bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attentional focus moderates the relationship between attention to threat bias and delusion-like experiences in healthy adults
Authors: Prochwicz K. , Kłosowska J.
Published: November 2016

Background

The role of cognitive biases in delusion and delusion-like experiences has been widely investigated in recent years. However, little is known about individual differences, which may influence association between cognitive biases and formation of delusional beliefs. The aim of this study was to examine the moderating effect of self-reported attentional control on the relationship between attention to threat bias (ATB) and delusion-like experiences (DLEs) in healthy adults.

Methods

Participants (n = 138) completed the Davos Assessment of the Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) and the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI). The moderation analysis was performed to check the influence of different components of attentional control (i.e. general ability to allocate attention, focusing, shifting and divide attention) on the interplay between ATB and DLEs.

Results

The results supported the moderation model. Specifically, we found that a higher level of ability to focus attention is associated with a stronger effect of attention to threat bias on the overall frequency of DLEs. Our results indicate that ATB contributes to the number of DLEs only in individuals with high and moderate capacity to focus attention, whereas in those who scored low on the ACS focusing attention subscale, the presence of attentional bias does not influence the frequency of DLEs.

Conclusions

Our findings show that the individual difference variable, such as ability to voluntarily focus attention, may moderate the relationship between attention to threat bias and delusion-like experiences in healthy adults.
Rumen fluke (Calicophoron daubneyi) on Welsh farms: prevalence, risk factors and observations on co-infection withFasciola hepatica
Authors: JONES RHYS ALED , BROPHY PETER M. , MITCHELL E. SIAN , WILLIAMS HEFIN WYN
Published: November 2016

Reports ofCalicophoron daubneyiinfecting livestock in Europe have increased substantially over the past decade; however, there has not been an estimate of its farm level prevalence and associated risk factors in the UK. Here, the prevalence ofC. daubneyiacross 100 participating Welsh farms was recorded, with climate, environmental and management factors attained for each farm and used to create logistic regression models explaining its prevalence. Sixty-one per cent of farms studied were positive forC. daubneyi, with herd-level prevalence for cattle (59%) significantly higher compared with flock-level prevalence for sheep (42%,P= 0·029). Co-infection betweenC. daubneyiandFasciola hepaticawas observed on 46% of farms; however, a significant negative correlation was recorded in the intensity of infection between each parasite within cattle herds (rho = −0·358,P= 0·007). Final models showed sunshine hours, herd size, treatment regularity againstF. hepatica, the presence of streams and bog habitats, and Ollerenshaw index values as significant positive predictors forC. daubneyi(P< 0·05). The results raise intriguing questions regardingC. daubneyiepidemiology, potential competition withF. hepaticaand the role of climate change inC. daubneyiestablishment and its future within the UK.
Lau and O'Rourke Receive 2016 Study of the Earth's Deep Interior Focus Group Graduate Research Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: November 2016

Harriet Lau and Joseph O'Rourke will receive the 2016 Study of the Earth's Deep Interior Focus Group Graduate Research Award at the 2016 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 12–16 December in San Francisco, Calif. This award is given annually for advances that contribute to the understanding of the deep interior of the Earth or other planetary bodies using a broad range of observational, experimental, and/or theoretical approaches.
A novel mutant p53 binding partner BAG5 stabilizes mutant p53 and promotes mutant p53 GOFs in tumorigenesis
Authors: Yue Xuetian , Zhao Yuhan , Huang Grace , Li Jun , Zhu Junlan , Feng Zhaohui , Hu Wenwei
Published: November 2016

Tumor suppressor p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human tumors. Many tumor-associated mutant p53 (mutp53) proteins gain new tumor-promoting activities, including increased proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance of tumor cells, which are defined as gain-of-functions (GOFs). Mutp53 proteins often accumulate at high levels in human tumors, which is important for mutp53 to exert their GOFs. The mechanism underlying mutp53 proteins accumulation in tumors is not fully understood. Here, we report that BAG5, a member of Bcl-2-associated athanogene (BAG) family proteins, promotes mutp53 accumulation in tumors, which in turn enhances mutp53 GOFs. Mechanistically, BAG5 interacts with mutp53 proteins to protect mutp53 from ubiquitination and degradation by E3 ubiquitin ligases MDM2 and CHIP, which in turn promotes mutp53 protein accumulation and therefore GOFs in promoting cell proliferation, tumor growth, cell migration and chemoresistance. BAG5 is frequently overexpressed in many human tumors and the overexpression of BAG5 is associated with poor prognosis of cancer patients. Altogether, this study revealed that inhibition of mutp53 degradation by BAG5 is a novel and critical mechanism underlying mutp53 protein accumulation and GOFs in cancer. Furthermore, our results also uncovered that promoting mutp53 accumulation and GOFs is a novel mechanism of BAG5 in tumorigenesis.
Geographic distribution at subspecies resolution level: closely related Rhodopirellula species in European coastal sediments
Authors: Žure Marina , Fernandez-Guerra Antonio , Munn Colin B , Harder Jens
Published: November 2016

Members of the marine genus Rhodopirellula are attached living bacteria and studies based on cultured Rhodopirellula strains suggested that three closely related species R. baltica, ‘R. europaea’ and ‘R. islandica’ have a limited geographic distribution in Europe. To address this hypothesis, we developed a nested PCR for a single gene copy detection of a partial acetyl CoA synthetase (acsA) from intertidal sediments collected all around Europe. Furthermore, we performed growth experiments in a range of temperature, salinity and light conditions. A combination of Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and Minimum Entropy Decomposition (MED) was used to analyze the sequences with the aim to explore the geographical distribution of the species and subspecies. MED has been mainly used for the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and here we propose a protocol for the analysis of protein-coding genes taking into account the degeneracy of the codons and a possible overestimation of functional diversity. The high-resolution analysis revealed differences in the intraspecies community structure in different geographic regions. However, we found all three species present in all regions sampled and in agreement with growth experiments we demonstrated that Rhodopirellula species do not have a limited geographic distribution in Europe.
Happy together: microbial communities that hook up to swap electrons
Authors: Lovley Derek R
Published: November 2016

The discovery of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) and cable bacteria has demonstrated that microbial cells can exchange electrons over long distances (μm–cm) through electrical connections. For example, in the presence of cable bacteria electrons are rapidly transported over centimeter distances, coupling the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds in anoxic sediments to oxygen reduction in overlying surficial sediments. Bacteria and archaea wired for DIET are found in anaerobic methane-producing and methane-consuming communities. Electrical connections between gut microbes and host cells have also been proposed. Iterative environmental and defined culture studies on methanogenic communities revealed the importance of electrically conductive pili and c-type cytochromes in natural electrical grids, and demonstrated that conductive carbon materials and magnetite can substitute for these biological connectors to facilitate DIET. This understanding has led to strategies to enhance and stabilize anaerobic digestion. Key unknowns warranting further investigation include elucidation of the archaeal electrical connections facilitating DIET-based methane production and consumption; and the mechanisms for long-range electron transfer through cable bacteria. A better understanding of mechanisms for cell-to-cell electron transfer could facilitate the hunt for additional electrically connected microbial communities with omics approaches and could advance spin-off applications such as the development of sustainable bioelectronics materials and bioelectrochemical technologies.
Enhanced microbial electrosynthesis by using defined co-cultures
Authors: Deutzmann Jörg S , Spormann Alfred M
Published: November 2016

Microbial uptake of free cathodic electrons presents a poorly understood aspect of microbial physiology. Uptake of cathodic electrons is particularly important in microbial electrosynthesis of sustainable fuel and chemical precursors using only CO2 and electricity as carbon, electron and energy source. Typically, large overpotentials (200 to 400 mV) were reported to be required for cathodic electron uptake during electrosynthesis of, for example, methane and acetate, or low electrosynthesis rates were observed. To address these limitations and to explore conceptual alternatives, we studied defined co-cultures metabolizing cathodic electrons. The Fe(0)-corroding strain IS4 was used to catalyze the electron uptake reaction from the cathode forming molecular hydrogen as intermediate, and Methanococcus maripaludis and Acetobacterium woodii were used as model microorganisms for hydrogenotrophic synthesis of methane and acetate, respectively. The IS4-M. maripaludis co-cultures achieved electromethanogenesis rates of 0.1–0.14 μmol cm−2 h−1 at −400 mV vs standard hydrogen electrode and 0.6–0.9 μmol cm−2 h−1 at −500 mV. Co-cultures of strain IS4 and A. woodii formed acetate at rates of 0.21–0.23 μmol cm−2 h−1 at −400 mV and 0.57–0.74 μmol cm−2 h−1 at −500 mV. These data show that defined co-cultures coupling cathodic electron uptake with synthesis reactions via interspecies hydrogen transfer may lay the foundation for an engineering strategy for microbial electrosynthesis.
“Big Data” for breast cancer: where to look and what you will find
Authors: Clare Susan E , Shaw Pamela L
Published: November 2016

Accessing the massive amount of breast cancer data that are currently publicly available may seem daunting to the brand new graduate student embarking on his/her first project or even to the seasoned lab leader, who may wish to explore a new avenue of investigation. In this review, we provide an overview of data resources focusing on high-throughput data and on cancer-related data resources. Although not intended as an exhaustive list, the information included in this review will provide a jumping-off point with descriptions of and links to the various data resources of interest. The review is divided into six sections: (1) compendia of data resources; (2) biomolecular repository “Hubs”; (3) a list of cancer-related data resources, which provides information on contents of the resource and whether the resource enables upload and analysis of investigator provided data; (4) a list of seminal publications containing specific breast cancer data, e.g., publications from METBRIC, Sanger, TCGA; (5) a list of journals focused on data science that include cancer-related “Big Data”; and (6) miscellaneous resources.
Prenatal maternal depression is associated with offspring inflammation at 25 years: a prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Plant D T , Pawlby S , Sharp D , Zunszain P A , Pariante C M
Published: November 2016

Animal studies and a handful of prospective human studies have demonstrated that young offspring exposed to maternal prenatal stress show abnormalities in immune parameters and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function. No study has examined the effect of maternal prenatal depression on offspring inflammation and HPA axis activity in adulthood, nor the putative role of child maltreatment in inducing these abnormalities. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and awakening cortisol were measured at age 25 in 103 young-adult offspring of the South London Child Development Study (SLCDS), a prospective longitudinal birth cohort of mother–offspring dyads recruited in pregnancy in 1986. Maternal prenatal depression was assessed in pregnancy at 20 and 36 weeks; offspring child maltreatment (birth 17 years) was assessed at offspring ages 11, 16 and 25; and offspring adulthood depression (18–25 years) was assessed at age 25. Exposure to maternal prenatal depression predicted significantly elevated offspring hs-CRP at age 25 (odds ratio=11.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.1, 127.0), P=0.041), independently of child maltreatment and adulthood depression, known risk factors for adulthood inflammation. In contrast, maternal prenatal depression did not predict changes in offspring adulthood cortisol; however, offspring exposure to child maltreatment did, and was associated with elevated awakening cortisol levels (B=161.9, 95% CI (45.4, 278.4), P=0.007). Fetal exposure to maternal depression during pregnancy has effects on immune function that persist for up to a quarter of a century after birth. Findings are consistent with the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis for the biological embedding of gestational psychosocial adversity into vulnerability for future physical and mental illness.
Erratum: The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC): a genome-wide association study of antidepressant treatment response
Authors: Biernacka J M , Sangkuhl K , Jenkins G , Whaley R M , Barman P , Batzler A , Altman R B , Arolt V , Brockmöller J , Chen C H , Domschke K , Hall-Flavin D K , Hong C J , Illi A , Ji Y , Kampman O , Kinoshita T , Leinonen E , Liou Y J , Mushiroda T , Nonen S , Skime M K , Wang L , Baune B T , Kato M , Liu Y L , Praphanphoj V , Stingl J C , Tsai S J , Kubo M , Klein T E , Weinshilboum R
Published: November 2016

Correction to: Translational Psychiatry (2015) 5, e553; doi:10.1038/tp.2015.47; published online 21 April 2015 Following publication, the authors identified an error in the meta-analysis of ISPC, AMPS and STAR*D data. The error resulted from a failure to correctly harmonize alleles at some SNPs prior to meta-analyzing results from the three studies.
Bifidobacterium longum 1714 as a translational psychobiotic: modulation of stress, electrophysiology and neurocognition in healthy volunteers
Authors: Allen A P , Hutch W , Borre Y E , Kennedy P J , Temko A , Boylan G , Murphy E , Cryan J F , Dinan T G , Clarke G
Published: November 2016

The emerging concept of psychobiotics—live microorganisms with a potential mental health benefit—represents a novel approach for the management of stress-related conditions. The majority of studies have focused on animal models. Recent preclinical studies have identified the B. longum 1714 strain as a putative psychobiotic with an impact on stress-related behaviors, physiology and cognitive performance. Whether such preclinical effects could be translated to healthy human volunteers remains unknown. We tested whether psychobiotic consumption could affect the stress response, cognition and brain activity patterns. In a within-participants design, healthy volunteers (N=22) completed cognitive assessments, resting electroencephalography and were exposed to a socially evaluated cold pressor test at baseline, post-placebo and post-psychobiotic. Increases in cortisol output and subjective anxiety in response to the socially evaluated cold pressor test were attenuated. Furthermore, daily reported stress was reduced by psychobiotic consumption. We also observed subtle improvements in hippocampus-dependent visuospatial memory performance, as well as enhanced frontal midline electroencephalographic mobility following psychobiotic consumption. These subtle but clear benefits are in line with the predicted impact from preclinical screening platforms. Our results indicate that consumption of B. longum 1714 is associated with reduced stress and improved memory. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the benefits of this putative psychobiotic in relevant stress-related conditions and to unravel the mechanisms underlying such effects.
Dissection of major depressive disorder using polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia in two independent cohorts
Authors: Whalley H C , Adams M J , Hall L S , Clarke T-K , Fernandez-Pujals A M , Gibson J , Wigmore E , Hafferty J , Hagenaars S P , Davies G , Campbell A , Hayward C , Lawrie S M , Porteous D J , Deary I J , McIntosh A M
Published: November 2016

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is known for its substantial clinical and suspected causal heterogeneity. It is characterized by low mood, psychomotor slowing and increased levels of the personality trait neuroticism; factors also associated with schizophrenia (SCZ). It is possible that some cases of MDD may have a substantial genetic loading for SCZ. The presence of SCZ-like MDD subgroups would be indicated by an interaction between MDD status and polygenic risk of SCZ on cognitive, personality and mood measures. Here, we hypothesized that higher SCZ polygenic risk would define larger MDD case–control differences in cognitive ability, and smaller differences in distress and neuroticism. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for SCZ and their association with cognitive variables, neuroticism, mood and psychological distress were estimated in a large population-based cohort (Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study, GS:SFHS). The individuals were divided into those with, and without, depression (n=2587 and n=16 764, respectively) to test for the interactions between MDD status and schizophrenia risk. Replication was sought in UK Biobank (UKB; n=6049 and n=27 476 cases and controls, respectively). In both the cohorts, we found significant interactions between SCZ-PRS and MDD status for measures of psychological distress (βGS=−0.04, PGS=0.014 and βUKB=−0.09, PUKB⩽0.001 for GS:SFHS and UKB, respectively) and neuroticism (βGS=−0.04, PGS=0.002 and βUKB=−0.06, PUKB=0.023). In both the cohorts, there was a reduction of case–control differences on a background of higher genetic risk of SCZ. These findings suggest that depression on a background of high genetic risk for SCZ may show attenuated associations with distress and neuroticism. This may represent a causally distinct form of MDD more closely related to SCZ.
Ultrasound assisted extraction and spectrophotometric determination of trace selenium in water, food and vegetable samples
Authors: Altunay Nail , Gürkan Ramazan , Güneş Murat
Published: November 2016

In the present study, a new ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) method was developed for preconcentration of selenite, Se(iv), from sample matrices prior to analysis.
Hairpin DNA-fueled dynamic self-assembly of three-arm DNA branched junctions consisting of active DNAzyme structures for enzyme-free ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids
Authors: Yang Ke , Zeng Ming , He Xing , Li Jianming , He Dinggeng
Published: November 2016

An enzyme-free dual signal amplification strategy based on programmable molecular hairpins has been developed for amplified detection of DNA via the hairpin DNA-fueled dynamic self-assembly of three-arm DNAzyme.
Catalytic promiscuity of glycopeptide N-methyltransferases enables bio-orthogonal labelling of biosynthetic intermediates
Authors: Brieke Clara , Yim Grace , Peschke Madeleine , Wright Gerard D. , Cryle Max J.
Published: November 2016

Remarkable promiscuity of N-methyltransferases enables modulation of biological activity as well as bio-orthogonal labelling of glycopeptide antibiotics and biosynthetic intermediates.
Construction of boronate ester based single-layered covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Yu Lei , Li Zhi-Bo , Wang Dong
Published: November 2016

Boronate ester based single-layered COFs with uniform pore sizes and large domain areas have been fabricated under an ambient atmosphere.
Flavin-mediated photo-oxidation for the detection of mitochondrial flavins
Authors: Lee Dong-Nam , Kim Eunjin , Lee Jae Hong , Kim Jong Seung , Kang Chulhun , Hong Jong-In
Published: November 2016

Photooxidation-based probe1showed high selectivity for flavins and mitochondrial localization in live cells and tissues.
A one-dimensional material as a nano-scaffold and a pseudo-seed for facilitated growth of ultrathin, mechanically reinforced molecular sieving membranes
Authors: Shamsaei Ezzatollah , Lin Xiaocheng , Wan Li , Tong Yuping , Wang Huanting
Published: November 2016

A new pseudo-seeding and nano-scaffolding method was developed to synthesize thin ZIF-8 hybrid membranes (100–200 nm) with remarkable mechanical and structural stability and good gas separation properties.
High performance carbon molecular sieving membranes derived from pyrolysis of metal–organic framework ZIF-108 doped polyimide matrices
Authors: Jiao Wenmei , Ban Yujie , Shi Zixing , Jiang Xuesong , Li Yanshuo , Yang Weishen
Published: November 2016

Carbon membranes fabricated by pyrolysis of MOF-doped polyimide membranes have an increment of ultramicropores, providing remarkable gas molecular sieving properties.
Smart mesoporous silica nanoparticles gated by pillararene-modified gold nanoparticles for on-demand cargo release
Authors: Wang Xin , Tan Li-Li , Li Xi , Song Nan , Li Zheng , Hu Jia-Na , Cheng Yi-Ming , Wang Yan , Yang Ying-Wei
Published: November 2016

A new drug delivery system, based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles gated by carboxylatopillar[5]arene-modified gold nanoparticles, has been fabricated for controlled drug release.
Photoinduced decomposition of acetaldehyde on a reduced TiO2(110) surface: involvement of lattice oxygen
Authors: Xu Chenbiao , Yang Wenshao , Guo Qing , Dai Dongxu , Yang Xueming
Published: November 2016

A simple model reveals that BBO atoms are involved in the photo-induced decomposition of CH3CHO on TiO2(110).
Encumbrance in desilylation triggered fluorogenic detection of the fluoride ion – a kinetic approach
Authors: Suresh Raghupathy , Thiyagarajan Senthil Kumar , Ramamurthy Perumal
Published: November 2016

The indigenous influences of three different factors which encumber the desilylation process were quantitatively enumerated and prospective applications of the probes are demonstrated.
Thermoelectricity in transition metal compounds: the role of spin disorder
Authors: Gorai Prashun , Toberer Eric S. , Stevanović Vladan
Published: November 2016

At room temperature and above, most magnetic materials adopt a spin-disordered (paramagnetic) state whose electronic properties can differ significantly from their low-temperature, spin-ordered counterparts.
Expanding the environmental applications of metal (Al, Ti, Mn, Fe) doped graphene: adsorption and removal of 1,4-dioxane
Authors: Cortés-Arriagada Diego
Published: November 2016

Quantum chemistry calculations were developed to show the ability of metal embedded graphene for the adsorption and removal of 1,4-dioxane.
Synthesis of maleic and fumaric acids from furfural in the presence of betaine hydrochloride and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Araji N. , Madjinza D. D. , Chatel G. , Moores A. , Jérôme F. , De Oliveira Vigier K.
Published: November 2016

Maleic acid (MA) and fumaric acid (FA) were produced from furfural with a total yield above 90% in the presence of an aqueous solution of betaine hydrochloride (BHC) and hydrogen peroxide. BHC can be recycled and can be used to convert xylose to MA and FA.
An enolate ion as a synthon in biocatalytic synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinoxalinones and 3,4-dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones: lemon juice as an alternative to hazardous solvents and catalysts
Authors: Petronijević Jelena , Bugarčić Zorica , Bogdanović Goran A. , Stefanović Srđan , Janković Nenad
Published: November 2016

An efficient, clean, simple and environmentally friendly one-pot synthesis of two small compound libraries in lemon juice as a solvent and catalyst is presented.
Appropriate lifetimes, fitting deaths
Authors: Scott Janet L. , Lee Jacquetta
Published: November 2016

Editorial on the principle that “Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they do not persist in the environment and break down into innocuous degradation products”.
Preparation of standards for in situ sulfur isotope measurement in sulfides using femtosecond laser ablation MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Chen Lu , Chen Kaiyun , Bao Zhian , Liang Peng , Sun Tiantian , Yuan Honglin
Published: November 2016

We show the way to synthesize chalcopyrite glass for in situ sulfur isotope measurements using fsLA-MC-ICP-MS.
Passive and active droplet generation with microfluidics: a review
Authors: Zhu Pingan , Wang Liqiu
Published: November 2016

We present a comprehensive review on the fundamentals of passive and active microfluidic droplet generation.
An inkjet printed, roll-coated digital microfluidic device for inexpensive, miniaturized diagnostic assays
Authors: Dixon Christopher , Ng Alphonsus H. C. , Fobel Ryan , Miltenburg Mark B. , Wheeler Aaron R.
Published: November 2016

Inkjet printing is combined with roll-coating to fabricate digital microfluidic (DMF) devices outside of the cleanroom for inexpensive, miniaturized diagnostic assays, with straightforward scalability towards mass production.
Biological applications of xeno nucleic acids
Authors: Morihiro Kunihiko , Kasahara Yuuya , Obika Satoshi
Published: November 2016

Xeno nucleic acids (XNAs) are a group of chemically modified nucleic acid analogues that have been applied to various biological technologies such as antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs and aptamers.
The development of small-molecule modulators for ClpP protease activity
Authors: Ye Fei , Li Jiahui , Yang Cai-Guang
Published: November 2016

Deregulating ClpP activity either through inhibition or overactivation could lead to antibacterial activity.
Erythropoietin and co.: intrinsic structure and functional disorder
Authors: Uversky Vladimir N. , Redwan Elrashdy M.
Published: November 2016

Erythropoietin (Epo) is a glycoprotein with important roles in erythropoiesis and other biological processes by serving as a hormone, a cytokine, or a growth factor. At least in part, the Epo multifunctionality is driven by its partners. The goal of this article is to evaluate the roles of intrinsic disorder in the functions of Epo and its primary interactors, EpoR, βCR, and HIF-1α.
Novel oxazine and oxazone dyes: aggregation behavior and physicochemical properties
Authors: Urrutia María N. , Ortiz Cristina S.
Published: November 2016

Novel compounds exhibited good properties in comparison with the corresponding starting reagent and satisfy the conditions of a potential drug.
Superior activity of the CuS–TiO2/Pt hybrid nanostructure towards visible light induced hydrogen production
Authors: Manjunath K. , Souza V. S. , Nagaraju G. , Marcos Leite Santos J. , Dupont J. , Ramakrishnappa T.
Published: November 2016

A CuS–TiO2–Pt showed improved H2production (746 μmol h−1g−1) compared to CuS–TiO2(458 μmol h−1g−1) under the irradiation of UV-Vis light which is due to charge separation by the addition of Pt.
Phenyliodonium diacetate mediated carbotrifluoromethylation of N-acylhydrazones
Authors: Zhang Weigang , Su Yingpeng , Chong Siying , Wu Lili , Cao Guiyan , Huang Danfeng , Wang Ke-Hu , Hu Yulai
Published: November 2016

A concise, efficient and direct trifluoromethylation method of aldehyde-derivedN-acylhydrazones has been firstly developed by using the combination of inexpensive, stable and commercially available TMSCF3and PhI(OAc)2as the CF3source under mild reaction conditions.
F-THENA: a chiral derivatizing agent for the determination of the absolute configuration of secondary aromatic alcohols with a self-validating system
Authors: Dolsophon Kulvadee , Soponpong Jakapun , Kornsakulkarn Jittra , Thongpanchang Chawanee , Prabpai Samran , Kongsaeree Palangpon , Thongpanchang Tienthong
Published: November 2016

F-THENA can be used with 19F- and 1H-NMR to assign the configuration of 2° aromatic alcohols with a self-validation system.
1,6-Conjugate addition of zinc alkyls to para-quinone methides in a continuous-flow microreactor
Authors: Jadhav Abhijeet S. , Anand Ramasamy Vijaya
Published: November 2016

An efficient protocol has been developed for the 1,6-conjugate addition of zinc alkyls top-quinone methides under continuous-flow using a microreactor.
Modification of pea protein isolate for ultrasonic encapsulation of functional liquids
Authors: Ye Qianyu , Biviano Matthew , Mettu Srinivas , Zhou Meifang , Dagastine Raymond , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: November 2016

This study reports on the ultrasonic processing of pea protein isolate (PPI) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) and Tris/HCl (pH 8) buffer systems in order to modify its properties for use in the encapsulation of functional liquids.
Synthesis, curing kinetics, mechanical and thermal properties of novel cardanol-based curing agents with thiourea
Authors: Ma Zhe , Liao Bing , Wang Kun , Dai Yongqiang , Huang Jianheng , Pang Hao
Published: November 2016

A new flexible cardanol-based epoxy curing agent with cross-linkable thiourea groups was synthesized from cashew nut shell.
Conversion pathways of palm oil into jet biofuel catalyzed by mesoporous zeolites
Authors: Li Tao , Cheng Jun , Huang Rui , Zhou Junhu , Cen Kefa
Published: November 2016

Three mesoporous zeolites (Ni/Meso-Y, Ni/Meso-Hbeta, and Ni/Meso-HZSM-5) were used to catalytically convert palm oil into jet biofuel through various reaction pathways.
Construction of ZnO/Cu2SnS3 nanorod array films for enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Guo Yuxiao , Yin Xingtian , Yang Yawei , Que Wenxiu
Published: November 2016

ZnO nanorod array films grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates were homogeneously coated with visible light responsive Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles through a controllable one-step electrodeposition process.
Highly efficient and simultaneous catalytic reduction of multiple dyes using recyclable RGO/Co dendritic nanocomposites as catalyst for wastewater treatment
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta Kumar , Thakur Dinbandhu , Bahadur D. , Panigrahy Bharati
Published: November 2016

Development of a low cost, highly efficient and easily retrievable catalyst with improved reusability is a major challenge in the area of advanced catalysts.
Synergistic effect of fluorination and regio-regularity on the long-term thermal stability of polymer solar cells
Authors: Li Zidong , Zhang Tong , Xin Yue , Zhao Xiaoli , Yang Dalei , Wu Fan , Yang Xiaoniu
Published: November 2016

The synergistic effect of fluorination and regio-regularity is proposed for the first time to realize the long-term thermal stability of polymer solar cells.
Influence of mobile ions on the electroluminescence characteristics of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite diodes
Authors: Bandiello Enrico , Ávila Jorge , Gil-Escrig Lidón , Tekelenburg Eelco , Sessolo Michele , Bolink Henk J.
Published: November 2016

Upon forward biasing the perovskite diodes, the turn-on voltage of the electroluminescence diminishes and its intensity substantially increases, suggesting that mobile ions do play an important role in device operation.
Core–shell rGO/SnO2@CF with wrinkled surface used as structural anode material: high tensile strength and electrochemical stability
Authors: Feng Mengjie , Wang Shubin , Yang Jiping , Zhang Boming
Published: November 2016

Herein, we report the fabrication of new, core–shell structured anode materials that simultaneously display excellent tensile strength and electrochemical properties, thus widening the area of application of lithium ion batteries.
Culture substrates made of elastomeric micro-tripod arrays for long-term expansion of human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Li J. , Zhang F. , Yu L. , Fujimoto N. , Yoshioka M. , Li X. , Shi J. , Kotera H. , Liu L. , Chen Y.
Published: November 2016

Elastomeric micro-tripod arrays were used as novel substrates for culturing and long-term expansion of human pluripotent stem cells.
The effect of the shape of gold core–mesoporous silica shell nanoparticles on the cellular behavior and tumor spheroid penetration
Authors: Dias Diana R. , Moreira André F. , Correia Ilídio J.
Published: November 2016

Analysis of the effect of shape on the biological performances of gold core–mesoporous silica shell nanoparticles.
Innovative approach for electrical characterisation of pseudo‐resistors
Authors: Benko P.L. , Galeti M. , Pereira C.F. , Lucchi J.C. , Giacomini R.
Published: November 2016

Since the use of pseudo‐resistors became popular in of bio‐amplifiers research, several works have been published, but a lack of knowledge about accurate experimental characterisation and simulation of these non‐linear devices remains. An innovative experimental procedure concerning the characterisation of pseudo‐resistors is presented. The proposed experimental procedure proves the existence of a linear operation region, where the device can operate like a very high resistance, which is mainly applied on bio‐amplifier designs. The main experimental results of the electrical characterisation of pseudo‐resistors are described in detail and compared with the SPICE results. The pseudo‐resistor experimental curve response including the non‐linear operation region is presented. Finally, a new non‐linear polynomial resistor model to use in SPICE simulator, replacing with success the electrical representation model based on transistors models is proposed. The presented simulations were performed with Mentor Graphics EldoTM SPICE simulator, using BSIM3V3.1 and PSP103.1 models. The MOSIS Educational Program fabricated the samples used in this work.
Fabrication, characterisation and dielectric properties of KH550 modified BST/PVDF nanocomposites with high dielectric strength
Authors: Wang Li , Gao Feng , Xu Jie , Zhang Kena , Wang Min , Qin Mengjie
Published: November 2016

Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) 0–3 nanocomposites with BST nanoparticle contents of 10–40 vol% were prepared by tape casting method. The BST nanoparticles with ∼60 nm crystal size and accurate atomic ratio were synthesised by sol–gel method. The effect of the BST nanoparticle contents on the microstructure and dielectric properties of BST/PVDF nanocomposites were investigated. The BST/PVDF nanocomposites system declares that feasibility of applying low contents nanoparticles to form a homogeneous distribution in polymer matrix, higher dense interface connectivity, thereby providing a significant improvement to the dielectric strength and energy storage density; meanwhile, the nanocomposites possess high dielectric tunability. In this study, the maximum dielectric strength ∼287.12 kV/mm and energy storage density ∼5.15 J/cm3 were obtained in 10 vol% BST/PVDF nanocomposites, respectively. Moreover, the nanocomposite possesses high dielectric tunability ∼62.6% at 58 kV/mm, which proposed the nanocomposites suitable for tunable microwave devices, supercapacitors and energy storage device applications at high‐voltage environment.
Continuous‐time linear time‐varying system identification with a frequency‐domain kernel‐based estimator
Authors: Lataire John , Pintelon Rik , Piga Dario , Tóth Roland
Published: November 2016

A novel estimator for the identification of continuous‐time linear time‐varying systems is presented in this paper. The estimator uses kernel‐based regression to identify the time‐varying coefficients of a linear ordinary differential equation, based on noisy samples of the input and output signals. The estimator adopts a mixed time‐ and frequency‐domain formulation, which allows it to be formulated as the solution of a set of algebraic equations, without relying on finite differences to approximate the time derivatives. Since a kernel‐based approach is used, the model complexity selection of the time‐varying parameters is formulated as an optimisation problem with continuous variables. Variance and bias expressions of the estimate are derived and validated on a simulation example. Also, it is shown that, in highly noisy environments, the proposed kernel‐based estimator provides more reliable results than an ‘Oracle’‐based estimator which is deprived of regularisation.
Simulations of recoiling black holes: adaptive mesh refinement and radiative transfer
Authors: Meliani Zakaria , Mizuno Yosuke , Olivares Hector , Porth Oliver , Rezzolla Luciano , Younsi Ziri
Published: November 2016

Context. In many astrophysical phenomena, and especially in those that involve the high-energy regimes that always accompany the astronomical phenomenology of black holes and neutron stars, physical conditions that are achieved are extreme in terms of speeds, temperatures, and gravitational fields. In such relativistic regimes, numerical calculations are the only tool to accurately model the dynamics of the flows and the transport of radiation in the accreting matter.

Aims. We here continue our effort of modelling the behaviour of matter when it orbits or is accreted onto a generic black hole by developing a new numerical code that employs advanced techniques geared towards solving the equations of general-relativistic hydrodynamics.

Methods. More specifically, the new code employs a number of high-resolution shock-capturing Riemann solvers and reconstruction algorithms, exploiting the enhanced accuracy and the reduced computational cost of adaptive mesh-refinement (AMR) techniques. In addition, the code makes use of sophisticated ray-tracing libraries that, coupled with general-relativistic radiation-transfer calculations, allow us to accurately compute the electromagnetic emissions from such accretion flows.

Results. We validate the new code by presenting an extensive series of stationary accretion flows either in spherical or axial symmetry that are performed either in two or three spatial dimensions. In addition, we consider the highly nonlinear scenario of a recoiling black hole produced in the merger of a supermassive black-hole binary interacting with the surrounding circumbinary disc. In this way, we can present for the first time ray-traced images of the shocked fluid and the light curve resulting from consistent general-relativistic radiation-transport calculations from this process.

Conclusions. The work presented here lays the ground for the development of a generic computational infrastructure employing AMR techniques to accurately and self-consistently calculate general-relativistic accretion flows onto compact objects. In addition to the accurate handling of the matter, we provide a self-consistent electromagnetic emission from these scenarios by solving the associated radiative-transfer problem. While magnetic fields are currently excluded from our analysis, the tools presented here can have a number of applications to study accretion flows onto black holes or neutron stars.
Contemporary Trends in the Management of Posttraumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks
Authors: Mourad Moustafa , Inman Jared C. , Chan David M. , Ducic Yadranko
Published: November 2016

The objective of this review is to provide an overview on the diagnosis and management of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. This comprehensive review explores controversies associated with the management of CSF leaks as well as a review of the most contemporary literature. The scope of this article covers both traumatic CSF leaks of the middle and anterior cranial fossae.
Highly compact fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer: A new instrument design
Authors: Nowakowski B. K. , Smith D. T. , Smith S. T.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the design, construction, and characterization of a new optical-fiber-based, low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometer with a simple cavity formed by two reflecting surfaces (the end of a cleaved optical fiber and a plane, reflecting counter-surface), for the continuous measurement of displacements of several nanometers to several tens of millimeters. No beam collimation or focusing optics are required, resulting in a displacement sensor that is extremely compact (optical fiber diameter 125 μm), is surprisingly tolerant of misalignment (more than 5°), and can be used over a very wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions, including ultra-high-vacuum. The displacement measurement is derived from interferometric phase measurements using an infrared laser source whose wavelength is modulated sinusoidally at a frequency f. The phase signal is in turn derived from changes in the amplitudes of demodulated signals, at both the modulation frequency, f, and its harmonic at 2f, coming from a photodetector that is monitoring light intensity reflected back from the cavity as the cavity length changes. Simple quadrature detection results in phase errors corresponding to displacement errors of up to 25 nm, but by using compensation algorithms discussed in this paper, these inherent non-linearities can be reduced to below 3 nm. In addition, wavelength sweep capability enables measurement of the absolute surface separation. This experimental design creates a unique set of displacement measuring capabilities not previously combined in a single interferometer.
A new nondestructive instrument for bulk residual stress measurement using tungsten kα1 X-ray
Authors: Ma Ce , Dou Zuo-yong , Chen Li , Li Yun , Tan Xiao , Dong Ping , Zhang Jin , Zheng Lin , Zhang Peng-cheng
Published: November 2016

We describe an experimental instrument used for measuring nondestructively the residual stress using short wavelength X-ray, tungsten kα1. By introducing a photon energy screening technology, the monochromatic X-ray diffraction of tungsten kα1 was realized using a CdTe detector. A high precision Huber goniometer is utilized in order to reduce the error in residual stress measurement. This paper summarizes the main performance of this instrument, measurement depth, stress error, as opposed to the neutron diffraction measurements of residual stress. Here, we demonstrate an application on the determination of residual stress in an aluminum alloy welded by the friction stir welding.
Fabrication of electrocatalytic Ta nanoparticles by reactive sputtering and ion soft landing
Authors: Johnson Grant E. , Moser Trevor , Engelhard Mark , Browning Nigel D. , Laskin Julia
Published: November 2016

About 40 years ago, it was shown that tungsten carbide exhibits similar catalytic behavior to Pt for certain commercially relevant reactions, thereby suggesting the possibility of cheaper and earth-abundant substitutes for costly and rare precious metal catalysts. In this work, reactive magnetron sputtering of Ta in the presence of three model hydrocarbons (2-butanol, heptane, and m-xylene) combined with gas aggregation and ion soft landing was employed to prepare organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on surfaces for evaluation of catalytic activity and durability. The electrocatalytic behavior of the NPs supported on glassy carbon was evaluated in acidic aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry. The Ta-heptane and Ta-xylene NPs were revealed to be active and robust toward promotion of the oxygen reduction reaction, an important process occurring at the cathode in fuel cells. In comparison, pure Ta and Ta-butanol NPs were essentially unreactive. Characterization techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to probe how different sputtering conditions such as the flow rates of gases, sputtering current, and aggregation length affect the properties of the NPs. AFM images reveal the focused size of the NPs as well as their preferential binding along the step edges of graphite surfaces. In comparison, TEM images of the same NPs on carbon grids show that they bind randomly to the surface with some agglomeration but little coalescence. The TEM images also reveal morphologies with crystalline cores surrounded by amorphous regions for NPs formed in the presence of 2-butanol and heptane. In contrast, NPs formed in the presence of m-xylene are amorphous throughout. XPS spectra indicate that while the percentage of Ta, C, and O in the NPs varies depending on the sputtering conditions and hydrocarbon employed, the electron binding energies of the elements are similar for all of the NPs. The difference in reactivity between the NPs is attributed to their Ta/C ratios. Collectively, the findings presented herein indicate that reactive magnetron sputtering and gas aggregation combined with ion soft landing offer a promising physical approach for the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid NPs that have potential as low-cost durable substitutes for precious metals in catalysis.
Effect of the nature of the substrate on the surface chemistry of atomic layer deposition precursors
Authors: Yao Yunxi , Coyle Jason P. , Barry Seán T. , Zaera Francisco
Published: November 2016

The thermal chemistry of Cu(I)-sec-butyl-2-iminopyrrolidinate, a promising copper amidinate complex for atomic layer deposition (ALD) applications, was explored comparatively on several surfaces by using a combination of surface-sensitive techniques, specifically temperature-programmed desorption and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The substrates explored include single crystals of transition metals (Ni(110) and Cu(110)), thin oxide films (NiO/Ni(110) and SiO2/Ta), and oxygen-treated metals (O/Cu(110)). Decomposition of the pyrrolidinate ligand leads to the desorption of several gas-phase products, including CH3CN, HCN and butene from the metals and CO and CO2 from the oxygen-containing surfaces. In all cases dehydrogenation of the organic moieties is accompanied by hydrogen removal from the surface, in the form of H2 on metals and mainly as water from the metal oxides, but the threshold for this chemistry varies wildly, from 270 K on Ni(110) to 430 K on O/Cu(110), 470 K on Cu(110), 500 K on NiO/Ni(110), and 570 K on SiO2/Ta. Copper reduction is also observed in both the Cu 2p3/2 XPS and the Cu L3 VV Auger (AES) spectra, reaching completion by 300 K on Ni(110) but occurring only between 500 and 600 K on Cu(110). On NiO/Ni(110), both Cu(I) and Cu(0) coexist between 200 and 500 K, and on SiO2/Ta a change happens between 500 and 600 K but the reduction is limited, with the copper atoms retaining a significant ionic character. Additional experiments to test adsorption at higher temperatures led to the identification of temperature windows for the self-limiting precursor uptake required for ALD between approximately 300 and 450 K on both Ni(110) and NiO/Ni(110); the range on SiO2 had been previously determined to be wider, reaching an upper limit at about 500 K. Finally, deposition of copper metal films via ALD cycles with O2 as the co-reactant was successfully accomplished on the Ni(110) substrate.
Single-step colloidal quantum dot films for infrared solar harvesting
Authors: Kiani Amirreza , Sutherland Brandon R. , Kim Younghoon , Ouellette Olivier , Levina Larissa , Walters Grant , Dinh Cao-Thang , Liu Mengxia , Voznyy Oleksandr , Lan Xinzheng , Labelle Andre J. , Ip Alexander H. , Proppe Andrew , Ahmed Ghada H. , Mohammed Omar F. , Hoogland Sjoerd , Sargent Edward H.
Published: November 2016

Semiconductors with bandgaps in the near- to mid-infrared can harvest solar light that is otherwise wasted by conventional single-junction solar cell architectures. In particular, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising materials since they are cost-effective, processed from solution, and have a bandgap that can be tuned into the infrared (IR) via the quantum size effect. These characteristics enable them to harvest the infrared portion of the solar spectrum to which silicon is transparent. To date, IR CQD solar cells have been made using a wasteful and complex sequential layer-by-layer process. Here, we demonstrate ∼1 eV bandgap solar-harvesting CQD films deposited in a single step. By engineering a fast-drying solvent mixture for metal iodide-capped CQDs, we deposited active layers greater than 200 nm in thickness having a mean roughness less than 1 nm. We integrated these films into infrared solar cells that are stable in air and exhibit power conversion efficiencies of 3.5% under illumination by the full solar spectrum, and 0.4% through a simulated silicon solar cell filter.