bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil nematode communities within aggregates
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Zhang Xiaoke , Mahamood Md. , Zhang Shuiqing , Huang Shaomin , Liang Wenju
Published: August 2016

A long-term fertilization experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different fertilization practices on nematode community composition within aggregates in a wheat-maize rotation system. The study was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The experiment involved the following four treatments: no fertilizer, inorganic N, P and K fertilizer (NPK), NPK plus manure (NPKM) and NPK plus maize straw (NPKS). Soil samples were taken at 0–20 cm depth during the wheat harvest stage. Based on our results, NPKS contributed to soil aggregation and moisture retention, with a positive effect on soil total nitrogen accumulation, particularly within small macroaggregates (0.25–1 mm) and microaggregates (<0.25 mm). The C/N ratio was correlated to the distribution of the soil nematode community. Both manure application and straw incorporation increased the nematode functional metabolic footprints within all aggregates. Additionally, the functional metabolic footprints decreased with a decline in aggregate size. The accumulation of total nitrogen within <1 mm aggregates under NPKS might play a key role in maintaining the survival of soil nematodes. In our study, both crop straw incorporation and inorganic fertilizer application effectively improved soil physicochemical properties and were also beneficial for nematode survival within small aggregate size fractions.
Electron acceptor redox potential globally regulates transcriptomic profiling in Shewanella decolorationis S12
Authors: Lian Yingli , Yang Yonggang , Guo Jun , Wang Yan , Li Xiaojing , Fang Yun , Gan Lixia , Xu Meiying
Published: August 2016

Electron acceptor redox potential (EARP) was presumed to be a determining factor for microbial metabolism in many natural and engineered processes. However, little is known about the potentially global effects of EARP on bacteria. In this study, we compared the physiological and transcriptomic properties of Shewanella decolorationis S12 respiring with different EARPs in microbial electrochemical systems to avoid the effects caused by the other physicochemical properties of real electron acceptor. Results showed that the metabolic activities of strain S12 were nonlinear responses to EARP. The tricarboxylic acid cycle for central carbon metabolism was down-regulated while glyoxylate shunt was up-regulated at 0.8 V compared to 0.2 and −0.2 V, which suggested that EARP is an important but not the only determinant for metabolic pathways of strain S12. Moreover, few cytochrome c genes were differentially expressed at different EARPs. The energy intensive flagella assembly and assimilatory sulfur metabolism pathways were significantly enriched at 0.8 V, which suggested strain S12 had stronger electrokinesis behavior and oxidative stress-response at high EARP. This study provides the first global information of EARP regulations on microbial metabolism, which will be helpful for understanding microorganism respiration.
Energy Bandgap and Edge States in an Epitaxially Grown Graphene/h-BN Heterostructure
Authors: Hwang Beomyong , Hwang Jeongwoon , Yoon Jong Keon , Lim Sungjun , Kim Sungmin , Lee Minjun , Kwon Jeong Hoon , Baek Hongwoo , Sung Dongchul , Kim Gunn , Hong Suklyun , Ihm Jisoon , Stroscio Joseph A. , Kuk Young
Published: August 2016

Securing a semiconducting bandgap is essential for applying graphene layers in switching devices. Theoretical studies have suggested a created bulk bandgap in a graphene layer by introducing an asymmetry between the A and B sub-lattice sites. A recent transport measurement demonstrated the presence of a bandgap in a graphene layer where the asymmetry was introduced by placing a graphene layer on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrate. Similar bandgap has been observed in graphene layers on metal substrates by local probe measurements; however, this phenomenon has not been observed in graphene layers on a near-insulating substrate. Here, we present bulk bandgap-like features in a graphene layer epitaxially grown on an h-BN substrate using scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We observed edge states at zigzag edges, edge resonances at armchair edges, and bandgap-like features in the bulk.
Rescuing neuronal cell death by RAIDD- and PIDD- derived peptides and its implications for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Jang Tae-Ho , Lim In-Hye , Kim Chang Min , Choi Jae Young , Kim Eun-Ae , Lee Tae-Jin , Park Hyun Ho
Published: August 2016

Caspase-2 is known to be involved in oxidative-stress mediated neuronal cell death. In this study, we demonstrated that rotenone-induced neuronal cell death is mediated by caspase-2 activation via PIDDosome formation. Our newly designed TAT-fused peptides, which contains wild-type helix number3 (H3) from RAIDD and PIDD, blocked the PIDDosome formation in vitro. Furthermore, peptides inhibited rotenone-induced caspase-2-dependent apoptosis in neuronal cells. These results suggest that PIDD- or RAIDD-targeted peptides might be effective at protecting against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. Our peptides are novel neuronal cell apoptosis inhibitors that might serve as a prototype for development of drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Calpains are involved in asexual and sexual development, cell wall integrity and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus
Authors: Liu Xiao-Hong , Ning Guo-Ao , Huang Lu-Yao , Zhao Ya-Hui , Dong Bo , Lu Jian-Ping , Lin Fu-Cheng
Published: August 2016

Calpains are ubiquitous and well-conserved proteins that belong to the calcium-dependent, non-lysosomal cysteine protease family. In this study, 8 putative calpains were identified using Pfam domain analysis and BlastP searches inM. oryzae. Three single gene deletion mutants (ΔMocapn7, ΔMocapn9and ΔMocapn14) and two double gene deletion mutants (ΔMocapn4ΔMocapn7and ΔMocapn9ΔMocapn7) were obtained using the high-throughput gene knockout system. The calpain disruption mutants showed defects in colony characteristics, conidiation, sexual reproduction and cell wall integrity. The mycelia of the ΔMocapn7, ΔMocapn4ΔMocapn7and ΔMocapn9ΔMocapn7mutants showed reduced pathogenicity on rice and barley.
High power laser-driven ceramic phosphor plate for outstanding efficient white light conversion in application of automotive lighting
Authors: Song Young Hyun , Ji Eun Kyung , Jeong Byung Woo , Jung Mong Kwon , Kim Eun Young , Yoon Dae Ho
Published: August 2016

We report on Y3Al5O12: Ce3+ceramic phosphor plate (CPP) using nano phosphor for high power laser diode (LD) application for white light in automotive lighting. The prepared CPP shows improved luminous properties as a function of Ce3+concentration. The luminous properties of the Y3Al5O12: Ce3+CPP nano phosphor are improved when compared to the Y3Al5O12: Ce3+CPP with bulk phosphor, and hence, the luminous emittance, luminous flux, and conversion efficiency are improved. The Y3Al5O12: Ce3+CPP with an optimal Ce3+content of 0.5 mol % shows 2733 lm/mm2value under high power blue radiant flux density of 19.1 W/mm2. The results indicate that Y3Al5O12: Ce3+CPP using nano phosphor can serve as a potential material for solid-state laser lighting in automotive applications.
Structural Stability and Deformation of Solvated Sm@C2(42)-C90 under High Pressure
Authors: Cui Jinxing , Yao Mingguang , Yang Hua , Liu Ziyang , Liu Shijie , Du Mingrun , Li Quanjun , Liu Ran , Cui Tian , Liu Bingbing
Published: August 2016

Solvated fullerenes recently have been shown to exhibit novel compression behaviors compared with the pristine fullerenes. However, less attention has been focused on the large cage endohedral metallofullerenes. Here, we have firstly synthesized solvated Sm@C90 microrods by a solution drop-drying method, and then studied the transformations under high pressure. The pressure-induced structural evolutions of Sm@C90 molecules both undergo deformation and collapse. The band gaps of both samples decrease with increasing pressure. The trapped Sm atom plays a role in restraining the compression of the adjacent bonds. The solvent plays a role in protecting Sm@C90 against collapse in the region of 12–20 GPa, decreasing and postponing the change of band gap. Above 30 GPa, the carbon cages collapse. Released from 45 GPa, the compressed solvated Sm@C90 forms a new ordered amorphous carbon cluster (OACC) structure with metal atoms trapped in the units of amorphous carbon clusters, which is different from the OACC structure formed by compressing solvated C60 and C70. This discovery opens the door for the creation of new carbon materials with desirable structural and physical properties when suitable starting materials are selected.
EGFR and SYNE2 are associated with p21 expression and SYNE2 variants predict post-operative clinical outcomes in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Han Chuangye , Liao Xiwen , Qin Wei , Yu Long , Liu Xiaoguang , Chen Gang , Liu Zhengtao , Lu Sicong , Chen Zhiwei , Su Hao , Zhu Guangzhi , Lu Zili , Liu Zhiming , Qin Xue , Gui Ying , Mo Zengnan , Li Lequn , Peng Tao
Published: August 2016

This study was to explore the association between gene variants and p21 expression and investigate the TP53-independent p21 regulation in hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from Guangxi by genome-wide association study. 426 HBV-related HCC patients were enrolled. Results showed that, after quality control, a total of 21,643 SNPs were identified in 107 p21 positive and 298 p21 negative patients. The variants of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; rs2227983 and rs6950826) and spectrin repeat containing, nuclear envelope 2 (SYNE2; rs8010699, rs4027405 and rs1890908) were associated with p21 expression. Moreover the haplotype block (rs2227983 and rs6950826, r2 = 0.378) in EGFR and the haplotype block in SYNE2 (rs8010699 was in strong LD with rs4027405 and rs1890908 (r2 = 0.91 and 0.70, respectively)) were identified and the haplotype A-G of EGFR and haplotype G-A-A of SYNE2 were significantly associated with p21 expression (P < 0.01). rs4027405 and rs1890908 were significantly associated with overall survival and patients with AG/GG genotypes of SYNE2 gene had a worse overall survival (P = 0.001, P = 0.002). Our findings indicate that variants of EGFR and SYNE2 play an important role in p21 regulation and are associated with the clinical outcome of HBV-related HCC in a TP53-indenpdent manner.
Metabolic and diffusional limitations of photosynthesis in fluctuating irradiance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kaiser Elias , Morales Alejandro , Harbinson Jeremy , Heuvelink Ep , Prinzenberg Aina E. , Marcelis Leo F. M.
Published: August 2016

A better understanding of the metabolic and diffusional limitations of photosynthesis in fluctuating irradiance can help identify targets for improving crop yields. We used different genotypes ofArabidopsis thalianato characterise the importance of Rubisco activase (Rca), stomatal conductance (gs), non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) on photosynthesis in fluctuating irradiance. Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured in leaves exposed to stepwise increases and decreases in irradiance.rwt43, which has a constitutively active Rubisco enzyme in different irradiance intensities (except in darkness), showed faster increases than the wildtype, Colombia-0, in photosynthesis rates after step increases in irradiance.rca-2, having decreased Rca concentration, showed lower rates of increase. Inaba2-1, high gsincreased the rate of change after stepwise irradiance increases, while in C24, low gstended to decrease it. Differences in rates of change between Colombia-0 and plants with low levels of NPQ (npq1-2,npq4-1) or SPS (spsa1) were negligible. In Colombia-0, the regulation of Rubisco activation and of gswere therefore limiting for photosynthesis in fluctuating irradiance, while levels of NPQ or SPS were not. This suggests Rca and gsas targets for improvement of photosynthesis of plants in fluctuating irradiance.
Soliton driven angiogenesis
Authors: Bonilla L. L. , Carretero M. , Terragni F. , Birnir B.
Published: August 2016

Angiogenesis is a multiscale process by which blood vessels grow from existing ones and carry oxygen to distant organs. Angiogenesis is essential for normal organ growth and wounded tissue repair but it may also be induced by tumours to amplify their own growth. Mathematical and computational models contribute to understanding angiogenesis and developing anti-angiogenic drugs, but most work only involves numerical simulations and analysis has lagged. A recent stochastic model of tumour-induced angiogenesis including blood vessel branching, elongation and anastomosis captures some of its intrinsic multiscale structures, yet allows one to extract a deterministic integropartial differential description of the vessel tip density. Here we find that the latter advances chemotactically towards the tumour driven by a soliton (similar to the famous Korteweg-de Vries soliton) whose shape and velocity change slowly. Analysing these collective coordinates paves the way for controlling angiogenesis through the soliton, the engine that drives this process.
Huaier restrains proliferative and invasive potential of human hepatoma SKHEP-1 cells partially through decreased Lamin B1 and elevated NOV
Authors: Hu Zhongdong , Yang Ailin , Su Guozhu , Zhao Yunfang , Wang Ying , Chai Xingyun , Tu Pengfei
Published: August 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cause of malignancy-related mortality worldwide. It is urgently needed to develop potential drugs with good efficacy and low toxicity for HCC treatment. The anti-tumor effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received increasing attention worldwide. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) has been used in TCM for approximately 1,600 years. Clinically, Huaier has satisfactory therapeutic effects in cancer treatment, especially in HCC. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of Huaier remain ill defined. Herein we have demonstrated that Huaier dramatically inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SKHEP-1. Importantly, Huaier restrained the metastatic capability of SKHEP-1 cells. Mechanistically, down-regulation of Lamin B1 and up-regulation of Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) were at least partially responsible for the inhibitory effect of Huaier on the proliferative and invasive capacity of SKHEP-1 cells. Our finding provided new insights into mechanisms of anti-HCC effect of Huaier and suggested a new scientific basis for clinical medication.
Plasmonic nanoparticles tuned thermal sensitive photonic polymer for biomimetic chameleon
Authors: Yan Yang , Liu Lin , Cai Zihe , Xu Jiwen , Xu Zhou , Zhang Di , Hu Xiaobin
Published: August 2016

Among many thermo-photochromic materials, the color-changing behavior caused by temperature and light is usually lack of a full color response. And the study on visible light-stimuli chromic response is rarely reported. Here, we proposed a strategy to design a thermo-photochromic chameleon biomimetic material consisting of photonic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) copolymer and plasmonic nanoparticles which has a vivid color change triggered by temperature and light like chameleons. We make use of the plasmonic nanoparticles like gold nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity of the responsive behavior and control the lower critical solution temperature of the thermosensitive films by tuning the polymer chain conformation transition. Finally, it is possible that this film would have colorimetric responses to the entire VIS spectrum by the addition of different plasmonic nanoparticles to tune the plasmonic excitation wavelength. As a result, this method provides a potential use in new biosensors, military and many other aspects.
Bisphenol A Exposure May Induce Hepatic Lipid Accumulation via Reprogramming the DNA Methylation Patterns of Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Ke Zhang-Hong , Pan Jie-Xue , Jin Lu-Yang , Xu Hai-Yan , Yu Tian-Tian , Ullah Kamran , Rahman Tanzil Ur , Ren Jun , Cheng Yi , Dong Xin-Yan , Sheng Jian-Zhong , Huang He-Feng
Published: August 2016

Accumulating evidence suggests a role of bisphenol A (BPA) in metabolic disorders. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Using a mouse BPA exposure model, we investigated the effects of long-term BPA exposure on lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanisms. The male mice exposed to BPA (0.5 μg BPA /kg/day, a human relevant dose) for 10 months exhibited significant hepatic accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol. The liver cells from the BPA-exposed mice showed significantly increased expression levels of the genes related to lipid synthesis. These liver cells showed decreased DNA methylation levels of Srebf1 and Srebf2, and increased expression levels of Srebf1 and Srebf2 that may upregulate the genes related to lipid synthesis. The expression levels of DNA methyltransferases were decreased in BPA-exposed mouse liver. Hepa1-6 cell line treated with BPA showed decreased expression levels of DNA methyltransferases and increased expression levels of genes involved in lipid synthesis. DNA methyltransferase knockdown in Hepa1-6 led to hypo-methylation and increased expression levels of genes involved in lipid synthesis. Our results suggest that long-term BPA exposure could induce hepatic lipid accumulation, which may be due to the epigenetic reprogramming of the genes involved in lipid metabolism, such as the alterations of DNA methylation patterns.
Inhibition of Autophagy Enhances Curcumin United light irradiation-induced Oxidative Stress and Tumor Growth Suppression in Human Melanoma Cells
Authors: Niu Tianhui , Tian Yan , Mei Zhusong , Guo Guangjin
Published: August 2016

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin carcinoma, which possesses fast propagating and highly invasive characteristics. Curcumin is a natural phenol compound that has various biological activities, such as anti-proliferative and apoptosis-accelerating impacts on tumor cells. Unfortunately, the therapeutical activities of Cur are severely hindered due to its extremely low bioavailability. In this study, a cooperative therapy of low concentration Cur combined with red united blue light irradiation was performed to inspect the synergistic effects on the apoptosis, proliferation and autophagy in human melanoma A375 cell. The results showed that red united blue light irradiation efficaciously synergized with Cur to trigger oxidative stress-mediated cell death, induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation. Meanwhile, Western blotting revealed that combined disposure induced the formation of autophagosomes. Conversely, inhibition of the autophagy enhanced apoptosis, obstructed cell cycle arrest and induced reversible proliferation arrest to senescence. These findings suggest that Cur combined with red united blue light irradiation could generate photochemo-preventive effects via enhancing apoptosis and triggering autophagy and pharmacological inhibition of autophagy convert reversible arrested cells to senescence, therefore reducing the possibility that damaged cells might escape programmed death.
Increased DNA and RNA damage by oxidation in patients with bipolar I disorder
Authors: Jacoby A S , Vinberg M , Poulsen H E , Kessing L V , Munkholm K
Published: August 2016

The mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder (BD) and the associated medical burden are unclear. Damage generated by oxidation of nucleosides may be implicated in BD pathophysiology; however, evidence from in vivo studies is limited and the extent of state-related alterations is unclear. This prospective study investigated for we believe the first time the damage generated by oxidation of DNA and RNA strictly in patients with type I BD in a manic or mixed state and subsequent episodes and remission compared with healthy control subjects. Urinary excretion of 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 8-oxo-guanosine (8-oxoGuo), valid markers of whole-body DNA and RNA damage by oxidation, respectively, was measured in 54 patients with BD I and in 35 healthy control subjects using a modified ultraperformance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry assay. Repeated measurements were evaluated in various affective phases during a 6- to 12-month period and compared with repeated measurements in healthy control subjects. Independent of lifestyle and demographic variables, a 34% (P<0.0001) increase in RNA damage by oxidation across all affective states, including euthymia, was found in patients with BD I compared with healthy control subjects. Increases in DNA and RNA oxidation of 18% (P<0.0001) and 8% (P=0.02), respectively, were found in manic/hypomanic states compared with euthymia, and levels of 8-oxodG decreased 15% (P<0.0001) from a manic or mixed episode to remission. The results indicate a role for DNA and RNA damage by oxidation in BD pathophysiology and a potential for urinary 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGuo to function as biological markers of diagnosis, state and treatment response in BD.
Electrochemical detection of single cancer and healthy cell collisions on a microelectrode
Authors: Dick Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2016

The electrochemical detection of single cancer cells and healthy cells is reported.
DNA micelles as nanoreactors: efficient DNA functionalization with hydrophobic organic molecules
Authors: Trinh Tuan , Chidchob Pongphak , Bazzi Hassan S. , Sleiman Hanadi F.
Published: August 2016

We report a micelle-templated method to enhance the reactivity of DNA with highly hydrophobic molecules.
Phosphonium pillar[5]arenes as a new class of efficient biofilm inhibitors: importance of charge cooperativity and the pillar platform
Authors: Joseph Roymon , Kaizerman Dana , Herzog Ido M. , Hadar Maya , Feldman Mark , Fridman Micha , Cohen Yoram
Published: August 2016

Inhibition of biofilm formation (MBIC50 = 0.67–1.66 μM) by pillar[5]arene congugates.
Visible-light-promoted iminyl radical formation from vinyl azides: synthesis of 6-(fluoro)alkylated phenanthridines
Authors: Sun Xiaoyang , Yu Shouyun
Published: August 2016

An efficient strategy assisted by visible-light-promoted iminyl radical formation has been developed for the synthesis of 6-(fluoro)alkylated phenanthridine derivatives.
Rendering non-energetic microporous coordination polymers explosive
Authors: McDonald Kyle A. , Bennion Jonathan C. , Leone Amanda K. , Matzger Adam J.
Published: August 2016

A stable microporous coordination polymer is transformed into a sensitive primary explosive by simple infiltration with an organic oxidizer.
Thermal structural stability of a multi-component olivine electrode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Park Kyu-Young , Kim Hyungsub , Lee Seongsu , Kim Jongsoon , Hong Jihyun , Lim Hee-Dae , Park Inchul , Kang Kisuk
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the structural evolution of Li(Mn1/3Fe1/3Co1/3)PO4, which is a promising multi-component olivine cathode materials, is investigated using combined in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction and flux neutron diffraction analyses at various states of charge.
Characterizing a nonclassical carbene with coupled cluster methods: cyclobutylidene
Authors: Wang Xiao , Agarwal Jay , Schaefer III Henry F.
Published: August 2016

Cyclobutylidene is a nonclassical compound that undergoes rapid rearrangement. Three reaction paths on the lowest potential energy surface are examined with theory; reaction barriers and kinetic rates are reported, among other analyses.
Accurate prediction of the optical rotation and NMR properties for highly flexible chiral natural products
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad Ali , Andreassend Sarah K. , Keyzers Robert A. , Lein Matthias
Published: August 2016

Despite advances in electronic structure theory the theoretical prediction of spectroscopic properties remains a computational challenge.
Mesocrystals: structural and morphogenetic aspects
Authors: Sturm (née Rosseeva) Elena V. , Cölfen Helmut
Published: August 2016

This review gives an overview of the structural aspects of mesocrystals as well as their formation mechanisms known so far.
The effect of partial substitution of Ni by Mg on the structural, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the double perovskite Sr2NiTeO6
Authors: Orayech B. , Ortega-San-Martín L. , Urcelay-Olabarria I. , Lezama L. , Rojo T. , Arriortua María I. , Igartua J. M.
Published: August 2016

The structural, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the freeze-drying synthesized Sr2Ni1−xMgxTeO6(x= 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5) oxides are analyzed by means of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, diffuse reflectance and magnetic susceptibility.
Fabrication of pristine Mn2O3and Ag–Mn2O3composite thin films by AACVD for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Naeem Rabia , Ali Ehsan Muhammad , Yahya Rosiyah , Sohail Manzar , Khaledi Hamid , Mazhar Muhammad
Published: August 2016

Pristine Mn2O3and Ag–Mn2O3nanocomposite thin films deposited by AACVD on FTO showed photocurrent densities of 1.8 and 3 mA cm−2respectively.
Xurography actuated valving for centrifugal flow control
Authors: Kinahan David J. , Early Philip L. , Vembadi Abhishek , MacNamara Eoghan , Kilcawley Niamh A. , Glennon Thomas , Diamond Dermot , Brabazon Dermot , Ducrée Jens
Published: August 2016

Valves on a Lab-on-a-Disc are actuated, with disc in motion and with arbitrary timing, by a knife-cutter based robotic arm.
Poly(N-vinylimidazole)-l-poly(propylene glycol) amphiphilic conetworks and gels: molecularly forced blends of incompatible polymers with single glass transition temperatures of unusual dependence on the composition
Authors: Fodor Csaba , Stumphauser Tímea , Thomann Ralf , Thomann Yi , Iván Béla
Published: August 2016

New molecularly forced blends of incompatible poly(N-vinylimidazole) and poly(propylene glycol) polymers with single glass transition temperatures.
Controlling carrier trapping and relaxation with a dipole field in an organic field-effect device
Authors: Wang Yu-Fu , Tsai Min-Ruei , Wang Po-Yang , Lin Chin-Yang , Cheng Horng-Long , Tang Fu-Ching , Lien-Chung Hsu Steve , Hsu Chih-Chun , Chou Wei-Yang
Published: August 2016

A novel polyimide electret using as the gate dielectric layer and charge trapping layer of n-type organic transistors was synthesized to improve the memory effect and electrical stability.
Complex impedance, dielectric properties and electrical conduction mechanism of La0.5Ba0.5FeO3−δ perovskite oxides
Authors: Nasri S. , Ben Hafsia A. L. , Tabellout M. , Megdiche M.
Published: August 2016

The new perovskite compound La0.5Ba0.5FeO3−δ was prepared by the sol–gel method.
Expedient access to unsymmetrical triarylmethanes through N-heterocyclic carbene catalysed 1,6-conjugate addition of 2-naphthols to para-quinone methides
Authors: Arde Panjab , Anand Ramasamy Vijaya
Published: August 2016

A direct and atom-economical protocol for the synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes through 1,6-conjugate addition of 2-naphthols topara-quinone methides using N-heterocyclic carbene as a Brønsted base catalyst is described.
A mobile laboratory for rapid on-site analysis of catechols from water samples with real-time results production
Authors: Wang Yun , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Yan , Han Juan , Xia Jinchen , Bao Xu , Ni Liang , Tang Xu
Published: August 2016

A smartphone was coupled with a remote server to analyze catechols from water samples on-site with real-time results production.
Spin glass behavior and enhanced but frustrated magnetization in Ho3+ substituted Co–Zn ferrite interacting nanoparticles
Authors: Pawar Ram A. , Patange Sunil M. , Shirsath Sagar E.
Published: August 2016

Nanoparticles of Ho3+ substituted in Co–Zn ferrites synthesised by sol–gel method.
Symmetric and unsymmetric thienyl-substituted fluorenone dyes: static excimer-induced emission enhancement
Authors: Xu Fan , Yuan Mao-Sen , Wang Wenji , Du Xianchao , Wang Hui , Li Na , Yu Ruijin , Du Zhenting , Wang Jinyi
Published: August 2016

In this work, we designed and synthesized four symmetric and asymmetric thienyl-substituted fluorenone compounds, which all exhibited typical AIE properties.
Comparison of ultrasound-assisted Fenton reaction and dilute acid-catalysed steam explosion pretreatment of corncobs: cellulose characteristics and enzymatic saccharification
Authors: Wang Sujun , Ouyang Xianhong , Wang Wenya , Yuan Qipeng , Yan Aixia
Published: August 2016

As an emerging method for lignocellulose pretreatment, the ultrasound-assisted Fenton reaction is not well developed in comparison to the dilute acid-catalysed steam explosion.
Strain tunability of the downward effective polarization of mechanically written domains in ferroelectric nanofilms
Authors: Jiang Limei , Xu Xiaofei , Zhou Yichun , Zhang Yi , Yang Qiong
Published: August 2016

Nano 180° domains written by local mechanical force via the flexoelectric effect have recently attracted great attention since they may enable applications in which memory bits are written mechanically.
Polysaccharides from Moringa oleifera gum: structural elements, interaction with β-lactoglobulin and antioxidative activity
Authors: Raja Washim , Bera Kaushik , Ray Bimalendu
Published: August 2016

Structural highlights of an antioxidative arabinogalactan from Moringa oleifera gum that interacts with β-lactoglobulin.
New lignin-based polyurethane foam for wastewater treatment
Authors: Kumari Sapana , Chauhan Ghanshyam S. , Monga Sheetal , Kaushik Anupama , Ahn Jou-Hyeon
Published: August 2016

Utilization of renewable feedstock for the development of alternative materials is rapidly increasing due to the depletion of petroleum resources and related environmental issues.
Magnetic solid phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorophenols based on cyano-ionic liquid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and their determination by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Bakhshaei Shabnam , Kamboh Muhammad Afzal , Nodeh Hamid Rashidi , Md Zain Sharifuddin , Mahmad Rozi Siti Khalijah , Mohamad Sharifah , Mohammed Mohialdeen Issam A.
Published: August 2016

The extraction of CPs & PAHs on MNP@CN/IL provides highly percent recovery with good precision and enrichment factor of i.e., 100 & 200 for CPs and PAHs respectively.
Pressure-induced formation of hydrogen bonds in KNH2studied by first principles
Authors: Chen Changbo , Xu Ying , Wang Sihan , Liu Wanqiang , Sun Xiuping , Li Haijun , Tian Fubo , Cui Tian
Published: August 2016

Using particle swarm optimization technique implemented in the CALYPSO code, we have performed systematic research for the structures of KNH2at pressures up to 20 GPa.
Fast response ammonia sensors based on TiO2and NiO nanostructured bilayer thin films
Authors: Kumar Arvind , Sanger Amit , Kumar Ashwani , Chandra Ramesh
Published: August 2016

The schematic view of the TiO2/NiO bilayer sensor with the platinum as bottom and top electrodes.
Novel one-pot synthesis and sensitisation of new BiOCl–Bi2S3 nanostructures from DES medium displaying high photocatalytic activity
Authors: Ferreira V. C. , Neves M. C. , Hillman A. R. , Monteiro O. C.
Published: August 2016

A novel one-pot synthetic procedure yields hierarchically nanostructured BiOCl–Bi2S3 nanoparticles with improved photocatalytic activity towards degradation of rhodamine B.
Silver colloid and film substrates in surface-enhanced Raman scattering for 2-thiouracil detection
Authors: Al-Shalalfeh Mutasem M. , Saleh Tawfik A. , Al-Saadi Abdulaziz A.
Published: August 2016

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based silver substrates were designed and fabricated for the detection of 2-thiouracil (2-TU).
Porous nanostructure controls kinetics, disposition and self-assembly structure of lipid digestion products
Authors: Joyce Paul , Barnes Timothy J. , Boyd Ben J. , Prestidge Clive A.
Published: August 2016

Combining1H NMR and sSAXS to discriminate the speciation and structure evolution of lipolysis products for submicron lipid droplets and lipid loaded in porous silica particles.
Effective adsorption of phenolic pollutants from water using β-cyclodextrin polymer functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Gong Tao , Zhou Yehong , Sun Linlin , Liang Wenting , Yang Jun , Shuang Shaomin , Dong Chuan
Published: August 2016

β-Cyclodextrin polymer functionalized magnetic nanoparticles possess adsorption properties favorable for the purpose of removing phenolic pollutants.
Block copolymer and organic salts in forming aqueous biphases: a platform to identify molecular interactions in aqueous medium
Authors: Chakraborty Arabinda , Mukhopadhyay Chhanda , Sen Kamalika
Published: August 2016

An aqueous solution of a tri-block copolymer PPG–PEG–PPG has been used with two organic salts, sodium acetate and sodium citrate, to create new aqueous biphasic systems (ABS).
Preparation of CoNC catalysts via heating a mixture of cobaltporphyrin and casein for ethylbenzene oxidation
Authors: Yang Congqiang , Chen Yuan , Zhao Sufang , Zhu Runliang , Liu Zhigang
Published: August 2016

Biomass-derived cobalt-coordinated N-doped carbon (CoNC) for C–H bond oxidation is synthesized by a facile procedure based on pyrolysis of cobaltporphyrin with natural, amino acid-rich biomass casein as a supplementary nitrogen source.
A simple ‘in situ’ co-precipitation method for the preparation of multifunctional CoFe2O4–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites: excellent microwave absorber and highly efficient magnetically separable recyclable photocatalyst for dye degradation
Authors: Moitra Debabrata , Chandel Madhurya , Ghosh Barun Kumar , Jani Raj Kumar , Patra Manoj Kumar , Vadera Sampat Raj , Ghosh Narendra Nath
Published: August 2016

Here, an ‘in situ’ co-precipitation reaction method has been reported for the preparation of CoFe2O4–RGO (CF–RGO) nanocomposites.
Benzimidazole based Pt(ii) complexes with better normal cell viability than cisplatin: synthesis, substitution behavior, cytotoxicity, DNA binding and DFT study
Authors: Mitra Ishani , Mukherjee Subhajit , Reddy B. Venkata P. , Dasgupta Subrata , Bose K Jagadeesh C. , Mukherjee Sandip , Linert Wolfgang , Moi Sankar Ch.
Published: August 2016

Water soluble Pt(ii) complexes with higher viability towards normal cells and comparable cytotoxicity to cancer cells as compared to cisplatin.
Feasible oxidation of 17β-estradiol using persulfate activated by Bi2WO6/Fe3O4 under visible light irradiation
Authors: Liu Yang , Guo Hongguang , Zhang Yongli , Tang Weihong
Published: August 2016

Bismuth tungstate magnetic composites (BTMCs, Bi2WO6/Fe3O4) were synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal process.
Correction: Hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol over a Pd/ZnO catalyst: kinetic model and selectivity study
Authors: Vernuccio S. , Goy R. , von Rohr Ph. Rudolf , Medlock J. , Bonrath W.
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol over a Pd/ZnO catalyst: kinetic model and selectivity study’ by S. Vernuccio et al., React. Chem. Eng., 2016, 1, 445–453.
Copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative borylation of terminal alkynes with pinacolborane
Authors: Romero Erik A. , Jazzar Rodolphe , Bertrand Guy
Published: August 2016

LCuOTf complexes (L = CAACs or NHCs) selectively promote the dehydrogenative borylation of C(sp)–H bonds at room temperature.
Nitrogen-rich microporous carbons for highly selective separation of light hydrocarbons
Authors: Wang Jun , Krishna Rajamani , Yang Ting , Deng Shuguang
Published: August 2016

Nitrogen doped carbons are directly derived from a nitrogen-rich polymer precursor, and an unprecedented hydrocarbon adsorption capacity and excellent C3/C2/C1 selectivity are observed.
Mesoporous graphitic carbon microtubes derived from fullerene C70tubes as a high performance electrode material for advanced supercapacitors
Authors: Bairi Partha , Shrestha Rekha Goswami , Hill Jonathan P. , Nishimura Toshiyuki , Ariga Katsuhiko , Shrestha Lok Kumar
Published: August 2016

Heat-treatment of crystalline fullerene C70microtubes at a high temperature of 2000 °C yielded mesoporous graphitic carbon microtubes having a robust framework, which showed enhanced supercapacitive performance.
Stretchable lithium-air batteries for wearable electronics
Authors: Wang Lie , Zhang Ye , Pan Jian , Peng Huisheng
Published: August 2016

A new family of flexible and stretchable lithium-air batteries has been developed with high electrochemical performances that are well maintained under various deformations such as bending, twisting and stretching. These lithium-air batteries have been demonstrated to be promising for a variety of fields, particularly, wearable electronics.
Electro-synthesis of 3D porous hierarchical Ni–Fe phosphate film/Ni foam as a high-efficiency bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Xing Junheng , Li Hui , Ming-Cheng Cheng Mark , Geyer Scott M. , Ng K. Y. Simon
Published: August 2016

A highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst of nickel–iron phosphates for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) was designed and preparedviaa simple electrodeposition method.
Growth of centimeter-scale high-quality In2Se3 films for transparent, flexible and high performance photodetectors
Authors: Zheng Z. Q. , Yao J. D. , Yang G. W.
Published: August 2016

A centimeter-scale In2Se3 film has been achieved via PLD and high-sensitivity photodetection has been demonstrated.
Adipose tissue inflammation: a cause or consequence of obesity-related insulin resistance?
Authors: Blüher Matthias
Published: August 2016

The worldwide obesity epidemic has become a major health concern, because it contributes to higher mortality due to an increased risk for noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and some cancers. Insulin resistance may link accumulation of adipose tissue in obesity to metabolic diseases, although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. In the past decades, data from human studies and transgenic animal models strongly suggested correlative, but also causative associations between activation of proinflammatory pathways and insulin resistance. Particularly chronic inflammation in adipose tissue seems to play an important role in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance. On the other hand, adipose tissue inflammation has been shown to be essential for healthy adipose tissue expansion and remodelling. However, whether adipose tissue inflammation represents a consequence or a cause of impaired insulin sensitivity remains an open question. A better understanding of the molecular pathways linking excess adipose tissue storage to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance may provide the basis for the future development of anti-inflammatory treatment strategies to improve adverse metabolic consequences of obesity. In this review, potential mechanisms of adipose tissue inflammation and how adipose tissue inflammation may cause insulin resistance are discussed.
Analytic optimal solution of multiple gyros configuration based on FDI/GNC performance
Authors: Kim H.J. , Song J.W. , Park C.G.
Published: August 2016

Optimal solutions for multiple gyros configurations based on fault detection and isolation (FDI) and guidance, navigation and control (GNC) performance are confirmed analytically. To derive the solutions, a modified index for FDI performance of multiple gyros is presented and applied. The result shows that the analytic optimal solution of the configuration improves FDI performance while the optimal GNC performance is satisfied. The same result is also confirmed by experiments using 3D‐printed sensor frames.
Bipartite consensus on networks of agents with antagonistic interactions and measurement noises
Authors: Ma Cui‐Qin , Qin Zheng‐Yan
Published: August 2016

This study considers the effects of measurement noises on bipartite consensus over undirected signed graphs. Each agent has to design a protocol based on imprecise information caused by noises. To reduce the detrimental effects of measurement noises, a time‐varying consensus gain a (t) is introduced and then a time‐varying stochastic‐type protocol is presented to solve the bipartite consensus problem for the first time. By means of stochastic Lyapunov analysis and algebraic graph theory, the protocol is proved to be a mean‐square bipartite consensus protocol. Particularly, in the noise‐free case, not only sufficient, but also necessary conditions for ensuring a bipartite consensus are given. Conditions for the undirected signed graph to be structurally balanced and connected are shown to be the weakest assumptions on connectivity. Moreover, the structural unbalance case is studied in the presence of measurement noises. In this case, bipartite consensus value is proved to converge to zero in mean square for arbitrary initial conditions.
New algorithm for continuous‐discrete filtering with randomly delayed measurements
Authors: Kumar Singh Abhinoy , Date Paresh , Bhaumik Shovan
Published: August 2016

The filtering of non‐linear continuous‐discrete systems is widely applicable in real‐life and extensive literature is available to deal with such problems. However, all of these approaches are constrained with the assumption that the current measurement is available at every time step, although delay in measurement is natural in real‐life applications. To deal with this problem, the authors re‐derive the conventional Bayesian approximation framework for solving the continuous‐discrete filtering problems. In practice, the delay is often smaller than one sampling time, which is the main case considered here. During the filtering of such systems, the actual time of correspondence should be known for a measurement received at the k th time instant. In this study, a simple and intuitively justified cost function is used to decide the time to which the measurement at the k th time instant actually corresponds. The performance of the proposed filter is compared with a conventional filter based on numerical integration which ignores random delays for a continuous‐discrete tracking problem. They show that the conventional filter fails to track the target while the modification proposed in this study successfully deals with random delays. The proposed method may be seen as a valuable addition to the tools available for continuous‐discrete filtering in non‐linear systems.
Event‐triggered distributed predictive control for the cooperation of multi‐agent systems
Authors: Zou Yuanyuan , Su Xu , Niu Yugang
Published: August 2016

This study investigates the problem of event‐triggered distributed predictive control (DPC) for multi‐agent systems. To guarantee the stability of overall system, a constraint relevant to the triggering instant is imposed in the DPC optimisation problem, and the corresponding event‐triggering condition with the information received from neighbouring agents is derived based on the input‐to‐state stability (ISS). In such a framework, the DPC optimisation problem is solved only when the triggering condition is satisfied, which reduces the communication consumption and lowers the computational load. Moreover, the recursive feasibility of DPC optimisation problem is proved and the sufficient conditions for ensuring the ISS of overall system are developed. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Real time measurement system for high power microwave hot carrier detector
Authors: Liu Jing , Xiong Zhengfeng , Liu Xiaolong , Lu Yuanrong
Published: August 2016

A real time measurement system without synchronised triggering was developed for the hot carrier detector. This system can measure the power and waveform of the high power microwave pulse. Based on the buck converter and the Wilson current mirror, it was composed of the voltage stabilising module and the constant current module. Unlike the original bias power supply which works in the pulse mode, a constant current about 20 mA can be continuously provided with the sensor. The system was tested by a X band hot carrier detector and a magnetron amplifier microwave source. With this measurement system, the microwave pulse of 50 ns–1 μs, 0.1–90 kW can be accurately measured. The output voltage of the hot carrier detector reaches 2 V while the input power equals 90 kW.
Electron density and gas density measurements in a millimeter-wave discharge
Authors: Schaub S. C. , Hummelt J. S. , Guss W. C. , Shapiro M. A. , Temkin R. J.
Published: August 2016

Electron density and neutral gas density have been measured in a non-equilibrium air breakdown plasma using optical emission spectroscopy and two-dimensional laser interferometry, respectively. A plasma was created with a focused high frequency microwave beam in air. Experiments were run with 110 GHz and 124.5 GHz microwaves at powers up to 1.2 MW. Microwave pulses were 3 μs long at 110 GHz and 2.2 μs long at 124.5 GHz. Electron density was measured over a pressure range of 25 to 700 Torr as the input microwave power was varied. Electron density was found to be close to the critical density, where the collisional plasma frequency is equal to the microwave frequency, over the pressure range studied and to vary weakly with input power. Neutral gas density was measured over a pressure range from 150 to 750 Torr at power levels high above the threshold for initiating breakdown. The two-dimensional structure of the neutral gas density was resolved. Intense, localized heating was found to occur hundreds of nanoseconds after visible plasma formed. This heating led to neutral gas density reductions of greater than 80% where peak plasma densities occurred. Spatial structure and temporal dynamics of gas heating at atmospheric pressure were found to agree well with published numerical simulations.
Electron cyclotron emission radiometer upgrade on the J-TEXT tokamak
Authors: Yang Z. J. , Pan X. M. , Ma X. D. , Ruan B. W. , Zhou R. B. , Zhang C.
Published: August 2016

To meet experimental requirements, the J-TEXT electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic is being upgraded. The front end antenna and transmission line have been modified and a new 8-channel W-band detecting unit has been developed. The improved ECE system will extend the frequency range from 94.5-124.5 GHz to 80.5-124.5 GHz. This will enable the system to cover the most plasma in the radius direction for BT = 1.8–2.2 T, and it even can cover almost the whole plasma range ρ = − 0.8–0.9 (minus means the high field side) at BT = 1.8 T. A new auxiliary channel bank with 8 narrow band, tunable yttrium iron garnet filters is planned to add to the ECE system. Due to observations along a major radius, perpendicular to BT, and relatively low electron temperature, Doppler and relativistic broadening are minimal and thus high spatial resolution measurements can be made at variable locations with these tunable channels.
A new force field including charge directionality for TMAO in aqueous solution
Authors: Usui Kota , Nagata Yuki , Hunger Johannes , Bonn Mischa , Sulpizi Marialore
Published: August 2016

We propose a new force field for trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is designed to reproduce the long-lived and highly directional hydrogen bond between the TMAO oxygen (OTMAO) atom and surrounding water molecules. Based on the data obtained by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we introduce three dummy sites around OTMAO to mimic the OTMAO lone pairs and we migrate the negative charge on the OTMAO to the dummy sites. The force field model developed here improves both structural and dynamical properties of aqueous TMAO solutions. Moreover, it reproduces the experimentally observed dependence of viscosity upon increasing TMAO concentration quantitatively. The simple procedure of the force field construction makes it easy to implement in molecular dynamics simulation packages and makes it compatible with the existing biomolecular force fields. This paves the path for further investigation of protein-TMAO interaction in aqueous solutions.