bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerating Gas Adsorption on 3D Percolating Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Li Hui , Wen Chenyu , Zhang Youwei , Wu Dongping , Zhang Shi-Li , Qiu Zhi-Jun
Published: February 2016

In the field of electronic gas sensing, low-dimensional semiconductors such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can offer high detection sensitivity owing to their unprecedentedly large surface-to-volume ratio. The sensitivity and responsivity can further improve by increasing their areal density. Here, an accelerated gas adsorption is demonstrated by exploiting volumetric effects via dispersion of SWCNTs into a percolating three-dimensional (3D) network in a semiconducting polymer. The resultant semiconducting composite film is evaluated as a sensing membrane in field effect transistor (FET) sensors. In order to attain reproducible characteristics of the FET sensors, a pulsed-gate-bias measurement technique is adopted to eliminate current hysteresis and drift of sensing baseline. The rate of gas adsorption follows the Langmuir-type isotherm as a function of gas concentration and scales with film thickness. This rate is up to 5 times higher in the composite than only with an SWCNT network in the transistor channel, which in turn results in a 7-fold shorter time constant of adsorption with the composite. The description of gas adsorption developed in the present work is generic for all semiconductors and the demonstrated composite with 3D percolating SWCNTs dispersed in functional polymer represents a promising new type of material for advanced gas sensors.
Overstatement in happiness reporting with ordinal, bounded scale
Authors: Tanaka Saori C. , Yamada Katsunori , Kitada Ryo , Tanaka Satoshi , Sugawara Sho K. , Ohtake Fumio , Sadato Norihiro
Published: February 2016

There are various methods by which people can express subjective evaluations quantitatively. For example, happiness can be measured on a scale from 1 to 10 and has been suggested as a measure of economic policy. However, there is resistance to these types of measurement from economists, who often regard welfare to be a cardinal, unbounded quantity. It is unclear whether there are differences between subjective evaluation reported on ordinal, bounded scales and on cardinal, unbounded scales. To answer this question, we developed functional magnetic resonance imaging experimental tasks for reporting happiness from monetary gain and the perception of visual stimulus. Subjects tended to report higher values when they used ordinal scales instead of cardinal scales. There were differences in neural activation between ordinal and cardinal reporting scales. The posterior parietal area showed greater activation when subjects used an ordinal scale instead of a cardinal scale. Importantly, the striatum exhibited greater activation when asked to report happiness on an ordinal scale than when asked to report on a cardinal scale. The finding that ordinal (bounded) scales are associated with higher reported happiness and greater activation in the reward system shows that overstatement bias in happiness data must be considered.
Mark4 promotes oxidative stress and inflammation via binding to PPARγ and activating NF-κB pathway in mice adipocytes
Authors: Liu Zhenjiang , Gan Lu , Chen Yizhe , Luo Dan , Zhang Zhenzhen , Cao Weina , Zhou Zhongjie , Lin Xueting , Sun Chao
Published: February 2016

MAP/Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (Mark4) plays an important role in the regulation of microtubule organization, adipogenesis and apoptosis. However, the role of Mark4 plays in oxidative stress and inflammation are poorly understood. In this study, we found Mark4 was induced by high fat diet (HFD) while PPARγ was elevated significantly in mice adipocytes. Further analyses revealed Mark4 impaired mitochondrial oxidative respiration and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. At same time, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were greatly reduced. By treating cells with H2O2 and vitamin E (VE), Mark4 accentuated oxidative stress along with increased mRNA level of inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decreased leptin mRNA. Furthermore, we found PPARγ bind to Mark4 promoter region and inhibited Mark4 expression. We showed PPARγ interacted with Mark4 and inhibited the stimulating effect of Mark4 on oxidative stress and inflammation. Finally, we demonstrated that the IKKα/NF-κB signal pathway was involved in Mark4 induced oxidative stress and inflammation, while PTDC, a special inhibitor of NF-κB signal pathway, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, our study indicated that Mark4 was a potential drug target for treating metabolic diseases.
Layer-switching cost and optimality in information spreading on multiplex networks
Authors: Min Byungjoon , Gwak Sang-Hwan , Lee Nanoom , Goh K. -I.
Published: February 2016

We study a model of information spreading on multiplex networks, in which agents interact through multiple interaction channels (layers), say online vs. offline communication layers, subject to layer-switching cost for transmissions across different interaction layers. The model is characterized by the layer-wise path-dependent transmissibility over a contact, that is dynamically determined dependently on both incoming and outgoing transmission layers. We formulate an analytical framework to deal with such path-dependent transmissibility and demonstrate the nontrivial interplay between the multiplexity and spreading dynamics, including optimality. It is shown that the epidemic threshold and prevalence respond to the layer-switching cost non-monotonically and that the optimal conditions can change in abrupt non-analytic ways, depending also on the densities of network layers and the type of seed infections. Our results elucidate the essential role of multiplexity that its explicit consideration should be crucial for realistic modeling and prediction of spreading phenomena on multiplex social networks in an era of ever-diversifying social interaction layers.
Facile fabrication of rice husk based silicon dioxide nanospheres loaded with silver nanoparticles as a rice antibacterial agent
Authors: Cui Jianghu , Liang You , Yang Desong , Liu Yingliang
Published: February 2016

Bacterial leaf blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a major disease of rice, leading to reduction in production by 10–50%. In order to control this disease, various chemical bactericides have been used. Wide and prolonged application of chemical bactericides resulted in the resistant strain of Xoo that was isolated from rice. To address this problem, we were searching for an environmentally friendly alternative to the commonly used chemical bactericides. In this work, we demonstrate that silicon dioxide nanospheres loaded with silver nanoparticles (SiO2-Ag) can be prepared by using rice husk as base material precursor. The results of the antibacterial tests showed that SiO2-Ag composites displayed antibacterial activity against Xoo. At cellular level, the cell wall/membrane was damaged and intercellular contents were leaked out by slow-releasing of silver ions from SiO2-Ag composites. At molecular level, this composite induced reactive oxygen species production and inhibited DNA replication. Based on the results above, we proposed the potential antibacterial mechanism of SiO2-Ag composites. Moreover, the cytotoxicity assay indicated that the composites showed mild toxicity with rice cells. Thus, this work provided a new strategy to develop biocide derived from residual biomass.
A novel transcription factor gene FHS1 is involved in the DNA damage response in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Son Hokyoung , Fu Minmin , Lee Yoonji , Lim Jae Yun , Min Kyunghun , Kim Jin-Cheol , Choi Gyung Ja , Lee Yin-Won
Published: February 2016

Cell cycle regulation and the maintenance of genome integrity are crucial for the development and virulence of the pathogenic plant fungus Fusarium graminearum. To identify transcription factors (TFs) related to these processes, four DNA-damaging agents were applied to screen a F. graminearum TF mutant library. Sixteen TFs were identified to be likely involved in DNA damage responses. Fhs1 is a fungal specific Zn(II)2Cys6 TF that localises exclusively to nuclei. fhs1 deletion mutants were hypersensitive to hydroxyurea and defective in mitotic cell division. Moreover, deletion of FHS1 resulted in defects in perithecia production and virulence and led to the accumulation of DNA damage. Our genetic evidence demonstrated that the FHS1-associated signalling pathway for DNA damage response is independent of the ATM or ATR pathways. This study identified sixteen genes involved in the DNA damage response and is the first to characterise the novel transcription factor gene FHS1, which is involved in the DNA damage response. The results provide new insights into mechanisms underlying DNA damage responses in fungi, including F. graminearum.
Caveolae Restrict Tiger Frog Virus Release in HepG2 cells and Caveolae-Associated Proteins Incorporated into Virus Particles
Authors: He Jian , Zheng Yi-Wen , Lin Yi-Fan , Mi Shu , Qin Xiao-Wei , Weng Shao-Ping , He Jian-Guo , Guo Chang-Jun
Published: February 2016

Caveolae are flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane. Caveolae play important roles in the process of viruses entry into host cells, but the roles of caveolae at the late stage of virus infection were not completely understood. Tiger frog virus (TFV) has been isolated from the diseased tadpoles of the frog, Rana tigrina rugulosa, and causes high mortality of tiger frog tadpoles cultured in Southern China. In the present study, the roles of caveolae at the late stage of TFV infection were investigated. We showed that TFV virions were localized with the caveolae at the late stage of infection in HepG2 cells. Disruption of caveolae by methyl-β-cyclodextrin/nystatin or knockdown of caveolin-1 significantly increase the release of TFV. Moreover, the interaction between caveolin-1 and TFV major capsid protein was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. Those results suggested that caveolae restricted TFV release from the HepG2 cells. Caveolae-associated proteins (caveolin-1, caveolin-2, cavin-1, and cavin-2) were selectively incorporated into TFV virions. Different combinations of proteolytic and/or detergent treatments with virions showed that caveolae-associated proteins were located in viral capsid of TFV virons. Taken together, caveolae might be a restriction factor that affects virus release and caveolae-associated proteins were incorporated in TFV virions.
Impacts of different climate change regimes and extreme climatic events on an alpine meadow community
Authors: Alatalo Juha M. , Jägerbrand Annika K. , Molau Ulf
Published: February 2016

Climate variability is expected to increase in future but there exist very few experimental studies that apply different warming regimes on plant communities over several years. We studied an alpine meadow community under three warming regimes over three years. Treatments consisted of (a) a constant level of warming with open-top chambers (ca. 1.9 °C above ambient), (b) yearly stepwise increases in warming (increases of ca. 1.0, 1.9 and 3.5 °C), and (c) pulse warming, a single first-year pulse event of warming (increase of ca. 3.5 °C). Pulse warming and stepwise warming was hypothesised to cause distinct first-year and third-year effects, respectively. We found support for both hypotheses; however, the responses varied among measurement levels (whole community, canopy, bottom layer, and plant functional groups), treatments, and time. Our study revealed complex responses of the alpine plant community to the different experimentally imposed climate warming regimes. Plant cover, height and biomass frequently responded distinctly to the constant level of warming, the stepwise increase in warming and the extreme pulse-warming event. Notably, we found that stepwise warming had an accumulating effect on biomass, the responses to the different warming regimes varied among functional groups, and the short-term perturbations had negative effect on species richness and diversity
Nitrogen-doped Carbon Microfiber with Wrinkled Surface for High Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Ruili , Pan Lixia , Jiang Jianzhong , Xi Xin , Liu Xiaoxue , Wu Dongqing
Published: February 2016

In this work, nitrogen-doped carbon microfiber (NCMF) is fabricated via a facile co-assembly of natural silk and graphene oxide (GO) and the following thermal treatment. The amphiphilic nature of GO endows NCMF a crumpled surface with a high surface area of 115 m2 g−1. As the binder-free electrode in electrical double-layer capacitors, NCMF shows an excellent capacitance of 196 F g−1 at scan rate of 5 mV s−1, which is almost four times higher than that of the pristine CMF from silk (55 F g−1). Additionally, the capacitance of NCMF can be kept around 92 F g−1 at a high scan rate of 300 mV s−1 even after 10000 cycles. More importantly, a high energy density (≈22.7 μW h cm−2) and power density (≈10.26 mW cm−2) are achieved by the all-solid-state supercapacitor based on NCMF.
Investigation of allosteric modulation mechanism of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 by molecular dynamics simulations, free energy and weak interaction analysis
Authors: Bai Qifeng , Yao Xiaojun
Published: February 2016

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), which belongs to class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), can be coupled with G protein to transfer extracellular signal by dimerization and allosteric regulation. Unraveling the dimer packing and allosteric mechanism can be of great help for understanding specific regulatory mechanism and designing more potential negative allosteric modulator (NAM). Here, we report molecular dynamics simulation studies of the modulation mechanism of FITM on the wild type, T815M and Y805A mutants of mGlu1 through weak interaction analysis and free energy calculation. The weak interaction analysis demonstrates that van der Waals (vdW) and hydrogen bonding play an important role on the dimer packing between six cholesterol molecules and mGlu1 as well as the interaction between allosteric sites T815, Y805 and FITM in wild type, T815M and Y805A mutants of mGlu1. Besides, the results of free energy calculations indicate that secondary binding pocket is mainly formed by the residues Thr748, Cys746, Lys811 and Ser735 except for FITM-bound pocket in crystal structure. Our results can not only reveal the dimer packing and allosteric regulation mechanism, but also can supply useful information for the design of potential NAM of mGlu1.
Mid-infrared surface transmitting and detecting quantum cascade device for gas-sensing
Authors: Harrer Andreas , Szedlak Rolf , Schwarz Benedikt , Moser Harald , Zederbauer Tobias , MacFarland Donald , Detz Hermann , Andrews Aaron Maxwell , Schrenk Werner , Lendl Bernhard , Strasser Gottfried
Published: February 2016

We present a bi-functional surface emitting and surface detecting mid-infrared device applicable for gas-sensing. A distributed feedback ring quantum cascade laser is monolithically integrated with a detector structured from a bi-functional material for same frequency lasing and detection. The emitted single mode radiation is collimated, back reflected by a flat mirror and detected by the detector element of the sensor. The surface operation mode combined with the low divergence emission of the ring quantum cascade laser enables for long analyte interaction regions spatially separated from the sample surface. The device enables for sensing of gaseous analytes which requires a relatively long interaction region. Our design is suitable for 2D array integration with multiple emission and detection frequencies. Proof of principle measurements with isobutane (2-methylpropane) and propane as gaseous analytes were conducted. Detectable concentration values of 0–70% for propane and 0–90% for isobutane were reached at a laser operation wavelength of 6.5 μm utilizing a 10 cm gas cell in double pass configuration.
Genome-wide transcriptional responses of Alteromonas naphthalenivorans SN2 to contaminated seawater and marine tidal flat sediment
Authors: Jin Hyun Mi , Jeong Hye Im , Kim Kyung Hyun , Hahn Yoonsoo , Madsen Eugene L. , Jeon Che Ok
Published: February 2016

A genome-wide transcriptional analysis of Alteromonas naphthalenivorans SN2 was performed to investigate its ecophysiological behavior in contaminated tidal flats and seawater. The experimental design mimicked these habitats that either added naphthalene or pyruvate; tidal flat-naphthalene (TF-N), tidal flat-pyruvate (TF-P), seawater-naphthalene (SW-N), and seawater-pyruvate (SW-P). The transcriptional profiles clustered by habitat (TF-N/TF-P and SW-N/SW-P), rather than carbon source, suggesting that the former may exert a greater influence on genome-wide expression in strain SN2 than the latter. Metabolic mapping of cDNA reads from strain SN2 based on KEGG pathway showed that metabolic and regulatory genes associated with energy metabolism, translation, and cell motility were highly expressed in all four test conditions, probably highlighting the copiotrophic properties of strain SN2 as an opportunistic marine r-strategist. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that strain SN2 displayed specific cellular responses to environmental variables (tidal flat, seawater, naphthalene, and pyruvate) and exhibited certain ecological fitness traits –– its notable PAH degradation capability in seasonally cold tidal flat might be reflected in elevated expression of stress response and chaperone proteins, while fast growth in nitrogen-deficient and aerobic seawater probably correlated with high expression of glutamine synthetase, enzymes utilizing nitrite/nitrate, and those involved in the removal of reactive oxygen species.
Characterisation of graphene fibres and graphene coated fibres using capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector
Authors: Cabot Joan M. , Duffy Emer , Currivan Sinéad , Ruland Andres , Jalili Rouhollah , Mozer Attila J. , Innis Peter C. , Wallace Gordon G. , Breadmore Michael , Paull Brett
Published: February 2016

The use of capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for the characterisation of thin conductive graphene fibres, graphene composite fibres, and graphene coated fibrous materials is demonstrated for the first time.
Recent advances in transcription factor assays in vitro
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ma Fei , Tang Bo , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: February 2016

We review the recent advances in transcription factor assaysin vitroand highlight the emerging trends as well.
Natural product modulators of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels as potential anti-cancer agents
Authors: Rodrigues Tiago , Sieglitz Florian , Bernardes Gonçalo J. L.
Published: February 2016

Natural products provide privileged scaffolds for transient receptor potential (TRP) channel engagement and a source for chemical probe and/or lead development.
Functionalized three-dimensional (3D) graphene composite for high efficiency removal of mercury
Authors: Kabiri Shervin , Tran Diana N. H. , Cole Martin A. , Losic Dusan
Published: February 2016

Tailored graphene composites with iron nanoparticles and silica microparticles for mercury removal in contaminated waters were prepared.
Antistaphylococcal activity and metabolite profiling of manuka honey (Leptospermum scoparium L.) after in vitro simulated digestion
Authors: Mannina Luisa , Sobolev Anatoly P. , Coppo Erika , Di Lorenzo Arianna , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Marchese Anna , Daglia Maria
Published: February 2016

The antistaphylococcal activity against methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the metabolite profiling of manuka honey (MH) were investigated before and after in vitro simulated digestion.
Isotopes in cosmochemistry: recipe for a Solar System
Authors: Goderis Steven , Chakrabarti Ramananda , Debaille Vinciane , Kodolányi János
Published: February 2016

Studying the isotopic composition of Solar System materials contributes to a better understanding of their nature and genesis.
An analysis of surface proteomics results reveals novel candidates for intracellular/surface moonlighting proteins in bacteria
Authors: Wang Wangfei , Jeffery Constance J.
Published: February 2016

Dozens of intracellular proteins have a second function on the cell surface, referred to as “intracellular/surface moonlighting proteins”. An analysis of the results of 22 cell surface proteomics studies was performed to address whether the hundreds of intracellular proteins found on the cell surface could be candidates for being additional intracellular/surface moonlighting proteins.
Proteomics and the search for welfare and stress biomarkers in animal production in the one-health context
Authors: Marco-Ramell A. , de Almeida A. M. , Cristobal S. , Rodrigues P. , Roncada P. , Bassols A.
Published: February 2016

Stress and welfare are important factors in animal production in the context of growing production optimization and scrutiny by the general public.
A Bayesian approach to calibrating high-throughput virtual screening results and application to organic photovoltaic materials
Authors: Pyzer-Knapp Edward O. , Simm Gregor N. , Aspuru Guzik Alán
Published: February 2016

A novel approach for calibrating quantum-chemical properties determined as part of a high-throughput virtual screen to experimental analogs is presented.
Thermochemical lignin depolymerization and conversion to aromatics in subcritical methanol: effects of catalytic conditions
Authors: Singh Sunit Kumar , Nandeshwar Kunal , Ekhe Jayant D.
Published: February 2016

Solvolytic depolymerization of lignin was studied under three different catalytic conditions and explained using a schematic representation of the mechanisms.
Raman selection rule for surface optical phonons in ZnS nanobelts
Authors: Ho Chih-Hsiang , Varadhan Purushothaman , Wang Hsin-Hua , Chen Cheng-Ying , Fang Xiaosheng , He Jr-Hau
Published: February 2016

A surface optical phonon band has been detected on a single ZnS nanobelt using polarization dependent Raman scattering. The selection rule for SO phonons is broken and is attributed to the breaking of anisotropic translational symmetry on the nanobelt surface.
Conjugated microporous polycarbazole containing tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(iii) complexes: phosphorescence, porosity, and heterogeneous organic photocatalysis
Authors: Pan Long , Xu Meng-Ying , Feng Li-Juan , Chen Qi , He Yu-Jian , Han Bao-Hang
Published: February 2016

Porous polycarbazole containing tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(iii) complexes exhibit intense phosphorescence, moderate porosities and photocatalytic activities for the aza-Henry reaction.
Recent advances in iron-catalysed cross coupling reactions and their mechanistic underpinning
Authors: Mako T. L. , Byers J. A.
Published: February 2016

Advances in iron-catalysed cross coupling from 2010–2015 are critically reviewed.
One-pot protocol for J-aggregated anthraimidazolediones catalyzed by phosphotungstic acid in PEG-400 under aerobic condition
Authors: Bhattacharyya Bhaswati , Kundu Arijit , Das Aniruddha , Dhara Kaliprasanna , Guchhait Nikhil
Published: February 2016

One-pot protocol for anthra[1,2-d]imidazole-6,11-dione was developed via tandem cyclocondensation cum oxidation, catalyzed by phosphotungstic acid in PEG-400 support in open air. J-aggregation properties of products were confirmed by photophysical studies.
Electronic and optical properties of surface-functionalized armchair graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Wang Min , Song Si Xing , Zhao Hai Xing , Wang Yu Chen
Published: February 2016

The functional groups on armchair graphene nanoribbons affect the spatial distribution of the wavefunction and influence the electronic and optical properties as well.
Mixed micellization of dimeric surfactant–amphiphilic drug systems: effect of surfactant structure
Authors: Naqvi Andleeb Z. , Noori Sahar , Kabir-ud-Din Kabir-ud-Din
Published: February 2016

For their applications as drug delivery vehicles, the mixed interfacial/micellar behaviour of zwitterionic, cocogem and anionic dimeric surfactants with an amphiphilic drug imipramine hydrochloride in aqueous solutions has been investigated.
Fabrication and testing of zirconium-based nanoparticle-doped activated carbon fiber for enhanced arsenic removal in water
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Yu Yang , Chen J. Paul
Published: February 2016

A Zr-nanoparticle-doped ACF from this study shows a great potential for removal of arsenic from contaminated groundwater.
One-pot synthesis of triazine-framework derived catalysts with high performance for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Authors: You Yong , Wu Chenghao , Yao Yingfang , Liu Jianguo , Wang Zhongwei , Huang Lin , Xie Jin , Su Xiaogang , Zou Zhigang
Published: February 2016

A facile one-pot synthesis of ORR catalyst with high performance in fuel cell is proposed.
Bioinspired materials for regenerative medicine: going beyond the human archetypes
Authors: Green D. W. , Ben-Nissan B. , Yoon Kyung-Sik , Milthorpe B. , Jung H.-S.
Published: February 2016

Living organisms are skilful innovators and fabricators of materials, driven by the forces of evolution. We describe the translation process between natural material innovations and human tissue engineering.
Molecular and pathophysiological aspects of metal ion uptake by the zinc transporter ZIP8 (SLC39A8)
Authors: Zang Zhong-Sheng , Xu Yan-Ming , Lau Andy T. Y.
Published: February 2016

Recent updates on various molecular and pathophysiological aspects of the zinc transporter ZIP8 (SLC39A8).
Valproic acid causes radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells via disrupting the DNA repair pathway
Authors: Luo Yue , Wang Hui , Zhao Xipeng , Dong Chao , Zhang Fengmei , Guo Gang , Guo Gongshe , Wang Xiaowei , Powell Simon N. , Feng Zhihui
Published: February 2016

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the representative compounds of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) and is used widely for the clinical treatment of epilepsy and other convulsive diseases.
Stable gold nanoparticles as a novel peroxidase mimic for colorimetric detection of cysteine
Authors: Li Rong Sheng , Liu Hai , Chen Bin Bin , Zhang Hong Zhi , Huang Cheng Zhi , Wang Jian
Published: February 2016

In this work, stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared with good compatibility and favorable catalytic activity. They were developed as a peroxidase mimic for colorimetric detection of cysteine with a weakened blue solution, which supplied high sensitivity and selectivity.
Hydrogen bonding to carbonyl oxygen of nitrogen-pyramidalized amide – detection of pyramidalization direction preference by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Taniguchi Tohru , Monde Kenji , Kawahata Masatoshi , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Otani Yuko , Ohwada Tomohiko
Published: February 2016

Hydrogen-bonding to carbonyl of nitrogen-pyramidalized bicyclic β-proline amides can switch the preferred nitrogen-pyramidalization direction, as detected by VCD spectroscopy.
Evidence of single-nanoparticle translocation through a solid-state nanopore by plasmon resonance energy transfer
Authors: Cao Yue , Lin Yao , Qian Ruo-Can , Ying Yi-Lun , Si Wei , Sha Jingjie , Chen Yunfei , Long Yi-Tao
Published: February 2016

This work proposes a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) based probe to study the single-nanoparticle translocation behavior through a solid-state nanopore using the plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET) effect.
Optimizing conditions for utilization of an H2 oxidation catalyst with outer coordination sphere functionalities
Authors: Dutta Arnab , Ginovska Bojana , Raugei Simone , Roberts John A. S. , Shaw Wendy J.
Published: February 2016

[Ni(PCy2NArginine2)2]2+ (CyArg) or [Ni(PCy2NBenzyl2)2]2+ (CyBn) were evaluated for H2 oxidation as a function of temperature, pressure, and solvent. 70 °C and 100 atm H2 result in a TOF of 1.1 × 106 s−1 and an overpotential of 240 mV for CyArg in water. In methanol the rates were 280 s−1 for CyArg and 80 s−1 for CyBn, demonstrating the importance of water and the outer coordination sphere (OCS).
A bio-facilitated synthetic route for nano-structured complex electrode materials
Authors: Moradi Maryam , Kim Jae Chul , Qi Jifa , Xu Kang , Li Xin , Ceder Gerbrand , Belcher Angela M.
Published: February 2016

Bio-facilitated solid state solution: we investigate an energy-efficient synthesis that merges the bio-templated technique and solid-state reactions to produce a wide range of nano-structured complex inorganic materials.
Synthesis, structure, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of a series of {CrIII4LnIII} complexes
Authors: Blacque Olivier , Amjad Asma , Caneschi Andrea , Sorace Lorenzo , Car Pierre-Emmanuel
Published: February 2016

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of rare heterometallic Cr(iii)–Ln(iii) complexes are reported.
Aminoquinoline-assisted vinylic C–H arylation of unsubstituted acrylamide for the selective synthesis of Z olefins
Authors: Cheng Xiuzhi , Chen Zhen , Gao Yadong , Xue Fengtian , Jiang Chao
Published: February 2016

A method for Pd-catalyzed, aminoquinoline-directed arylation of vinylic C–H bonds with aryl iodides has been developed. This reaction represents a rare example of Pd-catalyzed vinylic C–H functionalization of unsubstituted acrylamide, allowing for preparation of Z-olefins.
C-Terminally modified peptides via cleavage of the HMBA linker by O-, N- or S-nucleophiles
Authors: Hansen J. , Diness F. , Meldal M.
Published: February 2016

A direct and convenient method for the release of protected peptides with C-terminal modification from the HMBA linker by nucleophilic cleavage with amines, alcoholates or thiolates.
N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysed 1,6-hydrophosphonylation of p-quinone methides and fuchsones: an atom economical route to unsymmetrical diaryl- and triarylmethyl phosphonates
Authors: Arde Panjab , Vijaya Anand Ramasamy
Published: February 2016

A direct method for the synthesis of diaryl- and triarylmethyl phosphonates through 1,6-hydrophosphonylation ofp-quinone methides and fuchsones using NHC as a Brønsted base catalyst is described.
I2-mediated regioselective C-3 azidation of indoles
Authors: Prasad Pragati K. , Kalshetti Rupali G. , Reddi Rambabu N. , Kamble Sanjay P. , Sudalai Arumugam
Published: February 2016

An unprecedented synthesis of novel 3-azido indoles has been developed using I2 and NaN3 in high yields and excellent regioselectivity.
Tetramethoxy-bay-substituted perylene bisimides by copper-mediated cross-coupling
Authors: Leowanawat Pawaret , Nowak-Król Agnieszka , Würthner Frank
Published: February 2016

CuBr-mediated cross-coupling of 1,6,7,12-tetrabromo-perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid ester or bis(dicarboximide) with NaOMe affords the respective tetramethoxy-perylene derivatives which are excellent green and red emitters.
Synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones catalyzed by graphene oxide nanosheets in an aqueous medium: “on-water” synthesis accompanied by carbocatalysis and selective C–C bond cleavage
Authors: Kausar Nazia , Roy Indranil , Chattopadhyay Dipankar , Das Asish R.
Published: February 2016

Graphene oxide nanosheet catalyzed strategies for construction of 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones starting from anthranilamide and an aldehyde/ketone in aqueous medium at room temperature have been realized.
Structural analogues of Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts bearing the 1-benzofuran moiety or isopropoxy-1-benzofuran derivatives as olefin metathesis catalysts
Authors: Trzaskowski B. , Ostrowska K.
Published: February 2016

We have used the DFT/M06-D3 computational method to study structures and activation free energies for a series of Hoveyda–Grubbs-like catalysts with the isopropoxybenzene part replaced by 1-benzofuran and ten derivatives of isopropoxy-1-benzofuran.
Promising hydrogen storage properties of cost-competitive La(Y)–Mg–Ca–Ni AB3-type alloys for stationary applications
Authors: Xin Gongbiao , Yuan Huiping , Yang Kang , Jiang Lijun , Liu Xiaopeng , Wang Shumao
Published: February 2016

The effective hydrogen storage properties of cost-competitive AB3-type alloys are quite large, which can be coupled with fuel cells.
Layer-by-layer assembled (high-energy carbon nanotube/conductive carbon nanotube)n nanocomposites for high volumetric capacitance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Shin Dongyeeb , Ko Yongmin , Cho Jinhan
Published: February 2016

We report supercapacitor electrodes with high volumetric capacitance and remarkable operational stability using a ligand exchange layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of high-energy multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrids and conductive MWCNTs.
Calligraphic ink enabling washable conductive textile electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Van Lam Do , Jo Kyungmin , Kim Chang-Hyun , Won Sejeong , Hwangbo Yun , Kim Jae-Hyun , Lee Hak-Joo , Lee Seung-Mo
Published: February 2016

Washable conductive textile electrodes realized using calligraphic ink show nearly no degradation in electrical or mechanical performance even after 10 times vigorous laundering.
Roles of calcium phosphate-mediated integrin expression and MAPK signaling pathways in the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chen Xuening , Wang Jing , Chen Ying , Cai Hanxu , Yang Xiao , Zhu Xiangdong , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: February 2016

BCP ceramics mediated MSC's integrin expression to realize “outside-in signaling” transduction and then activated MAPK signaling to induce osteogenesis.
Does high-density lipoprotein protect vascular function in healthy pregnancy?
Authors: Sulaiman Wan N. Wan , Caslake Muriel J. , Delles Christian , Karlsson Helen , Mulder Monique T. , Graham Delyth , Freeman Dilys J.
Published: February 2016

The maternal adaptation to pregnancy includes hyperlipidaemia, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. In non-pregnant individuals, these processes are usually associated with poor vascular function. However, maternal vascular function is enhanced in pregnancy. It is not understood how this is achieved in the face of the adverse metabolic and inflammatory environment. Research into cardiovascular disease demonstrates that plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein), by merit of its functionality rather than its plasma concentration, exerts protective effects on the vascular endothelium. HDL has vasodilatory, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, and can protect against endothelial cell damage. In pregnancy, the plasma HDL concentration starts to rise at 10 weeks of gestation, peaking at 20 weeks. The initial rise in plasma HDL occurs around the time of the establishment of the feto-placental circulation, a time when the trophoblast plugs in the maternal spiral arteries are released, generating oxidative stress. Thus there is the intriguing possibility that new HDL of improved function is synthesized around the time of the establishment of the feto-placental circulation. In obese pregnancy and, to a greater extent, in pre-eclampsia, plasma HDL levels are significantly decreased and maternal vascular function is reduced. Wire myography studies have shown an association between the plasma content of apolipoprotein AI, the major protein constituent of HDL, and blood vessel relaxation. These observations lead us to hypothesize that HDL concentration, and function, increases in pregnancy in order to protect the maternal vascular endothelium and that in pre-eclampsia this fails to occur.
Data‐driven optimal control of operational indices for a class of industrial processes
Authors: Lu Xinglong , Kiumarsi Bahare , Chai Tianyou , Lewis Frank L.
Published: February 2016

In this study, a data‐driven optimisation solution for operational index control for a class of industrial processes is presented. First, the operational index control problem is formulated as an optimal tracking control problem. Then, an augmented system composed of the device loop dynamics and operational indices dynamics is constructed on two different time scales. Since, finding mathematical model of the operational indices dynamics is difficult, in contrast to most existing operational optimisation and control methods that use a mathematical model of the operational indices dynamics, a reinforcement learning algorithm based on actor‐critic structure is employed to provide a data‐driven optimisation control method to select optimal process setpoints so that the operational indices can track desired values. This solution does not require complete knowledge of the industrial process dynamics. Moreover, complicated system identification of the dynamics of the operational indices is not required. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by experimental results that are carried out on a hardware‐in‐the‐loop emulation system for a mineral grinding process.
Quality‐of‐service‐aware fair bandwidth allocation scheme for fibre wireless networks
Authors: Sarigiannidis Antonios , Nicopolitidis Petros
Published: February 2016

Fibre wireless (FiWi) access networks constitute a promising candidate to meet the demanding challenges of the modern bandwidth‐hungry services and applications. Due to the dynamic nature of the network traffic in access domains, the bandwidth allocation process has to provide a fair and effective coordination between the users including an efficient quality‐of‐service (QoS) plan. However, the majority of the bandwidth allocation schemes neglect the measured QoS parameters, such as latency, jitter, and packet loss. In addition, the fairness issue is not always taken into account. As a result, the packet delivery of sensitive data streams is often problematic and the QoS guarantees are not addressed or even totally ignored. In this study, the authors present a novel bandwidth allocation policy which applies an efficient weighted‐based, QoS‐aware schedule in modern FiWi networks with fairness support. The innovation behind the proposed scheme lies in the direct association of the measured QoS parameters with the applied fair bandwidth allocation process.
Solving vehicular ad hoc network challenges with Big Data solutions
Authors: Contreras‐Castillo Juan , Zeadally Sherali , Guerrero Ibañez Juan Antonio
Published: February 2016

The concept of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) has emerged as an efficient way to improve the performance of transportation systems, enhance travel security and help address traffic control problems that modern society is facing today. Large amounts of VANET data are typically collected from highly heterogeneous sources paving the way for a new era of VANET‐Big Data. This data must be processed rapidly, efficiently and cost‐effectively by different users and systems to make timely decisions about traffic and transportation. VANET‐Big Data is causing a shift from technology‐driven to data‐driven VANETs. The authors analyse and discuss Big Data solutions that can be leveraged to address some of the emerging challenges of VANETs.
Voltage sensorless predictive direct power control of three‐phase PWM converters
Authors: Tao YuKun , Wu Qinghua , Wang Lei , Tang Wenhu
Published: February 2016

This study develops a voltage sensorless predictive direct power control (PDPC) strategy for three‐phase pulsewidth modulation (PWM) converters using accurate virtual flux (VF) estimation. This proposed PDPC can realise simultaneous control of the instantaneous active and reactive power, and achieve a constant switching frequency operation by adopting an on‐line corrective space vector modulation modulator. AC voltage sensors are removed by using the following two techniques. One is that an accurate VF observer is employed to compensate the magnitude and phase errors introduced by the first‐order low pass filter. The other is that grid voltages are estimated using the VF based estimation of instantaneous active and reactive power as intermediate variables. In addition, the time delay existing in a real system is taken into account in the proposed control model. Comparative results demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed approach compared with the conventional look‐up‐table DPC and the conventional PDPC.
Fluctuations in electron cyclotron resonance plasma in a divergent magnetic field
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sudeep , Fredriksen Åshild , Chandra Sayan
Published: February 2016

The dependence of fluctuations on electron-neutral collision frequency (νen) and the radial location is investigated in an electron cyclotron resonance plasma in a divergent magnetic field region for a set of magnetic fields. Results indicate that the fluctuations depend strongly on the collision frequency. At lower magnetic fields and νen, the fluctuation levels are small and are observed to peak around 3–5 cm from the central plasma region. Coherent wave modes are found to contribute up to about 30% of the total fluctuation power, and two to three harmonics are present in the power spectra. There are two principal modes present in the discharge: one appears to be a dissipative mode associated with a collisional drift wave instability initiated at a lower pressure (collision frequencies) (∼0.5 mTorr) and is stabilized at a higher pressure (≳3 mTorr). The other mode appears at intermediate pressure (≳1.75 mTorr) and possesses the signature of a flute instability. The fluctuation levels indicate that flute modes are predominant in the discharge at higher pressures ( >1.75 mTorr) and at higher values of the magnetic field (∼540 Gauss).
Transient Couette flow of a rarefied gas between plane parallel walls with different surface properties
Authors: Doi Toshiyuki
Published: February 2016

Transient Couette flow of a rarefied gas between plane parallel walls with different surface properties induced by a sudden start-up of one of the walls is studied based on kinetic theory. The linearized Boltzmann equation for a hard sphere molecular gas is analyzed under the assumptions that one wall is a diffuse reflection boundary and the other wall is a Maxwell-type boundary. The initial and boundary value problem is solved numerically by using a modified hybrid scheme of characteristic coordinate and finite difference methods, to describe the discontinuities in the velocity distribution function correctly. The time evolution of the flow and the approach to the final time-independent state are studied over a wide range of the mean free paths and the accommodation coefficient of the boundary. In the transient process, the shear force acting on the moving wall depends on which wall moves. In contrast, the shear force acting on the wall at rest is independent of which wall moves; this property is a consequence of the symmetric relation of the Boltzmann equation [S. Takata, “Symmetry of the unsteady linearized Boltzmann equation in a fixed bounded domain,” J. Stat. Phys. 140, 985 (2010)]. The speed of approach to the time-independent state is fastest at an intermediate value of the mean free path. The behavior of the gas in the final time-independent state, including the heat flow in the isothermal gas, is also discussed.
Dipole coupling and dual Fano resonances in a silicon nanodimer
Authors: Jia Zhi-Yong , Li Jing-Ning , Wu Hong-Wei , Wang Cheng , Chen Tian-Yong , Peng Ru-Wen , Wang Mu
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate theoretically in this work the existence of dual Fano resonances in a silicon nanodimer, which result from the strong coupling between the magnetic dipole in one nanocylinder and the electric dipole in another. It is shown that the intensities of the Fano resonances can be controlled by changing the polarization of the incident light, and the wavelengths of the resonances can be shifted by varying the separation of nanocylinders. And a broadband scattering response is also presented. These results concerning the ohmic loss-less, easily fabricated silicon nanodimer may have promising applications in wave filters, solar cells, biosensing, etc.
A mixed multiscale model better accounting for the cross term of the subgrid-scale stress and for backscatter
Authors: Thiry Olivier , Winckelmans Grégoire
Published: February 2016

In the large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flows, models are used to account for the subgrid-scale (SGS) stress. We here consider LES with “truncation filtering only” (i.e., that due to the LES grid), thus without regular explicit filtering added. The SGS stress tensor is then composed of two terms: the cross term that accounts for interactions between resolved scales and unresolved scales, and the Reynolds term that accounts for interactions between unresolved scales. Both terms provide forward- (dissipation) and backward (production, also called backscatter) energy transfer. Purely dissipative, eddy-viscosity type, SGS models are widely used: Smagorinsky-type models, or more advanced multiscale-type models. Dynamic versions have also been developed, where the model coefficient is determined using a dynamic procedure. Being dissipative by nature, those models do not provide backscatter. Even when using the dynamic version with local averaging, one typically uses clipping to forbid negative values of the model coefficient and hence ensure the stability of the simulation; hence removing the backscatter produced by the dynamic procedure. More advanced SGS model are thus desirable, and that better conform to the physics of the true SGS stress, while remaining stable. We here investigate, in decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence, and using a de-aliased pseudo-spectral method, the behavior of the cross term and of the Reynolds term: in terms of dissipation spectra, and in terms of probability density function (pdf) of dissipation in physical space: positive and negative (backscatter). We then develop a new mixed model that better accounts for the physics of the SGS stress and for the backscatter. It has a cross term part which is built using a scale-similarity argument, further combined with a correction for Galilean invariance using a pseudo-Leonard term: this is the term that also does backscatter. It also has an eddy-viscosity multiscale model part that accounts for all the remaining phenomena (also for the incompleteness of the cross term model), that is dynamic and that adjusts the overall dissipation. The model is tested, both a priori and a posteriori, and is compared to the direct numerical simulation and to the exact SGS terms, also in time. The model is seen to provide accurate energy spectra, also in comparison to the dynamic Smagorinsky model. It also provides significant backscatter (although four times less than the real SGS stress), while remaining stable.
Peculiarities of the temperature dependence of electron spin resonance and Raman studies of Zn1−xNixO/NiO two-phase nanocomposites
Authors: Joshi D. C. , Nayak S. , Kumar A. , Mohanta A. , Pamu D. , Thota S.
Published: February 2016

A meticulous investigation of electron-spin-resonance (ESR) and Raman spectroscopy of the two-phase nanocomposites of Zn1−xNixO/NiO is reported. The temperature variation of X-band ESR parameters viz., resonance field HR(T) and line-width ΔHPP(T) follows the power-law variation (δHR = (ΔHPP)n) of Nagata and Ishihara model, which was used to understand the orientation of statistical ensemble of particles with respect to a given direction of the anisotropy axis. This analysis yields the exponent “n” ≃ 2.13 and 2.85 for the composite system Zn1−xNixO/NiO and pure NiO suggesting the presence of partial and randomly oriented ellipsoidal nanocrystallites, respectively. The Raikher and Stepanov model has been employed to probe the role of amorphous Ni3+ clusters on the observed ESR spectra. Interestingly, after Ni substitution, a new zone boundary phonon mode was noticed at 129 cm−1 for all the samples, which is usually forbidden in the first-order Raman scattering for wurtzite ZnO. In addition to the 2M magnon mode, two extra modes appear at 558 and 900 cm−1 due to the increased volume fraction of NiO within the Zn1−xNixO matrix. A systematic correlation of the above results with a comparative analysis of their bulk counterpart has been presented.