bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mussel-inspired Functionalization of Cotton for Nano-catalyst Support and Its Application in a Fixed-bed System with High Performance
Authors: Xi Jiangbo , Xiao Junwu , Xiao Fei , Jin Yunxia , Dong Yue , Jing Feng , Wang Shuai
Published: February 2016

Inspired by the composition of adhesive and reductive proteins secreted by marine mussels, polydopamine (PDA) was used to coat cotton microfiber (CMF) and then acted as reducing agent for the growth of Pd nanoparticles on PDA coated CMF (PDA@CMF) composites. The resultant CMF@PDA/Pd composites were then packed in a column for the further use in fixed-bed system. For the catalysis of the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, the flow rate of the 4-aminophenol solution (0.5 mM) was as high as 60 mL/min. The obtained fixed-bed system even exhibited superior performance to conventional batch reaction process because it greatly facilitated the efficiency of the catalytic fibers. Consequently, its turnover frequency (TOF) was up to 1.587 min−1, while the TOF in the conventional batch reaction was 0.643 min−1. The catalytic fibers also showed good recyclability, which can be recycled for nine successive cycles without a loss of activity. Furthermore, the catalytic system based on CMF@PDA/Pd can also be applied for Suzuki coupling reaction with the iodobenzene conversion up to 96.7%. The strategy to prepare CMF@PDA/Pd catalytic fixed bed was simple, economical and scalable, which can also be applied for coating different microfibers and loading other noble metal nanoparticles, was amenable for automated industrial processes.
Laetoli’s lost tracks: 3D generated mean shape and missing footprints
Authors: Bennett M. R. , Reynolds S. C. , Morse S. A. , Budka M.
Published: February 2016

The Laetoli site (Tanzania) contains the oldest known hominin footprints, and their interpretation remains open to debate, despite over 35 years of research. The two hominin trackways present are parallel to one another, one of which is a composite formed by at least two individuals walking in single file. Most researchers have focused on the single, clearly discernible G1 trackway while the G2/3 trackway has been largely dismissed due to its composite nature. Here we report the use of a new technique that allows us to decouple the G2 and G3 tracks for the first time. In so doing we are able to quantify the mean footprint topology of the G3 trackway and render it useable for subsequent data analyses. By restoring the effectively ‘lost’ G3 track, we have doubled the available data on some of the rarest traces directly associated with our Pliocene ancestors.
Synchronization of phase oscillators with frequency-weighted coupling
Authors: Xu Can , Sun Yuting , Gao Jian , Qiu Tian , Zheng Zhigang , Guan Shuguang
Published: February 2016

Recently, the first-order synchronization transition has been studied in systems of coupled phase oscillators. In this paper, we propose a framework to investigate the synchronization in the frequency-weighted Kuramoto model with all-to-all couplings. A rigorous mean-field analysis is implemented to predict the possible steady states. Furthermore, a detailed linear stability analysis proves that the incoherent state is only neutrally stable below the synchronization threshold. Nevertheless, interestingly, the amplitude of the order parameter decays exponentially (at least for short time) in this regime, resembling the Landau damping effect in plasma physics. Moreover, the explicit expression for the critical coupling strength is determined by both the mean-field method and linear operator theory. The mechanism of bifurcation for the incoherent state near the critical point is further revealed by the amplitude expansion theory, which shows that the oscillating standing wave state could also occur in this model for certain frequency distributions. Our theoretical analysis and numerical results are consistent with each other, which can help us understand the synchronization transition in general networks with heterogenous couplings.
Macroscopic tensile plasticity by scalarizating stress distribution in bulk metallic glass
Authors: Gao Meng , Dong Jie , Huan Yong , Wang Yong Tian , Wang Wei-Hua
Published: February 2016

The macroscopic tensile plasticity of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is highly desirable for various engineering applications. However, upon yielding, plastic deformation of BMGs is highly localized into narrow shear bands and then leads to the “work softening” behaviors and subsequently catastrophic fracture, which is the major obstacle for their structural applications. Here we report that macroscopic tensile plasticity in BMG can be obtained by designing surface pore distribution using laser surface texturing. The surface pore array by design creates a complex stress field compared to the uniaxial tensile stress field of conventional glassy specimens and the stress field scalarization induces the unusual tensile plasticity. By systematically analyzing fracture behaviors and finite element simulation, we show that the stress field scalarization can resist the main shear band propagation and promote the formation of larger plastic zones near the pores, which undertake the homogeneous tensile plasticity. These results might give enlightenment for understanding the deformation mechanism and for further improvement of the mechanical performance of metallic glasses.
Simultaneous induction of jasmonic acid and disease-responsive genes signifies tolerance of American elm to Dutch elm disease
Authors: Sherif S. M. , Shukla M. R. , Murch S. J. , Bernier L. , Saxena P. K.
Published: February 2016

Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by three fungal species in the genusOphiostoma, is the most devastating disease of both native European and North American elm trees. Although many tolerant cultivars have been identified and released, the tolerance mechanisms are not well understood and true resistance has not yet been achieved. Here we show that the expression of disease-responsive genes in reactions leading to tolerance or susceptibility is significantly differentiated within the first 144 hours post-inoculation (hpi). Analysis of the levels of endogenous plant defense molecules such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) in tolerant and susceptible American elm saplings suggested SA and methyl-jasmonate as potential defense response elicitors, which was further confirmed by field observations. However, the tolerant phenotype can be best characterized by a concurrent induction of JA and disease-responsive genes at 96 hpi. Molecular investigations indicated that the expression of fungal genes (i.e.cerato ulmin) was also modulated by endogenous SA and JA and this response was unique among aggressive and non-aggressive fungal strains. The present study not only provides better understanding of tolerance mechanisms to DED, but also represents a first, verified template for examining simultaneous transcriptomic changes during American elm-fungus interactions.
Pygo2 functions as a prognostic factor for glioma due to its up-regulation of H3K4me3 and promotion of MLL1/MLL2 complex recruitment
Authors: Zhou Cefan , Zhang Yi , Dai Jun , Zhou Mengzhou , Liu Miao , Wang Yefu , Chen Xing-Zhen , Tang Jingfeng
Published: February 2016

Pygo2 has been discovered as an important Wnt signaling component contributing to the activation of Wnt-target gene transcription. In the present study, we discovered that Pygo2 mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in the majority of (152/209) human brain glioma tissues and five glioma cell lines and significantly correlated with the age, the WHO tumor classification and poor patient survival. The histone methyltransferase complex components (WDR5, Ash2 and menin, but not CXCC1 or NCOA6) were down-regulated at the promoter loci of Wnt target genes after Pygo2 knockdown and this was accompanied by the down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. Further, we demonstrated that the involvement of Pygo2 in the activation of the Wnt pathway in human glioma progression is through up-regulation of the H3K4me3 (but not H3K4me2) by promoting the recruitment of the histone methyltransferase MLL1/MLL2 complex to Wnt target gene promoters. Thus, our study provided evidence that Pygo2 functions as a novel prognostic marker and represents a potential therapeutic target.
Neurotensin-induced miR-133α expression regulates neurotensin receptor 1 recycling through its downstream target aftiphilin
Authors: Law Ivy Ka Man , Jensen Dane , Bunnett Nigel W. , Pothoulakis Charalabos
Published: February 2016

Neurotensin (NT) triggers signaling in human colonic epithelial cells by activating the G protein-coupled receptor, the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1). Activated NTR1 traffics from the plasma membrane to early endosomes and then recycles. Although sustained NT/NTR1 signaling requires efficient NTR1 recycling, little is known about the regulation of NTR1 recycling. We recently showed that NT/NTR1 signaling increases expression of miR-133α. Herein, we studied the mechanism of NT-regulated miR-133α expression and examined the role of miR-133α in intracellular NTR1 trafficking in human NCM460 colonocytes. We found that NT-induced miR-133α upregulation involves the negative transcription regulator, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1. Silencing of miR-133α or overexpression of aftiphilin (AFTPH), a binding target of miR-133α, attenuated NTR1 trafficking to plasma membrane in human colonocytes, without affecting NTR1 internalization. We localized AFTPH to early endosomes and the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in unstimulated human colonic epithelial cells. AFTPH overexpression reduced NTR1 localization in early endosomes and increased expression of proteins related to endosomes and the TGN trafficking pathway. AFTPH overexpression and de-acidification of intracellular vesicles increased NTR1 expression. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of GPCR trafficking in human colonic epithelial cells by which a microRNA, miR-133α regulates NTR1 trafficking through its downstream target AFTPH.
Establishment and application of a new diagnostic definition of metabolic syndrome in the Shantou region of southern China
Authors: Ding Zan , Pi Fuhua , Zhang Shengchao , Dong Wenya , Wen Ye , Wu Jiang , Zhang Qingying
Published: February 2016

The existing definitions of metabolic syndrome (MetS) may not be fully appropriate for the Shantou population because of ethnic and regional differences. We sought to establish a 95% multivariate medical reference range (MMRR) model for diagnosing MetS in Shantou adults and to evaluate the prevalence of MetS by the MMRR, JCDCG (the Chinese Guidelines) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. A total of 4,580 participants were recruited in Shantou, southern China. We developed a MMRR model based on the combinatorial indicatrixes method for three categorized indicatrixes. According to the developed MMRR criteria, men (women) in Shantou have MetS by meeting 3 or more of the following: waist circumference ≥89 (81) cm; triglycerides level ≥1.73 (1.64) mmol/L; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level ≤1.07 (1.05) mmol/L; blood pressure ≥138/89 (136/85) mmHg; and fasting plasma glucose ≥5.8 (5.7) mmol/L. The agreement of the MMRR with JCDCG and IDF criteria was “substantial” (both κ > 0.68), but the recommended reference values and proportion of individual components of MetS defined by the 3 criteria differed. The population-based MMRR criteria may be appropriate for diagnosing MetS in Shantou population and the model might be useful for generalization to other geographic regions.
Responsive Particle-Stabilized Emulsions: Formation and Applications
Authors: Kwok Man-hin , Ngai To
Published: February 2016

Responsive Pickering emulsions have attracted increasing attention over the last decade. These ‘surfactant-free’ emulsions are stabilized by particulate stabilizers and their properties and stability can be controlled by applying stimuli to the system. The excellent stability of Pickering emulsions makes them even more beneficial when they are compared to conventional emulsions which are stabilized by low molecular weight surfactants or amphiphilic polymers. Different responsive Pickering emulsions systems have been developed and reported by researchers. For example, they include pH responsiveness, magnetic responsiveness, thermo-responsiveness, ion-specific systems and photo-responsiveness. In this chapter, the formation and stabilization of such emulsions are discussed, with examples of different categories of particulate stabilizers, including inorganic, biological and polymeric particles. The discussion then moves on to the applications of such responsive emulsions in the pharmaceutical industry, petroleum processing, extraction and Pickering emulsion polymerization.
Certification of reference materials of sodium tartrate dihydrate and potassium citric monohydrate for water content
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Haifeng , Gu Xifeng , Quan Can , Dai Xinhua
Published: February 2016

CRMs for water content in solids were used to calibrate Karl Fischer titrators or validate the measurement method for the accuracy and consistency of results.
Nanocrystalline SSZ-39 zeolite as an efficient catalyst for the methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process
Authors: Martín Nuria , Li Zhibin , Martínez-Triguero Joaquín , Yu Jihong , Moliner Manuel , Corma Avelino
Published: February 2016

The synthesis of nanosized SSZ-39 zeolite has been achieved using a high silica FAU zeolite as the Si and Al source and tetraethylphosphonium (TEP) cations as OSDAs.
Cellular uptake of PLA nanoparticles studied by light and electron microscopy: synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility studies using an iridium(iii) complex as correlative label
Authors: Reifarth Martin , Pretzel David , Schubert Stephanie , Weber Christine , Heintzmann Rainer , Hoeppener Stephanie , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: February 2016

We present the synthesis of polylactide by ring-opening polymerization using a luminescent iridium(iii) complex acting as initiator.
Platinum complexes bearing normal and mesoionic N-heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands: syntheses, structures, and photo-functional attributes
Authors: Naziruddin Abbas Raja , Lee Chen-Shiang , Lin Wan-Jung , Sun Bing-Jian , Chao Kang-Heng , Chang Agnes Hsiu Hwa , Hwang Wen-Shu
Published: February 2016

Platinum complexes featuring pyridine bis-N-heterocyclic imidazol-2-ylidene/triazol-5-ylidene donors are prepared and screened for vapo/mechanochromic attributes.
Vitamin E suppresses ex vivo osteoclastogenesis in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Johnson Sarah A. , Feresin Rafaela G. , Soung Do Y. , Elam Marcus L. , Arjmandi Bahram H.
Published: February 2016

This study presents the effects of various doses of supplemental vitamin E onex vivoosteoclastogenesis in ovariectomized rats.
Fabrication and morphology tuning of graphene oxide nanoscrolls
Authors: Amadei Carlo A. , Stein Itai Y. , Silverberg Gregory J. , Wardle Brian L. , Vecitis Chad D.
Published: February 2016

Synthesis of high quality graphene oxide nanoscrolls with tunable dimensionsviaa high frequency ultrasound solution processing technique.
The microscopic mechanism in the realization of ultra-wide temperature range stability in Bi3+,Na+,Zn2+,Nb5+doped BaTiO3dielectric system
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Li Lingxia
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the micro-mechanism in a (1 −x)BaTiO3–xBi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3–0.01NaNbO3system, benefiting the realization of ultra-wide temperature range stability, was proposed and applied to study the dielectric properties.
Application of Fe78Si9B13 amorphous particles in magnetorheological fluids
Authors: Yu Mengchun , Yang Chuncheng , Bian Xiufang , Zhao Shuchun , Wang Tianqi , Liu Shuai , Guo Tongxiao
Published: February 2016

Fe78Si9B13 amorphous particles with high saturation magnetization, low remanence and low coercivity are applied in preparing magnetorheological fluids.
Numerical and experimental investigation to determine the optimal configuration of an aeration component in the hollow fiber membrane cleaning process
Authors: Wang Yufei , Wang Jie , Zhang Hongwei , Wu Yi , Dang Anhu
Published: February 2016

The optimal aeration hole design index γ was established by CFD simulation and experimental validation for membrane filtration and cleaning.
A review on fluorescent inorganic nanoparticles for optical sensing applications
Authors: Ng Sing Muk , Koneswaran Masilamany , Narayanaswamy Ramaier
Published: February 2016

Fluorescent inorganic nanoparticles are immerging novel materials that can be adopted for a large number of optical bioassays and chemical sensing probes.
Switchable solvent based liquid phase microextraction of mercury from environmental samples: a green aspect
Authors: Khan Mansoor , Soylak Mustafa
Published: February 2016

A novel and environmental friendly approach using switchable solvent based liquid phase microextraction (SPS-LPME), followed by UV-vis-spectrophotometric determination has been developed for the preconcentration and determination of mercury.
Efficient photocatalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol by metal complex-clay/TiO2 hybrid photocatalyst
Authors: Goto T. , Ogawa M.
Published: February 2016

Synthetic saponite containing a photosensitizing metal complex was complexed with colloidal anatase and used for the visible light photocatalytic reaction of aqueous benzene to phenol.
Zinc oxide quantum dots: multifunctional candidates for arresting C2C12 cancer cells and their role towards caspase 3 and 7 genes
Authors: Wahab Rizwan , Khan Farheen , Yang You bing , Hwang I. H. , Shin Hyung-Shik , Ahmad Javed , Dwivedi Sourabh , Khan Shams T. , Siddiqui Maqsood A. , Saquib Quaiser , Musarrat Javed , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A. , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Ali Bahy A.
Published: February 2016

Recently, nanoscale (<100 nm) inorganic materials, especially spherical shaped zinc oxide (ZnO-QDs), have received a lot of attention from the broad community because of their potential utilization in various technologies.
The effects of light and temperature on microalgal growth and nutrient removal: an experimental and mathematical approach
Authors: Gonçalves Ana L. , Pires José C. M. , Simões Manuel
Published: February 2016

A mathematical model describing the combined effect of light and temperature on microalgal growth was developed.
Excellent lithium ion storage property of porous MnCo2O4 nanorods
Authors: Zeng Peiyuan , Wang Xiaoxiao , Ye Ming , Ma Qiuyang , Li Jianwen , Wang Wanwan , Geng Baoyou , Fang Zhen
Published: February 2016

The porous MnCo2O4 nanorods have been successfully prepared by a simple and economic method and exhibited a high electrochemical performance.
A carbazole based “Turn on” fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Hg2+ in an aqueous medium
Authors: Kala K. , Manoj N.
Published: February 2016

A colorimetric and fluorescent Hg2+ selective sensor based on carbazole-barbituric acid conjugate (CBA) is developed. It exhibited visual colour change and a turn-on emission at 593 nm and is selective and sensitive for Hg2+ in aqueous medium.
Controlled synthesis of hollow Si–Ni–Sn nanoarchitectured electrode for advanced lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Ke , Huang Ying , Wang Duo , Zhao Yang , Wang Mingyue , Chen Xuefang , Wu Haiwei
Published: February 2016

The hollow Si–Ni–Sn nanospheres with porous and hollow microspheric structure were fabricated via a versatile template synthesis approach followed by an in situ chemical reaction, and directly used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Size-dependent microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4 nanodiscs
Authors: Yang Yong , Li Meng , Wu Yuping , Zong Baoyu , Ding Jun
Published: February 2016

High quality Fe3O4 nanodiscs with different sizes are successfully synthesized and their size dependent microwave absorption performance are investigated.
Asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of donor–acceptor aziridines with aldehydes via carbon–carbon bond cleavage
Authors: Liao Yuting , Liu Xiaohua , Zhang Yu , Xu Yali , Xia Yong , Lin Lili , Feng Xiaoming
Published: February 2016

An enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of donor–acceptor aziridines with aldehydes utilizing a relay catalyst system of Nd(OTf)3/N,N′-dioxide/LiNTf2 has been realized.
Modulating the cobalt redox potential through imidazole hydrogen bonding interactions in a supramolecular biomimetic protein-cofactor model
Authors: Sonnay Marjorie , Fox Thomas , Blacque Olivier , Zelder Felix
Published: February 2016

This paper describes a supramolecular biomimetic model of the “His-on” configuration and the charge relay system present in certain types of B12-dependent enzymes.
A duplex DNA–gold nanoparticle probe composed as a colorimetric biosensor for sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Authors: Ahn Junho , Choi Yeonweon , Lee Ae-Ree , Lee Joon-Hwa , Jung Jong Hwa
Published: February 2016

The SPL-12-mediated change of Au aggregation via duplex DNA–SPL-12 interactions could be utilized for colorimetric sensing of SPL-12 using duplex DNA–Au.
Assessment of organosilane-functionalized nano-carbon black for interference-free on-line Pb(ii) ion enrichment in water, herbal medicines and environmental samples
Authors: Nanicuacua Daniel Morais , Segatelli Mariana Gava , Corazza Marcela Zanetti , Teixeira Tarley César Ricardo
Published: February 2016

Commercial nano-carbon black particles were functionalized with 3-MPTMS to improve their adsorption capacity towards Pb(ii) ions.
Sensitive electrochemical detection of melamine based on gold nanoparticles deposited on a graphene doped carbon paste electrode
Authors: Peng Juan , Feng Yun , Han Xiao-Xia , Gao Zuo-Ning
Published: February 2016

A simple, sensitive and reliable electrochemical sensor was developed for detection of melamine based on gold nanoparticles deposited on a graphene doped carbon paste electrode.
Recent advances in mesoporous silica nanoparticles for antitumor therapy: our contribution
Authors: Baeza Alejandro , Manzano Miguel , Colilla Montserrat , Vallet-Regí María
Published: February 2016

Description of some recent advances in the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as smart drug carriers for antitumor therapy.
Electron transporting organic materials with an exceptional large scale homeotropic molecular orientation
Authors: Zhao Huan , He Zhiqun , Xu Min , Liang Chunjun , Kumar Sandeep
Published: February 2016

An electron transporting anthraquinone derivative demonstrated a stable large-scale homeotropic alignment on an open substrate surface, which substantially improved its charge carrier mobility.
Design of iron catalysts supported on carbon–silica composites with enhanced catalytic performance in high-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Subramanian Vijayanand , Ordomsky Vitaly V. , Legras Benoit , Cheng Kang , Cordier Catherine , Chernavskii Petr A. , Khodakov Andrei Y.
Published: February 2016

Iron catalysts supported by carbon–silica composites prepared via hydrothermal treatment of silica by fructose showed enhanced catalytic performance in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis.
Homogeneous and silica-supported zinc complexes for the synthesis of propylene carbonate from propane-1,2-diol and carbon dioxide
Authors: Comerford James W. , Hart Sam J. , North Michael , Whitwood Adrian C.
Published: February 2016

Homogeneous and silica-supported zinc triflate complexes catalyse the synthesis of propylene carbonate from propane-1,2-diol and carbon dioxide.
A comprehensive approach to investigate the structural and surface properties of activated carbons and related Pd-based catalysts
Authors: Lazzarini A. , Piovano A. , Pellegrini R. , Leofanti G. , Agostini G. , Rudić S. , Chierotti M. R. , Gobetto R. , Battiato A. , Spoto G. , Zecchina A. , Lamberti C. , Groppo E.
Published: February 2016

Activated carbons and related Pd-based catalysts are investigated with a multi-techniques approach, which allows correlating structure and performance.
C–F→Ln/An interactions in synthetic f-element chemistry
Authors: Yin Haolin , Zabula Alexander V. , Schelter Eric J.
Published: February 2016

C–F→Ln/An interactions have been increasingly recognized as a key aspect of f-element chemistry over the last two decades. This Perspective summarizes the literature on the nature of C–F→Ln/An contacts, their role in the structural and coordination chemistry of f-block elements and their applications for C–F bond activation.
Grape skin phenolics as inhibitors of mammalian α-glucosidase and α-amylase – effect of food matrix and processing on efficacy
Authors: Lavelli V. , Sri Harsha P. S. C. , Ferranti P. , Scarafoni A. , Iametti S.
Published: February 2016

Inhibition of mammalian α-amylase and α-glucosidase was studied for white grape skin samples recovered from wineries and found to be higher than that of the drug acarbose.
Fluorescence enhancement of DHLA protected gold nanoclusters in the presence of salt
Authors: Li Dan , Chen Zhenhua , Yang Tiezhu
Published: February 2016

The mechanism for the fluorescence enhancement of DHLA protected gold nanoclusters has been investigated based on the adsorption of the thiolate ligand.
Monodispersed palladium–cobalt alloy nanoparticles assembled on poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a highly effective catalyst for dimethylamine borane (DMAB) dehydrocoupling
Authors: Çelik Betül , Yıldız Yunus , Sert Hakan , Erken Esma , Koşkun Yagmur , Şen Fatih
Published: February 2016

Monodispersed PdCo@PVP NPs showed record catalytic activity, giving the best catalytic performance yet with a very high turnover frequency.
Increasing fluorine concentration to control the microstructure from fullerene-like to amorphous in carbon films
Authors: Zhang Lifang , Wang Jia , Zhang Junyan , Zhang Bin
Published: February 2016

a-C:H:F films with different fluorine contents are deposited, leading to different microstructures being formed; including fullerene-like fragments, interlocking pores, and disordered structures.
Toughening mechanism in impact polypropylene copolymer containing a β-nucleating agent
Authors: Qiu Biwei , Chen Feng , Shangguan Yonggang , Lin Yu , Zheng Qiang , Wang Xia
Published: February 2016

The voids in β-nucleated IPC could help to ease craze formation and multiply shear yielding while extensive stress whitening phenomenon appears in neat IPC.
Sequestration of naturally abundant seawater calcium and magnesium to enhance the adsorption capacity of bentonite toward environmental phosphate
Authors: Li Jian-rong , Zhu Li , Tang Jianfeng , Qin Kun , Li Gang , Wang TsingHai
Published: February 2016

Sequestrating seawater Ca/Mg by bentonite greatly enhances its capability for environmental phosphate removal in a green way.
Hydrogels from amphiphilic star block copolypeptides
Authors: Murphy R. , Borase T. , Payne C. , O'Dwyer J. , Cryan S.-A. , Heise A.
Published: February 2016

Star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymers form hydrogels as opposed to their linear counterparts.
Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) coordination for sustained drug release
Authors: Dai Yu , Zhang Xiaojin , Zhuo Renxi
Published: February 2016

Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) coordination were described to improve the release property of water-insoluble anticancer drug.
Novel reaction of 3,4-dibromofuran with azo diesters to give tetrahydropyridazinones
Authors: Aitken Kati M. , Aitken R. Alan , Slawin Alexandra M. Z.
Published: February 2016

Diels–Alder cycloaddition followed by rearrangement gives unexpected heterocyclic products whose structure is investigated by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.
Reduction of persistent photoconductivity in a few-layer MoS2 field-effect transistor by graphene oxide functionalization
Authors: Rathi Neha , Rathi Servin , Lee Inyeal , Wang Jianwei , Kang Moonshik , Lim Dongsuk , Khan Muhammad Atif , Lee Yoontae , Kim Gil-Ho
Published: February 2016

Reduction in persistent photoconductivity by functionalizing MoS2 FET with graphene oxide.
The creation and characterisation of a National Compound Collection: the Royal Society of Chemistry pilot
Authors: Andrews David M. , Broad Laura M. , Edwards Paul J. , Fox David N. A. , Gallagher Timothy , Garland Stephen L. , Kidd Richard , Sweeney Joseph B.
Published: February 2016

We report the extraction of compound data from historical literature, making it chemically searchable. Evaluation by drug discovery groups reveals the utility of this approach.
Facile electrochemical preparation of hierarchical porous structures to enhance manganese oxide charge-storage properties in ionic liquid electrolytes
Authors: Yang Cheng-Hsien , Sun I-Wen , Hsieh Chien-Te , Wu Tzi-Yi , Su Ching-Yuan , Li Yun-Shan , Chang Jeng-Kuei
Published: February 2016

A symmetric cell with hierarchical porous MnO2 electrodes and IL electrolyte shows excellent energy and power densities.
Optimization of cobalt/nitrogen embedded carbon nanotubes as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrode for rechargeable zinc–air batteries
Authors: Song Junhua , Zhu Chengzhou , Fu Shaofang , Song Yang , Du Dan , Lin Yuehe
Published: February 2016

Compositionally optimized cobalt and nitrogen embedded carbon nanotubes as a cathode catalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries.
Exceptional durability enhancement of PA/PBI based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for high temperature operation at 200 °C
Authors: Aili David , Zhang Jin , Dalsgaard Jakobsen Mark Tonny , Zhu Haijin , Yang Tianyu , Liu Jian , Forsyth Maria , Pan Chao , Jensen Jens Oluf , Cleemann Lars Nilausen , Jiang San Ping , Li Qingfeng
Published: February 2016

Incorporation of phosphotungstic acid functionalized mesoporous silica increases the stable operation temperature of PA/PBI membranes to 200 °C.
Compact quasi‐planar broadband rectangular ring‐cavity power divider using inserted ground waveguide probe
Authors: Hu Shunyong , Song Kaijun , Fan Yong
Published: February 2016

A compact broadband quasi‐planar rectangular ring‐cavity (RRC) power divider is presented. To realise the broadband impedance matching, the novel inserted ground waveguide probe structure is used. The equivalent circuit is given. The presented RRC power divider has been designed, fabricated and measured. The measured 15 dB return loss bandwidth is about 7.5 GHz (from 6.6 to 14.2 GHz). The measured results show reasonable agreement with the simulated one.
Design of a compact dual‐band branch line coupler using composite right/left‐handed transmission lines
Authors: Wang Q. , Lim J. , Jeong Y.
Published: February 2016

The design of a compact dual‐band (DB) branch line coupler (BLC) using composite right/left‐handed (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs) is described. By properly choosing the parameters of the CRLH TLs, the structure yields phase responses of π/2 and −π/2 at two arbitrary operating frequencies. Employing this structure, a DB microstrip BLC operating at 0.93 and 1.78 GHz is achieved. The size of the proposed DB BLC is significantly compact, at 34.4% of the previous DB BLC when they are both designed using CRLH TLs for the same DB frequencies. The simulated and measured performances of the proposed DB BLC are reliable compared with those of the previous DB BLC.
Latent codebook regression for facial feature localisation
Authors: Choi H.C.
Published: February 2016

A new non‐parametric inferring procedure of facial feature localisation which learns regression in latent variable space is introduced. The proposed method uses regression between latent feature and motion spaces spanned by a set of bases of nonlinear feature space and motion vector space which is trained from a large sample set in codebook. Compared with the previous method of using codebook or eigen‐codebook, the proposed method achieved both a significant reduction in the memory consumption without loss of accuracy and a very low computational complexity enough to run in mobile devices.
100 MHz current generator with T/(T − t) time waveform in 0.35 μm BiCMOS technology
Authors: Tadić N. , Goll B. , Zimmermann H.
Published: February 2016

A 0.35 μm BiCMOS current generator suitable for optical quantum random number generators is presented. The time dependence of the current pulses is of the form T/(T − t). The design uses the bipolar junction transistor translinear loop with two inputs supplied by a DC and one input supplied by a sawtooth current. The relative error of the measured waveform at 20 MHz is <3% in 97.5% of the time interval in which the current pulses have a rising slope. The current pulses can be generated up to a frequency of 100 MHz.
Broadband circularly polarised implantable antenna for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Hua , Guo Yong‐Xin , Xiao Shao‐Qiu
Published: February 2016

A compact, broadband and single‐fed circularly polarised implantable patch antenna is numerically evaluated and experimentally demonstrated for industrial, scientific, and medical band (2.45 GHz) biomedical telemetry application. By inserting a cross‐shaped slot with unequal‐length arms in the ground plane, the proposed antenna can obtain improvement for both impedance bandwidth and axial ratio (AR) bandwidth, without increasing the backward radiation. The simulated −10 dB impedance and 3 dB AR bandwidths are 16.15% and 6.09%. The measured impedance bandwidth is 14.03%. The overall antenna size (including the superstrate) is 10 × 10 × 1.27 mm3.
New construction of Z‐complementary pairs
Authors: Li Xudong , Mow Wai Ho , Niu Xianhua
Published: February 2016

A Z‐complementary pair may be used as an alternative of a Golay complementary pair in many engineering applications. A new simple approach to generate more equal length Z‐complementary pairs is proposed. It is proved that a new Z‐complementary pair is composed of a linear combination of a complex Z‐complementary pair and the same linear combination of its mate. In particular, constructions of ternary and quadriphase Z‐complementary pairs based on binary Z‐complementary pairs and their mates are proposed.
High‐efficiency multi‐string LED driver based on constant current bus with time‐multiplexing control
Authors: Liu Xueshan , Xu Jianping , Yang Qi , Xu Duo
Published: February 2016

A high‐efficiency multi‐string LED driver based on constant current bus with time‐multiplexing control scheme is proposed and analysed. Each LED string is connected to the constant current bus, which is provided by the output of a front‐end high‐efficiency converter. The current of each LED string can be independently controlled by the turn on duty ratio of its time‐multiplexing switch. A capacitor is connected to the current bus to provide a current flowing path for constant bus current when none of the LED string is connected to the current bus. It needs only one output filter capacitor, which makes circuit volume small and cost low. Finally, a 7.2 W two‐string LED driver is provided to verify the studied results.
Detection method for shockable rhythm based on a single feature
Authors: Nam D.H. , Kang D.W. , Myoung H.S. , Lee K.J.
Published: February 2016

A method for detecting shockable rhythm was proposed. A single feature was extracted using the discrete wavelet transform from a single‐channel electrocardiogram. The extracted feature was applied to the support vector machine to determine whether the signal was a shockable or non‐shockable rhythm. To evaluate the performance, five‐fold cross validation was performed with different window lengths (WLs). As a result, a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 98.0% with 3 s WL were obtained. The results represent the proposed method shows high detection performance even with short analysis window and only a single feature.
Iterative detection and decoding for non‐binary LDPC coded partial‐response channels with written‐in errors
Authors: Qin Zhiliang , Cai Kui , Ng Yibin
Published: February 2016

In this study, the authors investigate the performance of iterative detection and decoding for non‐binary low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) coded partial‐response (PR) channels, where written‐in errors are present to introduce bit‐flipping to LDPC code bits prior to the transmission over PR channels. From a probabilistic perspective, the written‐in errors are modelled as the output of a binary symmetrical channel (BSC) with crossover probability equal to the write error probability. Several iterative receivers are presented for the considered system. Specifically, the authors propose a symbol‐level Bahl‐Cocke‐Jelinek‐Raviv (BCJR) channel detector based on a sectionalised representation of the joint BSC and PR trellis to produce directly the soft information of non‐binary LDPC code symbols, thus avoiding suboptimal symbol/bit log‐likelihood ratio conversions as required in bit‐level detection schemes. Simulation results show that the proposed symbol‐level iterative receiver provides much better bit‐error‐rate performance over bit‐level schemes. Moreover, the proposed receiver enables non‐binary LDPC codes to achieve a notable coding gain over their binary counterparts for channels affected with written‐in errors.
Decoding schedule generating method for successive‐cancellation decoder of polar codes
Authors: Le Dan , Wu Xianyan , Niu Xiamu
Published: February 2016

Successive cancellation (SC) is the first and widely known decoder of polar codes, which has received a lot of attentions. However, its decoding schedule generating methods are still primitive. Based on a newly found factor, this study proposes an online method to generate the decoding schedule of SC decoder by a non‐recursive way. The decoding schedule of SC decoder includes two parts. One is to determine which of likelihood ratios (LRs) can be shared and which of LRs need to be calculated. The other is to select a calculation formula for a LR to be computed. As shown by the comparisons among the proposed method and existing methods, the proposed method solves the first part of the decoding schedule with constant critical path delay and lower space complexity, and solves the second part of the decoding schedule with less calculations. Besides, experimental results show that the proposed method does not affect the error performance of polar codes.
Reference‐omitted affine soft correspondence algorithm
Authors: Zhang Peng‐Peng , Qiao Yu , Wang Sheng‐Zheng , Yang Jie
Published: February 2016

In this study, an affine registration algorithm with reference‐omitted scheme and soft correspondence is proposed. It is an iterative method with two‐step matching process at each iteration, named as forward matching and backward matching. Due to the introduction of backward matching, two sets of points are alternately to be reference set, such that the selection of reference set is omitted. Failure caused by different reference sets can be corrected with the reference‐omitted scheme, and even there is obvious difference in scale. Additionally, soft correspondence is applied to avoid estimating the initial transformations. The simulation and real experimental results show that the proposed method substantially outperforms the current affine registration methods, especially when the scale difference between two sets of points is obvious or there are outliers in one set.
Directional SUSAN image boundary detection of breast thermogram
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Elham , Zekri Maryam , Montazeri Mohammad Ali , Sadri Saeid , Dabbagh Sima Taghizadeh
Published: February 2016

Thermography of the breast has been shown to be well suited to detect early signs of breast cancer. This study proposes a novel method for boundary detection of breast thermography images using directional SUSAN method. Among breast thermography image processing steps, breast isolation from background and from each other is an essential stage for proper detection of breast cancer. For this purpose, in this study, breast boundary is grouped into three regions depending on the region property. The algorithm of boundary detection is different for each region. Specially, for bottom breast boundary, directional SUSAN edge detector is presented that uses two rectangle masks to create a directional SUSAN gradient image with emphasis on oblique useful edges and omitting undesirable ones. Then cubic parabolic interpolation is implemented to determine a set of edge points on the boundaries. At last, an effective search algorithm is executed to correct some false points in order to extract breast boundaries accurately. The performance of the proposed approach illustrated by applying on the images of three databases. Experimental results show that this method acts effectively and confirm the accurate boundary detection. Moreover, statistical measures are calculated to indicate the remarkable capabilities of the proposed approach.
Prävalenz und Therapie des fortgeschrittenen Prostatakarzinoms in
Daten der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung
Authors: Tomeczkowski J. , Brookman-May S.
Published: February 2016

Ziel: Das Prostatakarzinom (PCa) ist die zweithäufigste krebsbedingte Todesursache
des Mannes. Untersuchungsziel ist es, anhand von Krankenkassendaten (Sekundärdaten) die
Prävalenz des PCa mit und ohne weitere Neubildungen (Fern- und Nahmetastasen,
Zweittumoren) zu ermitteln und beim fortgeschrittenen PCa Angaben zur Chemo-, Hormon- und
Schmerztherapie zu machen.

Methodik: Basis war eine dynamische Krankenkassenkohorte der Jahre 2007 – 2010. Die
Stichprobe wurde anhand der KM6-Statistik für die Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV)
altersadjustiert hochgerechnet. PCa-Patienten wurden mittels ICD-10-Diagnose C61, eine
zusätzliche sekundäre Neubildung über die ICD-10 C77, C78 oder C79 identifiziert. Für 2010
wurde der Anteil an PCa-Patienten mit weiteren onkologischen Erkrankungen, bei Patienten
mit sekundären Neubildungen Art und Häufigkeit der abgerechneten Chemo-, Hormon- und
Schmerztherapie über ATC-Codes, Pharmazentralnummern (PZN) und Operationen- und
Prozeduren-Schlüssel (OPS) ermittelt. Nach Art der Schmerz- und/oder Anämietherapie wurden
die Patienten als asymptomatisch, mild-symptomatisch oder symptomatisch klassifiziert.

Ergebnisse: Die Prävalenz des PCa stieg in den Jahren 2007 – 2010 von 1,26 % auf
1,65 % und die des regionär- und fernmetastasierten PCa (mPCa) von 0,12 % auf 0,18 %.
35,7 % der mPCa-Patienten erhielten 2010 keine Hormon- oder Chemotherapie, 37,9 % nur eine
Hormontherapie und 26,4 % eine Chemotherapie. Anhand der Verordnungen von Analgetika und
Antianämika wurden 34,4 % als asymptomatisch, 30,3 % als mild-symptomatisch und 35,3 % als
symptomatisch eingestuft. Weitere onkologische Erkrankungen wurden bei 23,5 % der PCa- und
36,0 % der mPCa-Patienten nachgewiesen. Bei den 10,9 % PCa-Patienten mit Kodierung von
Metastasen entfielen 0,1 % auf regionäre pelvine Metastasen.

Schlussfolgerung: Die Prävalenz des PCa auf Basis der vorliegenden
Krankenkassendaten entspricht ungefähr der bisher berichteten. Der Anteil an Patienten mit
Chemotherapie erscheint mit 26,4 % zu niedrig vor dem Hintergrund, dass 35,3 % der
Patienten als symptomatisch eingestuft wurden. Der hohe Anteil von Patienten mit weiteren
onkologischen Erkrankungen und der niedrige Anteil an regionären Lymphknotenmetastasen
könnten ein Hinweis darauf sein, dass Metastasen nicht eindeutig diagnostiziert und/oder
kodiert werden.
Leptin signaling regulates glucose homeostasis, but not adipostasis, in the zebrafish
Authors: Michel Maximilian , Page-McCaw Patrick S. , Chen Wenbiao , Cone Roger D.
Published: February 2016

Significance

The hormone leptin homeostatically maintains long-term fat stores in mammals. Made by adipocytes in proportion to total adipose mass, leptin functions by regulating behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine circuits in the CNS to control energy intake and expenditure. As leptin signals nutritional sufficiency, it also acts as a gating factor for reproductive maturation and competence. Defective leptin signaling in mammals results in hyperphagia, obesity, diabetes, and infertility. Much less is known about leptin in nonmammalian vertebrates; however, the teleost leptin homologue is not primarily expressed in adipocytes. Here we show that zebrafish leptin is not required for adipostasis, food intake, or reproduction. However, we show here that, as in mammals, zebrafish leptin retains a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.
Driver crash risk factors and prevalence evaluation using naturalistic driving data
Authors: Dingus Thomas A. , Guo Feng , Lee Suzie , Antin Jonathan F. , Perez Miguel , Buchanan-King Mindy , Hankey Jonathan
Published: February 2016

Significance

This paper presents findings about the riskiest factors faced by drivers as informed through the first large-scale, crash-only analysis of naturalistic driving data. Results indicate that many secondary tasks or activities, particularly resulting from the use of handheld electronic devices, are of detriment to driver safety. The analysis uses a large naturalistic database comprising continuous in situ observations made via multiple onboard video cameras and sensors that gathered information from more than 3,500 drivers across a 3-y period.
Early doors (
Edo
) mutant mouse reveals the importance of period 2 (PER2) PAS domain structure for circadian pacemaking
Authors: Militi Stefania , Maywood Elizabeth S. , Sandate Colby R. , Chesham Johanna E. , Barnard Alun R. , Parsons Michael J. , Vibert Jennifer L. , Joynson Greg M. , Partch Carrie L. , Hastings Michael H. , Nolan Patrick M.
Published: February 2016

Significance

In a study investigating mechanisms whereby period 2 (PER2) stability can set the pace of biological rhythms, we have looked at molecular, cellular, and structural features of the mouse mutant, early doors (
Edo
). Early doors is a novel
N
-ethyl-
N
-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced point mutation that shortens the circadian period of mice by 1.5 h. The mutation results in an amino acid substitution in the interdomain linker between the tandem PAS domains of PER2. Biophysical analyses confirm that increased flexibility of this interdomain linker reduces stability of the PAS domain core. This flexibility can accelerate circadian rhythms by destabilizing the PER2
Edo
protein through faster kinase-mediated degradation. Furthermore, we find that
Per2

Edo

mice carrying the casein kinase 1ε (
Csnk1e
)
Tau
mutation have extremely fast but very stable circadian clocks.
Anthropogenic climate change drives shift and shuffle in North Atlantic phytoplankton communities
Authors: Barton Andrew D. , Irwin Andrew J. , Finkel Zoe V. , Stock Charles A.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Phytoplankton play essential roles in marine food webs and global biogeochemical cycles, yet the responses of individual species and entire phytoplankton communities to anthropogenic climate change in the coming century remain uncertain. Here we map the biogeographies of commonly observed North Atlantic phytoplankton and compare their historical (1951–2000) and projected future ranges (2051–2100). We find that individual species and entire communities move in space, or shift, and that communities internally reassemble, or shuffle. Over the coming century, most but not all studied species shift northeastward in the basin, moving at a rate faster than previously estimated. These pronounced ecological changes are driven by dynamic changes in ocean circulation and surface conditions, rather than just warming temperatures alone.
Contact inhibition of locomotion determines cell–cell and cell–substrate forces in tissues
Authors: Zimmermann Juliane , Camley Brian A. , Rappel Wouter-Jan , Levine Herbert
Published: February 2016

Significance

Many cell types organize into tissues (e.g., in the skin). In most adult tissues, cells are tightly anchored and attached to each other through intercellular adhesions. However, during embryonic development and wound repair, cells reorganize and migrate to (re)establish the desired tissue shape. This reorganization involves a complex interplay of cell motility, cell contractility, and cell–cell adhesion. Here, we use a computational model to study the forces generated by cells in tissues and the resultant cell motion. A basic hypothesis, namely that cell–cell contacts repolarize moving cells and suppress their ability to exert forces on the environment, allows us to explain heretofore surprising findings showing that tissues are under tension and that this tension increases with cell density.