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Proceedings of the Nature Research Society
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  • Amir Dehghanghadikolaei,1* Jamal Ansary,2 Reza Ghoreishi3
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02008, 2018
    Published Online: 13 June 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802008

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Flow chart of HAP coating preparation by a sol–gel process [26]. Figure 2. FESEM micrographs of multilayer films: a) SnO2-TiO2-SiO2, b) Ta2O5-TiO2-SiO2, c) ATO-TiO2-SiO2, d) ITO-TiO2-SiO2[43]. Figure 3. Immersion test of AA7075-T6 uncoated, coated by hybrid silica GTS-D-R and by silica-Ce GTS-Ce-D-R in 0.1M NaCl at 25℃ [41]. Figure 4. a) Optical image of dried gel and, b) SEM image of carbon nanotube/alumina composite [82]. Figure 5. SEM images of a) surface and, b) cross section of Nb2O5-SE layer on YSZ [88]. Figure 6. SEM images of a) uncoated carbon fibers (CF), b) SiO2 coated CF; c) SiC/SiO2 coated CF; and, d) cross-section of coated CF [90]. Figure 7. SEM images of a) coarse, b) medium, c) fine 45S5 bioactive glass powders and d) a higher magnification showing nonporous surfaces of melt-derived powders [94]. Figure 8. SEM images of a) coarse, b) medium, c) fine 58S bioactive glass powders and d) a higher magnification showing the porous nature of the sol‐gel–derived powder [94]. Figure 9. SEM image of alumina and silicon carbide abrasive particles in different working times [102].

  • Selakovic Dragica, Joksimovic Jovana, Rosic Gvozden*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02007, 2018
    Published Online: 8 June 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802007

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    Abstract

    Literature data offers evidence that AASs abuse is accompanied with psychiatric manifestations, as well as with different behavioral alterations from mild type, which are social acceptable, to uncontrolled and impulsive behavior with expression of aggression, anxiety, hypomania, and also manic episodes. Numerous investigations were performed on animal experimental models in order to make an insight to mechanisms underlying mechanisms for AASs impact on behavioral alterations. The absolute majority of literature sources declared the anxiogenic effect of AASs when applied in supraphysiological doses. The increased anxiety levels following AASs treatment seems to be a consequence of changes in various neuroregulatory systems (gabaergic, dopaminergic, etc.), as well as alterations in sex hormones receptors in specific brain regions, including hippocampus. Supraphysiological doses of AASs also affect mood by means of increased depressiveness. The prodepressant action of AASs is usually accompanied with significant reduction of growth factors (NGF, BDNF) release with consequent effects on neuromodulatory systems (gabaergic, dopaminergic) in rat prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. When applied in supraphysiological dose AAS significantly affected the quality of cognitive abilities, manifested as significant decline in spatial learning and memory. The negative impact of AASs on cognitive functions was attributed to significant alterations in acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamate and serotonin levels in specific brain regions, responsible for regulation of learning and memory.

  • Nancy Maurya,1* Nupur Rani Agarwal2*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02006, 2018
    Published Online: 6 June 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802006

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Fragmentation of APP under normal (healthy) conditions and formation of β-amyloid protein aggregates in pathological conditions. Figure 2. A neuron showing effect of extracellular and intracellular β-Amyloid peptides on its different cellular functions.

  • Yanxia Lu,1,2* Tze Pin Ng,3 Anis Larbi2,4
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02005, 2018
    Published Online: 28 May 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802005

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    Abstract

    The prevalence of asthma morbidity and mortality has increased significantly in recent decades, concurrently with increasing mental health problems worldwide. Asthma has long been considered as an archetypal psychosomatic disease. However, evidence supporting the link between psychosocial stress and asthma is just emerging. The stress-asthma link is supported by evidence that chronic stress suppresses hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity and its anti-inflammatory effect, resulting in blunted HPA axis responsiveness seen in asthma patients. However, marked inter-individual variability in responses to stress exists. Some are more vulnerable than others to the effects of stress in terms of asthma risks and morbidity. Recent studies suggest the main contribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in modulating HPA-axis responsiveness and explaining inter-individual variation in resilience to stress and asthma in animal models and clinical samples. The temporal and spatial expression pattern of NPY and its receptors (Y1 and Y5) is determined in the airways of asthmatic mice. Peripheral NPY concentration and the genetic variation in the NPY gene has been investigated in asthma in multiple studies. Studies have attempted to explain the underlying mechanisms of the "neuroimmune" crosstalk as a contributor to the development of the airway inflammation and asthma. Such a psychoneuro-immunological perspective in asthma research represents a new psychosomatic approach in pharmacological therapy of asthma, and may open the door for future potential use of NPY agonists in treating asthma. Future brain imaging research using specific NPY-receptor ligands is required to better understand the relationship between central release of NPY and asthma.

  • Khan Mamun Reza, Sally Mabrouk, Qiquan Qiao*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02004, 2018
    Published Online: 30 March 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802004

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography images of: (a) pristine, (b) DMF-treated, (c) MeOH-treated, and (d) EG-treated PEDOT:PSS. The RMS roughness values are 1.98, 0.76, 1.32 and 2.53 nm, respectively. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [29] Figure 3 . a) Contact angle of pristine PEDOT:PSS, GO-PEDOT, G-PEDOT, and GGO-PEDOT on ITO, b) contact angle of perovskite precursor drops on nanocomposite substrates, and c) SEM of PSK layer deposited on different nanocomposite substrates. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [48] Figure 4 . Roughness, thickness and sheet resistance of AgOTf-doped GO layers as a function of doping concentration. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [55] Figure 5 . SEM images of (a) PEDOT:PSS film, (b) PEDOT:PSS-GeO 2 (4:1) film, crystalline PSK films deposited on (c) PEDOT:PSS, and (d) PEDOT:PSS-GeO 2 , XRD patters of crystalline PSK films deposited on (e) PEDOT:PSS and (f) PEDOT:PSS-GeO 2 . Reproduced with permission from Ref. [57] Figure 6 . AFM topography images of PEDOT:PSS films doped at different concentrations of PEO. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [59] Figure 7 . (a) Electrical conductivities of the PEO-doped PEDOT:PSS layer and PCEs of PSCs versus doping concentrations of PEO in the layer; (b) J-V characteristics of PSCs incorporated with the pristine and PEO-doped PEDOT:PSS HTL at different thickness. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [59] Figure 8. SEM images of PSK films deposited on (a) pristine and (b) 20% NPs doped PEDOT:PSS layers, and (c, d) their corresponding AFM images. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [63] Figure 9 . Energy level diagram of the cell with (a) F4-TCNQ doped, (b) DA, and (c) SOHEL doped PEDOT:PSS HTLs. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [ 64 , 65 , 32 ] Figure 10 . (a) Molecular structure of HSL1 and HSL2, (b) energy level diagrams of PSCs using HSL1 and HSL2 as HTLs, isopropanol contact angle measurements of (c) PEDOT:PSS, (d) HSL1, (e) HSL2, and (f) PSK film. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [16] Figure 11 . SEM images of PSK films on (a) PEDOT:PSS, (b) PEDOT:PSS-GO, (c) PEDOT:PSS-GO:NH 3 and (d) UV-vis absorption spectra of PSK films on three different substrates. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [70] Figure 12 . SEM images of perylene films deposited on PEDOT:PSS from varied concentrations of (a) 2 mg/mL, (b) 3 mg/mL, (c) 4 mg/ mL, and (d) 5 mg/mL in chloroform; (e-h) SEM images of PSK films deposited on the perylene under layers corresponding to (a-d). Reproduced with permission from Ref. [71] Figure 13 . Incident light power dependent photocurrent of the perovskite solar cells with (a) PEDOT-L and (b) PEDOT-H at two different effective applied voltages. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [76] Figure 14 . TPV measurements for PSCs using PEDOT:PSS (pristine), HSL1 and HSL2 HTLs; (b) J-V curve of PSCs using different polymer interlayers; (c) schematic illustration of the energy levels of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 perovskite, PC 60 BM ‘electron affinity’ and ionization potential of different polymer interlayers. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [ 16 , 67 ] Figure 15 . SEM images of perovskite films coated on top of (a) Glass/ITO; (b) PEDOT:PSS; PEDOT:PSS processed with (c) 5% v/v DMSO, (d) 0.7% v/v Zonyl FS-300, (e) 0.7% v/v Zonyl, FS-300 and 2.5% v/v DMSO, (f) 0.7% v/v Zonyl and 5% v/v DMSO. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [82]

  • Xin Wu,1* Fengwen Mu,2 Haiyan Zhao3
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02003, 2018
    Published Online: 05 February 2018 (Review)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201802003

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Main top-down approaches for NPG synthesis. (a) Electron beam irradiation [33]. (b) Block copolymer lithography [18]. (c) Nanosphere lithography [43]. (d) Nanoimprint lithography [45]. Figure 2. Synthesis of NPG by BG-CVD method. (a) Schematic description of the BG-CVD process. (b) SEM of aluminum oxide nanodot array on Cu. (c) As-synthesized NPG on Cu [52].  Figure 3. Typical experiment [19] and MD simulation [77] setup and results for the DNA sequencing by graphene nanopore. (a) and (e) are schematic descriptions of the experimental setup and simulation model. (b) TEM image of the graphene nanopore. (c) Time trace of events for nanopore device. (d) Histogram of blocked currents during the translocation of DNA. (f) Ionic currents for poly(A-T)20 and poly(G-C)20 duplex measured at different bias voltages. Figure 4. Simulation [100] and experimental [105] studies of gas separation by NPGs. (a) Simulation model for the CO2/N2 separation. (b) Gas permeation through the NPG at an initial pressure of 10 atm. (c) Permeate flux of CO2 and N2 as a function of feed pressure. (d-g) Measurement system of gas separation by NPG membrane, where the H2 is represented as red circles, air molecules are denoted as green circles. Figure 5. Water desalination by NPGs [24]. (a) Hydrogenated and (b) hydroxylated graphene pores, and (c) side view of MD model. (d) Comparison of the performance of salt rejection and water permeability for functionalized NPG with existing technologies. Figure 6. Applications of NPGs in LIBs batteries [114] and supercapacitors [125]. (a) Schematic structure of a functionalized graphene with (b) an ideal bimodal porous structure. (c) The discharge curve of a Li-O2 cell. (d) Illustration of the process for prepartation of NPG-PANI composites. (e) Galvanostatic charge-discharge curves and (f) Ragone plot for NPGs–PANI based supercapacitor.

  • Canghai Ma, Jeffrey J. Urban*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02002, 2018
    Published Online: 22 January 2018 (Review)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201802002

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Repeat unit of PIM-1 [4]. Figure 2. Schematic showing microstructural differences between (a) miscible and (b) immiscible polymer blend. Wiggly lines represent two polymers (red line for polymer 1 and grey line for polymer 2). The two polymers of a miscible polymer blend (a) are completely interpenetrated with each other. An immiscible blend (b) has minor interpenetration of polymer chains in the interphase. Figure 3. Schematic describing three gas diffusion processes through (a) polymer membrane, (b) polymer blend membrane, and (c) mixed matrix membrane. Feed gas example: CO2/CH4 pair. Wiggly lines represent polymer chains (the grey color refers polymer 1 and the red refers polymer 2). Red dashed lines depict gas flow direction. Figure 4. Chemical structure of typical SBI units with benzene rings attached by five-carbon rings connected by a spiro carbon center, where the rings do not possess rotation freedom and form a rigid structure. Figure 5. Chemical structures of (a) Monomer A: 5, 5, 6, 6-tetrahydroxy-3, 3, 3, 3-tetramethylspirobisindane and (b) Monomer B: 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile of PIM-1 [4]. Figure 6. Structures of SBI-centered PIMs: (a) PIM-7, (b) PIM-SBI and (c) PIM-TMN-SBF for gas separations with gas separation performance shown in Table 2 [21, 22]. Note that those PIMs contain SBI units and rings are fused together, prohibiting the rotation of polymer chains. Figure 7. Chemical structures of two TB-based PIMs membranes (a) TB-PIM and (b) 1, 5-diaminonaphathelen (DAN)/4, 4-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene) dianiline (HFD) PIM [26, 29]. Some of other TB-based PIMs, including PIM-EA-TB, PIM-SBI-TB, PIM-Trip-TB, and PIM-2,2-bis (3-methyl-4-aminophenyl) adamantine (Ad-Me) are shown in Table 1. Figure 8. (a) O2/N2 and (b) CO2/CH4 separation performance of PIMs membranes with current upper bound of polymers. Conventional polymeric membranes, polysulfone and Matrimid® membranes, are plotted for comparison. Figure 9. Schematic showing the structure of a hollow fiber membrane consisting of a selective skin layer in the outermost layer of the fiber and an open porous substructure underneath the skin [113]. Figure 10. Time dependence of (a) O2 permeability of and (b) O2/N2 selectivity of PIM-1 film [101]. Figure 11. Penetrant permeability of PIM-1 as a function of pressure at 25 oC [105].

  • João Conde1,2*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 2, Article Number 02001, 2018
    Published Online: 01 January 2018 (Commentary)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201802001

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Analysis of nanoparticle delivery using systemic or local treatments to tumors from studies published in 2000-2016 and procedure used for the literature survey. (a) Diagram showing the distribution of time points comparing systemic and local therapies for more than 2.500 publications that were identified by the survey. (b) A pie chart comparing the frequencies of local and systemic therapies during the last 15 years is also depicted. Diagrams for (c) therapy efficacy (%) and (d) biodistribution (nanoparticles accumulation at the tumor site and major organs). Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way analysis of variance, **, P<0.01). Figure 2. Characterization of the nanotherapies applied systemically or locally. (a) Frequency (%) of reported studies using systemic and local treatments by cancer type. (b) Data set for systemic and local therapies for each of the therapeutic modalities reported: drug, gene, photo and immuno-therapies, along with combination treatment. (c) Analysis of frequency (%) of studies reporting systemic and local therapies by cell type. (d) Lifetime scores in days for systemic and local therapies. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way analysis of variance, **, P<0.01). Figure 3. Smart biomaterials for medical applications are in need of patient-by-patient personalization that matches the application and the target site. Versatile biomaterial design can be achieved by addition of tunable building blocks for sensing, repairing, treating, targeting and strengthening. This will allow to better treat and profile the tumor microenvironment, which has a huge influence in therapy response.

  • Yoshihiro Shimazu*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01008, 2017
    Published Online: 27 October 2017 (Article)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701008

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    Figures

    Figure 1. (a) Optical image of an FET with a multilayer MoS2 channel (thickness ~6 nm) on a SiO2/Si substrate. (b) Ids–Vg curves for Vds = 0.1 V in vacuum and air with varying values of pressure. (c) Ids–Vg curves for Vds = 0.1 V measured under different environmental conditions. (d) The threshold gate voltages Vth1, Vth2 (open triangles), and DVth = Vth2 – Vth1 (filled circles) as functions of relative humidity. Figure 2. Ids–Vg curves measured at various temperatures. In this measurement, Vds was maintained at 1 V. The sample was cooled in helium gas for heat exchange. At 240 K, the hysteresis due to the charge trapping related to the adsorbed molecules completely disappears. The curves are offset vertically for clarity. Figure 3. Ids–Vg curves at various temperatures. Vds was kept at 5 V. n-channel behavior of the FET is clearly shown. The inset shows Ids–Vds curves for Vg = 10 V, where significant nonlinearity due to the Schottky barrier is observed, except for the curve corresponding to 290 K. The hysteresis is very small for these Ids–Vg and Ids–Vds curves. The thickness of the MoS2 flake of this device was measured to be ~70 nm. Figure 4. Ids–Vg curves at 30 mK for Vds = 3 V with a scan rate of 0.59 V/s. An abrupt jump in Ids is observed in the upward scan of Vg. The threshold voltage for the jump in Ids is scattered among repeated scans. In the downward scan, Ids decreases continuously. This anomalous hysteresis can be explained by quantum tunneling through the Schottky barrier. The inset shows the profile of the conduction band minimum together with the Fermi energies in the source and drain electrodes when Vg and Vds are above their threshold values. Figure 5. Scan-rate dependence of the Ids–Vg curve measured at 1 K with Vds kept at 5 V. The sample used for this result was different from that for Figs. 3 and 4. The size of the hysteresis increases with an increase in the scan rate, suggesting that the hysteresis is related to a slow process with a time constant of ~1 s. The curve in the downward scan, which is denoted by the dashed line, did not show significant dependence on the scan rate.

  • Lixiu Guan,1 Guifeng Chen,2 Xiaolin Song,2 Hong Wang,2 Junguang Tao2*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01007, 2017
    Published Online: 26 October 2017 (Article)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701007

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    Figures

    Figure 1. XRD pattern of as-prepared (a) and post-treated TiO2 nanobelts (b). (c) is the XRD pattern of MoS2/TiO2. (d) is XRD pattern of pure MoS2 flowers. Figure 3. Etching effect for different surface modification methods. TEM images of TiO2-NH (a), TiO2-NHH (b) and TiO2-H (c). Figure 4. Comparison of valence band of TiO2 nanobelts (black curve) and that after MoS2 growth (red curve). (a) for TiO2-NH, (b) for TiO2-NHH, and (c) for TiO2-H. (d) Schematic diagram of band alignment for MoS2/TiO2 heterostructures with different surface treatments. Figure 5. The photocatalytic performance of MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure.(a) MoS2/TiO2-NHH (b) MoS2/TiO2-NH (c) MoS2/TiO2-H. The degradation rate is given in (d). Figure 6. Electrocatalytic performance of MoS2/TiO2 hybrids. (a) Polarization curves of various samples with different treatments as well as that of Pt and commercial MoS2 powder for comparison. (b) is the corresponding Tafel plots for (a). Figure 7. Electrochemical impedance measurement. Nyquist plots of commercial MoS2 (black squares) and MoS2/TiO2-H (red circles). Figure 2. SEM images of TiO2 nanobelts (a), and MoS2 flowers (b). (c), (e) and (g) are TiO2 nanobelts with different surface post-treatments: (c) TiO2-NH, (e) TiO2-NHH, and (f) TiO2-H. (d), (f) and (h) are MoS2/TiO2 complex for (d) TiO2-NH, (f) TiO2-NHH, and (g) TiO2-H.

  • Changlong Chen,* Liuyuan Han, Ranran Lu, Qinglong Liu
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01006, 2017
    Published Online: 16 October 2017 (Article)
    DOI:10.11605/j.pnrs.201701006

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    Figures

    Figure 1. (a) XRD patterns of the sample films: the as-hydrothermally deposited (blue), after heat treated (black) and after heat treated and photoelectrochemically etched (red). The black arrows refer to the hexagonal WO3 (JCPDS No.33-1387). SEM images of the samples before (b, c) and after (d) photoelectrochemical etching. Figure 2. (a) LSV from the WO3 films before and after etching under AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW/cm2 and in dark; (b) relationship of the etching photocurrent to the etching time conducted at a potential of 1.8 V vs. RHE. Figure 3. IPCE and UV-Vis spectrum of the etched WO3 film.

  • Mei Zhu*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01005, 2017
    Published Online: 13 October 2017 (Article)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701005

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    Figures

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  • Kiki Kurniawan, Noritake Murakami, Yuto Tango, Takumi Izawa, Kakeru Nishikawa, Ken Watanabe, Hideaki Miyake, Tomoyuki Tajima, Yutaka Takaguchi*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01004, 2017
    Published Online: 09 October 2017 (Article)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701004

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    Figures

  • Jianling Zhang, Yan Yao, Haigang Yang, Yuyan Yu, Shoubin Xu, Long Jiang,* Yi Dan*
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01003, 2017
    Published Online: 27 September 2017 (Article)
    Doi: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701003

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  • Naofumi Shimizu,1* Ken Matsuyama2
    Proceedings of the Nature Research Society, Volume 1, Article Number 01002, 2017
    Published Online: 23 September 2017 (Article)
    DOI: 10.11605/j.pnrs.201701002

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    Figures

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