bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Reprogramming by Hexosamine Biosynthetic and Golgi N-Glycan Branching Pathways
Authors: Ryczko Michael C. , Pawling Judy , Chen Rui , Abdel Rahman Anas M. , Yau Kevin , Copeland Julia K. , Zhang Cunjie , Surendra Anu , Guttman David S. , Figeys Daniel , Dennis James W.
Published: March 2016

De novo uridine-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) biosynthesis requires glucose, glutamine, acetyl-CoA and uridine, however GlcNAc salvaged from glycoconjugate turnover and dietary sources also makes a significant contribution to the intracellular pool. Herein we ask whether dietary GlcNAc regulates nutrient transport and intermediate metabolism in C57BL/6 mice by increasing UDP-GlcNAc and in turn Golgi N-glycan branching. GlcNAc added to the drinking water showed a dose-dependent increase in growth of young mice, while in mature adult mice fat and body-weight increased without affecting calorie-intake, activity, energy expenditure, or the microbiome. Oral GlcNAc increased hepatic UDP-GlcNAc and N-glycan branching on hepatic glycoproteins. Glucose homeostasis, hepatic glycogen, lipid metabolism and response to fasting were altered with GlcNAc treatment. In cultured cells GlcNAc enhanced uptake of glucose, glutamine and fatty-acids, and enhanced lipid synthesis, while inhibition of Golgi N-glycan branching blocked GlcNAc-dependent lipid accumulation. The N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase enzymes of the N-glycan branching pathway (Mgat1,2,4,5) display multistep ultrasensitivity to UDP-GlcNAc, as well as branching-dependent compensation. Indeed, oral GlcNAc rescued fat accumulation in lean Mgat5−/− mice and in cultured Mgat5−/− hepatocytes, consistent with N-glycan branching compensation. Our results suggest GlcNAc reprograms cellular metabolism by enhancing nutrient uptake and lipid storage through the UDP-GlcNAc supply to N-glycan branching pathway.
Noggin4 is a long-range inhibitor of Wnt8 signalling that regulates head development in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Eroshkin Fedor M. , Nesterenko Alexey M. , Borodulin Alexander V. , Martynova Natalia Yu. , Ermakova Galina V. , Gyoeva Fatima K. , Orlov Eugeny E. , Belogurov Alexey A. , Lukyanov Konstantin A. , Bayramov Andrey V. , Zaraisky Andrey G.
Published: March 2016

Noggin4 is a Noggin family secreted protein whose molecular and physiological functions remain unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that in contrast to other Noggins, Xenopus laevis Noggin4 cannot antagonise BMP signalling; instead, it specifically binds to Wnt8 and inhibits the Wnt/β -catenin pathway. Live imaging demonstrated that Noggin4 diffusivity in embryonic tissues significantly exceeded that of other Noggins. Using the Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) assay and mathematical modelling, we directly estimated the affinity of Noggin4 for Wnt8 in living embryos and determined that Noggin4 fine-tune the Wnt8 posterior-to-anterior gradient. Our results suggest a role for Noggin4 as a unique, freely diffusing, long-range inhibitor of canonical Wnt signalling, thus explaining its ability to promote head development.
Changes in neurotransmitter levels and expression of immediate early genes in brain of mice infected with Neospora caninum
Authors: Ihara Fumiaki , Nishimura Maki , Muroi Yoshikage , Furuoka Hidefumi , Yokoyama Naoaki , Nishikawa Yoshifumi
Published: March 2016

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes neurological disorders in dogs and cattle. The majority of host animals are asymptomatic at the chronic stage of infection. However, it remains unclear whether cerebral function is normal in asymptomatic animals. In this study, mice were infected with N. caninum (strain Nc-1) and their brains were examined to understand changes in cerebral function at the chronic stage of infection. Mice infected with N. caninum showed impaired locomotor activity, but no differences in clinical symptoms were observed. In the brains of infected mice, parasites were distributed throughout the brain and histological lesions were observed everywhere except for the cerebellum. Expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, were highly upregulated in several brain regions of infected mice. Additionally, the level of neurotransmitters glutamate, glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, were altered in infected mice compared with those of uninfected mice. Interestingly, the expression levels of immediately early genes, c-Fos and Arc, in the brain of infected mice were lower than those of in uninfected mice. Our findings may provide insight into neurological disorders associated with N. caninum infection.
Monitoring temporal opacity fluctuations of large structures with muon radiography: a calibration experiment using a water tower
Authors: Jourde Kevin , Gibert Dominique , Marteau Jacques , de Bremond d’Ars Jean , Gardien Serge , Girerd Claude , Ianigro Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2016

Usage of secondary cosmic muons to image the geological structures density distribution significantly developed during the past ten years. Recent applications demonstrate the method interest to monitor magma ascent and volcanic gas movements inside volcanoes. Muon radiography could be used to monitor density variations in aquifers and the critical zone in the near surface. However, the time resolution achievable by muon radiography monitoring remains poorly studied. It is biased by fluctuation sources exterior to the target and statistically affected by the limited number of particles detected during the experiment. The present study documents these two issues within a simple and well constrained experimental context: a water tower. We use the data to discuss the influence of atmospheric variability that perturbs the signal and propose correction formulas to extract the muon flux variations related to the water level changes. Statistical developments establish the feasibility domain of muon radiography monitoring as a function of target thickness (i.e. opacity). Objects with a thickness comprised between ≈50 ± 30 m water equivalent correspond to the best time resolution. Thinner objects have a degraded time resolution that strongly depends on the zenith angle, whereas thicker objects (like volcanoes) time resolution does not.
Differences in the Abilities to Mechanically Eliminate Activation Energies for Unimolecular and Bimolecular Reactions
Authors: Kochhar Gurpaul S. , Mosey Nicholas J.
Published: March 2016

Mechanochemistry, i.e. the application of forces, F, at the molecular level, has attracted significant interest as a means of controlling chemical reactions. The present study uses quantum chemical calculations to explore the abilities to mechanically eliminate activation energies, ΔE‡, for unimolecular and bimolecular reactions. The results demonstrate that ΔE‡ can be eliminated for unimolecular reactions by applying sufficiently large F along directions that move the reactant and/or transition state (TS) structures parallel to the zero-F reaction coordinate, S0. In contrast, eliminating ΔE‡ for bimolecular reactions requires the reactant to undergo a force-induced shift parallel to S0 irrespective of changes in the TS. Meeting this requirement depends upon the coupling between F and S0 in the reactant. The insights regarding the differences in eliminating ΔE‡ for unimolecular and bimolecular reactions and the requirements for eliminating ΔE‡, may be useful in practical efforts to control reactions mechanochemically.
Fabrication of a Functionally Graded Copper-Zinc Sulfide Phosphor
Authors: Park Jehong , Park Kwangwon , Kim Jongsu , Jeong Yongseok , Kawasaki Akira , Kwon Hansang
Published: March 2016

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are compositionally gradient materials. They can achieve the controlled distribution of the desired characteristics within the same bulk material. We describe a functionally graded (FG) metal-phosphor adapting the concept of the FGM; copper (Cu) is selected as a metal and Cu- and Cl-doped ZnS (ZnS:Cu,Cl) is selected as a phosphor and FG [Cu]-[ZnS:Cu,Cl] is fabricated by a very simple powder process. The FG [Cu]-[ZnS:Cu,Cl] reveals a dual-structured functional material composed of dense Cu and porous ZnS:Cu,Cl, which is completely combined through six graded mediating layers. The photoluminescence (PL) of FG [Cu]-[ZnS:Cu,Cl] is insensitive to temperature change. FG [Cu]-[ZnS:Cu,Cl] also exhibits diode characteristics and photo reactivity for 365 nm -UV light. Our FG metal-phosphor concept can pave the way to simplified manufacturing of low-cost and can be applied to various electronic devices.
An integrated lateral flow assay for effective DNA amplification and detection at the point of care
Authors: Choi Jane Ru , Hu Jie , Gong Yan , Feng Shangsheng , Wan Abas Wan Abu Bakar , Pingguan-Murphy Belinda , Xu Feng
Published: March 2016

An integrated LFA is developed to perform isothermal amplification and detection at the point-of-care.
Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of epoxides with gem-diborylmethane: access to γ-hydroxyl boronic esters
Authors: Ebrahim-Alkhalil Ahmed , Zhang Zhen-Qi , Gong Tian-Jun , Su Wei , Lu Xiao-Yu , Xiao Bin , Fu Yao
Published: March 2016

Herein, we describe a novel copper-catalyzed epoxide opening reaction with gem-diborylmethane.
Controlled chiral electrochromism of polyoxometalates incorporated in supramolecular complexes
Authors: Zhang Bin , Guan Weiming , Zhang Simin , Li Bao , Wu Lixin
Published: March 2016

Switchable induced chiral electrochromism of achiral polyoxometalates in a ternary supramolecular system, integrated by host–guest recognition and electrostatic interaction, is realized by controlling the electrochemical redox process in aqueous solution.
Allosteric inhibition of c-Met kinase in sub-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations induced by its inhibitor, tivantinib
Authors: Yan Maocai , Wang Huiyun , Wang Qibao , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Chunyan
Published: March 2016

Molecular dynamics simulations showed that conformation transition of c-Met from DFG-in to DFG-out may accomplish rapidly in the presence of tivantinib. A unique binding mode of tivantinib was found to be critical for this “DFG-flip”.
Electrochemical oxidation of 2-propanol over platinum and palladium electrodes in alkaline media studied by in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Okanishi Takeou , Katayama Yu , Ito Ryota , Muroyama Hiroki , Matsui Toshiaki , Eguchi Koichi
Published: March 2016

We present the difference between the adsorbed intermediates on Pt and those on Pd during 2-propanol oxidation in alkaline media.
Structure and dynamics of proflavine association around DNA
Authors: Sasikala Wilbee D. , Mukherjee Arnab
Published: March 2016

Proflavines bind to DNA and stack around it in nanoseconds.
Phase diagrams of diblock copolymers in electric fields: a self-consistent field theory study
Authors: Wu Ji , Wang Xianghong , Ji Yongyun , He Linli , Li Shiben
Published: March 2016

The electric field induces the new phases and shifts the phase boundaries in phase diagrams for the diblock copolymers.
Amount of tungsten dopant influencing the photocatalytic water oxidation activity of LaTiO2N crystals grown directly by an NH3-assisted flux method
Authors: Kawashima Kenta , Hojamberdiev Mirabbos , Wagata Hajime , Nakayama Masanobu , Yubuta Kunio , Oishi Shuji , Domen Kazunari , Teshima Katsuya
Published: March 2016

The effect of tungsten dopant on the photocatalytic water oxidation activity of LaTiO2N crystals grown by an NH3-assisted flux method was studied.
The influence of putrescine on the structure, enzyme activity and stability of α-chymotrypsin
Authors: Farhadian Sadegh , Shareghi Behzad , Saboury Ali A. , Evini Mina
Published: March 2016

Information on protein stability is essential to study protein structure, activity, and interactions with ligands.
Reduced graphene oxide supported nickel–palladium alloy nanoparticles as a superior catalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes under ambient conditions
Authors: Çetinkaya Yasin , Metin Önder , Balci Metin
Published: March 2016

rGO–Ni30Pd70 catalyst showed a superior catalytic performance surpassing the commercial Pd/C catalyst both in activity and stability for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes to alkanes.
Synthesis of nanostructured γ-AlOOH and its accelerating behavior on the thermal decomposition of AP
Authors: Zhang Hailin , Li Ping , Cui Wenwen , Liu Chuang , Wang Shulei , Zheng Shili , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2016

The hydrothermal treatment of γ-AlOOH agglomerates was introduced to synthesize nanostructured γ-AlOOH.
Temperature and composition dependence of the density, viscosity and refractive index of binary mixtures of a novel gemini ionic liquid with acetonitrile
Authors: Yang Xuzhao , Song Hao , Wang Jun , Zou Wenyuan
Published: March 2016

Excess molar volume VEm for the system of [MPiC6Py][NTf2]2 (1) + MeCN (2) at various temperatures; solid line, Redlich–Kister correlation.
A novel multifunctional biomimetic Au@BSA nanocarrier as a potential siRNA theranostic nanoplatform
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Wu Hui , Shi Hongyuan , Wang Mingliang , Huang Chusen , Jia Nengqin
Published: March 2016

A novel siRNA nanocarrier based on biomimetic Au@BSA nanoflowers is fabricated which could serve as a potential theranostic nanoplatform.
Toward n-type analogues to poly(3-alkylthiophene)s: influence of side-chain variation on bulk-morphology and electron transport characteristics of head-to-tail regioregular poly(4-alkylthiazole)s
Authors: Jäger Jakob , Tchamba Yimga Nadine , Urdanpilleta Marta , von Hauff Elizabeth , Pammer Frank
Published: March 2016

Annealed films of regioregular polythiazoles with tri(n-hexyl)silyloxymethyl-side-chains self-organize into crystalline lamellar domains, and show greatly enhanced electron mobility.
Digital PCR using micropatterned superporous absorbent array chips
Authors: Wang Yazhen , Southard Kristopher M. , Zeng Yong
Published: March 2016

A low-cost micropatterned superabsorbent array chip enables spontaneous fluid partitioning for digital PCR and sequencing without sophisticated microfluidic equipment.
Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy study of the adsorption behaviour of DNA bases on Au(111) electrode surfaces
Authors: Wen Bao-Ying , Jin Xi , Li Yue , Wang Ya-Hao , Li Chao-Yu , Liang Miao-Miao , Panneerselvam Rajapandiyan , Xu Qing-Chi , Wu De-Yin , Yang Zhi-Lin , Li Jian-Feng , Tian Zhong-Qun
Published: March 2016

In situ EC-SHINERS is used to investigate the adsorption behaviour of DNA bases on atomically flat Au(111) electrode surfaces.
Synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene using iminopyridyl nickel catalysts
Authors: Dai Shengyu , Sui Xuelin , Chen Changle
Published: March 2016

Polyethylene with a molecular weight of more than one million could be generated using iminopyridyl nickel catalysts.
Enzyme classification using complex dynamic hemithioacetal systems
Authors: Zhang Yan , Jayawardena H. Surangi N. , Yan Mingdi , Ramström Olof
Published: March 2016

A complex dynamic hemithioacetal system was used in combination with pattern recognition methodology to classify lipases into distinct groups.
Transforming waste biomass with an intrinsically porous network structure into porous nitrogen-doped graphene for highly efficient oxygen reduction
Authors: Zhou Huang , Zhang Jian , Amiinu Ibrahim Saana , Zhang Chenyu , Liu Xiaobo , Tu Wenmao , Pan Mu , Mu Shichun
Published: March 2016

Porous nitrogen-doped graphene with a very high surface area (1152 m2g−1) is synthesized by a novel strategy using intrinsically porous biomass (soybean shells) as a carbon and nitrogen sourceviacalcination and KOH activation with outstanding oxygen reduction performance.
The effects of amine/nitro/hydroxyl groups on the benzene rings of redox additives on the electrochemical performance of carbon-based supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Xuan , Wang Qian , Chen Xiang Ying , Zhang Zhong Jie
Published: March 2016

A series of hydroquinone, p-aminophenol and p-nitrophenol as novel redox additives that can produce pseudo-capacitances have been added into the KOH electrolyte for promoting the total capacitive performances via redox reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface.
Novel scroll peapod produced by spontaneous scrolling of graphene onto fullerene string
Authors: Xu Shuqiong , Fu Hongjin , Li Yunfang , Zhang Chengmao , Gu Zonglei , Zhang Danhui
Published: March 2016

Novel scroll peapods are fabricated simply by utilizing the spontaneous scrolling mechanism of graphene onto fullerene string.
First-principles investigations of transition-metal doped bilayer WS2
Authors: Yang Yi , Fan Xiao-Li , Pan Rui , Guo Wen-Jun
Published: March 2016

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the AA and AB configurations of bilayer WS2 with a TM (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) doped in the interlayer position were studied by performing first-principles calculations.
Robust band gap of TiS3 nanofilms
Authors: Kang Jun , Wang Lin-Wang
Published: March 2016

The band gap character of TiS3 films is quite robust, almost independent of layer thickness, vertical strain and stacking order.
Weak-field laser phase modulation coherent control of asymptotic photofragment distributions
Authors: García-Vela A.
Published: March 2016

Coherent control of the asymptotic photofragment state-resolved distributions by means of laser phase modulation in the weak-field limit is demonstrated computationally for a polyatomic molecule.
Loading the FeNiOOH cocatalyst on Pt-modified hematite nanostructures for efficient solar water oxidation
Authors: Deng Jiujun , Lv Xiaoxin , Zhang Hui , Zhao Binhua , Sun Xuhui , Zhong Jun
Published: March 2016

A significant cathodic shift of the onset potential and an enhancement of the photocurrent density can be found in the FeNiOOH-decorated hematite photoanode.
trans-Heteroleptic carboxylate-bridged paddlewheel diruthenium(ii, ii) complexes with 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoate ligands
Authors: Sekine Yoshihiro , Kosaka Wataru , Kano Hirohisa , Dou Changxiao , Yokoyama Taiga , Miyasaka Hitoshi
Published: March 2016

A series of trans-heteroleptic carboxylate-bridged paddlewheel diruthenium(ii, ii) complexes were synthesized via the ligand-substitution reaction and valence reduction of homoleptic series [Ru2(RCO2)4(THF)2]+ using 2,6-trifluoromethylbenzoate.
New sterically-hindered o-quinones annelated with metal-dithiolates: regiospecificity in oxidative addition reactions of a bifacial ligand to the Pd and Pt complexes
Authors: Martyanov K. A. , Cherkasov V. K. , Abakumov G. A. , Samsonov M. A. , Khrizanforova V. V. , Budnikova Y. H. , Kuropatov V. A.
Published: March 2016

Regiospecific coordination of different metal ions during oxidative addition of a metal to an o-quinone annelated with a dithiete cycle.
Safe P4 reagent in a reusable porous coordination network
Authors: Choi Wanuk , Ohtsu Hiroyoshi , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Kawano Masaki
Published: March 2016

P4 generated from red phosphorus via the gas phase was trapped into an interactive pore of a porous coordination network, showing weak interactions which stabilize the reactive P4 in a pore.
Tuning supramolecular aurophilic structures: the effect of counterion, positive charge and solvent
Authors: Aguiló Elisabet , Gavara Raquel , Baucells Clara , Guitart Marta , Lima João Carlos , Llorca Jordi , Rodríguez Laura
Published: March 2016

The synthesis of different cationic gold(i) complexes gave rise to the formation of unexpected supramolecular assemblies in water going from rod-like structures to vesicles and square-like structures.
Role of the capping agent in the interaction of hydrophilic Ag nanoparticles with DMPC as a model biomembrane
Authors: Maya Girón Julie V. , Vico Raquel V. , Maggio Bruno , Zelaya Eugenia , Rubert Aldo , Benítez Guillermo , Carro Pilar , Salvarezza Roberto C. , Vela María E.
Published: March 2016

Citrate and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid capped AgNPs differentially interact with the DMPC model biomembrane. An explanation based on the surface charge density and on the chemical nature of the capping agent is discussed.
Industrially scalable and cost-effective synthesis of 1,3-cyclopentanediol with furfuryl alcohol from lignocellulose
Authors: Li Guangyi , Li Ning , Zheng Mingyuan , Li Shanshan , Wang Aiqin , Cong Yu , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2016

A new route for the synthesis of renewable 1,3-cyclopentanediol was developed by rearrangement of furfuryl alcohol to 4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone followed by hydrogenation.
Suppression of the polysulfide-shuttle behavior in Li–S batteries through the development of a facile functional group on the polypropylene separator
Authors: Yu Xingwen , Joseph Jorphin , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: March 2016

A facile functional group developed on the polypropylene (PP) battery separator significantly suppresses the polysulfide-shuttle behavior in Li–S batteries.
Synthesis and self-assembly behavior of thermo-responsive star-shaped POSS–(PCL–P(MEO2MA-co-PEGMA))16 inorganic/organic hybrid block copolymers with tunable lower critical solution temperature
Authors: Li Lei , Lu Beibei , Wu Jianning , Fan Qikui , Guo Xuhong , Liu Zhiyong
Published: March 2016

Star-shaped copolymers have been synthesized and the LCSTs of thermo-responsive micelles were well controlled by adjusting the content of PEGMA.
Evaluation of blood–brain barrier-stealth nanocomposites for in situ glioblastoma theranostics applications
Authors: Su Chia-Hao , Tsai Ching-Yi , Tomanek Boguslaw , Chen Wei-Yu , Cheng Fong-Yu
Published: March 2016

A novel BBB-stealth nanocomposite show the antitumor activity inin vivoandin situglioblastoma animal model, MRI, and IVIS® Spectrum.
Biochemistry-directed hollow porous microspheres: bottom-up self-assembled polyanion-based cathodes for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Lin Bo , Li Qiufeng , Liu Baodong , Zhang Sen , Deng Chao
Published: March 2016

The biochemistry-directed “bottom-up” synthesis provides a widely applicable, low-cost and highly-efficient strategy to prepare polyanion-based sodium host with hollow porous spherical architecture and fast sodium intercalation.
Turning antiferromagnetic Sm0.34Sr0.66MnO3 into a 140 K ferromagnet using a nanocomposite strain tuning approach
Authors: Suwardi Ady , Prasad Bhagwati , Lee Shinbuhm , Choi Eun-Mi , Lu Ping , Zhang Wenrui , Li Leigang , Blamire Mark , Jia Quanxi , Wang Haiyan , Yao Kui , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L.
Published: March 2016

Ferromagnetic insulating thin films of Sm0.34Sr0.66MnO3 (SSMO) on (001) SrTiO3 substrates with a TC of 140 K were formed in self-assembled epitaxial nanocomposite thin films.
Tuning the photophysical properties of 4′-substituted terpyridines – an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Maroń Anna , Szlapa Agata , Klemens Tomasz , Kula Slawomir , Machura Barbara , Krompiec Stanisław , Małecki Jan Grzegorz , Świtlicka-Olszewska Anna , Erfurt Karol , Chrobok Anna
Published: March 2016

Several 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine derivatives were synthesized and their photophysical properties were investigated by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy.
Multicomponent access to indolo[3,3a-c]isoquinolin-3,6-diones: formal synthesis of (±)-plicamine
Authors: Mijangos Marco V. , Miranda Luis D.
Published: March 2016

The complete tetracyclic core structure of plicamine, a novel Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloid, was expeditously prepared by an Ugi four-component condensation reaction, followed by a one-pot sequential phenolic oxidation and intramolecular coupling process.
Improvement on binding of chondroitin sulfate derivatives to midkine by increasing hydrophobicity
Authors: de Paz J. L. , Nieto P. M.
Published: March 2016

The relative binding affinities of sulfated, fully protected chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharides for midkine are much higher than those displayed by the natural deprotected sequences.
Photo-responsive supramolecular polymers synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerization from supramonomers
Authors: Liu Xiaoguang , Xu Jiang-Fei , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xi
Published: March 2016

This communication reports the construction of photo-responsive supramolecular polymers that are synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerization from quadruple hydrogen bonded supramonomers.
Enhancing the conjugation yield of brush polymer–protein conjugates by increasing the linker length at the polymer end-group
Authors: Nauka Peter C. , Lee Juneyoung , Maynard Heather D.
Published: March 2016

Increasing the linker length between oligoPEG side chain polymers and end groups can enhance the yield of the protein conjugate.
Benzobisthiadiazole-alt-bithiazole copolymers with deep HOMO levels for good-performance field-effect transistors with air stability and a high on/off ratio
Authors: Zhang Chen , Zhang Ji , Zeng Weixuan , Zheng Naihang , Li Wei , Gao Wei , Yu Gui , Yang Chuluo
Published: March 2016

Two benzobisthiadiazole-alt-bithiazole copolymers were designed and synthesized, and the resulting transistors achieved high performance with air stability and a high on/off ratio.
Facile synthesis of NiCoMnO4 nanoparticles as novel electrode materials for high-performance asymmetric energy storage devices
Authors: Pendashteh Afshin , Palma Jesus , Anderson Marc , Marcilla Rebeca
Published: March 2016

Hydrothermally synthesized NiCoMnO4 NPs showed a high capacitance of 510 F g−1 with high mass loaded electrodes (∼10 mg cm−2). Integrated with RGO NSs, their viability was testified for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors.
CO2 methanation over a Ni based ordered mesoporous catalyst for the production of synthetic natural gas
Authors: Xu Leilei , Wang Fagen , Chen Mindong , Zhang Jian , Yuan Kaidi , Wang Liangjun , Wu Kai , Xu Guoqin , Chen Wei
Published: March 2016

A Ni based ordered mesoporous catalyst with excellent structural properties and thermal stability promised enhanced catalytic performance toward CO2 methanation.
Functionalization of MWCNTs with silver nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole and their application in antistatic and thermal conductive epoxy matrix nanocomposite
Authors: Wang Jiangang , Zhang Chen , Du Zhongjie , Li Hangquan , Zou Wei
Published: March 2016

Excellent antistatic and thermal conductive properties of nanocomposites acquired through introducing terephthalic acid-doped MWCNTs with a silver nanoparticle decorated polypyrrole functional coating (MWCNTs@Ag-PPy@COOH).
First principles study on the structural evolution and properties of (MCl)n (n = 1–12, M = Cu, Ag) clusters
Authors: Tian Zhimei , Cheng Longjiu
Published: March 2016

Energetic gaps (E − Efit) and second differences of binding energies (Δ2E) for (CuCl)n and (AgCl)n clusters as a function of cluster size, n.
Colorimetric and fluorescence “turn-on” methods for the sensitive detection of bromelain using carbon dots functionalized gold nanoparticles as a dual probe
Authors: Rawat Karuna A. , Singhal Rakesh Kumar , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: March 2016

Carbon dots were functionalized on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles for the colorimetric and fluorescence detection of bromelain. The limit of detection for bromelain was 18.9 nM and 0.52 nM using UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively.
Eco-friendly nano-hybrid superabsorbent composite from hydroxyethyl cellulose and diatomite
Authors: Mukerabigwi Jean Felix , Lei Shaojun , Fan Lu , Wang Haili , Luo Shiying , Ma Xiaoya , Qin Jing , Huang Xueying , Cao Yu
Published: March 2016

A high performance nano-hybrid superabsorbent composite was prepared through the graft polymerization of acrylic acid into hydroxyethyl cellulose backbone chains in the presence of diatomite clay as an inorganic nano-filler.
C, N co-doping promoted mesoporous Au/TiO2 catalyst for low temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Li Liang , Wu Binghan , Li Gengnan , Li Yongsheng
Published: March 2016

The doping of C and N into meso-structured TiO2 increases the number of surface defects which could improve the absorption of oxygen, tune the metal-support interaction and promote the catalytic activities for CO oxidation.
Dynamic electrochemical quantitation of dopamine release from a cells-on-paper system
Authors: Trouillon Raphaël , Gijs Martin A. M.
Published: March 2016

A simple hybrid microfluidic/electrochemical system is used to observe the secretion of neurotransmitters from a cells-on-paper system.
A FRET fluorescent nanosensor based on carbon dots for ratiometric detection of Fe3+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Deng Mengyu , Wang Sha , Liang Chunshuang , Shang Hongxing , Jiang Shimei
Published: March 2016

A highly selective and sensitive FRET ratiometric fluorescent nanosensor has been developed for detecting Fe3+ in aqueous solution and on test papers. It works based on a Fe3+-triggered FRET process between CDs and ring-opened rhodamine 6G.
Low-temperature sol–gel processed AlOx gate dielectric buffer layer for improved performance in pentacene-based OFETs
Authors: Igbari Femi , Shang Qi-Xun , Xie Yue-Min , Zhang Xiu-Juan , Wang Zhao-Kui , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: March 2016

An approach to achieve improved performance in pentacene-based organic field effect transistors (OFETs) using high-k AlOx prepared by a low temperature sol–gel technique as a thin buffer layer on a SiO2 gate dielectric was demonstrated.
Porous single-crystalline AuPt@Pt bimetallic nanocrystals with high mass electrocatalytic activities
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yu Shengnan , Zhang Jijie , Gong Jinlong
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the design and synthesis of porous single-crystalline AuPt@Pt bimetallic nanocrystals with excellent mass activities for the oxygen reduction reaction and formic acid oxidation.
Myriophyllum-like hierarchical TiN@Ni3N nanowire arrays for bifunctional water splitting catalysts
Authors: Zhang Qiting , Wang Yuhang , Wang Yongcheng , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Elzatahry Ahmed A. , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: March 2016

A Myriophyllum-like TiN@Ni3N nanowire array was synthesized as an efficient bifunctional hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution electrocatalyst.
Metal–organic framework-engaged formation of a hierarchical hybrid with carbon nanotube inserted porous carbon polyhedra for highly efficient capacitive deionization
Authors: Xu Xingtao , Wang Miao , Liu Yong , Lu Ting , Pan Likun
Published: March 2016

Novel carbon nanotube-inserted porous carbon polyhedra synthesized from metal–organic frameworks were used for capacitive deionization with a superior electrosorption capacity.
Tuning the electronic properties of monolayer and bilayer PtSe2via strain engineering
Authors: Li Pengfei , Li Lei , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: March 2016

Based on the first-principles computations we show that the band gaps of monolayer and bilayer PtSe2 can be tuned over a wide range via strain engineering.
High‐frequency characteristics of Lg = 60 nm InGaAs MOS high‐electron‐mobility‐transistor (MOS‐HEMT) with Al2O3 gate insulator
Authors: Kim T.‐W. , Kim J.S. , Kim D.‐K. , Shin S.H. , Park W.‐S. , Banerjee S. , Kim D.‐H.
Published: March 2016

High‐frequency characteristics of Lg = 60 nm In0.7Ga0.3As MOS‐high‐electron‐mobility transistor (HEMTs) with a 3 nm aluminium oxide grown by atomic‐layer‐deposition is reported. Fabricated In0.7Ga0.3As MOS‐HEMTs with Lg = 60 nm exhibit subthreshold‐swing (SS) = 89 mV/dec., drain‐induced‐barrier‐lowering = 98 mV/V, gm_max = 1.1 mS/μm, fT = 187 GHz and fmax = 202 GHz at VDS = 0.5 V. The high‐frequency characteristics showed is the best balanced demonstration of fT and fmax in the buried‐channel indium gallium arsenide MOS‐HEMTs, revealing a strong potential of the buried‐channel design scheme for future high frequency, low‐noise and high‐performance logic applications.
54 Gbit/s OOK transmission using single‐mode VCSEL up to 2.2 km MMF
Authors: Stepniak G. , Lewandowski A. , Kropp J.R. , Ledentsov N.N. , Shchukin V.A. , Ledentsov N. , Schaefer G. , Agustin M. , Turkiewicz J.P.
Published: March 2016

Successful 54 Gbit/s on–off keying (OOK) transmission over 2.2 km of multimode OM4 fibre is demonstrated. The decisive advantages of the single mode over multimode vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) in transmission experiments are shown.
Demonstration of multi‐channel 80 Gbit/s integrated transmitter and receiver for wavelength‐division multiplexing passive optical network and fronthauling applications
Authors: Naughton A. , Lai C.P. , Talli G. , Vaernewyck R. , Yin X. , Bauwelinck J. , Qiu X.Z. , Maxwell G. , Smith D.W. , Borghesani A. , Cronin R. , Grobe K. , Eiselt M. , Parsons N. , Kehayas E. , Townsend P.D.
Published: March 2016

The performance evaluation of a multi‐channel transmitter that employs an arrayed reflective electroabsorption modulator‐based photonic integrated circuit and a low‐power driver array in conjunction with a multi‐channel receiver incorporating a pin photodiode array and integrated arrayed waveguide grating is reported. Due to their small footprint, low power consumption and potential low cost, these devices are attractive solutions for future mobile fronthaul and next generation optical access networks. A BER performance of <10−9 at 10.3 Gbit/s per channel is achieved over 25 km of standard single mode fibre. The transmitter/receiver combination can achieve an aggregate bit rate of 82.4 Gbit/s when eight channels are active.
Long‐term evolution/wireless wide area network monopole exciter antenna for slim laptop with full metal cover
Authors: Chen S.C. , Tsou Y.C.
Published: March 2016

A monopole exciter antenna installed in the hinge slot region of a slim laptop with metal covers is presented. The exciter antenna comprises a feeding strip and a matching strip that form a two‐branched monopole structure. A small antenna size of 35 × 8 mm2 enables installation in the hinge slot region between the upper metal cover and the base metal cover of a slim laptop. The proposed exciter antenna can be integrated with the metal surroundings (metal covers and metal hinges) to enhance the operating bandwidth and thus cover the long‐term evolution/wireless wide area network band with high radiation efficiency. The antenna efficiency is approximately 68–88% in the lower band and 52–78% in the upper band.
Optical spectral response measurement based on optical single‐sideband modulation with doubled measurement range
Authors: Xue Min , Pan Shilong , Zhao Yongjiu
Published: March 2016

Accurate measurement of the optical magnitude and phase responses based on optical single‐sideband (OSSB) modulation with doubled measurement range is proposed and demonstrated. In the scheme, an optical carrier and a second‐order sideband are generated by an RF signal at an OSSB modulator consisting of a Mach–Zehnder modulator and an optical bandpass filter. After the optical device under test, the signal is sent to a photodetector, generating a frequency‐doubled microwave signal, which is mixed with the RF signal from the transmitter to generate another fundamental frequency signal for phase and magnitude extraction. As a result, the measurement range of the OSSB‐based optical vector analysers is doubled. In a proof‐of‐concept experiment, the magnitude and phase responses of a fibre Bragg grating are accurately measured.
Privacy preserving data publishing of categorical data through k‐anonymity and feature selection
Authors: Aristodimou Aristos , Antoniades Athos , Pattichis Constantinos S.
Published: March 2016

In healthcare, there is a vast amount of patients’ data, which can lead to important discoveries if combined. Due to legal and ethical issues, such data cannot be shared and hence such information is underused. A new area of research has emerged, called privacy preserving data publishing (PPDP), which aims in sharing data in a way that privacy is preserved while the information lost is kept at a minimum. In this Letter, a new anonymisation algorithm for PPDP is proposed, which is based on k‐anonymity through pattern‐based multidimensional suppression (kPB‐MS). The algorithm uses feature selection for reducing the data dimensionality and then combines attribute and record suppression for obtaining k‐anonymity. Five datasets from different areas of life sciences [RETINOPATHY, Single Proton Emission Computed Tomography imaging, gene sequencing and drug discovery (two datasets)], were anonymised with kPB‐MS. The produced anonymised datasets were evaluated using four different classifiers and in 74% of the test cases, they produced similar or better accuracies than using the full datasets.
Performance analysis of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems in dispersive indoor power line channels inflicting asynchronous impulsive noise
Authors: Zhang Hongming , Yang Lie‐Liang , Hanzo Lajos
Published: March 2016

Hidden semi‐Markov modelling of the asynchronous impulsive noise (IN) encountered in indoor broadband power line communications (PLCs) is investigated by considering the statistical distributions of both the inter‐arrival time and the duration of asynchronous IN components. Then, the bit error ratio (BER) of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems using Q‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation is analysed with the aid of the proposed noise model, when communicating over dispersive indoor power line channels inflicting asynchronous IN in addition to the background noise. The authors’ simulation results confirm the accuracy of the analysis and quantify the impact of various factors on the achievable BER performance. The grave impact of asynchronous IN on indoor broadband PLCs suggests that efficient techniques have to be designed for mitigating its effects.
Optimal power allocation to improve secrecy performance of non‐regenerative cooperative systems using an untrusted relay
Authors: Kuhestani Ali , Mohammadi Abbas , Noori Moslem
Published: March 2016

To protect data communication from eavesdropper nodes, different techniques have been developed to improve the physical‐layer security (PLS) of communications systems. Destination‐based cooperative signalling (DBCS) is one of such techniques where the destination sends an intended artificial noise to the untrusted listeners helping to protect the source message from being captured reliably at eavesdroppers. In this study, the authors investigate the application of DBCS to improve the PLS, and as a consequence the secrecy performance of a two‐hop amplify‐and‐forward cooperative system with an untrusted relay. To get the best performance out of DBCS, the transmit power of the source's signal as well as the artificial noise should be carefully adjusted. To address this, they have introduced the optimal power allocation to maximise the secrecy rate of the system under a sum‐power constraint at the network nodes. For a system with large‐scale antenna arrays at the base station, then then find the closed‐form solution for the secrecy outage probability and the ergodic secrecy rate of the optimised system for both uplink and downlink. The presented simulation results validate the authors’ theoretical analysis and reveal that the proposed DBCS with optimal power allocation significantly improves the secrecy performance of the system.
Improved orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with generalised index modulation
Authors: Fan Rui , Yu Ya Jun , Guan Yong Liang
Published: March 2016

Recently, the generalisation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM‐IM) was proposed in the authors’ previous works. Two generalisation schemes of OFDM‐IM, named as OFDM with type‐1 generalised index modulation (OFDM‐GIM1) and OFDM‐GIM2, have been proposed and investigated. In OFDM‐GIM1, the number of active subcarriers in an OFDM subblock is no longer fixed. In OFDM‐GIM2, independent index modulation is performed on the in‐phase and quadrature component of quadrature phase shift keying symbol of each subcarrier. Through such ways, a higher spectral efficiency than that of OFDM‐IM may be achieved. In this study, the authors focus on further improving OFDM‐GIM2‱s spectral efficiency by introducing joint I/Q index modulation where the two index modulations on the in‐phase and quadrature components are no longer entirely independent. In other words, in the proposed scheme, the input bit string jointly decides the indices of active subcarriers for in‐phase and quadrature components. As a result, more bits can be transmitted per OFDM frame. Computer simulation results clearly show the proposed scheme's superiority in both spectral efficiency and bit error rate performance compared with the existing OFDM‐GIM2.
Soft‐switched non‐isolated high step‐up DC–DC converter with reduced voltage stress
Authors: Molavi Navid , Adib Ehsan , Farzanehfard Hosein
Published: March 2016

In this study, a novel soft‐switched high step‐up DC/DC converter is presented. This converter is suitable to be employed in photovoltaic and fuel cell systems. The proposed topology is based on coupled inductors and switched‐capacitor techniques to provide high step‐up gain. Also, due to high conversion ratio, and symmetrical structure of the proposed topology, the voltage stress of semiconductor elements is low; therefore, high performance metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors with low ON‐resistance, and also low‐voltage rating diodes can be utilised to reduce the circuit cost, conduction, and reverse‐recovery losses which improve the converter efficiency and power density. Furthermore, by adopting an active clamp circuit, the stored energy in the leakage inductance of coupled inductors is recycled and zero‐voltage‐switching turn‐on condition for both main and clamp switches are provided. Operating principle and steady‐state analysis of the converter are discussed in detail. Finally, an experimental prototype of the proposed converter with 200 W output power is implemented which verifies the theoretical analysis.
Active power compensation method for single‐phase current source rectifier without extra active switches
Authors: Liu Yonglu , Sun Yao , Su Mei
Published: March 2016

The existing active power decoupling methods for single‐phase current source rectifiers (SCSRs) usually involve a lot of additional semiconductor devices or energy storage units, which is adverse to cost and efficiency. This study proposes an active power decoupling method to buffer the double‐frequency ripple power. The main circuit is configured by adding only a decoupling capacitor and a diode to the traditional SCSR. Compared with the existing ones, the added components are minimised. The operating principle and modulation scheme are described. A closed‐loop control method is developed to enhance twice the line frequency ripple power compensation performance. The guide for the selection of the decoupling capacitance is also discussed. Simulations and experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of the method.
Probabilistic analysis of solar photovoltaic self‐consumption using Bayesian network models
Authors: Leicester Philip A. , Goodier Chris I. , Rowley Paul N.
Published: March 2016

To assess the systemic value and impacts of multiple photovoltaic (PV) systems in urban areas, detailed analysis of on‐site electricity consumption and of solar PV yield at relatively high temporal resolution is required, together with an understanding of the impacts of stochastic variations in consumption and PV generation. In this study, measured and simulated time‐series data for consumption and PV generation at 5 and 1 min resolution for a large number of domestic PV systems are analysed, and a statistical evaluation of self‐consumption (SC) carried out. The results show a significant variability of annual PV SC across the sample population, with typical median annual SC of 31% and inter‐quartile range of 22–44%. About 10% of the dwellings exceed an SC of 60% with 10% achieving 14% or less. The results have been used to construct a Bayesian network model capable of probabilistically analysing SC given consumption and PV generation. This model provides a basis for rapid detailed analysis of the techno‐economic characteristics and socio‐economic impacts of PV in a range of built environment contexts, from single building to district scales.
Hyperbolic-cosine waveguide tapers and oversize rectangular waveguide for reduced broadband insertion loss in W-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. II. Broadband characterization
Authors: Sidabras Jason W. , Strangeway Robert A. , Mett Richard R. , Anderson James R. , Mainali Laxman , Hyde James S.
Published: March 2016

Experimental results have been reported on an oversize rectangular waveguide assembly operating nominally at 94 GHz. It was formed using commercially available WR28 waveguide as well as a pair of specially designed tapers with a hyperbolic-cosine shape from WR28 to WR10 waveguide [R. R. Mett et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 074704 (2011)]. The oversize section reduces broadband insertion loss for an Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) probe placed in a 3.36 T magnet. Hyperbolic-cosine tapers minimize reflection of the main mode and the excitation of unwanted propagating waveguide modes. Oversize waveguide is distinguished from corrugated waveguide, overmoded waveguide, or quasi-optic techniques by minimal coupling to higher-order modes. Only the TE10 mode of the parent WR10 waveguide is propagated. In the present work, a new oversize assembly with a gradual 90° twist was implemented. Microwave power measurements show that the twisted oversize waveguide assembly reduces the power loss in the observe and pump arms of a W-band bridge by an average of 2.35 dB and 2.41 dB, respectively, over a measured 1.25 GHz bandwidth relative to a straight length of WR10 waveguide. Network analyzer measurements confirm a decrease in insertion loss of 2.37 dB over a 4 GHz bandwidth and show minimal amplitude distortion of approximately 0.15 dB. Continuous wave EPR experiments confirm these results. The measured phase variations of the twisted oversize waveguide assembly, relative to an ideal distortionless transmission line, are reduced by a factor of two compared to a straight length of WR10 waveguide. Oversize waveguide with proper transitions is demonstrated as an effective way to increase incident power and the return signal for broadband EPR experiments. Detailed performance characteristics, including continuous wave experiment using 1 μM 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl in aqueous solution, provided here serve as a benchmark for other broadband low-loss probes in millimeter-wave EPR bridges.
Sensitivity of two-dimensional flow past transversely oscillating cylinder to streamwise cylinder oscillations
Authors: Peppa Sofia , Triantafyllou George S.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we study the sensitivity of flow past a transversely oscillating cylinder to streamwise harmonic perturbations. The value of the Reynolds number is equal to 150, for which the flow is two-dimensional. We start with a transversely oscillating cylinder and then impose a small streamwise (in-line) perturbation with a frequency equal to twice the transverse oscillation frequency. The cylinder is thus following an eight-shaped trajectory, which can be traversed in a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction. For low values of the in-line amplitude, we find for the counter-clockwise mode that the power transfer from the fluid to the structure increases with the amplitude of oscillation in the streamwise direction, even though the magnitude of the fluctuations of the forces is decreased. For the clockwise mode of motion we observe the reverse trend, i.e., the power transfer from the fluid to the structure is decreased, even though the magnitude of the fluctuations of the forces is increased. It is shown that the variation of the power transfer in both types of motion is due primarily to the variation of the phase between the transverse oscillation of the cylinder and the vortex lift force as a result of the in-line oscillation. For higher values of the streamwise amplitude, the contribution of the fluctuating drag to the power transfer also becomes important, especially for the counter-clockwise mode. Both modes of oscillation are characterized by the presence of the third harmonic in the spectrum of the lift force as the in-line oscillation is increased and by the appearance of a combination of single vortices on the one side of the wake, and vortex pairs on the other side.