bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Level Bending of Organic‐Inorganic Halide Perovskite by Interfacial Dipole
Authors: Liu De Bei , Wang Gang , Niu Lian Bin , Chen Li Jia , Liu Ding Yu , Rao Xi , Elsemanand Ahmed Mourtada , Song Qun Liang
Published: April 2019

Cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3) is a widely used interfacial modification material in organic solar cells (OSCs), organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) and so on, which can: 1) lower the work function of metal electrode; 2) induce n‐doping effect; and 3) alter the energy level of semiconductor materials under the action of dipole. Cs2CO3 is selected in this study to modify the interface of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and therefore improves the device performance. Further studies indicate that this performance improvement is due to the diffusion of Cs2CO3 through [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to form dipoles with perovskite to bend its energy level, resulting in an increased electron collection efficiency. This proposed mechanism for the interfacial modification of PSCs by bending the perovskite energy level through interfacial dipoles deepens the understanding of the role of interfacial layer.
Detecting outbreaks in temporally dependent networks
Authors: Hazrati‐Marangaloo Hossein , Noorossana Rassoul
Published: April 2019

Dynamic networks require effective methods of monitoring and surveillance in order to respond promptly to unusual disturbances. In many applications, it is of interest to identify anomalous behavior within a dynamic interacting system. Such anomalous interactions are reflected by structural changes in the network representation of the system. In this paper, a dynamic random graph model is proposed that takes into account the past activities of the individuals in the social network and also represents temporal dependency of the network. The model parameters are appearance and disappearance probabilities of an edge which are estimated using a maximum likelihood approach. A generalization of a single path‐dependent likelihood ratio test is employed to detect changes in the parameters of the proposed model. Through monitoring the estimated parameters, one can effectively detect structural changes in a temporal‐dependent network. The proposed model is employed to describe the behavior of a real network, and its parameters are monitored via dependent likelihood ratio test and multivariate exponentially weighted moving average control chart. Results indicate that the proposed dynamic random graph model is a reliable mean to modeling and detecting changes in temporally dependent networks.
Hierarchy Leadership and Social Distance in Charitable Giving
Authors: Zhang Jipeng , Xie Huan
Published: April 2019

This article investigates the effect of hierarchy leadership and social distance on prosocial behavior in a field experimental setting of sequential charitable giving conducted in an organization. The treatments vary in whether the leading (first) donor's identity is revealed to the following donors as a hierarchy leader, a peer, or a stranger. The followers' giving in the Leader and Peer treatments responds positively to the leader's giving, but no significant response is found in the Stranger treatment. However, on average, the followers in the Leader treatment give less than those in both the Peer and Stranger treatments. This is due to a negative effect on the followers' giving when the leaders contribute a small amount in the Leader treatment.
Invisible neutrino decays at the MOMENT experiment
Authors: Tang Jian , Wang Tse-Chun , Zhang Yibing
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We investigate invisible decays of the third neutrino mass eigenstate in future accelerator neutrino experiments using muon-decay beams such as MuOn-decay MEdium baseline NeuTrino beam experiment (MOMENT). MOMENT has outstanding potential to measure the deficit or excess in the spectra caused by neutrino decays, especially in ν

μ
and

$$ {\overline{\nu}}_{\mu } $$

ν
¯

μ

disappearance channels. Such an experiment will improve the constraints of the neutrino lifetime τ
3. Compared with exclusion limits in the current accelerator neutrino experiments T2K and NOvA under the stable ν assumption, we expect that MOMENT gives the bound of τ
3
/m
3 ≥ 10−11 s/eV at 3σ, which is better than their recent limits: τ
3
/m
3 ≥ 7 × 10−13 s/eV in NOvA and τ
3
/m
3 ≥ 1.41 × 10−12 s/eV in T2K. The non-decay scenario is expected to be excluded by MOMENT at a confidence level > 3σ, if the best fit results in T2K and NOvA are confirmed. We further find that reducing systematic uncertainties is more important than the running time. Finally, we find some impact of τ
3
/m
3 on the precision measurement of other oscillation parameters.
LHC searches for Dark Matter in compressed mass scenarios: challenges in the forward proton mode
Authors: Harland-Lang L. A. , Khoze V. A. , Ryskin M. G. , Tasevsky M.
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We analyze in detail the LHC prospects at the center-of-mass enery of

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 14 TeV for charged electroweakino searches, decaying to leptons, in compressed supersymmetry scenarios, via exclusive photon-initiated pair production. This provides a potentially increased sensitivity in comparison to inclusive channels, where the background is often overwhelming. We pay particular attention to the challenges that such searches would face in the hostile high pile-up environment of the LHC, giving close consideration to the backgrounds that will be present. The signal we focus on is the exclusive production of same-flavour muon and electron pairs, with missing energy in the final state, and with two outgoing intact protons registered by the dedicated forward proton detectors installed in association with ATLAS and CMS. We present results for slepton masses of 120–300 GeV and slepton-neutralino mass splitting of 10–20 GeV, and find that the relevant backgrounds can be controlled to the level of the expected signal yields. The most significant such backgrounds are due to semi-exclusive lepton pair production at lower masses, with a proton produced in the initial proton dissociation system registering in the forward detectors, and from the coincidence of forward protons produced in pile-up events with an inclusive central event that mimics the signal. We also outline a range of potential methods to further suppress these backgrounds as well as to enlarge the signal yields.
Modern wheat semi-dwarfs root deep on demand: response of rooting depth to drought in a set of Swiss era wheats covering 100 years of breeding
Authors: Friedli Cordula N. , Abiven Samuel , Fossati Dario , Hund Andreas
Published: April 2019

Breeding for enhanced rooting depth and root biomass in deeper soil layers is a promising strategy to adapt wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants to drought periods. We evaluated (1) the extent of indirect selection of root traits during the last century of wheat breeding and (2) how it affected the variety performance under well-watered conditions compared to gradually developing drought stress. Fourteen bread wheat genotypes covering 100 years of Swiss wheat breeding were grown in 1.6 m tall columns in the greenhouse under well-watered and drought conditions. Root parameters, such as rooting depth and root biomass and above ground parameters were determined at flowering and maturity. Rooting depth showed a negative trend in response to year of release under well-watered conditions but not under early water stress. Modern varieties responded with enhanced root allocation to deeper soil layers. Consequently, rooting depth was positively correlated with plant height at well-watered conditions but not under early water stress. Considerable genetic variation for rooting depth among modern varieties indicates that the trait is selectable without strong alteration of plant height. We conclude that modern varieties adjusted rooting depth to water demand.
Boltzmann collision operator for the infinite range potential: A limit problem
Authors: Jiang Jin-Cheng , Liu Tai-Ping
Published: April 2019

The conventional Boltzmann collision operator for the infinite range inverse power law model was derived by Maxwell by adopting a collision kernel which is a limit of that for the finite range model by ignoring the glancing angles. Since the interpretation of collision operator for the infinite range potential through limit process to the one with finite range potential is natural in regard to the derivation of the Boltzmann equation. It is the purpose of this paper to clarify the physical meaning of the conventional collision operator for the infinite range inverse power law model through the study of the limiting process of the collision operator as the cutoff radius tends to infinity. We first estimate the extent in which the glancing angles can be ignored in the limiting process. Furthermore we prove that taking limit to collision operator with finite range potential directly will lead to the conventional one with algebraic convergence rate.
Victory is its own reward: oxytocin increases costly competitive behavior in schizophrenia
Authors: Bradley Ellen R. , Brustkern Johanna , De Coster Lize , van den Bos Wouter , McClure Samuel M. , Seitz Alison , Woolley Joshua D.
Published: April 2019

Background

Aberrant sensitivity to social reward may be an important contributor to abnormal social behavior that is a core feature of schizophrenia. The neuropeptide oxytocin impacts the salience of social information across species, but its effect on social reward in schizophrenia is unknown.

Methods

We used a competitive economic game and computational modeling to examine behavioral dynamics and oxytocin effects on sensitivity to social reward among 39 men with schizophrenia and 54 matched healthy controls. In a randomized, double-blind study, participants received one dose of oxytocin (40 IU) or placebo and completed a 35-trial Auction Game that quantifies preferences for monetaryv.social reward. We analyzed bidding behavior using multilevel linear mixed models and reinforcement learning models.

Results

Bidding was motivated by preferences for both monetary and social reward in both groups, but bidding dynamics differed: patients initially overbid less compared to controls, and across trials, controls decreased their bids while patients did not. Oxytocin administration was associated with sustained overbidding across trials, particularly in patients. This drug effect was driven by a stronger preference for winning the auction, regardless of monetary consequences. Learning rate and response variability did not differ between groups or drug condition, suggesting that differences in bidding derive primarily from differences in the subjective value of social rewards.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that schizophrenia is associated with diminished motivation for social reward that may be increased by oxytocin administration.
The Dunn Worry Questionnaire and the Paranoia Worries Questionnaire: new assessments of worry
Authors: Freeman Daniel , Bird Jessica C. , Loe Bao S. , Kingdon David , Startup Helen , Clark David M. , Ehlers Anke , Černis Emma , Wingham Gail , Evans Nicole , Lister Rachel , Pugh Katherine , Cordwell Jacinta , Dunn Graham
Published: April 2019

Background

The cognitive process of worry, which keeps negative thoughts in mind and elaborates the content, contributes to the occurrence of many mental health disorders. Our principal aim was to develop a straightforward measure of general problematic worry suitable for research and clinical treatment. Our secondary aim was to develop a measure of problematic worry specifically concerning paranoid fears.

Methods

An item pool concerning worry in the past month was evaluated in 250 non-clinical individuals and 50 patients with psychosis in a worry treatment trial. Exploratory factor analysis and item response theory (IRT) informed the selection of scale items. IRT analyses were repeated with the scales administered to 273 non-clinical individuals, 79 patients with psychosis and 93 patients with social anxiety disorder. Other clinical measures were administered to assess concurrent validity. Test-retest reliability was assessed with 75 participants. Sensitivity to change was assessed with 43 patients with psychosis.

Results

A 10-item general worry scale (Dunn Worry Questionnaire; DWQ) and a five-item paranoia worry scale (Paranoia Worries Questionnaire; PWQ) were developed. All items were highly discriminative (DWQ a = 1.98–5.03; PWQ a = 4.10–10.7), indicating small increases in latent worry lead to a high probability of item endorsement. The DWQ was highly informative across a wide range of the worry distribution, whilst the PWQ had greatest precision at clinical levels of paranoia worry. The scales demonstrated excellent internal reliability, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and sensitivity to change.

Conclusions

The new measures of general problematic worry and worry about paranoid fears have excellent psychometric properties.
STOCHASTIC SETUP-COST INVENTORY MODEL WITH BACKORDERS AND QUASICONVEX COST FUNCTIONS
Authors: Feinberg Eugene A. , Liang Yan
Published: April 2019

This paper studies a periodic-review single-commodity setup-cost inventory model with backorders and holding/backlog costs satisfying quasiconvexity assumptions. We show that the Markov decision process for this inventory model satisfies the assumptions that lead to the validity of optimality equations for discounted and average-cost problems and to the existence of optimal (s,S) policies. In particular, we prove the equicontinuity of the family of discounted value functions and the convergence of optimal discounted lower thresholds to the optimal average-cost lower threshold for some sequence of discount factors converging to 1. If an arbitrary nonnegative amount of inventory can be ordered, we establish stronger convergence properties: (i) the optimal discounted lower thresholds converge to optimal average-cost lower threshold; and (ii) the discounted relative value functions converge to average-cost relative value function. These convergence results previously were known only for subsequences of discount factors even for problems with convex holding/backlog costs. The results of this paper also hold for problems with fixed lead times.
Perfluorocarbon regulates the intratumoural environment to enhance hypoxia-based agent efficacy
Authors: Wang Wenguang , Cheng Yuhao , Yu Peng , Wang Haoran , Zhang Yue , Xu Haiheng , Ye Qingsong , Yuan Ahu , Hu Yiqiao , Wu Jinhui
Published: April 2019

Hypoxia-based agents (HBAs), such as anaerobic bacteria and bioreductive prodrugs, require both a permeable and hypoxic intratumoural environment to be fully effective. To solve this problem, herein, we report that perfluorocarbon nanoparticles (PNPs) can be used to create a long-lasting, penetrable and hypoxic tumour microenvironment for ensuring both the delivery and activation of subsequently administered HBAs. In addition to the increased permeability and enhanced hypoxia caused by the PNPs, the PNPs can be retained to further achieve the long-term inhibition of intratumoural O2reperfusion while enhancing HBA accumulation for over 24 h. Therefore, perfluorocarbon materials may have great potential for reigniting clinical research on hypoxia-based drugs.
Reversible induction of mitophagy by an optogenetic bimodular system
Authors: D’Acunzo Pasquale , Strappazzon Flavie , Caruana Ignazio , Meneghetti Giacomo , Di Rita Anthea , Simula Luca , Weber Gerrit , Del Bufalo Francesca , Dalla Valle Luisa , Campello Silvia , Locatelli Franco , Cecconi Francesco
Published: April 2019

Autophagy-mediated degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) is a key process in cellular quality control. Although mitophagy impairment is involved in several patho-physiological conditions, valuable methods to induce mitophagy with low toxicity in vivo are still lacking. Herein, we describe a new optogenetic tool to stimulate mitophagy, based on light-dependent recruitment of pro-autophagy protein AMBRA1 to mitochondrial surface. Upon illumination, AMBRA1-RFP-sspB is efficiently relocated from the cytosol to mitochondria, where it reversibly mediates mito-aggresome formation and reduction of mitochondrial mass. Finally, as a proof of concept of the biomedical relevance of this method, we induced mitophagy in an in vitro model of neurotoxicity, fully preventing cell death, as well as in human T lymphocytes and in zebrafish in vivo. Given the unique features of this tool, we think it may turn out to be very useful for a wide range of both therapeutic and research applications.
Enhanced β-adrenergic signalling underlies an age-dependent beneficial metabolic effect of PI3K p110α inactivation in adipose tissue
Authors: Araiz Caroline , Yan Anqi , Bettedi Lucia , Samuelson Isabella , Virtue Sam , McGavigan Anne K. , Dani Christian , Vidal-Puig Antonio , Foukas Lazaros C.
Published: April 2019

The insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway is a key regulator of metabolism and the rate of ageing. We previously documented that systemic inactivation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p110α, the principal PI3K isoform that positively regulates insulin signalling, results in a beneficial metabolic effect in aged mice. Here we demonstrate that deletion of p110α specifically in the adipose tissue leads to less fat accumulation over a significant part of adult life and allows the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance despite insulin resistance. This effect of p110α inactivation is due to a potentiating effect on β-adrenergic signalling, which leads to increased catecholamine-induced energy expenditure in the adipose tissue. Our findings provide a paradigm of how partial inactivation of an essential component of the insulin signalling pathway can have an overall beneficial metabolic effect and suggest that PI3K inhibition could potentiate the effect of β-adrenergic agonists in the treatment of obesity and its associated comorbidities.
Lower synaptic density is associated with depression severity and network alterations
Authors: Holmes Sophie E. , Scheinost Dustin , Finnema Sjoerd J. , Naganawa Mika , Davis Margaret T. , DellaGioia Nicole , Nabulsi Nabeel , Matuskey David , Angarita Gustavo A. , Pietrzak Robert H. , Duman Ronald S. , Sanacora Gerard , Krystal John H. , Carson Richard E. , Esterlis Irina
Published: April 2019

Synaptic loss and deficits in functional connectivity are hypothesized to contribute to symptoms associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) can be used to index the number of nerve terminals, an indirect estimate of synaptic density. Here, we used positron emission tomography (PET) with the SV2A radioligand [11C]UCB-J to examine synaptic density in n = 26 unmedicated individuals with MDD, PTSD, or comorbid MDD/PTSD. The severity of depressive symptoms was inversely correlated with SV2A density, and individuals with high levels of depression showing lower SV2A density compared to healthy controls (n = 21). SV2A density was also associated with aberrant network function, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functional connectivity. This is the first in vivo evidence linking lower synaptic density to network alterations and symptoms of depression. Our findings provide further incentive to evaluate interventions that restore synaptic connections to treat depression.
Ultra-high resolution imaging of thin films and single strands of polythiophene using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Korolkov Vladimir V. , Summerfield Alex , Murphy Alanna , Amabilino David B. , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Beton Peter H.
Published: April 2019

Real-space images of polymers with sub-molecular resolution could provide valuable insights into the relationship between morphology and functionality of polymer optoelectronic devices, but their acquisition is problematic due to perceived limitations in atomic force microscopy (AFM). We show that individual thiophene units and the lattice of semicrystalline spin-coated films of polythiophenes (PTs) may be resolved using AFM under ambient conditions through the low-amplitude (≤ 1 nm) excitation of higher eigenmodes of a cantilever. PT strands are adsorbed on hexagonal boron nitride near-parallel to the surface in islands with lateral dimensions ~10 nm. On the surface of a spin-coated PT thin film, in which the thiophene groups are perpendicular to the interface, we resolve terminal CH3-groups in a square arrangement with a lattice constant 0.55 nm from which we can identify abrupt boundaries and also regions with more slowly varying disorder, which allow comparison with proposed models of PT domains.
Strong vibrational coupling in room temperature plasmonic resonators
Authors: Wang Junzhong , Yu Kuai , Yang Yang , Hartland Gregory V. , Sader John E. , Wang Guo Ping
Published: April 2019

Strong vibrational coupling has been realized in a variety of mechanical systems. However, there have been no experimental observations of strong coupling of the acoustic modes of plasmonic nanostructures, due to rapid energy dissipation in these systems. Here we realized strong vibrational coupling in ultra-high frequency plasmonic nanoresonators by increasing the vibrational quality factors by an order of magnitude. We achieved the highest frequency quality factor products of f × Q = 1.0 × 1013 Hz for the fundamental mechanical modes, which exceeds the value of 0.6 × 1013 Hz required for ground state cooling. Avoided crossing was observed between vibrational modes of two plasmonic nanoresonators with a coupling rate of g = 7.5 ± 1.2 GHz, an order of magnitude larger than the dissipation rates. The intermodal strong coupling was consistent with theoretical calculations using a coupled oscillator model. Our results enabled a platform for future observation and control of the quantum behavior of phonon modes in metallic nanoparticles.
Author Correction: Molecular mechanism for the control of virulent Toxoplasma gondii infections in wild-derived mice
Authors: Murillo-León Mateo , Müller Urs B. , Zimmermann Ines , Singh Shishir , Widdershoven Pia , Campos Claudia , Alvarez Catalina , Könen-Waisman Stephanie , Lukes Nahleen , Ruzsics Zsolt , Howard Jonathan C. , Schwemmle Martin , Steinfeldt Tobias
Published: April 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in the Acknowledgements, which incorrectly omitted the following: ‘C.C., C.A., and J.C.H. were supported by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian through a grant from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência and by the research infrastructure Congento, project LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-022170, co-financed by Lisboa Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal).’ This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Glucocorticoid-resistant B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia displays receptor tyrosine kinase activation
Authors: Chougule Rohit A. , Shah Kinjal , Moharram Sausan A. , Vallon-Christersson Johan , Kazi Julhash U.
Published: April 2019

The response of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to dexamethasone predicts the long-term remission outcome. To explore the mechanisms of dexamethasone resistance in B cell ALL (B-ALL), we generated dexamethasone-resistant clones by prolonged treatment with dexamethasone. Using RNA-sequencing and high-throughput screening, we found that dexamethasone-resistant cells are dependent on receptor tyrosine kinases. Further analysis with phosphokinase arrays showed that the type III receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 is constitutively active in resistant cells. Targeted next-generation and Sanger sequencing identified an internal tandem duplication mutation and a point mutation (R845G) in FLT3 in dexamethasone-resistant cells, which were not present in the corresponding sensitive clones. Finally, we showed that resistant cells displayed sensitivity to second-generation FLT3 inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our data suggest that long-term dexamethasone treatment selects cells with a distinct genetic background, in this case oncogenic FLT3, and therefore therapies targeting FLT3 might be useful for the treatment of relapsed B-ALL patients.
Dynamics of Broadband Lasing Cascade from a Single Dot-in-well InGaAs Microdisk
Authors: Talalaev Vadim , Kryzhanovskaya Natalia , Tomm Jens W. , Rutckaia Viktoriia , Schilling Joerg , Zhukov Alexey
Published: April 2019

The development of a fast semiconductor laser is required for the realization of next-generation telecommunication applications. Since lasers operating on quantum dot ground state transitions exhibit only limited gain due to the saturation effect, we investigate lasing from excited states and compare its corresponding static and dynamic behavior to the one from the ground state. InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown in dot-in-well (DWELL) structures allowed to obtain light emission from ground and three excited states in a spectral range of 1.0–1.3 μm. This emission was coupled to whispering gallery modes (WGMs) of a 6 μm microdisk resonator and studied at room temperature by steady-state and time-resolved micro-photoluminescence. We demonstrate a cascade development of lasing arising from the ladder of quantum dot states, and compare the lasing behavior of ground and excited state emission. While the lasing threshold is being increased from the ground state to the highest excited state, the dynamic behavior is improved: turn-on times and lifetimes of WGMs become shorter paving the way towards high frequency direct driven microlasers.
Wave attenuation and trapping in 3D printed cantilever-in-mass metamaterials with spatially correlated variability
Authors: Beli Danilo , Fabro Adriano T. , Ruzzene Massimo , Arruda José Roberto F.
Published: April 2019

Additive manufacturing has become a fundamental tool to fabricate and experimentally investigate mechanical metamaterials and phononic crystals. However, this manufacturing process produces spatially correlated variability that breaks the translational periodicity, which might compromise the wave propagation performance of metamaterials. We demonstrate that the vibration attenuation profile is strictly related to the spatial profile of the variability, and that there exists an optimal disorder degree below which the attenuation bandwidth widens; for high disorder levels, the band gap mistuning annihilates the overall attenuation. The variability also induces a spatially variant locally resonant band gap that progressively slow down the group velocity until an almost zero value, giving rise to wave trapping effect near the lower band gap boundary. Inspired by this wave trapping phenomenon, a rainbow metamaterial with linear spatial-frequency trapping is also proposed, which have potential applications in energy harvesting, spatial wave filtering and non-destructive evaluation at low frequency. This report provides a deeper understanding of the differences between numerical simulations using nominal designed properties and experimental analysis of metamaterials constructed in 3D printing. These analysis and results may extend to phononic crystals and other periodic systems to investigate their wave and dynamic performance as well as robustness under variability.
Direct observation of single organic molecules grafted on the surface of a silicon nanowire
Authors: Puglisi Rosaria A. , Caccamo Sebastiano , Bongiorno Corrado , Fisicaro Giuseppe , Genovese Luigi , Goedecker Stefan , Mannino Giovanni , La Magna Antonino
Published: April 2019

Silicon nanowires inspire since decades a great interest for their fundamental scientific importance and their potential in new technologies. When decorated with organic molecules they form hybrid composites with applications in various fields, from sensors to life science. Specifically the diethyl 1-propylphosphonate/Si combination is considered as a promising alternative to the conventional semiconductor n-type doping methods, thanks to its solution-based processing, which is damage-free and intrinsically conformal. For these characteristics, it is a valid doping process for patterned materials and nanostructures such as the nanowires. Our joined experimental and theoretical study provides insights at atomistic level on the molecular activation, grafting and self-assembling mechanisms during the deposition process. For the first time to the best of our knowledge, by using scanning transmission electron microscopy the direct visualization of the single molecules arranged over the Si nanowire surface is reported. The results demonstrate that the molecules undergo to a sequential decomposition and self-assembling mechanism, finally forming a chemical bond with the silicon atoms. The ability to prepare well-defined molecule decorated Si nanowires opens up new opportunities for fundamental studies and nanodevice applications in diverse fields like physics, chemistry, engineering and life sciences.
Investigation of the diagonal elements of the Wigner’s reaction matrix for networks with violated time reversal invariance
Authors: Ławniczak Michał , Sirko Leszek
Published: April 2019

The distributions of the diagonal elements of the Wigner’s reaction $$\hat{K}$$

K
ˆ

matrix for open systems with violated time reversal T invariance in the case of large absorption are for the first time experimentally studied. The Wigner’s reaction matrix links the properties of chaotic systems with the scattering processes in the asymptotic region. Microwave networks consisting of microwave circulators were used in the experiment to simulate quantum graphs with violated T invariance. The distributions of the diagonal elements of the reaction $$\hat{K}$$

K
ˆ

matrix were experimentally evaluated by measuring of the two-port scattering matrix $$\hat{S}$$

S
ˆ

. The violation of T invariance in the networks with large absorption was demonstrated by calculating the enhancement factor W of the matrix $$\hat{S}$$

S
ˆ

. Our experimental results are in very good agreement with the analytic ones attained for the Gaussian unitary ensemble in the random matrix theory. The obtained results suggest that the distributions P(ʋ) and P(u) of the imaginary and the real parts of the diagonal elements of the Wigner’s reaction $$\hat{K}$$

K
ˆ

matrix together with the enhancement factor W can be used as a powerful tool for identification of systems with violated T symmetry and quantification of their absorption.
Alterations of protein expression of phospholamban, ZASP and plakoglobin in human atria in subgroups of seniors
Authors: Gergs Ulrich , Mangold Winnie , Langguth Frank , Hatzfeld Mechthild , Hauptmann Steffen , Bushnaq Hasan , Simm Andreas , Silber Rolf-Edgar , Neumann Joachim
Published: April 2019

The mature mammalian myocardium contains composite junctions (areae compositae) that comprise proteins of adherens junctions as well as desmosomes. Mutations or deficiency of many of these proteins are linked to heart failure and/or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in patients. We firstly wanted to address the question whether the expression of these proteins shows an age-dependent alteration in the atrium of the human heart. Right atrial biopsies, obtained from patients undergoing routine bypass surgery for coronary heart disease were subjected to immunohistology and/or western blotting for the plaque proteins plakoglobin (γ-catenin) and plakophilin 2. Moreover, the Z-band protein cypher 1 (Cypher/ZASP) and calcium handling proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) like phospholamban, SERCA and calsequestrin were analyzed. We noted expression of plakoglobin, plakophilin 2 and Cypher/ZASP in these atrial preparations on western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry. There was an increase of Cypher/ZASP expression with age. The present data extend our knowledge on the expression of anchoring proteins and SR regulatory proteins in the atrium of the human heart and indicate an age-dependent variation in protein expression. It is tempting to speculate that increased expression of Cypher/ZASP may contribute to mechanical changes in the aging human myocardium.
Global variation of soil microbial carbon-use efficiency in relation to growth temperature and substrate supply
Authors: Qiao Yang , Wang Jing , Liang Guopeng , Du Zhenggang , Zhou Jian , Zhu Chen , Huang Kun , Zhou Xuhui , Luo Yiqi , Yan Liming , Xia Jianyang
Published: April 2019

Soil microbial carbon-use efficiency (CUE), which is defined as the ratio of growth over C uptake, is commonly assumed as a constant or estimated by a temperature-dependent function in current microbial-explicit soil carbon (C) models. The temperature-dependent function (i.e., CUE = CUE0 + m × (T − 20)) simulates the dynamic CUE based on the specific CUE at a given reference temperature (i.e., CUE0) and a temperature response coefficient (i.e., m). Here, based on 780 observations from 98 sites, we showed a divergent spatial distribution of the soil microbial CUE (0.5 ± 0.25; mean ± SD) at the global scale. Then, the key parameters CUE0 and m in the above equation were estimated as 0.475 and −0.016, respectively, based on the observations with the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. We also found a strong dependence of microbial CUE on the type of C substrate. The multiple regression analysis showed that glucose influences the variation of measured CUE associated with the environmental factors. Overall, this study confirms the global divergence of soil microbial CUE and calls for the incorporation of C substrate beside temperature in estimating the microbial CUE in different biomes.
Incomplete cell disruption of resistant microbes
Authors: Starke Robert , Jehmlich Nico , Alfaro Trinidad , Dohnalkova Alice , Capek Petr , Bell Sheryl L. , Hofmockel Kirsten S.
Published: April 2019

Biomolecules for OMIC analysis of microbial communities are commonly extracted by bead-beating or ultra-sonication, but both showed varying yields. In addition to that, different disruption pressures are necessary to lyse bacteria and fungi. However, the disruption efficiency and yields comparing bead-beating and ultra-sonication of different biological material have not yet been demonstrated. Here, we show that ultra-sonication in a bath transfers three times more energy than bead-beating over 10 min. TEM imaging revealed intact gram-positive bacterial and fungal cells whereas the gram-negative bacterial cells were destroyed beyond recognition after 10 min of ultra-sonication. DNA extraction using 10 min of bead-beating revealed higher yields for fungi but the extraction efficiency was at least three-fold lower considering its larger genome. By our critical viewpoint, we encourage the review of the commonly used extraction techniques as we provide evidence for a potential underrepresentation of resistant microbes, particularly fungi, in ecological studies.
Verbal Abuse Related to Self-Esteem Damage and Unjust Blame Harms Mental Health and Social Interaction in College Population
Authors: Yun Je-Yeon , Shim Geumsook , Jeong Bumseok
Published: April 2019

Verbal abuse is an emotional abuse intended to inflict intense humiliation-denigration-fear as perceived by exposed person. Network-based approaches have been applied to explore the integrative-segregated patterns of associations among the psychological features and external stimuli for diverse populations; few studies reported for verbal abuse effects in college population. Self-reporting measurements acquired form 5,616 college students were used for network analyses. Escalating cascades of verbal abuse from differential sources (parents, peers, or supervisors; network 1) and directed associations among verbal abuse severity-psychopathology-social interaction (network 2) were estimated using the directed acyclic graphs. Principal connectors of verbal abuse–psychopathology–social interaction were shown using the graph theory metrics calculated from the intra-individual covariance networks (network 3). Directed propagating patterns of verbal abuse phenomena differed by source (network 1). Severe peer-related verbal abuse affected psychomotor changes and influenced irritability (network 2). Verbal abuse of self-esteem damage and unjust blame served as connectors in the verbal abuse-psychopathology-social interaction; influence of smartphone overuse-related distress was stronger in cases with more severe verbal abuse (network 3). Verbal abuse that damages self-esteem and conveys unjust blame harms mental health and social interaction for college population.
Selective biocatalytic hydroxylation of unactivated methylene C–H bonds in cyclic alkyl substrates
Authors: Sarkar Md Raihan , Dasgupta Samrat , Pyke Simon M. , Bell Stephen G.
Published: April 2019

The monooxygenase, CYP101B1, selectively hydroxylates undistinct methylene C–H bonds in medium to large cycloalkyl rings and can generate oxabicycloundecanol derivatives.
Enhancement of the band edge emission of CdSe nano-tetrapods by suppression of surface trapping
Authors: Banerjee Sucheta , Maddala Bala Gopal , Ali Fariyad , Datta Anindya
Published: April 2019

Preparation of CdSe nano-tetrapods in a controlled environment to eliminate radiative surface state emission.
Visualizing the coordination-spheres of photoexcited transition metal complexes with ultrafast hard X-rays
Authors: Khakhulin D. , Lawson Daku L. M. , Leshchev D. , Newby G. E. , Jarenmark M. , Bressler C. , Wulff M. , Canton S. E.
Published: April 2019

The concept of coordination sphere (CS) is central to the rational development of hierarchical molecular assemblies in modern chemistry.
A new class of prophylactic metallo-antibiotic possessing potent anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties
Authors: Ude Ziga , Kavanagh Kevin , Twamley Brendan , Pour Milan , Gathergood Nicholas , Kellett Andrew , Marmion Celine J.
Published: April 2019

A family of metallo-antibiotics of general formula [Cu(N,N)(CipA)Cl] where N,N is a phenanthrene ligand and CipA is a derivative of the clinically used fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin – targeting immunocompromised cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Synthesis and crystal structures of novel tertiary butyl substituted (pseudo-)halogen bismuthanes
Authors: Ritter Christian , Ringler Benjamin , Dankert Fabian , Conrad Matthias , Kraus Florian , von Hänisch Carsten
Published: April 2019

The di-tertiary butyl substituted (pseudo-)halogen bismuthanes tBu2BiX (X = Cl, Br, I, CN, N3, SCN) were obtained by different synthetic strategies. They show secondary bonding interactions in the solid state and can be used for the synthesis of ternary group 15 element compounds.
Evaluation of the chemo- and shape-selective association of a bowl-type dodecavanadate cage with an electron-rich group
Authors: Kikukawa Yuji , Kitajima Hiromasa , Hayashi Yoshihito
Published: April 2019

The affinity between a guest molecule and a dodecavanadate host molecule was evaluated via monitoring the structural transformation caused by the presence of a guest molecule.
Mercapto-benzothiazolyl based ruthenium(ii) borate complexes: synthesis and reactivity towards various phosphines
Authors: Zafar Mohammad , Rongala Ramalakshmi , Pradhan Alaka Nanda , Pathak Kriti , Roisnel Thierry , Halet Jean-François , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: April 2019

Ruthenium complexes featuring phosphinate and dual Ru⋯H–B interactions between Ru and B–H bonds of borate ligands supported by mercapto-benzothiazolyl heterocycles have been synthesized.
A [C1 + C2] route to propargylidyne complexes
Authors: Hill Anthony F. , Manzano Richard A.
Published: April 2019

The reactions of [W(CBr)(CO)2(Tp*)] with a range of terminal alkynes (RCCH), mediated by [Pd(PPh3)4] and CuI, afford new propargylidynes [W(C–CCR)(CO)2(Tp*)] [R = tBu, C6H4X (X = H, NH2, NO2), APh3 (A = C, Si, Ge), B(O2CCH2)2NMe].
Transforming technical lignins to structurally defined star-copolymers under ambient conditions
Authors: Olsén Peter , Jawerth Marcus , Lawoko Martin , Johansson Mats , Berglund Lars A.
Published: April 2019

Combining fractionation with organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization towards structurally defined lignin copolymers.
Nanomaterials with a photothermal effect for antibacterial activities: an overview
Authors: Xu Jing-Wei , Yao Ke , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: April 2019

Nanomaterials and photothermal conversion nanotechnologies have been expected to provide innovative platforms for addressing antibacterial challenges, with potential to even deal with bacterial infections involving drug-resistance.
Gold nanorods as a high-pressure sensor of phase transitions and refractive-index gauge
Authors: Runowski Marcin , Sobczak Szymon , Marciniak Jędrzej , Bukalska Ida , Lis Stefan , Katrusiak Andrzej
Published: April 2019

SPR vis-NIR spectroscopy of Au nanorods conveniently detects phase transitions and measures the refractive index under high pressure.
White-emitting phosphors with high color-rendering index based on silver cluster-loaded zeolites and their application to near-UV LED-based white LEDs
Authors: Yao Decui , Xu Shu , Wang Yige , Li Huanrong
Published: April 2019

Based on silver cluster-loaded zeolites, a novel white-emitting phosphor with high color-rendering index was achieved and applied to near-UV LED-based white LEDs.
Mapping outcomes of liquid marble collisions
Authors: Draper Thomas C. , Fullarton Claire , Mayne Richard , Phillips Neil , Canciani Giacomo E. , de Lacy Costello Ben P. J. , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: April 2019

Collision outcomes between one stationary and another rolling liquid marble can be controlled using Weber number (We*) and offset ratio.
A facile approach to constructing Pd@PCN–Se nano-composite catalysts for selective alcohol oxidation reactions
Authors: Cao Kuanhong , Deng Xin , Chen Tian , Zhang Qitao , Yu Lei
Published: April 2019

By using Se as structure-directing agent, the surface area and total mesoporous volume of polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) could be obviously enhanced. The PCN-Se material was a better support for Pd nanoparticles, which could catalyze the alcohol oxidation reaction with broad substrate scope.
Biomass polymer-assisted fabrication of aerogels from MXenes with ultrahigh compression elasticity and pressure sensitivity
Authors: Hu Yijie , Zhuo Hao , Luo Qingsong , Wu Yaxiao , Wen Rui , Chen Zehong , Liu Linxiang , Zhong Linxin , Peng Xinwen , Sun Runcang
Published: April 2019

A compressible and conductive aerogel with not only super mechanical performances but also ultrahigh linear sensitivity is fabricated by connecting Ti3C2 nanosheets into continuous and ordered lamellae using the biopolymer chitosan.
A bifunctional MoS2-based solar evaporator for both efficient water evaporation and clean freshwater collection
Authors: Chen Rong , Wang Xun , Gan Qimao , Zhang Tuqiao , Zhu Kehang , Ye Miaomiao
Published: April 2019

A bifunctional MoS2-based solar evaporator was designed for both efficient water evaporation and clean freshwater collection.
Microwave-assisted ultrafast synthesis of adjustable bimetal phosphide/graphene heterostructures from MOFs for efficient electrochemical water splitting
Authors: Bu Fanxing , Chen Wenshu , Aly Aboud Mohamed F. , Shakir Imran , Gu Jiajun , Xu Yuxi
Published: April 2019

An ultrafast microwave-assisted thermal conversion route is employed to tune the heterostructure of FeNiP/graphene composites for OER and HER activity enhancement.
Long non-coding RNA H19 promotes corneal neovascularization by targeting microRNA-29c
Authors: Sun Baoqi , Ding Yiheng , Jin Xin , Xu Shuo , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2019

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been implicated in tumor angiogenesis. However, whether H19 regulates the progression of corneal neovascularization (CNV) is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the function of H19 in CNV and its possible molecular mechanism. Here, we found that the H19 levels were remarkably increased in vascularized corneas and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vitro, H19 up-regulation promoted proliferation, migration, tube formation and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression in HUVECs, and it was found to down-regulate microRNA-29c (miR-29c) expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that H19 mediated the above effects by binding directly to miR-29c. In addition, miR-29c expression was markedly reduced in vascularized corneas and its expression also decreased in bFGF-treated HUVECs in vitro. MiR-29c targeted the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of VEGFA and decreased its expression. These data suggest that H19 can enhance CNV progression by inhibiting miR-29c, which negatively regulates VEGFA. This novel regulatory axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CNV.
Gender Differences in the Narrative Productions of African American Adults
Authors: Bradford Wainwright Angela
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The narrative is an important component of cognitive–linguistic assessment of nonmainstream populations and provides a valuable basis on which to conduct cross-ethnic/cultural comparisons. Given that there is limited information on the narrative characteristics of African American adults, this study was designed to describe the nature of narrative productions among African American men and women and to determine if gender differences exist in those productions.

Method

Seventy-six African American adults—40 women (ages 46–86 years) and 36 men (ages 45–87 years)—recruited from Washington, DC, and the Metropolitan area took part in the study. Participants produced a complex story retelling and a personal narrative of their choosing. All narratives were transcribed orthographically, parsed into T-units, and analyzed for narrative superstructure. Narratives were then examined by establishing the quantity of information, distribution of information, and African American English (AAE) density and usage.

Results

The results of the study demonstrated that women produced more information across all measures of quantity and narrative conditions. Gender differences were observed where men produced narratives that were brief and succinct whereas women produced longer, more elaborative narratives. Moreover, women produced more information across constituent units of the narratives. Although the use of AAE and its effect on quantity and distribution of information were negligible, the results demonstrated that men produced more occurrences of AAE than women.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that women were more talkative, produced more information, took more time to produce their narratives, and told stories that were more descriptive, evaluative, and reflective than those of their male counterparts. This study also suggests that personal narratives may be more robust in characterizing the process of African American adult narrative production whereas story retelling may be a good contrastive element in further describing narrativization.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7905377
Hybrid generators‐based AC microgrid performance assessment in island mode
Authors: Issa Walid , Sharkh Suleiman , Abusara Mohammad
Published: April 2019

Achieving an accurate steady‐state averaged active power sharing between parallel inverters in islanded AC microgrids could be realised by a traditional droop control. For identical inverters having the same droop gains, it is assumed that the transient average power responses will be similar, and no circulating current will flow between the units. However, different line impedances could influence the instantaneous power significantly and thus circulating power flows among the inverters particularly during sudden disturbances such as load changes. This power, if absorbed by an inverter, will lead the DC link voltage to rise abruptly and trip the inverter, thus, degrading the performance of the whole microgrid. The problem becomes worse when hybrid generators are serving as a unidirectional power source. This study assesses the performance of hybrid generators within an islanded microgrid against the mismatch in line impedances. Two schemes to stabilise the microgrid are proposed. In addition, a participation factor analysis is developed to select the most effective controller scheme to bound the DC link voltage and minimise the circulating power. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the analysis and the capability of the proposed controller.