bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apparent Power Law Scaling of Variable Range Hopping Conduction in Carbonized Polymer Nanofibers
Authors: Kim Kyung Ho , Lara-Avila Samuel , Kang Hojin , He Hans , Eklӧf Johnas , Hong Sung Ju , Park Min , Moth-Poulsen Kasper , Matsushita Satoshi , Akagi Kazuo , Kubatkin Sergey , Park Yung Woo
Published: November 2016

We induce dramatic changes in the structure of conducting polymer nanofibers by carbonization at 800 °C and compare charge transport properties between carbonized and pristine nanofibers. Despite the profound structural differences, both types of systems display power law dependence of current with voltage and temperature, and all measurements can be scaled into a single universal curve. We analyze our experimental data in the framework of variable range hopping and argue that this mechanism can explain transport properties of pristine polymer nanofibers as well.
Anatomical recovery of the spinal glutamatergic system following a complete spinal cord injury in lampreys
Authors: Fernández-López Blanca , Barreiro-Iglesias Antón , Rodicio María Celina
Published: November 2016

Lampreys recover locomotion following a spinal cord injury (SCI). Glutamate is necessary to initiate and control locomotion and recent data suggest a crucial role for intraspinal neurons in functional recovery following SCI. We aimed to determine whether, in lampreys, axotomized spinal glutamatergic neurons, which lose glutamate immunoreactivity immediately after SCI, recover it later on and to study the long-term evolution and anatomical recovery of the spinal glutamatergic system after SCI. We used glutamate immunoreactivity to study changes in the glutamatergic system, tract-tracing to label axotomized neurons and TUNEL labelling to study cell death. Transections of the cord were made at the level of the fifth gill. TUNEL experiments indicated that cell death is a minor contributor to the initial loss of glutamate immunoreactivity. At least some of the axotomized neurons lose glutamate immunoreactivity, survive and recover glutamate immunoreactivity 1 week post-lesion (wpl). We observed a progressive increase in the number of glutamatergic neurons/processes until an almost complete anatomical recovery at 10 wpl. Among all the glutamatergic populations, the population of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting cells is the only one that never recovers. Our results indicate that full recovery of the glutamatergic system is not necessary for the restoration of function in lampreys.
Atomic Resolution Interfacial Structure of Lead-free Ferroelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Thin films Deposited on SrTiO3
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Lingyan , Wang Zhao , Yang Yaodong , Ren Wei , Yang Guang
Published: November 2016

Oxide interface engineering has attracted considerable attention since the discovery of its exotic properties induced by lattice strain, dislocation and composition change at the interface. In this paper, the atomic resolution structure and composition of the interface between the lead-free piezoelectric (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) thin films and single-crystalline SrTiO3 substrate were investigated by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combining with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). A sharp epitaxial interface was observed to be a monolayer composed of Nb and Ti cations with a ratio of 3/1. The First-Principles Calculations indicated the interface monolayer showed different electronic structure and played the vital role in the asymmetric charge distribution of KNN thin films near the interface. We also observed the gradual relaxation process for the relatively large lattice strains near the KNN/STO interface, which remarks a good structure modulation behavior of KNN thin films via strain engineering.
An evolutionary conserved interaction between the Gcm transcription factor and the SF1 nuclear receptor in the female reproductive system
Authors: Cattenoz Pierre B. , Delaporte Claude , Bazzi Wael , Giangrande Angela
Published: November 2016

NR5A1 is essential for the development and for the function of steroid producing glands of the reproductive system. Moreover, its misregulation is associated with endometriosis, which is the first cause of infertility in women. Hr39, the Drosophila ortholog of NR5A1, is expressed and required in the secretory cells of the spermatheca, the female exocrine gland that ensures fertility by secreting substances that attract and capacitate the spermatozoids. We here identify a direct regulator of Hr39 in the spermatheca: the Gcm transcription factor. Furthermore, lack of Gcm prevents the production of the secretory cells and leads to female sterility in Drosophila. Hr39 regulation by Gcm seems conserved in mammals and involves the modification of the DNA methylation profile of mNr5a1. This study identifies a new molecular pathway in female reproductive system development and suggests a role for hGCM in the progression of reproductive tract diseases in humans.
Improving landscape inference by integrating heterogeneous data in the inverse Ising problem
Authors: Barrat-Charlaix Pierre , Figliuzzi Matteo , Weigt Martin
Published: November 2016

The inverse Ising problem and its generalizations to Potts and continuous spin models have recently attracted much attention thanks to their successful applications in the statistical modeling of biological data. In the standard setting, the parameters of an Ising model (couplings and fields) are inferred using a sample of equilibrium configurations drawn from the Boltzmann distribution. However, in the context of biological applications, quantitative information for a limited number of microscopic spins configurations has recently become available. In this paper, we extend the usual setting of the inverse Ising model by developing an integrative approach combining the equilibrium sample with (possibly noisy) measurements of the energy performed for a number of arbitrary configurations. Using simulated data, we show that our integrative approach outperforms standard inference based only on the equilibrium sample or the energy measurements, including error correction of noisy energy measurements. As a biological proof-of-concept application, we show that mutational fitness landscapes in proteins can be better described when combining evolutionary sequence data with complementary structural information about mutant sequences.
Nicotinic and opioid receptor regulation of striatal dopamine D2-receptor mediated transmission
Authors: Mamaligas Aphroditi A. , Cai Yuan , Ford Christopher P.
Published: November 2016

In addition to dopamine neuron firing, cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) regulate dopamine release in the striatum via presynaptic nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) on dopamine axon terminals. Synchronous activity of ChIs is necessary to evoke dopamine release through this pathway. The frequency-dependence of disynaptic nicotinic modulation has led to the hypothesis that nAChRs act as a high-pass filter in the dopaminergic microcircuit. Here, we used optogenetics to selectively stimulate either ChIs or dopamine terminals directly in the striatum. To measure the functional consequence of dopamine release, D2-receptor synaptic activity was assessed via virally overexpressed potassium channels (GIRK2) in medium spiny neurons (MSNs). We found that nicotinic-mediated dopamine release was blunted at higher frequencies because nAChRs exhibit prolonged desensitization after a single pulse of synchronous ChI activity. However, when dopamine neurons alone were stimulated, nAChRs had no effect at any frequency. We further assessed how opioid receptors modulate these two mechanisms of release. Bath application of the κ opioid receptor agonist U69593 decreased D2-receptor activation through both pathways, whereas the μ opioid receptor agonist DAMGO decreased D2-receptor activity only as a result of cholinergic-mediated dopamine release. Thus the release of dopamine can be independently modulated when driven by either dopamine neurons or cholinergic interneurons.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion have Different Effects on Fatigue by Regulating the Autonomic Nervous System: A Pilot Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Shu Qing , Wang Hua , Litscher Daniela , Wu Song , Chen Li , Gaischek Ingrid , Wang Lu , He Wenjuan , Zhou Huanjiao , Litscher Gerhard , Liang Fengxia
Published: November 2016

In order to investigate the different effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and alterations in the autonomic nervous system by measuring heart rate variability (HRV). Forty-five participants were recruited and randomly divided into 3 groups using a randomization schedule. The control group (CG, n = 15) and the acupuncture group (AG, n = 15) were treated by manipulation acupuncture, and the moxibustion group (MG, n = 15) was treated by indirect moxibustion. Primary outcomes were the scores of the Fatigue Assessment Instrument (FAI). Secondary outcomes were the HRV parameters which can reflect activity of the autonomic nervous system. This trial considered both instantaneous changes and long-term effectiveness. FAI scores decreased after the 4th and 10th treatments in the 3 groups. The decrease in FAI in the MG was greater than that in the AG. Acupuncture was more effective in instantaneous changes of HRV and moxibustion in long-term aspects. Both acupuncture and moxibustion improved fatigue in CFS patients, but moxibustion was more effective. The possible mechanism of the intervention may be through activation of the vagus nerve. Moxibustion was more effective than acupuncture in long-term treatment of CFS.
Coastal leatherback turtles reveal conservation hotspot
Authors: Robinson Nathan J. , Morreale Stephen J. , Nel Ronel , Paladino Frank V.
Published: November 2016

Previous studies have shown that the world’s largest reptile – the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea – conducts flexible foraging migrations that can cover thousands of kilometres between nesting sites and distant foraging areas. The vast distances that may be travelled by migrating leatherback turtles have greatly complicated conservation efforts for this species worldwide. However, we demonstrate, using a combination of satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis, that approximately half of the nesting leatherbacks from an important rookery in South Africa do not migrate to distant foraging areas, but rather, forage in the coastal waters of the nearby Mozambique Channel. Moreover, this coastal cohort appears to remain resident year-round in shallow waters (<50 m depth) in a relatively fixed area. Stable isotope analyses further indicate that the Mozambique Channel also hosts large numbers of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta. The rare presence of a resident coastal aggregation of leatherback turtles not only presents a unique opportunity for conservation, but alongside the presence of loggerhead turtles and other endangered marine megafauna in the Mozambique Channel, highlights the importance of this area as a marine biodiversity hotspot.
AM fungi patchiness and the clonal growth of Glechoma hederacea in heterogeneous environments
Authors: Vannier Nathan , Bittebiere Anne-Kristel , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Mony Cendrine
Published: November 2016

The effect of AM fungi spatial distribution on individual plant development may determine the dynamics of the whole plant community. We investigated whether clonal plants display, like for other resources, a foraging or a specialization response, to adapt to the distribution of AM fungi. Two separate experiments were done to investigate the response of Glechoma hederacea to a heterogeneous distribution of a mixture of 3 AM fungi species, and the effects of each species on colonization and allocation traits. No specialization and a limited foraging response to the heterogeneous distribution of AM fungi was observed. An effect of the AM fungal species on plant mass allocation and ramet production, but not on spacer length, was detected. Two possible explanations are proposed: (i) the plant’s responses are buffered by differences in individual effects of the fungal species or their root colonization intensity. (ii) the initial heterogeneous distribution of AM fungi is perceived as homogeneous by the plant either by reduced physiological integration or due to the transfer of AM fungi propagules through the stolons. Microscopic and DNA sequencing analyses provided evidence of this transfer, thus demonstrating the role of stolons as dispersal vectors of AM fungi within the plant clonal network.
Boosting photoresponse in silicon metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector using semiconducting quantum dots
Authors: Biswas Chandan , Kim Yonghwan , Lee Young Hee
Published: November 2016

Silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors have faster photogeneration and carrier collection across the metal-semiconductor Schottky contacts, and CMOS integratibility compared to conventional p-n junction photodetectors. However, its operations are limited by low photogeneration, inefficient carrier-separation, and low mobility. Here, we show a simple and highly effective approach for boosting Si MSM photodetector efficiency by uniformly decorating semiconducting CdSe quantum dots on Si channel (Si-QD). Significantly higher photocurrent on/off ratio was achieved up to over 500 compared to conventional Si MSM photodetector (on/off ratio ~5) by increasing photogeneration and improving carrier separation. Furthermore, a substrate-biasing technique invoked wide range of tunable photocurrent on/off ratio in Si-QD photodetector (ranging from 2.7 to 562) by applying suitable combinations of source-drain and substrate biasing conditions. Strong photogeneration and carrier separation were achieved by employing Stark effect into the Si-QD hybrid system. These results highlight a promising method for enhancing Si MSM photodetector efficiency more than 100 times and simultaneously compatible with current silicon technologies.
In silico clustering of Salmonella global gene expression data reveals novel genes co-regulated with the SPI-1 virulence genes through HilD
Authors: Martínez-Flores Irma , Pérez-Morales Deyanira , Sánchez-Pérez Mishael , Paredes Claudia C. , Collado-Vides Julio , Salgado Heladia , Bustamante Víctor H.
Published: November 2016

A wide variety of Salmonella enterica serovars cause intestinal and systemic infections to humans and animals. Salmonella Patogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1) is a chromosomal region containing 39 genes that have crucial virulence roles. The AraC-like transcriptional regulator HilD, encoded in SPI-1, positively controls the expression of the SPI-1 genes, as well as of several other virulence genes located outside SPI-1. In this study, we applied a clustering method to the global gene expression data of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium from the COLOMBOS database; thus genes that show an expression pattern similar to that of SPI-1 genes were selected. This analysis revealed nine novel genes that are co-expressed with SPI-1, which are located in different chromosomal regions. Expression analyses and protein-DNA interaction assays showed regulation by HilD for six of these genes: gtgE, phoH, sinR, SL1263 (lpxR) and SL4247 were regulated directly, whereas SL1896 was regulated indirectly. Interestingly, phoH is an ancestral gene conserved in most of bacteria, whereas the other genes show characteristics of genes acquired by Salmonella. A role in virulence has been previously demonstrated for gtgE, lpxR and sinR. Our results further expand the regulon of HilD and thus identify novel possible Salmonella virulence genes.
Correlation between superconductivity and bond angle of CrAs chain in non-centrosymmetric compounds A2Cr3As3 (A = K, Rb)
Authors: Wang Zhe , Yi Wei , Wu Qi , Sidorov Vladimir A. , Bao Jinke , Tang Zhangtu , Guo Jing , Zhou Yazhou , Zhang Shan , Li Hang , Shi Youguo , Wu Xianxin , Zhang Ling , Yang Ke , Li Aiguo , Cao Guanghan , Hu Jiangping , Sun Liling , Zhao Zhongxian
Published: November 2016

Non-centrosymmetric superconductors, whose crystal structure is absent of inversion symmetry, have recently received special attentions due to the expectation of unconventional pairings and exotic physics associated with such pairings. The newly discovered superconductors A2Cr3As3 (A = K, Rb), featured by the quasi-one dimensional structure with conducting CrAs chains, belongs to such kind of superconductor. In this study, we are the first to report the finding that superconductivity of A2Cr3As3 (A = K, Rb) has a positive correlation with the extent of non-centrosymmetry. Our in-situ high pressure ac susceptibility and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the larger bond angle of As-Cr-As (defined as α) in the CrAs chains can be taken as a key factor controlling superconductivity. While the smaller bond angle (defined as β) and the distance between the CrAs chains also affect the superconductivity due to their structural connections with the α angle. We find that the larger value of α-β, which is associated with the extent of the non-centrosymmetry of the lattice structure, is in favor of superconductivity. These results are expected to shed a new light on the underlying mechanism of the superconductivity in these Q1D superconductors and also to provide new perspective in understanding other non-centrosymmetric superconductors.
Multicolor Colormetric Biosensor for the Determination of Glucose based on the Etching of Gold Nanorods
Authors: Lin Yue , Zhao Mengmeng , Guo Yajuan , Ma Xiaoming , Luo Fang , Guo Longhua , Qiu Bin , Chen Guonan , Lin Zhenyu
Published: November 2016

In this work, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine(II) (TMB2+), derived from H2O2-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (H2O2-HRP-TMB) reaction system, was used to etch AuNRs to generate different colors of solution. Many enzyme reactions are involved in the production of H2O2 (e.g., glucose can react with the dissolved oxygen in the presence of glucose oxidase (GOx) to produce H2O2). Given this information, a simple visual biosensor was developed in this study, with glucose as the example target. The detection range of the proposed system varied with the experimental conditions, such as the concentration of GOx and HRP, and enzymatic reaction time. Under the optimized conditions, the longitudinal shift of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) had a linear correlation with the glucose concentration in the range of 0.1~1.0 mM. Meanwhile, the solution displayed a specific color in response to the glucose concentration, thus enabling the visual quantitative detection of glucose at a glance. Compared with the traditional monochromic colorimetry, this multicolor glucose sensor generates various vivid colors, which can be easily distinguished by naked eyes without any sophisticated instrument. Notably, the proposed method has been successfully applied to detect glucose in serum samples with satisfied results.
Curvature-driven bubbles or droplets on the spiral surface
Authors: Li Shanpeng , Liu Jianlin , Hou Jian
Published: November 2016

Directional motion of droplets or bubbles can often be observed in nature and our daily life, and this phenomenon holds great potential in many engineering areas. The study shows that droplets or bubbles can be driven to migrate perpetually on some special substrates, such as the Archimedean spiral, the logarithmic spiral and a cantilever sheet in large deflection. It is found that a bubble approaches or deviates from the position with highest curvature of the substrate, when it is on the concave or convex side. This fact is helpful to explain the repelling water capability of Nepenthes alata. Based on the force and energy analysis, the mechanism of the bubble migration is well addressed. These findings pave a new way to accurately manipulate droplet or bubble movement, which bring inspirations to the design of microfluidic and water harvesting devices, as well as oil displacement and ore filtration.
Comparison of the effect on bone healing process of different implants used in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis: limited contact dynamic compression plate versus locking compression plate
Authors: Xue Zichao , Xu Haitao , Ding Haoliang , Qin Hui , An Zhiquan
Published: November 2016

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) has been widely accepted because of its satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, the implant construct that works best for MIPO remains controversial. Different plate designs result in different influence mechanisms to blood flow. In this study, we created ulnar fractures in 42 beagle dogs and fixed the fractures using MIPO. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups and were fixed with a limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) or a locking compression plate (LCP). Our study showed that with MIPO, there was no significant difference between the LCP and the LC-DCP in terms of fracture fixation, bone formation, or mineralization. Combined with the previous literature, we inferred that the healing process is affected by the quality of fracture reduction more than plate selection.
Electrospray deposition device used to precisely control the matrix crystal to improve the performance of MALDI MSI
Authors: Li Shilei , Zhang Yangyang , Liu Jian’an , Han Juanjuan , Guan Ming , Yang Hui , Lin Yu , Xiong Shaoxiang , Zhao Zhenwen
Published: November 2016

MALDI MSI has been recently applied as an innovative tool for detection of molecular distribution within a specific tissue. MALDI MSI requires deposition of an organic compound, known as matrix, on the tissue of interest to assist analyte desorption and ionization, in which the matrix crystal homogeneity and size greatly influence the imaging reproducibility and spatial resolution in MALDI MSI. In this work, a homemade electrospray deposition device was developed for deposition of matrix in MALDI MSI. The device could be used to achieve 1 μm homogeneous matrix crystals in MALDI MSI analysis. Moreover, it was found, for the first time, that the electrospray deposition device could be used to precisely control the matrix crystal size, and the imaging spatial resolution was increased greatly as the matrix crystals size becoming smaller. In addition, the easily-built electrospray deposition device was durable for acid, base or organic solvent, and even could be used for deposition of nanoparticles matrix, which made it unparalleled for MALDI MSI analysis. The feasibility of the electrospray deposition device was investigated by combination with MALDI FTICR MSI to analyze the distributions of lipids in mouse brain and liver cancer tissue section.
Contributory roles of two l-lactate dehydrogenases for l-lactic acid production in thermotolerant Bacillus coagulans
Authors: Sun Lifan , Zhang Caili , Lyu Pengcheng , Wang Yanping , Wang Limin , Yu Bo
Published: November 2016

Thermotolerant Bacillus coagulans is considered to be a more promising producer for bio-chemicals, due to its capacity to withstand harsh conditions. Two L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) encoding genes (ldhL1 and ldhL2) and one D-LDH encoding gene (ldhD) were annotated from the B. coagulans DSM1 genome. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the expression of ldhL2 was undetectable while the ldhL1 transcription level was much higher than that of ldhD at all growth phases. Deletion of the ldhL2 gene revealed no difference in fermentation profile compared to the wild-type strain, while ldhL1 single deletion or ldhL1ldhL2 double deletion completely blocked L-lactic acid production. Complementation of ldhL1 in the above knockout strains restored fermentation profiles to those observed in the wild-type strain. This study demonstrates ldhL1 is crucial for L-lactic acid production and NADH balance in B. coagulans DSM1 and lays the fundamental for engineering the thermotolerant B. coagulans strain as a platform chemicals producer.
Evolution of gossip-based indirect reciprocity on a bipartite network
Authors: Giardini Francesca , Vilone Daniele
Published: November 2016

Cooperation can be supported by indirect reciprocity via reputation. Thanks to gossip, reputations are built and circulated and humans can identify defectors and ostracise them. However, the evolutionary stability of gossip is allegedly undermined by the fact that it is more error-prone that direct observation, whereas ostracism could be ineffective if the partner selection mechanism is not robust. The aim of this work is to investigate the conditions under which the combination of gossip and ostracism might support cooperation in groups of different sizes. We are also interested in exploring the extent to which errors in transmission might undermine the reliability of gossip as a mechanism for identifying defectors. Our results show that a large quantity of gossip is necessary to support cooperation, and that group structure can mitigate the effects of errors in transmission.
Nitric oxide triggers a transient metabolic reprogramming in Arabidopsis
Authors: León José , Costa Álvaro , Castillo Mari-Cruz
Published: November 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates plant growth and development as well as responses to stress that enhanced its endogenous production. Arabidopsis plants exposed to a pulse of exogenous NO gas were used for untargeted global metabolomic analyses thus allowing the identification of metabolic processes affected by NO. At early time points after treatment, NO scavenged superoxide anion and induced the nitration and the S-nitrosylation of proteins. These events preceded an extensive though transient metabolic reprogramming at 6 h after NO treatment, which included enhanced levels of polyamines, lipid catabolism and accumulation of phospholipids, chlorophyll breakdown, protein and nucleic acid turnover and increased content of sugars. Accordingly, lipid-related structures such as root cell membranes and leaf cuticle altered their permeability upon NO treatment. Besides, NO-treated plants displayed degradation of starch granules, which is consistent with the increased sugar content observed in the metabolomic survey. The metabolic profile was restored to baseline levels at 24 h post-treatment, thus pointing up the plasticity of plant metabolism in response to nitroxidative stress conditions.
TrackNTrace: A simple and extendable open-source framework for developing single-molecule localization and tracking algorithms
Authors: Stein Simon Christoph , Thiart Jan
Published: November 2016

Super-resolution localization microscopy and single particle tracking are important tools for fluorescence microscopy. Both rely on detecting, and tracking, a large number of fluorescent markers using increasingly sophisticated computer algorithms. However, this rise in complexity makes it difficult to fine-tune parameters and detect inconsistencies, improve existing routines, or develop new approaches founded on established principles. We present an open-source MATLAB framework for single molecule localization, tracking and super-resolution applications. The purpose of this software is to facilitate the development, distribution, and comparison of methods in the community by providing a unique, easily extendable plugin-based system and combining it with a novel visualization system. This graphical interface incorporates possibilities for quick inspection of localization and tracking results, giving direct feedback of the quality achieved with the chosen algorithms and parameter values, as well as possible sources for errors. This is of great importance in practical applications and even more so when developing new techniques. The plugin system greatly simplifies the development of new methods as well as adapting and tailoring routines towards any research problem’s individual requirements. We demonstrate its high speed and accuracy with plugins implementing state-of-the-art algorithms and show two biological applications.
TDB protects vascular endothelial cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced injury by targeting miR-34a to increase Bcl-2 expression
Authors: Liao Li-Xi , Zhao Ming-Bo , Dong Xin , Jiang Yong , Zeng Ke-Wu , Tu Peng-Fei
Published: November 2016

Prolonged ischemia can result in apoptotic death of vascular endothelial cells and lead to ischemic vascular diseases including vascular dementia, arteriosclerosis and brain oedema. Finding protective strategies to prevent this is therefore an urgent mission. Recent studies have shown that dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) can lead to imbalance of Bcl-2 family proteins and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to further damage of vascular cells under ischemic conditions. However, whether miRNAs can be used as a drug target for treating vascular diseases is not fully understood. In this study, we observed that the natural product 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde (TDB) could effectively inhibit vascular cell apoptosis following oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) by maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and suppressing activation of the mitochondria-dependent caspase-9/3 apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, we identified miR-34a, a crucial negative regulator of Bcl-2, as a target for the protective effect of TDB on vascular cells. TDB-induced suppression of miR-34a resulted in a significant upregulation of Bcl-2 protein, MMP maintenance, and the survival of vascular cells following OGD/R. Our findings suggest that targeting miR-34a with the natural product TDB may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of ischemic vascular injuries, and demonstrate the therapeutic potential in targeting miRNAs using appropriate small molecules.
Anomalous Light Scattering by Topological PT-symmetric Particle Arrays
Authors: Ling C. W. , Choi Ka Hei , Mok T. C. , Zhang Zhao-Qing , Fung Kin Hung
Published: December 2016

Robust topological edge modes may evolve into complex-frequency modes when a physical system becomes non-Hermitian. We show that, while having negligible forward optical extinction cross section, a conjugate pair of such complex topological edge modes in a non-Hermitian "Equation missing"-symmetric system can give rise to an anomalous sideway scattering when they are simultaneously excited by a plane wave. We propose a realization of such scattering state in a linear array of subwavelength resonators coated with gain media. The prediction is based on an analytical two-band model and verified by rigorous numerical simulation using multiple-multipole scattering theory. The result suggests an extreme situation where leakage of classical information is unnoticeable to the transmitter and the receiver when such a "Equation missing"-symmetric unit is inserted into the communication channel.
Dual-wavelength single-frequency laser emission in asymmetric coupled microdisks
Authors: Wang Haotian , Liu Sheng , Chen Lin , Shen Deyuan , Wu Xiang
Published: December 2016

The gain and loss in a microcavity laser play an important role for the modulation of laser spectrum. We show that dual-wavelength single mode lasing can be achieved in an asymmetric coupled system consisted of two size-mismatched microdisks. The amount of eigenmodes in this coupled-microdisk system is reduced relying on the Vernier effect. Then a single mode is selected to lase by controlling the gain branching in the supermodes. The supermodes are formed by the coupling between different transverse whispering-gallery modes (WGMs). When the gain/loss status between the two mirodisks is changed through selectively pumping process, the modulated gain branching for various supermodes leads to the switchable single-frequency laser emission. The results obtained in this work will provide the further understand for the spectral modulation mechanism in the coupled microcavity laser system.
Novel phosphorescent Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots as a probe for the detection ofl-tyrosine in human urine
Authors: Deng Pan , Lu Li-Qiang , Tan Tian , Jin Yue , Fan Xiu-Zhang , Cao Wei-Cheng , Tian Xi-Ke
Published: November 2016

Phosphorescent 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid-capped Mn-doped ZnS (MES-MnZnS) quantum dots were developed for sensitively and selectively detectingl-tyrosine (l-Tyr) in human urine.
Evaluating the degree of substitution of water-insoluble acyl derivatives of hyaluronan using Raman spectroscopy: method development and comparison with gas chromatography and 1H NMR
Authors: Chmelař Josef , Kotzianová Adéla , Hermannová Martina , Šuláková Romana , Šmejkalová Daniela , Kulhánek Jaromír , Velebný Vladimír
Published: December 2016

New method for evaluating the degree of hyaluronan substitution by acyl side groups in the solid state using Raman spectroscopy.
Probing the role of the backbone carbonyl interaction with the CuA center in azurin by replacing the peptide bond with an ester linkage
Authors: Clark Kevin M. , Tian Shiliang , van der Donk Wilfred A. , Lu Yi
Published: November 2016

Replacing a backbone amide bond that is 2.17 Å from an engineered CuA center in azurin by an ester bond strengthens the Cu–Cu bond.
Hue-based quantification of mechanochromism towards a cost-effective detection of mechanical strain in polymer systems
Authors: Battisti A. , Minei P. , Pucci A. , Bizzarri R.
Published: November 2016

Hue evaluation from HSV colour space provides a fast and cost-effective tool for the detection of deformation in polymers loaded with the mechanosensitive fluorescent dye BBS.
A metal-free fluorescence turn-on molecular probe for detection of nucleoside triphosphates
Authors: Maity Debabrata , Li Mao , Ehlers Martin , Schmuck Carsten
Published: November 2016

We report a fluorescence probe 1, which contains a naphthalimide fluorophore with two symmetric peptidic arms equipped with a tailor-made anion-binding motif, the guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole moiety, for the detection of nucleoside triphosphates.
Palladium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of aniline-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with O2: a facile protocol to selectively synthesize 2- and 3-vinylindoles
Authors: Cao Bo , Simaan Marwan , Marek Ilan , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: November 2016

A facile and versatile palladium catalyzed oxidative cyclization of aniline-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with O2 to selectively construct important synthetic intermediates 2- and 3-vinylindoles in moderate to good yields has been developed.
Sumanene derivatives functionalized at the internal carbon
Authors: Ngamsomprasert Niti , Dang Jing-Shuang , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Yakiyama Yumi , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: November 2016

The first internal functionalization of sumanene.
New approach for understanding experimental NMR relaxivity properties of magnetic nanoparticles: focus on cobalt ferrite
Authors: Rollet Anne-Laure , Neveu Sophie , Porion Patrice , Dupuis Vincent , Cherrak Nadine , Levitz Pierre
Published: November 2016

Relaxivities r1 and r2 of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been investigated in the aim of improving the models of NMR relaxation induced by magnetic nanoparticles.
The formation of H bubbles at small-angle tilt grain boundaries in W films
Authors: He Zhihai , He H. Y. , Ding R. , Pan B. C. , Chen J. L.
Published: November 2016

The accumulation of H at the small-angle tilt grain boundary (GB) in the W(001) surface is investigated, on the basis of the first-principles calculations.
Synthesis of vanadium–alkylidene complexes and their use as catalysts for ring opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Nomura Kotohiro , Hou Xiaohua
Published: November 2016

Synthesis of vanadium–alkylidene complexes and some reactions have been reviewed; highly active, thermally robust,cisspecific ROMP of cyclic olefins has been attained by ligand modification in (imido)vanadium(v)–alkylidene catalysts.
Reversible photo/thermoswitchable dual-color fluorescence through single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation
Authors: Li Fei Fei , Zhang Le , Gong Le Le , Yan Chang Sheng , Gao Heng Ya , Luo Feng
Published: December 2016

A rare example of the insertion of a 1D polymer in a MOF using a light stimulus and subsequent characterization using single crystal X-ray diffraction is reported. An uncommon reversible photo/thermoswitchable dual-color green-to-blue fluorescence is observed.
Correction: Large-scale electricity storage utilizing reversible solid oxide cells combined with underground storage of CO2 and CH4
Authors: Jensen S. H. , Graves C. , Mogensen M. , Wendel C. , Braun R. , Hughes G. , Gao Z. , Barnett S. A.
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘Large-scale electricity storage utilizing reversible solid oxide cells combined with underground storage of CO2 and CH4’ by S. H. Jensen et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2015, 8, 2471–2479.
Identification of potent tricyclic prodrug S1P1 receptor modulators
Authors: Marcoux David , Xiao Hai-Yun , Murali Dhar T. G. , Xie Jenny , Lehman-McKeeman Lois D. , Wu Dauh-Rurng , Dabros Marta , Yang Xiaoxia , Taylor Tracy L. , Zhou Xia D. , Heimrich Elizabeth M. , Thomas Rochelle , McIntyre Kim W. , Shi Hong , Levesque Paul C. , Sun Huadong , Yang Zheng , Marino Anthony M. , Cornelius Georgia , D'Arienzo Celia J. , Gupta Anuradha , Pragalathan Bala , Rampulla Richard , Mathur Arvind , Shen Ding Ren , Cvijic Mary Ellen , Salter-Cid Luisa , Lombardo Louis J. , Carter Percy H. , Dyckman Alaric J.
Published: November 2016

Herein, S1P1 partial agonists with shorter half-life than our previous clinical candidate are reported. The pulmonary and cardiac safety are assessed, issues currently observed with commercial Gilenya.
Diiridium(iii) complexes: luminescent probes and sensors for G-quadruplex DNA and endoplasmic reticulum imaging
Authors: Anjong Tikum Florence , Kim Gyoungmi , Jang Ha Yoon , Yoon Juyoung , Kim Jinheung
Published: November 2016

Two new dinuclear iridium (Ir) complexes bridged by a conjugated aromatic tppz ligand, (bhq)2Ir(tppz)Ir(bhq)2(1) and (ppy)2Ir(tppz)Ir(ppy)2(2) (bhq = benzo(h)quinolone, ppy = phenyl-pyridine, tppz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:3′′,2′′-h:2′′′,3′′′-j]phenazine), were prepared.
Transition metal catalysis—a unique road map in the stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-polyols
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Tripathi Divya , Sharma Brijesh M. , Dwivedi Namrata
Published: November 2016

The present review summarizes recent diverse reactions employed in the formation of 1,3-polyols providing an overview of the mechanistic pathway and the enantioselectivity obtained, in terms of the properties of transition metals directly involved in the catalytic transformations and their interaction with various ligands.
The first example of palladium-catalyzed cascade amidine arylation–intramolecular ester amidation for the synthesis of hypoxanthines: application to the synthesis of 8-azanebularine analogues
Authors: Yang Wu , Ma Haoran , Yang Qian , Wang Jingwen , Liu Yuan , Yang Qinghua , Wu Jie , Song Chuanjun , Chang Junbiao
Published: November 2016

A synthetic route toward 8-azanebularines has been developed by involving a cycloaddition and a cascade amidine arylation–intramolecular ester amidation reaction.
Acylboranes: synthetic strategies and applications
Authors: Scharnagl Florian Korbinian , Bose Shubhankar Kumar , Marder Todd B.
Published: November 2016

Acylboranes are an attractive class of compounds, of which the synthesis has very recently been documented as summarised in this review. Access to these compounds provides a path to study their properties and reactivity.
Assembly of an indium–porphyrin framework JLU-Liu7: a mesoporous metal–organic framework with high gas adsorption and separation of light hydrocarbons
Authors: Luo Jiahuan , Wang Jing , Cao Yu , Yao Shuo , Zhang Lirong , Huo Qisheng , Liu Yunling
Published: November 2016

A novel mesoporous indium–porphyrin framework JLU-Liu7 with frl net has been successfully synthesized. It exhibits high performance for gas adsorption and light hydrocarbon separation.
Anion-driven tetrel bond-induced engineering of lead(ii) architectures with N′-(1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene)nicotinohydrazide: experimental and theoretical findings
Authors: Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Safin Damir A. , Mitoraj Mariusz P. , Amini Mojtaba , Kubicki Maciej , Doert Thomas , Locherer Franziska , Fleck Michel
Published: November 2016

A new series of PbII coordination compounds was assembled with the N′-(1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene)nicotinohydrazide ligand and various auxiliary inorganic counterions.
Cobalt(ii)/(imidazoline–oxazoline)-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of 2-acetyl azaarenes to β-CF3-β-disubstituted nitroalkenes
Authors: Hao Xin-Qi , Wang Cong , Liu Shuang-Liang , Wang Xiao , Wang Li , Gong Jun-Fang , Song Mao-Ping
Published: November 2016

Cobalt(ii)/(imidazoline–oxazoline)-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of 2-acetyl azaarenes to β-CF3-β-disubstituted nitroalkenes is reported, providing chiral compounds with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
Activity-based protein profiling: an efficient approach to study serine hydrolases and their inhibitors in mammals and microbes
Authors: Chen Biao , Ge Sha-Sha , Zhao Yuan-Chao , Chen Chong , Yang Song
Published: November 2016

This review focuses on the identification of serine hydrolases and their inhibitors in mammals and microbes with activity-based protein profiling (ABPP).
Study of magnetic field induced spin order in diluted antiferromagnetic states in a Ga doped α-Fe2O3 system prepared by a chemical route and air annealing
Authors: Bhowmik R. N. , Vijayasri G. , Sinha A. K.
Published: November 2016

We report the structural phase characterization and magnetic properties of the chemical routed α-Fe2−xGaxO3 system (x: 0.28–0.60) after annealing at 800 °C in air.
Tunable multicolor luminescence and white light emission realized in Eu3+ mono-activated GdF3 nanofibers with paramagnetic performance
Authors: Li Dan , Ma Qianli , Song Yan , Xi Xue , Dong Xiangting , Yu Wensheng , Wang Jinxian , Liu Guixia
Published: November 2016

GdF3:Eu3+ nanofibers with luminescent–magnetic bi-functionality have been successfully fabricated by combination of electrospinning followed by subsequent calcination with fluorination technology.
Facile synthesis of nanostructured MoO3 coated Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2 materials with good electrochemical properties
Authors: Gao Yuxian , Xu Pinghong , Chen Fang , Ding Chuxiong , Chen Long , Li Daocong
Published: November 2016

Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2 cathode materials were synthesized by a co-precipitation method, and consequently coated with MoO3 by a molten salt method.
Structure and properties of tough polyampholyte hydrogels: effects of a methyl group in the cationic monomer
Authors: Wang Ling , Wang Haihuan , Yu Haichao , Luo Feng , Li Jiehua , Tan Hong
Published: November 2016

The very small steric bulk of methyl exhibits significant effects on the strength and distribution of ionic bonds in gels.
Layer-by-layer surface decoration of electrospun nanofibrous meshes for air–liquid interface cultivation of epidermal cells
Authors: Son Young Ju , Kim Hye Sung , Yoo Hyuk Sang
Published: November 2016

PEG multilayered nanofibrous mat for air–liquid interface cell cultivation.
An electrochemical glycan biosensor based on a thionine-bridged multiwalled carbon nanotube/gold nanoparticle composite-modified electrode
Authors: Zhang Xinai , Huang Chenyong , Jiang Yuxiang , Shen Jianzhong , Geng Ping , Zhang Wen , Huang Qilin
Published: November 2016

A MWCNT/Th/AuNP composite, used to construct an electrochemical biosensor for the mannose assay of living cancer cells, contained thionine as an electron mediator and simplified detection based on enzymatic catalysis for signal amplification.
Ferroelectricity and magnetism in metal-formate frameworks of [NH4][M(HCOO)3] (M = Sc to Zn): a first-principles study
Authors: Sun Yingjie , Zhuo Zhiwen , Wu Xiaojun
Published: November 2016

A comprehensive first-principles calculations reveal the multiferroicity and tunable magnetism via carrier doping in [NH4][M(HCOO)3] (M = 3d transition metal).
Magnetic Ni/PPy nanocomposite as effective reusable adsorbent for removal of arsenite and fluoride from contaminated water
Authors: Srivastava Suneel K. , Senapati Samarpita , Singh Shiv B. , Raul Prasanta K.
Published: November 2016

Magnetic nickel/polypyrrole nanostructure has been in situ synthesized at room temperature and characterized. It acts as an effective reusable adsorbent for removal of arsenite and fluoride from contaminated water as well as ground water.
Urea-formaldehyde derived porous carbons for adsorption of CO2
Authors: Tiwari Deepak , Bhunia Haripada , Bajpai Pramod K.
Published: November 2016

The aim of the research work is to develop high nitrogen content carbon adsorbents with high textural and surface properties using as a precursor urea-formaldehyde resin and as a template mesoporous-zeolite (MCM-41) through a nanocasting technique.
Material design and photo-regulated hydrolytic degradation behavior of tissue engineering scaffolds fabricated via 3D fiber deposition
Authors: Yin Ruixue , Zhang Nan , Wang Kemin , Long Hongyu , Xing Tianlong , Nie Jun , Zhang Hongbo , Zhang Wenjun
Published: November 2016

A PLA/o-nitrobenzyl based scaffold was designed and fabricated by 3D fiber deposition to demonstrate the feasibility of photo-regulated hydrolytic degradation in vitro. It promises to approach the matched degradation with new tissues when applied in tissue engineering.
A 3D metal–organic framework built from vanadate clusters and diamond chains showing weak ferromagnetic single-chain-magnet like behavior
Authors: Li Rong , Xiao Yu , Wang Shuai-Hua , Jiang Xiao-Ming , Tang Ying-Ying , Xu Jian-Gang , Yan Yong , Zheng Fa-Kun , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: November 2016

A 3D MOF with magnetic diamond chains, well separated by diamagnetic [V4O12]4− clusters and semi-rigid tetrazolate-bipyridinium ligand, exhibits WF SCM like behavior.
Solution assembly MoS2nanopetals/GaAs n–n homotype heterojunction with ultrafast and low noise photoresponse using graphene as carrier collector
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Yongqiang , Wang Xiaoyan , Tong Guoqing , Mi Longfei , Zhu Zhifeng , Geng Xiangshun , Jiang Yang
Published: November 2016

A MoS2nanopetal/GaAs homotype heterojunction with ultrafast and low noise photoresponse was solution assembled using graphene as the carrier collector.
Luminescence photoswitching of Ho-doped Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 ferroelectrics: the luminescence readout process
Authors: Zhang Qiwei , Liu Jian , Sun Haiqin , Wang Xusheng , Hao Xihong , An Shengli
Published: November 2016

Ho3+-doped NBN photochromics with high luminescence contrast (ΔRt = 94%) and excellent reversibility possess a good luminescence readout capability.
Cu2+-Selectivity gated photochromism in Schiff-modified diarylethenes with a star-shaped structure
Authors: Wang Shangshang , Li Xin , Zhao Wandong , Chen Xuanying , Zhang Junji , Ågren Hans , Zou Qi , Zhu Liangliang , Chen Wenbo
Published: December 2016

A Cu2+-gated photochromic behavior of a star-shaped diarylethene derivative and its plausible mechanism are discussed.