, and by preservation of myocardial integrity.
Dissipation of the kinetic energy of a tuning fork immersed in superfluid helium at different oscillation frequencies
Authors: Gritsenko I. A. , Klokol K. A. , Sokolov S. S. , Sheshin G. A.
Published: January 2016

The drag coefficient characterizing the dissipation of the energy of oscillating tuning forks immersed in liquid helium is studied experimentally. The experiments are done at temperatures from 0.1 to 3.5 K, a range that covers both hydrodynamic flow and the ballistic transport of thermal excitations in superfluid helium below 0.6 K. It is found that a frequency dependence of the drag coefficient exists in the hydrodynamic limit, where the main dissipation mechanism is viscous friction of the liquid against the surface of the oscillating object at temperatures above 0.7 K. In this case, the drag coefficient is proportional to the square root of the oscillation frequency and its temperature dependence in He II is determined by the corresponding relationships between the density of the normal component and the viscosity of the liquid. At lower temperatures, there is no frequency dependence of the drag coefficient and the magnitude of the dissipative losses is determined only by the temperature dependence of the density of the normal component. At the same time, over the entire range of temperatures studied here, the magnitude of the dissipative losses depends on the geometrical dimensions of the oscillating object.
Twokink excitation in a spiral magnetic structure
Authors: Kiselev V. V. , Raskovalov A. A.
Published: January 2016

Twokink excitations in the spiral structures of magnets and multiferroics are found and analyzed within the framework for the sine-Gordon model. It is shown that the movement and interaction of the kinks is accompanied by macroscopic translations of the spiral structure. The ways of observing and exciting kinks in the external magnetic field are discussed.
In vitro methods to study bubble-cell interactions: Fundamentals and therapeutic applications
Authors: Lajoinie Guillaume , De Cock Ine , Coussios Constantin C. , Lentacker Ine , Le Gac Séverine , Stride Eleanor , Versluis Michel
Published: January 2016

Besides their use as contrast agents for ultrasound imaging, microbubbles are increasingly studied for a wide range of therapeutic applications. In particular, their ability to enhance the uptake of drugs through the permeabilization of tissues and cell membranes shows great promise. In order to fully understand the numerous paths by which bubbles can interact with cells and the even larger number of possible biological responses from the cells, thorough and extensive work is necessary. In this review, we consider the range of experimental techniques implemented in in vitro studies with the aim of elucidating these microbubble-cell interactions. First of all, the variety of cell types and cell models available are discussed, emphasizing the need for more and more complex models replicating in vivo conditions together with experimental challenges associated with this increased complexity. Second, the different types of stabilized microbubbles and more recently developed droplets and particles are presented, followed by their acoustic or optical excitation methods. Finally, the techniques exploited to study the microbubble-cell interactions are reviewed. These techniques operate over a wide range of timescales, or even off-line, revealing particular aspects or subsequent effects of these interactions. Therefore, knowledge obtained from several techniques must be combined to elucidate the underlying processes.
Drude weight and optical conductivity of a two-dimensional heavy-hole gas with k-cubic spin-orbit interactions
Authors: Mawrie Alestin , Ghosh Tarun Kanti
Published: January 2016

We present a detailed theoretical study on zero-frequency Drude weight and optical conductivity of a two-dimensional heavy-hole gas (2DHG) with k-cubic Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions. The presence of k-cubic spin-orbit couplings strongly modifies the Drude weight in comparison to the electron gas with k-linear spin-orbit couplings. For large hole density and strong k-cubic spin-orbit couplings, the density dependence of Drude weight deviates from the linear behavior. We establish a relation between optical conductivity and the Berry connection. Unlike two-dimensional electron gas with k-linear spin-orbit couplings, we explicitly show that the optical conductivity does not vanish even for equal strength of the two spin-orbit couplings. We attribute this fact to the non-zero Berry phase for equal strength of k-cubic spin-orbit couplings. The least photon energy needed to set in the optical transition in hole gas is one order of magnitude smaller than that of electron gas. Types of two van Hove singularities appear in the optical spectrum are also discussed.
Screening applications in drug discovery based on microfluidic technology
Authors: Eribol P. , Uguz A. K. , Ulgen K. O.
Published: January 2016

Microfluidics has been the focus of interest for the last two decades for all the advantages such as low chemical consumption, reduced analysis time, high throughput, better control of mass and heat transfer, downsizing a bench-top laboratory to a chip, i.e., lab-on-a-chip, and many others it has offered. Microfluidic technology quickly found applications in the pharmaceutical industry, which demands working with leading edge scientific and technological breakthroughs, as drug screening and commercialization are very long and expensive processes and require many tests due to unpredictable results. This review paper is on drug candidate screening methods with microfluidic technology and focuses specifically on fabrication techniques and materials for the microchip, types of flow such as continuous or discrete and their advantages, determination of kinetic parameters and their comparison with conventional systems, assessment of toxicities and cytotoxicities, concentration generations for high throughput, and the computational methods that were employed. An important conclusion of this review is that even though microfluidic technology has been in this field for around 20 years there is still room for research and development, as this cutting edge technology requires ingenuity to design and find solutions for each individual case. Recent extensions of these microsystems are microengineered organs-on-chips and organ arrays.
Thermal conductivity of solid thiophene in an incommensurate orientational state
Authors: Korolyuk O. A. , Krivchikov A. I. , Vdovichenko G. A. , Romantsova O. O. , Horbatenko Yu. V.
Published: January 2016

The thermal conductivity of solid thiophene at equilibrium vapor pressure between 2 K < T < 170 K, has been measured in a sequence of incommensurate metastable orientationally disordered phases II, II1, II2, and II2g with different degrees of orientational ordering of the molecules. It is found that in phase states II, II1 and II2 with dynamic orientational disorder of the molecules, the thermal conductivity does not depend on the temperature. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity κ(T) of orientational glass Vg and II2g (incommensurate) does not have any of the anomalies that are typical for amorphous materials and glasses. The temperature dependence κ(T) of the incommensurate state of orientational glass II2g is bell-shaped, which is typical for the thermal conductivity of crystals with long-range orientational order. In the II2g state, as temperature drops from Tg to almost 10 K, the thermal conductivity increases according to κ(T) = A/T + B, where the first term describes the input of the propagating phonons, wherein the average length of their mean free path is greater than half of the phonon wavelength. The B term is associated with the input of localized short-wave, or “diffuse” vibrational modes. At low temperatures T ≤ 7 K, κ(T) ∝ T3 is observed with increasing temperatures, which corresponds to the boundary scattering of phonons.
Topological and metrical property characterization of radical subunits for ternary hard sphere crystals
Authors: Wang Lin , An Xizhong , Wang Defeng , Qian Quan
Published: January 2016

Quantitative characterization on the topological and metrical properties of radical subunits (polyhedra) for two new ternary hard sphere crystals was studied. These two ideal crystalline structures are numerically constructed by filling small and medium spheres into interstices (corresponding to regular tetrahedral and octahedral pores) of perfect face centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close packed (HCP) crystals formed by the packing of large spheres. Topological properties such as face number, edge number, vertex number of each radical polyhedron (RP), edge number of each RP face and metrical properties such as volume, surface area, total perimeter and pore volume of each RP, area and perimeter of each RP face were analyzed and compared. The results show that even though the overall packing densities for FCC and HCP ternary crystals are the same, different characteristics of radical polyhedra for corresponding spheres in these two crystals can be identified. That is, in the former structure RPs are more symmetric than those in the latter; the orientations of corresponding RP in the latter are twice as many as that in the former. Moreover, RP topological and metrical properties in the HCP ternary crystal are much more complicated than those in the FCC ternary crystal. These differences imply the structure and property differences of these two ternary crystals. Analyses of RPs provide intensive understanding of pores in the structure.
Perceptual Commensuration in Decision Tables
Authors: Anderson Barry F. , Misuraca Raffaella
Published: January 2016

This paper calls attention to design features that could enhance the helpfulness of the decision table to decision makers trying to get a better intuitive grasp of the choices facing them. The experiments reported here show that the grey scale is more facilitative than the number scale for problem comprehension as measured by the identification of dominance and the identification of non-additivity, each of which requires a view of the decision problem that is sensitive to patterns across attributes. Additional design features that could enhance the decision makers’ grasp of the choices facing them are suggested for further research.