bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political Imprisonment and Adult Functioning: A Life Event History Analysis of Palestinians
Authors: McNeely Clea , Barber Brian K. , Spellings Carolyn , Belli Robert , Giacaman Rita , Arafat Cairo , Daher Mahmoud , El Sarraj Eyad , Mallouh Mohammed Abu
Published: June 2015

Political imprisonment is a traumatic event, often accompanied by torture and deprivation. This study explores the association of political imprisonment between 1987 and 2011 with political, economic, community, psychological, physical, and family functioning in a population‐based sample of Palestinian men ages 32–43 years (N= 884) derived from a dataset collected in 2011. Twenty‐six percent (n= 233) had been politically imprisoned. Men imprisoned between 1987 and 2005 reported functioning as well as never‐imprisoned men in most domains, suggesting that men imprisoned as youth have moved forward with their lives in ways similar to their nonimprisoned counterparts. In an exception to this pattern, men imprisoned during the Oslo Accords period (1994–1999) reported higher levels of trauma‐related stress (B= 0.24,p= .027) compared to never‐imprisoned men. Men imprisoned since 2006 reported lower functioning in multiple domains: human insecurity (B= 0.33,p= .023), freedom of public expression (B= −0.48,p= .017), perceived government stability (B= −0.38,p= .009), feeling broken or destroyed (B= 0.59,p= .001), physical limitations (B= 0.55,p= .002), and community belonging (B= −0.33,p= .048). Findings pointed to the value of examining the effects of imprisonment on functioning in multiple domains.
Double transverse myocutaneous gracilis free flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction
Authors: Werdin Frank , Haug Daniel M. , Amr Amro , Schoeller Thomas
Published: June 2015

Background

In cases were the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP flap) is not available and unilateral transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG flap) is not sufficient for breast reconstruction, we perform double TMG flaps as a reconstructive method. In this report, we present our results of the use of double TMG free‐flap‐transfer for unilateral breast reconstruction.

Patients and Methods

Between August 2004 and June 2012 we performed 58 TMG flaps in 29 patients for unilateral breast reconstruction. Patient data were analyzed and operative outcome (operation time, complication rate and aesthetic results) were investigated. Aesthetic outcome was evaluated retrospectively via photo documentation by an independent plastic surgeon. The results were classified in;unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good and very good.

Results

The average operating time was 6 hours 55 minutes (295 – 650 minutes). Of 58 TMG flaps, 57 (98.3%) were successful. Thrombosis occurred in seven (12%) cases (1 arterial, 6 venous). Flap salvage was successful in six cases and flap failure occurred in one (1.7%) case. The results of 25 patients were graded as good and very good. Three patients showed satisfying and one patient unsatisfying results.

Conclusion

Double TMG flaps in unilateral breast reconstruction could lead to good operative results. This method further expands the range of options with autologous tissue in reconstructive breast surgery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:539–545, 2016.
Distribution of Diagenetic Alterations in Fluvial Channel and Floodplain Deposits in the Triassic Narrabeen Group, Southern Sydney Basin, Australia
Authors: Al-Kahtany Khalid , Gahtani Fahad Al
Published: June 2015

In the Narrabeen Group, floodplain shale and siltstone are abundant in the Wombarra Claystone, Stanwell Park Claystone and Bald Hill Claystone whereas the Newport Formation is a fine-grained lagoonal deposit. Medium-and coarse-grained fluvial channel sandstone is common in the Coalcliff, Scarborough and Bulgo. Sandstone composition includes mostly lithic grains with minor quartz, feldspar, mica and heavy minerals; litharenites and sublitharenites are common and quartzarenites are rare. The diagenetic alterations include compaction, quartz overgrowths, authigenic clay minerals, carbonate cement and authigenic feldspar. Quartz overgrowths are present in the channel, floodplain, lagoonal and shallow marine facies but are more common in the channel facies. Also, the channell facies are characterised by pore-filling carbonate cement, grain-coating carbonate cement and carbonate replacement of grains. Carbonate cement, pore-filling clays and grain-coating clays occur in all the channel, floodplain, lagoonal and shallow marine facies. Fluvial channel and floodplain facies contain feldspar overgrowths which disappear in the lagoonal and shallow marine facies. Dissolution of unstable grains is observed in the channel, floodplain and lagoonal facies but is more abundant in the channel facies in the Narrabeen Group. Mechanical and chemical compaction is conspicuous in the channel facies but also occurs in the floodplain and lagoonal facies.
Seismotectonic and Seismicity Analysis of the Damghan Region, Iran
Authors: Ramazi Hamidreza , Jalali Mohammad
Published: June 2015

This paper deals with seismotectonic and seismicity analysis of the Damghan region, the central part of Semnan province, northeast of Iran. Seismotectonic and seismicity maps s well as active faults of the region were introduced and an earthquake catalogue of the studied area (up to 150 km radiuses) was prepared. This study addresses the main historical and instrumental earthquakes and their causative faults. Available seismic data were normalized by means of the time normalization technique that resulted in evaluating the magnitude-frequency relationship and estimating the return period of earthquakes of different magnitudes. Some active faults present in the region namely Damghan fault, north-Damghan fault, Atari fault and Astaneh fault are sources of earthquakes. Finally, the constructions were analyzed and classified and the vulnerability of the various types of structures was studied.
Population Fluctuation Promotes Cooperation in Networks
Authors: Miller Steve , Knowles Joshua
Published: June 2015

We consider the problem of explaining the emergence and evolution of cooperation in dynamic network-structured populations. Building on seminal work by Poncela et al., which shows how cooperation (in one-shot prisoner’s dilemma) is supported in growing populations by an evolutionary preferential attachment (EPA) model, we investigate the effect of fluctuations in the population size. We find that a fluctuating model – based on repeated population growth and truncation – is more robust than Poncela et al.’s in that cooperation flourishes for a wider variety of initial conditions. In terms of both the temptation to defect and the types of strategies present in the founder network, the fluctuating population is found to lead more securely to cooperation. Further, we find that this model will also support the emergence of cooperation from pre-existing non-cooperative random networks. This model, like Poncela et al.’s, does not require agents to have memory, recognition of other agents, or other cognitive abilities and so may suggest a more general explanation of the emergence of cooperation in early evolutionary transitions, than mechanisms such as kin selection, direct and indirect reciprocity.
Facile rotation around a silicon–phosphorus double bond enabled through coordination to tungsten
Authors: Breit Nora C. , Szilvási Tibor , Inoue Shigeyoshi
Published: June 2015

Coordination of a zwitterionic phosphasilene to tungsten significantly weakens its SiP bond, so rotation and E/Z-isomerization of a SiP bond were observed for the first time.
Disaggregation-induced fluorescence enhancement of NIAD-4 for the optical imaging of amyloid-β fibrils
Authors: Peccati Francesca , Hernando Jordi , Blancafort Lluís , Solans-Monfort Xavier , Sodupe Mariona
Published: June 2015

Fluorescence enhancement of the NIAD-4 marker upon interaction with amyloid-β fibrils arises from the disaggregation of the oligomers that spontaneously form in aqueous solution.
An integrated system for optical and electrical detection of single molecules/particles inside a solid-state nanopore
Authors: Shi Xin , Gao Rui , Ying Yi-Lun , Si Wei , Chen Yunfei , Long Yi-Tao
Published: June 2015

Nanopore techniques have proven to be useful tools for single-molecule detection. The combination of optical detection and ionic current measurements enables a new possibility for the parallel readout of multiple nanopores without complex nanofluidics and embedded electrodes. In this study, we developed a new integrated system for the label-free optical and electrical detection of single molecules based on a metal-coated nanopore. The entire system, containing a dark-field microscopy system and an ultralow current detection system with high temporal resolution, was designed and fabricated. An Au-coated nanopore was used to generate the optical signal. Light scattering from a single Au-coated nanopore was measured under a dark-field microscope. A lab-built ultralow current detection system was designed for the correlated optical and electrical readout. This integrated system might provide more direct and detailed information on single analytes inside the nanopore compared with classical ionic current measurements.
High precision 142Ce/140Ce stable isotope measurements of purified materials with a focus on CeO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Laycock Adam , Coles Barry , Kreissig Katharina , Rehkämper Mark
Published: June 2015

Stable 142Ce/140Ce isotope measurements of CeO2 nanoparticles and purified materials for the purpose of stable isotope tracing.
Morphing tree structures for latent thermal energy storage
Authors: Ziaei S. , Lorente S. , Bejan A.
Published: June 2015

Here, we report the numerical study of time dependent storage of energy by melting a phase change material. The heating is provided along invading lines, which change from single-line invasion to tree-shaped invasion. The numerical simulations show that the history of the amount of melted material is S-shaped. We also found that the fastest melting (i.e., the steepest S curve) is discovered by allowing the tree architecture to morph freely, toward greater access over time. The stem length and branching angle of invading trees can be selected such that the complete melting process is shorter. The melting process can also be made faster by increasing the complexity of the tree structure.
Physics of the Jagla model as the liquid-liquid coexistence line slope varies
Authors: Luo Jiayuan , Xu Limei , Angell C. Austen , Stanley H. Eugene , Buldyrev Sergey V.
Published: June 2015

The slope of the coexistence line of the liquid-liquid phase transition can be positive, negative, or zero. All three possibilities have been found in Monte-Carlo simulations of a modified spherically symmetric two-scale Jagla model. Since the liquid-liquid critical point frequently lies in a region of the phase diagram that is difficult to access experimentally, it is of great interest to study critical phenomena in the supercritical region. We therefore study the properties of the Widom line, defined in the one-phase region above the critical point as an extension of the coexistence line near which the loci of various response functions extrema asymptotically converge with each other. This phenomenon is predicted by the scaling theory according to which all response functions can be expressed asymptotically in the vicinity of a critical point as functions of the diverging correlation length. We find that the method of identifying the Widom line as the loci of heat capacity maxima becomes unfruitful when the slope of the coexistence line approaches zero in the T-P plane. In this case, the specific heat displays no maximum in the one-phase region because, for a horizontal phase coexistence line, according to the Clapeyron equation, the enthalpy difference between the coexisting phases is zero, and thus the critical fluctuations do not contribute to enthalpy fluctuations. The extension of the coexistence line beyond the critical point into the one-phase region must in this case be performed using density fluctuations. Although the line of compressibility maxima bifurcates into a symmetrical pair of lines, it remains well-defined. We also study how the glass transition changes as the slope of the coexistence line in the T-P plane approaches zero. We find that for the case of positive slopes, diffusivity shows a fragile-to-strong transition upon crossing the Widom line, while for horizontal slope, diffusivity shows the behavior typical for fragile liquids.
Impact of E × B flow shear on turbulence and resulting power fall-off width in H-mode plasmas in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak
Authors: Yang Q. Q. , Xu G. S. , Zhong F. C. , Wang L. , Wang H. Q. , Chen R. , Yan N. , Liu S. C. , Chen L. , Jia M. N. , Li Y. L. , Liu J. B.
Published: June 2015

The power fall-off width in the H-mode scrape-off layer (SOL) in tokamaks shows a strong inverse dependence on the plasma current, which was noticed by both previous multi-machine scaling work [T. Eich et al., Nucl. Fusion 53, 093031 (2013)] and more recent work [L. Wang et al., Nucl. Fusion 54, 114002 (2014)] on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. To understand the underlying physics, probe measurements of three H-mode discharges with different plasma currents have been studied in this work. The results suggest that a higher plasma current is accompanied by a stronger E×B shear and a shorter radial correlation length of turbulence in the SOL, thus resulting in a narrower power fall-off width. A simple model has also been applied to demonstrate the suppression effect of E×B shear on turbulence in the SOL and shows relatively good agreement with the experimental observations.
Transition state theory approach to polymer escape from a one dimensional potential well
Authors: Mökkönen Harri , Ikonen Timo , Ala-Nissila Tapio , Jónsson Hannes
Published: June 2015

The rate of escape of an ideal bead-spring polymer in a symmetric double-well potential is calculated using transition state theory (TST) and the results compared with direct dynamical simulations. The minimum energy path of the transitions becomes flat and the dynamics diffusive for long polymers making the Kramers-Langer estimate poor. However, TST with dynamical corrections based on short time trajectories started at the transition state gives rate constant estimates that agree within a factor of two with the molecular dynamics simulations over a wide range of bead coupling constants and polymer lengths. The computational effort required by the TST approach does not depend on the escape rate and is much smaller than that required by molecular dynamics simulations.
Effect of high-frequency in-plane substrate vibration on a three-phase contact angle
Authors: Manor Ofer , Pismen Len M.
Published: June 2015

We investigate analytically the contribution of high-frequency horizontal (in-plane) vibration of a solid substrate to the apparent contact angle of a liquid meniscus in the framework of the lubrication approximation. We show that oscillatory excitation invokes a drift of liquid within the meniscus resulting from nonlinear contributions from both the motion of the solid surface and acoustically induced capillary waves at the free surface of the liquid. Our analysis reveals that under this type of excitation, the relative increase of the steady apparent contact angle is proportional to the product of the capillary and Reynolds numbers.
Laser pulse induced transient currents in a molecular junction: Effects of plasmon excitations of the leads
Authors: Zelinskyy Yaroslav , May Volkhard
Published: June 2015

The transient response of a molecular junction excited by a single laser pulse or by a sequence of pulses is studied theoretically utilizing a density matrix description. The approach focuses on the sequential transmission regime and accounts for intramolecular vibrations and vibrational relaxation. Besides the optical excitation of the molecule, also the laser pulse action on the leads is considered. It is accounted for by collective plasmon excitations which also couple to the molecular transitions. Transient currents are calculated as well as averaged dc resulting from a huge sequence of laser pulses. While the transient currents give some insight into the dynamics of the junctions, the averaged dc is ready to be measured in the experiment. Different enhancement effects due to resonant lead-plasmon excitations are highlighted.
Enhanced stability of Eu in GaN nanoparticles: Effects of Si co-doping
Authors: Kaur Prabhsharan , Sekhon S. S. , Zavada J. M. , Kumar Vijay
Published: June 2015

Ab initio calculations on Eu doped (GaN)n (n = 12, 13, and 32) nanoparticles show that Eu doping in nanoparticles is favorable compared with bulk GaN as a large fraction of atoms lie on the surface where strain can be released compared with bulk where often Eu doping is associated with a N vacancy. Co-doping of Si further facilitates Eu doping as strain from an oversized Eu atom and an undersized Si atom is compensated. These results along with low symmetry sites in nanoparticles make them attractive for developing strongly luminescent nanomaterials. The atomic and electronic structures are discussed using generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation energy as well as GGA + U formalism. In all cases of Eu (Eu + Si) doping, the magnetic moments are localized on the Eu site with a large value of 6μB (7μB). Our results suggest that co-doping can be a very useful way to achieve rare-earth doping in different hosts for optoelectronic materials.
Correlation of current–voltage–temperature analysis with deep level defects in epitaxial GaN films
Authors: Reddy Anurag G. , Aggarwal Neha , Krishna T. C. Shibin , Singh Manju , Rakshit Rajib , Gupta Govind
Published: June 2015

The effect of temperature on the nature of metal-semiconductor system in a Au contact deposited on c-plane and a-plane GaN film was investigated by current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The I–V measurements have been obtained systematically at different temperatures ranging from room temperature (300 K) to low temperature (78 K). Photoluminescence measurements were obtained to investigate correlation between the growth conditions, the substrate used for the growth of GaN film, and the presence of deep level defects therein by equating with the yellow band luminescence. The resistance–voltage–temperature analysis indicates that a gradual shift of the nature of contact towards Schottky behavior takes place while moving from room temperature to low temperature. Additionally, memory effect like aberration is present at low temperature, which can be attributed to the presence of deep-level defects and carrier recombination therein.
Multi-stability in low-symmetry magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Escobar R. A. , Castillo-Sepúlveda S. , Allende S. , Altbir D. , Bahiana M. , d' Albuquerque e Castro J.
Published: June 2015

The occurrence of equilibrium magnetic configurations in ferromagnetic low-symmetry nanoparticles has been investigated. T-shaped nanoparticles, which present strong configurational anisotropy, have been considered. It has been found that such particles exhibit four equilibrium magnetic states, whose stability at room temperature was estimated. The presence of structural imperfections, such as surface roughness, in those systems was also considered, resulting in no significant effects on the magnetic behavior of the particles. The present results are expected to be of relevance to magnetic storage.
Molecular interactions at the hexadecane/water interface in the presence of surfactants studied with second harmonic generation
Authors: Sang Yajun , Yang Fangyuan , Chen Shunli , Xu Hongbo , Zhang Si , Yuan Qunhui , Gan Wei
Published: June 2015

It is important to investigate the influence of surfactants on structures and physical/chemical properties of oil/water interfaces. This work reports a second harmonic generation study of the adsorption of malachite green (MG) on the surfaces of oil droplets in a hexadecane/water emulsion in the presence of surfactants including sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan monooleate (Tween80), and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. It is revealed that surfactants with micromolar concentrations notably influence the adsorption of MG at the oil/water interface. Both competition adsorption and charge-charge interactions played very important roles in affecting the adsorption free energy and the surface density of MG at the oil/water interface. The sensitive detection of the changing oil/water interface with the adsorption of surfactants at such low concentrations provides more information for understanding the behavior of these surfactants at the oil/water interface.
Communication: Creation of molecular vibrational motions via the rotation-vibration coupling
Authors: Shu Chuan-Cun , Henriksen Niels E.
Published: June 2015

Building on recent advances in the rotational excitation of molecules, we show how the effect of rotation-vibration coupling can be switched on in a controlled manner and how this coupling unfolds in real time after a pure rotational excitation. We present the first examination of the vibrational motions which can be induced via the rotation-vibration coupling after a pulsed rotational excitation. A time-dependent quantum wave packet calculation for the HF molecule shows how a slow (compared to the vibrational period) rotational excitation leads to a smooth increase in the average bond length whereas a fast rotational excitation leads to a non-stationary vibrational motion. As a result, under field-free postpulse conditions, either a stretched stationary bond or a vibrating bond can be created due to the coupling between the rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom. The latter corresponds to a laser-induced breakdown of the adiabatic approximation for rotation-vibration coupling.
Experimental and numerical investigations of beryllium strength models using the Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Authors: Henry de Frahan M. T. , Belof J. L. , Cavallo R. M. , Raevsky V. A. , Ignatova O. N. , Lebedev A. , Ancheta D. S. , El-dasher B. S. , Florando J. N. , Gallegos G. F. , Johnsen E. , LeBlanc M. M.
Published: June 2015

We present a set of high explosive driven Rayleigh-Taylor strength experiments for beryllium to produce data to distinguish predictions by various strength models. Design simulations using existing strength model parameterizations from Steinberg-Lund and Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW) suggested an optimal design that would delineate between not just different strength models, but different parameters sets of the PTW model. Application of the models to the post-shot results, however, suggests growth consistent with little material strength. We focus mostly on efforts to simulate the data using published strength models as well as the more recent RING relaxation model developed at VNIIEF. The results of the strength experiments indicate weak influence of strength in mitigating the growth with the RING model coming closest to predicting the material behavior. Finally, we present shock and ramp-loading recovery experiments.
Discovery of iron group impurity ion spin states in single crystal Y2SiO5 with strong coupling to whispering gallery photons
Authors: Goryachev Maxim , Farr Warrick G. , Carmo Carvalho Natalia do , Creedon Daniel L. , Le Floch Jean-Michel , Probst Sebastian , Bushev Pavel , Tobar Michael E.
Published: June 2015

Interaction of Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs) with dilute spin ensembles in solids is an interesting paradigm of Hybrid Quantum Systems potentially beneficial for Quantum Signal Processing applications. Unexpected ion transitions are measured in single crystal Y2SiO5 using WGM spectroscopy with large Zero Field Splittings at 14.7 GHz, 18.4 GHz, and 25.4 GHz, which also feature considerable anisotropy of the g-tensors as well as two inequivalent lattice sites, indicating spins from Iron Group Ion (IGI) impurities. The comparison of undoped and Rare-Earth doped crystals reveal that the IGIs are introduced during co-doping of Eu3+ or Er3+ with concentration at much lower levels of order 100 ppb. The strong coupling regime between an ensemble of IGI spins and WGM photons have been demonstrated at 18.4 GHz and near zero field. This approach together with useful optical properties of these ions opens avenues for “spins-in-solids” Quantum Electrodynamics.
Experimental observation of the interaction of propagating spin waves with Néel domain walls in a Landau domain structure
Authors: Pirro P. , Koyama T. , Brächer T. , Sebastian T. , Leven B. , Hillebrands B.
Published: June 2015

The interaction of propagating dipolar spin waves with magnetic domain walls is investigated in square-shaped microstructures patterned from the Heusler compound Co2Mn0.6Fe0.4Si. Using magnetic force microscopy, the reversible preparation of a Landau state with four magnetic domains separated by Néel domain walls is confirmed. A local spin-wave excitation using a microstructured antenna is realized in one of the domains. It is shown by Brillouin light scattering microscopy that the domain structure in the remanence state has a strong influence on the spin-wave excitation and propagation. The domain walls strongly reflect the spin waves and can be used as spin-wave reflectors. A comparison with micromagnetic simulations shows that the strong reflection is due to the long-range dipolar interaction which has important implications for the use of these spin waves for exerting an all-magnonic spin-transfer torque.
Antiferromagnetic ordering in spin-chain multiferroic Gd2BaNiO5 studied by electronic spin resonance
Authors: Guo Y. M. , Ouyang Z. W. , Ruan M. Y. , Cheng J. J. , Sun Y. C. , Xia Z. C. , Rao G. H.
Published: June 2015

High-field electron spin resonance (ESR) has been employed to study the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering state (T < TN = 55 K) of spin-chain multiferroic Gd2BaNiO5. The spin reorientation at TSR = 24 K is well characterized by the temperature-dependent ESR spectra. The magnetization data evidence a field-induced spin-flop transition at 2 K. The frequency-field relationship of the ESR data can be explained by conventional AFM resonance theory with uniaxial anisotropy, in good agreement with magnetization data. Related discussion on zero-field spin gap is presented.
Comprehensive study and design of scaled metal/high-k/Ge gate stacks with ultrathin aluminum oxide interlayers
Authors: Asahara Ryohei , Hideshima Iori , Oka Hiroshi , Minoura Yuya , Ogawa Shingo , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Teraoka Yuden , Hosoi Takuji , Shimura Takayoshi , Watanabe Heiji
Published: June 2015

Advanced metal/high-k/Ge gate stacks with a sub-nm equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and improved interface properties were demonstrated by controlling interface reactions using ultrathin aluminum oxide (AlOx) interlayers. A step-by-step in situ procedure by deposition of AlOx and hafnium oxide (HfOx) layers on Ge and subsequent plasma oxidation was conducted to fabricate Pt/HfO2/AlOx/GeOx/Ge stacked structures. Comprehensive study by means of physical and electrical characterizations revealed distinct impacts of AlOx interlayers, plasma oxidation, and metal electrodes serving as capping layers on EOT scaling, improved interface quality, and thermal stability of the stacks. Aggressive EOT scaling down to 0.56 nm and very low interface state density of 2.4 × 1011 cm−2eV−1 with a sub-nm EOT and sufficient thermal stability were achieved by systematic process optimization.
Negative linear compressibility in common materials
Authors: Miller W. , Evans K. E. , Marmier A.
Published: June 2015

Negative linear compressibility (NLC) is still considered an exotic property, only observed in a few obscure crystals. The vast majority of materials compress axially in all directions when loaded in hydrostatic compression. However, a few materials have been observed which expand in one or two directions under hydrostatic compression. At present, the list of materials demonstrating this unusual behaviour is confined to a small number of relatively rare crystal phases, biological materials, and designed structures, and the lack of widespread availability hinders promising technological applications. Using improved representations of elastic properties, this study revisits existing databases of elastic constants and identifies several crystals missed by previous reviews. More importantly, several common materials—drawn polymers, certain types of paper and wood, and carbon fibre laminates—are found to display NLC. We show that NLC in these materials originates from the misalignment of polymers/fibres. Using a beam model, we propose that maximum NLC is obtained for misalignment of 26°. The existence of such widely available materials increases significantly the prospects for applications of NLC.
The role of N-Si-O bonding configurations in tunable photoluminescence of oxygenated amorphous silicon nitride films
Authors: Zhang Pengzhan , Chen Kunji , Lin Zewen , Dong Hengping , Li Wei , Xu Jun , Huang Xinfan
Published: June 2015

Last year, we have reported that the internal quantum efficiency of photoluminescence (PL) from amorphous silicon oxynitride (a-SiNxOy) films has been achieved as high as 60%. The present work intensively investigated the mechanisms for tunable PL in the 2.05–2.95 eV range from our a-SiNx:O films, by using a combination of optical characterizations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The results of XPS, EPR, and photoluminescence excited measurements indicated that the incorporation of oxygen atoms into silicon nitride (a-SiNx) networks not only reduced the band tail structure disorder (Urbach tail width EU) but also created N-Si-O (Nx) defect states in the band gap. We have discovered the distinctive PL characteristics from a-SiNx:O films with various NH3/SiH4 ratios. The PL peak energy (EPL) is independent of the excitation energy (Eexc) and the PL intensity (IPL) is regardless of the optical band gap (Eopt) but is proportional to the Nx defects concentration, both of which are completely different from the PL characteristics by band tail states recombination mechanism, in which the EPL is proportional to Eexc (when Eexc ≤ Eopt) and the IPL is dependent on the relative position of Eexc and Eopt. Based on the N-Si-O bonding configurations and the distinctive PL characteristics, the radiative recombination mechanism through the N-Si-O defect states has been proposed, by which the performance of stimulated emission may be realized in this kind of a-SiNx:O films.
Atomic friction at exposed and buried graphite step edges: Experiments and simulations
Authors: Ye Zhijiang , Martini Ashlie
Published: June 2015

The surfaces of layered materials such as graphite exhibit step edges that affect friction. Step edges can be exposed, where the step occurs at the outmost layer, or buried, where the step is underneath another layer of material. Here, we study friction at exposed and buried step edges on graphite using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and complementary molecular dynamics simulations of the AFM tip apex. Exposed and buried steps exhibit distinct friction behavior, and the friction on either step is affected by the direction of sliding, i.e., moving up or down the step, and the bluntness of the tip. These trends are analyzing in terms of the trajectory of the AFM tip as it moves over the step, which is a convolution of the topography of the surface and the tip shape.
Magnetostrain and magnetocaloric effect by field-induced reverse martensitic transformation for Pd-doped Ni45Co5Mn37In13 Heusler alloy
Authors: Li Z. , Xu K. , Yang H. M. , Zhang Y. L. , Jing C.
Published: June 2015

In the present work, polycrystalline Ni45Co5−xPdxMn37In13 (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 3) Heusler alloys were prepared. The influences of Pd substitution for Co on crystal structure, martensitic transformation (MT), and magnetic properties have been carefully investigated for these quinary alloys. The structure measurement indicates that every sample possesses L10 martensitic structure at room temperature. With increasing of Pd content, it is found that the MT region shifts towards higher temperature, but the Curie transition region of austenitic state moves to lower temperature. Owing to the fact that the MT gradually approaches Curie point, the magnetization of austenitic phase is significantly decreased, while the one of martensitic phase almost remains unchanged. In addition, the functional properties associated with the field-induced reverse MT have been also studied in Ni45Co5−xPdxMn37In13 (x = 0, 0.5, and 1) alloys. In comparison to quaternary parent alloy, both of enhanced magnetostrain (0.3%) and isothermal entropy change (25 J/kg K) are observed in quinary Ni45Co4.5Pd0.5Mn37In13 alloy under an applied magnetic field up to 3 T. The implication of such results has been discussed in detail.
Transmission potential of
Rickettsia felis
infection by
Anopheles gambiae
mosquitoes
Authors: Dieme Constentin , Bechah Yassina , Socolovschi Cristina , Audoly Gilles , Berenger Jean-Michel , Faye Ousmane , Raoult Didier , Parola Philippe
Published: June 2015

Significance

Rickettsia felis
is a ubiquitous, recently described human pathogen that has been identified as an important cause of unexplained fever in patients in sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemiology of
R. felis
infection, including its potential arthropod vectors, is poorly understood, however. The results of our experimental model of infection suggest that
Anopheles gambiae
mosquitoes, the primary malarial vectors in sub-Saharan Africa, have the potential to be vectors of
R. felis
infection.
Single-molecule analysis reveals widespread structural variation in multiple myeloma
Authors: Gupta Aditya , Place Michael , Goldstein Steven , Sarkar Deepayan , Zhou Shiguo , Potamousis Konstantinos , Kim Jaehyup , Flanagan Claire , Li Yang , Newton Michael A. , Callander Natalie S. , Hematti Peiman , Bresnick Emery H. , Ma Jian , Asimakopoulos Fotis , Schwartz David C.
Published: June 2015

Significance

In the last several years, we have seen significant progress toward personalized cancer genomics and therapy. Although we routinely discern and understand genomic variation at single base pair and chromosomal levels, comprehensive analysis of genome variation, particularly structural variation, remains a challenge. We present an integrated approach using optical mapping—a single-molecule, whole-genome analysis system—and DNA sequencing to comprehensively identify genomic structural variation in sequential samples from a multiple myeloma patient. Through our analysis, we have identified widespread structural variation and an increase in mutational burden with tumor progression. Our findings highlight the need to routinely incorporate structural variation analysis at many length scales to understand cancer genomes more comprehensively.
Calcium activates the light-dependent conductance in melanopsin-expressing photoreceptors of amphioxus
Authors: Peinado Gabriel , Osorno Tomás , Gomez María del Pilar , Nasi Enrico
Published: June 2015

Significance

“Circadian” photoreceptors of the mammalian retina use melanopsin, a photopigment that resembles invertebrate opsins and has widespread phylogenetic distribution, from prechordates to man. Although converging evidence in different species implicates the phospholipase C (PLC) pathway in melanopsin light-signaling, the downstream mechanism that controls the photoconductance has remained elusive. Here, we used melanopsin-expressing photoreceptors of amphioxus, the most basal extant chordate, to provide strong evidence implicating internally released calcium in the activation of the light-sensitive channels. For the first time, to our knowledge, exogenous application of a candidate messenger fully reproduces the effects of photoexcitation in a PLC-utilizing photoreceptor. Because of its unique phylogenetic position, amphioxus can also help shed light on the evolutionary history of diverse lineages of light-sensing cells and their transduction mechanisms.
Relationship of the quaternary structure of human secretory IgA to neutralization of influenza virus
Authors: Suzuki Tadaki , Kawaguchi Akira , Ainai Akira , Tamura Shin-ichi , Ito Ryo , Multihartina Pretty , Setiawaty Vivi , Pangesti Krisna Nur Andriana , Odagiri Takato , Tashiro Masato , Hasegawa Hideki
Published: June 2015

Significance

Preexisting secretory IgA (S-IgA) antibodies can provide immediate immunity via their unique capability to eliminate a pathogen before it passes the mucosal barrier. Several clinical trials have reported that S-IgA against influenza virus was induced by intranasal administration of an inactivated influenza vaccine. S-IgA in mucosa consists predominantly of dimers rather than tetramers, as revealed by ultracentrifugation almost 50 years ago. However, direct evidence concerning the quaternary architectures and the physiological function of polymers larger than dimers has not been reported in healthy humans. The present study revealed, for the first time to our knowledge, the existence of large polymeric IgA in the healthy human upper respiratory mucosa, as well as the physiological functions of these molecules in protecting against viral infection in humans.
Neurons selective to the number of visual items in the corvid songbird endbrain
Authors: Ditz Helen M. , Nieder Andreas
Published: June 2015

Significance

Birds are known for their advanced numerical competence, although a six-layered neocortex that is thought to enable primates with the highest levels of cognition is lacking in birds. We recorded neuronal activity from an endbrain association area termed nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) in crows that discriminated the number of items in displays. NCL neurons were tuned to preferred numerosities. Neuronal discharges were relevant for the crows’ correct performance. Both the neuronal and the behavioral tuning functions were best described on a logarithmic number line, just as predicted by the psychophysical Weber–Fecher Law. Our data suggests that this way of coding numerical information has evolved based on convergent evolution as a superior solution to a common computational problem.
SAR11 lipid renovation in response to phosphate starvation
Authors: Carini Paul , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S. , Thrash J. Cameron , White Angelicque , Zhao Yanlin , Campbell Emily O. , Fredricks Helen F. , Giovannoni Stephen J.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Nonphosphorus lipids produced by heterotrophic bacteria have been measured in marine ecosystems without an understanding of their origins or role. This work shows SAR11 chemoheterotrophic bacteria synthesize multiple nonphosphorus lipids in response to phosphate depletion. Because this process results in a reduced cellular P:C ratio, it impacts our understanding of ocean processes related to cellular elemental stoichiometry by showing how different environmental parameters alter P:C ratios in heterotrophs. Also, SAR11 grown with excess organophosphonate synthesized phosphorus-free lipids. This finding contrasts the contemporary view of organophosphorus utilization because organophosphate-derived phosphorus did not equally substitute for inorganic phosphate in lipids. Considering lipid phosphorus content was lower in cells using organophosphonate, phosphorus-based productivity estimates may vary as a function of phosphorus source.
Protein synthesis during cellular quiescence is inhibited by phosphorylation of a translational elongation factor
Authors: Pereira Sandro F. F. , Gonzalez Ruben L. , Dworkin Jonathan
Published: June 2015

Significance

In nature, cells sense and fine-tune their metabolism in response to nutrient availability. Protein synthesis is one of the most energy-demanding metabolic processes and as such is subject to a tight regulation. A key open question, however, is how the components of the translation machinery, which are among the most abundant cellular proteins, can be regulated quickly and robustly in response to acute nutrient deprivation. We show that starved cells down-regulate protein synthesis by phosphorylation of essential and universally conserved translational GTPase Elongation factor tu (EF-Tu). Importantly, phosphorylated EF-Tu has a dominant-negative effect in elongation, resulting in the overall inhibition of protein synthesis. Thus, this novel regulatory mechanism allows for the quick and efficient regulation of protein synthesis.
Phosphoregulatory protein 14-3-3 facilitates SAC1 transport from the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Bajaj Pahuja Kanika , Wang Jinzhi , Blagoveshchenskaya Anastasia , Lim Lillian , Madhusudhan M. S. , Mayinger Peter , Schekman Randy
Published: June 2015

Significance

Eukaryotes have evolved a multitrack transport process: the secretory pathway to route proteins to different destinations in a cell. Most cargo proteins originate on ribosomes bound to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and exit from the ER in membrane vesicles. The cytosolic coat protein complex II (COPII) coat is responsible for cargo protein sorting and vesicle budding from the ER. For some cargo proteins, additional cytosolic proteins serve to assist the core COPII machinery. One such cargo protein is the Sac1 lipid phosphatase, whose packaging into COPII vesicles depends upon the phosphopeptide binding protein, 14-3-3. Sac1 is essential to regulate cell signaling, division, and transport processes. We suggest that the 14-3-3 protein serves a regulatory role in the packaging of Sac1 into COPII vesicles.
Combined heterozygous loss of Ebf1 and Pax5 allows for T-lineage conversion of B cell progenitors
Authors: Ungerbäck Jonas , Åhsberg Josefine , Strid Tobias , Somasundaram Rajesh , Sigvardsson Mikael
Published: June 2015

To investigate how transcription factor levels impact B-lymphocyte development, we generated mice carrying transheterozygous mutations in the Pax5 and Ebf1 genes. Whereas combined reduction of Pax5 and Ebf1 had minimal impact on the development of the earliest CD19+ progenitors, these cells displayed an increased T cell potential in vivo and in vitro. The alteration in lineage fate depended on a Notch1-mediated conversion process, whereas no signs of de-differentiation could be detected. The differences in functional response to Notch signaling in Wt and Pax5+/−Ebf1+/− pro–B cells were reflected in the transcriptional response. Both genotypes responded by the generation of intracellular Notch1 and activation of a set of target genes, but only the Pax5+/−Ebf1+/− pro–B cells down-regulated genes central for the preservation of stable B cell identity. This report stresses the importance of the levels of transcription factor expression during lymphocyte development, and suggests that Pax5 and Ebf1 collaborate to modulate the transcriptional response to Notch signaling. This provides an insight on how transcription factors like Ebf1 and Pax5 preserve cellular identity during differentiation.
Short- and Long-term Impacts of a Coercion Theory–Based Intervention on Aggression on the School Playground
Authors: Eddy J. Mark , Feldman Betsy J. , Martinez Charles R.
Published: June 2015

Aggression between students at school is a common problem, particularly within the context of the school playground. Key mechanisms in coercion theory, including positive and negative reinforcement for aggression and peer deviancy training, can operate with abandon on school playgrounds without adult supervision, monitoring, and appropriate intervention. The Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT) multimodal preventive intervention, designed to address aggression on the playground, is described. The short-term and intermediate follow-up findings from a randomized controlled trial of LIFT on aggression on the playground as well as other forms of child antisocial behavior are overviewed. Long-term follow-up findings on the relations between playground aggression and antisocial behaviors during mid-adolescence and emerging adulthood are then reported. It is argued that to be effective, coercion theory–based prevention programs like LIFT need to continue across elementary school and into secondary school, rather than be delivered at only one point in time.
Recurrent Drug-Induced Hepatitis in Tuberculosis—Comparison of Two Drug Regimens
Authors: Shamaei Masoud , Mirsaeidi Mehdi , Baghaei Parvaneh , Mosaei Hamed , Marjani Majid , Tabarsi Payam
Published: June 2015

Drug-induced hepatitis (DIH) is one of the major complications among the treatment of patients with tuberculosis (TB); it might even be fatal. This study tries to address the recurrence of DIH with 2 anti-TB regimens. In the retrospective study from 2007 to 2010, 135 TB patients with DIH who were older than 16 years were entered to study. The patients with DIH were randomly treated with a regimen, including isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, plus either ofloxacin or pyrazinamide. The patients were reviewed for occurrence of recurrent DIH. Cure and completed treatment were considered as acceptable treatment outcomes, whereas default of treatment, treatment failure, and death were considered to be unacceptable outcomes. Therefore, 135 subjects with DIH were reviewed, and 23 patients (17%) experienced recurrence of hepatitis (19 cases in the ofloxacin group and 4 cases in the pyrazinamide group). There is no significant difference in recurrence of hepatitis between these 2 groups (P = 0.803). An acceptable outcome was observed in 95 patients (70.4%), and an unacceptable outcome was seen in 14 cases (10.3%). There was no significant difference in outcomes between these 2 regimens (P = 0.400, odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.524–4.98). The results of our study suggest that ofloxacin-based anti-TB regimen does not decrease the risk of recurrent DIH. Therefore, adding ofloxacin in the case of DIH is not recommended.
Arab Spring impact on executive education in Egypt
Authors: Wafa Dina
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the Arab Spring on public administration programs in Egypt, with a special focus on executive education programs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws on stakeholder analysis, and uses both primary and secondary data.

Findings

– The author describes the impact of the Arab Spring on executive education in Egypt and methods of dealing with the crises.

Research limitations/implications

– Egypt is still in a phase of transition, which implies further changes are likely to occur in the current situation, which may be worthy of further study.

Originality/value

– This study provides an overview of the challenges to executive education in Egypt during its transitional period with an overview of the underlying opportunities.
Neighbouring behaviour, ethnic relations and informal control: a multigroup analysis
Authors: Hedayati Massoomeh , Abdullah Aldrin , Maghsoodi Tilaki Mohammad Javad
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of community organisation as part of the systemic model. Based on the systemic model of community crime, it is perceived that community networks are negatively correlated with victimisation. The authors consider an alternative interpretation, suggesting that these conceptual relationships can run opposite to the directions shown in the systemic model. The crime rate itself may change residents’ perception of neighbouring behaviour and informal control.

Design/methodology/approach

– This hypothesis is tested using a multigroup analysis of the community organisation across a sample of victims and non-victims in a Malaysian neighbourhood.

Findings

– The authors find that property crime affects ethnic relations among the residents, where the non-victims perceived higher levels of ethnic relationships compared with the victims. The results show that configural and metric invariance are fully supported, while scalar and structural invariance were partially supported, suggesting that the items measured may be robust across cultures and that the factor loadings appeared to be equivalent across victims and non-victims. Non-victims perceived significantly higher informal control and closer ethnic relations than victims.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a new direction of the systemic model, whereby victimisation could affect residents’ size of friendship networks and perception informal control.