bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence analysis of the Hsp70 family in moss and evaluation of their functions in abiotic stress responses
Authors: Tang Ting , Yu Anmin , Li Ping , Yang Hong , Liu Gaojing , Liu Li
Published: September 2016

The 70-kD heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) are highly conserved molecular chaperones that play essential roles in cellular processes including abiotic stress responses. Physcomitrella patens serves as a representative of the first terrestrial plants and can recover from serious dehydration. To assess the possible relationship between P. patens Hsp70s and dehydration tolerance, we analyzed the P. patens genome and found at least 21 genes encoding Hsp70s. Gene structure and motif composition were relatively conserved in each subfamily. The intron-exon structure of PpcpHsp70-2 was different from that of other PpcpHsp70s; this gene exhibits several forms of intron retention, indicating that introns may play important roles in regulating gene expression. We observed expansion of Hsp70s in P. patens, which may reflect adaptations related to development and dehydration tolerance and results mainly from tandem and segmental duplications. Expression profiles of rice, Arabidopsis and P. patens Hsp70 genes revealed that more than half of the Hsp70 genes were responsive to ABA, salt and drought. The presence of overrepresented cis-elements (DOFCOREZM and GCCCORE) among stress-responsive Hsp70s suggests that they share a common regulatory pathway. Moss plants overexpressing PpcpHsp70-2 showed salt and dehydration tolerance, further supporting a role in adaptation to land. This work highlights directions for future functional analyses of Hsp70s.
Transcriptome analysis of periodontitis-associated fibroblasts by CAGE sequencing identified DLX5 and RUNX2 long variant as novel regulators involved in periodontitis
Authors: Horie Masafumi , Yamaguchi Yoko , Saito Akira , Nagase Takahide , Lizio Marina , Itoh Masayoshi , Kawaji Hideya , Lassmann Timo , Carninci Piero , Forrest Alistair R. R. , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Suzutani Tatsuo , Kappert Kai , Micke Patrick , Ohshima Mitsuhiro
Published: September 2016

Periodontitis is affecting over half of the adult population and represents a major public health problem. Previously, we isolated a subset of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) from periodontitis patients, designated as periodontitis-associated fibroblasts (PAFs), which were highly capable of collagen degradation. To elucidate their molecular profiles, GFs isolated form healthy and periodontitis-affected gingival tissues were analyzed by CAGE-seq and integrated with the FANTOM5 atlas. GFs from healthy gingival tissues displayed distinctive patterns of CAGE profiles as compared to fibroblasts from other organ sites and characterized by specific expression of developmentally important transcription factors such as BARX1, PAX9, LHX8 and DLX5. In addition, a novel long non-coding RNA associated with LHX8 was described. Furthermore, we identified DLX5 regulating expression of the long variant of RUNX2 transcript, which was specifically active in GFs but not in their periodontitis-affected counterparts. Knockdown of these factors in GFs resulted in altered expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. These results indicate activation of DLX5 and RUNX2 via its distal promoter represents a unique feature of GFs and is important for ECM regulation. Down-regulation of these transcription factors in PAFs could be associated with their property to degrade collagen, which may impact on the process of periodontitis.
Genome-Wide Association Study Dissecting the Genetic Architecture Underlying the Branch Angle Trait in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Sun Chengming , Wang Benqi , Wang Xiaohua , Hu Kaining , Li Kaidi , Li Zhanyu , Li San , Yan Lei , Guan Chunyun , Zhang Jiefu , Zhang Zhenqian , Chen Song , Wen Jing , Tu Jinxing , Shen Jinxiong , Fu Tingdong , Yi Bin
Published: September 2016

The rapeseed branch angle is an important morphological trait because an adequate branch angle enables more efficient light capture under high planting densities. Here, we report that the average angle of the five top branches provides a reliable representation of the average angle of all branches. Statistical analyses revealed a significantly positive correlation between the branch angle and multiple plant-type and yield-related traits. The 60 KBrassicaInfinium®single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array was utilized to genotype an association panel with 520 diverse accessions. A genome-wide association study was performed to determine the genetic architecture of branch angle and 56 loci were identified as being significantly associated with the branch angle trait via three models, including a robust, novel, nonparametric Anderson-Darling (A-D) test. Moreover, these loci explained 51.1% of the phenotypic variation when a simple additive model was applied. Within the linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay ranges of 53 loci, we observed plausible candidates orthologous to documentedArabidopsisgenes, such asLAZY1,SGR2,SGR4,SGR8,SGR9,PIN3,PIN7,CRK5,TIR1andAPD7. These results provide insight into the genetic basis of the branch angle trait in rapeseed and might facilitate marker-based breeding for improvements in plant architecture.
Activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels enhances DMT1-mediated iron uptake in SK-N-SH cells in vitro
Authors: Du Xixun , Xu Huamin , Shi Limin , Jiang Zhifeng , Song Ning , Jiang Hong , Xie Junxia
Published: September 2016

Iron importer divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) plays a crucial role in the nigal iron accumulation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Membrane hyperpolarization is one of the factors that could affect its iron transport function. Besides iron, selective activation of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels also contributes to the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Interestingly, activation of KATP channels could induce membrane hyperpolarization. Therefore, it is of vital importance to study the effects of activation of KATP channels on DMT1-mediated iron uptake function. In the present study, activation of KATP channels by diazoxide resulted in the hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and increased DMT1-mediated iron uptake in SK-N-SH cells. This led to an increase in intracellular iron levels and a subsequent decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in ROS production. Delayed inactivation of the Fe2+-evoked currents by diazoxide was recorded by patch clamp in HEK293 cells, which demonstrated that diazoxide could prolonged DMT1-facilitated iron transport. While inhibition of KATP channels by glibenclamide could block ferrous iron influx and the subsequent cell damage. Overexpression of Kir6.2/SUR1 resulted in an increase in iron influx and intracellular iron levels, which was markedly increased after diazoxide treatment.
Interference-based molecular transistors
Authors: Li Ying , Mol Jan A. , Benjamin Simon C. , Briggs G. Andrew D.
Published: September 2016

Molecular transistors have the potential for switching with lower gate voltages than conventional field-effect transistors. We have calculated the performance of a single-molecule device in which there is interference between electron transport through the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of a single molecule. Quantum interference results in a subthreshold slope that is independent of temperature. For realistic parameters the change in gate potential required for a change in source-drain current of two decades is 20 mV, which is a factor of six smaller than the theoretical limit for a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor.
One-Step Formation of Silicon-Graphene Composites from Silicon Sludge Waste and Graphene Oxide via Aerosol Process for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Kim Sun Kyung , Kim Hyekyoung , Chang Hankwon , Cho Bong-Gyoo , Huang Jiaxing , Yoo Hyundong , Kim Hansu , Jang Hee Dong
Published: September 2016

Over 40% of high-purity silicon (Si) is consumed as sludge waste consisting of Si, silicon carbide (SiC) particles and metal impurities from the fragments of cutting wire mixed in ethylene glycol based cutting fluid during Si wafer slicing in semiconductor fabrication. Recovery of Si from the waste Si sludge has been a great concern because Si particles are promising high-capacity anode materials for Li ion batteries. In this study, we report a novel one-step aerosol process that not only extracts Si particles but also generates Si-graphene (GR) composites from the colloidal mixture of waste Si sludge and graphene oxide (GO) at the same time by ultrasonic atomization-assisted spray pyrolysis. This process supports many advantages such as eco-friendly, low-energy, rapid, and simple method for forming Si-GR composite. The morphology of the as-formed Si-GR composites looked like a crumpled paper ball and the average size of the composites varied from 0.6 to 0.8 μm with variation of the process variables. The electrochemical performance was then conducted with the Si-GR composites for Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs). The Si-GR composites exhibited very high performance as Li ion battery anodes in terms of capacity, cycling stability, and Coulombic efficiency.
Transcriptomic comparison between Brassica oleracea and rice (Oryza sativa) reveals diverse modulations on cell death in response to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Mei Jiaqin , Ding Yijuan , Li Yuehua , Tong Chaobo , Du Hai , Yu Yang , Wan Huafang , Xiong Qing , Yu Jingyin , Liu Shengyi , Li Jiana , Qian Wei
Published: September 2016

Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease of Brassica crops, but not in rice. The leaves of a rice line, a partial resistant (R) and a susceptible (S) Brassica oleracea pool that bulked from a resistance-segregating F2 population were employed for transcriptome sequencing before and after inoculation by S. sclerotiorum for 6 and 12 h. Distinct transcriptome profiles were revealed between B. oleracea and rice in response to S. sclerotiorum. Enrichment analyses of GO and KEGG indicated an enhancement of antioxidant activity in the R B. oleracea and rice, and histochemical staining exhibited obvious lighter reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cell death in rice and the R B. oleracea as compared to that in the S B. oleracea. Significant enhancement of Ca2+ signalling, a positive regulator of ROS and cell death, were detected in S B. oleracea after inoculation, while it was significantly repressed in the R B. oleracea group. Obvious difference was detected between two B. oleracea groups for WRKY transcription factors, particularly for those regulating cell death. These findings suggest diverse modulations on cell death in host in response to S. sclerotiorum. Our study provides useful insight into the resistant mechanism to S. sclerotiorum.
Room-Temperature All-solid-state Rechargeable Sodium-ion Batteries with a Cl-doped Na3PS4 Superionic Conductor
Authors: Chu Iek-Heng , Kompella Christopher S. , Nguyen Han , Zhu Zhuoying , Hy Sunny , Deng Zhi , Meng Ying Shirley , Ong Shyue Ping
Published: September 2016

All-solid-state sodium-ion batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage applications. The key enabler for an all-solid-state architecture is a sodium solid electrolyte that exhibits high Na+ conductivity at ambient temperatures, as well as excellent phase and electrochemical stability. In this work, we present a first-principles-guided discovery and synthesis of a novel Cl-doped tetragonal Na3PS4 (t-Na3−xPS4−xClx) solid electrolyte with a room-temperature Na+ conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm−1. We demonstrate that an all-solid-state TiS2/t-Na3−xPS4−xClx/Na cell utilizing this solid electrolyte can be cycled at room-temperature at a rate of C/10 with a capacity of about 80 mAh g−1 over 10 cycles. We provide evidence from density functional theory calculations that this excellent electrochemical performance is not only due to the high Na+ conductivity of the solid electrolyte, but also due to the effect that “salting” Na3PS4 has on the formation of an electronically insulating, ionically conducting solid electrolyte interphase.
Correction: Corrigendum: Purification of High Salinity Brine by Multi-Stage Ion Concentration Polarization Desalination
Authors: Kim Bumjoo , Kwak Rhokyun , Kwon Hyukjin J. , Pham Van Sang , Kim Minseok , Al-Anzi Bader , Lim Geunbae , Han Jongyoon
Published: September 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 31850; published online: 22 August 2016; updated: 21 September 2016 This Article contains errors in Reference 19. “Kwak, R., Pham, V. S., Kim, B., Chen, L. & Han, J. Enhanced current utilization by unipolar ion conduction in ion concentration polarization desalination.
Helitron-like transposons contributed to the mating system transition from out-crossing to self-fertilizing in polyploid Brassica napus L.
Authors: Gao Changbin , Zhou Guilong , Ma Chaozhi , Zhai Wen , Zhang Tong , Liu Zhiquan , Yang Yong , Wu Ming , Yue Yao , Duan Zhiqiang , Li Yaya , Li Bing , Li Jijun , Shen Jinxiong , Tu Jinxing , Fu Tingdong
Published: September 2016

The mating system transition in polyploid Brassica napus (AACC) from out-crossing to selfing is a typical trait to differentiate it from their diploid progenitors. Elucidating the mechanism of mating system transition has profound consequences for understanding the speciation and evolution in B. napus. Functional complementation experiment has shown that the insertion of 3.6 kb into the promoter of self-incompatibility male determining gene, BnSP11-1 leads to its loss of function in B. napus. The inserted fragment was found to be a non-autonomous Helitron transposon. Further analysis showed that the inserted 3.6 kb non-autonomous Helitron transposon was widely distributed in B. napus accessions which contain the S haplotype BnS-1. Through promoter deletion analysis, an enhancer and a putative cis-regulatory element (TTCTA) that were required for spatio-temporal specific expression of BnSP11-1 were identified and both might be disrupted by the insertion of Helitron transposon. We suggested that the insertion of Helitron transposons in the promoter of BnSP11-1 gene had altered the mating system and might facilitated the speciation of B. napus. Our findings have profound consequences for understanding the self-compatibility in B. napus as well as for the trait variations during evolutionary process of plant polyploidization.
A miRNA-based signature predicts development of disease recurrence in HER2 positive breast cancer after adjuvant trastuzumab-based treatment
Authors: Du F. , Yuan P. , Zhao Z. T. , Yang Z. , Wang T. , Zhao J. D. , Luo Y. , Ma F. , Wang J. Y. , Fan Y. , Cai R. G. , Zhang P. , Li Q. , Song Y. M. , Xu B. H.
Published: September 2016

Approximately 20% of HER2 positive breast cancer develops disease recurrence after adjuvant trastuzumab treatment. This study aimed to develop a molecular prognostic model that can reliably stratify patients by risk of developing disease recurrence. Using miRNA microarrays, nine miRNAs that differentially expressed between the recurrent and non-recurrent patients were identified. Then, we validated the expression of these miRNAs using qRT-PCR in training set (n = 101), and generated a 2-miRNA (miR-4734 and miR-150-5p) based prognostic signature. The prognostic accuracy of this classifier was further confirmed in an internal testing set (n = 57), and an external independent testing set (n = 53). Besides, by comparing the ROC curves, we found the incorporation of this miRNA based classifier into TNM stage could improve the prognostic performance of TNM system. The results indicated the 2-miRNA based signature was a reliable prognostic biomarker for patients with HER2 positive breast cancer.
Decreased sleep quality in high myopia children
Authors: Ayaki Masahiko , Torii Hidemasa , Tsubota Kazuo , Negishi Kazuno
Published: September 2016

The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep quality in myopic children and adults. This cross sectional study surveyed 486 participants aged from 10 to 59 years with refractive errors using a questionnaire containing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Children (< 20 years) in the high myopia group exhibited the poorest PSQI scores (P < 0.01), while the adults showed no such correlations. Subscales of PSQI and HADS in children disclosed that the high myopia groups had the shortest sleep duration (P < 0.01), worst subjective sleep scores (P < 0.001) and latest bedtime (P < 0.05). Regression analyses in children significantly correlated myopic errors with PSQI (P < 0.05), sleep duration (P < 0.01) and bedtime (P < 0.01). Sleep efficacy (P < 0.05) and daytime dysfunction (P < 0.05) were significantly better in contact-lens users compared to the respective non-user groups across all participants. In conclusion, sleep quality in children was significantly correlated with myopic error, with the high myopia group worst affected.
Evaluation of World Population-Weighted Effective Dose due to Cosmic Ray Exposure
Authors: Sato Tatsuhiko
Published: September 2016

After the release of the Report of the United Nations Scientific Committee of the Effects of Atomic Radiation in 2000 (UNSCEAR2000), it became commonly accepted that the world population-weighted effective dose due to cosmic-ray exposure is 0.38 mSv, with a range from 0.3 to 2 mSv. However, these values were derived from approximate projections of altitude and geographic dependences of the cosmic-ray dose rates as well as the world population. This study hence re-evaluated the population-weighted annual effective doses and their probability densities for the entire world as well as for 230 individual nations, using a sophisticated cosmic-ray flux calculation model in tandem with detailed grid population and elevation databases. The resulting world population-weighted annual effective dose was determined to be 0.32 mSv, which is smaller than the UNSCEAR’s evaluation by 16%, with a range from 0.23 to 0.70 mSv covering 99% of the world population. These values were noted to vary with the solar modulation condition within a range of approximately 15%. All assessed population-weighted annual effective doses as well as their statistical information for each nation are provided in the supplementary files annexed to this report. These data improve our understanding of cosmic-ray radiation exposures to populations globally.
Characterizing cognitive control abilities in children with 16p11.2 deletion using adaptive ‘video game’ technology: a pilot study
Authors: Anguera J A , Brandes-Aitken A N , Rolle C E , Skinner S N , Desai S S , Bower J D , Martucci W E , Chung W K , Sherr E H , Marco E J
Published: September 2016

Assessing cognitive abilities in children is challenging for two primary reasons: lack of testing engagement can lead to low testing sensitivity and inherent performance variability. Here we sought to explore whether an engaging, adaptive digital cognitive platform built to look and feel like a video game would reliably measure attention-based abilities in children with and without neurodevelopmental disabilities related to a known genetic condition, 16p11.2 deletion. We assessed 20 children with 16p11.2 deletion, a genetic variation implicated in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism, as well as 16 siblings without the deletion and 75 neurotypical age-matched children. Deletion carriers showed significantly slower response times and greater response variability when compared with all non-carriers; by comparison, traditional non-adaptive selective attention assessments were unable to discriminate group differences. This phenotypic characterization highlights the potential power of administering tools that integrate adaptive psychophysical mechanics into video-game-style mechanics to achieve robust, reliable measurements.
Efficient electrochemical biosensors for ethynylestradiol based on the laccase enzyme supported on single walled carbon nanotubes decorated with nanocrystalline carbon quantum dots
Authors: Canevari T. C. , Cincotto F. H. , Nakamura M. , Machado S. A. S. , Toma H. E.
Published: September 2016

A new hybrid nanomaterial based on single-walled carbon nanotubes incorporating nanocrystalline carbon quantum dots (SWCNT/C-dots) was developed.
Gd-Chelated poly(propylene imine) dendrimers with densely organized maltose shells for enhanced MR imaging applications
Authors: Xiong Zhijuan , Wang Yue , Zhu Jingyi , He Yao , Qu Jiao , Effenberg Christiane , Xia Jindong , Appelhans Dietmar , Shi Xiangyang
Published: September 2016

Gd-Chelated fourth generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimers with densely organized maltose shells can be designed for enhanced MR imaging applications.
A self-driven miniaturized liquid fuel cell
Authors: Zhang Qingquan , Li Hanlin , Liu Xiaojun , Zhao Wenfeng , Zong Chenghua , Gai Hongwei
Published: September 2016

We present an evaporation-driven miniaturized liquid fuel cell with high power density and high portability simultaneously.
Unexpectedly high activity of bare alumina for non-oxidative isobutane dehydrogenation
Authors: Rodemerck Uwe , Kondratenko Evgenii V. , Otroshchenko Tatyana , Linke David
Published: September 2016

Alcus and neighbouring lattice oxygen in activated bare alumina are the active site for isobutane dehydrogenation.
Role of ion hydration for the differential capacitance of an electric double layer
Authors: Caetano Daniel L. Z. , Bossa Guilherme V. , de Oliveira Vinicius M. , Brown Matthew A. , de Carvalho Sidney J. , May Sylvio
Published: September 2016

The influence of hydration-mediated ion–ion interactions on the differential capacitance of an electric double layer is investigated using Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field theory.
Photosensitive microgels containing azobenzene surfactants of different charges
Authors: Schimka Selina , Lomadze Nino , Rabe Maren , Kopyshev Alexey , Lehmann Maren , von Klitzing Regine , Rumyantsev Artem M. , Kramarenko Elena Yu. , Santer Svetlana
Published: September 2016

We report on light sensitive microgel particles that can change their volume reversibly in response to illumination with light of different wavelengths.
Metal–organic frameworks as competitive materials for non-linear optics
Authors: Mingabudinova L. R. , Vinogradov V. V. , Milichko V. A. , Hey-Hawkins E. , Vinogradov A. V.
Published: September 2016

The development of metal–organic frameworks may transform into a very promising area, namely, obtaining quantum and nonlinear metamaterials using chemical methods.
Selective CO2 methanation on Ru/TiO2 catalysts: unravelling the decisive role of the TiO2 support crystal structure
Authors: Kim A. , Sanchez C. , Patriarche G. , Ersen O. , Moldovan S. , Wisnet A. , Sassoye C. , Debecker D. P.
Published: September 2016

The performance of Ru/TiO2 methanation catalysts is dictated by the morphology changes occurring during heat treatments, themselves depending on support crystallinity.
Dimethylphosphinate bridged binuclear Rh(i) catalysts for the alkoxycarbonylation of aromatic C–H bonds
Authors: Iturmendi Amaia , Sanz Miguel Pablo J. , Popoola Saheed A. , Al-Saadi Abdulaziz A. , Iglesias Manuel , Oro Luis A.
Published: September 2016

A variety of binuclear rhodium(i) complexes featuring two bridging dimethylphosphinate ligands ((CH3)2PO2−) have been prepared and tested in the alkoxycarbonylation of aromatic C–H bonds.
Self-assembly synthesis, structure, topology, and magnetic properties of a mononuclear Fe(iii)-violurate derivative: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Banik Rupak , Roy Subhadip , Dlháň Ľubor , Titiš Ján , Boča Roman , Kirillov Alexander M. , Martin Adam D. , Bauza Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Rodríguez-Diéguez Antonio , Salas Juan M. , Das Subrata
Published: September 2016

New Fe(iii) complex features remarkable supramolecular assembly, antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, and ordering temperature.
Biscylometalated iridium(iii) complexes target mitochondria or lysosomes by regulating the lipophilicity of the main ligands
Authors: Qiu Kangqiang , Liu Yukang , Huang Huaiyi , Liu Chaofeng , Zhu Hongyi , Chen Yu , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: September 2016

An efficient method that controls biscylometalated iridium(iii) complexes to target mitochondria or lysosomes was presented.
Antitumor imidazo[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazines: compounds modified at the 3-position overcome resistance in human glioblastoma cell lines
Authors: Cousin David , Zhang Jihong , Hummersone Marc G. , Matthews Charles S. , Frigerio Mark , Bradshaw Tracey D. , Stevens Malcolm F. G.
Published: September 2016

Imidazotetrazines substituted at the N-3 position overcome resistance or tolerance to temozolomide conferred, respectively, by MGMT or DNA MMR defects.
Intramolecular thermal stepwise [2 + 2] cycloadditions: investigation of a stereoselective synthesis of [n.2.0]-bicyclolactones
Authors: Throup Adam , Patterson Laurence H. , Sheldrake Helen M.
Published: September 2016

A new method for the synthesis of highly functionalised cyclobutenes.
One-pot RAFT and fast polymersomes assembly: a ‘beeline’ from monomers to drug-loaded nanovectors
Authors: Mastrotto F. , Breen A. F. , Sicilia G. , Murdan S. , Johnstone A. D. , Marsh G. E. , Grainger-Boultby C. , Russell N. A. , Alexander C. , Mantovani G.
Published: September 2016

A ‘fast RAFT’ strategy that allows the engineering of drug-containing polymer vesicles in only a few hours, starting from functional monomers.
Sulfur-doping synchronously ameliorating band energy structure and charge separation achieving decent visible-light photocatalysis of Bi2O2CO3
Authors: Huang Hongwei , Xiao Ke , Dong Fan , Wang Jinjian , Du Xin , Zhang Yihe
Published: September 2016

Sulfur doping simultaneously endows the wide-band-gap Bi2O2CO3 promoted band energy structure and charge separation achieving enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for dye degradation and NO removal.
Germanene: a new electronic gas sensing material
Authors: Gupta Sanjeev K. , Singh Deobrat , Rajput Kaptansinh , Sonvane Yogesh
Published: September 2016

The structural stability and electronic properties of the adsorption characteristics of several toxic gas molecules (NH3, SO2and NO2) on a germanene monolayer were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) based on anab initiomethod.
Hydrophilic ionic liquid-assisted control of the size and morphology of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by a chemical precipitation method
Authors: Akter Mousumi , Satter Shazia Sharmin , Singh Ajaya Kumar , Rahman M. Muhibur , Mollah M. Yousuf A. , Susan Md. Abu Bin Hasan
Published: September 2016

A hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL), [EMIM][MeSO4] served as a self directing template during synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by chemical precipitation and the size and morphology of ZnO NPs depended on the concentration of the IL.
Structure, morphology and properties of epoxy networks with dangling chains cured by anhydride
Authors: Ba Longhan , Zou Qi , Tan Xiaocun , Song Jiangpeng , Cheng Jue , Zhang Junying
Published: September 2016

A series of epoxy networks containing side aliphatic dangling chains were prepared by the curing reaction of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (DGEBF), the monofunctional epoxy (including n-butyl, dodecyl, cetyl) and the anhydride.
Nature of S2Se2 σ(4c–6e) at naphthalene 1,8-positions and models, elucidated by QTAIM dual functional analysis
Authors: Nakanishi Waro , Tsubomoto Yutaka , Hayashi Satoko
Published: September 2016

The nature of BE–*–AE–*–AE–*–BE σ(4c–6e) is primarily elucidated at naphthalene 1,8-positions: while the weak covalent nature is predicted for all AE–*–AE, the HB nature with covalency or the CT-MC (MC formation through CT) nature is for AE–*–BE.
Supramolecular enzyme engineering in complex nanometer-thin biomimetic organosilica layers
Authors: Correro M. Rita , Takacs Michael , Sykora Sabine , Corvini Philippe F.-X. , Shahgaldian Patrick
Published: September 2016

Enzyme shielding at the surface of silica nanoparticles was performed using different mixtures of biomimetic building blocks. The performances of the nanobiocatalysts are strongly impacted by the chemical composition of the shielding layer.
Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanocarriers for stimuli-responsive target delivery of anticancer drugs
Authors: Chen Yujuan , Zhang Hui , Cai Xiaoqing , Ji Jianbo , He Shuwang , Zhai Guangxi
Published: September 2016

By modifying the outer surface of MSNs with various functional groups or/and using a combination with other nanomaterials, stimuli-responsive and active targeting nanosystems can be designed for stimuli-responsive target delivery of anticancer drugs.
Umbelliferone attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury linked with regulation of TLRs–MyD88 and RIP140/NF-κB signaling pathways
Authors: Luo Fen , Zhou Rui , Lei Hui , Mou Yi , Zhang Ping , Sun Yi , Chen Tong , He Ling , Yan Tianhua
Published: September 2016

Umbelliferone (Umb), isolated from the chloroform fraction of Potentilla evestita, exerts a variety of pharmacological activities.
Preparation of stable superamphiphobic surfaces on X80 pipeline steel substrates
Authors: Liu Yong , Ding Tian , Meng Qian , Dong Bohua , Cao Lixin , Gao Rongjie
Published: September 2016

Micro/nano multi-scale superamphiphobic surfaces with excellent stability were prepared via facile electrochemical-deposition, alkaline etching and fluorination treatment processes.
Synthesis of micrometer-sized poly(methyl methacrylate) particles by microsuspension iodine transfer polymerization (ms ITP)
Authors: Chaiyasat P. , Namwong S. , Okubo M. , Chaiyasat A.
Published: September 2016

Micrometer-sized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were successfully prepared without submicrometer-sized by-products for the first time by applying microsuspension iodine transfer polymerization with iodoform as a chain transfer agent.
Calixarene-functionalized graphene oxide composites fixed on glassy carbon electrodes for electrochemical detection
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Yaling , Zhang Dongxiang , Liu Cong , Wang Die , He Shengnan , Hu Guowen , Tang Xiuqin
Published: September 2016

Four composite materials were prepared by grafting calixarene derivatives onto the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) via covalent functionalization to yield covalently functionalized graphene oxides (CFGOs).
Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of perovskite supported iron oxide nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Mathur Ankita , Kushwaha H. S. , Vaish Rahul , Halder Aditi
Published: September 2016

Perovskite oxide based materials have drawn considerable amount of attention as non-precious, non-noble cathode catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions for fuel cell and battery applications.
Improved explosive collection and detection with rationally assembled surface sampling materials
Authors: Chouyyok Wilaiwan , Bays J. Timothy , Gerasimenko Aleksandr A. , Cinson Anthony D. , Ewing Robert G. , Atkinson David A. , Addleman R. Shane
Published: September 2016

Inorganic sampling cloth chemically modified with phenyl-functional groups for improving the collection and detection of trace explosives.
Synthesis and characterization of donor–acceptor type conducting polymers containing benzotriazole acceptor and benzodithiophene donor or s-indacenodithiophene donor
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang Min , Liu Xiaoli , Zhao Jinsheng
Published: September 2016

Two D–A type copolymers were synthesized and characterized by a series of methods. Both copolymers showed high optical contrasts, fast response time and high coloration efficiency. In summary, they could be candidates for electrochromic applications.
Supramolecular porous ionic network based on triazinonide and imidazolium: a template-free synthesis of meso-/macroporous organic materials via a one-pot reaction-assembly procedure
Authors: Hei Ze-Huan , Song Gan-Lin , Zhao Chen-Yu , Fan Wenhao , Huang Mu-Hua
Published: September 2016

A supramolecular porous ionic network (SPIN-1) was designed and prepared using a one-pot procedure, involving the quaternization of triimidazole triazine with cyanuric chloride followed by hydrolysis andin situassembly.
Electrochemical and spectroscopic insights of interactions between alizarin red S and arsenite ions
Authors: Tanjila Nahida , Rayhan Asif , Alam Md. Saiful , Siddiquey Iqbal A. , Hasnat Mohammad A.
Published: September 2016

ARS molecules are deprotonated in the presence of arsenite ions. The deprotonated form of ARS molecules show increase of charge transfer resistance and decrease of diffusion coefficient.
Converting urea into high value-added 2-oxazolidinones under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Wang Peixue , Li Qinghe , Liu Shimin , Deng Youquan
Published: September 2016

Solvent-free synthesis of 2-oxazolidinones from urea and epoxides over Zn-modified mesoporous Mg–Al nano-oxides.
In situ formation of MoS2/C nanocomposite as an anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Lee Gyu-Ho , Kim Si-Jin , Kim Min-Cheol , Choe Hui-Seon , Kim Da-Mi , Han Sang-Beom , Kwak Da-Hee , Jeong Jae Hyun , Park Kyung-Won
Published: September 2016

Anode materials with excellent electrochemical properties as an alternative to carbon-based structures are suggested for advanced high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
Highly ordered ZnMnO3 nanotube arrays from a “self-sacrificial” ZnO template as high-performance electrodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Chen Hongbin , Ding Liang-Xin , Xiao Kang , Dai Sheng , Wang Suqing , Wang Haihui
Published: September 2016

Highly ordered ZnMnO3 nanotube arrays show high cycling performance and rate capability when used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Electro-synthesized Ni coordination supermolecular-networks-coated exfoliated graphene composite materials for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Zhongheng , Yao Hua , Zhang Feng , Li Wei , Yang Yangyi , Lu Xihong
Published: September 2016

A Ni supermolecular-networks-coated exfoliated graphene composite is prepared via a facile “two-in-one” electrosynthesis and exhibits excellent supercapacitive performance.
Preparation of linear poly(glycerol) as a T1 contrast agent for tumor-targeted magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Cao Yi , Liu Min , Zhang Kunchi , Dong Jingjin , Zu Guangyue , Chen Yang , Zhang Tingting , Xiong Dangsheng , Pei Renjun
Published: September 2016

Macromolecular contrast agents (CAs) labeled with targeting molecules are gaining remarkable interest as promising materials overcoming the defects of small-molecule CAs.
Biaxial strain tuned thermoelectric properties in monolayer PtSe2
Authors: Guo San-Dong
Published: September 2016

Strain engineering is a very effective method to tune the electronic, optical, topological and thermoelectric properties of materials.
Melanin-based flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Kumar Prajwal , Di Mauro Eduardo , Zhang Shiming , Pezzella Alessandro , Soavi Francesca , Santato Clara , Cicoira Fabio
Published: September 2016

Biocompatible and biodegradable materials that store electrochemical energy are attractive candidates for applications in bioelectronics and electronics for everywhere. We report on the discovery of the energy storage properties of the pigment melanin in supercapacitors and flexible micro-supercapacitors.
Wnt/β-catenin-dependent acetylation of Pygo2 by CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferase family members
Authors: Andrews Phillip G.P. , Kao Kenneth R.
Published: September 2016

Pygopus 2 (Pygo2) is a chromatin effector that plays an essential role in canonical Wnt signaling associated with development and stem cell growth. Its function is to facilitate histone acetylation by recruitment of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) at active sites of β-catenin-mediated transcription. In the present study, we report that Pygo2 itself is transiently acetylated when bound to the activated TCF/β-catenin transcription complex, which correlated with β-catenin binding and Axin2 gene activation. The HAT CBP/p300, but not GCN5/PCAF, targeted specific lysine residues of the N-terminal homology domain of Pygo2 for acetylation. Functional analyses revealed that the presence of CBP and p300 increased the association of Pygo2 with GCN5, independent of Pygo2 acetylation status. Finally, while acetylation of Pygo2 had little effect on active β-catenin complex formation, p300-mediated Pygo2 acetylation resulted in the displacement of Pygo2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by targeting specific lysine residues in the Pygo2 nuclear localization sequence. Taken together, these findings are consistent with a model in which acetylation of Pygo2 by CBP/p300 family members in the active TCF/β-catenin complex occurs coincident with histone acetylation and may be required for the recycling of Pygo2 away from the complex subsequent to target gene activation.
Dual‐band balanced‐to‐unbalanced filtering power divider by coupled ring resonators
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Hong Meiling , Che Wenquan
Published: September 2016

A dual‐band balanced‐to‐unbalanced filtering power divider by coupled ring resonators is proposed. Two passbands can be easily realised by the two coupled ring resonators. Three transmission zeros near the two passbands are used to improve the selectivity. The common mode can be easily suppressed by the bandstop performance of the open stubs. A fabricated prototype (εr = 2.65, h = 1 mm, tanδ = 0.003) with centre frequencies located at 2.82 and 3.22 GHz is designed and measured to prove the proposed methods.
Ceramic filled resin based 3D printed X‐band dual‐mode bandpass filter with enhanced thermal handling capability
Authors: Guo Cheng , Li Jin , Dinh Duc D. , Shang Xiaobang , Lancaster Michael J. , Xu Jun
Published: September 2016

A miniaturised spherical resonator based X‐band dual‐mode bandpass filter that is 3D printed using a ceramic filled photosensitive resin is the first time presented. This filter has substantially enhanced thermal handling capability than its counterparts that are printed out of the conventional resins with a relatively low working temperature. The filter's thermal handling capability is experimentally characterised by measuring its RF performance under different working temperatures using a pair of tailor made aluminium thermal isolators to separate the network analyser from the heat source. The measured results demonstrate that the ceramic resin based filter is capable of operating at much higher temperatures, and has a much better thermal stability than the one made of ordinary resin, without losing its intrinsic light‐weight advantage over the one made of metal. This type of thermally‐stable ceramic filled resin can be widely applied to stereolithography‐based 3D printed lightweight microwave and millimetre‐wave waveguide devices.
Opportunistic relay selection improves reliability–reliability tradeoff and security–reliability tradeoff in random cognitive radio networks
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Yang Weiwei , Cai Yueming
Published: September 2016

This study investigates the physical‐layer security in random cognitive radio network (CRN) consisting of randomly distributed primary nodes, secondary nodes, relay nodes and eavesdroppers, where the secondary nodes share the spectrum of the primary nodes and the eavesdroppers attempt to intercept the secondary transmissions. The authors develop a framework to analysis the reliability–reliability tradeoff (RRT) and security–reliability tradeoff (SRT) in the random CRNs, where the security and reliability are quantified in terms of secrecy outage probability and connection outage probability. The RRT evaluates performance tradeoff between the primary and the secondary networks and the SRT evaluates the performance tradeoff inside the secondary network. Furthermore, they propose an opportunistic relay selection (ORS) scheme to enhance the secondary confidential transmission. It is demonstrated that the ORS scheme significantly improves the RRT and SRT as the density of relays increases, and outperforms the conventional direct transmission when the density of relays is larger than a certain value. This actually promotes the understandings of the performance tradeoffs and provides direct insights on system design for the practical CRNs.
Modulation and control of multilevel inverter for an open‐end winding induction motor with constant voltage levels and harmonics
Authors: Mahato Bidyut , Raushan Ravi , Jana Kartick Chandra
Published: September 2016

A multilevel inverter (MLI) with staircase waveform having maximum number of voltage levels at any desired voltage (or frequency) of a variable voltage, variable frequency application can play an important role in the modern power conversion system. In most of the control and modulation techniques of MLI, the number of voltage level reduces with the reduction of modulation index that increases the harmonic and total harmonic distortions (THDs). The variable voltage application of MLI using a single DC source of variable magnitude is the elementary concept of the proposed control technique. A cascaded MLI having unequal voltage sources with controlled magnitude can be used to increase the number of voltage levels. The closed‐loop voltage control technique and a multi‐winding transformer‐rectifier based AC‐link system is used to obtain the multiple variable voltage DC sources for the cascaded MLI. A nearest level modulation based control technique has been implemented for the MLI to obtain the fixed level voltage waveforms with constant THD and reduced switching losses. The whole control algorithm for a nine‐level inverter is simulated and results are experimentally verified on a laboratory prototype of the three‐phase induction motor drives.
Non‐isolated high‐step‐up soft switching DC/DC converter with low‐voltage stress
Authors: Gao Wei , Zhang Yang , Lv Xing‐yu , Lou Quan‐ming
Published: September 2016

A non‐isolated high‐step‐up soft switching DC/DC converter with low‐voltage stress is developed for large conversion ratio applications, which combines a synchronous boost converter and a flyback converter with voltage multiplier in this study. The circuit structure is simplified by integrating the boost inductor and flyback transformer into a coupled inductor and sharing the switch. The voltage stresses of all the power devices are low, thus low‐voltage‐rated power devices can be adopted to reduce conduction losses. All of the switches operate under zero‐voltage turn‐on condition, thus the switching losses are reduced. Moreover, the reverse‐recovery problem of the diodes is alleviated because the decreasing rate of the diode current is limited by the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor. Additionally, the utilisation rate of the coupled inductor is improved because the coupled inductor transfers energy during the whole switching period. Finally, a 250 W prototype is built and the experimental results are provided to verify the accuracy of the theoretical analysis, and the highest measured efficiency is about 96.6%.
To the lighthouse revisited: the art economy in Mary Gordon’s Spending
Authors: Lin Yu-chen
Published: September 2016

This essay explores Virginia Woolf’s legacy to Mary Gordon’s Spending. More than a response to Woolf’s vision of a monetary gift to facilitate woman’s creativity, Gordon’s novel also engages To the Lighthouse in its representation of a woman painter coming to terms with her talent. Equally important, however, is the difference between the two works, as unhappiness about her lost possibilities marks the heroine’s artistic impasse in Woolf’s novel, whereas pleasure over extravagant gifts characterizes the female protagonist’s progress toward success in Gordon’s text. By re-visioning Woolf’s female artist in want in 1910s–1920s England into a woman painter in plenitude in 1990s consumerist America, Gordon’s happiness narrative delineates the possibility opened up by her unhappy predecessor. This article is published as part of a collection on gender studies.
Image quality method as a possible way of in situ monitoring of in-vessel mirrors in a fusion reactor
Authors: Konovalov V. G. , Voitsenya V. S. , Makhov M. N. , Ryzhkov I. V. , Shapoval A. N. , Solodovchenko S. I. , Stan A. F. , Bondarenko V. N. , Donné A. J. H. , Litnovsky A.
Published: September 2016

The plasma-facing (first) mirrors in ITER will be subject to sputtering and/or contamination with rates that will depend on the precise mirror locations. The resulting influence of both these factors can reduce the mirror reflectance (R) and worsen the transmitted image quality (IQ). This implies that monitoring the mirror quality in situ is an actual desire, and the present work is an attempt towards a solution. The method we propose is able to elucidate the reason for degradation of the mirror reflectance: sputtering by charge exchange atoms or deposition of contaminated layers. In case of deposition of contaminants, the mirror can be cleaned in situ, but a rough mirror (due to sputtering) cannot be used anymore and has to be replaced. To demonstrate the feasibility of the IQ method, it was applied to mirror specimens coated with carbon film in laboratory conditions and to mirrors coated with contaminants during exposure in fusion devices (TRIAM-1M and Tore Supra), as well as to mirrors of different materials exposed to sputtering by plasma ions in the DSM-2 plasma stand (in IPP NSC KIPT).
Non-monotonous polymer translocation time across corrugated channels: Comparison between Fick-Jacobs approximation and numerical simulations
Authors: Bianco Valentino , Malgaretti Paolo
Published: September 2016

We study the translocation of polymers across varying-section channels. Using systematic approximations, we derive a simplified model that reduces the problem of polymer translocation through varying-section channels to that of a point-like particle under the action of an effective potential. Such a model allows us to identify the relevant parameters controlling the polymer dynamics and, in particular, their translocation time. By comparing our analytical results with numerical simulations we show that, under suitable conditions, our model provides reliable predictions of the dynamics of both Gaussian and self-avoiding polymers, in two- and three-dimensional confinements. Moreover, both theoretical predictions, as well as Brownian dynamic results, show a non-monotonous dependence of polymer translocation velocity as a function of polymer size, a feature that can be exploited for polymer separation.
Ultra-thin metamaterial for perfect and quasi-omnidirectional sound absorption
Authors: Jiménez N. , Huang W. , Romero-García V. , Pagneux V. , Groby J.-P.
Published: September 2016

Using the concepts of slow sound and critical coupling, an ultra-thin acoustic metamaterial panel for perfect and quasi-omnidirectional absorption is theoretically and experimentally conceived in this work. The system is made of a rigid panel with a periodic distribution of thin closed slits, the upper wall of which is loaded by Helmholtz Resonators (HRs). The presence of resonators produces a slow sound propagation shifting the resonance frequency of the slit to the deep sub-wavelength regime (λ/88). By controlling the geometry of the slit and the HRs, the intrinsic visco-thermal losses can be tuned in order to exactly compensate the energy leakage of the system and fulfill the critical coupling condition to create the perfect absorption of sound in a large range of incidence angles due to the deep subwavelength behavior.