bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Branched DNA Scaffolded Super‐Nanoclusters with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance
Authors: Yang Lu , Yao Chi , Li Feng , Dong Yuhang , Zhang Zhikun , Yang Dayong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetal nanoclusters (NCs) possess unique optical properties, and exhibit a wide variety of potential applications. DNA with robust molecular programmability is demonstrated as an ideal scaffold to regulate the formation of NCs, offering a rational approach to precisely tune the spatial structures of NCs. Herein, the first use of branched DNA as scaffold to regulate the formation of silver nanoclusters (super‐AgNC) is reported, in which the spatial structures are precisely designed and constructed. Super‐AgNC with tunable shapes and arm‐lengths including Y‐, X‐, and (Y–X)‐ shaped super‐AgNC is achieved. The molecular structures and optical properties of super‐AgNCs are systemically studied. As a proof of application, remarkably, super‐AgNCs exhibit superior antibacterial performance. In addition, super‐AgNCs show excellent biocompatibility with three types of tissue cells including 293T (human embryonic kidney cells), SMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells), and GLC‐82 (lung adenocarcinoma cells). These performances enable the super‐AgNCs adaptable in a variety of applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, and antibacterial agents.
Interactions of Fullerene‐Polyglycerol Sulfates at Viral and Cellular Interfaces
Authors: Donskyi Ievgen , Drüke Moritz , Silberreis Kim , Lauster Daniel , Ludwig Kai , Kühne Christian , Unger Wolfgang , Böttcher Christoph , Herrmann Andreas , Dernedde Jens , Adeli Mohsen , Haag Rainer 
Published: March 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanism of interactions of nanomaterials at biointerfaces is a crucial issue to develop new antimicrobial vectors. In this work, a series of water‐soluble fullerene‐polyglycerol sulfates (FPS) with different fullerene/polymer weight ratios and varying numbers of polyglycerol sulfate branches are synthesized, characterized, and their interactions with two distinct surfaces displaying proteins involved in target cell recognition are investigated. The combination of polyanionic branches with a solvent exposed variable hydrophobic core in FPS proves to be superior to analogs possessing only one of these features in preventing interaction of vesicular stomatitis virus coat glycoprotein (VSV‐G) with baby hamster kidney cells serving as a model of host cell. Interference with L‐selectin‐ligand binding is dominated by the negative charge, which is studied by two assays: a competitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR)‐based inhibition assay and the leukocyte cell (NALM‐6) rolling on ligands under flow conditions. Due to possible intrinsic hydrophobic and electrostatic effects of synthesized compounds, pico‐ to nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) are achieved. With their highly antiviral and anti‐inflammatory properties, together with good biocompatibility, FPS are promising candidates for the future development towards biomedical applications.
Tunable Confinement for Bridging Single‐Cell Manipulation and Single‐Molecule DNA Linearization
Authors: Yu Miao , Hou Youmin , Song Ruyuan , Xu Xiaonan , Yao Shuhuai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDNA linearization by nanoconfinement has offered a new avenue toward large‐scale genome mapping. The ability to smoothly interface the widely different length scales from cell manipulation to DNA linearization is critical to the development of single‐cell genomic mapping or sequencing technologies. Conventional nanochannel technologies for DNA analysis suffer from complex fabrication procedures, DNA stacking at the nanochannel entrance, and inefficient solution exchange. In this work, a dynamic and tunable confinement strategy is developed to manipulate and linearize genomic‐length DNA molecules from a single cell. By leveraging pneumatic microvalve control and elastomeric collapse, an array of nanochannels with confining dimension down to 20 nm and length up to sub‐millimeter is created and can be dynamically tuned in size. The curved edges of the microvalve form gradual transitions from microscale to nanoscale confinement, smoothly facilitating DNA entry into the nanochannels. A unified micro/nanofluidic device that integrates single‐cell trapping and lysis, DNA extraction, purification, labeling, and linearization is developed based on dynamically controllable nanochannels. Mbp‐long DNA molecules are extracted directly from a single cell and in situ linearized in the nanochannels. The device provides a facile and promising platform to achieve the ultimate goal of single‐cell, single‐genome analysis.
Direct‐Patterning SWCNTs Using Dip Pen Nanolithography for SWCNT/Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Corletto Alexander , Yu LePing , Shearer Cameron J. , Gibson Christopher T. , Shapter Joseph G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDip pen nanolithography (DPN) is used to pattern single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) lines between the n‐type Si and SWCNT film in SWCNT/Si solar cells. The SWCNT ink composition, loading, and DPN pretreatment are optimized to improve patterning. This improved DPN technique is then used to successfully pattern >1 mm long SWCNT lines consistently. This is a 20‐fold increase in the previously reported direct‐patterning of SWCNT lines using the DPN technique, and demonstrates the scalability of the technique to pattern larger areas. The degree of the uniformity of SWCNTs in these lines is further characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The patterned SWCNT lines are used as thin conductive pathways in SWCNT/Si solar cells, similar to front contact electrodes. The critical parameters of these solar cells are measured and compared to control cells without SWCNT lines. The addition of SWCNT lines increases power conversion efficiency by 40% (relative). Importantly, the SWCNT lines reduce average series resistance by 44%, and consequently increase average fill factor by 24%.
A Building Brick Principle to Create Transparent Composite Films with Multicolor Emission and Self‐Healing Function
Authors: Xiong Yuan , Zhu Minshen , Wang Zhenguang , Schneider Julian , Huang He , Kershaw Stephen V. , Zhi Chunyi , Rogach Andrey L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA cellulose paper is used impregnated with light‐emitting CdTe nanocrystals and carbon dots, and filled with a polyurethane to fabricate uniform transparent composite films with bright photoluminescence of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (RGB) colors. A building brick‐like assembly method is introduced to realize RGB multicolor emission patterns from this composite material. By sectioning out individual pixels from monochrome‐emissive composite sheets, the advantage of the self‐healing properties of polyurethane is taken to arrange and weld them into a RGB patterned fabric by brief exposure to ethanol. This provides an approach to form single layer RGB light‐emitting pixels, such as potentially required in the display applications, without the use of any lithographic or etching processing. The method can utilize a wide range of different solution‐based kinds of light‐emitting materials.
Engineering 3D Ru/Graphene Aerogel Using Metal–Organic Frameworks: Capture and Highly Efficient Catalytic CO Oxidation at Room Temperature
Authors: Qu Jiafu , Chen Dongyun , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNoble metals (Au, Pt, and Ru) loaded into carbon supports show excellent performance for CO oxidation. Herein, a tunable metal–organic framework (MOF) coating is applied to a macroscopic 3D Ru/graphene aerogel (Ru/GA) composite, using a facial step‐by‐step method. The open macroporous structure of the Ru/GA provides pathways for the access and diffusion of reactant and product molecules. The resulting HK (HKUST‐1)‐containing MOF composite exhibits good performance for CO adsorption. It can simultaneously adsorb and oxidize CO, which improves the reaction rate. In this work, the catalytic efficiency of the resulting catalyst is higher than that (≈48.4%) of the Ru/GA. These findings provide a simple method for increasing the instantaneous concentration of reactants around the catalyst, which in turn increases the reaction rate. The catalytic performances of composites subjected to different pretreatment conditions are also investigated. Hopefully, this finding may provide a feasible direction for the effective management of the diverse environment issues.
A Highly Planar Nonfullerene Acceptor with Multiple Noncovalent Conformational Locks for Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Yang Lei , Gu Wenxing , Yang Yufei , Hong Ling , Zhang Xutao , Xiao Yu , Wu Xiaoxi , Peng Aidong , Huang Hui 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA novel nonfullerene small‐molecular acceptor indacenodithiophene (IDT)‐4CN is designed and synthesized with IDT as the core and benzothiadiazole and dicyanoethxylrhodanine as end‐capping groups. Multiple noncovalent conformational locks N…S, CH…O, and CH…N are introduced into the backbone, resulting in a highly planar molecular acceptor. As a result, the IDT‐4CN‐based organic solar cells exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 8.13%, which is much higher than that of PC71BM‐based devices (6.19%). A novel method is thus demonstrated to construct highly planar molecular acceptors for organic solar cells.
Tuning the Electronic Spin State of Catalysts by Strain Control for Highly Efficient Water Electrolysis
Authors: Hsu Shao‐Hui , Hung Sung‐Fu , Wang Hsin‐Yi , Xiao Fang‐Xing , Zhang Liping , Yang Hongbin , Chen Hao Ming , Lee Jong‐Min , Liu Bin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe electronic configuration is crucial in governing the binding strength of intermediates with catalysts, yet it is still challenging to control the catalysts' surface electronic spin state. Here, it is demonstrated that through surface metal–organic framework transformation followed by acid etching, the electronic spin state of surface Co3+ ions on spinel Co3O4 can be transformed from t2g6 to the high electronic spin state of t2g4eg2 by expanding the surface lattice constant, which significantly enhances the overlap of the eg orbital of cobalt with the oxygen adsorbates, and greatly improves the intermediates adsorption and thus the oxygen evolution reaction activity. The high electronic spin rich Co3O4 electrode exhibits an anodic current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 280 mV. The finding offers a rational design strategy to manipulate the electronic spin state of catalyst and the hybridization of molecular orbitals in water electrolysis.
The Development and Initial Validation of the Paradigm of Systems Thinking
Authors: Randle Jason M. , Stroink Mirella L. 
Published: March 2018

‘Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static “snapshots.” ’‐Peter Senge.The current research examined the psychological construct of systems thinking alongside other established psychological constructs of intelligence, personality, cognitive complexity and creativity to distinguish systems thinking as an independent psychological construct. Across two studies, results suggest that, while systems thinking may overlap with some of these constructs, notably intelligence and cognitive complexity, these constructs did not fully explain obtained variance in systems thinking scores and suggest that systems thinking may indeed be a distinct, perhaps foundational, psychological construct that may exist as an individual difference dimension. This exploratory study discusses the theoretical implications of systems thinking as well as further psychometric validation of the Systems Thinking Scale. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel and fully validated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of intact carboplatin in human plasma
Authors: Ren Guanghui , Qin Zhiying , Fan Ali , Wang Yonghan , Tan Yanan , Lu Yang , Li Ning , Chen Xijng , Zhao Di 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCarboplatin is an anticancer drug widely used to treat a variety of cancers. However, a simple, sensitive and rapid method for the quantitation of intact carboplatin is still absence for therapeutic drug monitoring or clinical trials. In this work, a rapid, universal, and reliable hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of intact carboplatin in human plasma was developed and fully validated. Carboplatin was extracted from human plasma by simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile. A good chromatographic separation of carboplatin was achieved on a Waters XBridge HILIC column (2.1 × 150 mm, 3.5 μm), with the analytical time 5.5 min for one sample. The linearity range of the assay was from 10 to 2000 ng/mL. The method was linear (r2 > 0.9989), accurate (<6% bias, 12% bias at LOQ) and precise (intra‐day and inter‐day precision of <3% coefficient of variation). The stability of intact carboplatin in human plasma with three different anticoagulants was assessed in this study. Furthermore, the matrix effect of hemolysis and hyperlipidemic samples was also evaluated for the first time. This work made the routine determination of intact carboplatin feasible and universal in clinical practice.
Neural Stem Cell Grafts Promote Astroglia-Driven Neurorestoration in the Aged Parkinsonian Brain via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: L'Episcopo Francesca , Tirolo Cataldo , Peruzzotti-Jametti Luca , Serapide Maria F. , Testa Nunzio , Caniglia Salvatore , Balzarotti Beatrice , Pluchino Stefano , Marchetti Bianca 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
During aging—one the most potent risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD)—both astrocytes and microglia undergo functional changes that ultimately hamper homoeostasis, defense, and repair of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. We tested the possibility of rejuvenating the host microenvironment and boosting SNpc DA neuronal plasticity via the unilateral transplantation of syngeneic neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) in the SNpc of aged mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced experimental PD. Transplanted NSCs within the aged SNpc engrafted and migrated in large proportions to the tegmental aqueduct mDA niche, with 30% acquiring an astroglial phenotype. Both graft-derived exogenous (ex-Astro) and endogenous astrocytes (en-Astro) expressed Wnt1. Both ex-Astro and en-Astro were key triggers of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in SNpc-mDA neurons and microglia, which was associated with mDA neurorescue and immunomodulation. At the aqueduct–ventral tegmental area level, NSC grafts recapitulated a genetic Wnt1-dependent mDA developmental program, inciting the acquisition of a mature Nurr1+TH+ neuronal phenotype. Wnt/β-catenin signaling antagonism abolished mDA neurorestoration and immune modulatory effects of NSC grafts. Our work implicates an unprecedented therapeutic potential for somatic NSC grafts in the restoration of mDA neuronal function in the aged Parkinsonian brain.
What Role Has Hybridization Played in the Replacement of Native Roanoke Bass with Invasive Rock Bass?
Authors: Eschenroeder Jackman C. , Roberts James H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNorth American sunfishes (Centrarchidae) are frequently introduced beyond their native ranges, where they may negatively impact and eventually replace native taxa through a combination of competition and hybridization. Congeneric centrarchids often lack reproductive isolating barriers and appear particularly susceptible to hybridization, though the roles of hybridization and introgression in species replacement are poorly understood. We studied hybridization among native Roanoke Bass Ambloplites cavifrons and introduced Rock Bass A. rupestris in Atlantic Slope river basins of Virginia. We sampled Ambloplites spp. from sites of known and potential species sympatry and reference sites where species were allopatric. Based on variation at microsatellite nuclear DNA (nDNA) markers and the cytochrome‐b mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene, individuals were classified as A. cavifrons, A. rupestris, or hybrid, and populations were examined for genetic introgression. We detected A. rupestris and/or hybrids in seven of nine historical A. cavifrons populations, indicating multiple introduction events and a significant decline in the range of A. cavifrons. Although inferred hybrids were uncommon (15 of 417 sampled individuals), the majority had F2 or backcross origins, indicating that F1 hybrids are fertile and bidirectional introgression is possible. However, individuals with mtDNA from one species but with nDNA that is all or predominantly from the other were extremely rare, suggesting that cytonuclear incompatibilities reduced hybrid fitness. Moreover, introgression did not seem to persist over time, even in locations long occupied by both species. As such, we posit that these species readily hybridize in sympatry, but advanced hybrids have reduced fitness, inhibiting significant introgression or the development of hybrid swarms. Thus, we hypothesize that A. rupestris has replaced A. cavifrons primarily through high propagule pressure and competitive displacement, rather than by introgressive hybridization. Regardless the mechanism, prevention of further invasion of A. rupestris is key to the long‐term persistence of A. cavifrons.
Shaking table test and numerical simulation on vibration control effects of TMD with different mass ratios on a super high‐rise structure
Authors: Lu Zheng , Zhang Hengrui , Zhao Bin , Li Xianjie 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn this paper, the influence of mass ratio on the vibration control effects of tuned mass damper (TMD) on a super high‐rise building has been investigated. A 1/45 scaled model of a super high‐rise building was constructed, and the TMD with the mass ratio of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively, was suspended on the top. Shaking table test and the corresponding numerical simulation were carried out to make a further understanding of the damping mechanism. The structural performance with or without TMD was comparatively studied. The results show that larger mass ratio can improve the control effects under frequent earthquake, but the control effects increase little with the increase of mass ratio under rare earthquake due to structural damages, accompanied by stiffness degradation and nonlinear behavior of the main structure. In addition, some suggestions on the mass ratio selection are also proposed to generalize its applications.
Load‐sharing ratio of prebored and precast pile in top‐down method construction process
Authors: Kim Dohyun , Jeong Sangseom , Jung Gyungja , Park Jongjeon 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe load‐sharing ratio of the prebored and precast pile in top‐down method foundation was investigated by using a numerical analysis and field case study. The emphasis was on quantifying the apparent load‐sharing ratio of the prebored and precast pile during the top‐down method construction process. A series of three‐dimensional finite element analysis were conducted, with special attention given to the pile load‐sharing ratio under various conditions, such as soil condition, pile geometry, pile length, and structure load. In addition, the load‐sharing ratio of a single pile was also investigated based on the location of the pile in the raft (footing). The analysis model was validated by comparing the analysis model with the field data of an actual construction site using the prebored and precast pile and the top‐down method. On the basis of the series of analysis results and the field measurements, when the soil condition is better than weathered rock and for moderate pile length, at least 15% of the total structure load was supported by the pile throughout the construction process. Furthermore, it was shown that the pile near the center of the raft carried more structure load compared with the piles in the side and the corner of the raft.
Optimal probability‐based partial mass isolation of elevated coal scuttle in thermal power plant building
Authors: Dai Kaoshan , Li Bowei , Wang Jianze , Li Ang , Li Huiying , Li Jiahong , Tesfamariam Solomon 
Published: March 2018

SummaryPartial mass isolation (PMI) system is a practical strategy to mitigate seismic response of the main structure. Many studies provide various formulas to estimate an optimum design solution for the structure under simplified excitation models. But the efficiency of these optimization methods under actual ground motion records requires investigation. This paper proposes a new optimization design framework, which considers the randomness of ground motions. To describe the vibration depression effects of the PMI under various records, several theoretical distributions were assumed and tested. A Weibull distribution was selected because of its best performance in the chi‐squared tests among the several theoretical distributions. A sensitivity study on the number of records was performed to ensure the accuracy of estimated parameters with a relatively small sample size. This framework was adopted in the design of a PMI system for a large‐scale thermal power plant building through both single‐objective and multiobjective optimization procedures. Optimal design results from the single‐objective optimization procedure were compared with those from traditional formulas. Additionally, with the relative displacement limitation, the Pareto optimum set was obtained from the multiobjective optimization procedure. The final design was compared with the single‐objective optimization result.
Prediction of typhoon design wind speed with cholesky decomposition method
Authors: Huang W.F. , Sun J.P. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryTyphoon simulation method that integrates typhoon wind field model, probability distributions of typhoon key parameters, and Monte Carlo simulation method has long been used to predict typhoon design wind speeds of structures. In the research, the empirical typhoon wind field model with a novel parameter B model of Holland's radial pressure profile is first introduced and validated with typhoon Hagupit's simulation. The results show that relatively good typhoons can be simulated with this empirical typhoon wind field model. Then, the cholesky decomposition method used in typhoon simulation method is proposed that allows achieving all correlated typhoon key parameters simultaneously. Finally, the cholesky decomposition method is used to generating typhoon key parameters in Hong Kong, and typhoon design wind speeds for different return periods are predicted with typhoon simulation method. In addition, typhoon design wind speeds derived from historical typhoon key parameters and typhoon key parameters generated without considering cholesky decomposition method are also predicted, respectively. The predicted typhoon design wind speeds are compared and the results demonstrate that the cholesky decomposition method should be incorporated into typhoon simulation method.