bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CTHRC1 promotes angiogenesis by recruiting Tie2-expressing monocytes to pancreatic tumors
Authors: Lee Jaemin , Song Jinhoi , Kwon Eun-Soo , Jo Seongyea , Kang Min Kyung , Kim Yeon Jeong , Hwang Yeonsil , Bae Hosung , Kang Tae Heung , Chang Suhwan , Cho Hee Jun , Kim Song Cheol , Kim Seokho , Koh Sang Seok
Published: September 2016

CTHRC1 (collagen triple-helix repeat-containing 1), a protein secreted during the tissue-repair process, is highly expressed in several malignant tumors, including pancreatic cancer. We recently showed that CTHRC1 has an important role in the progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Although CTHRC1 secretion affects tumor cells, how it promotes tumorigenesis in the context of the microenvironment is largely unknown. Here we identified a novel role of CTHRC1 as a potent endothelial activator that promotes angiogenesis by recruiting bone marrow-derived cells to the tumor microenvironment during tumorigenesis. Recombinant CTHRC1 (rCTHRC1) enhanced endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation, which was consistent with the observed increases in neovascularization in vivo. Moreover, rCTHRC1 upregulated angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a Tie2 receptor ligand, through ERK-dependent activation of AP-1 in ECs, resulting in recruitment of Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) to CTHRC1-overexpressing tumor tissues. Treatment with a CTHRC1-neutralizing antibody-abrogated Ang-2 expression in the ECs in vitro. Moreover, administration of a CTHRC1-neutralizing antibody to a xenograft mouse model reduced the tumor burden and infiltration of TEMs in the tumor tissues, indicating that blocking the CTHRC1/Ang-2/TEM axis during angiogenesis inhibits tumorigenesis. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that CTHRC1 induction of the Ang-2/Tie2 axis mediates the recruitment of TEMs, which are important for tumorigenesis and can be targeted to achieve effective antitumor responses in pancreatic cancers.
Antagonistic roles of Drosophila Tctp and Brahma in chromatin remodelling and stabilizing repeated sequences
Authors: Hong Sung-Tae , Choi Kwang-Wook
Published: September 2016

Genome stability is essential for all organisms. Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) is a conserved protein associated with cancers. TCTP is involved in multiple intracellular functions, but its role in transcription and genome stability is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate new functions of Drosophila TCTP (Tctp) in transcription and the stability of repeated sequences (rDNA and pericentromeric heterochromatin). Tctp binds Brahma (Brm) chromatin remodeler to negatively modulate its activity. Tctp mutants show abnormally high levels of transcription in a large set of genes and transposons. These defects are ameliorated by brm mutations. Furthermore, Tctp promotes the stability of repeated sequences by opposing the Brm function. Additional regulation of pericentromeric heterochromatin by Tctp is mediated by su(var)3-9 transcriptional regulation. Altogether, Tctp regulates transcription and the stability of repeated sequences by antagonizing excess Brm activity. This study provides insights into broader nuclear TCTP functions for the maintenance of genome stability.
A ketone/alcohol polymer for cycle of electrolytic hydrogen-fixing with water and releasing under mild conditions
Authors: Kato Ryo , Yoshimasa Keisuke , Egashira Tatsuya , Oya Takahiro , Oyaizu Kenichi , Nishide Hiroyuki
Published: September 2016

Finding a safe and efficient carrier of hydrogen is a major challenge. Recently, hydrogenated organic compounds have been studied as hydrogen storage materials because of their ability to stably and reversibly store hydrogen by forming chemical bonds; however, these compounds often suffer from safety issues and are usually hydrogenated with hydrogen at high pressure and/or temperature. Here we present a ketone (fluorenone) polymer that can be moulded as a plastic sheet and fixes hydrogen via a simple electrolytic hydrogenation at −1.5 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in water at room temperature. The hydrogenated alcohol derivative (the fluorenol polymer) reversibly releases hydrogen by heating (80 °C) in the presence of an aqueous iridium catalyst. Both the use of a ketone polymer and the efficient hydrogen fixing with water as a proton source are completely different from other (de)hydrogenated compounds and hydrogenation processes. The easy handling and mouldable polymers could suggest a pocketable hydrogen carrier.
Predicting episodic memory formation for movie events
Authors: Tang Hanlin , Singer Jed , Ison Matias J. , Pivazyan Gnel , Romaine Melissa , Frias Rosa , Meller Elizabeth , Boulin Adrianna , Carroll James , Perron Victoria , Dowcett Sarah , Arellano Marlise , Kreiman Gabriel
Published: September 2016

Episodic memories are long lasting and full of detail, yet imperfect and malleable. We quantitatively evaluated recollection of short audiovisual segments from movies as a proxy to real-life memory formation in 161 subjects at 15 minutes up to a year after encoding. Memories were reproducible within and across individuals, showed the typical decay with time elapsed between encoding and testing, were fallible yet accurate, and were insensitive to low-level stimulus manipulations but sensitive to high-level stimulus properties. Remarkably, memorability was also high for single movie frames, even one year post-encoding. To evaluate what determines the efficacy of long-term memory formation, we developed an extensive set of content annotations that included actions, emotional valence, visual cues and auditory cues. These annotations enabled us to document the content properties that showed a stronger correlation with recognition memory and to build a machine-learning computational model that accounted for episodic memory formation in single events for group averages and individual subjects with an accuracy of up to 80%. These results provide initial steps towards the development of a quantitative computational theory capable of explaining the subjective filtering steps that lead to how humans learn and consolidate memories.
Correction: Corrigendum: Novel technique to suppress hydrocarbon contamination for high accuracy determination of carbon content in steel by FE-EPMA
Authors: Yamashita Takako , Tanaka Yuji , Nagoshi Masayasu , Ishida Kiyohito
Published: September 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 29825; published online: 19 July 2016; updated: 30 September 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Masayasu Nagoshi, which was incorrectly given as Masayasu Yagoshi. This has now been corrected inthe PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Material gain engineering in GeSn/Ge quantum wells integrated with an Si platform
Authors: Mączko H. S. , Kudrawiec R. , Gladysiewicz M.
Published: September 2016

It is shown that compressively strained Ge1−xSnx/Ge quantum wells (QWs) grown on a Ge substrate with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 and width of 8 nm ≤ d ≤ 14 nm are a very promising gain medium for lasers integrated with an Si platform. Such QWs are type-I QWs with a direct bandgap and positive transverse electric mode of material gain, i.e. the modal gain. The electronic band structure near the center of Brillouin zone has been calculated for various Ge1−xSnx/Ge QWs with use of the 8-band kp Hamiltonian. To calculate the material gain for these QWs, occupation of the L valley in Ge barriers has been taken into account. It is clearly shown that this occupation has a lot of influence on the material gain in the QWs with low Sn concentrations (Sn < 15%) and is less important for QWs with larger Sn concentration (Sn > 15%). However, for QWs with Sn > 20% the critical thickness of a GeSn layer deposited on a Ge substrate starts to play an important role. Reduction in the QW width shifts up the ground electron subband in the QW and increases occupation of the L valley in the barriers instead of the Γ valley in the QW region.
A High-Throughput, Arbitrary-Waveform, MPI Spectrometer and Relaxometer for Comprehensive Magnetic Particle Optimization and Characterization
Authors: Tay Zhi Wei , Goodwill Patrick W. , Hensley Daniel W. , Taylor Laura A. , Zheng Bo , Conolly Steven M.
Published: September 2016

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a promising new tracer modality with zero attenuation deep in tissue, high contrast and sensitivity, and an excellent safety profile. However, the spatial resolution of MPI is limited to around 1 mm currently and urgently needs to be improved for clinical applications such as angiography and brain perfusion. Although MPI resolution is highly dependent on tracer characteristics and the drive waveforms, optimization is limited to a small subset of possible excitation strategies by current MPI hardware that only does sinusoidal drive waveforms at very few frequencies. To enable a more comprehensive and rapid optimization of drive waveforms for multiple metrics like resolution and signal strength simultaneously, we demonstrate the first untuned MPI spectrometer/relaxometer with unprecedented 400 kHz excitation bandwidth and capable of high-throughput acquisition of harmonic spectra (100 different drive-field frequencies in only 500 ms). It is also capable of arbitrary drive-field waveforms which have not been experimentally evaluated in MPI to date. Its high-throughput capability, frequency-agility and tabletop size makes this Arbitrary Waveform Relaxometer/Spectrometer (AWR) a convenient yet powerfully flexible tool for nanoparticle experts seeking to characterize magnetic particles and optimize MPI drive waveforms for in vitro biosensing and in vivo imaging with MPI.
A pre-metazoan origin of the CRK gene family and co-opted signaling network
Authors: Shigeno-Nakazawa Yoko , Kasai Takuma , Ki Sewon , Kostyanovskaya Elina , Pawlak Jana , Yamagishi Junya , Okimoto Noriaki , Taiji Makoto , Okada Mariko , Westbrook Jody , Satta Yoko , Kigawa Takanori , Imamoto Akira
Published: September 2016

CRK and CRKL adapter proteins play essential roles in development and cancer through their SRC homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains. To gain insight into the origin of their shared functions, we have investigated their evolutionary history. We propose a term, crk/crkl ancestral (crka), for orthologs in invertebrates before the divergence of CRK and CRKL in the vertebrate ancestor. We have isolated two orthologs expressed in the choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular relative to the metazoans. Consistent with its highly-conserved three-dimensional structure, the SH2 domain of M. brevicollis crka1 can bind to the mammalian CRK/CRKL SH2 binding consensus phospho-YxxP, and to the SRC substrate/focal adhesion protein BCAR1 (p130CAS) in the presence of activated SRC. These results demonstrate an ancient origin of the CRK/CRKL SH2-target recognition specificity. Although BCAR1 orthologs exist only in metazoans as identified by an N-terminal SH3 domain, YxxP motifs, and a C-terminal FAT-like domain, some pre-metazoan transmembrane proteins include several YxxP repeats in their cytosolic region, suggesting that they are remotely related to the BCAR1 substrate domain. Since the tyrosine kinase SRC also has a pre-metazoan origin, co-option of BCAR1-related sequences may have rewired the crka-dependent network to mediate adhesion signals in the metazoan ancestor.
The role of mitogen-activated protein kinases and sterol receptor coactivator-1 in TGF-β-regulated expression of genes implicated in macrophage cholesterol uptake
Authors: Salter Rebecca C. , Foka Pelagia , Davies Thomas S. , Gallagher Hayley , Michael Daryn R. , Ashlin Tim G. , Ramji Dipak P.
Published: September 2016

The anti-atherogenic cytokine TGF-β inhibits macrophage foam cell formation by suppressing the expression of key genes implicated in the uptake of modified lipoproteins. We have previously shown a critical role for p38 MAPK and JNK in the TGF-β-mediated regulation of apolipoprotein E expression in human monocytes. However, the roles of these two MAPK pathways in the control of expression of key genes involved in the uptake of modified lipoproteins in human macrophages is poorly understood and formed the focus of this study. TGF-β activated both p38 MAPK and JNK, and knockdown of p38 MAPK or c-Jun, a key downstream target of JNK action, demonstrated their requirement in the TGF-β-inhibited expression of several key genes implicated in macrophage lipoprotein uptake. The potential role of c-Jun and specific co-activators in the action of TGF-β was investigated further by studies on the lipoprotein lipase gene. c-Jun did not directly interact with the minimal promoter region containing the TGF-β response elements and a combination of transient transfection and knock down assays revealed an important role for SRC-1. These studies provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-mediated inhibition of macrophage gene expression associated with the control of cholesterol homeostasis.
Auditory cortical field coding long-lasting tonal offsets in mice
Authors: Baba Hironori , Tsukano Hiroaki , Hishida Ryuichi , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Horii Arata , Takahashi Sugata , Shibuki Katsuei
Published: September 2016

Although temporal information processing is important in auditory perception, the mechanisms for coding tonal offsets are unknown. We investigated cortical responses elicited at the offset of tonal stimuli using flavoprotein fluorescence imaging in mice. Off-responses were clearly observed at the offset of tonal stimuli lasting for 7 s, but not after stimuli lasting for 1 s. Off-responses to the short stimuli appeared in a similar cortical region, when conditioning tonal stimuli lasting for 5–20 s preceded the stimuli. MK-801, an inhibitor of NMDA receptors, suppressed the two types of off-responses, suggesting that disinhibition produced by NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic depression might be involved in the off-responses. The peak off-responses were localized in a small region adjacent to the primary auditory cortex and no frequency-dependent shift of the response peaks was found. Frequency matching of preceding tonal stimuli with short test stimuli was not required for inducing off-responses to short stimuli. Two-photon calcium imaging demonstrated significantly larger neuronal off-responses to stimuli lasting for 7 s in this field, compared with off-responses to stimuli lasting for 1 s. The present results indicate the presence of an auditory cortical field responding to long-lasting tonal offsets, possibly for temporal information processing.
Novel roles for the radial spoke head protein 9 in neural and neurosensory cilia
Authors: Sedykh Irina , TeSlaa Jessica J. , Tatarsky Rose L. , Keller Abigail N. , Toops Kimberly A. , Lakkaraju Aparna , Nyholm Molly K. , Wolman Marc A. , Grinblat Yevgenya
Published: September 2016

Cilia are cell surface organelles with key roles in a range of cellular processes, including generation of fluid flow by motile cilia. The axonemes of motile cilia and immotile kinocilia contain 9 peripheral microtubule doublets, a central microtubule pair, and 9 connecting radial spokes. Aberrant radial spoke components RSPH1, 3, 4a and 9 have been linked with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a disorder characterized by ciliary dysmotility; yet, radial spoke functions remain unclear. Here we show that zebrafish Rsph9 is expressed in cells bearing motile cilia and kinocilia, and localizes to both 9 + 2 and 9 + 0 ciliary axonemes. Using CRISPR mutagenesis, we show that rsph9 is required for motility of presumptive 9 + 2 olfactory cilia and, unexpectedly, 9 + 0 neural cilia. rsph9 is also required for the structural integrity of 9 + 2 and 9 + 0 ciliary axonemes. rsph9 mutant larvae exhibit reduced initiation of the acoustic startle response consistent with hearing impairment, suggesting a novel role for Rsph9 in the kinocilia of the inner ear and/or lateral line neuromasts. These data identify novel roles for Rsph9 in 9 + 0 motile cilia and in sensory kinocilia, and establish a useful zebrafish PCD model.
Electroacupuncture in conscious free-moving mice reduces pain by ameliorating peripheral and central nociceptive mechanisms
Authors: Wang Ying , Lei Jianxun , Gupta Mihir , Peng Fei , Lam Sarah , Jha Ritu , Raduenz Ellis , Beitz Al J. , Gupta Kalpna
Published: September 2016

Integrative approaches such as electroacupuncture, devoid of drug effects are gaining prominence for treating pain. Understanding the mechanisms of electroacupuncture induced analgesia would benefit chronic pain conditions such as sickle cell disease (SCD), for which patients may require opioid analgesics throughout life. Mouse models are instructive in developing a mechanistic understanding of pain, but the anesthesia/restraint required to administer electroacupuncture may alter the underlying mechanisms. To overcome these limitations, we developed a method to perform electroacupuncture in conscious, freely moving, unrestrained mice. Using this technique we demonstrate a significant analgesic effect in transgenic mouse models of SCD and cancer as well as complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced pain. We demonstrate a comprehensive antinociceptive effect on mechanical, cold and deep tissue hyperalagesia in both genders. Interestingly, individual mice showed a variable response to electroacupuncture, categorized into high-, moderate- and non-responders. Mechanistically, electroacupuncture significantly ameliorated inflammatory and nociceptive mediators both peripherally and centrally in sickle mice correlative to the antinociceptive response. Application of sub-optimal doses of morphine in electroacupuncture-treated moderate-responders produced equivalent antinociception as obtained in high-responders. Electroacupuncture in conscious freely moving mice offers an effective approach to develop a mechanism-based understanding of analgesia devoid of the influence of anesthetics or restraints.
Frequency-time coherence for all-optical sampling without optical pulse source
Authors: Preußler Stefan , Raoof Mehrpoor Gilda , Schneider Thomas
Published: September 2016

Sampling is the first step to convert an analogue optical signal into a digital electrical signal. The latter can be further processed and analysed by well-known electrical signal processing methods. Optical pulse sources like mode-locked lasers are commonly incorporated for all-optical sampling, but have several drawbacks. A novel approach for a simple all-optical sampling is to utilise the frequency-time coherence of each signal. The method is based on only using two coupled modulators driven with an electrical sine wave. Since no optical source is required, a simple integration in appropriate platforms, such as Silicon Photonics might be possible. The presented method grants all-optical sampling with electrically tunable bandwidth, repetition rate and time shift.
Ectopic expression of Cripto-1 in transgenic mouse embryos causes hemorrhages, fatal cardiac defects and embryonic lethality
Authors: Lin Xiaolin , Zhao Wentao , Jia Junshuang , Lin Taoyan , Xiao Gaofang , Wang Shengchun , Lin Xia , Liu Yu , Chen Li , Qin Yujuan , Li Jing , Zhang Tingting , Hao Weichao , Chen Bangzhu , Xie Raoying , Cheng Yushuang , Xu Kang , Yao Kaitai , Huang Wenhua , Xiao Dong , Sun Yan
Published: September 2016

Targeted disruption of Cripto-1 in mice caused embryonic lethality at E7.5, whereas we unexpectedly found that ectopic Cripto-1 expression in mouse embryos also led to embryonic lethality, which prompted us to characterize the causes and mechanisms underlying embryonic death due to ectopic Cripto-1 expression. RCLG/EIIa-Cre embryos displayed complex phenotypes between embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) and E17.5, including fatal hemorrhages (E14.5-E15.5), embryo resorption (E14.5-E17.5), pale body surface (E14.5-E16.5) and no abnormal appearance (E14.5-E16.5). Macroscopic and histological examination revealed that ectopic expression of Cripto-1 transgene in RCLG/EIIa-Cre embryos resulted in lethal cardiac defects, as evidenced by cardiac malformations, myocardial thinning, failed assembly of striated myofibrils and lack of heartbeat. In addition, Cripto-1 transgene activation beginning after E8.5 also caused the aforementioned lethal cardiac defects in mouse embryos. Furthermore, ectopic Cripto-1 expression in embryonic hearts reduced the expression of cardiac transcription factors, which is at least partially responsible for the aforementioned lethal cardiac defects. Our results suggest that hemorrhages and cardiac abnormalities are two important lethal factors in Cripto-1 transgenic mice. Taken together, these findings are the first to demonstrate that sustained Cripto-1 transgene expression after E11.5 causes fatal hemorrhages and lethal cardiac defects, leading to embryonic death at E14.5-17.5.
Europium (III) Organic Complexes in Porous Boron Nitride Microfibers: Efficient Hybrid Luminescent Material
Authors: Lin Jing , Feng Congcong , He Xin , Wang Weijia , Fang Yi , Liu Zhenya , Li Jie , Tang Chengchun , Huang Yang
Published: September 2016

We report the design and synthesis of a novel kind of organic-inorganic hybrid material via the incorporation of europium (III) β-diketonate complexes (Eu(TTA)3, TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) into one-dimensional (1D) porous boron nitride (BN) microfibers. The developed Eu(TTA)3@BN hybrid composites with typical 1D fibrous morphology exhibit bright visible red-light emission on UV illumination. The confinement of Eu(TTA)3 within pores of BN microfibers not only decreases the aggregation-caused quenching in solid Eu(TTA)3, but also improves their thermal stabilities. Moreover, The strong interactions between Eu(TTA)3 and porous BN matrix result in an interesting energy transfer process from BN host to TTA ligand and TTA ligand to Eu3+ ions, leading to the remarkable increase of red emission. The synthetic approach should be a very promising strategy which can be easily expanded to other hybrid luminescent materials based on porous BN.
Columnar structured FePt films epitaxially grown on large lattice mismatched intermediate layer
Authors: Dong K. F. , Deng J. Y. , Peng Y. G. , Ju G. , Chow G. M. , Chen J. S.
Published: September 2016

The microstructure and magnetic properties of the FePt films grown on large mismatched ZrN (15.7%) intermediate layer were investigated. With using ZrN intermediate layer, FePt 10 nm films exhibited (001) texture except for some weaker FePt (110) texture. Good epitaxial relationships of FePt (001) <100>//ZrN (001) <100>//TiN (001) <100> among FePt and ZrN/TiN were revealed from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results. As compared with TiN intermediate layer, although FePt-SiO2-C films grown on ZrN/TiN intermediate layer showed isotropic magnetic properties, the large interfacial energy and lattice mismatch between FePt and ZrN would lead to form columnar structural FePt films with smaller grain size and improved isolation. By doping ZrN into the TiN layer, solid solution of ZrTiN was formed and the lattice constant is increased comparing with TiN and decreased comparing with ZrN. Moreover, FePt-SiO2-C films grown on TiN 2 nm-20 vol.% ZrN/TiN 3 nm intermediate layer showed an improved perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Simultaneously, columnar structure with smaller grain size retained.
Efficient exciton generation in atomic passivated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots light-emitting devices
Authors: Kang Byoung-Ho , Lee Jae-Sung , Lee Sang-Won , Kim Sae-Wan , Lee Jun-Woo , Gopalan Sai-Anand , Park Ji-Sub , Kwon Dae-Hyuk , Bae Jin-Hyuk , Kim Hak-Rin , Kang Shin-Won
Published: September 2016

We demonstrate the first-ever surface modification of green CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using bromide anions (Br-) in cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The Br- ions reduced the interparticle spacing between the QDs and induced an effective charge balance in QD light-emitting devices (QLEDs). The fabricated QLEDs exhibited efficient charge injection because of the reduced emission quenching effect and their enhanced thin film morphology. As a result, they exhibited a maximum luminance of 71,000 cd/m2 and an external current efficiency of 6.4 cd/A, both significantly better than those of their counterparts with oleic acid surface ligands. In addition, the lifetime of the Br- treated QD based QLEDs is significantly improved due to ionic passivation at the QDs surface.
Optically generated hyperpolarization for sensitivity enhancement in solution-state NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Dale Matthew W. , Wedge Christopher J.
Published: September 2016

Using optical excitation to generate radical triplet pairs the sensitivity of solution-state NMR can be enhanced without microwave pumping.
A novel acid–base bifunctional catalyst (ZSM-5@Mg3Si4O9(OH)4) with core/shell hierarchical structure and superior activities in tandem reactions
Authors: Wang Darui , Wang Bo , Ding Yu , Wu Haihong , Wu Peng
Published: September 2016

A hierarchically core/shell structured acid–base bifunctional catalyst, ZSM-5@Mg3Si4O9(OH)4, was prepared through a novel hydrothermal method.
2-Nitropyrrole cross-coupling enables a second generation synthesis of the heronapyrrole antibiotic natural product family
Authors: Ding Xiao-Bo , Furkert Daniel P. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: September 2016

The heronapyrroles are a family of antibiotic natural products containing the rare 2-nitropyrrole motif.
A general forcefield for accurate phonon properties of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Bristow Jessica K. , Skelton Jonathan M. , Svane Katrine L. , Walsh Aron , Gale Julian D.
Published: September 2016

We report the development of a forcefield capable of reproducing accurate lattice dynamics of metal–organic frameworks.
Enhanced conformational sampling technique provides an energy landscape view of large-scale protein conformational transitions
Authors: Shao Qiang
Published: September 2016

A novelin silicoapproach (NMA–ITS) is introduced to rapidly and effectively sample the configuration space and give quantitative data for exploring the conformational changes of proteins.
Understanding the phase formation kinetics of nano-crystalline kesterite deposited on mesoscopic scaffolds via in situ multi-wavelength Raman-monitored annealing
Authors: Wang Zhuoran , Elouatik Samir , Demopoulos George P.
Published: September 2016

The in situ Raman monitored annealing method is developed in this work to provide real-time information on phase formation and crystallinity evolution of kesterite deposited on a TiO2 mesoscopic scaffold.
Oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by nickel complexes based on thiophosphorylated calix[4]resorcinols and immobilized in the membrane electrode assembly of fuel cells
Authors: Kadirov M. K. , Knyazeva I. R. , Nizameev I. R. , Safiullin R. A. , Matveeva V. I. , Kholin K. V. , Khrizanforova V. V. , Ismaev T. I. , Burilov A. R. , Budnikova Yu. H. , Sinyashin O. G.
Published: September 2016

The catalytic activity of nickel complexes of calix[4]resorcinols in PEMFC has been studied.
Supramolecular homochiral helicity and zigzag hydrogen bonded chains in 1,2,4-triazole derived aminoester and aminoacid
Authors: Dîrtu Marinela M. , Adarsh N. N. , Naik Anil D. , Robeyns Koen , Garcia Yann
Published: September 2016

Two new triazole ligands were synthesized, and their crystal structure analysis revealed unprecedented homochiral helical and 2D hydrogen bonded network structures.
Chelated charge assisted halogen bonding enhanced halide recognition by a pyridinium-iodotriazolium axle containing [2]rotaxane
Authors: Hess Alexander E. , Beer Paul D.
Published: September 2016

A dicationic halogen bonding rotaxane displays enhanced binding and selectivity for bromide over other halides and nitrate and dihydrogen phosphate oxoanions in contrast to an all hydrogen bonding counterpart which is attributed to chelated charge assisted halogen bonding interactions.
Fluorinated liquid crystals: evaluation of selectively fluorinated facially polarised cyclohexyl motifs for liquid crystal applications
Authors: Al-Maharik Nawaf , Kirsch Peer , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Cordes David B. , O'Hagan David
Published: September 2016

A series of prototype negative dielectric liquid crystalline (LC) compounds which contain the facially polarised all cis-fluorinatedcyclohexane motifs is explored.
Hard–soft chemistry of Sr1−xCaxCrO3–δsolid solutions
Authors: Arevalo-Lopez A. M. , Srinath A. , Attfield J. P.
Published: September 2016

The lower temperature for superstructure formation is discovered to have a maximum nearx= 0.5, evidencing an influence of Ca/Sr cation disorder in the Sr1−xCaxCrO3−δsystem.
Enhancement of the selective hydrodesulfurization performance by adding cerium to CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts
Authors: Yu Pei , Ke Ming , Liu Qiang , Yan Ximing , Li Jianpeng
Published: September 2016

CoMo/CeO2–Al2O3 catalysts were prepared with high catalytic performance. The content of CeO2 is the key to adjusting the morphology of MoS2. The catalytic activity and selectivity are closely related to the sulfidation of the Mo species.
Thermal stability and enhanced electrical properties of Er3+-modified Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Yao Zhongran , Chu Ruiqing , Xu Zhijun , Hao Jigong , Li Wei , Li Guorong
Published: September 2016

Na0.5Bi4.5−xErxTi4O15 (NBET-x, x = 0, 0.006, 0.012, 0.018, 0.025) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, with high electrical resistivity were prepared by a solid-state reaction route.
Polythiophene–graphene oxide doped epoxy resin nanocomposites with enhanced electrical, mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: khezri Tahereh , Sharif Mehdi , Pourabas Behzad
Published: September 2016

Polythiophene–graphene oxide nanoparticle hybrids as high performance multifunctional reinforcement for epoxy resin.
Photocatalytic WO3/TiO2 nanowires: WO3 polymorphs influencing the atomic layer deposition of TiO2
Authors: Nagy Dávidné , Firkala Tamás , Drotár Eszter , Szegedi Ágnes , László Krisztina , Szilágyi Imre Miklós
Published: September 2016

Study on h-WO3/TiO2 nanowires as ALD nucleation of TiO2 was found to be influenced by the WO3 polymorphs.
Distributed event‐triggered networked set‐membership filtering with partial information transmission
Authors: Xia Nan , Yang Fuwen , Han Qing‐Long
Published: September 2016

This study addresses the problem of distributed event‐triggered set‐membership filtering for a class of discrete time‐varying systems in the presence of unknown‐but‐bounded noises. First, an event‐triggered mechanism is introduced to choose those necessary data packets to be transmitted. Second, a partial information transmission scheme is proposed, by which, once an event is triggered, not all the information of the data packet, but parts of them are released to the communication network. As a result, communication network resources can be saved significantly. Third, some sufficient conditions on distributed networked set‐membership filtering are derived using a time‐varying convex optimisation approach. Moreover, based on an intersection method, a novel global estimation is proposed to integrate the local estimations by locating the intersection of all the local estimations within a volume‐minimal external ellipsoid. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Predictive modeling of low solubility semiconductor alloys
Authors: Rodriguez Garrett V. , Millunchick Joanna M.
Published: September 2016

GaAsBi is of great interest for applications in high efficiency optoelectronic devices due to its highly tunable bandgap. However, the experimental growth of high Bi content films has proven difficult. Here, we model GaAsBi film growth using a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation that explicitly takes cation and anion reactions into account. The unique behavior of Bi droplets is explored, and a sharp decrease in Bi content upon Bi droplet formation is demonstrated. The high mobility of simulated Bi droplets on GaAsBi surfaces is shown to produce phase separated Ga-Bi droplets as well as depressions on the film surface. A phase diagram for a range of growth rates that predicts both Bi content and droplet formation is presented to guide the experimental growth of high Bi content GaAsBi films.
Dispersionless Pfaff-Toda hierarchy and elliptic Löwner equation
Authors: Akhmedova V. , Zabrodin A.
Published: September 2016

We show that one-variable reductions of the Pfaff-Toda integrable hierarchy in the dispersionless limit are described by a system of coupled elliptic Löwner (Komatu-Goluzin) equations.
Effect of Ta substitution on the electronic structure of Heusler-type Fe2VAl-based alloy
Authors: Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Inukai Manabu , Nishino Yoichi
Published: September 2016

The electronic structures of Heusler-type Fe2V1−xTaxAl and Fe2VAl1−xTax alloys were investigated by electronic band structure calculations and synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy measurements to elucidate the change in the electronic structure due to the Ta substitution. While V and Ta atoms have the same electron configuration, the hybridization between Fe 3 d and V 3 d states gradually decreases in Ta-substituted Fe2VAl alloy and the valence band is only shifted to lower binding energy side. This change of the electronic structure is hypothesized to be the underlying reason behind the improved p-type thermoelectric performance in Fe2V1-xTaxAl alloy, but the degraded n-type thermoelectric performance in Fe2VAl1−xTax alloy. Ta substitution is a promising way to further improve the thermoelectric properties of p-type Heusler-type Fe2VAl-based alloy because of not only an increasing power factor but also decreasing thermal conductivity.
Wavelength dependent photoelectron circular dichroism of limonene studied by femtosecond multiphoton laser ionization and electron-ion coincidence imaging
Authors: Rafiee Fanood Mohammad M. , Janssen Maurice H. M. , Powis Ivan
Published: September 2016

Enantiomers of the monoterpene limonene have been investigated by (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization and photoelectron circular dichroism employing tuneable, circularly polarized femtosecond laser pulses. Electron imaging detection provides 3D momentum measurement while electron-ion coincidence detection can be used to mass-tag individual electrons. Additional filtering, by accepting only parent ion tagged electrons, can be then used to provide discrimination against higher energy dissociative ionization mechanisms where more than three photons are absorbed to better delineate the two photon resonant, one photon ionization pathway. The promotion of different vibrational levels and, tentatively, different electronic ion core configurations in the intermediate Rydberg states can be achieved with different laser excitation wavelengths (420 nm, 412 nm, and 392 nm), in turn producing different state distributions in the resulting cations. Strong chiral asymmetries in the lab frame photoelectron angular distributions are quantified, and a comparison made with a single photon (synchrotron radiation) measurement at an equivalent photon energy.
Two-plasmon decay instability in inhomogeneous plasmas at oblique laser incidence
Authors: Wen H. , Maximov A. V. , Short R. W. , Myatt J. F. , Yan R. , Ren C.
Published: September 2016

The two-plasmon decay (TPD) instability has been studied in the region near the quarter-critical density in the plasmas of the laser-driven inertial confinement fusion for a wide range of laser angles of incidence. The TPD equations for the oblique laser incidence in the inhomogeneous plasmas have been analyzed theoretically. The range of wave vectors for the instability growth has been identified. The theoretical growth rates and thresholds have been compared with the results of the fluid-type simulations, and a good agreement has been found.
Modeling of molecular photocells: Application to two-level photovoltaic system with electron-hole interaction
Authors: Nemati Aram Tahereh , Anghel-Vasilescu Petrutza , Asgari Asghar , Ernzerhof Matthias , Mayou Didier
Published: September 2016

We present a novel simple model to describe molecular photocells where the energy conversion process takes place by a single molecular donor-acceptor complex attached to electrodes. By applying quantum scattering theory, an open quantum system method, the coherent molecular photocell is described by a wave function. We analyze photon absorption, energy conversion, and quantum yield of a molecular photocell by considering the effects of electron-hole interaction and non-radiative recombination. We model the exciton creation, dissociation, and subsequent effects on quantum yield in the energy domain. We find that depending on the photocell structure, the electron-hole interaction can normally decrease or abnormally increase the cell efficiency. The proposed model helps to understand the mechanisms of molecular photocells, and it can be used to optimize their yield.
A single-step lithography system based on an enhanced robotic adhesive dispenser
Authors: Xing Jiyao , Rong Weibin , Sun Ding , Wang Lefeng , Sun Lining
Published: September 2016

In the paper, we present a single-step lithography system whereby the robotically controlled micro-extrusion of resist adhesive onto a substrate surface to directly create resist adhesive patterns of interest. This system is modified from a robotic adhesive dispenser by shrinking the aperture of the nozzle to a few micrometers aiming to realize patterns at microscale. From experimental investigation, it is found that working factors including writing speed, working time, and applied pressure can be adopted to conveniently regulate the feature size (the width of the line features and the diameter of the dot features). To test its functionality, the system was used to pattern line features on silicon dioxide (SiO2) and generate an array of square-like silicon microstructure by combining with wet etching. It provides a simple and flexible alternative tool to facilitate the development of microfabrication.
Investigation on the characteristics of a two gap capillary discharge based on surface flash over ignition in atmosphere
Authors: Huang Dong , Yang Lanjun , Huo Peng , Ma Jiangbo , Guo Haishan , Xu Ran , Ding Weidong
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a two gap capillary (TGC) structure is presented and the corresponding driving circuit based on surface flashover ignition is designed to achieve reliable and repetitive discharge in atmosphere. The characteristics of the two gap capillary (TGC) discharge in low energy are investigated, of which the discharge energy is from 27 J to 432 J. With the rise of charging voltage, the delay of the weak capillary discharge and the main discharge both decrease. Meanwhile, the current flowing through the main gap and the plasma jet ejection are enhanced. The main gap resistance is about several hundreds of milliohms in the main discharge and rises gradually with the decay of the current. The long tail extinction is witnessed at the relatively low charging voltage of 0.5 kV and 1.0 kV, by which the pulse width of the discharge is extended. However, the discharge during the long tail extinction contributes little to the plasma jet ejection with negligible plasma jet velocity and low degree of the plasma ionization. The effective energy deposition efficiency on the main gap increases gradually with the charging voltage and reaches approximately 2 times higher than that of the traditional structure at the charging voltage of 2.0 kV. The series inductor in the circuit can restrain the development of the long tail extinction and increase the effective energy deposition efficiency. Thus, the discharge characteristics and the plasma ejection of TGC under the relatively low charging voltage are optimized.
Overview: Experimental studies of crystal nucleation: Metals and colloids
Authors: Herlach Dieter M. , Palberg Thomas , Klassen Ina , Klein Stefan , Kobold Raphael
Published: September 2016

Crystallization is one of the most important phase transformations of first order. In the case of metals and alloys, the liquid phase is the parent phase of materials production. The conditions of the crystallization process control the as-solidified material in its chemical and physical properties. Nucleation initiates the crystallization of a liquid. It selects the crystallographic phase, stable or meta-stable. Its detailed knowledge is therefore mandatory for the design of materials. We present techniques of containerless processing for nucleation studies of metals and alloys. Experimental results demonstrate the power of these methods not only for crystal nucleation of stable solids but in particular also for investigations of crystal nucleation of metastable solids at extreme undercooling. This concerns the physical nature of heterogeneous versus homogeneous nucleation and nucleation of phases nucleated under non-equilibrium conditions. The results are analyzed within classical nucleation theory that defines the activation energy of homogeneous nucleation in terms of the interfacial energy and the difference of Gibbs free energies of solid and liquid. The interfacial energy acts as barrier for the nucleation process. Its experimental determination is difficult in the case of metals. In the second part of this work we therefore explore the potential of colloidal suspensions as model systems for the crystallization process. The nucleation process of colloids is observed in situ by optical observation and ultra-small angle X-ray diffraction using high intensity synchrotron radiation. It allows an unambiguous discrimination of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation as well as the determination of the interfacial free energy of the solid-liquid interface. Our results are used to construct Turnbull plots of colloids, which are discussed in relation to Turnbull plots of metals and support the hypothesis that colloids are useful model systems to investigate crystal nucleation.
Polarization forces in the vicinity of nanoparticles in weakly ionized plasma
Authors: Shneider M. N.
Published: September 2016

It is shown that the polarization forces in a weakly ionized plasma lead to a substantial increase in the fluxes of neutral atoms and molecules to the surface of charged nanoparticles. Thus, the nanoparticles can change the thermal balance due to the acceleration of atoms and molecules in the dipole potential and subsequent inelastic collisions to the nanoparticles.
Chemically driven fluid transport in long microchannels
Authors: Shen Mingren , Ye Fangfu , Liu Rui , Chen Ke , Yang Mingcheng , Ripoll Marisol
Published: September 2016

Chemical gradients maintained along surfaces can drive fluid flows by diffusio-osmosis, which become significant at micro- and nano-scales. Here, by means of mesoscopic simulations, we show that a concentration drop across microchannels with periodically inhomogeneous boundary walls can laterally transport fluids over arbitrarily long distances along the microchannel. The driving field is the secondary local chemical gradient parallel to the channel induced by the periodic inhomogeneity of the channel wall. The flow velocity depends on the concentration drop across the channel and the structure and composition of the channel walls, but it is independent of the overall channel length. Our work thus presents new insight into the fluid transport in long microchannels commonly found in nature and is useful for designing novel micro- or nano-fluidic pumps.
Soft phonon modes driven reduced thermal conductivity in self-compensated Sn1.03Te with Mn doping
Authors: Acharya Somnath , Pandey Juhi , Soni Ajay
Published: September 2016

The key challenge for superior thermoelectric performance of SnTe is optimization of very high hole concentration (∼1021 cm−3) arising from inherent Sn vacancies. Partial control of charge carriers can be achieved by self-compensation via careful filling of the vacancies using excess Sn, although high thermal conductivity remained a concern. In this context, with deliberate doping, an anharmonicity in phonon dispersion can be generated to obtain a poor thermal conductivity. We report on point defects and soft phonon mode driven poor thermal conductivity in self-compensated Sn1.03Te with Mn doping. The obvious modification in the electronic band structure has been demonstrated by four times enhancement in thermopower for Sn0.93Mn0.1Te from Sn1.03Te, and metallic behavior of temperature dependent resistivity. The observed soft phonon mode and impurity localized mode in Raman spectra have been explained based on the created anharmonicity in Sn1.03Te crystal with Mn doping.
IR spectra of water droplets in no man’s land and the location of the liquid-liquid critical point
Authors: Ni Yicun , Skinner J. L.
Published: September 2016

No man’s land is the region in the metastable phase diagram of water where it is very difficult to do experiments on liquid water because of homogeneous nucleation to the crystal. There are a number of estimates of the location in no man’s land of the liquid-liquid critical point, if it exists. We suggest that published IR absorption experiments on water droplets in no man’s land can provide information about the correct location. To this end, we calculate theoretical IR spectra for liquid water over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, using our E3B3 model, and use the results to argue that the temperature dependence of the experimental spectra is inconsistent with several of the estimated critical point locations, but consistent with others.
Study of ferroelectric characteristics of diisopropylammonium bromide films
Authors: Thirmal C. , Biswas P. P. , Shin Y. J. , Noh T. W. , Giridharan N. V. , Venimadhav A. , Murugavel P.
Published: September 2016

Organic molecular ferroelectrics are highly desirable due to their numerous advantages. In the present work, a thick film of diisopropylammonium bromide organic molecular ferroelectric is fabricated on the ITO/glass substrate. The grown film shows preferential orientation along the c-axis with a ferroelectric transition at 419 K. The piezoresponse force microscopic measurements are done in a dual ac resonance tracking mode for its switching characteristics. The amplitude and phase images of the oppositely written domain patterns exhibit a clear contrast with 180° phase difference. The dynamical spectroscopic studies reveal a butterfly loop in amplitude and hysteretic character of the phase which are the expected characteristics features of ferroelectrics. In addition, the macroscopic polarization versus electric field hysteresis gives an additional proof for ferroelectric character of the film with the maximum polarization of 3.5 μC/cm2. Overall, we have successfully fabricated diisopropylammonium bromide organic films and demonstrated its room temperature ferroelectric characteristics.
Floquet theory of radical pairs in radiofrequency magnetic fields
Authors: Hiscock Hamish G. , Kattnig Daniel R. , Manolopoulos David E. , Hore P. J.
Published: September 2016

We present a new method for calculating the product yield of a radical pair recombination reaction in the presence of a weak time-dependent magnetic field. This method successfully circumvents the computational difficulties presented by a direct solution of the Liouville-von Neumann equation for a long-lived radical pair containing many hyperfine-coupled nuclear spins. Using a modified formulation of Floquet theory, treating the time-dependent magnetic field as a perturbation, and exploiting the slow radical pair recombination, we show that one can obtain a good approximation to the product yield by considering only nearly degenerate sub-spaces of the Floquet space. Within a significant parameter range, the resulting method is found to give product yields in good agreement with exact quantum mechanical results for a variety of simple model radical pairs. Moreover it is considerably more efficient than the exact calculation, and it can be applied to radical pairs containing significantly more nuclear spins. This promises to open the door to realistic theoretical investigations of the effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the photochemically induced radical pair recombination reactions in the avian retina which are believed to be responsible for the magnetic compass sense of migratory birds.