bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The highly rearranged mitochondrial genomes of the crabs Maja crispata and Maja squinado (Majidae) and gene order evolution in Brachyura
Authors: Basso Andrea , Babbucci Massimiliano , Pauletto Marianna , Riginella Emilio , Patarnello Tomaso , Negrisolo Enrico
Published: June 2017

We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of the spider crabsMaja crispataandMaja squinado(Majidae, Brachyura). Both genomes contain the whole set of 37 genes characteristic of Bilaterian genomes, encoded on both α- and β-strands. Both species exhibit the same gene order, which is unique among known animal genomes. In particular, all the genes located on the β-strand form a single block. This gene order was analysed together with the other nine gene orders known for the Brachyura. Our study confirms that the most widespread gene order (BraGO) represents the plesiomorphic condition for Brachyura and was established at the onset of this clade. All other gene orders are the result of transformational pathways originating from BraGO. The different gene orders exhibit variable levels of genes rearrangements, which involve only tRNAs or all types of genes. Local homoplastic arrangements were identified, while complete gene orders remain unique and represent signatures that can have a diagnostic value. Brachyura appear to be a hot-spot of gene order diversity within the phylum Arthropoda. Our analysis, allowed to track, for the first time, the fully evolutionary pathways producing the Brachyuran gene orders. This goal was achieved by coupling sophisticated bioinformatic tools with phylogenetic analysis.
Lateral habenula regulation of emotional hyperthermia: mediation via the medullary raphé
Authors: Ootsuka Youichirou , Mohammed Mazher , Blessing William W.
Published: June 2017

The lateral habenula (LHb) has an important role in the behavioural response to salient, usually aversive, events. We previously demonstrated that activation of neurons in the LHb increases brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and constricts the cutaneous vascular bed, indicating that the LHb contributes to the central control of sympathetic outflow to thermoregulatory effector organs. We have now investigated whether the LHb mediates BAT thermogenesis elicited by emotional stress, and whether the LHb modulates thermoregulatory sympathetic outflow via the rostral medullary raphé, a key integrative lower brainstem sympathetic control centre. In conscious animals, lesioning the LHb attenuated emotional BAT thermogenesis, suggesting that the LHb is part of the central circuitry mediating emotional hyperthermia. In anesthetized animals, inhibition of neurons in the rostral medullary raphé reversed BAT thermogenesis and cutaneous vasoconstriction elicited by activation of neurons in the LHb, indicating that the LHb-induced autonomic responses are mediated through activation of the rostral medullary raphé neurons. The latency to activate BAT sympathetic discharge from electrical stimulation of the LHb was substantially greater than the corresponding latency after stimulation of the medullary raphé, suggesting that the neuronal pathway connecting those two nuclei is quite indirect.
Molecular methods to detect Spodoptera frugiperda in Ghana, and implications for monitoring the spread of invasive species in developing countries
Authors: Cock Matthew J. W. , Beseh Patrick K. , Buddie Alan G. , Cafá Giovanni , Crozier Jayne
Published: June 2017

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest indigenous throughout the Americas, which recently appeared in Africa, first reported from São Tomé, Nigeria, Bénin and Togo in 2016, and which we now report from Ghana. This species is recognised to comprise two morphologically identical but genetically distinct strains or species in the Americas, and we found both to be present in Ghana. We discuss possible routes of entry to Africa, of which the likeliest is adults and/or egg masses transported on direct commercial flights between the Americas and West Africa, followed by dispersal by adult flight within Africa. Identification of Lepidoptera is normally based on the markings and morphology of adults, and not on the larvae which actually cause the damage, and therefore larvae have to be reared through to adult for authoritative identification. We confirmed that the use of DNA barcoding allowed unequivocal identification of this new pest from Ghana based on the larvae alone. As authenticated barcodes for vouchered specimens of more pests become available, this approach has the potential to become a valuable in-country tool to support national capability in rapid and reliable pest diagnosis and identification.
Active removal of waste dye pollutants using Ta3N5/W18O49 nanocomposite fibres
Authors: Jones Daniel R. , Gomez Virginia , Bear Joseph C. , Rome Bertrand , Mazzali Francesco , McGettrick James D. , Lewis Aled R. , Margadonna Serena , Al-Masry Waheed A. , Dunnill Charles W.
Published: June 2017

A scalable solvothermal technique is reported for the synthesis of a photocatalytic composite material consisting of orthorhombic Ta3N5 nanoparticles and WOx≤3 nanowires. Through X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the as-grown tungsten(VI) sub-oxide was identified as monoclinic W18O49. The composite material catalysed the degradation of Rhodamine B at over double the rate of the Ta3N5 nanoparticles alone under illumination by white light, and continued to exhibit superior catalytic properties following recycling of the catalysts. Moreover, strong molecular adsorption of the dye to the W18O49 component of the composite resulted in near-complete decolourisation of the solution prior to light exposure. The radical species involved within the photocatalytic mechanisms were also explored through use of scavenger reagents. Our research demonstrates the exciting potential of this novel photocatalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants, and to the authors’ knowledge the material has not been investigated previously. In addition, the simplicity of the synthesis process indicates that the material is a viable candidate for the scale-up and removal of dye pollutants on a wider scale.
Segregation of glutamatergic and cholinergic transmission at the mixed motoneuron Renshaw cell synapse
Authors: Lamotte d’Incamps Boris , Bhumbra Gardave S. , Foster Joshua D. , Beato Marco , Ascher Philippe
Published: June 2017

In neonatal mice motoneurons excite Renshaw cells by releasing both acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate. These two neurotransmitters activate two types of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) (﻿the homomeric α7 receptors and the heteromeric α*ß* receptors) as well as the two types of glutamate receptors (GluRs) (AMPARs and NMDARs). Using paired recordings, we confirm that a single motoneuron can release both transmitters on a single post-synaptic Renshaw cell. We then show that co-transmission is preserved in adult animals. Kinetic analysis of miniature EPSCs revealed quantal release of mixed events associating AMPARs and NMDARs, as well as α7 and α*ß* nAChRs, but no evidence was found for mEPSCs associating nAChRs with GluRs. Bayesian Quantal Analysis (BQA) of evoked EPSCs showed that the number of functional contacts on a single Renshaw cell is more than halved when the nicotinic receptors are blocked, confirming that the two neurotransmitters systems are segregated. Our observations can be explained if ACh and glutamate are released from common vesicles onto spatially segregated post-synaptic receptors clusters, but a pre-synaptic segregation of cholinergic and glutamatergic release sites is also possible.
Engineered Newcastle disease virus expressing the F and G proteins of AMPV-C confers protection against challenges in turkeys
Authors: Hu Haixia , Roth Jason P. , Zsak Laszlo , Yu Qingzhong
Published: June 2017

Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) infects the respiratory and reproductive tracts of domestic poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses for producers. Live attenuated vaccines appear to be the most effective in countries where the disease is prevalent. However, reversion to virulence has been demonstrated in several studies. Therefore, the development of a stable and safe next generation vaccine against the AMPV disease is needed. In the present study, we generated a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vectoring the fusion (F) protein and glycoprotein (G) genes of AMPV subtype-C (AMPV-C) as a bivalent vaccine candidate using reverse genetics technology. The recombinant virus, rLS/AMPV-C F&G, was slightly attenuated in vivo, yet maintained similar characteristics in vitro when compared to the parental LaSota virus. Vaccination of turkeys with rLS/AMPV-C F&G induced both AMPV-C and NDV-specific antibody responses, and provided significant protection against pathogenic AMPV-C challenge and complete protection against velogenic NDV challenge. These results suggest that the rLS/AMPV-C F&G recombinant virus is a safe and effective bivalent vaccine candidate and that the expression of both F and G proteins of AMPV-C induces a protective response against the AMPV-C disease.
Self-assembled Cubic Boron Nitride Nanodots
Authors: Khanaki Alireza , Xu Zhongguang , Tian Hao , Zheng Renjing , Zuo Zheng , Zheng Jian-Guo , Liu Jianlin
Published: June 2017

One of the low-dimensional Boron Nitride (BN) forms, namely, cubic-BN (c-BN) nanodots (NDs), offers a variety of novel opportunities in battery, biology, deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes, sensors, filters, and other optoelectronic applications. To date, the attempts towards producing c-BN NDs were mainly performed under extreme high-temperature/high-pressure conditions and resulted in c-BN NDs with micrometer sizes, mixture of different BN phases, and containing process-related impurities/contaminants. To enhance device performance for those applications by taking advantage of size effect, pure, sub-100 nm c-BN NDs are necessary. In this paper, we report self-assembled growth of c-BN NDs on cobalt and nickel substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. It is found that the nucleation, formation, and morphological properties of c-BN NDs can be closely correlated with the nature of substrate including catalysis effect, lattice-mismatch-induced strain, and roughness, and growth conditions, in particular, growth time and growth temperature. The mean lateral size of c-BN NDs on cobalt scales from 175 nm to 77 nm with the growth time. The growth mechanism of c-BN NDs on metal substrates is concluded to be Volmer-Weber (VW) mode. A simplified two-dimensional numerical modeling shows that the elastic strain energy plays a key role in determining the total formation energy of c-BN NDs on metals.
SOX2 is required for inner ear neurogenesis
Authors: Steevens Aleta R. , Sookiasian Danielle L. , Glatzer Jenna C. , Kiernan Amy E.
Published: June 2017

Neurons of the cochleovestibular ganglion (CVG) transmit hearing and balance information to the brain. During development, a select population of early otic progenitors express NEUROG1, delaminate from the otocyst, and coalesce to form the neurons that innervate all inner ear sensory regions. At present, the selection process that determines which otic progenitors activate NEUROG1 and adopt a neuroblast fate is incompletely understood. The transcription factor SOX2 has been implicated in otic neurogenesis, but its requirement in the specification of the CVG neurons has not been established. Here we tested SOX2’s requirement during inner ear neuronal specification using a conditional deletion paradigm in the mouse. SOX2 deficiency at otocyst stages caused a near-absence of NEUROG1-expressing neuroblasts, increased cell death in the neurosensory epithelium, and significantly reduced the CVG volume. Interestingly, a milder decrease in neurogenesis was observed in heterozygotes, indicating SOX2 levels are important. Moreover, fate-mapping experiments revealed that the timing of SOX2 expression did not parallel the established vestibular-then-auditory sequence. These results demonstrate that SOX2 is required for the initial events in otic neuronal specification including expression of NEUROG1, although fate-mapping results suggest SOX2 may be required as a competence factor rather than a direct initiator of the neural fate.
Molecular switching system using glycosylphosphatidylinositol to select cells highly expressing recombinant proteins
Authors: Matabaro Emmanuel , He Zeng’an , Liu Yi-Shi , Zhang Hui-Jie , Gao Xiao-Dong , Fujita Morihisa
Published: June 2017

Although many pharmaceutical proteins are produced in mammalian cells, there remains a challenge to select cell lines that express recombinant proteins with high productivity. Since most biopharmaceutical proteins are secreted by cells into the medium, it is difficult to select cell lines that produce large amounts of the target protein. To address this issue, a new protein expression system using the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor was developed. PGAP2 is involved in processing GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) during transport. In PGAP2 mutant cells, most GPI-APs are secreted into the medium. Here, we established a HEK293 cell line where endogenous PGAP2 was knocked out and exogenous PGAP2 was inserted with a piggyBac transposon in the genome. Using these cells, human lysosomal acid lipase (LIPA) and α-galactosidase A (GLA) were expressed as GPI-anchored forms (LIPA-GPI and GLA-GPI) and cells expressing high levels of LIPA-GPI or GLA-GPI on the cell surface were enriched. Removal of the PGAP2 gene by piggyBac transposase or FLP recombinase converted LIPA-GPI and GLA-GPI from membrane-bound to the secreted forms. Thus, cells expressing LIPA or GLA in large amounts could be enriched using this approach. The GPI-based molecular switching system is an efficient approach to isolate cells expressing recombinant proteins with high productivity.
Structural basis for biologically relevant mechanical stiffening of a virus capsid by cavity-creating or spacefilling mutations
Authors: Guerra Pablo , Valbuena Alejandro , Querol-Audí Jordi , Silva Cristina , Castellanos Milagros , Rodríguez-Huete Alicia , Garriga Damià , Mateu Mauricio G. , Verdaguer Nuria
Published: June 2017

Recent studies reveal that the mechanical properties of virus particles may have been shaped by evolution to facilitate virus survival. Manipulation of the mechanical behavior of virus capsids is leading to a better understanding of viral infection, and to the development of virus-based nanoparticles with improved mechanical properties for nanotechnological applications. In the minute virus of mice (MVM), deleterious mutations around capsid pores involved in infection-related translocation events invariably increased local mechanical stiffness and interfered with pore-associated dynamics. To provide atomic-resolution insights into biologically relevant changes in virus capsid mechanics, we have determined by X-ray crystallography the structural effects of deleterious, mechanically stiffening mutations around the capsid pores. Data show that the cavity-creating N170A mutation at the pore wall does not induce any dramatic structural change around the pores, but instead generates subtle rearrangements that propagate throughout the capsid, resulting in a more compact, less flexible structure. Analysis of the spacefilling L172W mutation revealed the same relationship between increased stiffness and compacted capsid structure. Implications for understanding connections between virus mechanics, structure, dynamics and infectivity, and for engineering modified virus-based nanoparticles, are discussed.
Disrupted pursuit compensation during self-motion perception in early Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wang Jingru , Guo Xiaojun , Zhuang Xianbo , Chen Tuanzhi , Yan Wei
Published: June 2017

Our perception of the world is remarkably stable despite of distorted retinal input due to frequent eye movements. It is considered that the brain uses corollary discharge, efference copies of signals sent from motor to visual regions, to compensate for distortions and stabilize visual perception. In this study, we tested whether patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have impaired corollary discharge functions as evidenced by reduced compensation during the perception of optic flow that mimics self-motion in the environment. We asked a group of early-stage AD patients and age-matched healthy controls to indicate the perceived direction of self-motion based on optic flow while tracking a moving target with smooth pursuit eye movement, or keeping eye fixation at a stationary target. We first replicated the previous findings that healthy participants were able to compensate for distorted optic flow in the presence of eye movements, as indicated by similar performance of self-motion perception between pursuit and fixation conditions. In stark contrast, AD patients showed impaired self-motion perception when the optic flow was distorted by eye movements. Our results suggest that early-stage AD pathology is associated with disrupted eye movement compensation during self-motion perception.
Comparing DNA enrichment of proliferating cells following administration of different stable isotopes of heavy water
Authors: Farthing Don E. , Buxbaum Nataliya P. , Lucas Philip J. , Maglakelidze Natella , Oliver Brittany , Wang Jiun , Hu Kevin , Castro Ehydel , Bare Catherine V. , Gress Ronald E.
Published: June 2017

Deuterated water (2H2O) is a label commonly used for safe quantitative measurement of deuterium enrichment into DNA of proliferating cells. More recently, it has been used for labeling proteins and other biomolecules. Our in vitro - in vivo research reports important stable isotopic labeling enrichment differences into the DNA nucleosides and their isotopologues (e.g. deoxyadenosine (dA) M + 1, dA M + 2, dA M + 3), as well as tumor cell proliferation effects for various forms of commercially available stable heavy water (2H2O, H218O, and 2H218O). Using an in vitro mouse thymus tumor cell line, we determined that H218O provides superior DNA labeling enrichment quantitation, as measured by GC-positive chemical ionization (PCI)-MS/MS. In addition, at higher but physiologically relevant doses, both 2H218O and 2H2O down modulated mouse thymus tumor cell proliferation, whereas H218O water had no observable effects on cell proliferation. The in vivo labeling studies, where normal mouse bone marrow cells (i.e. high turnover) were evaluated post labeling, demonstrated DNA enrichments concordant with measurements from the in vitro studies. Our research also reports a headspace-GC-NCI-MS method, which rapidly and quantitatively measures stable heavy water levels in total body water.
Epigenetic targeting drugs potentiate chemotherapeutic effects in solid tumor therapy
Authors: Li Jingjing , Hao Dapeng , Wang Li , Wang Haitao , Wang Yuan , Zhao Zhiqiang , Li Peipei , Deng Chuxia , Di Li-jun
Published: June 2017

Epigenetic therapy is a novel tumor therapeutic method and refers to the targeting of the aberrant epigenetic modifications presumably at cancer-related genes by chemicals which are epigenetic targeting drugs (ETDs). Not like in treating hematopoietic cancer, the clinical trials investigating the potential use of ETDs in the solid tumor is not encouraging. Instead, the curative effects of ETD delivered together with DNA targeting chemo drugs (DTDs) are quite promising according to our meta-analysis. To investigate the synergistic mechanism of ETD and DTD drug combination, the therapeutic effect was studied using both cell lines and mouse engrafted tumors. Mechanically we show that HDAC inhibitors and DNMT inhibitors are capable of increasing the chromatin accessibility to cisplatin (CP) and doxorubicin (Dox) through chromatin decompaction globally. Consequently, the combination of ETD and DTD enhances the DTD induced DNA damage and cell death. Engrafted tumors in SCID mice also show increased sensitivity to irradiation (IR) or CP when the tumors were pretreated by ETDs. Given the limited therapeutic effect of ETD alone, these results strongly suggest that the combination of DTD, including irradiation, and ETD treatment is a very promising choice in clinical solid tumor therapy.
Modulational instability of coupled ring waveguides with linear gain and nonlinear loss
Authors: Hung Nguyen Viet , Zegadlo Krzysztof , Ramaniuk Aliaksandr , Konotop Vladimir V. , Trippenbach Marek
Published: June 2017

We consider a nanostructure of two coupled ring waveguides with constant linear gain and nonlinear absorption - the system that can be implemented in various settings including polariton condensates, optical waveguides or atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. It is found that, depending on the parameters, this simple configuration allows for observing several complex nonlinear phenomena, which include spontaneous symmetry breaking, modulational instability leading to generation of stable circular flows with various vorticities, stable inhomogeneous states with interesting structure of currents flowing between rings, as well as dynamical regimes having signatures of chaotic behavior.
Systematic comparison of two whole-genome amplification methods for targeted next-generation sequencing using frozen and FFPE normal and cancer tissues
Authors: Mendez Pedro , Fang Li Tai , Jablons David M. , Kim Il-Jin
Published: June 2017

Sequencing key cancer-driver genes using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cancer tissues is becoming the standard for identifying the best treatment regimen. However, about 25% of all samples are rejected for genetic analyses for reasons that include too little tissue to extract enough high quality DNA. One way to overcome this is to do whole-genome amplification (WGA) in clinical samples, but only limited studies have tested different WGA methods in FFPE cancer specimens using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). We therefore tested the two most commonly used WGA methods, multiple displacement amplification (MDA-Qiagen REPLI-g kit) and the hybrid or modified PCR-based method (Sigma/Rubicon Genomics Inc. GenomePlex kit) in FFPE normal and tumor tissue specimens. For the normalized copy number analysis, the FFPE process caused none or very minimal bias. Variations in copy number were minimal in samples amplified using the GenomePlex kit, but they were statistically significantly higher in samples amplified using the REPLI-g kit. The pattern was similar for variant allele frequencies across the samples, which was minimal for the GenomePlex kit but highly variable for the REPLI-g kit. These findings suggest that each WGA method should be tested thoroughly before using it for clinical cancer samples.
Metabolic changes in Medaka fish induced by cyanobacterial exposures in mesocosms: an integrative approach combining proteomic and metabolomic analyses
Authors: Sotton Benoît , Paris Alain , Le Manach Séverine , Blond Alain , Lacroix Gérard , Millot Alexis , Duval Charlotte , Huet Hélène , Qiao Qin , Labrut Sophie , Chiappetta Giovanni , Vinh Joelle , Catherine Arnaud , Marie Benjamin
Published: June 2017

Cyanobacterial blooms pose serious threats to aquatic organisms and strongly impact the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Due to their ability to produce a wide range of potentially bioactive secondary metabolites, so called cyanotoxins, cyanobacteria have been extensively studied in the past decades. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the global response of hundreds of proteins and metabolites at a glance. In this study, we provide the first combined utilization of these methods targeted to identify the response of fish to bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) were exposed for 96 hours either to a MC-producing or to a non-MC-producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa and cellular, proteome and metabolome changes following exposure to cyanobacteria were characterized in the fish livers. The results suggest that a short-term exposure to cyanobacteria, producing or not MCs, induces sex-dependent molecular changes in medaka fish, without causing any cellular alterations. Globally, molecular entities involved in stress response, lipid metabolism and developmental processes exhibit the most contrasted changes following a cyanobacterial exposure. Moreover, it appears that proteomic and metabolomic analyses are useful tools to verify previous information and to additionally bring new horizons concerning molecular effects of cyanobacteria on fish.
A genetically enhanced sterile insect technique against the fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) by feeding adult double-stranded RNAs
Authors: Ali Muhammad Waqar , Zheng Wenping , Sohail Summar , Li Qingmei , Zheng Weiwei , Zhang Hongyu
Published: June 2017

RNAi based sterile insect technique (SIT) is an authentic insect management approach but requires proper target genes. During this study, spermless males were developed by interfering with germ cell differentiation and azoospermia related genes. Data demonstrates significant reductions in the target genes expressions (boul, zpg, dsx
M
, fzo and gas8) after oral dsRNAs administration. Knock down of target genes significantly affected the reproductive ability of males and reduced egg-hatching as compared to the control group. Furthermore, different combinations of selected gene dsRNAs (boul + zpg, boul + dsx
M
and zpg + dsx
M
) were made, which resulted up to 85.40% of male sterility. The most effective combination was selected to prepare different concentrations of dsRNA, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ng/μl, that caused 18.97%, 38.68%, 58.02% and 85.40% male sterility, respectively. Subsequently, 1000 ng/μl of the same combination of ds-RNAs was used against differently aged adult flies (1, 5, 7, 10 days) which lead to 85.40%, 31.42%, 21.76% and 9.90% male sterility, respectively. SIT developed in this study showed that, boul + zpg combination of dsRNA feeding for 6 hours significantly reduced the number of spermatozoa and viability of sperm in 1-day-old B. dorsalis flies. In short, this study provides an effective SIT technique for long-term B. dorsalis management.
Nitrogen enrichment impacts on boreal litter decomposition are driven by changes in soil microbiota rather than litter quality
Authors: Maaroufi Nadia I. , Nordin Annika , Palmqvist Kristin , Gundale Michael J.
Published: June 2017

In nitrogen (N) limited boreal forests, N enrichment can impact litter decomposition by affecting litter quality and by changing the soil environment where litter decomposes. We investigated the importance of litter quality and soil factors on litter decomposition using a 2-year reciprocal transplant experiment for Picea abies needle litter, derived from plots subjected to 17 years of N addition, including control, low and high N treatments (ambient, 12.5 and 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively). Our data show that changes in soil factors were the main pathway through which N impacted litter decomposition, with rates reduced by ~15% when placed in high N relative to control plots, regardless of litter origin. Litter decomposition was correlated to soil microbiota, with Picea abies litter decomposition positively correlated with gram negative and fungal functional groups. Our results suggest that previous findings of increase soil C accumulation in response to N deposition is likely to occur as a result of changes in soil microbiota rather than altered litter quality.
Multi-layered NiOy/NbOx/NiOy fast drift-free threshold switch with high Ion/Ioff ratio for selector application
Authors: Park Jaehyuk , Hadamek Tobias , Posadas Agham B. , Cha Euijun , Demkov Alexander A. , Hwang Hyunsang
Published: June 2017

NbO2 has the potential for a variety of electronic applications due to its electrically induced insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) characteristic. In this study, we find that the IMT behavior of NbO2 follows the field-induced nucleation by investigating the delay time dependency at various voltages and temperatures. Based on the investigation, we reveal that the origin of leakage current in NbOx is partly due to insufficient Schottky barrier height originating from interface defects between the electrodes and NbOx layer. The leakage current problem can be addressed by inserting thin NiOy barrier layers. The NiOy inserted NbOx device is drift-free and exhibits high Ion/Ioff ratio (>5400), fast switching speed (<2 ns), and high operating temperature (>453 K) characteristics which are highly suitable to selector application for x-point memory arrays. We show that NbOx device with NiOx interlayers in series with resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device demonstrates improved readout margin (>29 word lines) suitable for x-point memory array application.
Inhalation toxicity of indoor air pollutants in Drosophila melanogaster using integrated transcriptomics and computational behavior analyses
Authors: Eom Hyun-Jeong , Liu Yuedan , Kwak Gyu-Suk , Heo Muyoung , Song Kyung Seuk , Chung Yun Doo , Chon Tae-Soo , Choi Jinhee
Published: June 2017

We conducted an inhalation toxicity test on the alternative animal model, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate potential hazards of indoor air pollution. The inhalation toxicity of toluene and formaldehyde was investigated using comprehensive transcriptomics and computational behavior analyses. The ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) based on microarray data suggests the involvement of pathways related to immune response, stress response, and metabolism in formaldehyde and toluene exposure based on hub molecules. We conducted a toxicity test using mutants of the representative genes in these pathways to explore the toxicological consequences of alterations of these pathways. Furthermore, extensive computational behavior analysis showed that exposure to either toluene or formaldehyde reduced most of the behavioral parameters of both wild-type and mutants. Interestingly, behavioral alteration caused by toluene or formaldehyde exposure was most severe in the p38b mutant, suggesting that the defects in the p38 pathway underlie behavioral alteration. Overall, the results indicate that exposure to toluene and formaldehyde via inhalation causes severe toxicity in Drosophila, by inducing significant alterations in gene expression and behavior, suggesting that Drosophila can be used as a potential alternative model in inhalation toxicity screening.
Initial contact guidance during cell spreading is contractility-independent
Authors: Sales Adrià , Holle Andrew W. , Kemkemer Ralf
Published: June 2017

Contact guidance at initial phases of cell spreading in actin contractility-independent although important to improve cell orientation at later phases.
Competitive electrochemical biosensing of biotin using cadmium-modified titanium phosphate nanoparticles and 8-channel screen-printed disposable electrodes
Authors: Martín-Yerga Daniel , Carrasco-Rodríguez Javier , García Alonso Francisco J. , Costa-García Agustín
Published: June 2017

Detection of biotin in multivitamin tablets was performed with a competitive electrochemical biosensor using cadmium-modified titanium phosphate nanoparticles and 8-channel screen-printed electrodes.
Fabrication of a TiO2and clay nanoparticle composite electrode as a sensor
Authors: Bukkitgar S. D. , Shetti N. P.
Published: June 2017

A nanocomposite electrode was prepared for the electrochemical behaviour and analytical application of atorvastatin.
Anti-oxidant and immune-modulatory properties of sulfated alginate derivatives on human chondrocytes and macrophages
Authors: Kerschenmeyer Anne , Arlov Øystein , Malheiro Vera , Steinwachs Matthias , Rottmar Markus , Maniura-Weber Katharina , Palazzolo Gemma , Zenobi-Wong Marcy
Published: June 2017

A sulfated biopolymer was found to have anti-oxidant and immunemodulatory properties. This class of materials has promise for treatment of joint disease.
Dual-channel signals for intracellular mRNA detection via a PRET nanosensor
Authors: Xie Tao , Li Meng , Long Yi-Tao
Published: June 2017

An intracellular nanosensor was designed and developed to accurately sense mRNA in living cells without false positive results.
Controlling selectivity in the Ullmann reaction on Cu(111)
Authors: Lewis E. A. , Marcinkowski M. D. , Murphy C. J. , Liriano M. L. , Therrien A. J. , Pronschinske A. , Sykes E. C. H.
Published: June 2017

Using a surface science approach, the selectivity in the Ullmann cross-coupling of aryl halides on Cu(111) has been understood and controlled.
Silica-based hierarchical porous Janus microcapsules: construction and support of Au nano-particle catalyst inside
Authors: Kong Xia , Wu Changcheng , Feng Lei , Qu Jiayan , Liu Pange , Wang Xiaomei , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2017

A facile and novel method was developed to fabricate silica-based hierarchical porous Janus microcapsules (HPJMs SiO2) for catalysis.
Ionic cocrystals of molecular saccharin
Authors: Karothu Durga Prasad , Jahović Ilma , Jovanovski Gligor , Kaitner Branko , Naumov Panče
Published: June 2017

Ionic cocrystals of molecular saccharin, one of the most commonly used artificial low-calorie sweeteners, where saccharin exists as a neutral species and an ion in the same crystal were synthesized and structurally characterized.
Study of molecular interactions and chemical reactivity of the nitrofurantoin–3-aminobenzoic acid cocrystal using quantum chemical and spectroscopic (IR, Raman, 13C SS-NMR) approaches
Authors: Shukla Anuradha , Khan Eram , Srivastava Karnica , Sinha Kirti , Tandon Poonam , Vangala Venu R.
Published: June 2017

Inquiries of structural reactivity, molecular interactions and vibrational characterization of drugs are essential in understanding their behaviour.
Construction of hydrothermally stable beryllium phosphite open-frameworks with high proton conductivity
Authors: Wang Kangcai , Jin Yunhe , Jiang Linhai , Wang Zhi , Zhang Qinghua
Published: June 2017

Two beryllium phosphite anionic open-frameworks based on Be3P4O12H4 cluster building blocks were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Both compounds displayed excellent hydrothermal stability and proton-conductive capacities.
High temperature spin-glass-like transition in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanofibers near the Curie point
Authors: Lu Ruie , Yang Sen , Li Yitong , Chen Kaiyun , Jiang Yun , Fu Bi , Zhang Yin , Zhou Chao , Xu Minwei , Zhou Xuan
Published: June 2017

We find a high-temperature glassy transition that will broaden the applications of glass and a collective core–shell model is proposed.
Complexation of carboxylate on smectite surfaces
Authors: Liu Xiandong , Lu Xiancai , Zhang Yingchun , Zhang Chi , Wang Rucheng
Published: June 2017

We report a first principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) study of carboxylate complexation on clay surfaces.
An adaptive bias – hybrid MD/kMC algorithm for protein folding and aggregation
Authors: Peter Emanuel K. , Shea Joan-Emma
Published: June 2017

We present a novel hybrid Molecular Dynamics/kinetic Monte Carlo (MD/kMC) algorithm based on a dynamical redefinition of biases throughout the simulation. This algorithm is applied to the study of protein folding and aggregation in explicit solvent.
Intricate kinetics: in situ FTIR-spectroscopy discloses a phase change during ionic liquid synthesis
Authors: Ohligschläger A. , Liauw M. A.
Published: June 2017

Autocatalytic behaviour is found in a Menshutkin-like IL synthesis usingin situ-ATR-IR-spectroscopy. A sudden change in the reaction rate progress indicates a microscopic phase separation.
Fast crystalline ice formation at extremely low temperature through water/neon matrix sublimation
Authors: Hama Tetsuya , Ishizuka Shinnosuke , Yamazaki Tomoya , Kimura Yuki , Kouchi Akira , Watanabe Naoki , Sugimoto Toshiki , Pirronello Valerio
Published: June 2017

Crystalline ice formation requires water molecules to be sufficiently mobile to find and settle on the thermodynamically most stable site.
A quantitative measure of halogen bond activation in cocrystallization
Authors: Carlucci Lucia , Gavezzotti Angelo
Published: June 2017

Calculated energy profiles for XB show the activating effect of ring substituents. The results match the outcome of experimental studies by Aakeröy et al. Cryst.Growth Des., 2015, 15, 3853.
Coupling effects of the electric field and bending on the electronic and magnetic properties of penta-graphene nanoribbons
Authors: He C. , Wang X. F. , Zhang W. X.
Published: June 2017

The magnetic configuration transitions for P-GNRs vs. critical electric field strength on applying different bending strains.
Structural stability and stabilization of Li2MoO3
Authors: Tian Meng , Gao Yurui , Xiao Ruijuan , Wang Zhaoxiang , Chen Liquan
Published: June 2017

First-principles calculations indicate that the distortion of the MoO6 octahedra drives the Mo migration upon delithiation from Li2MoO3. Sb doping can stabilize its structure and promote its Li diffusion.
First-principles study of single transition metal atoms on ZnO for the water gas shift reaction
Authors: Gu Xiang-Kui , Huang Chuan-Qi , Li Wei-Xue
Published: June 2017

A single Ni atom substituted on a ZnO surface is a promising catalyst for the water gas shift reaction.
Directed evolution of the periodic table: probing the electronic structure of late actinides
Authors: Marsh M. L. , Albrecht-Schmitt T. E.
Published: June 2017

This work explores the most recent chemistry of berkelium and californium and how it fits into trends from the periodic table.
The fabrication and application of magnetite coated N-doped carbon microtubes hybrid nanomaterials with sandwich structures
Authors: Zhang Min , Chen Liangfei , Zheng Jing , Li Weizhen , Hayat Tasawar , Alharbi Njud S. , Gan Wenjun , Xu Jingli
Published: June 2017

Triple-walled Fe3O4@N-doped carbon@Fe3O4 microtubes were synthesized using N-doped carbon microtubes as templates.
Ligand sensitized strong luminescence from Eu3+-doped LiYF4 nanocrystals: a photon down-shifting strategy to increase solar-to-current conversion efficiency
Authors: Samanta Tuhin , Jana Sourav Kanti , Praveen Athma E. , Mahalingam Venkataramanan
Published: June 2017

The broad UV absorbance and intense red emission of TPB capped Eu3+ doped LiYF4 NCs is used to enhance the Si solar cell efficiency by depositing the NCs embedded polymeric film onto the Si solar cell.
Designing porous electronic thin-film devices: band offsets and heteroepitaxy
Authors: Butler Keith T. , Hendon Christopher H. , Walsh Aron
Published: June 2017

Increasing numbers of electrically active porous framework materials are being reported, with conductivities that make them attractive for technological applications. As design strategies for efficient carrier transport emerge, the next challenge is to incorporate the materials into a functioning device. In thin-film devices interface effects are of critical importance to overall function. In this article we present a method to identify compatible materials combinations to achieve mechanically robust, electronically optimal pairings. The computational screening is based on a two-step procedure: (i) matching of lattice constants to ensure interfaces with minimal epitaxial strain and therefore maximal mechanical and chemical stability; (ii) matching of absolute electron energies to construct energy-band-alignment diagrams, which can be used to screen for particular electronic applications. We apply the methodology to search for zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) type materials that are compatible with native metal electrodes. The procedure allows us to predict simple routes for electrochemical deposition of ZIFs for application as conductive porous electrodes.
iMulti-HumPhos: a multi-label classifier for identifying human phosphorylated proteins using multiple kernel learning based support vector machines
Authors: Hasan Md. Al Mehedi , Ahmad Shamim , Molla Md. Khademul Islam
Published: June 2017

An efficient multi-label classifier for identifying human phosphorylated proteins has been developed by introducing multiple kernel learning based support vector machines.
Selenoproteins are involved in antioxidant defense systems in thalassemia
Authors: Genc G. E. , Ozturk Z. , Gumuslu S.
Published: June 2017

Thalassemia major (TM) is a hereditary blood disease that affects the production of hemoglobin, resulting in severe anemia.
Facile and green one pot synthesis of zinc sulphide quantum dots employing zinc-based ionic liquids and their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Komal Komal , Shikha Preet , Kang Tejwant Singh
Published: June 2017

Zinc-based ionic liquids are found to be suitable candidates for the preparation of ZnS QDs, whose properties depend upon the alkyl chain length of imidazolium.
Hydrogenation of 3-hydroxypropanal to 1,3-propanediol over a Cu–V/Ni/SiO2catalyst
Authors: Li Li-Jun , Yi Wen-Jun , Liu Tian-Wei , Huang Chen , Li An , Luo Cai-Wu , Chao Zi-Sheng
Published: June 2017

The introduction of Cu–V into the Ni/SiO2catalyst promoted the reduction of Ni2+to Ni0and the generation of active hydrogen species and thus increased the yield of 1,3-PDO.
Fe3O4@Au@mSiO2 as an enhancing nanoplatform for Rose Bengal photodynamic activity
Authors: Rosa-Pardo I. , Roig-Pons M. , Heredia A. A. , Usagre J. V. , Ribera A. , Galian R. E. , Pérez-Prieto J.
Published: June 2017

A novel nanoplatform integrated by core–shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles encapsulated near the outer surface of mSiO2 nanoparticles has been successfully synthesised and proved to enhance the efficiency of Rose Bengal for singlet oxygen generation.
A flexible, ultra-sensitive strain sensor based on carbon nanocoil network fabricated by an electrophoretic method
Authors: Li Chengwei , Pan Lujun , Deng Chenghao , Wang Peng , Huang Yingying , Nasir Habib
Published: June 2017

An ultra-sensitive strain sensor has been fabricated and studied, whose sensing medium is a network structure composed of plenty of carbon nanocoils (CNCs) and deposited between two gold electrodes via electrophoresis.
G2-S16 dendrimer as a candidate for a microbicide to prevent HIV-1 infection in women
Authors: Ceña-Diez Rafael , García-Broncano Pilar , Javier de la Mata Francisco , Gómez Rafael , Resino Salvador , Muñoz-Fernández Mª Ángeles
Published: June 2017

Unprotected heterosexual intercourse is the first route for sustaining the global spread of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), being responsible for 80% of new HIV-1 infections in the world.
Rhodium-catalyzed redox-neutral coupling of phenidones with alkynes
Authors: Fan Zhoulong , Lu Heng , Li Wei , Geng Kaijun , Zhang Ao
Published: June 2017

A switchable synthesis ofN-substituted indole derivatives from phenidonesviarhodium-catalyzed redox-neutral C–H activation has been achieved.
Incorporation of ‘click’ chemistry glycomimetics dramatically alters triple-helix stability in an adiponectin model peptide
Authors: Lutteroth Katherine R. , Harris Paul W. R. , Wright Tom H. , Kaur Harveen , Sparrow Kevin , Yang Sung-Hyun , Cooper Garth J. S. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: June 2017

A striking decrease in thermal stability was observed upon incorporation of triazole-linked galactosylated-lysine into an adiponectin model peptide, suggesting possible applications of ‘click’ glycomimetics in bioengineering.
Recent progress in the direct synthesis of hierarchical zeolites: synthetic strategies and characterization methods
Authors: Liu Zhaohui , Hua Yingjie , Wang Jianjian , Dong Xinglong , Tian Qiwei , Han Yu
Published: June 2017

Hierarchically structured zeolites combine the merits of microporous zeolites and mesoporous materials to offer enhanced molecular diffusion and mass transfer without compromising the inherent catalytic activities and selectivity of zeolites.
Quantum dot based multiplex fluorescence quenching immune chromatographic strips for the simultaneous determination of sulfonamide and fluoroquinolone residues in chicken samples
Authors: Hu Gaoshuang , Sheng Wei , Li Shijie , Zhang Yan , Wang Junping , Wang Shuo
Published: June 2017

Quantum dot based fluorescence quenching immune chromatographic strips for simultaneous determination of sulfonamides and fluoroquinolones.
Simple method for O-GlcNAc sensitive detection based on graphene quantum dots
Authors: Gao Li , Wang Yiwen , Lu Mei , Fa Mengmei , Yang Dingding , Yao Xin
Published: June 2017

Simple and sensitive method forO-GlcNAc detection in cell lysates based on graphene quantum dots combination; WGA was successfully developed.
Colloidal synthesis and magnetic properties of anisotropic-shaped spinel CuCr2Se4 nanocrystals
Authors: Pang Chao , Yang Ruiqiang , Singh Amit , Chen Hanjiao , Bowman Michael K. , Bao Ningzhong , Shen Liming , Gupta Arunava
Published: June 2017

Anisotropic-shaped CuCr2Se4 nanocrystals have been synthesized by thermal decomposition and reaction of novel mixed metal–oleate complexes with selenium in a high-boiling point organic solvent, trioctylamine.
A multifunctional nanoplatform based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for imaging-guided chemo/photodynamic synergetic therapy
Authors: Liu Yadan , Liu Xiaolin , Xiao Yue , Chen Fangman , Xiao Fangnan
Published: June 2017

A multifunctional nanoplatform, MSN@C-dots/RB, is fabricated for drug delivery and imaging-guided chemo/photodynamic synergistic therapy.
Facile approach of Ni/C composites from Ni/cellulose composites as broadband microwave absorbing materials
Authors: Wei Yun , Wang Xinxin , Zhang Jingwei , Liu Haojie , Lv Xiaoyan , Zhang Miaomiao , Liu Shengchao , Gong Chunhong
Published: June 2017

Ni/C composites were fabricated from nickel/cellulose composites via a facile in situ calcination approach, and could be used as high-performance MAMs.
Recent advances in surface plasmon-driven catalytic reactions
Authors: Ren Xin , Cao En , Lin Weihua , Song Yuzhi , Liang Wejie , Wang Jingang
Published: June 2017

Surface plasmons, the free electrons' collective oscillations, have been used in the signal detection and analysis of target molecules, where the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can produce a huge EM field, thus enhancing the SERS signal.
Water-assisted metal-free catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkynylarylketones: a facile approach to indenones
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Bai Xue-Ting , Chen Dan-Yun , Chen Pei , Zhang Qian-Qian , Wang Yan-Bo
Published: June 2017

A facile approach starting from 2-alkynylarylketones was developed for the construction of functionalized indenones under metal-free and water-assisted conditions.
Self-assembly of noble metal nanoparticles into sub-100 nm colloidosomes with collective optical and catalytic properties
Authors: Zhang Lei , Fan Qikui , Sha Xiao , Zhong Ping , Zhang Jie , Yin Yadong , Gao Chuanbo
Published: June 2017

An interfacial self-assembly strategy was developed to synthesize sub-100 nm noble metal colloidosomes, showing intriguing collective optical and catalytic properties.
Rapid synthesis of self-supported three-dimensional bubble-like graphene frameworks as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Duan Haiyan , Yan Tingting , Li Zhenying , Chen Guorong , Zhang Jianping , Shi Liyi , Zhang Dengsong
Published: June 2017

Self-supported 3D bubble-like graphene frameworks are originally and rapidly prepared and demonstrate excellent supercapacitive performance.
Electro-mechano responsive properties of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel on conducting polymer electrodes quantified using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Puckert Christina , Tomaskovic-Crook Eva , Gambhir Sanjeev , Wallace Gordon G. , Crook Jeremy M. , Higgins Michael J.
Published: June 2017

Electrical stimulation of hydrogels has been performed to enable micro-actuation or controlled movement of ions and biomolecules such as in drug release applications.
Machine learning for autonomous crystal structure identification
Authors: Reinhart Wesley F. , Long Andrew W. , Howard Michael P. , Ferguson Andrew L. , Panagiotopoulos Athanassios Z.
Published: June 2017

Machine learning enables the identification of crystalline domains without the need to specify target structures ahead of time.
Porous ultrathin carbon nanobubbles formed carbon nanofiber webs for high-performance flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Guanhua , Zhang Xiaojia , Shi Huimin , Zeng Wei , Zhang Hang , Liu Qing , Li Chengchao , Liu Quanhui , Duan Huigao
Published: June 2017

Porous ultrathin carbon nanobubbles formed carbon nanofiber webs exhibit 94.1% capacitance retention after 35 000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g−1.