bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of Potent Fully Human Polyclonal Antibodies against Ebola Zaire Virus in Transchromosomal Cattle
Authors: Dye John M. , Wu Hua , Hooper Jay W. , Khurana Surender , Kuehne Ana I. , Coyle Elizabeth M. , Ortiz Ramon A. , Fuentes Sandra , Herbert Andrew S. , Golding Hana , Bakken Russell A. , Brannan Jennifer M. , Kwilas Steve A. , Sullivan Eddie J. , Luke Thomas C. , Smith Gale , Glenn Gregory , Li Wenfang , Ye Ling , Yang Chinglai , Compans Richard W. , Tripp Ralph A. , Jiao Jin-an
Published: April 2016

Polyclonal antibodies, derived from humans or hyperimmunized animals, have been used prophylactically or therapeutically as countermeasures for a variety of infectious diseases. SAB Biotherapeutics has successfully developed a transchromosomic (Tc) bovine platform technology that can produce fully human immunoglobulins rapidly, and in substantial quantities, against a variety of disease targets. In this study, two Tc bovines expressing high levels of fully human IgG were hyperimmunized with a recombinant glycoprotein (GP) vaccine consisting of the 2014 Ebola virus (EBOV) Makona isolate. Serum collected from these hyperimmunized Tc bovines contained high titers of human IgG against EBOV GP as determined by GP specific ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and virus neutralization assays. Fully human polyclonal antibodies against EBOV were purified and evaluated in a mouse challenge model using mouse adapted Ebola virus (maEBOV). Intraperitoneal administration of the purified anti-EBOV IgG (100 mg/kg) to BALB/c mice one day after lethal challenge with maEBOV resulted in 90% protection; whereas 100% of the control animals succumbed. The results show that hyperimmunization of Tc bovines with EBOV GP can elicit protective and potent neutralizing fully human IgG antibodies rapidly and in commercially viable quantities.
Round-window delivery of neurotrophin 3 regenerates cochlear synapses after acoustic overexposure
Authors: Suzuki Jun , Corfas Gabriel , Liberman M. Charles
Published: April 2016

In acquired sensorineural hearing loss, such as that produced by noise or aging, there can be massive loss of the synaptic connections between cochlear sensory cells and primary sensory neurons, without loss of the sensory cells themselves. Because the cell bodies and central projections of these cochlear neurons survive for months to years, there is a long therapeutic window in which to re-establish functional connections and improve hearing ability. Here we show in noise-exposed mice that local delivery of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) to the round window niche, 24 hours after an exposure that causes an immediate loss of up to 50% loss of synapses in the cochlear basal region, can regenerate pre- and post-synaptic elements at the hair cell / cochlear nerve interface. This synaptic regeneration, as documented by confocal microscopy of immunostained cochlear sensory epithelia, was coupled with a corresponding functional recovery, as seen in the suprathreshold amplitude of auditory brainstem response Wave 1. Cochlear delivery of neurotrophins in humans is likely achievable as an office procedure via transtympanic injection, making our results highly significant in a translational context.
Strategies of Mesenchymal Invasion of Patient-derived Brain Tumors: Microenvironmental Adaptation
Authors: Cha Junghwa , Kang Seok-Gu , Kim Pilnam
Published: April 2016

The high mortality in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients is primarily caused by extensive infiltration into adjacent tissue and subsequent rapid recurrence. There are no clear therapeutic strategies that target the infiltrative subpopulation of GBM mass. Using mesenchymal mode of invasion, the GBM is known to widely infiltrate by interacting with various unique components within brain microenvironment such as hyaluronic acid (HA)-rich matrix and white matter tracts. However, it is unclear how these GBM microenvironments influence the strategies of mesenchymal invasion. We hypothesize that GBM has different strategies to facilitate such invasion through adaptation to their local microenvironment. Using our in vitro biomimetic microenvironment platform for three-dimensional GBM tumorspheres (TSs), we found that the strategies of GBM invasion were predominantly regulated by the HA-rich ECM microenvironment, showing marked phenotypic changes in the presence of HA, which were mainly mediated by HA synthase (HAS). Interestingly, after inhibition of the HAS gene, GBM switched their invasion strategies to a focal adhesion (FA)-mediated invasion. These results demonstrate that the microenvironmental adaptation allowed a flexible invasion strategy for GBM. Using our model, we suggest a new inhibitory pathway for targeting infiltrative GBM and propose an importance of multi-target therapy for GBM, which underwent microenvironmental adaptation.
Integrative Genomics and Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Potential Mechanisms for Favorable Prognosis of Patients with HPV-Positive Head and Neck Carcinomas
Authors: Zhang Wensheng , Edwards Andrea , Fang Zhide , Flemington Erik K. , Zhang Kun
Published: April 2016

Patients with HPV-positive head neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) usually have a better prognosis than the HPV-negative cases while the underlying mechanism remains far from being well understood. We investigated this issue by an integrative analysis of clinically-annotated multi-omics HNSCC data released by the Cancer Genome Atlas. As confirmatory results, we found: (1) Co-occurrence of mutant TP53 and HPV infection was rare; (2) Regardless of HPV status, HNSCCs of wild-type TP53 implied a good survival chance for patients and had fewer genome-wide somatic mutations than those with a mutation burden on the gene. Our analysis further led to some novel observations. They included: (1) The genes involved in “DNA mismatch repair” pathway were up-regulated in HPV-positive tumors compared to normal tissue samples and HPV-negative cases, and thus constituted a strong predictive signature for the identification of HPV infection; (2) HPV infection could disrupt some regulatory miRNA-mRNA correlations operational in the HPV-negative tumors. In light of these results, we proposed a hypothesis for the favorable clinical outcomes of HPV-positive HNSCC patients. That is, the replication of HPV genome and/or its invasion into the genomes of cancer cells may enhance DNA repair mechanisms, which in turn limit the accumulation of lethal somatic mutations.
Hedgehog signaling activation induces stem cell proliferation and hormone release in the adult pituitary gland
Authors: Pyczek Joanna , Buslei Rolf , Schult David , Hölsken Annett , Buchfelder Michael , Heß Ina , Hahn Heidi , Uhmann Anja
Published: April 2016

Hedgehog (HH) signaling is known to be essential during the embryonal development of the pituitary gland but the knowledge about its role in the adult pituitary and in associated tumors is sparse. In this report we investigated the effect of excess Hh signaling activation in murine pituitary explants and analyzed the HH signaling status of human adenopituitary lobes and a large cohort of pituitary adenomas. Our data show that excess Hh signaling led to increased proliferation of Sox2+ and Sox9+ adult pituitary stem cells and to elevated expression levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (Acth), growth hormone (Gh) and prolactin (Prl) in the adult gland. Inhibition of the pathway by cyclopamine reversed these effects indicating that active Hh signaling positively regulates proliferative processes of adult pituitary stem cells and hormone production in the anterior pituitary. Since hormone producing cells of the adenohypophysis as well as ACTH-, GH- and PRL-immunopositive adenomas express SHH and its target GLI1, we furthermore propose that excess HH signaling is involved in the development/maintenance of hormone-producing pituitary adenomas. These findings advance the understanding of physiological hormone regulation and may open new treatment options for pituitary tumors.
The development of a phosphite-mediated fertilization and weed control system for rice
Authors: Manna Mrinalini , Achary V. Mohan M. , Islam Tahmina , Agrawal Pawan K. , Reddy Malireddy K.
Published: April 2016

Fertilizers and herbicides are two vital components of modern agriculture. The imminent danger of phosphate reserve depletion and multiple herbicide tolerance casts doubt on agricultural sustainability in the future. Phosphite, a reduced form of phosphorus, has been proposed as an alternative fertilizer and herbicide that would address the above problems to a considerable extent. To assess the suitability of a phosphite-based fertilization and weed control system for rice, we engineered rice plants with a codon-optimized ptxD gene from Pseudomonas stutzeri. Ectopic expression of this gene led to improved root growth, physiology and overall phenotype in addition to normal yield in transgenic plants in the presence of phosphite. Phosphite functioned as a translocative, non-selective, pre- and post-emergent herbicide. Phosphite use as a dual fertilizer and herbicide may mitigate the overuse of phosphorus fertilizers and reduce eutrophication and the development of herbicide resistance, which in turn will improve the sustainability of agriculture.
Pan-cancer subtyping in a 2D-map shows substructures that are driven by specific combinations of molecular characteristics
Authors: Taskesen Erdogan , Huisman Sjoerd M. H. , Mahfouz Ahmed , Krijthe Jesse H. , de Ridder Jeroen , van de Stolpe Anja , van den Akker Erik , Verheagh Wim , Reinders Marcel J. T.
Published: April 2016

The use of genome-wide data in cancer research, for the identification of groups of patients with similar molecular characteristics, has become a standard approach for applications in therapy-response, prognosis-prediction, and drug-development. To progress in these applications, the trend is to move from single genome-wide measurements in a single cancer-type towards measuring several different molecular characteristics across multiple cancer-types. Although current approaches shed light on molecular characteristics of various cancer-types, detailed relationships between patients within cancer clusters are unclear. We propose a novel multi-omic integration approach that exploits the joint behavior of the different molecular characteristics, supports visual exploration of the data by a two-dimensional landscape, and inspection of the contribution of the different genome-wide data-types. We integrated 4,434 samples across 19 cancer-types, derived from TCGA, containing gene expression, DNA-methylation, copy-number variation and microRNA expression data. Cluster analysis revealed 18 clusters, where three clusters showed a complex collection of cancer-types, squamous-cell-carcinoma, colorectal cancers, and a novel grouping of kidney-cancers. Sixty-four samples were identified outside their tissue-of-origin cluster. Known and novel patient subgroups were detected for Acute Myeloid Leukemia’s, and breast cancers. Quantification of the contributions of the different molecular types showed that substructures are driven by specific (combinations of) molecular characteristics.
A CRISPR/Cas9 system adapted for gene editing in marine algae
Authors: Nymark Marianne , Sharma Amit Kumar , Sparstad Torfinn , Bones Atle M. , Winge Per
Published: April 2016

Here we report that the CRISPR/Cas9 technology can be used to efficiently generate stable targeted gene mutations in microalgae, using the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a model species. Our vector design opens for rapid and easy adaption of the construct to the target chosen. To screen for CRISPR/Cas9 mutants we employed high resolution melting based PCR assays, mutants were confirmed by sequencing and further validated by functional analyses.
Genetic polymorphisms of cell adhesion molecules in Behcet’s disease in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Zheng Minming , Zhang Lijun , Yu Hongsong , Hu Jiayue , Cao Qingfeng , Huang Guo , Huang Yang , Yuan Gangxiang , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng
Published: April 2016

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are involved in various immune-mediated diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CAMs with Behçet’s disease (BD) in a Chinese Han population. A two-stage association study was carried out in 1149 BD patients and 2107 normal controls. Genotyping of 43 SNPs was performed using MassARRAY System (Sequenom), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and TaqMan SNP assays. The expression of CD6 and CD11c was examined by real-time PCR and cytokine production was measured by ELISA. A significantly higher frequency of the CT genotype, and a lower frequency of the CC genotype and C allele of CD6 rs11230563 were observed in BD as compared with controls. Analysis of CD11c rs2929 showed that patients with BD had a significantly higher frequency of the GG genotype and G allele, and a lower frequency of the AG genotype as compared with controls. Functional experiments showed an increased CD11c expression and increased production of TNF-α and IL-1beta by LPS stimulated PBMCs in GG carriers of CD11c rs2929 compared to AA/AG carriers. Our study provides evidence that CD6 and CD11c are involved in the susceptibility to BD in a Chinese Han population.
Crystal structure and MD simulation of mouse EndoV reveal wedge motif plasticity in this inosine-specific endonuclease
Authors: Nawaz Meh Sameen , Vik Erik Sebastian , Ronander Mia Elise , Solvoll Anne Marthe , Blicher Pernille , Bjørås Magnar , Alseth Ingrun , Dalhus Bjørn
Published: April 2016

Endonuclease V (EndoV) is an enzyme with specificity for deaminated adenosine (inosine) in nucleic acids. EndoV from Escherichia coli (EcEndoV) acts both on inosines in DNA and RNA, whereas the human homolog cleaves only at inosines in RNA. Inosines in DNA are mutagenic and the role of EndoV in DNA repair is well established. In contrast, the biological function of EndoV in RNA processing is largely unexplored. Here we have characterized a second mammalian EndoV homolog, mouse EndoV (mEndoV) and show that mEndoV shares the same RNA selectivity as human EndoV (hEndoV). Mouse EndoV cleaves the same inosine-containing substrates as hEndoV, but with reduced efficiencies. The crystal structure of mEndoV reveals a conformation different from the hEndoV and prokaryotic EndoV structures, particularly for the conserved tyrosine in the wedge motif, suggesting that this strand separating element has some flexibility. Molecular dynamics simulations of mouse and human EndoV reveal alternative conformations for the invariant tyrosine. The configuration of the active site, on the other hand, is very similar between the prokaryotic and mammalian versions of EndoV.
Gene expression analysis and SNP/InDel discovery to investigate yield heterosis of two rubber tree F1 hybrids
Authors: Li Dejun , Zeng Rizhong , Li Yan , Zhao Manman , Chao Jinquan , Li Yu , Wang Kai , Zhu Lihuang , Tian Wei-Min , Liang Chengzhi
Published: April 2016

As an important industrial material, natural rubber is mainly harvested from the rubber tree. Rubber tree breeding is inefficient, expensive and time-consuming, whereas marker-assisted selection is a feasible method for early selection of high-yield hybrids. We thus sequenced and analyzed the transcriptomes of two parent rubber trees (RRIM 600 and PR 107) and their most productive hybrids (RY 7-33-97 and RY 7-20-59) to understand their gene expression patterns and genetic variations including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions/deletions (InDels). We discovered >31,000 genetic variations in 112,702 assembled unigenes. Our results showed that the higher yield in F1 hybrids was positively associated with their higher genome heterozygosity, which was further confirmed by genotyping 10 SNPs in 20 other varieties. We also showed that RY 7-33-97 and RY 7-20-59 were genetically closer to RRIM 600 and PR 107, respectively, in agreement with both their phenotypic similarities and gene expression profiles. After identifying ethylene- and jasmonic acid–responsive genes at the transcription level, we compared and analyzed the genetic variations underlying rubber biosynthesis and the jasmonic acid and ethylene pathways in detail. Our results suggest that genome-wide genetic variations play a substantive role in maintaining rubber tree heterosis.
A genetic analysis of 23 Chinese patients with hemophilia B
Authors: Wang Qing-Yun , Hu Bei , Liu Hui , Tang Liang , Zeng Wei , Wu Ying-Ying , Cheng Zhi-Peng , Hu Yu
Published: April 2016

Hemophilia B (HB) is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by mutations in the coagulation factor IX (FIX) gene. Genotyping patients with HB is essential for genetic counseling and provides useful information for patient management. In this study, the F9 gene from 23 patients with HB was analyzed by direct sequencing. Nineteen point mutations were identified, including a novel missense variant (c.520G > C, p.Val174Leu) in a patient with severe HB and a previously unreported homozygous missense mutation (c.571C > T, p.Arg191Cys) in a female patient with mild HB. Two large F9 gene deletions with defined breakpoints (g.10413_11363del, g.12163_23369del) were identified in two patients with severe HB using a primer walking strategy followed by sequencing. The flanking regions of the two breakpoints revealed recombination-associated elements (repetitive elements, non-B conformation forming motifs) with a 5-bp microhomology in the breakpoint junction of g.12163_23369del. These findings imply that non-homologous end joining and microhomology-mediated break-induced replication are the putative mechanisms for the deletions of the F9 gene. Because the g.12163_23369del deletion caused exons to be absent without a frameshift mutation occurring, a smaller FIX protein was observed in western blot analyses.
An overview of the structural, textural and morphological modulations of g-C3N4towards photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Patnaik Sulagna , Martha Satyabadi , Parida K. M.
Published: April 2016

This study highlights the recent trends in the structural, textural and morphological variations of g-C3N4for visible-light-induced hydrogen evolution.
The synthesis of pyrroles and oxazoles based on gold α-imino carbene complexes
Authors: Loy Nicole S. Y. , Choi Subin , Kim Sunggak , Park Cheol-Min
Published: April 2016

Cationic gold complexes of α-oximimino carbenes have been identified to react with weak nucleophiles including enol ethers and nitriles.
Mild synthesis of {001} facet predominated Bi2O2CO3 clusters with outstanding simulated sunlight photocatalytic activities
Authors: Yang Li-Min , Zhang Guo-Ying , Wang Hai-Rong , Bai Xue , Shen Xing-Qi , Liu Jing-Wang , Gao Dong-Zhao
Published: April 2016

Bi2O2CO3 clusters built up of ultrathin nanosheets with predominated {001} facets were facilely synthesized via a template-free hydrothermal strategy at a mild temperature of 60 °C and exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity.
Defect passivation induced strong photoluminescence enhancement of rhombic monolayer MoS2
Authors: Su Weitao , Jin Long , Qu Xiaodan , Huo Dexuan , Yang Li
Published: April 2016

The PL intensity of CVD-grown rhombic monolayer MoS2is 8 times stronger than those of mechanically exfoliated and CVD-grown triangular MoS2. DFT calculations indicate that oxygen passivation of sulphur vacancies is the dominant factor.
Protecting and accelerating adiabatic passage with time-delayed pulse sequences
Authors: Sampedro Pablo , Chang Bo Y. , Sola Ignacio R.
Published: April 2016

We study non-resonant two-photon absorption in the B band of Na2 with femtosecond pulses. The computer simulations show attenuated Rabi oscillations using coincident pulses that can be overcome by initially preparing a wave packet in the ground state. Time-delayed pulse sequences intrinsically protect the adiabatic passage of population, but the process can be accelerated starting with the packet.
Correction: Phase transition characteristics in the conductivity of VO2(A) nanowires: size and surface effects
Authors: Wang C. Q. , Shao Jian , Liu X. L. , Chen Yun , Xiong W. M. , Zhang X. Y. , Zheng Yue
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Phase transition characteristics in the conductivity of VO2(A) nanowires: size and surface effects’ by C. Q. Wang et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 10262–10269.
Lanthanide metal–organic frameworks as selective microporous materials for adsorption of heavy metal ions
Authors: Jamali Abbas , Tehrani Alireza Azhdari , Shemirani Farzaneh , Morsali Ali
Published: April 2016

Four microporous lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely Ln(BTC)(H2O)(DMF)1.1(Ln = Tb, Dy, Er and Yb, DMF = dimethylformamide, H3BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid), have been used for selective adsorption of Pb(ii) and Cu(ii).
Origin of a counterintuitive yellow light-emitting electrochemical cell based on a blue-emitting heteroleptic copper(i) complex
Authors: Weber Michael D. , Garino Claudio , Volpi Giorgio , Casamassa Enrico , Milanesio Marco , Barolo Claudia , Costa Rubén D.
Published: April 2016

A new copper(i) complex, which lacks of charge transfer character in the excited state, features a blue fluorescence and yellow phosphorescence photo- and electro-responses, respectively.
Highly efficient CO2capture with simultaneous iron and CaO recycling for the iron and steel industry
Authors: Tian Sicong , Jiang Jianguo , Yan Feng , Li Kaimin , Chen Xuejing , Manovic Vasilije
Published: April 2016

A highly efficient CO2capture process integrating calcium looping and waste recycling into iron and steel production is proposed, which can also valorize the waste steel slagviaa simultaneous iron and CaO recycling.
Initial results on the coupling of sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SdFFF) to inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) for the detection and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Soto-Alvaredo Juan , Dutschke Florian , Bettmer Jörg , Montes-Bayón María , Pröfrock Daniel , Prange Andreas
Published: April 2016

The coupling of SdFFF to ICP-MS/MS might be a prospective tool for the analysis of TiO2 NPs in environmental samples.
Zwitterionic [4]helicene: a water-soluble and reversible pH-triggered ECD/CPL chiroptical switch in the UV and red spectral regions
Authors: Pascal Simon , Besnard Céline , Zinna Francesco , Di Bari Lorenzo , Le Guennic Boris , Jacquemin Denis , Lacour Jérôme
Published: April 2016

The chiroptical switching properties of a readily accessible and water-soluble diaza [4]helicene are disclosed.
Six-membered-ring photocyclization in phenyl-substituted p-phenylenevinylene derivatives: a potential factor of instability in conjugated polymers
Authors: Liu Linlin , Gao Hongcheng , Li Yupeng , Hanif Muddasir , Li Chuan , Gao Yu , Yang Bing , Xie Zengqi , Ma Yuguang
Published: April 2016

A synergistic effect ofcis/trans-isomerization and photocyclization makes photocyclization of a six membered ring efficient.
Highly selective and efficient chelating fiber functionalized by bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino group for heavy metal ions
Authors: Xu Gang , Xie Yujia , Cao Jian , Tao Minli , Zhang Wen-Qin
Published: April 2016

A classical bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino group-modified polyacrylonitrile fiber possesses high selectivity and excellent recyclability for heavy metal ion absorption.
A multi-step template-assisted approach for the formation of conducting polymer nanotubes onto conducting polymer films
Authors: Estrany Francesc , Calvet Aureli , del Valle Luis J. , Puiggalí Jordi , Alemán Carlos
Published: April 2016

Hollow poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nano- and microtubes have been successfully prepared using an approach designed to overcome the limitations of the template-assisted approach.
Multifunctional cellulose esters by olefin cross-metathesis and thiol-Michael addition
Authors: Meng Xiangtao , Roy Choudhury Shreya , Edgar Kevin J.
Published: April 2016

Post-cross-metathesis thiol-Michael addition affords functionally diverse cellulose esters.
Self-assembly and micelle-to-vesicle transition from star triblock ABC copolymers based on a cyclodextrin core
Authors: Niu Luying , Liu Yuyang , Hou Yu , Song Wenqi , Wang Yan
Published: April 2016

Three kinds of well-defined star triblock ABC copolymers based on a cyclodextrin core, STBP1, STBP2 and STBP3, were synthesized by the core-first ATRP method. Self-assemblies with different morphologies were obtained from the star triblock copolymers.
A Zn-MOF constructed from electron-rich π-conjugated ligands with an interpenetrated graphene-like net as an efficient nitroaromatic sensor
Authors: Yang Yi , Shen Kang , Lin Jun-zhong , Zhou Yong , Liu Qiao-yun , Hang Cheng , Abdelhamid Hani Nasser , Zhang Zhen-qin , Chen Hong
Published: April 2016

A π-electron conjugated ligand has been employed in a Zn-MOF efficient fluorescent sensor for determining electron-deficient nitroaromatics.
Sporulaminals A and B: a pair of unusual epimeric spiroaminal derivatives from a marine-derived fungus Paraconiothyrium sporulosum YK-03
Authors: Zhang Li-Hua , Feng Bao-Min , Chen Gang , Li Sheng-Ge , Sun Yi , Wu Hong-Hua , Bai Jiao , Hua Hui-Ming , Wang Hai-Feng , Pei Yue-Hu
Published: April 2016

The separation and epimerization of a pair of unusual spiroaminal derivatives isolated from a marine-derived fungus Paraconiothyrium sporulosum YK-03.
Stable isotope labeling to study the nitrogen metabolism in microcystin biosynthesis
Authors: Han Zhen-Lian , Shi Xiao-Shuang , Ji Yue-Tong , Tan Xiao-Ming , Bai Fa-Li , Yuan Xian-Zheng , Wang Yi-Qian , Guo Rong-Bo
Published: April 2016

15N-labeled MC-LR was biosynthesized successfully inM. aeruginosabyin vivostable isotopic enrichment and its biosynthesis and metabolic flux was explored using LC-MS and Raman analysis.
APTES assisted surface heparinization of polylactide porous membranes for improved hemocompatibility
Authors: Li Jinglong , Liu Fu , Yu Xuemin , Wu Ziyang , Wang Yunze , Xiong Zhu , He Jidong
Published: April 2016

The Hep-APTES/PLA was synthesized through the amidation reaction and results showed that surface heparinization significantly improved the hemocompatibility of PLA porous membrane.
Controllable synthesis of the Al4B2O9 nanowhisker and their applications in reinforced polyhydroxyalkanoate composites
Authors: Mo Zhao-Jun , Hao Zhi-Hong , Yang Qing , Zhao Li , Xu Jian-Ping , Li Lan
Published: April 2016

Large quantities of aluminum borate (Al4B2O9) nanowhiskers have been successfully synthesized by sol–gel and post-thermal-treatment methods.
Graphene oxide-enveloped Bi2WO6 composites as a highly efficient catalyst for the thermal decomposition of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine
Authors: Zhang Yu , Xiao Libai , Xu Kangzhen , Song Jirong , Zhao Fengqi
Published: April 2016

GO sheets-enwrapped Bi2WO6 nanocomposites was obtained by a simple strategy and showed remarkable catalysis on the thermal decomposition of RDX.
Fabrication of p-type BiOCl/n-type La2Ti2O7 facet-coupling heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Ao Yanhui , Wang Kedan , Wang Peifang , Wang Chao , Hou Jun
Published: April 2016

In this study, highly active p–n-type BiOCl/La2Ti2O7 facet-coupling heterostructured nanocomposites were prepared.
Visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation performance for methylene blue with different multi-morphological features of ZnS
Authors: Rao Hanbing , Lu Zhiwei , Liu Xin , Ge Hongwei , Zhang Zhaoyi , Zou Ping , He Hua , Wang Yanying
Published: April 2016

SEM images of synthesized 3D ZnS microspheres self-assembled with various precursor substances by different hydrothermal synthesis methods: (a) dandelion-ZnS, (b) raspberry-ZnS, (c) ball-ZnS and (d) flower-ZnS.
Chitosan-coated liposomes encapsulating curcumin: study of lipid–polysaccharide interactions and nanovesicle behavior
Authors: Hasan M. , Ben Messaoud G. , Michaux F. , Tamayol A. , Kahn C. J. F. , Belhaj N. , Linder M. , Arab-Tehrany E.
Published: April 2016

Despite various spectacular therapeutic properties, curcumin has low bioavailability mainly due to its poor solubility in water.
In vitro interaction investigation between three Ru(ii) arene complexes and human serum albumin: structural influences
Authors: Huang Shan , Peng Shushu , Su Wei , Tang Zhaofeng , Cui Jianguo , Huang Chusheng , Xiao Qi
Published: April 2016

In vitrointeractions between three Ru(ii) arene complexes and human serum albumin were systematically investigated by multi-spectroscopic techniques.
Enhanced adsorption capacity of polypyrrole/TiO2 composite modified by carboxylic acid with hydroxyl group
Authors: Feng Jiangtao , Chen Jie , Wang Ning , Li Jingjing , Shi Jinwen , Yan Wei
Published: April 2016

Carboxylic acid with hydroxyl group enhanced the adsorption capacity of PPy/TiO2 composites.
A sensitive polymeric dark quencher-based sensing platform for fluorescence “turn on” detection of proteins
Authors: Lv Ying , Wu Jiatao , Wu Pan , Chen Yu Zong , Tan Ying , Tan Chunyan , Jiang Yuyang
Published: April 2016

A sensing platform consisting of polymeric dark quenchers and oppositely charged probes was constructed for detection of proteins.
Polymyxins facilitate entry into mammalian cells
Authors: Hamill Kristina M. , McCoy Lisa S. , Wexselblatt Ezequiel , Esko Jeffrey D. , Tor Yitzhak
Published: April 2016

Polymyxin and guanidinylated polymyxin effectively deliver large biomolecules and liposomal assemblies into mammalian cells.
Aerobic alcohol oxidation and oxygen atom transfer reactions catalyzed by a nonheme iron(ii)–α-keto acid complex
Authors: Sheet Debobrata , Paine Tapan Kanti
Published: April 2016

An iron(ii)-benzoylformate complex of a monoanionic facial tridentate ligand catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides, alkenes to epoxides, and alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds.
All-in-one energy harvesting and storage devices
Authors: Lee Ju-Hyuck , Kim Jeonghun , Kim Tae Yun , Al Hossain Md Shahriar , Kim Sang-Woo , Kim Jung Ho
Published: April 2016

The recent development and perspectives of energy harvesting and storage devices including integration strategies are summarized and discussed.
Multilateration method based on the variance of estimated distance in range‐free localisation
Authors: Jo Chanwoong , Lee Chaewoo
Published: April 2016

Most of the range‐free localisation techniques compute the position of a node through multilateration based on distances between nodes. The least squares estimation (LSE) based multilateration is used to determine the position of a node – which is optimal estimation method if all the variances of distance errors are equal. In range‐free localisation, the distances to the anchors are usually estimated by multiplying the hop count and the hop length. Since the estimated hop length is error prone, the distance estimation error and the error variance usually increase as the hop count increases. If the conventional multilateration algorithm, which gives the same weights to the estimated distances, is applied as it is, suboptimal result will be achieved because the variances of the distance estimation errors cannot be equal. In this Letter, we analyse the reliability of estimated distance and propose a novel LSE based multilateration which considers the reliability of estimated distance. Simulation results show that the proposed method improves performance compared with the existing methods.
Person re‐identification based on a novel mahalanobis distance feature dominated KISS metric learning
Authors: Zeng Mingyong , Wu Zemin , Tian Chang , Zhang Lei , Zhao Xiaolong
Published: April 2016

A novel and efficient method for person re‐identification based on mahalabobis distance feature is proposed. This feature is built on the existing features but exhibits extraordinary discriminative power. With an additional lightweight PCA, it can be cascaded to greatly enhance the overall discrimination. Then Keep It Simple and Straightforward (KISS) metric learning is conducted on such enhanced features. The approach has been evaluated against current methods on a benchmark dataset and can reach outstanding performance.
Single ring two‐port MIMO antenna for LTE applications
Authors: Zhang Yalong , Wang Peng
Published: April 2016

A single ring two‐port multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna is proposed. Unlike conventional techniques such as space decoupling structures or decoupling networks, two signal paths in this mono‐radiator antenna cancel out each other to achieve good isolation. A MIMO antenna covering 33–41 bands of time division duplex long‐term evolution (LTE) cross 1.85–2.62 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured in this Letter. Simulations are confirmed by the experimental results. The details of design approach and process are introduced.
Simple CMOS voltage differencing current conveyor‐based electronically tunable quadrature oscillator
Authors: Sotner R. , Jerabek J. , Prokop R. , Kledrowetz V.
Published: April 2016

A brief example of application of recently introduced concept of electronically controllable CMOS voltage differencing current conveyor of second generation in electronically tunable second‐order oscillator is shown. On‐chip experimental results confirm theory and design intentions.
Unbalanced normal force reduction in the eccentric double‐sided linear switched reluctance machine
Authors: Wang Qianlong , Chen Hao , Nie Rui
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a novel control method for unbalanced normal force (UNF) reduction in the eccentric double‐sided linear switched reluctance machine (DLSRM). Online detection of the DLSRM eccentricity is investigated via magnetic circuit analysis as well as finite element method. It is shown that the DLSRM eccentricity is directly proportional to the difference between reciprocal values of winding unsaturated inductances on both sides of the DLSRM mover. In order to improve the accuracy of the eccentricity detection, a new scheme to estimate the winding inductances is proposed on the basis of the voltage pulse injection considering iron losses in the test DLSRM in the laboratory. Afterward, a control algorithm for the UNF reduction, according to the estimated real‐time eccentricity, is designed, and the corresponding power converter and flow chart are illustrated in detail. To verify the proposed methods, a prototype experimental platform is developed, and the experimental results confirm that the proposed methods in this study are feasible and effective.
Comparative investigation into Viterbi based and multiple hypothesis based track stitching
Authors: van der Merwe Lodewyk , de Villiers Pieter
Published: April 2016

In this study a comparative analysis is performed between a novel Viterbi based and multiple hypothesis based track stitching algorithms. The track fragments in the Viterbi based track stitching algorithm are modelled as nodes in a trellis structure. A sequential Viterbi data association algorithm is then used to solve the trellis and associate track fragments with each other. A Kalman filter is used to determine the possible associations as well as the probabilities of the associations between the track fragments. In the multiple hypothesis track stitching algorithm, the hypothesis based multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) algorithm is extended to perform track fragment to track fragment associations, rather than associating observations to tracks. Aspects of the developed multiple hypothesis algorithm are compared with implementations of a similar nature. Novel aspects of this research include the modification of the sequential Viterbi algorithm, as well as the extension of the MHT algorithm to solve the track stitching problem. It was found that the sequential Viterbi track stitching algorithm performed somewhat better than the multiple hypothesis track stitching algorithm for similar execution times. The Viterbi based track stitching algorithm is also shown to produce more consistently acceptable results.
Approach of measuring PoC of context using limited self‐feedback in context‐aware systems
Authors: Ji Mingyang , Xu Hongji , Wang Leitao , Dang Juan , Xu Zhengzheng , Fang Haiteng
Published: April 2016

In context‐aware systems (CASs), due to various reasons such as faulty sensors, the context information received from a context provider does not always represent accurately the reality, and incorrect contexts often lead to conflicts in multi‐source conditions. The need of accurate data fusion results in research on the parameter — probability of correctness (PoC), which denotes the probability that a piece of information is correct. This study focuses on precise evaluation of PoC and utilises this parameter to accomplish more accurate data fusion ultimately. The authors propose a novel approach based on limited self‐feedback by taking the output of data fusion process as criterion to evaluate PoC automatically and dynamically. Supervisory mechanism is used to ensure the credibility of self‐feedback data. The updated PoC will affect the accuracy of the following rounds of data fusion based on Dempster–Shafer (DS) theory. Experiments testify from multiple perspectives that compared with the traditional user feedback‐based method, this self‐assessment‐based approach can achieve more precise evaluation of PoC with less human interaction and effectively improve the accuracy of data fusion through PoC‐based DS theory. Thus, the information or services provided by CASs will be more accurate and efficient.
Play the heavy: An effective mass study for α-Fe2O3 and corundum oxides
Authors: Neufeld Ofer , Caspary Toroker Maytal
Published: April 2016

Iron(iii) oxide (α-Fe2O3) is a known water splitting catalyst commonly used in photoelectrochemical cells. These cells are severely impaired by poor conductivity in α-Fe2O3, and resolving the conductivity issue is therefore crucial. One of the most intrinsic properties of matter, which governs conductivity, is the carrier effective masses. In this work, we investigate the carrier effective masses in α-Fe2O3 and other corundum oxides, including Al2O3, Cr2O3, Ga2O3, and In2O3 with different theoretical constructs: density functional theory (DFT), DFT+U, hybrid DFT, and G0W0. We find DFT sufficiently describes the carrier masses and a quasi-particle theory is only required for accuracies better than 30% for the conduction band effective mass. Additionally, we compare the density of states (DOS) and band effective mass approximations and conclude the DOS effective mass provides poor results whenever the band structure is anisotropic. We find that the charge carriers in Fe2O3 “play the heavy” since they have large effective masses that reduce conductivity and device efficiency. Finally, we conclude that the less heavy electron effective masses of other corundum oxides studied relative to Fe2O3 could contribute to efficiency improvements in Fe2O3 upon Al2O3, Ga2O3, and In2O3 coverage.
Combining the GW formalism with the polarizable continuum model: A state-specific non-equilibrium approach
Authors: Duchemin Ivan , Jacquemin Denis , Blase Xavier
Published: April 2016

We have implemented the polarizable continuum model within the framework of the many-body Green’s function GW formalism for the calculation of electron addition and removal energies in solution. The present formalism includes both ground-state and non-equilibrium polarization effects. In addition, the polarization energies are state-specific, allowing to obtain the bath-induced renormalisation energy of all occupied and virtual energy levels. Our implementation is validated by comparisons with ΔSCF calculations performed at both the density functional theory and coupled-cluster single and double levels for solvated nucleobases. The present study opens the way to GW and Bethe-Salpeter calculations in disordered condensed phases of interest in organic optoelectronics, wet chemistry, and biology.
Contributed Review: Source-localization algorithms and applications using time of arrival and time difference of arrival measurements
Authors: Li Xinya , Deng Zhiqun Daniel , Rauchenstein Lynn T. , Carlson Thomas J.
Published: April 2016

Locating the position of fixed or mobile sources (i.e., transmitters) based on measurements obtained from sensors (i.e., receivers) is an important research area that is attracting much interest. In this paper, we review several representative localization algorithms that use time of arrivals (TOAs) and time difference of arrivals (TDOAs) to achieve high signal source position estimation accuracy when a transmitter is in the line-of-sight of a receiver. Circular (TOA) and hyperbolic (TDOA) position estimation approaches both use nonlinear equations that relate the known locations of receivers and unknown locations of transmitters. Estimation of the location of transmitters using the standard nonlinear equations may not be very accurate because of receiver location errors, receiver measurement errors, and computational efficiency challenges that result in high computational burdens. Least squares and maximum likelihood based algorithms have become the most popular computational approaches to transmitter location estimation. In this paper, we summarize the computational characteristics and position estimation accuracies of various positioning algorithms. By improving methods for estimating the time-of-arrival of transmissions at receivers and transmitter location estimation algorithms, transmitter location estimation may be applied across a range of applications and technologies such as radar, sonar, the Global Positioning System, wireless sensor networks, underwater animal tracking, mobile communications, and multimedia.
Critical adsorption of copolymer tethered on selective surfaces
Authors: Li Hong , Qian Chang-Ji , Luo Meng-Bo
Published: April 2016

Critical adsorption behaviors of flexible copolymer chains tethered to a flat homogeneous surface are studied by using Monte Carlo simulations. We have compared the critical adsorption temperature Tc, estimated by a finite-size scaling method, for different AB copolymer sequences with A the attractive monomer and B the inert monomer. We find that Tc increases with an increase in the fraction of monomers A, fA, in copolymers, and it increases with an increase in the length of block A for the same fA. In particular, Tc of copolymer (AnBn)r can be expressed as a function of the block length, n, and Tc of copolymer (AnB)r and (ABm)r can be expressed as a linear function of fA. Tc of random copolymer chains also can be expressed as a linear function of fA and it can be estimated by using weight-average of Tc of different diblocks in the random copolymer. However, the crossover exponent is roughly independent of AB sequence distributions either for block copolymers or for random copolymers.
Preface to Special Topic: Invited Papers of the 3rd International Conference on Ultrafast Structural Dynamics
Authors: Johnson S. L.
Published: April 2016

The ability to visualize the real-time dynamics of atomic, magnetic, and electronic structure is widely recognized in many fields as a key element underpinning many important processes in chemistry, materials science, and biology. The need for an improved understanding of such processes becomes acute as energy conversion processes on fast time scales become increasingly relevant to problems in science and technology. This special issue, containing invited papers from participants at the 3rd International Conference on Ultrafast Structural Dynamics held June 10–12, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland, discusses several recent developments in this area.
Stability of traveling waves of a diffusive susceptible-infective-removed (SIR) epidemic model
Authors: Li Yan , Li Wan-Tong , Yang Yun-Rui
Published: April 2016

This paper is concerned with the stability and uniqueness of traveling waves of a delayed diffusive susceptible-infective-removed (SIR) epidemic model. We first prove the exponential stability of traveling waves by using the weighted energy method, where the traveling waves are allowed to be non-monotone. Then we establish the exact asymptotic behavior of traveling waves at −∞ by using Ikehara’s theorem. Finally, the uniqueness of traveling waves is proved by the stability result of traveling waves.
A birefringent polarization modulator: Application to phase measurement in conoscopic interference patterns
Authors: Veiras F. E. , Garea M. T. , Perez L. I.
Published: April 2016

Conoscopic interferometry for crystal characterization is a very well-known technique with increasing applications in different fields of technology. The advantage of the scheme proposed here is the introduction of a polarization modulator that allows the recovery of the phase information contained in conoscopic interferograms. This represents a real advantage since the most relevant physical information of the sample under study is usually contained in the phase of the fringe pattern. Moreover, this technique works successfully even when there are no visible fringes. The setup employed is a simple conoscopic interferometer where the elements under study correspond to two birefringent crystal slabs and a commercial mica wave plate. It allows the crystals to be characterized and the wave plate retardance to be measured as a function of the angle of incidence. The modulator itself consists of a single tiltable crystal plate which, by means of phase shifting techniques, permits the recovery of a phase map for each sample. It is inexpensive and it can be easily calibrated, so it works with a wide range of phase shifting interferometry algorithms. We show that our scheme is easily adaptable to algorithms that require either a low or high amount of interferograms.
Ground state solutions for semilinear time-harmonic Maxwell equations
Authors: Tang Xianhua , Qin Dongdong
Published: April 2016

This paper is concerned with the time-harmonic semilinear Maxwell equation: ∇ × (∇ × u) + λu = f(x, u) in Ω with the boundary condition ν × u = 0 on ∂Ω, where Ω ⊂ ℝ3 is a simply connected, smooth, bounded domain with connected boundary and ν : ∂Ω → ℝ3 is the exterior normal. Here ∇ × denotes the curl operator in ℝ3 and the boundary condition holds when Ω is surrounded by a perfect conductor. By using the generalized Nehari manifold method due to Szulkin and Weth [Handbook of Nonconvex Analysis and Applications (International Press, Somerville, 2010), pp. 597–632] and some new techniques, existence of ground state solutions for above equation is established under some generic conditions on f.
Localization and implication of oblique whistler wave in the magnetopause region
Authors: Nandal P. , Yadav N. , Sharma R. P.
Published: April 2016

Nonlinear interaction between highly oblique whistler wave and ion acoustic wave pertinent to magnetopause has been investigated. The density perturbation in whistler wave is supposed to be originated due to the presence of ion acoustic wave in the background. The ponderomotive force components arising due to the high amplitude pump wave, viz., whistler wave are constituted in the nonlinear dynamics of low frequency ion acoustic wave. The coupled nonlinear dynamical equations are then modelled in the form of modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation by considering adiabatic response of low frequency ion acoustic wave. The numerical simulation of this coupled nonlinear equation is performed to study the temporal evolution of nonlinear whistler wave. The obtained simulation results show that the temporal evolution also leads to the cascade of broadband turbulence spectrum at smaller wavelengths. The relevance of the obtained results with the observations of THEMIS spacecraft in the magnetopause region has been pointed out.