bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular memory of hypoxia elicits neuroblastoma metastasis and enables invasion by non-aggressive neighbouring cells
Authors: Herrmann A , Rice M , Lévy R , Pizer B L , Losty P D , Moss D , Sée V
Published: February 2015

Therapies targeting cancer metastasis are challenging owing to the complexity of the metastatic process and the high number of effectors involved. Although tumour hypoxia has previously been associated with increased aggressiveness as well as resistance to radio- and chemotherapy, the understanding of a direct link between the level and duration of hypoxia and the individual steps involved in metastasis is still missing. Using live imaging in a chick embryo model, we have demonstrated that the exposure of neuroblastoma cells to 1% oxygen for 3 days was capable of (1) enabling cell migration towards blood vessels, (2) slowing down their velocity within blood vessels to facilitate extravasation and (3) promoting cell proliferation in primary and secondary sites. We have shown that cells do not have to be hypoxic anymore to exhibit these acquired capabilities as a long-term memory of prior hypoxic exposure is kept. Furthermore, non-hypoxic cells can be influenced by neighbouring hypoxic preconditioned cells and be entrained in the metastatic progression. The acquired aggressive phenotype relies on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-dependent transcription of a number of genes involved in metastasis and can be impaired by HIF inhibition. Altogether, our results demonstrate the need to consider both temporal and spatial tumour heterogeneity because cells can 'remember' an earlier environment and share their acquired phenotype with their close neighbours. As a consequence, it is necessary to monitor the correct hypoxic markers to be able to predict the consequences of the cells’ history on their behaviour and their potential response to therapies.
Fukutin is prerequisite to ameliorate muscular dystrophic phenotype by myofiber-selective LARGE expression
Authors: Ohtsuka Yoshihisa , Kanagawa Motoi , Yu Chih-Chieh , Ito Chiyomi , Chiyo Tomoko , Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Okada Takashi , Takeda Shin'ichi , Toda Tatsushi
Published: February 2015

α-Dystroglycanopathy (α-DGP) is a group of muscular dystrophy characterized by abnormal glycosylation of α-dystroglycan (α-DG), including Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), muscle-eye-brain disease, Walker-Warburg syndrome and congenital muscular dystrophy type 1D (MDC1D), etc. LARGE, the causative gene for MDC1D, encodes a glycosyltransferase to form [-3Xyl-α1,3GlcAβ1-] polymer in the terminal end of the post-phosphoryl moiety, which is essential for α-DG function. It has been proposed that LARGE possesses the great potential to rescue glycosylation defects in α-DGPs regardless of causative genes. However, the in vivo therapeutic benefit of using LARGE activity is controversial. To explore the conditions needed for successful LARGE gene therapy, here we used Large-deficient and fukutin-deficient mouse models for MDC1D and FCMD, respectively. Myofibre-selective LARGE expression via systemic adeno-associated viral gene transfer ameliorated dystrophic pathology of Large-deficient mice even when intervention occurred after disease manifestation. However, the same strategy failed to ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype of fukutin-conditional knockout mice. Furthermore, forced expression of Large in fukutin-deficient embryonic stem cells also failed to recover α-DG glycosylation, however coexpression with fukutin strongly enhanced α-DG glycosylation. Together, our data demonstrated that fukutin is required for LARGE-dependent rescue of α-DG glycosylation and thus suggesting new directions for LARGE-utilizing therapy targeted to myofibres.
Optogenetic induction of contractile ability in immature C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Asano Toshifumi , Ishizuka Toru , Morishima Keisuke , Yawo Hiromu
Published: February 2015

Myoblasts can be differentiated into multinucleated myotubes, which provide a well-established and reproducible muscle cell model for skeletal myogenesis in vitro. However, under conventional differentiation conditions, each myotube rarely exhibits robust contraction as well as sarcomere arrangement. Here, we applied trains of optical stimulation (OS) to C2C12 myotubes, which were genetically engineered to express a channelrhodopsin variant, channelrhodopsin-green receiver (ChRGR), to investigate whether membrane depolarization facilitates the maturation of myotubes. We found that light pulses induced membrane depolarization and evoked action potentials in ChRGR-expressing myotubes. Regular alignments of sarcomeric proteins were patterned periodically after OS training. In contrast, untrained control myotubes rarely exhibited the striated patterns. OS-trained and untrained myotubes also differed in terms of their resting potential. OS training significantly increased the number of contractile myotubes. Treatment with nifedipine during OS training significantly decreased the fraction of contractile myotubes, whereas tetrodotoxin was less effective. These results suggest that oscillations of membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ accompanied by OS promoted sarcomere assembly and the development of contractility during the myogenic process. These results also suggest that optogenetic techniques could be used to manipulate the activity-dependent process during myogenic development.
Increased Efficiency in Small Molecule Organic Solar Cells Through the Use of a 56-π Electron Acceptor – Methano Indene Fullerene
Authors: Ryan James W. , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: February 2015

Organic solar cells (OSCs) offer the possibility of harnessing the sun's ubiquitous energy in a low-cost, environmentally friendly and renewable manner. OSCs based on small molecule semiconductors (SMOSCs) – have made a substantial improvement in recent years and are now achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) that match those achieved for polymer:fullerene OSCs. To date, all efficient SMOSCs have relied on the same fullerene acceptor, PCBM, in order to achieve high performance. The use of PCBM however, is unfavourable due to its low lying LUMO level, which limits the open-circuit voltage (VOC). Alternative fullerene derivatives with higher lying LUMOs are thus required to improve the VOC. The challenge, however, is to prevent the typical concomitant decrease in the short circuit current density (JSC) when using a higher LUMO fullerene. In this communication, we address the issue by applying methano indene fullerene, MIF, a bis-functionalised C60 fullerene that has a LUMO level 140 mV higher than PCBM, in solution processed SMOSCs with a well known small molecule donor, DPP(TBFu)2. MIF-based devices show an improved VOC of 140 mV over PC61BM and only a small decrease in the JSC, with the PCE increasing to 5.1% (vs. 4.5% for PC61BM).
Live cell immunogold labelling of RNA polymerase II
Authors: Orlov Igor , Schertel Andreas , Zuber Guy , Klaholz Bruno , Drillien Robert , Weiss Etienne , Schultz Patrick , Spehner Danièle
Published: February 2015

Labeling nuclear proteins with electron dense probes in living cells has been a major challenge due to their inability to penetrate into nuclei. We developed a lipid-based approach for delivering antibodies coupled to 0.8 nm ultrasmall gold particles into the nucleus to label RNA polymerase II. Focussed Ion Beam slicing coupled to Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) enabled visualization of entire cells with probe localization accuracy in the 10 nm range.
Handedness and the X chromosome: The role of androgen receptor CAG-repeat length
Authors: Arning Larissa , Ocklenburg Sebastian , Schulz Stefanie , Ness Vanessa , Gerding Wanda M. , Hengstler Jan G. , Falkenstein Michael , Epplen Jörg T. , Güntürkün Onur , Beste Christian
Published: February 2015

Prenatal androgen exposure has been suggested to be one of the factors influencing handedness, making the androgen receptor gene (AR) a likely candidate gene for individual differences in handedness. Here, we examined the relationship between the length of the CAG-repeat in AR and different handedness phenotypes in a sample of healthy adults of both sexes (n = 1057). Since AR is located on the X chromosome, statistical analyses in women heterozygous for CAG-repeat lengths are complicated by X chromosome inactivation. We thus analyzed a sample of women that were homozygous for the CAG-repeat length (n = 77). Mixed-handedness in men was significantly associated with longer CAG-repeat blocks and women homozygous for longer CAG-repeats showed a tendency for stronger left-handedness. These results suggest that handedness in both sexes is associated with the AR CAG-repeat length, with longer repeats being related to a higher incidence of non-right-handedness. Since longer CAG-repeat blocks have been linked to less efficient AR function, these results implicate that differences in AR signaling in the developing brain might be one of the factors that determine individual differences in brain lateralization.
GADD34 inhibits activation-induced apoptosis of macrophages through enhancement of autophagy
Authors: Ito Sachiko , Tanaka Yuriko , Oshino Reina , Aiba Keiko , Thanasegaran Suganya , Nishio Naomi , Isobe Ken-ichi
Published: February 2015

Autophagy is a common physiological function in all eukaryotes. The process is induced by depletion of nutrients including amino acids. GADD34 is expressed following DNA damage, ER stresses and amino acid deprivation. Here, we investigated the effects of GADD34 on autophagy and cell activation in macrophages. The deprivation of tyrosine and cysteine markedly induced the expression of GADD34 in macrophages. LPS stimulation combined with tyrosine/cysteine-deprivation initially activated macrophages, but then shifted to cell death in late phase of stimulation. When LPS stimulation was combined with tyrosine/cysteine-deprivation, a deficiency of GADD34 enhanced cell activation signaling such as Src-family, Erk1/2, p38 MAPK and Akt. In the late phase of stimulation, a deficiency of GADD34 increased apoptosis more than that in wild-type macrophages. Further we found that mTOR-S6K signaling was highly enhanced in GADD34-deficient macrophages compared with wild-type cells when cells were treated by LPS combined with tyrosine/cysteine-deprivation. LC3-II was increased by LPS stimulation combined with tyrosine/cysteine-deprivation. Defective GADD34 reduced LC3-II and autophagosome formation induced by LPS-stimulation and tyrosine/cysteine-deprivation compared with that seen in wild-type macrophages. These results indicates that GADD34 enhances autophagy and suppresses apoptosis stimulated by LPS combined with amino acid deprivation through regulation of mTOR signaling pathway in macrophages.
Sulphur geodynamic cycle
Authors: Kagoshima Takanori , Sano Yuji , Takahata Naoto , Maruoka Teruyuki , Fischer Tobias P. , Hattori Keiko
Published: February 2015

Evaluation of volcanic and hydrothermal fluxes to the surface environments is important to elucidate the geochemical cycle of sulphur and the evolution of ocean chemistry. This paper presents S/3He ratios of vesicles in mid-ocean ridge (MOR) basalt glass together with the ratios of high-temperature hydrothermal fluids to calculate the sulphur flux of 100 Gmol/y at MOR. The S/3He ratios of high-temperature volcanic gases show sulphur flux of 720 Gmol/y at arc volcanoes (ARC) with a contribution from the mantle of 2.9%, which is calculated as 21 Gmol/y. The C/S flux ratio of 12 from the mantle at MOR and ARC is comparable to the C/S ratio in the surface inventory, which suggests that these elements in the surface environments originated from the upper mantle.
Bioluminescence based biosensors for quantitative detection of enterococcal peptide–pheromone activity reveal inter-strain telesensing in vivo during polymicrobial systemic infection
Authors: La Rosa Sabina Leanti , Solheim Margrete , Diep Dzung B. , Nes Ingolf F. , Brede Dag Anders
Published: February 2015

Enterococcus faecalis is a significant threat in the nosocomial setting due to the emergence of isolates that are multi-antibiotic resistant, refractory to the available therapies and equipped with a variety of pathogenicity determinants. This bacterium uses quorum-sensing systems to regulate its physiological processes, including the expression of virulence traits, to adapt and proliferate within a host. Here, we describe the construction and application of two bioluminescence-based reporter systems for the direct detection of the quorum-sensing regulated expression of (i) the gelatinase biosynthesis-activating pheromone (GBAP) and (ii) the cytolysin small subunit (CylLS) in natural samples. The two E. faecalis reporters conditionally expressed bioluminescence in the presence of GBAP and CylLS both in the supernatants of liquid cultures and in an agar-overlay assay in as little as three hours, with a high level of sensitivity. Biosensors employed to investigate the interaction between the fsr and cyl systems revealed that fsr impeded CylLS activity by 75%. Furthermore, we identified a clinical E. faecalis isolate that acted as a biological cheater, producing cytolysin only upon sensing CylLS-producers in its environment. This isolate enhanced its virulence during polymicrobial systemic infection of Galleria mellonella.
Identification of a biochemical marker for endothelial dysfunction using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Rygula A. , Pacia M. Z. , Mateuszuk L. , Kaczor A. , Kostogrys R. B. , Chlopicki S. , Baranska M.
Published: February 2015

We provide evidence that phenylalanine/tyrosine (Phe/Tyr) ratio analysis by Raman spectroscopy discriminate endothelial dysfunction in ApoE/LDLR−/− mice as compared to control animals.
Nucleic acid amplification-based methods for microRNA detection
Authors: Chen Hui-Ling , Guo Meng-Meng , Tang Hao , Wu Zhan , Tang Li-Juan , Yu Ru-Qin , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: February 2015

This review traces the basic principles of several nucleic acid amplification-based microRNA detection methods that have been developed in recent three years.
Novel one-pot hydrothermal fabrication of cuprous oxide-attapulgite/graphene for non-enzyme glucose sensing
Authors: Zhang Susu , Zhang Guangli , He Ping , Lei Wen , Dong Faqin , Yang Dingming , Suo Zhirong
Published: February 2015

The current–time plot of glucose with increasing concentrations on a Cu2O-attapulgite/RGO/GCE in 0.10 M NaOH solution.
Design of a reversible inversed pH-responsive caged protein
Authors: Peng Tao , Lee Hwankyu , Lim Sierin
Published: February 2015

Controlling the self-assembly behavior of caged proteins expands their potential applications in nanotechnology.
Retracted Article: Light-controlled resistive switching memory of multiferroic BiMnO3 nanowire arrays
Authors: Sun Bai , Li Chang Ming
Published: February 2015

Ferroelectricity can be controlled by white-light illumination, thus offering a light-controlled resistive switching memory device using a Ag/BiMnO3/Ti structure.
New insights into the ideal adsorbed solution theory
Authors: Furmaniak Sylwester , Koter Stanisław , Terzyk Artur P. , Gauden Piotr A. , Kowalczyk Piotr , Rychlicki Gerhard
Published: February 2015

The GCMC technique is used for simulation of adsorption of CO2–CH4, CO2–N2 and CH4–N2 mixtures (at 298 K) on six porous carbon models.
RuO2–ReO3 composite nanofibers for efficient electrocatalytic responses
Authors: Kim Yu Lim , Choi Hyun-A , Lee Nam-Suk , Son Byungrak , Kim Hee Jun , Baik Jeong Min , Lee Youngmi , Lee Chongmok , Kim Myung Hwa
Published: February 2015

The electrochemical responses of RuO2–ReO3 electrospun composite nanofibers were remarkably enhanced depending on the amount of ReO3 increased.
Interactions of carbon nanotubes with the nitromethane–water mixture governing selective adsorption of energetic molecules from aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Yingzhe , Lai Weipeng , Yu Tao , Kang Ying , Ge Zhongxue
Published: February 2015

Ordered structures of nitromethane are formed in the tubular cavity through selective adsorption by carbon nanotubes from aqueous solution.
Substitution of alcohols by N-nucleophiles via transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenation
Authors: Yang Qin , Wang Qingfu , Yu Zhengkun
Published: February 2015

This review summarizes the recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative substitution of alcohols by N-nucleophiles since 2009.
Gold nanostars co-coated with the Cu(ii) complex of a tetraazamacrocyclic ligand
Authors: Pallavicini Piersandro , Bernhard Claire , Chirico Giuseppe , Dacarro Giacomo , Denat Franck , Donà Alice , Milanese Chiara , Taglietti Angelo
Published: February 2015

A macrocyclic ligand grafts on gold nanostars and binds Cu2+ without influencing the luminescence and photothermal properties of the nanoparticles.
Deformation twinning of ferrocene crystals assisted by the rotational mobility of cyclopentadienyl rings
Authors: Miyamoto Yasuhiro , Takamizawa Satoshi
Published: February 2015

A mechanical load lets ferrocene crystals become twinned through the rotational mobility of cyclopentadienyl rings.
Effect of local A-site strain on dipole stability in A6GaNb9O30 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca) tetragonal tungsten bronze relaxor dielectrics
Authors: Miller Andrew J. , Rotaru Andrei , Arnold Donna C. , Morrison Finlay D.
Published: February 2015

A series of isovalently A-site substituted relaxor dielectric tetragonal tungsten bronzes of general formula Ba6−x−ySrxCayGaNb9O30 were investigated.
Binuclear platinum–iridium complexes: synthesis, reactivity and luminescence
Authors: Sterenberg Brian T. , Wrigley Christian T. , Puddephatt Richard J.
Published: February 2015

The reactivity of a Pt–Ir metal–metal bonded complex has been studied as a model for bimetallic Pt–Ir catalysts.
Inhibition of low-grade inflammation by anthocyanins from grape extract in an in vitro epithelial-endothelial co-culture model
Authors: Kuntz Sabine , Asseburg Heike , Dold Sebastian , Römpp Andreas , Fröhling Bettina , Kunz Clemens , Rudloff Silvia
Published: February 2015

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are the most prevalent flavonoids in berries and their health promoting effects on vascular functions are still discussed.
Design, synthesis and metal sensing studies of ether-linked bis-triazole derivatives
Authors: Hemamalini Arasappan , Mudedla Sathish Kumar , Subramanian Venkatesan , Mohan Das Thangamuthu
Published: February 2015

Ether-linked-bis-triazole derivatives have been synthesized by (CuAAC) “Click” reaction. Interaction of the compound with Hg2+has been demonstrated by various spectroscopic techniques which was further confirmed with computational studies.
Lewis base controlled supramolecular architectures via non-covalent interactions of dioxomolybdenum(vi) complexes with an ONS donor ligand: DFT calculations and biological study
Authors: Biswal Debanjana , Pramanik Nikhil Ranjan , Chakrabarti Syamal , Chakraborty Nirmalya , Acharya Krishnendu , Mandal Sudhanshu Sekhar , Ghosh Saktiprosad , Drew Michael G. B. , Mondal Tapan Kumar , Biswas Sujan
Published: February 2015

Fascinating supramolecular frameworks of Mo(vi) complexes.
Copper-catalyzed oxidative alkenylation of C(sp3)–H bonds via benzyl or alkyl radical addition to β-nitrostyrenes
Authors: Guo Shengrong , Yuan Yanqin , Xiang Jiannan
Published: February 2015

A new method for the preparation of (E)-β-alkylstyrene derivatives has been developed via the addition of benzyl or alkyl radicals to β-nitrostyrenes using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as the oxidant in the presence of Cu powder catalyst.
A room-temperature protocol to access isoquinolines through Ag(i) catalysed annulation of o-(1-alkynyl)arylaldehydes and ketones with NH4OAc: elaboration to berberine and palmatine
Authors: Reddy Virsinha , Jadhav Abhijeet S. , Vijaya Anand Ramasamy
Published: February 2015

A silver catalysed protocol for the synthesis of a wide range of isoquinolines from o-(1-alkynyl)arylaldehydes has been developed under mild conditions and elaborated to the synthesis of berberine and palmatine.
The intensively enhanced conductivity of polyelectrolytes by amphiphilic compound doping
Authors: Hsu Huang-Ming , Hsu Chun-Han , Kuo Ping-Lin
Published: February 2015

A simple amphiphilic compound, pyrenesulfonic acid (PSA), interacts with the hydrophobic moiety of a copolymer (sulfonated poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene), s-SISH) and simultaneously provides hydrophiles of –SO3H. Doping 2% PSA to the membranes of s-SISH enhances its very low conductivity by 26 times from 2.0 × 10−3 S cm−1 to 5.3 × 10−2 S cm−1.
Mesoporous materials: versatile supports in heterogeneous catalysis for liquid phase catalytic transformations
Authors: Pal Nabanita , Bhaumik Asim
Published: February 2015

This review article provides an overview of recently reported liquid phase heterogeneous catalytic reactions performed over mesoporous materials, along with their different synthesis strategies and critical role in environment-friendly green catalysis.
Tumor-targeted co-delivery of mitomycin C and 10-hydroxycamptothecin via micellar nanocarriers for enhanced anticancer efficacy
Authors: Lin Jinyan , Li Yang , Wu Hongjie , Yang Xiangrui , Li Yanxiu , Ye Shefang , Hou Zhenqing , Lin Changjian
Published: February 2015

Polymer–lipid hybrid micelles co-delivered hydrophilic mitomycin C and hydrophobic 10-hydroxycamptothecin showed improved cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in vitro and enhanced tumor accumulation and antitumor activity in vivo.
An ab initio study of TiS3: a promising electrode material for rechargeable Li and Na ion batteries
Authors: Wu Jian , Wang Da , Liu Hao , Lau Woon-Ming , Liu Li-Min
Published: February 2015

First-principles calculations have been used to study the electronic properties of bulk and monolayer TiS3 and its characteristics as an electrode material in rechargeable Li and Na ion batteries.
Monodisperse highly cross-linked “living” microspheres prepared via photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization
Authors: Tan Jianbo , Rao Xin , Yang Jianwen , Zeng Zhaohua
Published: February 2015

Monodisperse highly Cross-linked “Living” microspheres were synthesized via photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization of MMA using a bifunctional monomer or a trifunctional monomer as the cross-linker.
Effect of oxidants on photoelectrocatalytic decolourization using α-Fe2O3/TiO2/activated charcoal plate nanocomposite under visible light
Authors: Ayoubi-Feiz Baharak , Aber Soheil , Sheydaei Mohsen
Published: February 2015

Effect of oxidants on the decolourization efficiency of Lanasol Yellow 4G in photoelectrocatalytic process using α-Fe2O3/TiO2/ACP nanocomposite under visible light.
Poly(γ-glutamic acid) induced homogeneous mineralization of the poly(ethylene glycol)-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate cryogel for potential application in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Chuntao , Liu Xin , Quan Changyun , Li Xiaoqiong , Chen Chaozhu , Kang Hua , Hu Weikang , Jiang Qing , Zhang Chao
Published: February 2015

Homogeneous mineralization of a polymeric cryogel could be induced by poly(γ-glutamic acid) and benefit the cell response of the cryogel.
Investigation of the electrochemical behavior of indium nitride thin films by plasma-assisted reactive evaporation
Authors: Ganesh Vattikondala , Alizadeh Mahdi , Shuhaimi Ahamad , Pandikumar Alagarsamy , Goh Boon Tong , Huang Nay Ming , Rahman Saadah Abdul
Published: February 2015

Indium nitride thin films were grown at different RF powers using a plasma-assisted reactive evaporation method and their electrochemical properties were investigated.
Single-step preparation of recyclable silver nanoparticle immobilized porous glass filters for the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes
Authors: Lin Hong-Ling , Sou Nga-Lai , Huang Genin Gary
Published: February 2015

A single step preparation of recyclable silver nanocatalysts for catalytic reduction of nitroarenes with high efficiency.
Effect of Zn and Zr addition on the synthesis of an AlH3/MgCl2 nanocomposite and its de-hydriding properties
Authors: Congwen Duan , Lianxi Hu , Yu Sun
Published: February 2015

This paper presents the preliminary findings of the effects of 3d transition metals on the synthesis of an AlH3/MgCl2 nanocomposite and its de-hydriding properties.
Theoretical identification on the role of Lys15 for Sulfolobus tokodaii hexokinase
Authors: Wang Jinhu , Wang Wen , Liu Chunli , Zhao Yuliang , Cao Han , Liu Yongjun , Liu Rutao
Published: February 2015

QM/MM studies indicate that the phosphate transfer process is rate-determining, while the existence of K15 facilitates the reaction to proceed.
A heteropolyacid-based ionic liquid immobilized onto Fe3O4/SiO2/salen/Mn as an environmentally friendly catalyst in a multi-component reaction
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Seyed Mohsen
Published: February 2015

A heteropolyacid-based ionic liquid immobilized onto Fe3O4/SiO2/salen/Mn as an environmentally friendly catalyst in a multi-component reaction.
Improved model for diffusion-limited current in organic metal-insulator-metal diodes
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ammar , Jiu-Xun Sun
Published: February 2015

The analytic J–V formula for organic diodes recently derived by Bruyn et al. is improved by Ammar and Sun by considering the electric field dependence of mobility.
Enantioselective bioreductive preparation of chiral halohydrins employing two newly identified stereocomplementary reductases
Authors: Xu Guo-Chao , Yu Hui-Lei , Shang Yue-Peng , Xu Jian-He
Published: February 2015

Two robust stereocomplementary carbonyl reductases (DhCR andCgCR) for preparation of hylohydrins were identified through rescreening the carbonyl reductase toolbox.
An in silico and chemical approach towards small protein production and application in phosphoproteomics
Authors: Dias Ana M. G. C. , Iranzo Olga , Roque Ana C. A.
Published: February 2015

This work demonstrates the advantages of peptide chemical synthesis as a robust method for the production and modification of small proteins, such as the human Pin1 WW domain. The protein was immobilized on a solid support and used to enrich phosphorylated species.
High-performance flexible supercapacitors based on mesoporous carbon nanofibers/Co3O4/MnO2 hybrid electrodes
Authors: Huang Yunpeng , Miao Yue-E , Tjiu Weng Weei , Liu Tianxi
Published: February 2015

Ultrathin MnO2 nanosheets on flexible electrospun Co3O4 doped carbon nanofiber membranes were synthesized via electrospinning combined with in situ redox reaction and used as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.
Large ring-forming alkylations provide facile access to composite macrocycles
Authors: Rose Tristan E. , Lawson Kenneth V. , Harran Patrick. G.
Published: February 2015

Friedel–Crafts cinnamylations can form unique and varied macrocycles with unmatched ease and functional group tolerance.
Spider's super-glue: thread anchors are composite adhesives with synergistic hierarchical organization
Authors: Wolff Jonas O. , Grawe Ingo , Wirth Marina , Karstedt André , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: February 2015

Spider pyriform glue exhibits a high adhesive strength and flaw tolerance due to fibrillar compound structure on both micro- and nanoscale.
High efficiency all-polymer solar cells realized by the synergistic effect between the polymer side-chain structure and solvent additive
Authors: Yuan Jianyu , Ma Wanli
Published: February 2015

The number of conjugated side chains on the donor polymer can greatly affect the performance of all-polymer solar cells.
Tungsten-based porous thin-films for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation
Authors: Fei Huilong , Yang Yang , Fan Xiujun , Wang Gunuk , Ruan Gedeng , Tour James M.
Published: February 2015

Developing inexpensive and efficient electrocatalysts without using precious metals for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential for the realization of economical clean energy production.
Preparation of hollow Co9S8 nanoneedle arrays as effective counter electrodes for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Chen Chang , Ye Meidan , Zhang Nan , Wen Xiaoru , Zheng Dajiang , Lin Changjian
Published: February 2015

Hollow Co9S8 nanoneedle arrays were directly grown on transparent conducting substrates via a simple template-assisted hydrothermal process. Upon calcination, the resulting CdS/CdSe QDSCs based on the cobalt sulfide counter electrodes exhibited a high power conversion efficiency of 3.72%.
Semiconductor nanocrystals in fluorous liquids for the construction of light-emitting diodes
Authors: Park Myeongjin , Jung Seok-Heon , Lim Jaehoon , Kim Dae-Young , Kim Hee-Jin , Lee Seungyong , Jung Heeyoung , Lee Seonghoon , Lee Changhee , Lee Jin-Kyun
Published: February 2015

Fluorous liquid-soluble semiconductor nanocrystals enable the solution-casting of inorganic films on top of an organic small-molecular hole-transporting layer, providing stacked structures suitable for light-emitting diode fabrication.
A green route to fabricate MoS2 nanosheets in water–ethanol–CO2
Authors: Qi Yuhang , Wang Nan , Xu Qun , Li Hongxiang , Zhou Pengshang , Lu Xin , Zhao Guoqiang
Published: February 2015

The ultrathin and highly crystalline MoS2 nanosheets fabricated via a green route can be directly used as a label for bioimaging.
Editorial of the PCCP themed issue on “Solvation Science”
Authors: Morgenstern Karina , Marx Dominik , Havenith Martina , Muhler Martin
Published: February 2015

The emerging topic of “Solvation Science” aims to develop a universal concept of solvation which not only describes solvents in general, but is additionally able to predict the properties of new solvent systems.
Imidazole derivative-functionalized carbon dots: using as a fluorescent probe for detecting water and imaging of live cells
Authors: Wang Xudong , Wang Dan , Guo Yali , Yang Chengduan , Iqbal Anam , Liu Weisheng , Qin Wenwu , Yan Dan , Guo Huichen
Published: February 2015

A highly sensitive carbon dot–imidazole (CD–imidazole) nanoprobe is prepared through covalently conjugating the imidazole group onto the surface of carbon dots for water fluorescence .
Investigation of a naked Ag7 cluster: configurations and spectral characteristics
Authors: Xu Shuhong , Wang Zhaochong , Wang Chunlei , Wang Zhuyuan , Cui Yiping
Published: February 2015

The possible configurations of experimental products are Ag7-2 and Ag7-4 molecules, though the Ag7-1 cluster is the most stable molecule.
An electrochemiluminescent immunosensor based on CdS–Fe3O4nanocomposite electrodes for the detection of Ochratoxin A
Authors: Lv Xiaohui , Li Yueyun , Yan Tao , Pang Xuehui , Hu Lihua , Du Bin , Wei Qin
Published: February 2015

A promising electrochemiluminescent immunosensor based on CdS–Fe3O4nanocomposites was developed for the detection of Ochratoxin A.
Surface modification of polydopamine coated particles via glycopolymer brush synthesis for protein binding and FLIM testing
Authors: Le-Masurier Solomon Pradhan , Duong Hien Thi Thu , Boyer Cyrille , Granville Anthony Michael
Published: February 2015

Polymer coatings on silica cores as well as fluorescent protein binding and fluorescent lifetime analysis.
Fluorinated microgel star polymers as fluorous nanocapsules for the encapsulation and release of perfluorinated compounds
Authors: Koda Yuta , Terashima Takaya , Sawamoto Mitsuo
Published: February 2015

Fluorinated microgel star polymers work as fluorous nanocapsules to efficiently capture and thermo-responsively release perfluorinated guest compounds.
One-pot synthesis of 3-D dandelion-like architectures constructed by rutile TiO2 nanorods grown along [001] axis for high-rate lithium ion batteries
Authors: Bai Yu , Liu Zhimin , Zhang Naiqing , Sun Kening
Published: February 2015

A novel 3-D dandelion-like TiO2 anode constructed by rutile nanorods grown along [001] axis exhibits high-rate lithium ion battery behaviour.
Comparative supercapacitance performance of CuO nanostructures for energy storage device applications
Authors: Senthilkumar V. , Kim Yong Soo , Chandrasekaran S. , Rajagopalan Balasubramaniyan , Kim Eui Jung , Chung Jin Suk
Published: February 2015

(a)–(c) FE-SEM images of CuO nanoplates on Ni foam, flower-shaped CuO and bud-shaped CuO. (d) Specific capacitance and (d) and (e) Ragone plots of power densityvs.energy density according to CuO electrodes in an asymmetrical device.
Static headspace gas chromatographic method for the determination of residual solvents in cephalosporins
Authors: Gad Mohamed , Zaazaa Hala , Amer Sawsan , Korany Mohamed
Published: February 2015

The pharmaceutical industry is facing a daunting challenge in the control of impurities.
Synthesis of Ag/ZnO/C plasmonic photocatalyst with enhanced adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity to antibiotics
Authors: Xue Jinjuan , Ma Shuaishuai , Zhou Yuming , Zhang Zewu , Jiang Ping
Published: February 2015

A novel Ag/ZnO/C plasmonic photocatalyst was synthesizedviaa facile calcination and photodeposition route.
Transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of amido(hetero)arylboronic acid aldehydes to isoquinolinones and derivatives
Authors: Marques C. S. , Peixoto D. , Burke A. J.
Published: February 2015

We report an innovative and simple three step high yielding synthesis of a library of 14 chiral isoquinolinone and azepinone derivatives with benzyl, pyridyl and thiophene cores starting from amidoarylboronic acid aldehydes.
Superior elastomeric nanocomposites with electrospun nanofibers and nanoparticles of CoFe2O4for magnetorheological applications
Authors: Mordina Bablu , Tiwari Rajesh Kumar , Setua Dipak Kumar , Sharma Ashutosh
Published: February 2015

Cobalt ferrite nanofiber filled polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites show 100–400% improvement in magnetorheological properties compared to that with nanoparticles.
Polymorphism of a high-molecular-weight racemic poly(l-lactide)/poly(d-lactide) blend: effect of melt blending with poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Bao Rui-Ying , Yang Wei , Liu Zheng-Ying , Xie Bang-Hu , Yang Ming-Bo
Published: February 2015

The polymorphic crystallization of a high-molecular-weight PLLA/PDLA blend can be tailored by the amount of PMMA and dynamic and isothermal crystallization conditions.
A novel reversible colorimetric chemosensor for the detection of Cu2+ based on a water-soluble polymer containing rhodamine receptor pendants
Authors: Li Guang , Tao Farong , Wang Hu , Wang Liping , Zhang Jiaojiao , Ge Peipei , Liu Lin , Tong Yunhua , Sun Su
Published: February 2015

A novel reversible colorimetric chemosensor based on water-soluble polymer toward Cu2+ ions in pure aqueous solution has been developed.
Superhydrophobic surfaces created by a one-step solution-immersion process and their drag-reduction effect on water
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Xiaowei , Zhang Haifeng , Zhou Zhiping
Published: February 2015

A simple one-step process was developed to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces on copper alloy substrates.
Tailorable and programmable liquid-crystalline elastomers using a two-stage thiol–acrylate reaction
Authors: Yakacki C. M. , Saed M. , Nair D. P. , Gong T. , Reed S. M. , Bowman C. N.
Published: February 2015

A methodology is introduced to synthesize main-chain liquid-crystalline elastomers (LCEs) using a thiol–acrylate-based reaction. This method can program an aligned LCE monodomain and offer spatio-temporal control over liquid-crystalline behavior.
Formation of PCP pincer cobalt complexes with cobaltacyclopropane moieties via double Csp3–H bond activation
Authors: Zhu Gengyu , Wang Lin , Sun Hongjian , Li Xiaoyan
Published: February 2015

The introduction and changes of the substituents at the middle carbon atom of the preligand dipyrrolmethane have a significant impact on the reaction results.
TiO2(B)–CNT–graphene ternary composite anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Shen Tao , Zhou Xufeng , Cao Hailiang , Zheng Chao , Liu Zhaoping
Published: February 2015

The TiO2(B)–CNT–graphene ternary composite, in which graphene and CNTs construct a highly efficient conductive network, exhibits excellent rate performance and cycling stability as an anode material for Li-ion batteries.
Selective oxidation of uronic acids into aldaric acids over gold catalyst
Authors: Rautiainen Sari , Lehtinen Petra , Chen Jingjing , Vehkamäki Marko , Niemelä Klaus , Leskelä Markku , Repo Timo
Published: February 2015

Uronic acids available from hemicelluloses were oxidized into aldaric acids, valuable building block chemicals. Au/Al2O3 oxidized glucuronic and galacturonic acids quantitatively to the corresponding glucaric and galactaric acids at mild conditions.
Different mechanisms and electrocatalytic activities of Ce ion or CeO2 modified Ti/Sb–SnO2 electrodes fabricated by one-step pulse electro-codeposition
Authors: Duan Tigang , Chen Ye , Wen Qing , Duan Ying
Published: February 2015

Nano-CeO2 doping mitigates the surface antimony enrichment and promotes the complete oxidation of antimony, while cerium ion doping aggravates these things.
Self assembled polyaniline nanofibers with enhanced electromagnetic shielding properties
Authors: Joseph Nina , Varghese Jobin , Sebastian Mailadil Thomas
Published: February 2015

Self assembly of PANI nano fibers with enhanced emi shielding.
Plasmonic giant quantum dots: hybrid nanostructures for truly simultaneous optical imaging, photothermal effect and thermometry
Authors: Karan Niladri S. , Keller Aaron M. , Sampat Siddharth , Roslyak Oleksiy , Arefin Ayesha , Hanson Christina J. , Casson Joanna L. , Desireddy Anil , Ghosh Yagnaseni , Piryatinski Andrei , Iyer Rashi , Htoon Han , Malko Anton V. , Hollingsworth Jennifer A.
Published: February 2015

A new compact and multifunctional hybrid semiconductor–metal nanostructure is elucidated and demonstrated for real-time optical imaging, photothermal heating, and in situ thermometry.
Intermolecular carbene S–H insertion catalysed by engineered myoglobin-based catalysts
Authors: Tyagi Vikas , Bonn Rachel B. , Fasan Rudi
Published: February 2015

The first example of a biocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of thioethersviaan intermolecular carbene S–H insertion reaction is reported.
High tap density microparticles of selenium-doped germanium as a high efficiency, stable cycling lithium-ion battery anode material
Authors: Klavetter Kyle C. , Pedro de Souza J. , Heller Adam , Mullins C. Buddie
Published: February 2015

Slurry cast electrodes with μm-sized Ge0.9Se0.1 particles cycle stably at ∼800 mA h g−1 with ∼99.9% efficiency for 900 1C-rate cycles while electrodes with μm-size pure Ge particles lose 1/3rd of their capacity after five C/5 cycles. The difference is attributed to an inactive glassy Li–Se–Ge phase.
Future generations of cathode materials: an automotive industry perspective
Authors: Andre Dave , Kim Sung-Jin , Lamp Peter , Lux Simon Franz , Maglia Filippo , Paschos Odysseas , Stiaszny Barbara
Published: February 2015

The potential application in the automotive field of several future cathode materials is evaluated based on their energy density, power capability and lifetime expectation.
A novel triphenylamine functionalized bithiazole–metal complex with C60 for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation
Authors: Huo Jingpei , Zeng Heping
Published: February 2015

Composite 6 (2.0 wt% C60) is an efficient and fully recyclable catalyst for photocatalytic H2 production (7.39 mmol h−1 g−1) under visible light illumination.
Poly[3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT)-co-1,3,5-tri[2-(3,4-ethylene dioxythienyl)]-benzene (EPh)] copolymers (PEDOT-co-EPh): optical, electrochemical and mechanical properties
Authors: Ouyang Liangqi , Kuo Chin-chen , Farrell Brendan , Pathak Sheevangi , Wei Bin , Qu Jing , Martin David C.
Published: February 2015

With increasing amounts of EPh crosslinker, PEDOT-co-EPh copolymer thin films change colors from blue to red, show reduced charged transport, become mechanically stiffer, and remain cytocompatible.
Functional cross-talk between Cdc42 and two downstream targets, Par6B and PAK4
Authors: Jin Dan , Durgan Joanne , Hall Alan
Published: February 2015

PAK4 [p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase 4] and partitioning defective (Par) 6B are required for apical junction assembly in epithelial cells. PAK4 phosphorylates Par6B at Ser143 blocking its interaction with Cdc42 (cell division cycle 42). This could provide dynamic turnover of Par6B at junctions and/or promote Par6B interactions with alternative binding partners.
Linear precoding for spatially correlated multiple‐input single‐output wiretap channel
Authors: Hajimomeni Mona , Aghaeinia Hassan
Published: February 2015

A precoding scheme for physical layer security of multiple‐input single‐output (MISO) wiretap channel with spatial correlation is designed. Quality‐of‐service (QoS) of the link is defined in terms of upper bounds on average symbol error rate function at Bob (legitimate user) and Eve (illegitimate user). Specifically, two problems are considered. First, a precoder matrix is designed to minimise the average transmitted power subject to QoS requirements at Bob and Eve. Next, we propose two algorithms to minimize QoS of illegitimate party for a given reliability level, depending on whether main user link has no correlation or is fully correlated. Our result for uncorrelated case demonstrate that by increasing the allocated power, main user can increase secrecy level up to an optimum point above which both legitimate and illegitimate receivers experience adequate QoS in their links. In fully correlated case, the problem is identified as an instance of concave minimisation over a polytope, and optimum power allocation is obtained via the widely known vertex enumeration algorithm. In both cases, our simulations validate the analysis significantly. The results confirm that linear precoding is able to trade average power against minimum achievable Eve performance.
Practical opportunistic full‐/half‐duplex relaying
Authors: Xia Xiaochen , Xu Youyun , Xu Kui , Ma Wenfeng , Zhang Dongmei
Published: February 2015

The opportunistic full‐/half‐duplex relaying schemes are studied where the effects of imperfect channel state information (CSI) and transmit imperfection are taken into account. The opportunistic schemes with different levels of channel knowledge, that is, the scheme with CSI at the transmitter (CSIT), the scheme with CSI at the receiver (CSIR) and the scheme with only statistical CSI, are proposed. Power adaption (PA) schemes with different levels of channel knowledge are presented and combined with the opportunistic schemes to further improve the system performance. The opportunistic schemes are evaluated in the term of average capacity. The author's results show that the opportunistic scheme with CSIR achieves comparative performance to the scheme with CSIT when the PA is not used. Moreover, it is shown that the choice of full‐duplex relaying becomes more attractive when the quality of estimation for desired channels degrades. However, the converse is true as the quality of estimation for echo interference channel degrading or the power of transmit noise increasing.
Stochastic linear multistep methods for the simulation of chemical kinetics
Authors: Barrio Manuel , Burrage Kevin , Burrage Pamela
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we introduce the Stochastic Adams-Bashforth (SAB) and Stochastic Adams-Moulton (SAM) methods as an extension of the τ-leaping framework to past information. Using the Θ-trapezoidal τ-leap method of weak order two as a starting procedure, we show that the k-step SAB method with k ≥ 3 is order three in the mean and correlation, while a predictor-corrector implementation of the SAM method is weak order three in the mean but only order one in the correlation. These convergence results have been derived analytically for linear problems and successfully tested numerically for both linear and non-linear systems. A series of additional examples have been implemented in order to demonstrate the efficacy of this approach.
High frequency permeability and permittivity spectra of BiFeO3/(CoTi)-BaM ferrite composites
Authors: Peng Yun , Wu Xiaohan , Chen Zhongyan , Li Qifan , Yu Ting , Feng Zekun , Su Zhijuan , Chen Yajie , Harris Vincent G.
Published: February 2015

Low magnetic loss ferrite composites consisting of Ba(CoTi)1.2Fe9.6O19 and BiFeO3 (BFO) ferrite were investigated for permeability, permittivity, and high frequency losses at 10 MHz–1 GHz. The phase fraction of BiFeO3 was quantitatively analyzed by X-ray diffraction measurements. An effective medium approach was employed to predict the effective permeability and permittivity for the ferrite composites, which was found to be in good agreement with experimental data. The experiment demonstrated low magnetic losses (<0.128), modified by BFO phase fraction, while retaining high permeability (∼10.86) at 300 MHz. More importantly, the BFO phase resulted in a reduction of magnetic loss by 32%, as BFO phase increased from 2.7 vol. % to 12.6 vol. %. The effect of BFO phase on magnetic and dielectric properties revealed great potential for use in the miniaturization of high efficiency antennas.
Dynamic correlation length scales under isochronal conditions
Authors: Casalini R. , Fragiadakis D. , Roland C. M.
Published: February 2015

The origin of the dramatic changes in the behavior of liquids as they approach their vitreous state—increases of many orders of magnitude in dynamic time scales and transport properties—is a major unsolved problem in condensed matter. These changes are accompanied by greater dynamic heterogeneity, which refers to both spatial variation and spatial correlation of molecular mobilities. The question is whether the changing dynamics are coupled to this heterogeneity; that is, does the latter cause the former? To address this, we carried out the first nonlinear dielectric experiments at elevated hydrostatic pressures on two liquids, to measure the third-order harmonic component of their susceptibilities. We extract from this the number of dynamically correlated molecules for various state points and find that the dynamic correlation volume for non-associated liquids depends primarily on the relaxation time, sensibly independent of temperature and pressure. We support this result by molecular dynamic simulations showing that the maximum in the four-point dynamic susceptibility of density fluctuations is essentially invariant along isochrones for molecules that do not form hydrogen bonds. Our findings are consistent with dynamic cooperativity serving as the principal control parameter for the slowing down of molecular motions in supercooled materials.
Hypercontractivity in finite-dimensional matrix algebras
Authors: Junge Marius , Palazuelos Carlos , Parcet Javier , Perrin Mathilde
Published: February 2015

We obtain hypercontractivity estimates for a large class of semigroups defined on finite-dimensional matrix algebras 𝕄n. These semigroups arise from Poisson-like length functions ψ on ℤn × ℤn and provide new hypercontractive families of quantum channels when ψ is conditionally negative. We also study the optimality of our estimates.
Ultra-dark graphene stack metamaterials
Authors: Chugh Sunny , Man Mengren , Chen Zhihong , Webb Kevin J.
Published: February 2015

We present a fabrication method to achieve a graphene stack metamaterial, a periodic array of unit cells composed of graphene and a thin insulating spacer, that allows accumulation of the strong absorption from individual graphene sheets and low reflectivity from the stack. The complex sheet conductivity of graphene from experimental data models the measured power transmitted as a function of wavelength and number of periods in the stack. Simulated results based on the extracted graphene complex sheet conductivity for thicker stacks suggest that the graphene stack reflectivity and the per-unit-length absorption can be controlled to exceed the performance of competing light absorbers. Furthermore, the electrical properties of graphene coupled with the stack absorption characteristics provide for applications in optoelectronic devices.
Equivalent circuit modeling of dynamic hysteretic property of silicon steel under pulse width modulation excitation
Authors: Miyazaki T. , Mifune T. , Matsuo T. , Shindo Y. , Takahashi Y. , Fujiwara K.
Published: February 2015

This paper describes the development of an efficient and accurate dynamic hysteresis model that combines the Cauer circuit representations with the play model. The physical meaning of the standard Cauer circuit is discussed and is used to derive a mathematical representation of hysteretic inductors. The iron-loss and hysteresis loops of silicon steel that were obtained using the proposed model agree with experimental data measured under sinusoidal and pulse width modulation excitations.