bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein receptor-independent plasma membrane remodeling by HAMLET: a tumoricidal protein-lipid complex
Authors: Nadeem Aftab , Sanborn Jeremy , Gettel Douglas L. , James Ho C. S. , Rydström Anna , Ngassam Viviane N. , Klausen Thomas Kjær , Pedersen Stine Falsig , Lam Matti , Parikh Atul N. , Svanborg Catharina
Published: November 2015

A central tenet of signal transduction in eukaryotic cells is that extra-cellular ligands activate specific cell surface receptors, which orchestrate downstream responses. This ‘’protein-centric” view is increasingly challenged by evidence for the involvement of specialized membrane domains in signal transduction. Here, we propose that membrane perturbation may serve as an alternative mechanism to activate a conserved cell-death program in cancer cells. This view emerges from the extraordinary manner in which HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells) kills a wide range of tumor cells in vitro and demonstrates therapeutic efficacy and selectivity in cancer models and clinical studies. We identify a ‘’receptor independent” transformation of vesicular motifs in model membranes, which is paralleled by gross remodeling of tumor cell membranes. Furthermore, we find that HAMLET accumulates within these de novo membrane conformations and define membrane blebs as cellular compartments for direct interactions of HAMLET with essential target proteins such as the Ras family of GTPases. Finally, we demonstrate lower sensitivity of healthy cell membranes to HAMLET challenge. These features suggest that HAMLET-induced curvature-dependent membrane conformations serve as surrogate receptors for initiating signal transduction cascades, ultimately leading to cell death.
Nanostructured gold microelectrodes for SERS and EIS measurements by incorporating ZnO nanorod growth with electroplating
Authors: Zong Xianli , Zhu Rong , Guo Xiaoliang
Published: November 2015

In this paper, a fine gold nanostructure synthesized on selective planar microelectrodes in micro-chip is realized by using an advanced hybrid fabrication approach incorporating growth of nanorods (NRs) with gold electroplating. By this developed nanostructure, integration of in-situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement for label-free, nondestructive, real-time and rapid monitoring on a single cell has been achieved. Moreover, parameters of Au nanostructures such as size of nanoholes/nanogaps can be controllably adjusted in the fabrication. We have demonstrated a SERS enhancement factor of up to ~2.24 × 106 and double-layer impedance decrease ratio of 90% ~ 95% at low frequency range below 200 kHz by using nanostructured microelectrodes. SERS detection and in-situ EIS measurement of a trapped single cell by using planar microelectrodes are realized to demonstrate the compatibility, multi-functions, high-sensitivity and simplicity of the micro-chip system. This dual function platform integrating SERS and EIS is of great significance in biological, biochemical and biomedical applications.
Generation of enterocyte-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells for drug absorption and metabolism studies in human small intestine
Authors: Ozawa Tatsuya , Takayama Kazuo , Okamoto Ryota , Negoro Ryosuke , Sakurai Fuminori , Tachibana Masashi , Kawabata Kenji , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki
Published: November 2015

Enterocytes play an important role in drug absorption and metabolism. However, a widely used enterocyte model, Caco-2 cell, has difficulty in evaluating both drug absorption and metabolism because the expression levels of some drug absorption and metabolism-related genes in these cells differ largely from those of human enterocytes. Therefore, we decided to generate the enterocyte-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (hiPS-ELCs), which are applicable to drug absorption and metabolism studies. The efficiency of enterocyte differentiation from human iPS cells was significantly improved by using EGF, SB431542 and Wnt3A and extending the differentiation period. The gene expression levels of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and peptide transporter 1 in the hiPS-ELCs were higher than those in Caco-2 cells. In addition, CYP3A4 expression in the hiPS-ELCs was induced by treatment with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or rifampicin, which are known to induce CYP3A4 expression, indicating that the hiPS-ELCs have CYP3A4 induction potency. Moreover, the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of the hiPS-ELC monolayer was approximately 240 Ω*cm2, suggesting that the hiPS-ELC monolayer could form a barrier. In conclusion, we succeeded in establishing an enterocyte model from human iPS cells which have potential to be applied for drug absorption and metabolism studies.
The lung cancer breath signature: a comparative analysis of exhaled breath and air sampled from inside the lungs
Authors: Capuano Rosamaria , Santonico Marco , Pennazza Giorgio , Ghezzi Silvia , Martinelli Eugenio , Roscioni Claudio , Lucantoni Gabriele , Galluccio Giovanni , Paolesse Roberto , Di Natale Corrado , D’Amico Arnaldo
Published: November 2015

Results collected in more than 20 years of studies suggest a relationship between the volatile organic compounds exhaled in breath and lung cancer. However, the origin of these compounds is still not completely elucidated. In spite of the simplistic vision that cancerous tissues in lungs directly emit the volatile metabolites into the airways, some papers point out that metabolites are collected by the blood and then exchanged at the air-blood interface in the lung. To shed light on this subject we performed an experiment collecting both the breath and the air inside both the lungs with a modified bronchoscopic probe. The samples were measured with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and an electronic nose. We found that the diagnostic capability of the electronic nose does not depend on the presence of cancer in the sampled lung, reaching in both cases an above 90% correct classification rate between cancer and non-cancer samples. On the other hand, multivariate analysis of GC-MS achieved a correct classification rate between the two lungs of only 76%. GC-MS analysis of breath and air sampled from the lungs demonstrates a substantial preservation of the VOCs pattern from inside the lung to the exhaled breath.
Analysis of key genes of jasmonic acid mediated signal pathway for defense against insect damages by comparative transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Yang Fengshan , Zhang Yuliang , Huang Qixing , Yin Guohua , Pennerman Kayla K. , Yu Jiujiang , Liu Zhixin , Li Dafei , Guo Anping
Published: November 2015

Corn defense systems against insect herbivory involve activation of genes that lead to metabolic reconfigurations to produce toxic compounds, proteinase inhibitors, oxidative enzymes and behavior-modifying volatiles. Similar responses occur when the plant is exposed to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). To compare the defense responses between stalk borer feeding and exogenous MeJA on a transcriptional level, we employed deep transcriptome sequencing methods followingOstrinia furnacalisleaf feeding and MeJA leaf treatment. 39,636 genes were found to be differentially expressed withO. furnacalisfeeding, MeJA application andO. furnacalisfeeding and MeJA application. Following Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the up- or down- regulated genes, many were implicated in metabolic processes, stimuli-responsive catalytic activity and transfer activity. Fifteen genes that indicated significant changes in theO. furnacalisfeeding group:LOX1, ASN1, eIF3, DXS, AOS, TIM, LOX5, BBTI2, BBTI11, BBTI12, BBTI13, Cl-1B, TPS10, DOXandA20/AN1were found to almost all be involved in jasmonate defense signaling pathways. All of the data demonstrate that the jasmonate defense signal pathway is a major defense signaling pathways of Asian corn borer’s defense against insect herbivory. The transcriptome data are publically available at NCBI SRA: SRS965087.
Mechanosensitive TRPM7 mediates shear stress and modulates osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells through Osterix pathway
Authors: Liu Yi-Shiuan , Liu Yu-An , Huang Chin-Jing , Yen Meng-Hua , Tseng Chien-Tzu , Chien Shu , Lee Oscar K.
Published: November 2015

Microenvironments that modulate fate commitments of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are composed of chemical and physical cues, but the latter ones are much less investigated. Here we demonstrate that intermittent fluid shear stress (IFSS), a potent and physiologically relevant mechanical stimulus, regulates osteogenic differentiation of MSCs through Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7)-Osterix axis. Immunostaining showed the localization of TRPM7 near or at cell membrane upon IFSS and calcium imaging analysis demonstrated the transient increase of cytosolic free calcium. Expressions of osteogenic marker genes including Osterix, but not Runx2, were upregulated after three-hour IFSS. Phosphorylation of p38 and Smad1/5 was promoted by IFSS as well. TRPM7 gene knockdown abolished the promotion of bone-related gene expressions and phosphorylation. We illustrate that TRPM7 is mechanosensitive to shear force of 1.2 Pa, which is much lower than 98 Pa pressure loading reported recently and mediates distinct mechanotransduction pathways. Additionally, our results suggest the differential roles of TRPM7 in endochondral and intramembranous ossification. Together, this study elucidates the mechanotransduction in MSCs fate commitments and displays an efficient mechano-modulation for MSCs osteogenic differentiation. Such findings should be taken into consideration when designing relevant scaffolds and microfluidic devices for osteogenic induction in the future.
Improvement in Mouse iPSC Induction by Rab32 Reveals the Importance of Lipid Metabolism during Reprogramming
Authors: Pei Yangli , Yue Liang , Zhang Wei , Wang Yanliang , Wen Bingqiang , Zhong Liang , Xiang Jinzhu , Li Junhong , Zhang Shaopeng , Wang Hanning , Mu Haiyuan , Wei Qingqing , Han Jianyong
Published: November 2015

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have variable expression levels of a series of genes that affect their pluripotent potential, but the regulatory mechanisms controlling reprogramming remain unclear. By testing the efficiency of iPSC generation using Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 (termed OSK) plus one additional gene, we found that Rab32 improved reprogramming efficiency. We established a system for detecting the number and the size of lipid droplets and autophagosomes per cell for tracking their morphological changes during reprogramming. Our results showed that Rab32 increased lipid storage during the early and middle stages and also increased autophagy during the middle stage of reprogramming. These findings were further confirmed by the up-regulation of lipid biosynthesis and autophagosome formation related genes, of which their expression could improve iPSC induction. The inhibition of lipid biosynthesis and autophagosome formation significantly reduced reprogramming efficiency and the inhibition of lipid synthesis phenotype could be rescued by the overexpression of Rab32. In addition, the expression of pluripotency genes such as Klf2, Nr5a2 and Tbx3, was up-regulated by Rab32. These results demonstrated that Rab32 could improve the induction of iPSCs through the enhancement of lipid biosynthesis, highlighting the importance of lipid metabolism during reprogramming.
Effect of co-morbidities on the development of oral feeding ability in pre-term infants: a retrospective study
Authors: Giannì Maria Lorella , Sannino Patrizio , Bezze Elena , Plevani Laura , di Cugno Nathalie , Roggero Paola , Consonni Dario , Mosca Fabio
Published: November 2015

Pre-term infants frequently experience difficulties in attaining independent oral feeding, thus delaying the achievement of an adequate nutritional status and hospital discharge. The aim of this retrospective, single-centre, observational study was to investigate the effect of co-morbidities on the timing of the achievement of full oral feeding in pre-term infants. The neonatal and feeding data of 84 infants born at a gestational age of <32 weeks were collected and the effect of co-morbidities on the achievement of feeding independence was evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. The mean postmenstrual age at the time of the achievement of full oral feeding was 36.7 ± 3.68 weeks (range 33–53) weeks. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that a low birth weight, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the need for gastrointestinal surgical procedures were independently associated with a higher postmenstrual age at achievement of full oral feedings.
Vibrational Properties of h-BN and h-BN-Graphene Heterostructures Probed by Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy
Authors: Jung Suyong , Park Minkyu , Park Jaesung , Jeong Tae-Young , Kim Ho-Jong , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Ha Dong Han , Hwang Chanyong , Kim Yong-Sung
Published: November 2015

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy is a powerful technique for investigating lattice dynamics of nanoscale systems including graphene and small molecules, but establishing a stable tunnel junction is considered as a major hurdle in expanding the scope of tunneling experiments. Hexagonal boron nitride is a pivotal component in two-dimensional Van der Waals heterostructures as a high-quality insulating material due to its large energy gap and chemical-mechanical stability. Here we present planar graphene/h-BN-heterostructure tunneling devices utilizing thin h-BN as a tunneling insulator. With much improved h-BN-tunneling-junction stability, we are able to probe all possible phonon modes of h-BN and graphite/graphene at Γ and K high symmetry points by inelastic tunneling spectroscopy. Additionally, we observe that low-frequency out-of-plane vibrations of h-BN and graphene lattices are significantly modified at heterostructure interfaces. Equipped with an external back gate, we can also detect high-order coupling phenomena between phonons and plasmons, demonstrating that h-BN-based tunneling device is a wonderful playground for investigating electron-phonon couplings in low-dimensional systems.
Dual-polarity metamaterial circular polarizer based on giant extrinsic chirality
Authors: Shi J. H. , Shi Q. C. , Li Y. X. , Nie G. Y. , Guan C. Y. , Cui T. J.
Published: November 2015

Chirality is ubiquitous in nature. The associated optical activity has received much attention due to important applications in spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, crystallography and optics, however, artificial chiral optical materials are complex and difficult to fabricate, especially in the optical range. Here, we propose an ultrathin dual-polarity metamaterial circular polarizer by exploiting the mechanism of giant extrinsic chirality. The polarity of the circular polarizer with large suppression of linear anisotropy can be switched by changing the sign of incident angle. The microwave experiments and optical simulations demonstrate that the large angle of incidence facilitates the high-efficiency circular polarizer, which can be realized in the whole spectra from microwave to visible frequencies. The ultrathin single-layer metamaterials with extrinsic chirality will be a promising candidate for circular polarization devices.
Solvent-dependent dual-mode photochromism between T- and P-types in a dipyrrinone derivative
Authors: Sakata Yoko , Fukushima Satomi , Akine Shigehisa , Setsune Jun-ichiro
Published: November 2015

A dipyrrinone derivative exhibited solvent-dependent dual-mode photochromism between the thermally reversible T-type (in chloroform) and the thermally irreversible P-type (in methanol).
In situ iodination and X-ray crystal structure of a foldamer helix bundle
Authors: Collie Gavin William , Pulka-Ziach Karolina , Guichard Gilles
Published: November 2015

We report here the efficient in situ iodination of tyrosine-type side-chains located within a foldamer helix bundle, permitting structure determination using single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) methods.
Topologically diverse shape-persistent bis-(Zn–salphen) catalysts: efficient cyclic carbonate formation under mild conditions
Authors: He Shixiong , Wang Fuli , Tong Wah-Leung , Yiu Shek-Man , Chan Michael C. W.
Published: November 2015

High initial molecular turnover frequencies (up to 14 800 h−1) for coupling of CO2 with epoxides in conjunction with nBu4NI, and excellent yields under mild conditions (1 bar pCO2, 45 °C) have been achieved for rigidly-linked bimetallic catalysts featuring cofacial Zn–salphen units.
Axis symmetry of silicon molten zone interface shape under a mirror-shifting-type infrared convergent-heating floating-zone method
Authors: Hossain Md. Mukter , Watauchi Satoshi , Nagao Masanori , Tanaka Isao
Published: November 2015

Axis symmetry of the silicon molten zone shape, which is dependent on the position of the mirror-lamp (M-L) system, is related to the shape of the grown crystal.
Photodissociation of medium-sized argon cluster cations in the visible region
Authors: Stachoň Martin , Vítek Aleš , Kalus René
Published: November 2015

Semiclassical methods for non-adiabatic dynamics simulations, based on a semiempirical diatomics-in-molecules model of intracluster interactions and the mean-field dynamical approach with the inclusion of quantum decoherence, have been used to study the photodissociation of argon cluster cations, ArN+ (N = 6–19), at Ephot = 2.35 eV.
The effect of cations on NO2 production from the photolysis of aqueous thin water films of nitrate salts
Authors: Richards-Henderson Nicole K. , Anderson Crisand , Anastasio Cort , Finlayson-Pitts Barbara J.
Published: November 2015

Cations are shown to enhance nitrate photochemistry by changing the concentrations of nitrate ions in the interface region.
Inquiry of the electron density transfers in chemical reactions: a complete reaction path for the denitrogenation process of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene derivatives
Authors: Safont Vicent S. , González-Navarrete Patricio , Oliva Mónica , Andrés Juan
Published: November 2015

Unprecedented insight into the mapping of the electrons making/breaking the bonds in the DBH and DBOH denitrogenation processes.
A zero dimensional model of lithium–sulfur batteries during charge and discharge
Authors: Marinescu Monica , Zhang Teng , Offer Gregory J.
Published: November 2015

The model predicts that the precipitation rate determines the low plateau voltage and the dissolution rate limits the charging rate.
New insights into UTSA-16
Authors: Masala Alessio , Vitillo Jenny G. , Bonino Francesca , Manzoli Maela , Grande Carlos A. , Bordiga Silvia
Published: November 2015

High CO2 volumetric capacity of UTSA-16 is exclusively driven by the formation of direct adducts between CO2 and K+ sites.
Adsorption of O2 on anionic silver clusters: spins and electron binding energies dominate in the range up to nano sizes
Authors: Ma Jun , Cao Xizi , Xing Xiaopeng , Wang Xuefeng , Parks Joel H.
Published: November 2015

Exploring the reactivity of metal clusters is an important task in cluster science, while only a few previous studies involve the reactions of nano-sized ones.
Kinetic resolution of phosphoric diester by Cinchona alkaloid derivatives provided with a guanidinium unit
Authors: Salvio Riccardo , Moliterno Mauro , Caramelli Dario , Pisciottani Luca , Antenucci Achille , D'Amico Melania , Bella Marco
Published: November 2015

Cinchona alkaloid derivatives featuring a guanidinium group in diverse positions efficiently catalyze the cleavage of the RNA model compound 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP).
Photodeposition as a facile route to tunable Pt photocatalysts for hydrogen production: on the role of methanol
Authors: Jiang Zhi , Zhang ZheYu , Shangguan Wenfeng , Isaacs Mark A. , Durndell Lee J. , Parlett Christopher M. A. , Lee Adam F.
Published: November 2015

Pt photodeposition over titania in the presence of high methanol concentrations promotes the genesis of highly dispersed, metallic nanoparticles, active for photocatalytic hydrogen production.
Effects of tetrahedral molybdenum oxide species and MoOx domains on the selective oxidation of dimethyl ether under mild conditions
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhou , Zhang Qingde , Jia Lingyu , Wang Wenfeng , Zhang Tao , Han Yizhuo , Tsubaki Noritatsu , Tan Yisheng
Published: November 2015

A new preparation method for MoO3–SnO2 catalysts precipitated by HNO3 was developed to selectively synthesize industrially useful chemicals formaldehyde and methyl formate via oxidation of dimethyl ether.
Chemocatalytic hydrolysis of cellulose at 37 °C, 1 atm
Authors: Amarasekara Ananda S. , Wiredu Bernard
Published: November 2015

The metal salt – Brønsted acidic ionic liquid system composed of ZnCl2·1.74H2O-1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride can directly hydrolyze untreated cellulose in 78% total reducing sugar and 19% glucose yield at 37 °C, 1 atm in 4.0 days.
Geometrically confined favourable ion packing for high gravimetric capacitance in carbon–ionic liquid supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Xuehang , Zhou Haitao , Sheridan Edel , Walmsley John Charles , Ren Dingding , Chen De
Published: November 2015

The specific energy of carbon–ionic liquid supercapacitors comparable to NiMH batteries has been achieved by a combined modeling and experimental approach.
Microbial fuel cells with an integrated spacer and separate anode and cathode modules
Authors: He Weihua , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Liu Jia , Zhu Xiuping , Feng Yujie , Logan Bruce E.
Published: November 2015

Using wire spacers enabled in a reactor design that produced high power densities and maintained a stable structure under hydraulic pressure. The separation of the anodes and cathodes into separate modules provides a scalable MFC design with good accessibility for electrode construction, operation and maintenance.
Pyrolysis reaction networks for lignin model compounds: unraveling thermal deconstruction of β-O-4 and α-O-4 compounds
Authors: Choi Yong S. , Singh Rahul , Zhang Jing , Balasubramanian Ganesh , Sturgeon Matthew R. , Katahira Rui , Chupka Gina , Beckham Gregg T. , Shanks Brent H.
Published: November 2015

Although lignin is one of the main components of biomass, its pyrolysis chemistry is not well understood due to complex heterogeneity.
Scavenging of superoxide anions by lecithinized superoxide dismutase in HL-60 cells
Authors: Ishihara Tsutomu , Shibui Misaki , Hoshi Takaya , Mizushima Tohru
Published: November 2015

Superoxide dismutase covalently bound to four lecithin molecules (PC-SOD) on plasma membrane has been found to have beneficial therapeutic effects.
Selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterases: therapeutic promise for neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Umar Tarana , Hoda Nasimul
Published: November 2015

PDE inhibitors: significant contributors to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Copper binding to naturally occurring, lactam form of angiogenin differs from that to recombinant protein, affecting their activity
Authors: La Mendola D. , Arnesano F. , Hansson Ö. , Giacomelli C. , Calò V. , Mangini V. , Magrì A. , Bellia F. , Trincavelli M. L. , Martini C. , Natile G. , Rizzarelli E.
Published: November 2015

RNase catalytic site His-114 is the Cu2+ anchoring site in effective angiogenin protein, whereas in recombinant form is the amino terminus.
Photoinduced electron transfer from the oxo–MoIVselenolato complex to oxygen
Authors: Mitra Joyee , Sarkar Sabyasachi
Published: November 2015

Electron transfer from the oxo–MoIV(selenolato) complex under visible light generates superoxide radicals concomitant to the oxidation of MoIVto MoV.
Charging C60 islands with the AFM tip
Authors: Hoff Brice , Henry Claude R. , Barth Clemens
Published: November 2015

We show that noncontact AFM (nc-AFM) and electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) can be used to transfer electrons on demand from the AFM tip into single bulk-like C60 islands, which are supported on the insulating NaCl(001) surface. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) helps to characterize the charge in C60 islands and their interaction with the NaCl support.
Size-controlled large-diameter and few-walled carbon nanotube catalysts for oxygen reduction
Authors: Wang Xianliang , Li Qing , Pan Hengyu , Lin Ye , Ke Yujie , Sheng Haiyang , Swihart Mark T. , Wu Gang
Published: November 2015

A new type of large carbon nanotubes with tunable size was developed for nonprecious metal electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction.
A co-sol-emulsion-gel synthesis of tunable and uniform hollow carbon nanospheres with interconnected mesoporous shells
Authors: Hou Jianhua , Cao Tai , Idrees Faryal , Cao Chuanbao
Published: November 2015

Monodispersed tunable nanoscale hollow carbon spheres with an open interconnected mesoporous shell have been synthesized by a co-sol-emulsion-gel method.
A transparent projection screen based on plasmonic Ag nanocubes
Authors: Saito Koichiro , Tatsuma Tetsu
Published: November 2015

A TiO2 film with a Ag nanocube sub-monolayer as a transparent and colourless screen allows projection of full colour images.
Facile preparation of uniform FeSe2 nanoparticles for PA/MR dual-modal imaging and photothermal cancer therapy
Authors: Fu Tingting , Chen Yuyan , Hao Jiali , Wang Xiaoyong , Liu Gang , Li Yonggang , Liu Zhuang , Cheng Liang
Published: November 2015

For the first time, we demonstrated that FeSe2 nanoparticles may have great potential as a safe, multi-functional theranostic agent for imaging guided photothermal treatment of cancer.
Cobalt sulfide/N,S codoped porous carbon core–shell nanocomposites as superior bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions
Authors: Chen Binling , Li Rong , Ma Guiping , Gou Xinglong , Zhu Yanqiu , Xia Yongde
Published: November 2015

Core–shell cobalt sulphide/N,S-codoped porous carbon nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities in both ORR and OER with superior durability.
Synthesis of two distinct pyrrole moiety-containing arenes from nitroanilines using Paal–Knorr followed by an indium-mediated reaction
Authors: Kim Byeong Hyo , Bae Seolhee , Go Ahra , Lee Hyunseung , Gong Cheoloh , Lee Byung Min
Published: November 2015

Synthesis of arenes substituted with two different substituted-pyrrole moieties was investigated.
(PAA-g-PS)-co-PPEGMEMA asymmetric polymer brushes: synthesis, self-assembly, and encapsulating capacity for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents
Authors: Xu Binbin , Gu Guangxin , Feng Chun , Jiang Xue , Hu Jianhua , Lu Guolin , Zhang Sen , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2015

(PAA-g-PS)-co-PPEGMEMA asymmetric polymer brushes formed large compound micelles in aqueous media for encapsulating both hydrophobic pyrene and hydrophilic Rhodamine 6G.
Polyviologen synthesis by self-assembly assisted grafting
Authors: Wang Nianxing , Kähkönen Anniina , Ääritalo Timo , Damlin Pia , Kankare Jouko , Kvarnström Carita
Published: November 2015

In this work a new linker molecule with isothiocyanate and cyanopyridine groups (SCNCP) has been synthesized and the electrochemical synthesis of a polyviologen derivative using a linear cyanopyridine monomer (LCP) to this SCNCP was studied.
Silver-reinforced cellulose hybrids with enhanced antibacterial activity: synthesis, characterization, and mechanism
Authors: Dong Yan-Yan , Fu Lian-Hua , Liu Shan , Ma Ming-Guo , Wang Bo
Published: November 2015

In this article, silver particle filled cellulose hybrids were successfully synthesized using a microcrystalline cellulose solution, AgNO3, and AlCl3·6H2O using a hydrothermal method.
[18F]FPBMP: – a potential new positron emission tomography radioligand for imaging of translocator protein (18 kDa) in peripheral organs of rats
Authors: Tiwari Anjani K. , Yui Joji , Zhang Yiding , Fujinaga Masayuki , Yamasaki Tomoteru , Xie Lin , Shimoda Yoko , Kumata Katsushi , Hatori Akiko , Zhang Ming-Rong
Published: November 2015

The five transmembrane translocator protein (18 kDa, TSPO) is abundantly expressed in the mitochondria of activated microglia (brain) and peripheral tissues, including those of the heart, lung and kidney.
A cylindrical magnetically-actuated drug delivery device proposed for minimally invasive treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Zachkani P. , Jackson J. K. , Pirmoradi F. N. , Chiao M.
Published: November 2015

A cylindrical magnetically-actuated MEMS drug delivery device, implanted through a needle for localized prostate cancer treatment is proposed.
Direct imaging of changes in aerosol particle viscosity upon hydration and chemical aging
Authors: Hosny N. A. , Fitzgerald C. , Vyšniauskas A. , Athanasiadis A. , Berkemeier T. , Uygur N. , Pöschl U. , Shiraiwa M. , Kalberer M. , Pope F. D. , Kuimova M. K.
Published: November 2015

We report quantitative, real-time, online observations of microscopic viscosity changes in aerosol particles of atmospherically relevant composition, using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of viscosity.
Quantitative prediction of photoluminescence quantum yields of phosphors from first principles
Authors: Escudero D.
Published: November 2015

The first quantitative prediction of the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) of a series of blue-to-green Ir(iii) complexes is presented.
Quasi-type II CuInS2/CdS core/shell quantum dots
Authors: Wu Kaifeng , Liang Guijie , Kong Degui , Chen Jinquan , Chen Zheyuan , Shan Xinhe , McBride James R. , Lian Tianquan
Published: November 2015

Both single and multiple exciton lifetimes are significantly extended in quasi-type II CuInS2/CdS core/shell QDs.
Ultra-large optical modulation of electrochromic porous WO3film and the local monitoring of redox activity
Authors: Cai Guofa , Cui Mengqi , Kumar Vipin , Darmawan Peter , Wang Jiangxin , Wang Xu , Lee-Sie Eh Alice , Qian Kai , Lee Pooi See
Published: November 2015

Porous WO3films with ultra-high transmittance modulation were successfully fabricated on different substrates by a novel electrochemical deposited method.
Layered/spinel heterostructured Li-rich materials synthesized by a one-step solvothermal strategy with enhanced electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Deng Ya-Ping , Fu Fang , Wu Zhen-Guo , Yin Zu-Wei , Zhang Tao , Li Jun-Tao , Huang Ling , Sun Shi-Gang
Published: November 2015

Li-rich materials, Li1.140Mn0.622Ni0.114Co0.124O2, of a layered/spinel heterostructure were synthesized by a one-step solvothermal route with subsequent moderate heat treatment.
Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) as a desirable [Bi2O2]2+layered photocatalyst: strong intrinsic polarity, rational band structure and {001} active facets co-beneficial for robust photooxidation capability
Authors: Huang Hongwei , He Ying , Li Xiaowei , Li Min , Zeng Chao , Dong Fan , Du Xin , Zhang Tierui , Zhang Yihe
Published: November 2015

Non-centrosymmetric polar Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) with a rational band structure and {001} active exposing facets is developed as a robust layered photocatalyst for photooxidative diverse industrial contaminants and pharmaceuticals.
Highly efficient Gab2 siRNA delivery to ovarian cancer cells mediated by chitosan–polyethyleneimine nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Weimin , Wang Jingshuai , Wang Jianjun , Tong Xiaowen , Hu Qiaoling , Qi Lifeng
Published: November 2015

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a serious complication which causes high death rate and low quality of life (QOL) for patients diagnosed at an advanced stage of ovarian cancer.
Lipid-bilayer coated nanosized bimodal mesoporous carbon spheres for controlled release applications
Authors: Mandlmeier Benjamin , Niedermayer Stefan , Schmidt Alexandra , Schuster Jörg , Bein Thomas
Published: November 2015

We report the facile synthesis of mesoporous nanosized carbon spheres (MCS) featuring a very high porosity. The MCS are subsequently sealed with an active and biocompatible lipid bilayer making the SLB@MCS suitable for release-on-demand applications.
The balance between IL-17 and IL-22 produced by liver-infiltrating T-helper cells critically controls NASH development in mice
Authors: Rolla Simona , Alchera Elisa , Imarisio Chiara , Bardina Valentina , Valente Guido , Cappello Paola , Mombello Cristina , Follenzi Antonia , Novelli Francesco , Carini Rita
Published: November 2015

The mechanisms responsible for the evolution of steatosis towards NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and fibrosis are not completely defined. In the present study we evaluated the role of CD4+ T-helper (Th) cells in this process. We analysed the infiltration of different subsets of CD4+ Th cells in C57BL/6 mice fed on a MCD (methionine choline-deficient) diet, which is a model reproducing all phases of human NASH progression. There was an increase in Th17 cells at the beginning of NASH development and at the NASH–fibrosis transition, whereas levels of Th22 cells peaked between the first and the second expansion of Th17 cells. An increase in the production of IL (interleukin)-6, TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and CCL20 (CC chemokine ligand 20) accompanied the changes in Th17/Th22 cells. Livers of IL-17−/− mice were protected from NASH development and characterized by an extensive infiltration of Th22 cells. In vitro, IL-17 exacerbated the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)-dependent mouse hepatocyte lipotoxicity induced by palmitate. IL-22 prevented lipotoxicity through PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-mediated inhibition of JNK, but did not play a protective role in the presence of IL-17, which up-regulated the PI3K/Akt inhibitor PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10). Consistently, livers of IL-17−/− mice fed on the MCD diet displayed decreased activation of JNK, reduced expression of PTEN and increased phosphorylation of Akt compared with livers of wild-type mice. Hepatic infiltration of Th17 cells is critical for NASH initiation and development of fibrosis in mice, and reflects an infiltration of Th22 cells. Th22 cells are protective in NASH, but only in the absence of IL-17. These data strongly support the potentiality of clinical applications of IL-17 inhibitors that can prevent NASH by both abolishing the lipotoxic action of IL-17 and allowing IL-22-mediated protection.
Improved adaptive routing for networks‐on‐chip
Authors: Kumar M. , Gaur M.S. , Laxmi V. , Daneshtalab M. , Zwolinski M. , Ko S.
Published: November 2015

The degree of adaptiveness has a major impact on the performance of an adaptive routing method. An improved turn model‐based routing method that provides a high degree of adaptiveness for a 2D mesh is presented. The proposed method reduces restrictions on the routing turns significantly and hence can provide path diversity using additional routes (both minimal and non‐minimal). Experimental results show that the proposed method provides better performance (average latency and throughput) compared with recent routing methods.
Geometric range‐free distance estimation using reference anchor in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Woo Hyunjae , Lee Chaewoo
Published: November 2015

A geometric distance estimation algorithm based on the reference anchor is proposed. Geometric distance estimation is widely used to estimate the distance to the remote anchor. The geometric distance estimation accuracy is considerably affected by the reliability of the sides of the geometry formed by the unknown node, the reference anchor, and the remote anchor. A new reference anchor selection method to improve the reliability of the sides of the geometry is introduced, and a novel geometric distance estimation algorithm based on the reference anchor is proposed.
Complex interaction of passive multiport structures and their description by separate discrete models
Authors: Ohlrogge M. , Tessmann A. , Leuther A. , Schlechtweg M. , Ambacher O.
Published: November 2015

It is demonstrated, using the example of a T‐junction, that not every multiport structure can be accurately described by a discrete and separated modelling approach at millimetre and sub‐millimetre wavelengths. It is shown that especially stub‐networks, which are typically used in RF‐matching networks, are affected. In this case, the discrete modelling approach predicts a different resonance frequency than the S‐parameter measurement as well as the 3D electromagnetic field simulation (3D‐EMFS) of the whole structure. However, these resonances are of particular importance for the design of a RF matching network and should be predicted by the model as precisely as possible. Therefore, the reason for the mismatch by accurate 3D‐EMFS is investigated and a possible solution on how to model the so‐called complex interactions in passive multiport structures at millimetre and sub‐millimetre wavelengths is provided.
Nanoscale CMOS battery cells for gate level on‐chip security designs
Authors: Muresan R. , Mayhew M.
Published: November 2015

An efficient power analysis attack countermeasure at the transistor gate level using novel nanoscale CMOS battery cells in a decoupling‐based technique is presented. The proposed CMOS battery cells are used as decoupling elements between the gates implementing a sensitive operation inside a cryptographic module and the power supply rail of the integrated circuit. As a result, the battery cells form an intermediate on‐chip power storage element, providing a masked power supply point for gates that are on a critical security path. The circuitry of the battery cells and the gates are designed using 65 nm TSMC CMOS technology. A test system was simulated with an 8 bit XOR serving as a target operation for a correlation power analysis attack. A total of 16 battery cells, two per gate for complementary cycles, were created with 1.74 µm2 P‐type MOS transistors serving as energy storage devices. Results showed that the test system offered protection at 10 000 traces.
Discrete sliding norm transform‐based 50% PAPR reduction in asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM systems for optical wireless communications
Authors: Abed D. , Medjouri A.
Published: November 2015

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems have inferior nonlinear performance due to their high peak to average power ratio (PAPR) characteristics, which degrades the performance in optical wireless communication systems. A modified asymmetrically clipped optical (ACO)‐OFDM system with low PAPR by introducing a discrete sliding norm transform (DSNT) as low‐complexity post‐inverse discrete Fourier transform processing is proposed. Numerical results show that the proposed DSNT‐ACO‐OFDM achieves about 50% PAPR reduction, while maintaining a competitive bit error rate performance compared with the conventional schemes.
Identity recognition based on generalised linear regression classification for multi‐component images
Authors: Chou Yang‐Ting , Yang Jar‐Ferr
Published: November 2015

In real‐world recognition applications, several poor situations such as varying environment, limited image information, and irregular status would lead performance degradation in recognition. To overcome the unexpected effects, the authors propose a generalised linear regression classification (GLRC) to fully use all the information of multiple components of input images. The proposed GLRC achieves the global adaptive weighted optimisation for linear regression classification (LCR), which can automatically use the distinction components for recognition. For colour identify recognition, the authors also suggest several similarity measures for the proposed GLRC to be tested in different colour spaces. Experiments are conducted on two object datasets and two face databases including Columbia Object Image Library‐100, SOIL‐47, SDUMLA‐HMT and FEI. For performance comparisons, the proposed GLRC approach is compared with the contemporary popular methods including colour principal component analysis, colour linear discriminant analysis, colour canonical correlation analysis, LRC, robust LRC (RLRC), sparse representation classification (SRC), colour LRC, colour RLRC, and colour SRC. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed GLRC method achieves the best performance in multi‐component identity recognition.
Epitaxial growth of graphene thin film by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Wang Jin , Xiong Zhengwei , Yu Jian , Yin Hongbu , Wang Xuemin , Peng Liping , Wang Yuying , Wang Xinmin , Jiang Tao , Cao Linhong , Wu Weidong , Wang Chuanbin , Zhang Lianmeng
Published: November 2015

Epitaxial graphene films have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that the carbon binding energy is 284.7 eV, corresponding to sp2‐C. Raman spectroscopy indicates that there exists 2D and D peaks and thus graphene structures have been formed. Meanwhile, according to high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis, suitable depositing temperature for graphene films is found to be 873 K and the single oriented crystal domains of graphene are observed only with the condition of 100 pulses laser.
Label-free isolation of a prostate cancer cell among blood cells and the single-cell measurement of drug accumulation using an integrated microfluidic chip
Authors: Khamenehfar A. , Beischlag T. V. , Russell P. J. , Ling M. T. P. , Nelson C. , Li P. C. H.
Published: November 2015

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are found in the blood of patients with cancer. Although these cells are rare, they can provide useful information for chemotherapy. However, isolation of these rare cells from blood is technically challenging because they are small in numbers. An integrated microfluidic chip, dubbed CTC chip, was designed and fabricated for conducting tumor cell isolation. As CTCs usually show multidrug resistance (MDR), the effect of MDR inhibitors on chemotherapeutic drug accumulation in the isolated single tumor cell is measured. As a model of CTC isolation, human prostate cancer cells were mixed with mouse blood cells and the label-free isolation of the tumor cells was conducted based on cell size difference. The major advantages of the CTC chip are the ability for fast cell isolation, followed by multiple rounds of single-cell measurements, suggesting a potential assay for detecting the drug responses based on the liquid biopsy of cancer patients.
Nucleophilic substitution with two reactive centers: The CN− + CH3I case
Authors: Carrascosa E. , Bawart M. , Stei M. , Linden F. , Carelli F. , Meyer J. , Geppert W. D. , Gianturco F. A. , Wester R.
Published: November 2015

The nucleophilic substitution reaction CN− + CH3I allows for two possible reactive approaches of the reactant ion onto the methyl halide, which lead to two different product isomers. Stationary point calculations predict a similar shape of the potential and a dominant collinear approach for both attacks. In addition, an H-bonded pre-reaction complex is identified as a possible intermediate structure. Submerged potential energy barriers hint at a statistical formation process of both CNCH3 and NCCH3 isomers at the experimental collision energies. Experimental angle- and energy differential cross sections show dominant direct rebound dynamics and high internal excitation of the neutral product. No distinct bimodal distributions can be extracted from the velocity images, which impedes the indication of a specific preference towards any of the product isomers. A forward scattering simulation based on the experimental parameters describes accurately the experimental outcome and shows how the possibility to discriminate between the two isomers is mainly hindered by the large product internal excitation.
On the convex structure of process positive operator valued measures
Authors: Jenčová Anna
Published: November 2015

Measurements on quantum channels are described by so-called process positive operator valued measures, or process POVMs. We study implementing schemes of extremal process POVMs. As it turns out, the corresponding measurement must satisfy certain extremality property, which is stronger than the usual extremality given by the convex structure. This property motivates the introduction and investigation of the A-convex structure of POVMs, which generalizes both the usual convex and C*-convex structures. We show that extremal points and faces of the set of process POVMs are closely related to A-extremal points and A-faces of POVMs, for a certain subalgebra A. We also give a characterization of A-extremal and A-pure POVMs.
Validity of the Néel-Arrhenius model for highly anisotropic CoxFe3−xO4 nanoparticles
Authors: Torres T. E. , Lima E. , Mayoral A. , Ibarra A. , Marquina C. , Ibarra M. R. , Goya G. F.
Published: November 2015

We report a systematic study on the structural and magnetic properties of CoxFe3−xO4 magnetic nanoparticles with sizes between 5 and 25 nm, prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3 and Co(acac)2. The large magneto-crystalline anisotropy of the synthesized particles resulted in high blocking temperatures (42 K < TB < 345 K for 5 < d < 13 nm) and large coercive fields (HC ≈ 1600 kA/m for T = 5 K). The smallest particles (⟨d⟩=5 nm) revealed the existence of a magnetically hard, spin-disordered surface. The thermal dependence of static and dynamic magnetic properties of the whole series of samples could be explained within the Neel–Arrhenius relaxation framework by including the thermal dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K1(T), without the need of ad-hoc corrections. This approach, using the empirical Brükhatov-Kirensky relation, provided K1(0) values very similar to the bulk material from either static or dynamic magnetic measurements, as well as realistic values for the response times (τ0 ≈ 10−10s). Deviations from the bulk anisotropy values found for the smallest particles could be qualitatively explained based on Zener's relation between K1(T) and M(T).
Counterintuitive electron localisation from density-functional theory with polarisable solvent models
Authors: Dale Stephen G. , Johnson Erin R.
Published: November 2015

Exploration of the solvated electron phenomena using density-functional theory (DFT) generally results in prediction of a localised electron within an induced solvent cavity. However, it is well known that DFT favours highly delocalised charges, rendering the localisation of a solvated electron unexpected. We explore the origins of this counterintuitive behaviour using a model Kevan-structure system. When a polarisable-continuum solvent model is included, it forces electron localisation by introducing a strong energetic bias that favours integer charges. This results in the formation of a large energetic barrier for charge-hopping and can cause the self-consistent field to become trapped in local minima thus converging to stable solutions that are higher in energy than the ground electronic state. Finally, since the bias towards integer charges is caused by the polarisable continuum, these findings will also apply to other classical polarisation corrections, as in combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods. The implications for systems beyond the solvated electron, including cationic DNA bases, are discussed.
Dielectric properties of glassy disaccharides for electromagnetic interference shielding application
Authors: Wlodarczyk P. , Hawelek L. , Paluch M. , Wlodarczyk A. , Wojnarowska Z. , Kolano-Burian A.
Published: November 2015

Three amorphous disaccharides (sucrose, trehalose, and lactulose) and their mixtures were studied in order to evaluate their ability to absorb a high frequency (>1 MHz) electromagnetic wave. The materials were characterized by a dielectric loss tangent. It was found out that the highest tan(δ) value is observed in pure amorphous sucrose (tan(δ) = 0.17 at f = 1 MHz at T = 293 K). Moreover, the best Tg/tan(δ) ratio is observed in binary mixtures of sucrose and trehalose. A high glass transition temperature is advantageous as it increases operational temperatures of the material. The high tangent delta in microwave frequencies of sugars is connected with the mobility of sugar groups (possibly –CH2OH). The energy of the electromagnetic wave is converted into rotational movements of side groups and in consequence it is dissipated in the form of heat. It was proven that the polar low molecular glasses such as sugars may form dielectric components of composite microwave absorbers.