bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex interplay between neutral and adaptive evolution shaped differential genomic background and disease susceptibility along the Italian peninsula
Authors: Sazzini Marco , Gnecchi Ruscone Guido Alberto , Giuliani Cristina , Sarno Stefania , Quagliariello Andrea , De Fanti Sara , Boattini Alessio , Gentilini Davide , Fiorito Giovanni , Catanoso Mariagrazia , Boiardi Luigi , Croci Stefania , Macchioni Pierluigi , Mantovani Vilma , Di Blasio Anna Maria , Matullo Giuseppe , Salvarani Carlo , Franceschi Claudio , Pettener Davide , Garagnani Paolo , Luiselli Donata
Published: September 2016

The Italian peninsula has long represented a natural hub for human migrations across the Mediterranean area, being involved in several prehistoric and historical population movements. Coupled with a patchy environmental landscape entailing different ecological/cultural selective pressures, this might have produced peculiar patterns of population structure and local adaptations responsible for heterogeneous genomic background of present-day Italians. To disentangle this complex scenario, genome-wide data from 780 Italian individuals were generated and set into the context of European/Mediterranean genomic diversity by comparison with genotypes from 50 populations. To maximize possibility of pinpointing functional genomic regions that have played adaptive roles during Italian natural history, our survey included also ~250,000 exomic markers and ~20,000 coding/regulatory variants with well-established clinical relevance. This enabled fine-grained dissection of Italian population structure through the identification of clusters of genetically homogeneous provinces and of genomic regions underlying their local adaptations. Description of such patterns disclosed crucial implications for understanding differential susceptibility to some inflammatory/autoimmune disorders, coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes of diverse Italian subpopulations, suggesting the evolutionary causes that made some of them particularly exposed to the metabolic and immune challenges imposed by dietary and lifestyle shifts that involved western societies in the last centuries.
Identification and characterization of the GhHsp20 gene family in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Ma Wei , Zhao Ting , Li Jie , Liu Bingliang , Fang Lei , Hu Yan , Zhang Tianzhen
Published: September 2016

In higher plants, Heat Shock Protein 20 (Hsp20) plays crucial roles in growth, development and responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, 94 GhHsp20 genes were identified in G. hirsutum, and these genes were phylogenetically clustered into 14 subfamilies. Out of these, 73 paralogous gene pairs remained in conserved positions on segmental duplicated blocks and only 14 genes clustered into seven tandem duplication event regions. Transcriptome analysis showed that 82 GhHsp20 genes were expressed in at least one tested tissues, indicating that the GhHsp20 genes were involved in physiological and developmental processes of cotton. Further, expression profiles under abiotic stress exhibited that two-thirds of the GhHsp20 genes were responsive to heat stress, while 15 genes were induced by multiple stresses. In addition, qRT-PCR confirmed that 16 GhHsp20 genes were hot-induced, and eight genes were up-regulated under multiple abiotic stresses and stress-related phytohormone treatments. Taken together, our results presented here would be helpful in laying the foundation for understanding the complex mechanisms of GhHsp20 mediated developmental processes and abiotic stress signaling transduction pathways in cotton.
Modulation of plant defense responses to herbivores by simultaneous recognition of different herbivore-associated elicitors in rice
Authors: Shinya Tomonori , Hojo Yuko , Desaki Yoshitake , Christeller John T. , Okada Kazunori , Shibuya Naoto , Galis Ivan
Published: September 2016

Induced plant defense responses against insect herbivores are triggered by wounding and/or perception of herbivore elicitors from their oral secretions (OS) and/or saliva. In this study, we analyzed OS isolated from two rice chewing herbivores, Mythimna loreyi and Parnara guttata. Both types of crude OS had substantial elicitor activity in rice cell system that allowed rapid detection of early and late defense responses, i.e. accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and defense secondary metabolites, respectively. While the OS from M. loreyi contained large amounts of previously reported insect elicitors, fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs), the elicitor-active P. guttata’s OS contained no detectable FACs. Subsequently, elicitor activity associated with the high molecular mass fraction in OS of both herbivores was identified and shown to promote ROS and metabolite accumulations in rice cells. Notably, the application of N-linolenoyl-Gln (FAC) alone had only negligible elicitor activity in rice cells; however, the activity of isolated elicitor fraction was substantially promoted by this FAC. Our results reveal that plants integrate various independent signals associated with their insect attackers to modulate their defense responses and reach maximal fitness in nature.
Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 plays an important role in porcine circovirus type 2 subclinical infection by downregulating proinflammatory responses
Authors: Zhu Xuejiao , Bai Juan , Liu Panrao , Wang Xianwei , Jiang Ping
Published: September 2016

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes porcine circovirus-associated diseases and usually evokes a subclinical infection, without any obvious symptoms, in pigs. It remains unclear how PCV2 leads to a subclinical infection. In this study, we found that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PCV2-challenged piglets with no significant clinical symptoms exhibited increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3, but no significant changes in the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; this differed from piglets that displayed significant clinical symptoms. IL-6- and TNF-α-mediated signalings were inhibited in PBMCs from subclinical piglets. Elevated SOCS3 levels inhibited IL-6- and TNF-α-mediated NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha degradation in PBMCs and PK-15 cells. SOCS3 production was also increased in PCV2-infected PK-15 porcine kidney cells and IL-6 and TNF-α production that was induced by PCV2 in PK-15 cells was significantly increased when SOCS3 was silenced by a small interfering RNA. SOCS3 interacted with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and TNF-associated receptor-associated factor 2, suggesting mechanisms by which SOCS3 inhibits IL-6 and TNF-α signaling. We conclude that SOCS3 plays an important role in PCV2 subclinical infection by suppressing inflammatory responses in primary immune cells.
Consolidating soil carbon turnover models by improved estimates of belowground carbon input
Authors: Taghizadeh-Toosi Arezoo , Christensen Bent T. , Glendining Margaret , Olesen Jørgen E.
Published: September 2016

World soil carbon (C) stocks are third only to those in the ocean and earth crust and represent twice the amount currently present in the atmosphere. Therefore, any small change in the amount of soil organic C (SOC) may affect carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere. Dynamic models of SOC help reveal the interaction among soil carbon systems, climate and land management and they are also frequently used to help assess SOC dynamics. Those models often use allometric functions to calculate soil C inputs in which the amount of C in both above and below ground crop residues are assumed to be proportional to crop harvest yield. Here we argue that simulating changes in SOC stocks based on C input that are proportional to crop yield is not supported by data from long-term experiments with measured SOC changes. Rather, there is evidence that root C inputs are largely independent of crop yield, but crop specific. We discuss implications of applying fixed belowground C input regardless of crop yield on agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation and accounting.
A new method for identifying causal genes of schizophrenia and anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Huang Tao , Liu Cheng-Lin , Li Lin-Lin , Cai Mei-Hong , Chen Wen-Zhong , Xu Yi-Feng , O’Reilly Paul F. , Cai Lei , He Lin
Published: September 2016

Schizophrenia (SCZ) may cause tuberculosis, the treatments for which can induce anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) and SCZ-like disorders. To date, the causal genes of both SCZ and ATDH are unknown. To identify them, we proposed a new network-based method by integrating network random walk with restart algorithm, gene set enrichment analysis, and hypergeometric test; using this method, we identified 500 common causal genes. For gene validation, we created a regularly updated online database ATDH-SCZgenes and conducted a systematic meta-analysis of the association of each gene with either disease. Till now, onlyGSTM1andGSTT1have been well studied with respect to both diseases; and a total of 23 high-quality association studies were collected for the current meta-analysis validation. Finally, theGSTM1present genotype was confirmed to be significantly associated with both ATDH [Odds Ratio (OR): 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.90,P = 0.005] and SCZ (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92,P = 0.004) according to the random-effect model. Furthermore, these significant results were supported by “moderate” evidence according to the Venice criteria. Our findings indicate thatGSTM1may be a causal gene of both ATDH and SCZ, although further validation pertaining to other genes, such asCYP2E1orDRD2, is necessary.
Inter-hemispheric functional dysconnectivity mediates the association of corpus callosum degeneration with memory impairment in AD and amnestic MCI
Authors: Qiu Yingwei , Liu Siwei , Hilal Saima , Loke Yng Miin , Ikram Mohammad Kamran , Xu Xin , Yeow Tan Boon , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Chen Christopher Li-Hsian , Zhou Juan
Published: September 2016

Evidences suggested that both corpus callosum (CC) degeneration and alternations of homotopic inter-hemispheric functional connectivity (FC) are present in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the associations between region-specific CC degeneration and homotopic inter-hemispheric FC and their relationships with memory deficits in AD remain uncharacterized. We hypothesized that selective CC degeneration is associated with memory impairment in AD and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is mediated by homotopic inter-hemispheric functional dysconnectivity. Using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and task-free functional MRI, we assessed the CC volume and inter-hemispheric FC in 66 healthy controls, 41 aMCI and 41 AD. As expected, AD had CC degeneration and attenuated inter-hemispheric homotopic FC. Nevertheless, aMCI had relatively less severe CC degeneration (mainly in mid-anterior, central, and mid-posterior) and no reduction in inter-hemispheric homotopic FC. The degeneration of each CC sub-region was associated with specific inter-hemispheric homotopic functional disconnections in AD and aMCI. More importantly, impairment of inter-hemispheric homotopic FC partially mediated the association between CC (particularly the central and posterior parts) degeneration and memory deficit. Notably, these results remained after controlling for hippocampal volume. Our findings shed light on how CC degeneration and the related inter-hemispheric FC impact memory impairment in early stage of AD.
Li-ion Battery Separators, Mechanical Integrity and Failure Mechanisms Leading to Soft and Hard Internal Shorts
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Sahraei Elham , Wang Kai
Published: September 2016

Separator integrity is an important factor in preventing internal short circuit in lithium-ion batteries. Local penetration tests (nail or conical punch) often produce presumably sporadic results, where in exactly similar cell and test set-ups one cell goes to thermal runaway while the other shows minimal reactions. We conducted an experimental study of the separators under mechanical loading, and discovered two distinct deformation and failure mechanisms, which could explain the difference in short circuit characteristics of otherwise similar tests. Additionally, by investigation of failure modes, we provided a hypothesis about the process of formation of local “soft short circuits” in cells with undetectable failure. Finally, we proposed a criterion for predicting onset of soft short from experimental data.
Physapubescin selectively induces apoptosis in VHL-null renal cell carcinoma cells through down-regulation of HIF-2α and inhibits tumor growth
Authors: Chen Lixia , Xia Guiyang , Qiu Feng , Wu Chunli , Denmon Andria P. , Zi Xiaolin
Published: September 2016

We have purified physapubescin, a predominant steroidal lactone, from medicinal plant Physalis pubescens L., commonly named as “hairy groundcherry” in English and “Deng-Long-Cao” in Chinese. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-null 786-O, RCC4 and A498 Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) cell lines expressing high levels of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-2α are more sensitive to physapubescin-mediated apoptosis and growth inhibitory effect than VHL wild-type Caki-2 and ACHN RCC cell lines. Restoration of VHL in RCC4 cells attenuated the growth inhibitory effect of physapubescin. Physapubescin decreases the expression of HIF-2α and increases the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologus protein (CHOP), which leads to up-regulation of death receptor 5 (DR5), activation of caspase-8 and -3, cleavage of poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase (PARP) and apoptosis. Under hypoxia conditions, the apoptotic and growth inhibitory effects of physapubescin are further enhanced. Additionally, physapubescin synergizes with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) for markedly enhanced induction of apoptosis in VHL-null 786-O cells but not in VHL wild-type Caki-2 cells. Physapubescin significantly inhibited in vivo angiogenesis in the 786-O xenograft. Physapubescin as a novel agent for elimination of VHL-null RCC cells via apoptosis is warranted for further investigation.
Performance of Verbal Fluency as an Endophenotype in Patients with Familial versus Sporadic Schizophrenia and Their Parents
Authors: Liang Sugai , Deng Wei , Wang Qiang , Ma Xiaohong , Li Mingli , Brown Matthew R. G. , Hu Xun , Li Xinmin , Greenshaw Andrew J. , Li Tao
Published: September 2016

What’s the neurocognitive deficit as an endophenotype to familial schizophrenia? Here, we investigate the neurocognitive endophenotype in first-episode patients with familial schizophrenia (FS) and sporadic schizophrenia (SS), and their parents. 98 FS patients and their 105 parents; 190 SS patients and their 207 parents; 195 controls matched with patients, and 190 controls matched with the patients’ parents, were assessed with the short version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China (WAIS-RC), the immediate and delayed logical memory tests from the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised in China (WMS-RC), the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), the Trail Making Test Parts A and B-Modified (TMA, TMB-M), and the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST-M). The results showed that with age, gender, and education as covariates, after controlling for false discovery rates, the FS group and their parent group performed worse than the SS group and their parent group on VFT. No significant differences were found for other neurocognitive tests between the FS and SS patient groups, and their respective parent groups. Our findings suggest the patients with familial and sporadic schizophrenia and their respective parent groups may have a different genetic predisposition in relation to a cognitive endophenotype.
Invasive stink bug favors naïve plants: Testing the role of plant geographic origin in diverse, managed environments
Authors: Martinson Holly M. , Bergmann Erik J. , Venugopal P. Dilip , Riley Christopher B. , Shrewsbury Paula M. , Raupp Michael J.
Published: September 2016

With the introduction and establishment of exotic species, most ecosystems now contain both native and exotic plants and herbivores. Recent research identifies several factors that govern how specialist herbivores switch host plants upon introduction. Predicting the feeding ecology and impacts of introduced generalist species, however, remains difficult. Here, we examine how plant geographic origin, an indicator of shared co-evolutionary history, influences patterns of host use by a generalist, invasive herbivore, while accounting for variation in plant availability. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a highly polyphagous Asian herbivore and an economically important invasive pest in North America and Europe. In visual surveys of 220 plant taxa in commercial nurseries in Maryland, USA, H. halys was more abundant on non-Asian plants and selected these over Asian plants. The relationship between the relative use of plants and their availability was strongly positive but depended also on plant origin at two of our three sites, where the higher relative use of non-Asian plants was greatest for highly abundant taxa. These results highlight the importance of considering both plant origin and relative abundance in understanding the selection of host plants by invasive generalist herbivores in diverse, natural and urban forests.
Correction: Resonance Raman spectroscopy as an in situ probe for monitoring catalytic events in a Ru-porphyrin mediated amination reaction
Authors: Zardi Paolo , Gallo Emma , Solan Gregory A. , Hudson Andrew J.
Published: September 2016

Correction for ‘Resonance Raman spectroscopy as an in situ probe for monitoring catalytic events in a Ru-porphyrin mediated amination reaction’ by Paolo Zardi et al., Analyst, 2016, 141, 3050–3058.
Identification of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation state using dual-micropore microfluidic impedance flow cytometry
Authors: Song Hongjun , Rosano Jenna M. , Wang Yi , Garson Charles J. , Prabhakarpandian Balabhaskar , Pant Kapil , Klarmann George J. , Perantoni Alan , Alvarez Luis M. , Lai Eva
Published: September 2016

A dual-micropore-based microfluidic electrical impedance flow cytometer for non-invasive identification of the differentiation state of mesenchymal stem cells.
The memory-driven order–disorder transition of a 3D-supramolecular architecture based on calix[5]arene and porphyrin derivatives
Authors: Tuccitto Nunzio , Sfrazzetto Giuseppe Trusso , Gangemi Chiara M. A. , Ballistreri Francesco P. , Toscano Rosa Maria , Tomaselli Gaetano A. , Pappalardo Andrea , Marletta Giovanni
Published: September 2016

A 3D-supramolecular structure, “pre-formed” in solution, collapses when transferred to a solid matrix: a short thermal shock partially restore the original 3D-architecture.
‘Frustrated’ hydrogen bond mediated amphiphile self-assembly – a solid state study
Authors: Blackholly Laura R. , Shepherd Helena J. , Hiscock Jennifer R.
Published: September 2016

The effects of hydrogen bond donor acidity and counter cation within a ‘frustrated’ self-assembled, hydrogen bonded system.
Exploration of the phase diagram of liquid water in the low-temperature metastable region using synthetic fluid inclusions
Authors: Qiu C. , Krüger Y. , Wilke M. , Marti D. , Rička J. , Frenz M.
Published: September 2016

The paper presents experimental data of the low-temperature metastable region of liquid water to evaluate and improve theoretical models describing the p–V–T properties of water.
Photocatalytic oxidation of methane over SrCO3 decorated SrTiO3 nanocatalysts via a synergistic effect
Authors: Pan Xiaoyang , Chen Xuxing , Yi Zhiguo
Published: September 2016

Methane oxidation under ambient conditions was realized by a synergistic effect between SrCO3 and SrTiO3, in which SrCO3 acts as a trapping agent to adsorb methane while SrTiO3 acts as a photocatalyst to activate and oxidize methane under light illumination.
Cooperative and anticooperative effects in resonance assisted hydrogen bonds in merged structures of malondialdehyde
Authors: Romero-Montalvo Eduardo , Guevara-Vela José Manuel , Costales Aurora , Pendás Ángel Martín , Rocha-Rinza Tomás
Published: September 2016

We investigate the cooperative and anticooperative effects of resonance assisted hydrogen bonds through potential energy curves and quantum chemical topology.
Synthesis of a highly efficient 3D graphene–CNT–MnO2–PANI nanocomposite as a binder free electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Tan Yi , Pan Lujun , Rashad Muhammad , Li Jiayan , Fu Xin , Cui Ruixue
Published: September 2016

A nanocomposite exhibits an electrode activation phenomenon, i.e. an increase in SC up to the first 1500 CD cycles, and thus demonstrates a maximum SC of 3037 F g−1 at 8 A g−1, and good cyclic stability with a capacitance retention of 83% over 12 000 cycles.
Dynamics of silver ions in AgI doped Ag2O–SeO2–MoO3 mixed former glasses
Authors: Palui Arnab , Shaw Anirban , Ghosh A.
Published: September 2016

A correlation between the network structural units and the characteristic displacement of ion dynamics has been established.
Linking optical properties of dissolved organic matter to multiple processes at the coastal plume zone in the East China Sea
Authors: Jiang Yulin , Zhao Jianfu , Li Penghui , Huang Qinghui
Published: September 2016

This study investigated the multiple processes at the coastal plume zone by water quality characteristics and dissolved organic matter optical properties.
Exploring the need for creating a standardized approach to managing nanowaste based on similar experiences from other wastes
Authors: Nichols Gregory P.
Published: September 2016

The manuscript frames nanowaste alongside similar issues such as e-waste and CFRP scrap.
A type of raspberry-like silica composite with tunable nickel nanoparticles coverage towards nanocatalysis and protein adsorption
Authors: Ding Lei , Zhang Min , Zhang Yanwei , Yang Jinbo , Zheng Jing , Xu Jingli
Published: September 2016

A facile one-pot approach is utilized to construct nickel-ion–PDA complex thin coatings on silica spheres, which can be carbonized in nitrogen to a raspberry-like hybrid composite with well-dispersed metallic nickel embedded in PDA-derived thin carbon layers on silica spheres.
Enzyme-triggered coatings of tea catechins/chitosan for nanofiltration membranes with high performance
Authors: Qiu Wen-Ze , Zhong Qi-Zhi , Du Yong , Lv Yan , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: September 2016

Skin layers have been fabricated via an enzyme-triggered co-deposition process of natural tea catechins and chitosan for thin film composite nanofiltration membranes with high performance.
Cardiomyocyte progenitor cell mechanoresponse unrevealed: strain avoidance and mechanosome development
Authors: Mauretti Arianna , Bax Noortje A. M. , van Marion Mieke H. , Goumans Marie José , Sahlgren Cecilia , Bouten Carlijn V. C.
Published: September 2016

The mechanosensitivity of cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (CMPCs) is developed upon early cardiac differentiation, together with the development of the mechanosome.
The importance of travelling wave components in standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) systems
Authors: Devendran Citsabehsan , Albrecht Thomas , Brenker Jason , Alan Tuncay , Neild Adrian
Published: September 2016

The dominant forcing mechanism for particle manipulation using SSAW is shown to be spatially dependent when travelling components are considered.
Branching effect for aggregation-induced emission in fluorophores containing imine and triphenylamine structures
Authors: Li Chunchun , Yang Wen , Zhou Weiqun , Zhang Mengmeng , Xue Renyu , Li Mengying , Cheng Zhongqin
Published: September 2016

Three compounds linked to triphenylamine with single, double and triple branched 4-(N,N′-dimethylamine) phenyl groups through an imine π-bridge were synthesized and demonstrated a pronounced AIE effect and good fluorescence imaging.
Pillar[5]arene-based amphiphilic supramolecular brush copolymers: fabrication, controllable self-assembly and application in self-imaging targeted drug delivery
Authors: Yu Guocan , Zhao Run , Wu Dan , Zhang Fuwu , Shao Li , Zhou Jiong , Yang Jie , Tang Guping , Chen Xiaoyuan , Huang Feihe
Published: September 2016

Here we construct the first pillararene-based amphiphilic supramolecular brush copolymer, which can be utilized as a targeting self-imaging drug delivery vehicle.
A hydrogel/fiber composite scaffold for chondrocyte encapsulation in cartilage tissue regeneration
Authors: Mohabatpour Fatemeh , Karkhaneh Akbar , Sharifi Ali Mohammad
Published: September 2016

A composite was constructed by embedding fragmented electrospun PLA nanofibers into an alginate-graft-hyaluronate hydrogel to generate an ECM-mimicking environment for cartilage repair.
Synthesis of CuO and Cu2O nano/microparticles from a single precursor: effect of temperature on CuO/Cu2O formation and morphology dependent nitroarene reduction
Authors: Vinod Kumar V. , Dharani A. , Mariappan Mariappan , Anthony Savarimuthu Philip
Published: September 2016

CuO and Cu2O micro/nanoparticles have been synthesized from same precursor in hydrothermal method by controlling temperature and morphology dependent nitroarenes reduction was studied with CuO nano/microparticles.
Synthesis of Ag–Ag2S Janus nanoparticles supported on an environmentally benign cellulose template and their catalytic applications
Authors: Dutta Dipanka , Hazarika Rupjyoti , Dutta Pallavi Dowarah , Goswami Tridip , Sengupta Pinaki , Dutta Dipak Kumar
Published: September 2016

Synthesis of Ag–Ag2S Janus nanoparticles (JNP) by a one step co-precipitation technique using a NaOH–thiourea–urea aqueous solution has been reported.
Ergonomically designed replaceable and multifunctional triboelectric nanogenerator for a uniform contact
Authors: Kim K. N. , Lee J. P. , Lee S.-H. , Lee S. C. , Baik J. M.
Published: September 2016

We report a replaceable and multifunctional triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a triangular prism shaped supporter to enhance the uniformity of contact and separation during walking.
Nonlinear refraction and absorption activity of dimethylaminostyryl substituted BODIPY dyes
Authors: Kulyk B. , Taboukhat S. , Akdas-Kilig H. , Fillaut J.-L. , Boughaleb Y. , Sahraoui B.
Published: September 2016

Optical and nonlinear optical properties of difluoroboradiazaindacene (BODIPY) models with attached dimethylaminostyryl substituents were studied.
3C–SiC on glass: an ideal platform for temperature sensors under visible light illumination
Authors: Md Foisal Abu Riduan , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Kozeki Takahiro , Dinh Toan , Tuan Khoa Nguyen , Qamar Afzaal , Lobino Mirko , Namazu Takahiro , Dao Dzung Viet
Published: September 2016

This letter reports on cubic silicon carbide (3C–SiC) transferred on a glass substrate as an ideal platform for thermoresistive sensors which can be used for in situ temperature measurement during optical analysis.
Polypyrrole salts and bases: superior conductivity of nanotubes and their stability towards the loss of conductivity by deprotonation
Authors: Stejskal Jaroslav , Trchová Miroslava , Bober Patrycja , Morávková Zuzana , Kopecký Dušan , Vrňata Martin , Prokeš Jan , Varga Martin , Watzlová Elizaveta
Published: September 2016

Polypyrrole nanotubes exhibit conductivity of tens S cm−1 which is one of the highest among the current conducting polymers.
The investigation of the electrochemically supercapacitive performances of mesoporous CuCo2S4
Authors: Zhu Yirong , Ji Xiaobo , Chen Han , Xi Liujiang , Gong Wenqiang , Liu Yong
Published: September 2016

Ternary metal sulfides have been regarded as a promising class of electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors since they can offer higher electronic conductivity and higher electrochemical activity than single-component metal sulfides.
Loss of bottlebrush stiffness due to free polymers
Authors: Storm Ingeborg M. , Kornreich Micha , Voets Ilja K. , Beck Roy , de Vries Renko , Cohen Stuart Martien A. , Leermakers Frans A. M.
Published: September 2016

Increasing free polymer conc. inhibits liquid crystalline ordering of supramolecular bottlebrushes due to a loss in the stretching of the side chains.
Bulk monolithic electrodes enabled by surface mechanical attrition treatment-facilitated dealloying
Authors: Zhang J. , Chan L.-C. , Gao T. , Wang Q. , Zeng S. , Bian H. , Lee C. , Xu Z. , Li Y. Y. , Lu J.
Published: September 2016

Bulk dealloyed metals of large surface areas are obtained by suppressing the self-coarsening effect with surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT).
Inkjet-printed porous polyaniline gel as an efficient anode for microbial fuel cells
Authors: Song Rong-Bin , Yan Kun , Lin Zong-Qiong , Chye Loo Joachim Say , Pan Li-Jia , Zhang Qichun , Zhang Jian-Rong , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: September 2016

An inkjet-printed polyaniline gel on carbon substrate was employed as an efficient anode to remarkably improve the performance of microbial fuel cells.
Ordered macroporous CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite semitransparent film for high-performance solar cells
Authors: Chen Bai-Xue , Rao Hua-Shang , Chen Hong-Yan , Li Wen-Guang , Kuang Dai-Bin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: September 2016

Perovskite solar cell based on ordered macroporous CH3NH3PbI3 films achieves a PCE of 11.7% under the AL AVT of 36.5%.
Recent advances in biomimetic thin membranes applied in emulsified oil/water separation
Authors: Peng Yubing , Guo Zhiguang
Published: September 2016

This review provides a brief introduction to filtration membranes with superwetting surfaces applied to oil/water emulsion separation and includes comprehensive discussions about the fabrication methods of each filtration membrane, which is expected to advance the development of biomimetic surface membranes for oil/water emulsion separation.
Facile synthesis of β-lactoglobulin capped Ag2S quantum dots for in vivo imaging in the second near-infrared biological window
Authors: Chen Jun , Kong Yifei , Wo Yan , Fang Hongwei , Li Yunxia , Zhang Tao , Dong Yu , Ge Yunsheng , Wu Ziying , Zhou Dejian , Chen Shiyi
Published: September 2016

Effectivein vivofluorescence imaging based on β-LG-Ag2S quantum dots at the second near-infrared region.
Daylight-stimulated antibacterial activity for sustainable bacterial detection and inhibition
Authors: Wu Yuanhao , Chen Qixian , Li Qiaoying , Lu Hongguang , Wu Xinshi , Ma Jianbiao , Gao Hui
Published: September 2016

Light-stimulated AIE-based nanocomplexes have been developed as convenient tools to accomplish the tasks of the detection and inhibition of bacteria.
Naphtho[2,3-b]thiophene diimide (NTI): a mono-functionalisable core-extended naphthalene diimide for electron-deficient architectures
Authors: Chen Wangqiao , Nakano Masahiro , Kim Ji-Hoon , Takimiya Kazuo , Zhang Qichun
Published: September 2016

A new π-extended naphthalene diimide with one fused-thiophene ring, naphtho[2,3-b]thiophene diimide (NTI), was synthesized.
The effect of chronic alcohol consumption on mitochondrial calcium handling in hepatocytes
Authors: Wang Guoqiang , Mémin Elisabeth , Murali Ishwarya , Gaspers Lawrence D.
Published: September 2016

The damage to liver mitochondria is universally observed in both humans and animal models after excessive alcohol consumption. Acute alcohol treatment has been shown to stimulate calcium (Ca2+) release from internal stores in hepatocytes. The resultant increase in cytosolic Ca2+ is expected to be accumulated by neighboring mitochondria, which could potentially lead to mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and injury. Our data indicate that total and free mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ levels are, indeed, elevated in hepatocytes isolated from alcohol-fed rats compared with their pair-fed control littermates. In permeabilized hepatocytes, the rates of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake were substantially increased after chronic alcohol feeding, whereas those of mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux were decreased. The changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ handling could be explained by an up-regulation of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter and loss of a cyclosporin A-sensitive Ca2+ transport pathway. In intact cells, hormone-induced increases in mitochondrial Ca2+ declined at slower rates leading to more prolonged elevations of matrix Ca2+ in the alcohol-fed group compared with controls. Moreover, treatment with submaximal concentrations of Ca2+-mobilizing hormones markedly increased the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hepatocytes from alcohol-fed rats, but did not affect ROS levels in controls. The changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ handling are expected to buffer and attenuate cytosolic Ca2+ increases induced by acute alcohol exposure or hormone stimulation. However, these alterations in mitochondrial Ca2+ handling may also lead to Ca2+ overload during cytosolic Ca2+ increases, which may stimulate the production of mitochondrial ROS, and thus contribute to alcohol-induced liver injury.
Biochemical and structural characterization of DNA ligases from bacteria and archaea
Authors: Pergolizzi Giulia , Wagner Gerd K. , Bowater Richard P.
Published: September 2016

DNA ligases are enzymes that seal breaks in the backbones of DNA, leading to them being essential for the survival of all organisms. DNA ligases have been studied from many different types of cells and organisms and shown to have diverse sizes and sequences, with well conserved specific sequences that are required for enzymatic activity. A significant number of DNA ligases have been isolated or prepared in recombinant forms and, here, we review their biochemical and structural characterization. All DNA ligases contain an essential lysine that transfers an adenylate group from a co-factor to the 5′-phosphate of the DNA end that will ultimately be joined to the 3′-hydroxyl of the neighbouring DNA strand. The essential DNA ligases in bacteria use β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (β-NAD+) as their co-factor whereas those that are essential in other cells use adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) as their co-factor. This observation suggests that the essential bacterial enzyme could be targeted by novel antibiotics and the complex molecular structure of β-NAD+ affords multiple opportunities for chemical modification. Several recent studies have synthesized novel derivatives and their biological activity against a range of DNA ligases has been evaluated as inhibitors for drug discovery and/or non-natural substrates for biochemical applications. Here, we review the recent advances that herald new opportunities to alter the biochemical activities of these important enzymes. The recent development of modified derivatives of nucleotides highlights that the continued combination of structural, biochemical and biophysical techniques will be useful in targeting these essential cellular enzymes.
Silencing of SOX12 by shRNA suppresses migration, invasion and proliferation of breast cancer cells
Authors: Ding Hanzhi , Quan Hong , Yan Weiguo , Han Jing
Published: September 2016

Sex determining region Y-box protein 12 (SOX12) is essential for embryonic development and cell-fate determination. The role of SOX12 in tumorigenesis of breast cancer is not well-understood. Here, we found that SOX12 mRNA expression was up-regulated in human breast cancer tissues. To clarify the roles of SOX12 in breast cancer, we used lentiviral shRNAs to suppress its expression in two breast cancer cells with relatively higher expression of SOX12 (BT474 and MCF-7). Our findings strongly suggested that SOX12 was critical for cell migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. We found that silencing of SOX12 significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of MMP9 and Twist, while notably increased E-cadherin. Moreover, SOX12 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro and the growth of xenograft tumours in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that breast cancer cells with SOX12 knockdown showed cell cycle arrest and decreased mRNA and protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), CDK2 and Cyclin D1. Taken together, SOX12 plays an important role in growth inhibition through cell-cycle arrest, as well as migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.
Effects of N-glycosylation of the human cation channel TRPA1 on agonist-sensitivity
Authors: Egan Timothy J. , Acuña Mario A. , Zenobi-Wong Marcy , Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich , Urech David
Published: September 2016

Determining the functional significance of post-translational modifications advances our understanding of many broadly-expressed proteins, and particularly ion channels. The enzymes that catalyse these modifications are often expressed in a cell-type specific manner, resulting in considerable structural diversity among post-translationally modified proteins that are expressed across a variety of cell types. TRP channels exhibit notably variable behaviour between cell types in vitro and in vivo, and they are frequently modified with N-glycans that contribute to protein function. TRPA1 possesses two putative N-linked glycosylation sites at Asn747 and Asn753 that have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, we show that both of these sites can be modified with an N-glycan and that the glycan at position Asn747 modulates agonist-sensitivity of TRPA1 in vitro. Additionally, we found that N-glycosylation also modulates cooperative effects of temperature and the agonist cinnamaldehyde (CA) on TRPA1 channel activation. Collectively, these findings suggest a dynamic role played by the N-glycosylation of human TRPA1. They also provide further evidence of the versatility of N-glycans and will assist in efforts to fully understand the complex regulation of TRPA1 activity.
Multiuser detector for airborne co‐located multiple input/multiple output radar using compressive measurements
Authors: Abed Amir Mohammad , Salehi Jawad A. , Hariri Alireza
Published: September 2016

This study presents and analyses a novel joint detection and parameters estimation of multiple targets using a co‐located multiple input/multiple output radar with moving platform, in the presence of clutter and background noise. A notable feature of the proposed approach is that clutter cancellation is independent of received data. Moreover, to decrease the computational load, the authors propose to perform the target detection and parameters estimation by directly processing on the compressive measurements as opposed to Nyquist samples.
The sensitivity of the electron transport within bulk zinc-blende gallium nitride to variations in the crystal temperature, the doping concentration, and the non-parabolicity coefficient associated with the lowest energy conduction band valley
Authors: Siddiqua Poppy , O'Leary Stephen K.
Published: September 2016

Within the framework of a semi-classical three-valley Monte Carlo simulation approach, we analyze the steady-state and transient electron transport that occurs within bulk zinc-blende gallium nitride. In particular, we examine how the steady-state and transient electron transport that occurs within this material changes in response to variations in the crystal temperature, the doping concentration, and the non-parabolicity coefficient associated with the lowest energy conduction band valley. These results are then contrasted with those corresponding to a number of other compound semiconductors of interest.
On the structural and electronic properties of Ir-silicide nanowires on Si(001) surface
Authors: Fatima  , Can Oguz Ismail , Çakır Deniz , Hossain Sehtab , Mohottige Rasika , Gulseren Oguz , Oncel Nuri
Published: September 2016

Iridium (Ir) modified Silicon (Si) (001) surface is studied with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy (STM/STS) and Density Functional Theory (DFT). A model for Ir-silicide nanowires based on STM images and ab-initio calculations is proposed. According to our model, the Ir adatom is on the top of the substrate dimer row and directly binds to the dimer atoms. I-V curves measured at 77 K shows that the nanowires are metallic. DFT calculations confirm strong metallic nature of the nanowires.
The correlation between wake transition and propulsive efficiency of a flapping foil: A numerical study
Authors: Deng Jian , Sun Liping , Teng Lubao , Pan Dingyi , Shao Xueming
Published: September 2016

We study numerically the propulsive wakes produced by a flapping foil. Both pure pitching and pure heaving motions are considered, respectively, at a fixed Reynolds number of Re = 1700. As the major innovation of this paper, we find an interesting coincidence that the efficiency maximum agrees well with the 2D-3D transition boundary, by plotting the contours of propulsive efficiency in the frequency-amplitude parametric space and comparing to the transition boundaries. Although there is a lack of direct 3D simulations, it is reasonable to conjecture that the propulsive efficiency increases with Strouhal number until the wake transits from a 2D state to a 3D state. By comparing between the pure pitching motion and the pure heaving motion, we find that the 2D-3D transition occurs earlier for the pure heaving foil than that of the pure pitching foil. Consequently, the efficiency for the pure heaving foil peaks more closely to the wake deflection boundary than that of the pure pitching foil. Furthermore, since we have drawn the maps on the same parametric space with the same Reynolds number, it is possible to make a direct comparison in the propulsive efficiency between a pure pitching foil and a pure heaving foil. We note that the maximum efficiency for a pure pitching foil is 15.6%, and that of a pure heaving foil is 17%, indicating that the pure heaving foil has a slightly better propulsive performance than that of the pure pitching foil for the currently studied Reynolds number.
A flatter gallium profile for high-efficiency Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cell and improved robustness against sulfur-gradient variation
Authors: Huang Chien-Yao , Lee Wen-Chin , Lin Albert
Published: September 2016

Co-optimization of the gallium and sulfur profiles in penternary Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 thin film solar cell and its impacts on device performance and variability are investigated in this work. An absorber formation method to modulate the gallium profiling under low sulfur-incorporation is disclosed, which solves the problem of Ga-segregation in selenization. Flatter Ga-profiles, which lack of experimental investigations to date, are explored and an optimal Ga-profile achieving 17.1% conversion efficiency on a 30 cm × 30 cm sub-module without anti-reflection coating is presented. Flatter Ga-profile gives rise to the higher Voc × Jsc by improved bandgap matching to solar spectrum, which is hard to be achieved by the case of Ga-accumulation. However, voltage-induced carrier collection loss is found, as evident from the measured voltage-dependent photocurrent characteristics based on a small-signal circuit model. The simulation results reveal that the loss is attributed to the synergistic effect of the detrimental gallium and sulfur gradients, which can deteriorate the carrier collection especially in quasi-neutral region (QNR). Furthermore, the underlying physics is presented, and it provides a clear physical picture to the empirical trends of device performance, I–V characteristics, and voltage-dependent photocurrent, which cannot be explained by the standard solar circuit model. The parameter “FGa” and front sulfur-gradient are found to play critical roles on the trade-off between space charge region (SCR) recombination and QNR carrier collection. The co-optimized gallium and sulfur gradients are investigated, and the corresponding process modification for further efficiency-enhancement is proposed. In addition, the performance impact of sulfur-gradient variation is studied, and a gallium design for suppressing the sulfur-induced variability is proposed. Device performances of varied Ga-profiles with front sulfur-gradients are simulated based on a compact device model. Finally, an exploratory path toward 20% high-efficiency Ga-profile with robustness against sulfur-induced performance variability is presented.
Viscous slip coefficients for binary gas mixtures measured from mass flow rates through a single microtube
Authors: Yamaguchi H. , Takamori K. , Perrier P. , Graur I. , Matsuda Y. , Niimi T.
Published: September 2016

The viscous slip coefficient for helium-argon binary gas mixture is extracted from the experimental values of the mass flow rate through a microtube. The mass flow rate is measured by the constant-volume method. The viscous slip coefficient was obtained by identifying the measured mass flow rate through a microtube with the corresponding analytical expression, which is a function of the Knudsen number. The measurements were carried out in the slip flow regime where the first-order slip boundary condition can be applied. The measured viscous slip coefficients of binary gas mixtures exhibit a concave function of the molar ratio of the mixture, showing a similar profile with numerical results. However, from the detailed comparison between the measured and numerical values with the complete and incomplete accommodation at a surface, it is inappropriate to estimate the viscous slip coefficient for the mixture numerically by employing separately measured tangential momentum accommodation coefficient for each component. The time variation of the molar ratio in the downstream chamber was measured by sampling the gas from the chamber using the quadrupole mass spectrometer. In our measurements, it is indicated that the volume flow rate of argon is larger than that of helium because of the difference in the tangential momentum accommodation coefficient.
Rate-equation modelling and ensemble approach to extraction of parameters for viral infection-induced cell apoptosis and necrosis
Authors: Domanskyi Sergii , Schilling Joshua E. , Gorshkov Vyacheslav , Libert Sergiy , Privman Vladimir
Published: September 2016

We develop a theoretical approach that uses physiochemical kinetics modelling to describe cell population dynamics upon progression of viral infection in cell culture, which results in cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) and necrosis (direct cell death). Several model parameters necessary for computer simulation were determined by reviewing and analyzing available published experimental data. By comparing experimental data to computer modelling results, we identify the parameters that are the most sensitive to the measured system properties and allow for the best data fitting. Our model allows extraction of parameters from experimental data and also has predictive power. Using the model we describe interesting time-dependent quantities that were not directly measured in the experiment and identify correlations among the fitted parameter values. Numerical simulation of viral infection progression is done by a rate-equation approach resulting in a system of “stiff” equations, which are solved by using a novel variant of the stochastic ensemble modelling approach. The latter was originally developed for coupled chemical reactions.
Non-linear excitation of quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride multiplayers
Authors: Schell Andreas W. , Tran Toan Trong , Takashima Hideaki , Takeuchi Shigeki , Aharonovich Igor
Published: September 2016

Two-photon absorption is an important non-linear process employed for high resolution bio-imaging and non-linear optics. In this work, we realize two-photon excitation of a quantum emitter embedded in a two-dimensional (2D) material. We examine defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and show that the emitters exhibit similar spectral and quantum properties under one-photon and two-photon excitation. Furthermore, our findings are important to deploy two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride for quantum non-linear photonic applications.