bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel PAX3 mutation in a Japanese boy with Waardenburg syndrome type 1
Authors: Yoshida Yu , Doi Rieko , Adachi Kaori , Nanba Eiji , Kodani Isamu , Ryoke Kazuo
Published: March 2016

Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WS1) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hair hypopigmentation, abnormal iris pigmentation, and congenital hearing loss. WS1 is caused by mutations in paired box gene 3 (PAX3). We identified a novel PAX3 mutation (c.1107 C>G, p.Ser369Arg) in a Japanese WS1 patient showing abnormal right iris pigmentation, right-sided congenital hearing loss, synophrys, incomplete left cleft lip, and cryptorchidism.
EAF2 mediates germinal centre B-cell apoptosis to suppress excessive immune responses and prevent autoimmunity
Authors: Li Yingqian , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Fujii Shin-ichiro , Zhou Yang , Hong Rongjian , Suzuki Akari , Tsubata Takeshi , Hase Koji , Wang Ji-Yang
Published: March 2016

Regulated apoptosis of germinal centre (GC) B cells is critical for normal humoral immune responses. ELL-associated factor 2 (EAF2) regulates transcription elongation and has been shown to be an androgen-responsive potential tumour suppressor in prostate by inducing apoptosis. Here we show that EAF2 is selectively upregulated in GC B cells among various immune cell types and promotes apoptosis of GC B cells both in vitro and in vivo. EAF2 deficiency results in enlarged GCs and elevated antibody production during a T-dependent immune response. After immunization with type II collagen, mice lacking EAF2 produce high levels of collagen-specific autoantibodies and rapidly develop severe arthritis. Moreover, the mutant mice spontaneously produce anti-dsDNA, rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies as they age. These results demonstrate that EAF2-mediated apoptosis in GC B cells limits excessive humoral immune responses and is important for maintaining self-tolerance.
Bacteria differently deploy type-IV pili on surfaces to adapt to nutrient availability
Authors: Ni Lei , Yang Shuai , Zhang Rongrong , Jin Zhenyu , Chen Hao , Conrad Jacinta C , Jin Fan
Published: March 2016

The structure of bacterial biofilms depends on environmental conditions, such as availability of nutrients, during biofilm formation. In turn, variations in biofilm structure in part reflect differences in bacterial motility during early biofilm formation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa deprived of nutrients remain dispersed on a surface, whereas cells supplemented with additional nutrients cluster and form microcolonies. At the single-cell scale, how bacteria modify their motility to favour distinct life cycle outcomes remains poorly understood. High-throughput algorithms were used to track thousands of P. aeruginosa moving using type-IV pili (TFP) on surfaces in varying nutrient conditions and hence identify four distinct motility types. A minimal stochastic model was used to reproduce the TFP-driven motility types. We report that P. aeruginosa cells differently deploy TFP to alter the distribution of motility types under different nutrient conditions. Bacteria preferentially crawl unidirectionally under nutrient-limited conditions, but preferentially stall under nutrient-supplemented conditions. Motility types correlate with subcellular localisation of FimX, a protein required for TFP assembly and implicated in environmental response. The subcellular distribution of FimX is asymmetric for unidirectional crawling, consistent with TFP assembled primarily at the leading pole, whereas for non-translational types FimX expression is symmetric or non-existent. These results are consistent with a minimal stochastic model that reproduces the motility types from the subcellular average concentration and asymmetry of FimX. These findings reveal that P. aeruginosa deploy TFP symmetrically or asymmetrically to modulate motility behaviours in different nutrient conditions and thereby form biofilms only where nutrients are sufficient, which greatly enhances their competitive capacity in diverse environments.
Maximum-Entropy Inference with a Programmable Annealer
Authors: Chancellor Nicholas , Szoke Szilard , Vinci Walter , Aeppli Gabriel , Warburton Paul A.
Published: March 2016

Optimisation problems typically involve finding the ground state (i.e. the minimum energy configuration) of a cost function with respect to many variables. If the variables are corrupted by noise then this maximises the likelihood that the solution is correct. The maximum entropy solution on the other hand takes the form of a Boltzmann distribution over the ground and excited states of the cost function to correct for noise. Here we use a programmable annealer for the information decoding problem which we simulate as a random Ising model in a field. We show experimentally that finite temperature maximum entropy decoding can give slightly better bit-error-rates than the maximum likelihood approach, confirming that useful information can be extracted from the excited states of the annealer. Furthermore we introduce a bit-by-bit analytical method which is agnostic to the specific application and use it to show that the annealer samples from a highly Boltzmann-like distribution. Machines of this kind are therefore candidates for use in a variety of machine learning applications which exploit maximum entropy inference, including language processing and image recognition.
Integrated Molecular Profiling of Human Gastric Cancer Identifies DDR2 as a Potential Regulator of Peritoneal Dissemination
Authors: Kurashige Junji , Hasegawa Takanori , Niida Atsushi , Sugimachi Keishi , Deng Niantao , Mima Kosuke , Uchi Ryutaro , Sawada Genta , Takahashi Yusuke , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Inomata Masashi , Kitano Seigo , Fukagawa Takeo , Sasako Mitsuru , Sasaki Hiroki , Sasaki Shin , Mori Masaki , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Baba Hideo , Miyano Satoru , Tan Patrick , Mimori Koshi
Published: March 2016

Peritoneal dissemination is the most frequent, incurable metastasis occurring in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, molecular mechanisms driving peritoneal dissemination still remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive the peritoneal dissemination of GC. We performed combined expression analysis with in vivo-selected metastatic cell lines and samples from 200 GC patients to identify driver genes of peritoneal dissemination. The driver-gene functions associated with GC dissemination were examined using a mouse xenograft model. We identified a peritoneal dissemination-associated expression signature, whose profile correlated with those of genes related to development, focal adhesion and the extracellular matrix. Among the genes comprising the expression signature, we identified that discoidin-domain receptor 2 (DDR2) as a potential regulator of peritoneal dissemination. The DDR2 was upregulated by the loss of DNA methylation and that DDR2 knockdown reduced peritoneal metastasis in a xenograft model. Dasatinib, an inhibitor of the DDR2 signaling pathway, effectively suppressed peritoneal dissemination. DDR2 was identified as a driver gene for GC dissemination from the combined expression signature and can potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for inhibiting GC peritoneal dissemination.
Stable room-temperature ferromagnetic phase at the FeRh(100) surface
Authors: Pressacco Federico , Uhlίř Vojtěch , Gatti Matteo , Bendounan Azzedine , Fullerton Eric E. , Sirotti Fausto
Published: March 2016

Interfaces and low dimensionality are sources of strong modifications of electronic, structural, and magnetic properties of materials. FeRh alloys are an excellent example because of the first-order phase transition taking place at ~400 K from an antiferromagnetic phase at room temperature to a high temperature ferromagnetic one. It is accompanied by a resistance change and volume expansion of about 1%. We have investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of FeRh(100) epitaxially grown on MgO by combining spectroscopies characterized by different probing depths, namely X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and photoelectron spectroscopy. We find that the symmetry breaking induced at the Rh-terminated surface stabilizes a surface ferromagnetic layer involving five planes of Fe and Rh atoms in the nominally antiferromagnetic phase at room temperature. First-principles calculations provide a microscopic description of the structural relaxation and the electron spin-density distribution that support the experimental findings.
Effect of weak measurement on entanglement distribution over noisy channels
Authors: Wang Xin-Wen , Yu Sixia , Zhang Deng-Yu , Oh C. H.
Published: March 2016

Being able to implement effective entanglement distribution in noisy environments is a key step towards practical quantum communication and long-term efforts have been made on the development of it. Recently, it has been found that the null-result weak measurement (NRWM) can be used to enhance probabilistically the entanglement of a single copy of amplitude-damped entangled state. This paper investigates remote distributions of bipartite and multipartite entangled states in the amplitudedamping environment by combining NRWMs and entanglement distillation protocols (EDPs). We show that the NRWM has no positive effect on the distribution of bipartite maximally entangled states and multipartite Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states, although it is able to increase the amount of entanglement of each source state (noisy entangled state) of EDPs with a certain probability. However, we find that the NRWM would contribute to remote distributions of multipartite W states. We demonstrate that the NRWM can not only reduce the fidelity thresholds for distillability of decohered W states, but also raise the distillation efficiencies of W states. Our results suggest a new idea for quantifying the ability of a local filtering operation in protecting entanglement from decoherence.
De novo transcriptome assembly and comprehensive expression profiling in Crocus sativus to gain insights into apocarotenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Jain Mukesh , Srivastava Prabhakar Lal , Verma Mohit , Ghangal Rajesh , Garg Rohini
Published: March 2016

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is commonly known as world’s most expensive spice with rich source of apocarotenoids and possesses magnificent medicinal properties. To understand the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis/accumulation, we performed transcriptome sequencing from five different tissues/organs of C. sativus using Illumina platform. After comprehensive optimization of de novo transcriptome assembly, a total of 105, 269 unique transcripts (average length of 1047 bp and N50 length of 1404 bp) were obtained from 206 million high-quality paired-end reads. Functional annotation led to the identification of many genes involved in various biological processes and molecular functions. In total, 54% of C. sativus transcripts could be functionally annotated using public databases. Transcriptome analysis of C. sativus revealed the presence of 16721 SSRs and 3819 transcription factor encoding transcripts. Differential expression analysis revealed preferential/specific expression of many transcripts involved in apocarotenoid biosynthesis in stigma. We have revealed the differential expression of transcripts encoding for transcription factors (MYB, MYB related, WRKY, C2C2-YABBY and bHLH) involved in secondary metabolism. Overall, these results will pave the way for understanding the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis and other aspects of stigma development in C. sativus.
Stimulation of translation by human Unr requires cold shock domains 2 and 4, and correlates with poly(A) binding protein interaction
Authors: Ray Swagat , Anderson Emma C.
Published: March 2016

The RNA binding protein Unr, which contains five cold shock domains, has several specific roles in post-transcriptional control of gene expression. It can act as an activator or inhibitor of translation initiation, promote mRNA turnover, or stabilise mRNA. Its role depends on the mRNA and other proteins to which it binds, which includes cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1). Since PABP1 binds to all polyadenylated mRNAs, and is involved in translation initiation by interaction with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G), we investigated whether Unr has a general role in translational control. We found that Unr strongly stimulates translation in vitro, and mutation of cold shock domains 2 or 4 inhibited its translation activity. The ability of Unr and its mutants to stimulate translation correlated with its ability to bind RNA, and to interact with PABP1. We found that Unr stimulated the binding of PABP1 to mRNA, and that Unr was required for the stable interaction of PABP1 and eIF4G in cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Unr reduced the overall level of cellular translation in cells, as well as that of cap-dependent and IRES-dependent reporters. These data describe a novel role for Unr in regulating cellular gene expression.
4C-seq revealed long-range interactions of a functional enhancer at the 8q24 prostate cancer risk locus
Authors: Cai Mingyang , Kim Sewoon , Wang Kai , Farnham Peggy J. , Coetzee Gerhard A. , Lu Wange
Published: March 2016

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified >100 independent susceptibility loci for prostate cancer, including the hot spot at 8q24. However, how genetic variants at this locus confer disease risk hasn’t been fully characterized. Using circularized chromosome conformation capture (4C) coupled with next-generation sequencing and an enhancer at 8q24 as “bait”, we identified genome-wide partners interacting with this enhancer in cell lines LNCaP and C4-2B. These 4C-identified regions are distributed in open nuclear compartments, featuring active histone marks (H3K4me1, H3K4me2 and H3K27Ac). Transcription factors NKX3-1, FOXA1 and AR (androgen receptor) tend to occupy these 4C regions. We identified genes located at the interacting regions, and found them linked to positive regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation in LNCaP and C4-2B, and several pathways (TGF beta signaling pathway in LNCaP and p53 pathway in C4-2B). Common genes (e.g.MYCandPOU5F1B) were identified in both prostate cancer cell lines. However, each cell line also had exclusive genes (e.g.ELAC2andPTENin LNCaP andBRCA2andZFHX3in C4-2B). In addition,BCL-2identified in C4-2B might contribute to the progression of androgen-refractory prostate cancer. Overall, our work reveals key genes and pathways involved in prostate cancer onset and progression.
Cardiac Light-Sheet Fluorescent Microscopy for Multi-Scale and Rapid Imaging of Architecture and Function
Authors: Fei Peng , Lee Juhyun , Packard René R. Sevag , Sereti Konstantina-Ioanna , Xu Hao , Ma Jianguo , Ding Yichen , Kang Hanul , Chen Harrison , Sung Kevin , Kulkarni Rajan , Ardehali Reza , Kuo C.-C. Jay , Xu Xiaolei , Ho Chih-Ming , Hsiai Tzung K.
Published: March 2016

Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) enables multi-dimensional and multi-scale imaging via illuminating specimens with a separate thin sheet of laser. It allows rapid plane illumination for reduced photo-damage and superior axial resolution and contrast. We hereby demonstrate cardiac LSFM (c-LSFM) imaging to assess the functional architecture of zebrafish embryos with a retrospective cardiac synchronization algorithm for four-dimensional reconstruction (3-D space + time). By combining our approach with tissue clearing techniques, we reveal the entire cardiac structures and hypertrabeculation of adult zebrafish hearts in response to doxorubicin treatment. By integrating the resolution enhancement technique with c-LSFM to increase the resolving power under a large field-of-view, we demonstrate the use of low power objective to resolve the entire architecture of large-scale neonatal mouse hearts, revealing the helical orientation of individual myocardial fibers. Therefore, our c-LSFM imaging approach provides multi-scale visualization of architecture and function to drive cardiovascular research with translational implication in congenital heart diseases.
Distinct phosphorylation sites on the ghrelin receptor, GHSR1a, establish a code that determines the functions of ß-arrestins
Authors: Bouzo-Lorenzo Monica , Santo-Zas Icía , Lodeiro Maria , Nogueiras Rubén , Casanueva Felipe F. , Castro Marian , Pazos Yolanda , Tobin Andrew B , Butcher Adrian J. , Camiña Jesús P.
Published: March 2016

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR1a, mediates the biological activities of ghrelin, which includes the secretion of growth hormone, as well as the stimulation of appetite, food intake and maintenance of energy homeostasis. Mapping phosphorylation sites on GHSR1a and knowledge of how these sites control specific functional consequences unlocks new strategies for the development of therapeutic agents targeting individual functions. Herein, we have identified the phosphorylation of different sets of sites within GHSR1a which engender distinct functionality of ß-arrestins. More specifically, the Ser362, Ser363 and Thr366 residues at the carboxyl-terminal tail were primarily responsible for ß-arrestin 1 and 2 binding, internalization and ß-arrestin-mediated proliferation and adipogenesis. The Thr350 and Ser349 are not necessary for ß-arrestin recruitment, but are involved in the stabilization of the GHSR1a-ß-arrestin complex in a manner that determines the ultimate cellular consequences of ß-arrestin signaling. We further demonstrated that the mitogenic and adipogenic effect of ghrelin were mainly dependent on the ß-arrestin bound to the phosphorylated GHSR1a. In contrast, the ghrelin function on GH secretion was entirely mediated by G protein signaling. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that the phosphorylation pattern on the C terminus of GHSR1a determines the signaling and physiological output.
Oxidized Monolayers of Epitaxial Silicene on Ag(111)
Authors: Johnson Neil W. , Muir David I. , Moewes Alexander
Published: March 2016

The properties of epitaxial silicene monolayers on Ag(111) at various levels of oxidation are determined through complementary density functional theory calculations and soft X-ray spectroscopy experiments. Our calculations indicate that moderate levels of oxidation do not cause a significant bandgap opening in the epitaxial silicene monolayer, suggesting that oxygen functionalization is not a viable mechanism for bandgap tuning while the silicene monolayer remains on its metallic substrate. In addition, moderate oxidation is calculated to strongly distort the hexagonal Si lattice, causing it to cluster in regions of highest oxygen adatom concentration but retain its 2D sheet structure. However, our experiments reveal that beam-induced oxidation is consistent with the formation of islands of bulk-like SiO2. Complete exposure of the monolayer to ambient conditions results in a fully oxidized sample that closely resembles bulk SiO2, of which a significant portion is completely detached from the substrate.
The water-land-food nexus of first-generation biofuels
Authors: Rulli Maria Cristina , Bellomi Davide , Cazzoli Andrea , De Carolis Giulia , D’Odorico Paolo
Published: March 2016

Recent energy security strategies, investment opportunities and energy policies have led to an escalation in biofuel consumption at the expenses of food crops and pastureland. To evaluate the important impacts of biofuels on food security, the food-energy nexus needs to be investigated in the context of its linkages with the overall human appropriation of land and water resources. Here we provide a global assessment of biofuel crop production, reconstruct global patterns of biofuel crop/oil trade and determine the associated displacement of water and land use. We find that bioethanol is mostly produced with domestic crops while 36% of biodiesel consumption relies on international trade, mainly from Southeast Asia. Altogether, biofuels rely on about 2-3% of the global water and land used for agriculture, which could feed about 30% of the malnourished population. We evaluate the food-energy tradeoff and the impact an increased reliance on biofuel would have on the number of people the planet can feed.
In-situ Quasi-Instantaneous e-beam Driven Catalyst-Free Formation Of Crystalline Aluminum Borate Nanowires
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Ignacio G. , Gemming Thomas , Mendes Rafael , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Bezugly Viktor , Kunstmann Jens , Eckert Jürgen , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Rümmeli Mark H.
Published: March 2016

The catalyst-assisted nucleation and growth mechanisms for many kinds of nanowires and nanotubes are pretty well understood. At times, though, 1D nanostructures form without a catalyst and the argued growth modes have inconsistencies. One such example is the catalyst-free growth of aluminium borate nanowires. Here we develop an in-situ catalyst-free room temperature growth route for aluminium nanowires using the electron beam in a transmission electron microscope. We provide strong experimental evidence that supports a formation process that can be viewed as a phase transition in which the generation of free-volume induced by the electron beam irradiation enhances the atomic mobility within the precursor material. The enhanced atomic mobility and specific features of the crystal structure of Al5BO9 drive the atomic rearrangement that results in the large scale formation of highly crystalline aluminium borate nanowires. The whole formation process can be completed within fractions of a second. Our developed growth mechanism might also be extended to describe the catalyst-free formation of other nanowires.
Heat Shock Protein 27 is down-regulated in Ballooned Hepatocytes of Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Authors: Sookoian Silvia , Castaño Gustavo O. , Scian Romina , San Martino Julio , Pirola Carlos J.
Published: March 2016

Ballooning degeneration (BD) of hepatocytes is a distinguishing histological feature associated with the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Under the assumption that NAFLD severity is associated with metabolic-stress we explored the hypothesis that heat shock 27 kDa protein 1 (HSP27), a protein chaperone involved in stress resistance and cytoskeletal-remodeling, might be deregulated in ballooned hepatocytes. We observed that fasting plasma glucose (fpG) (p = 0.00002), total cholesterol (p = 0.02) and triglycerides (p = 0.01) levels and female sex (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with the presence of BD. A logistic regression model showed that BD was independently associated with fpG (p = 0.002); OR per unit of glucose concentration 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.09. Furthermore, BD was associated with a significant 2.24-fold decrease in the expression level of HSP27-mRNA in comparison with absence of ballooning, p = 0.002. Ballooned hepatocytes showed very low HSP27 immunoreactivity compared with hepatocyes without ballooning (p = 0.009); HSP27 immunoreactivity was inversely correlated with fpG levels (R: −0.49, p = 0.01). In conclusion, BD is associated with down-regulation of liver HSP27 gene and protein expression, suggesting that ballooned hepatocytes fail to ensure a robust physiological response to metabolic-induced stress.
An elegant route to overcome fundamentally-limited light extraction in AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes: Preferential outcoupling of strong in-plane emission
Authors: Lee Jong Won , Kim Dong Yeong , Park Jun Hyuk , Schubert E. Fred , Kim Jungsub , Lee Jinsub , Kim Yong-Il , Park Youngsoo , Kim Jong Kyu
Published: March 2016

While there is an urgent need for semiconductor-based efficient deep ultraviolet (DUV) sources, the efficiency of AlGaN DUV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) remains very low because the extraction of DUV photons is significantly limited by intrinsic material properties of AlGaN. Here, we present an elegant approach based on a DUV LED having multiple mesa stripes whose inclined sidewalls are covered by a MgF2/Al omni-directional mirror to take advantage of the strongly anisotropic transverse-magnetic polarized emission pattern of AlGaN quantum wells. The sidewall-emission-enhanced DUV LED breaks through the fundamental limitations caused by the intrinsic properties of AlGaN, thus shows a remarkable improvement in light extraction as well as operating voltage. Furthermore, an analytic model is developed to understand and precisely estimate the extraction of DUV photons from AlGaN DUV LEDs, and hence to provide promising routes for maximizing the power conversion efficiency.
Unconventional superconductivity and interaction induced Fermi surface reconstruction in the two-dimensional Edwards model
Authors: Cho Dai-Ning , Brink Jeroen van den , Fehske Holger , Becker Klaus W. , Sykora Steffen
Published: March 2016

We study the competition between unconventional superconducting pairing and charge density wave (CDW) formation for the two-dimensional Edwards Hamiltonian at half filling, a very general two-dimensional transport model in which fermionic charge carriers couple to a correlated background medium. Using the projective renormalization method we find that a strong renormalization of the original fermionic band causes a new hole-like Fermi surface to emerge near the center of the Brillouin zone, before it eventually gives rise to the formation of a charge density wave. On the new, disconnected parts of the Fermi surface superconductivity is induced with a sign-changing order parameter. We discuss these findings in the light of recent experiments on iron-based oxypnictide superconductors.
Prevalence, incidence estimations and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Germany: a representative, cross-sectional, serological study
Authors: Wilking Hendrik , Thamm Michael , Stark Klaus , Aebischer Toni , Seeber Frank
Published: March 2016

Representative data on the extent of endemicity, burden and risk of human toxoplasmosis are scarce. We assessed the prevalence and determinants of seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii among adult participants of a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey in Germany. Sera collected from a representative cohort of adults (age 18–79; n = 6,663) in Germany were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Interview-derived data were used to evaluate associated factors. Multivariable logistic regression was applied using sampling weights and accounting for survey design cluster effects. Seroprevalence increased from 20% (95%-CI:17–23%) in the 18–29 age group to 77% (95%-CI:73–81%) in the 70–79 age group. Male gender, keeping cats and BMI ≥30 were independent risk factors for seropositivity, while being vegetarian and high socio-economic status were negatively associated. Based on these data, we estimate 1.1% of adults and 1.3% of women aged 18–49 to seroconvert each year. This implies 6,393 seroconversions annually during pregnancies. We conclude that T. gondii infection in Germany is highly prevalent and that eating habits (consuming raw meat) appear to be of high epidemiological relevance. High numbers of seroconversions during pregnancies pose substantial risks for unborn children. Efforts to raise awareness of toxoplasmosis in public health programs targeting to T. gondii transmission control are therefore strongly advocated.
Electronic structure and relaxation dynamics in a superconducting topological material
Authors: Neupane Madhab , Ishida Yukiaki , Sankar Raman , Zhu Jian-Xin , Sanchez Daniel S. , Belopolski Ilya , Xu Su-Yang , Alidoust Nasser , Hosen M. Mofazzel , Shin Shik , Chou Fangcheng , Hasan M. Zahid , Durakiewicz Tomasz
Published: March 2016

Topological superconductors host new states of quantum matter which show a pairing gap in the bulk and gapless surface states providing a platform to realize Majorana fermions. Recently, alkaline-earth metal Sr intercalated Bi2Se3 has been reported to show superconductivity with a Tc ~ 3 K and a large shielding fraction. Here we report systematic normal state electronic structure studies of Sr0.06Bi2Se3 (Tc ~ 2.5 K) by performing photoemission spectroscopy. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we observe a quantum well confined two-dimensional (2D) state coexisting with a topological surface state in Sr0.06Bi2Se3. Furthermore, our time-resolved ARPES reveals the relaxation dynamics showing different decay mechanism between the excited topological surface states and the two-dimensional states. Our experimental observation is understood by considering the intra-band scattering for topological surface states and an additional electron phonon scattering for the 2D states, which is responsible for the superconductivity. Our first-principles calculations agree with the more effective scattering and a shorter lifetime of the 2D states. Our results will be helpful in understanding low temperature superconducting states of these topological materials.
Observing the interplay between surface and bulk optical nonlinearities in thin van der Waals crystals
Authors: Deckoff-Jones Skylar , Zhang Jingjing , Petoukhoff Christopher E. , Man Michael K.L. , Lei Sidong , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Talbayev Diyar , Madéo Julien , Dani Keshav M.
Published: March 2016

Van der Waals materials, existing in a range of thicknesses from monolayer to bulk, allow for interplay between surface and bulk nonlinearities, which otherwise dominate only at atomically-thin or bulk extremes, respectively. Here, we observe an unexpected peak in intensity of the generated second harmonic signal versus the thickness of Indium Selenide crystals, in contrast to the quadratic increase expected from thin crystals. We explain this by interference effects between surface and bulk nonlinearities, which offer a new handle on engineering the nonlinear optical response of 2D materials and their heterostructures.
A Facile and Low-Cost Route to Heteroatom Doped Porous Carbon Derived from Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark with Excellent Supercapacitance and CO2 Capture Performance
Authors: Wei Tongye , Zhang Qi , Wei Xiaolin , Gao Yong , Li Huaming
Published: March 2016

In this work, we present a facile and low-cost approach to synthesize heteroatom doped porous carbon via hydrothermal treatment of stem bark of broussonetia papyrifera (BP) as the biomass precursor in diluted sulfuric acid, and following thermal activation by KOH at 800 °C. The morphology, structure and textural property of the prepared porous carbon (PC) are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 sorption isotherms, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The porous carbon possesses a high BET surface area of 1759 m2 g−1 and an average pore size of 3.11 nm as well as hetero-oxygen (9.09%) and nitrogen (1.7%) doping. Such porous carbon shows outstanding capacitive performances of 416 F g−1 and 300 F g−1 in three and two-electrode systems, respectively. As a solid-state adsorbent, the obtained porous carbon has an excellent CO2 adsorption capacity at ambient pressures of up to 6.71 and 4.45 mmol g−1 at 0 and 25 °C, respectively. The results present one novel precursor-synthesis route for facile large-scale production of high performance porous carbon for a variety of great applications including energy storage and CO2 capture.
Association between anemia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Authors: Duan Jun , Kong Xiangyong , Li Qiuping , Hua Shaodong , Zhang Sheng , Zhang Xiaoying , Feng Zhichun
Published: March 2016

Anemia is commonly seen in preterm infants. It may reduce the capacity of hemoglobin to transport oxygen throughout the body and may result in tissue and organ dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of anemia on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. 243 infants who were admitted to BaYi Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Clinical Medical College in Beijing Military General Hospital with gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks from February, 2014 to February, 2015 were included in the study. Maternal and infant data were recorded. Multivarariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between anemia and BPD. Of 243 preterm infants, the incidence of anemia was higher in BPD patients than non-BPD patients (p < 0.001). Mean Hct in BPD patients was lower than non-BPD patients at different time points in 1d, 7d, 14d and 21d. Controlling for other confounding factors, early anemia was associated with an increased risk of BPD. Number of transfusions is also a significant risk factor for BPD (p = 0.001). Therefore, prevention and treatment of early anemia is necessary and reducing number of transfusions may reduce the incidence of BPD in preterm infants.
On the structural denaturation of biological analytes in trapped ion mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Fanny C. , Kirk Samuel R. , Bleiholder Christian
Published: March 2016

Trapped ion mobility spectra recorded for ubiquitin are consistent with structures reported for the native state by NMR.
Development and comparative investigation of Ag-sensitive layer based SAW and QCM sensors for mercury sensing applications
Authors: Kabir K M Mohibul , Sabri Ylias M. , Kandjani Ahmad Esmaielzadeh , Ippolito Samuel J. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: March 2016

Here, we developed Ag sensitive layer-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors and focused on their comparative analysis for Hg sensing applications.
Deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Aghanassab Mahdi
Published: March 2016

In this study, for the first time, a new kind of solvent termed deep eutectic solvents has been synthesized and used as the extraction solvent in a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method.
Hyperpolarizabilities of extended molecular mechanical systems
Authors: Harczuk Ignat , Vahtras Olav , Ågren Hans
Published: March 2016

The equations for decomposition of the molecular hyperpolarizabilty into atomic sites is derived alongside with equations to calculate the cluster hyperpolarizability as resulting from the second order induced dipole moments in the point-dipole model.
Structure and rheology of gel nanostructures from a vitamin C-based surfactant
Authors: Carretti Emiliano , Mazzini Virginia , Fratini Emiliano , Ambrosi Moira , Dei Luigi , Baglioni Piero , Lo Nostro Pierandrea
Published: March 2016

Lamellae produced by ascorbyl-dodecanoate in water during the coagel-to-gel phase transition. The compact and crystalline structure is collapsing and transforms into the gel state.
Harvest and utilization of chemical energy in wastes by microbial fuel cells
Authors: Sun Min , Zhai Lin-Feng , Li Wen-Wei , Yu Han-Qing
Published: March 2016

Energy generated from wastes by using MFC technology could be effectively stored and utilized for real-world applications.
A facile route for rubber breakdown via cross metathesis reactions
Authors: Smith R. F. , Boothroyd S. C. , Thompson R. L. , Khosravi E.
Published: March 2016

Cross-linked rubbery networks can be broken down using Grubbs catalysts by cross-metathesis reactions with backbone double bonds.
Comment on “The promise of microfluidic artificial lungs” by J. A. Potkay, Lab Chip, 2014, 14, 4122–4138
Authors: Wagner Georg , Kaesler Andreas , Steinseifer Ulrich , Schmitz-Rode Thomas , Arens Jutta
Published: March 2016

This comment presents an alternative view on the feasibility and clinical application of current microfluidic artificial lungs.
Stability analysis of the ODE model representation of amyloidogenic processing in Alzheimer's disease in the presence of SORLA
Authors: Alcantara Jan Harold M. , Lao Angelyn R. , Ruivivar Leonor A.
Published: March 2016

The proteolytic breakdown of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by secretases is a complex cellular process that results in the formation of neurotoxic Aβ peptides, causative of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
A theoretical study of dispersion-to-aggregation of nanoparticles in adsorbing polymers using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Cao Xue-Zheng , Merlitz Holger , Wu Chen-Xu , Ungar Goran , Sommer Jens-Uwe
Published: March 2016

The properties of polymer–nanoparticle (NP) mixtures significantly depend on the dispersion of the NPs.
Solvent washing with toluene enhances efficiency and increases reproducibility in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kara Koray , Kara Duygu Akın , Kırbıyık Cisem , Ersoz Mustafa , Usluer Ozlem , Briseno Alejandro L. , Kus Mahmut
Published: March 2016

The fabrication process such as the amount of washing solvent, spin rates and time for reproducible preovskite solar cell has been optimized.
Correlating the magnetism and gas sensing properties of Mn-doped ZnO films enhanced by UV irradiation
Authors: Motaung David E. , Kortidis Ioannis , Mhlongo Gugu H. , Duvenhage Mart-Mari , Swart Hendrik. C. , Kiriakidis George , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: March 2016

Schematic diagram showing the 2D TOF SIMS overlays of Si+, Mn+and Zn+. The insert corresponds to the correlation between the sensing response and FMR signal as a function of Mn concentration when exposed to various gases.
Efficiently amplified ultrasonic degradation of spherical polyelectrolyte brushes by a magnetic field
Authors: Zhang Rui , Hou Xiaoyan , Cang Yu , Yu Zhenchuan , Shen Zheqi , Zhou Zhiming , Guo Xuhong , Wang Junwei , Zhu Xuedong
Published: March 2016

This work describes a facile and green method about the ultrasonic degradation of polymer chains amplified by magnetic field.
Feeling the strain: enhancing ionic transport in olivine phosphate cathodes for Li- and Na-ion batteries through strain effects
Authors: Tealdi Cristina , Heath Jennifer , Islam M. Saiful
Published: March 2016

Olivine-type phosphates LiFePO4 and NaFePO4 are among the most widely studied cathode materials for rechargeable batteries. Here we show that tensile strain applied perpendicularly to the alkali-ion migration channels will improve their intercalation properties.
Optimized light-driven electrochemical water splitting with tandem polymer solar cells
Authors: Esiner Serkan , van Pruissen Gijs W. P. , Wienk Martijn M. , Janssen René A. J.
Published: March 2016

A wide bandgap polymer is used in homo-tandem solar cells for light-driven electrochemical water splitting with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 4.3%.
A novel photoanode with high flexibility for fiber-shaped dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Liu Guicheng , Gao Xue , Wang Hui , Kim A-Young , Zhao Zhenxuan , Lee Joong Kee , Zou Dechun
Published: March 2016

A completely flexible photoanode with a TiO2 micron-cone-nanowire array could bend to a curvature radius of 0.45 mm, which is the most flexible Ti-based photoanode to date.
Biodistribution and fate of core-labeled125I polymeric nanocarriers prepared by Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP)
Authors: Tang Christina , Edelstein Jasmine , Mikitsh John L. , Xiao Edward , Hemphill Aaron H. , Pagels Robert , Chacko Ann-Marie , Prud’homme Robert
Published: March 2016

Flash NanoPrecipitation provides a facile, scalable platform for producing stable, radiolabeled PEGylated nanocarriers for drug delivery and translational imaging applications.
Phenothiazine-based dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Huang Zu-Sheng , Meier Herbert , Cao Derong
Published: March 2016

Due to their structure features, 10H-phenothiazine-based dyes show high photovoltaic performance and have great potential for future technical applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The recent significant scientific progress of the dyes and their DSSCs is reviewed, and the relationship between the molecular structure and the photoelectric conversion properties is especially discussed.
Gas-phase reactions of cyclopropenylidene with protonated alkyl amines
Authors: Lin Ziqing , Tan Lei , Yang Yang , Dai Mingji , Tureček František , Ouyang Zheng , Xia Yu
Published: March 2016

Reactions of c-C3H2 with protonated amines are driven by its high gas-phase basicity, forming proton-bound dimer as the first step.
The facile synthesis of 1-benzoazepine derivatives via gold-catalyzed regioselective cycloisomerization reactions of N-(o-alkynylaryl)-N-vinyl sulfonamides
Authors: Undeela Sridhar , Ravikumar Gurram , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Singarapu Kiran Kumar , Menon Rajeev S.
Published: March 2016

Gold-catalyzed, regioselective cycloisomerization of N-(o-alkynylaryl)-N-vinyl sulfonamides afforded high yields of 2-sulfonylmethyl-1-benzoazepine derivatives.
Enantioselective iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of β,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes
Authors: Yu Yan-Bo , Cheng Lei , Li Yi-Pan , Fu Yue , Zhu Shou-Fei , Zhou Qi-Lin
Published: March 2016

The highly enantioselective hydrogenation of both β-aryl-β-methyl-nitroalkenes and β-alkyl-β-methyl-nitroalkenes was realized by using a novel chiral spiro iridium catalyst.
On the mechanism of high product selectivity for HCOOH using Pb in CO2 electroreduction
Authors: Back Seoin , Kim Jun-Hyuk , Kim Yong-Tae , Jung Yousung
Published: March 2016

To understand a high selectivity for HCOOH on the Pb electrode during the CO2 reduction reaction, we suggest a proton-assisted-electron-transfer mechanism, and validate the new mechanism by experimentally measuring onset potentials for CO2 reduction vs. H2 production. We find that the origin of this high selectivity lies in the strong O-affinitive and weak C-, H-affinitive characteristics of Pb.
Molecular imprinting: perspectives and applications
Authors: Chen Lingxin , Wang Xiaoyan , Lu Wenhui , Wu Xiaqing , Li Jinhua
Published: March 2016

This critical review presents a survey of recent developments in technologies and strategies for the preparation of MIPs, followed by the application of MIPs in sample pretreatment, chromatographic separation and chemical sensing.
Advances in predicting organic contaminant abatement during ozonation of municipal wastewater effluent: reaction kinetics, transformation products, and changes of biological effects
Authors: Lee Yunho , von Gunten Urs
Published: March 2016

Ozonation of municipal wastewater effluent has been considered in recent years as an enhanced wastewater treatment technology to abate trace organic contaminants (micropollutants).
Reply to the ‘Comment on “The promise of microfluidic artificial lungs”’ by G. Wagner, A. Kaesler, U. Steinseifer, T. Schmitz-Rode and J. Arens, Lab Chip, 2016,16, DOI: 10.1039/C5LC01508A
Authors: Potkay Joseph A.
Published: March 2016

This response explores and discusses the critiques of Wagneret al.in their “Comment on ‘The promise of microfluidic artificial lungs’ by Joseph A. Potkay,Lab Chip, 2014,14, 4122–4138”.
Base catalysed intermolecular cyclisation of N-protected o-amino benzaldehyde/acetophenone with phosphorus/sulphur based allenes: facile synthesis of substituted quinolines
Authors: Anitha Mandala , Gangadhararao G. , Kumara Swamy K. C.
Published: March 2016

Base catalyzed reaction of N-Bz protected o-aminobenzaldehyde with allenylphosphonates affords O-phosphorylated quinolines via a route involving a thermal rearrangement.
Novel photo- and/or thermochromic MOFs derived from bipyridinium carboxylate ligands
Authors: Zhang Chenghui , Sun Libo , Zhang Chuanqi , Wan Song , Liang Zhiqiang , Li Jiyang
Published: March 2016

Two new Zn-MOFs based on 1-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide have been synthesized. Compound 1 has a 3D interpenetrated cationic framework with photo- and thermochromism, while compound 2 possesses a 2D layered cationic network with only photochromism.
Direct construction of chiral quaternary dihydropyranones through highly enantioselective organocatalytic hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of olefinic azlactones
Authors: Gao Tai-Ping , Liu Dan , Lin Jun-Bing , Hu Xiu-Qin , Wang Zhu-Yin , Xu Peng-Fei
Published: March 2016

The first organocatalytic hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of an in situ generated diene with α-keto esters was reported for the construction of chiral dihydropyranones.
Generation of N-aminosulfonamides via a photo-induced fixation of sulfur dioxide into aryl/alkyl halides
Authors: Li Yuewen , Zheng Danqing , Li Zhenhua , Wu Jie
Published: March 2016

A catalyst-free aminosulfonylation through insertion of sulfur dioxide with aryl/alkyl halides enabled by photoenergy is presented. Under ultraviolet irradiation, a three-component reaction of aryl/alkyl halides, sulfur dioxide, and hydrazines proceeds under mild conditions without any metals or photo-redox catalysts.
Prediction of large magnetoelectric coupling in Fe4N/BaTiO3 and MnFe3N/BaTiO3 junctions from a first-principles study
Authors: Yu Li , Gao Guoying , Ding Guangqian , Duan Yongfa , Liu Yang , He Yan , Yao Kailun
Published: March 2016

The large magnetoelectric effects are predicted in Fe4N/BaTiO3 and MnFe3N/BaTiO3 junctions.
Anion coordinated capsules and pseudocapsules of tripodal amide, urea and thiourea scaffolds
Authors: Dey Sandeep Kumar , Basu Arghya , Chutia Romen , Das Gopal
Published: March 2016

This review provides a detailed and comparative account of the solid- and solution-states anion (halides and oxyanions) binding affinities of hydrogen bonding tripodal scaffolds.
High-yielding aqueous synthesis of chloroacetophenones and aroyl chlorohydrins
Authors: Zhang Xixi , Liu Lei , Li Chunbao
Published: March 2016

Two new reactions for preparing chloroacetophenones and aroyl chlorohydrins promoted by sulfonyl chloride and mediated by water are reported.
A facile one-step method to produce MoS2quantum dots as promising bio-imaging materials
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Hu Chaofan , Wang Xiaomin
Published: March 2016

Fluorescent MoS2quantum dots were prepared by solvothermal treatment of bulk MoS2powders in the presence of NaOH.
Effects of Fe2+ ion doping on LiMnPO4 nanomaterial for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Han , Zong Jun , Ding Fei , Lu Zhi-wei , Li Wei , Liu Xing-jiang
Published: March 2016

Carbon-coating and Fe-doping of LiMnPO4 resulted in superior cycling and rate performance as LIB cathode materials.
CeO2 doped Pt/C as an efficient cathode catalyst for an air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cell
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Mingkun , Cui Ning , Ding Yuedi , Feng Qingling , Zhang Wenming , Li Xiaowei
Published: March 2016

Incorporation of nanophase ceria into the cathode catalyst Pt/C was used as alternative cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in an air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) for the first time.
Amino acid side chains affect the bioactivity of designed short peptide amphiphiles
Authors: Chen Cuixia , Hu Jing , Yang Cheng , Zhang Yu , Wang Fang , Mu Quanmeng , Pan Fang , Xu Hai , Lu Jian Ren
Published: March 2016

Amino acid side chains of a short amphiphilic G(AABB)3A-NH2peptide affect its bioactivity.
Mechanism of chitosan recognition by CBM32 carbohydrate-binding modules from a Paenibacillus sp. IK-5 chitosanase/glucanase
Authors: Shinya Shoko , Nishimura Shigenori , Kitaoku Yoshihito , Numata Tomoyuki , Kimoto Hisashi , Kusaoke Hideo , Ohnuma Takayuki , Fukamizo Tamo
Published: March 2016

An antifungal chitosanase/glucanase isolated from the soil bacterium Paenibacillus sp. IK-5 has two CBM32 chitosan-binding modules (DD1 and DD2) linked in tandem at the C-terminus. In order to obtain insights into the mechanism of chitosan recognition, the structures of DD1 and DD2 were solved by NMR spectroscopy and crystallography. DD1 and DD2 both adopted a β-sandwich fold with several loops in solution as well as in crystals. On the basis of chemical shift perturbations in 1H-15N-HSQC resonances, the chitosan tetramer (GlcN)4 was found to bind to the loop region extruded from the core β-sandwich of DD1 and DD2. The binding site defined by NMR in solution was consistent with the crystal structure of DD2 in complex with (GlcN)3, in which the bound (GlcN)3 stood upright on its non-reducing end at the binding site. Glu14 of DD2 appeared to make an electrostatic interaction with the amino group of the non-reducing end GlcN, and Arg31, Tyr36 and Glu61 formed several hydrogen bonds predominantly with the non-reducing end GlcN. No interaction was detected with the reducing end GlcN. Since Tyr36 of DD2 is replaced by glutamic acid in DD1, the mutation of Tyr36 to glutamic acid was conducted in DD2 (DD2-Y36E), and the reverse mutation was conducted in DD1 (DD1-E36Y). Ligand-binding experiments using the mutant proteins revealed that this substitution of the 36th amino acid differentiates the binding properties of DD1 and DD2, probably enhancing total affinity of the chitosanase/glucanase toward the fungal cell wall.