bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biofilm may not be Necessary for the Epidemic Spread of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Hu Yuan , He Lihua , Tao Xiaoxia , Meng Fanliang , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: August 2016

Biofilm is recognized as a contributing factor to the capacity of Acinetobacter baumannii to persist and prosper in medical settings, but it is still unknown whether biofilms contribute to the spread of A. baumannii. In this study, the biofilm formation of 114 clinical A. baumannii isolates and 32 non-baumannii Acinetobacter isolates was investigated using a microtiter plate assay. The clonal relationships among A. baumannii isolates were assessed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing and one major outbreak clone and 5 other epidemic clones were identified. Compared with the epidemic or outbreak A. baumannii isolates, the sporadic isolates had significantly higher biofilm formation, but no significant difference was observed between the sporadic A. baumannii isolates and the non-baumannii Acinetobacter isolates, suggesting that biofilm is not important for the epidemic spread of A. baumannii. Of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates in this study, 95.7% were assigned to international clone 2 (IC2) and showed significantly lower biofilm formations than the other isolates, suggesting that biofilm did not contribute to the high success of IC2. These findings have increased our understanding of the potential relationship between biofilm formation and the epidemic capacity of A. baumannii.
A micromechanical comparison of human and porcine skin before and after preservation by freezing for medical device development
Authors: Ranamukhaarachchi S. A. , Lehnert S. , Ranamukhaarachchi S. L. , Sprenger L. , Schneider T. , Mansoor I. , Rai K. , Häfeli U. O. , Stoeber B.
Published: August 2016

Collecting human skin samples for medical research, including developing microneedle-based medical devices, is challenging and time-consuming. Researchers rely on human skin substitutes and skin preservation techniques, such as freezing, to overcome the lack of skin availability. Porcine skin is considered the best substitute to human skin, but their mechanical resemblance has not been fully validated. We provide a direct mechanical comparison between human and porcine skin samples using a conventional mechano-analytical technique (microindentation) and a medical application (microneedle insertion), at 35% and 100% relative humidity. Human and porcine skin samples were tested immediately after surgical excision from subjects, and after one freeze-thaw cycle at −80 °C to assess the impact of freezing on their mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of fresh human and porcine skin (especially of the stratum corneum) were found to be different for bulk measurements using microindentation; and both types of skin were mechanically affected by freezing. Localized in-plane mechanical properties of skin during microneedle insertion appeared to be more comparable between human and porcine skin samples than their bulk out-of-plane mechanical properties. The results from this study serve as a reference for future mechanical tests conducted with frozen human skin and/or porcine skin as a human skin substitute.
Functional characterization of open chromatin in bidirectional promoters of rice
Authors: Fang Yuan , Wang Ximeng , Wang Lei , Pan Xiucai , Xiao Jin , Wang Xiu-e , Wu Yufeng , Zhang Wenli
Published: August 2016

Bidirectional gene pairs tend to be highly coregulated and function in similar biological processes in eukaryotic genomes. Structural features and functional consequences of bidirectional promoters (BDPs) have received considerable attention among diverse species. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the bidirectional transcription and coexpression of BDPs remain poorly understood in plants. In this study, we integrated DNase-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq and MNase-seq data and investigated the effect of physical DNase I hypersensitive site (DHS) positions on the transcription of rice BDPs. We found that the physical position of a DHS relative to the TSS of bidirectional gene pairs can affect the expression of the corresponding genes: the closer a DHS is to the TSS, the higher is the expression level of the genes. Most importantly, we observed that the distribution of DHSs plays a significant role in the regulation of transcription and the coexpression of gene pairs, which are possibly mediated by orchestrating the positioning of histone marks and canonical nucleosomes around BDPs. Our results demonstrate that the combined actions of chromatin structures with DHSs, which contain functional cis-elements for interaction with transcriptional machinery, may play an important role in the regulation of the bidirectional transcription or coexpression in rice BDPs. Our findings may help to enhance the understanding of DHSs in the regulation of bidirectional gene pairs.
Miniature Surface Plasmon Polariton Amplitude Modulator by Beat Frequency and Polarization Control
Authors: Chang Cheng-Wei , Lin Chu-En , Yu Chih-Jen , Yeh Ting-Tso , Yen Ta-Jen
Published: August 2016

The miniaturization of modulators keeps pace for the compact devices in optical applications. Here, we present a miniature surface plasmon polariton amplitude modulator (SPPAM) by directing and interfering surface plasmon polaritons on a nanofabricated chip. Our results show that this SPPAM enables two kinds of modulations. The first kind of modulation is controlled by encoding angular-frequency difference from a Zeeman laser, with a beat frequency of 1.66 MHz; the second of modulation is validated by periodically varying the polarization states from a polarization generator, with rotation frequencies of 0.5–10 k Hz. In addition, the normalized extinction ratio of our plasmonic structure reaches 100. Such miniaturized beat-frequency and polarization-controlled amplitude modulators open an avenue for the exploration of ultrasensitive nanosensors, nanocircuits, and other integrated nanophotonic devices.
sNebula, a network-based algorithm to predict binding between human leukocyte antigens and peptides
Authors: Luo Heng , Ye Hao , Ng Hui Wen , Sakkiah Sugunadevi , Mendrick Donna L. , Hong Huixiao
Published: August 2016

Understanding the binding between human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and peptides is important to understand the functioning of the immune system. Since it is time-consuming and costly to measure the binding between large numbers of HLAs and peptides, computational methods including machine learning models and network approaches have been developed to predict HLA-peptide binding. However, there are several limitations for the existing methods. We developed a network-based algorithm called sNebula to address these limitations. We curated qualitative Class I HLA-peptide binding data and demonstrated the prediction performance of sNebula on this dataset using leave-one-out cross-validation and five-fold cross-validations. This algorithm can predict not only peptides of different lengths and different types of HLAs, but also the peptides or HLAs that have no existing binding data. We believe sNebula is an effective method to predict HLA-peptide binding and thus improve our understanding of the immune system.
Effects of Nitrogen and Shading on Root Morphologies, Nutrient Accumulation, and Photosynthetic Parameters in Different Rice Genotypes
Authors: Pan Shenggang , Liu Haidong , Mo Zhaowen , Patterson Bob , Duan Meiyang , Tian Hua , Hu Shuijin , Tang Xiangru
Published: August 2016

Nitrogen availability and illumination intensity are two key factors which affect rice growth. However, their influences on total nitrogen accumulation, photosynthetic rate, root morphologies, and yields are not fully understood. We conducted two field experiments to (1) evaluate the effects of shading under different N treatments on photosynthetic parameters, root morphologies, total nutrient accumulation, and grain yields of rice; and (2) elucidate the relationship between total nutrient accumulation and root morphologies under different shading conditions and nitrogen treatments. Three nitrogen rates, three shading treatments, and three different rice cultivars were used in two field experiments. Double shading during the grain-filling stage decreased total nutrient accumulation, altered root morphological characteristics, and decreased yields in rice. There were also significant interaction effects between nitrogen and shading on photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and total root length, root superficial area, and root volume. Significant interactions were found among cultivars and shading for photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. Correlation analysis revealed that total nitrogen accumulation (TNA) and potassium accumulation (TKA) were significantly positively correlated with total root length, root superficial area, and root volume. N application could alleviate the detrimental effects of shading on total nutrient accumulation and grain yield in rice.
Antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax blood-stage and sporozoite antigens in the postpartum period
Authors: McLean Alistair R. D. , Boel Machteld E. , McGready Rose , Ataide Ricardo , Drew Damien , Tsuboi Takafumi , Beeson James G. , Nosten François , Simpson Julie A. , Fowkes Freya J. I.
Published: August 2016

During pregnancy a variety of immunological changes occur to accommodate the fetus. It is unknown whether these changes continue to affect humoral immunity postpartum or how quickly they resolve. IgG levels were measured to P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens in 201 postpartum and 201 controls over 12 weeks. Linear mixed-effects models assessed antibody maintenance over time and the effect of microscopically confirmed Plasmodium spp. infection on antibody levels, and whether this was different in postpartum women compared with control women. Postpartum women had reduced Plasmodium spp. antibody levels compared to controls at baseline. Over 12 weeks, mean antibody levels in postpartum women increased to levels observed in control women. Microscopically confirmed P. falciparum and P. vivax infections during follow-up were associated with an increase in species-specific antibodies with similar magnitudes of boosting observed in postpartum and control women. Antibodies specific for pregnancy-associated, VAR2CSA-expressing parasites did not rapidly decline postpartum and did not boost in response to infection in either postpartum or control women. After pregnancy, levels of malaria-specific antibodies were reduced, but recovered to levels seen in control women. There was no evidence of an impaired ability to mount a boosting response in postpartum women.
Evolution of Electronic Circuits using Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Massey M. K. , Kotsialos A. , Volpati D. , Vissol-Gaudin E. , Pearson C. , Bowen L. , Obara B. , Zeze D. A. , Groves C. , Petty M. C.
Published: August 2016

Evolution-in-materio concerns the computer controlled manipulation of material systems using external stimuli to train or evolve the material to perform a useful function. In this paper we demonstrate the evolution of a disordered composite material, using voltages as the external stimuli, into a form where a simple computational problem can be solved. The material consists of single-walled carbon nanotubes suspended in liquid crystal; the nanotubes act as a conductive network, with the liquid crystal providing a host medium to allow the conductive network to reorganise when voltages are applied. We show that the application of electric fields under computer control results in a significant change in the material morphology, favouring the solution to a classification task.
Improving the Production of L-Phenylalanine by Identifying Key Enzymes Through Multi-Enzyme Reaction System in Vitro
Authors: Ding Dongqin , Liu Yongfei , Xu Yiran , Zheng Ping , Li Haixing , Zhang Dawei , Sun Jibin
Published: August 2016

L-Phenylalanine (L-Phe) is an important amino acid used in both food and medicinal applications. We developed an in vitro system that allowed a direct, quantitative investigation of phenylalanine biosynthesis in E. coli. Here, the absolute concentrations of six enzymes (AroK, AroL, AroA, AroC, PheA and TyrB) involved in the shikimate (SHIK) pathway were determined by a quantitative proteomics approach and in vitro enzyme titration experiments. The reconstitution of an in vitro reaction system for these six enzymes was established and their effects on the phenylalanine production were tested. The results showed that the yield of phenylalanine increased 3.0 and 2.1 times when the concentrations of shikimate kinase (AroL) and 5-enolpyruvoyl shikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (AroA) were increased 2.5 times. Consistent results were obtained from in vivo via the overexpression of AroA in a phenylalanine-producing strain and the titer of phenylalanine reached 62.47 g/l after 48 h cultivation in a 5-liter jar fermentor. Our quantitative findings provide a practical method to detect the potential bottleneck in a specific metabolic pathway to determine which gene products should be targeted to improve the yield of the desired product.
Highly Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at Insulating Boron Nitride Nanosheet on Inert Gold Substrate
Authors: Uosaki Kohei , Elumalai Ganesan , Dinh Hung Cuong , Lyalin Andrey , Taketsugu Tetsuya , Noguchi Hidenori
Published: August 2016

It is demonstrated that electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) proceeds very efficiently at Au electrode, an inert substrate for HER, modified with BNNS, an insulator. This combination has been reported to be an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. Higher efficiency is achieved by using the size controlled BNNS (<1 μm) for the modification and the highest efficiency is achieved at Au electrode modified with the smallest BNNS (0.1–0.22 μm) used in this study where overpotentials are only 30 mV and 40 mV larger than those at Pt electrode, which is known to be the best electrode for HER, at 5 mAcm−2 and at 15 mAcm−2, respectively. Theoretical evaluation suggests that some of edge atoms provide energetically favored sites for adsorbed hydrogen, i.e., the intermediate state of HER. This study opens a new route to develop HER electrocatalysts.
Long distance seawater intrusion through a karst conduit network in the Woodville Karst Plain, Florida
Authors: Xu Zexuan , Bassett Seth Willis , Hu Bill , Dyer Scott Barrett
Published: August 2016

Five periods of increased electrical conductivity have been found in the karst conduits supplying one of the largest first magnitude springs in Florida with water. Numerous well-developed conduit networks are distributed in the Woodville Karst Plain (WKP), Florida and connected to the Gulf of Mexico. A composite analysis of precipitation and electrical conductivity data provides strong evidence that the increases in conductivity are directly tied to seawater intrusion moving inland and traveling 11 miles against the prevailing regional hydraulic gradient from from Spring Creek Spring Complex (SCSC), a group of submarine springs at the Gulf Coast. A geochemical analysis of samples from the spring vent rules out anthropogenic contamination and upwelling regional recharge from the deep aquifer as sources of the rising conductivity. The interpretation is supported by the conceptual model established by prior researchers working to characterize the study area. This paper documents the first and longest case of seawater intrusion in the WKP and also indicates significant possibility of seawater contamination through subsurface conduit networks in a coastal karst aquifer.
Wedelolactone enhances osteoblastogenesis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway but suppresses osteoclastogenesis by NF-κB/c-fos/NFATc1 pathway
Authors: Liu Yan-Qiu , Hong Zhi-Lai , Zhan Li-Bin , Chu Hui-Ying , Zhang Xiao-Zhe , Li Guo-Hui
Published: August 2016

Bone homeostasis is maintained by formation and destruction of bone, which are two processes tightly coupled and controlled. Targeting both stimulation on bone formation and suppression on bone resorption becomes a promising strategy for treating osteoporosis. In this study, we examined the effect of wedelolactone, a natural product from Ecliptae herba, on osteoblastogenesis as well as osteoclastogenesis. In mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), wedelolactone stimulated osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. At the molecular level, wedelolactone directly inhibited GSK3β activity and enhanced the phosphorylation of GSK3β, thereafter stimulated the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and runx2. The expression of osteoblastogenesis-related marker gene including osteorix, osteocalcin and runx2 increased. At the same concentration range, wedelolactone inhibited RANKL-induced preosteoclastic RAW264.7 actin-ring formation and bone resorption pits. Further, wedelolactone blocked NF-kB/p65 phosphorylation and abrogated the NFATc1 nuclear translocation. As a result, osteoclastogenesis-related marker gene expression decreased, including c-src, c-fos and cathepsin K. In ovariectomized mice, administration of wedelolactone prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblast activity and inhibiting osteoclast activity. Together, these data demonstrated that wedelolactone facilitated osteoblastogenesis through Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NF-κB/c-fos/NFATc1 pathway. These results suggested that wedelolacone could be a novel dual functional therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
Functional regeneration of the transected recurrent laryngeal nerve using a collagen scaffold loaded with laminin and laminin-binding BDNF and GDNF
Authors: Wang Baoxin , Yuan Junjie , Chen Xinwei , Xu Jiafeng , Li Yu , Dong Pin
Published: August 2016

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury remains a challenge due to the lack of effective treatments. In this study, we established a new drug delivery system consisting of a tube of Heal-All Oral Cavity Repair Membrane loaded with laminin and neurotrophic factors and tested its ability to promote functional recovery following RLN injury. We created recombinant fusion proteins consisting of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) fused to laminin-binding domains (LBDs) in order to prevent neurotrophin diffusion. LBD-BDNF, LBD-GDNF, and laminin were injected into a collagen tube that was fitted to the ends of the transected RLN in rats. Functional recovery was assessed 4, 8, and 12 weeks after injury. Although vocal fold movement was not restored until 12 weeks after injury, animals treated with the collagen tube loaded with laminin, LBD-BDNF and LBD-GDNF showed improved recovery in vocalisation, arytenoid cartilage angles, compound muscle action potentials and regenerated fibre area compared to animals treated by autologous nerve grafting (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate the drug delivery system induced nerve regeneration following RLN transection that was superior to that induced by autologus nerve grafting. It may have potential applications in nerve regeneration of RLN transection injury.
Loss of Ewing sarcoma EWS allele promotes tumorigenesis by inducing chromosomal instability in zebrafish
Authors: Park Hyewon , Galbraith Richard , Turner Thaddeus , Mehojah Justin , Azuma Mizuki
Published: August 2016

The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors expresses aberrant EWSR1- (EWS) fusion genes that are derived from chromosomal translocation. Although these fusion genes are well characterized as transcription factors, their formation leaves a single EWS allele in the sarcoma cells and the contribution that the loss of EWS makes towards disease pathogenesis is unknown. To address this question, we utilized zebrafish mutants for ewsa and tp53. The zebrafish tp53(M214K)w/m line and the ewsaw/m, zygotic ewsam/m and Maternal-Zygotic (MZ) ewsam/m lines all displayed zero to low incidence of tumorigenesis. However, when the ewsa and tp53 mutant lines were crossed with each other, the incidence of tumorigenesis drastically increased. Furthermore, 27 hour post fertilization (hpf) MZ ewsam/m mutant embryos displayed a higher incidence of aberrant chromosome numbers and mitotic dysfunction compared to wildtype zebrafish embryos. Consistent with this finding, tumor samples obtained from ewsam/m;tp53w/m zebrafish displayed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for the wildtype tp53 locus. These results suggest that wildtype Ewsa inhibits LOH induction, possibly by maintaining chromosomal stability. We propose that the loss of ewsa promotes tumorigenesis and EWS deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of EWS-fusion-expressing sarcomas.
Synergistic and compensatory effects of two point mutations conferring target-site resistance to fipronil in the insect GABA receptor RDL
Authors: Zhang Yixi , Meng Xiangkun , Yang Yuanxue , Li Hong , Wang Xin , Yang Baojun , Zhang Jianhua , Li Chunrui , Millar Neil S. , Liu Zewen
Published: August 2016

Insecticide resistance can arise from a variety of mechanisms, including changes to the target site, but is often associated with substantial fitness costs to insects. Here we describe two resistance-associated target-site mutations that have synergistic and compensatory effects that combine to produce high and persistent levels of resistance to fipronil, an insecticide targeting on γ-aminobytyric acid (GABA) receptors. In Nilaparvata lugens, a major pest of rice crops in many parts of Asia, we have identified a single point mutation (A302S) in the GABA receptor RDL that has been identified previously in other species and which confers low levels of resistance to fipronil (23-fold) in N. lugans. In addition, we have identified a second resistance-associated RDL mutation (R300Q) that, in combination with A302S, is associated with much higher levels of resistance (237-fold). The R300Q mutation has not been detected in the absence of A302S in either laboratory-selected or field populations, presumably due to the high fitness cost associated with this mutation. Significantly, it appears that the A302S mutation is able to compensate for deleterious effects of R300Q mutation on fitness cost. These findings identify a novel resistance mechanism and may have important implications for the spread of insecticide resistance.
A new sample collection method for the assessment of the percentage of water absorbed in frozen and quick-frozen poultry cuts (chicken breasts with skin)
Authors: Fonseca Tigre Maia Leonardo Rodrigo , Mano Sergio Borges , Mársico Eliane Teixeira , Conte Júnior Carlos Adam , Marques Guimarães Carlos Frederico , Brum Danielli Vacari
Published: August 2016

The determination of the mean physiological water/protein ratio of samples obtained from homogenized poultry cuts using a powerful mincer is an efficient way of determining their total water content.
A concise gram-scale synthesis of ht-13-A via a rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C–H activation reaction
Authors: Tao Pengyu , Chen Zhuang , Jia Yanxing
Published: August 2016

The enantioselective total synthesis of the 3,4-fused indole alkaloid ht-13-A has been achieved.
Smart adsorbents with reversible photo-regulated molecular switches for selective adsorption and efficient regeneration
Authors: Zhu Jing , Tan Peng , Yang Piao-Ping , Liu Xiao-Qin , Jiang Yao , Sun Lin-Bing
Published: August 2016

A new class of adsorbents with reversible photo-regulated molecular switches was fabricated and simultaneously realized selective adsorption and efficient regeneration.
Hot electron and hole dynamics in thiol-capped CdSe quantum dots revealed by 2D electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Lenngren Nils , Abdellah Mohamed A. , Zheng Kaibo , Al-Marri Mohammed J. , Zigmantas Donatas , Žídek Karel , Pullerits Tõnu
Published: August 2016

State-specific relaxation and trapping of excitations in thiol-capped CdSe QDs is followed by 2D electronic spectroscopy.
Electronic structure and energy decomposition analyses as a tool to interpret the redox potential ranking of naphtho-, biphenyl- and biphenylene-quinone isomers
Authors: Tomerini D. , Politano O. , Gatti C. , Frayret C.
Published: August 2016

By calling on modelling approaches we have performed a comparative study on the redox properties of various naphtho-, biphenyl- and biphenylene-quinone isomers.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study of Se(iv) species in aqueous environment
Authors: Borah Sangkha , Kumar P. Padma
Published: August 2016

Anab initiomolecular dynamics investigation is carried out on various water-borne Se(iv) species, H2SeO3, HSeO3−and SeO32−, in aqueous environment.
The 3D [(Cu2Br2){μ-EtS(CH2)4SEt}]n material: a rare example of a coordination polymer exhibiting triplet–triplet annihilation
Authors: Bonnot Antoine , Karsenti Paul-Ludovic , Juvenal Frank , Golz Christopher , Strohmann Carsten , Fortin Daniel , Knorr Michael , Harvey Pierre D.
Published: August 2016

A very rare case of excitation energy migration has been observed for an inorganic material.
Density functional theory simulation of the adsorption of sulphur multilayers on Au(100)
Authors: Hernandez-Tamargo Carlos E. , Barzaga Ransel , Mikosch Hans , Martínez Javier A. , Herrera José A. , Farías M. H. , Hernández Mayra P.
Published: August 2016

The expansion of the uppermost gold layer of an unreconstructed Au(100) surface is expected upon sulphur adsorption.
Ligand assisted digestion and formation of monodisperse FeCoS2 nanocrystals
Authors: Shetty Amitha , Saha Avijit , Makkar Mahima , Viswanatha Ranjani
Published: August 2016

The synthesis and shape transformation of bimetallic nanocrystals; the role of ligands in the digestion of microsheets towards the formation of spherical nanocrystals.
Gas phase RDX decomposition pathways using coupled cluster theory
Authors: Molt Robert W. , Watson Thomas , Bazanté Alexandre P. , Bartlett Rodney J. , Richards Nigel G. J.
Published: August 2016

Electronic and free energy barriers for a series of gas-phase RDX decomposition mechanisms have been obtain using coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples with complete basis set (CCSD(T)/CBS) electronic energies for MBPT(2)/cc-pVTZ structures.
Accessing relatively electron poor cerium(iv) hydrazido complexes by lithium cation promoted ligand reduction
Authors: Levin Jessica R. , Cheisson Thibault , Carroll Patrick J. , Schelter Eric J.
Published: August 2016

A series of substituted N,N′-diarylhydrazines (ArNHNHAr) were reacted with Ce(iii)[N(SiMe3)2]3 and LiN(SiMe3)2 to form complexes of general formula Li4(OEt2)4 [Ce(iv)(ArNNAr)4] where the spectroscopic and redox properties were affected by the ligand substitution.
Bulky 4,6-disubstituted tetraphenylethene–naphthalimide dyad: synthesis, copolymerization, stimuli-responsive fluorescence and cellular imaging
Authors: Hua Qiong-Xin , Xin Bo , Liu Jun-Xia , Zhao Ling-Xi , Xiong Zu-Jing , Chen Tao , Chen Ze-Qiang , Li Chong , Gong Wen-Liang , Huang Zhen-Li , Zhu Ming-Qiang
Published: August 2016

We report the design and synthesis of a tetraphenylethene substituted with naphthalimide at the 4, 6 positions, named NI-2TPE. NI-2TPE exhibits strong solvent-dependent emission properties with combined ICT and AIE characteristics in THF–H2O systems. This probe was used directly on test papers to distinguish normal organic solvents using their emission colours under UV light based on its AIE and ICT nature. Thanks to the vinyl group in NI-2TPE, we synthesized a copolymer of NIPAM and NI-2TPE, termed P(NIPAM-co-NI-2TPE). The resulting polymer is highly soluble and fluorescent in water (ΦF = 15.4%). Due to the well-known thermo-responsive character of NIPAM, P(NIPAM-co-NI-2TPE) exhibits an interesting fluorescence change in response to various temperatures. Due to the thermo-induced shrinking of the PNIPAM chain, the fluorescence intensity gradually increased from 20 to 34 °C. As the temperature further increased from 34 to 90 °C, the fluorescence intensity decreased sharply, which was caused by the well-known thermal effects. Furthermore, we synthesized a P(HEA-co-NI-2TPE–TPP acrylate) copolymer, in which HEA is a hydrophilic unit, TPP is a mitochondria label and NI-2TPE a fluorescent probe. The corresponding polymer probe is highly soluble in water with FLQY = 7% and we have further applied this probe as a mitochondria targeted imaging tracker in HeLa cells successfully.
Lignin depolymerization by fungal secretomes and a microbial sink
Authors: Salvachúa Davinia , Katahira Rui , Cleveland Nicholas S. , Khanna Payal , Resch Michael G. , Black Brenna A. , Purvine Samuel O. , Zink Erika M. , Prieto Alicia , Martínez María J. , Martínez Angel T. , Simmons Blake A. , Gladden John M. , Beckham Gregg T.
Published: August 2016

Fungal ligninolytic enzymes are able to depolymerize solid lignin and the presence of an aromatic catabolic bacterium enhances this effect.
High biomass loadings of 40 wt% for efficient fractionation in biorefineries with an aqueous solvent system without adding adscititious catalyst
Authors: Zhou Hua , Zhang Renli , Zhan Wang , Wang Liuyang , Guo Lijun , Liu Yun
Published: August 2016

Development of lignocellulosic biorefineries requires improved environmental and cost-effective processes in addition to tailoring the lignocellulosic constitutions with the desired biofuels and chemicals.
Identification of key regulators and their controlling mechanism in a combinatorial apoptosis network: a systems biology approach
Authors: Nafis Shazia , Ponnusamy Kalaiarasan , Husain Mohammad , Singh R. K. Brojen , Bamezai Rameshwar N. K.
Published: August 2016

NFKB1, SP1 and hsa-let-7a, were identified as key regulators of apoptosis, by network theory through probability of signal propagation, hub-removal and motif analysis.
A water-soluble Pd(ii) complex with a terpyridine ligand: experimental and molecular modeling studies of the interaction with DNA and BSA; and in vitro cytotoxicity investigations against five human cancer cell lines
Authors: Darabi Farivash , Hadadzadeh Hassan , Simpson Jim , Shahpiri Azar
Published: August 2016

[Pd(4-OHPh-tpy)Cl]Cl was prepared. The complex interacts with DNA via a combination of covalent, intercalation, and hydrogen bonding interactions.
Solid-phase synthesis and fluorine-18 radiolabeling of cycloRGDyK
Authors: Davis Ryan A. , Lau Kevin , Hausner Sven H. , Sutcliffe Julie L.
Published: August 2016

A rapid, efficient single continuous process for peptide synthesis, cyclization, and radiolabeling on solid-support with a single purification step afforded a high purity radiotracer.
Developments toward the synthesis and application of 3-hydroxyindanones
Authors: Chanda Tanmoy , Singh Maya Shankar
Published: August 2016

3-Hydroxyindanone is an important scaffold in many natural products, biologically active compounds, and functional materials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the construction of 3-hydroxyindanone derivatives and their applications towards pharmaceutically promising drug candidates.
High open circuit voltage polymer solar cells enabled by employing thiazoles in semiconducting polymers
Authors: Duan Chunhui , van Franeker Jacobus J. , Wienk Martijn M. , Janssen René A. J.
Published: August 2016

Introduction of thiazole into the conjugated backbone of semiconducting polymers is a useful strategy to enhance the open-circuit voltage of polymer solar cells.
Characterization of long non-coding RNAs involved in cadmium toxic response in Brassica napus
Authors: Feng Sheng Jun , Zhang Xian Duo , Liu Xue Song , Tan Shang Kun , Chu Shan Shan , Meng Jin Guo , Zhao Kai Xuan , Zheng Jian Feng , Yang Zhi Min
Published: August 2016

There is increasing evidence of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) involvement in a variety of biological responses to environmental stresses.
Au nanoshell-coated superparamagnetic Fe3O4–silica composite nanoparticles with surface-modification of an activatable cell-penetrating peptide for tumor-targeted multimode bioimaging and photothermal therapy
Authors: Jiang Yunfang , Zhang Qianyu , Liu Xinghua , Chen Yifu , Wang Li , Fu Jingwei , Duan Hongquan , Wang Yinsong , Yang Xiaoying
Published: August 2016

The superparamagnetic Fe3O4–silica composite nanoparticles coated with Au nanoshells were prepared and subsequently surface-modified with PEG conjugated ACPP for realizing the tumor site-specific multimode bioimaging and photothermal therapy.
Adsorption properties of ZrO2 hollow microboxes prepared using CaCO3 cubes as templates
Authors: Zhu Weixue , Ge Shengsong , Shao Qian
Published: August 2016

ZrO2 hollow microboxes prepared using CaCO3 cube as template exhibit excellent dye adsorption performance from wastewater.
High fluorescence intensity poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing tetraphenylethylene moieties: preparation, characterization and fluorescent properties
Authors: Li Feng , Luan Jiashuang , Zhang Shuling , Luo Yuchao , Du Yinlong , Gao Cong , Wang Guibin
Published: August 2016

PAEK with tetraphenylethylene groups and relationships between fluorescence intensity and temperature.
Cr(vi) removal by mesoporous FeOOH polymorphs: performance and mechanism
Authors: Wu Shijiao , Lu Jianwei , Ding Zecong , Li Na , Fu Fenglian , Tang Bing
Published: August 2016

The mesoporous FeOOH polymorphs, i.e., goethite (α-FeOOH), akaganeite (β-FeOOH), lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), and feroxyhyte (δ-FeOOH) were synthesized and characterized before and after reaction with Cr(vi) using various analytical techniques.
ZnO rods rooted on manifold carbon nanofiber paper as a scalable photocatalyst platform: the effects of ZnO morphology
Authors: Hwang Sung-Ho , Kim Young Kwang , Yoon Song Hyun , Lim Sang Kyoo , Park Hyunwoong
Published: August 2016

Crystalline ZnO rods were grown and tailored on manifold carbon nanofiber paper via electrodeposition and their photocatalytic activities were examined.
Synthesis of a phenylboronic acid-functionalized thermosensitive block copolymer and its application in separation and purification of vicinal-diol-containing compounds
Authors: Wang Yun , Li Yuanyuan , Han Juan , Tang Xu , Ni Liang , Hu Xiaowei , Wang Lei
Published: August 2016

Phenylboronic acid-functionalized PEO20PPO60PEO20 was synthesized and used to separate ortho-hydroxyl compounds as the collector in an aqueous two-phase flotation system.
Aggregation behavior of N-alkyl imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid)s in an organic solvent
Authors: Ge Qing , Lou Dingshuo , Lu Shui , Zhang Wei , Zhang Li , Wang Xinping
Published: August 2016

PILs with long alkyl chains in an organic solvent display onion-like multilamellar structures and their aggregation is an entropy-driven spontaneous process.
Detection of cyanide by a novel probe with a V-shaped structure based on aggregation of the probe adduct
Authors: Lu Xiao-Lin , Xia Min
Published: August 2016

A novel V-shaped probe is reported with extremely rapid response, high selectivity and very low detection limit to cyanide anions in aqueous solution based on the intensely emissive aggregates of the probe adduct.
Photoelectrochromic devices based on cobalt complex electrolytes
Authors: Wu Xingming , Zheng Jianming , Luo Gui , Zhu Dan , Xu Chunye
Published: August 2016

Three cobalt complexes are introduced into a PECD as the redox couples and a self-powered coloring/bleaching process of cobalt electrolyte-based PECDs is achieved for the first time.
N-Heterocyclic carbene copper(i) complex-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aryl benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles
Authors: Urzúa Julio I. , Contreras Renato , Salas Cristian O. , Tapia Ricardo A.
Published: August 2016

A new an efficient synthesis of 2-aryl benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles by intramolecular cyclization of 2-haloanilides/2-halothioanilides using a copper(i)-NHC complex is described.
Enhanced antifouling ability of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane functionalized with a zwitterionic serine-based layer
Authors: Zhu Jing , Liu Dapeng , He Chunju
Published: August 2016

Antifouling PVDF membrane was fabricated through covalently surface immobilization of zwitterionic serine-based layer via facile free radical cross-linking polymerization of serine methacrylate (SerMA) on membrane surface.
Efficient, monolithic large area organohalide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hambsch Mike , Lin Qianqian , Armin Ardalan , Burn Paul L. , Meredith Paul
Published: August 2016

A generic and simple approach to realize solution processed, monolithic large area perovskite solar cells.
A novel profiled core–shell nanofibrous membrane for wastewater treatment by direct contact membrane distillation
Authors: Li Xiong , Deng Li , Yu Xufeng , Wang Min , Wang Xuefen , García-Payo Carmen , Khayet Mohamed
Published: August 2016

A novel profiled PAN-PS core–shell electrospun nanofibrous membrane with peculiar groove structures for wastewater treatment by direct contact membrane distillation.
General synthesis of three-dimensional alkali metal vanadate aerogels with superior lithium storage properties
Authors: Fang Guozhao , Zhou Jiang , Liang Caiwu , Cai Yangsheng , Pan Anqiang , Tan Xiaoping , Tang Yan , Liang Shuquan
Published: August 2016

We demonstrate a general method for the preparation of a series of 3D alkali metal vanadate aerogels, including NaV3O8, NaV6O15, and K0.25V2O5. The resulting aerogels exhibit excellent Li+ storage properties in terms of high specific capacity, good rate capability, and outstanding cyclic stability as cathodes for LIBs.
A nanoporous PtCuTi alloy with a low Pt content and greatly enhanced electrocatalytic performance towards methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction
Authors: Wang Ying , Yin Kuibo , Zhang Jie , Si Conghui , Chen Xiaoting , Lv Lanfen , Ma Wensheng , Gao Hui , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: August 2016

Novel nanoporous PtCuTi with a low Pt content, fabricated by dealloying of a Cu-based precursor, exhibits greatly enhanced catalytic activity towards the ORR.
High energy Li-ion capacitors with conversion type Mn3O4particulates anchored to few layer graphene as the negative electrode
Authors: Ulaganathan Mani , Aravindan Vanchiappan , Ling Wong Chui , Yan Qingyu , Madhavi Srinivasan
Published: August 2016

We report the fabrication of high energy Li-ion capacitors (LICs) using conversion type Mn3O4octahedrons anchored to few layer graphene (Mn3O4-G) as the negative electrode with activated carbon (AC) as the positive one.
Templating of carbon in zeolites under pressure: synthesis of pelletized zeolite templated carbons with improved porosity and packing density for superior gas (CO2 and H2) uptake properties
Authors: Balahmar Norah , Lowbridge Alexander M. , Mokaya Robert
Published: August 2016

Compacted zeolite pellets are used as hard templates for nanocasting of pelletized zeolite templated carbons (ZTCs) with enhanced porosity and packing density, and excellent gravimetric and volumetric gas (CO2 and H2) uptake.
A new Dy-doped BaCeO3–BaZrO3 proton-conducting material as a promising electrolyte for reversible solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Lyagaeva Julia , Danilov Nikolay , Vdovin Gennady , Bu Junfu , Medvedev Dmitry , Demin Anatoly , Tsiakaras Panagiotis
Published: August 2016

The present work describes the features of the synthesis and physicochemical and electrical properties of a new Dy-doped BaCeO3–BaZrO3 proton-conducting electrolyte as well as its application in a reversible solid oxide fuel cell.
Two fully conjugated covalent organic frameworks as anode materials for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Bai Linyi , Gao Qiang , Zhao Yanli
Published: August 2016

Two fully conjugated covalent organic frameworks present high performance for both gas capture and Li ion storage, confirming their high potential in future Li–gas battery applications.
Adjustable electronic performances and redox ability of a g-C3N4monolayer by adsorbing nonmetal solute ions: a first principles study
Authors: Lu S. , Chen Z. W. , Li C. , Li H. H. , Zhao Y. F. , Gong Y. Y. , Niu L. Y. , Liu X. J. , Wang T. , Sun C. Q.
Published: August 2016

During the process of hydrogen generationviaphotocatalytic water splitting, solute ions may be adsorbed on the surface of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) monolayer, modifying its electronic and optical performances, as well as its redox ability due to chemical bond relaxation.
Tuning the electronic and optical properties of graphane/silicane and fhBN/silicane nanosheets via interfacial dihydrogen bonding and electrical field control
Authors: Jiang Junke , Liang Qiuhua , Zhang Shengli , Meng Ruishen , Tan Chunjian , Yang Qun , Sun Xiang , Ye Huaiyu , Chen Xianping
Published: August 2016

The electronic and optical properties of graphane/silicane and fhBN/silicane nanosheets were systematically investigated using density functional theory calculations.
Fabrication of crack-free photonic crystal films via coordination of microsphere terminated dendrimers and their performance in invisible patterned photonic displays
Authors: Chen Min , Tian Yu , Zhang Jing , Hong Ri , Chen Li , Chen Su , Son David Y.
Published: August 2016

Coordination between Ag-loaded polystyrene-co-dendrimer microspheres enables the construction of large-area crack-free photonic crystal films and invisible patterned photonic displays.
Self-host thermally activated delayed fluorescent dendrimers with flexible chains: an effective strategy for non-doped electroluminescent devices based on solution processing
Authors: Ban Xinxin , Jiang Wei , Lu Tingting , Jing Xiaofang , Tang Qifeng , Huang Suli , Sun Kaiyong , Huang Bin , Lin Baoping , Sun Yueming
Published: August 2016

Due to the encapsulation of the emissive core, the concentration quenching effect of the TADF material can be effectively restrained.
A new topological crystalline insulator in two-dimensional PbPo with tunable large bulk gaps
Authors: Wang Ya-ping , Ji Wei-xiao , Zhang Chang-wen , Li Ping , Wang Pei-ji
Published: August 2016

On the basis of first principles calculations, we predict that the PbPo monolayer is a new 2D topological crystalline insulator (TCI) with crystalline-protected Dirac states at the edges.
Proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and carfilzomib used for the treatment of multiple myeloma do not inhibit the serine protease HtrA2/Omi
Authors: Csizmadia Vilmos , Hales Paul , Tsu Christopher , Ma Jingya , Chen Jiejin , Shah Pooja , Fleming Paul , Senn Joseph J. , Kadambi Vivek J. , Dick Larry , Wolenski Francis S.
Published: August 2016

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy in patients, but the mechanism is not fully understood.
ECG artefact identification and removal in mHealth systems for continuous patient monitoring
Authors: Imtiaz Syed Anas , Mardell James , Saremi–Yarahmadi Siavash , Rodriguez–Villegas Esther
Published: August 2016

Continuous patient monitoring systems acquire enormous amounts of data that is either manually analysed by doctors or automatically processed using intelligent algorithms. Sections of data acquired over long period of time can be corrupted with artefacts due to patient movement, sensor placement and interference from other sources. Owing to the large volume of data these artefacts need to be automatically identified so that the analysis systems and doctors are aware of them while making medical diagnosis. Three important factors are explored that must be considered and quantified for the design and evaluation of automatic artefact identification algorithms: signal quality, interpretation quality and computational complexity. The first two are useful to determine the effectiveness of an algorithm, whereas the third is particularly vital in mHealth systems where computational resources are heavily constrained. A series of artefact identification and filtering algorithms are then presented focusing on the electrocardiography data. These algorithms are quantified using the three metrics to demonstrate how different algorithms can be evaluated and compared to select the best ones for a given wireless sensor network.
Coherent states on horospheric three-dimensional Lobachevsky space
Authors: Kurochkin Yu. , Rybak I. , Shoukavy Dz.
Published: August 2016

In the paper it is shown that due to separation of variables in the Laplace-Beltrami operator (Hamiltonian of a free quantum particle) in horospheric and quasi-Cartesian coordinates of three dimensional Lobachevsky space, it is possible to introduce standard (“conventional” according to Perelomov [Generalized Coherent States and Their Applications (Springer-Verlag, 1986), p. 320]) coherent states. Some problems (oscillator on horosphere, charged particle in analogy of constant uniform magnetic field) where coherent states are suitable for treating were considered.
Joule heating scanning structure system
Authors: Moya J. A.
Published: August 2016

A method and its system to study the structural evolution on soft magnetic amorphous and nanocrystalline ribbon shaped alloys are presented. With only one sample, a complete set of magnetic and electric data at room and at high temperature are obtained in a relatively short period of time, allowing us to elucidate the structural changes occurring in the alloy and to determine the optimal soft magnetic properties annealing conditions.
Enhanced solar evaporation of water from porous media, through capillary mediated forces and surface treatment
Authors: Canbazoglu F. M. , Fan B. , Kargar A. , Vemuri K. , Bandaru P. R.
Published: August 2016

The relative influence of the capillary, Marangoni, and hydrophobic forces in mediating the evaporation of water from carbon foam based porous media, in response to incident solar radiation, are investigated. It is indicated that inducing hydrophilic interactions on the surface, through nitric acid treatment of the foams, has a similar effect to reduced pore diameter and the ensuing capillary forces. The efficiency of water evaporation may be parameterized through the Capillary number (Ca), with a lower Ca being preferred. The proposed study is of much relevance to efficient solar energy utilization.
Self-cavity lasing in optically pumped single crystals of p-sexiphenyl
Authors: Yanagi Hisao , Tamura Kenji , Sasaki Fumio
Published: August 2016

Organic single-crystal self-cavities are prepared by solution growth of p-sexiphenyl (p-6P). Based on Fabry-Pérot feedback inside a quasi-lozenge-shaped platelet crystal, edge-emitting laser is obtained under optical pumping. The multimode lasing band appears at the 0-1 or 0-2 vibronic progressions depending on the excitation conditions which affect the self-absorption effect. Cavity-size dependence of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is investigated with laser-etched single crystals of p-6P. As the cavity length of square-shaped crystal is reduced from 100 to 10 μm, ASE threshold fluence is decreased probably due to size-dependent light confinement in the crystal cavity.