bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of binary droplet collisions with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Mazloomi Moqaddam Ali , Chikatamarla Shyam S. , Karlin Ilya V.
Published: February 2016

The recently introduced entropic lattice Boltzmann method (ELBM) for multiphase flows is extended here to simulation of droplet collisions. Thermodynamically consistent, non-linearly stable ELBM together with a novel polynomial equation of state is proposed for simulation large Weber and Reynolds number collisions of two droplets. Extensive numerical investigations show that ELBM is capable of accurately capturing the dynamics and complexity of droplet collision. Different types of the collision outcomes such as coalescence, reflexive separation, and stretching separation are identified. Partition of the parameter plane is compared to the experiments and excellent agreement is observed. Moreover, the evolution of the shape of a stable lamella film is quantitatively compared with experimental results. The end pinching and the capillary-wave instability are shown to be the main mechanisms behind formation of satellite droplets for near head-on and off-center collisions with high impact parameter, respectively. It is shown that the number of satellite drops increases with increasing Weber number, as predicted by experiments. Also, it is demonstrated that the rotational motion due to angular momentum and elongation of the merged droplet play essential roles in formation of satellite droplets in off-center collisions with an intermediate impact parameter.
A hierarchy of local coupled cluster singles and doubles response methods for ionization potentials
Authors: Wälz Gero , Usvyat Denis , Korona Tatiana , Schütz Martin
Published: February 2016

We present a hierarchy of local coupled cluster (CC) linear response (LR) methods to calculate ionization potentials (IPs), i.e., excited states with one electron annihilated relative to a ground state reference. The time-dependent perturbation operator V(t), as well as the operators related to the first-order (with respect to V(t)) amplitudes and multipliers, thus are not number conserving and have half-integer particle rank m. Apart from calculating IPs of neutral molecules, the method offers also the possibility to study ground and excited states of neutral radicals as ionized states of closed-shell anions. It turns out that for comparable accuracy IPs require a higher-order treatment than excitation energies; an IP-CC LR method corresponding to CC2 LR or the algebraic diagrammatic construction scheme through second order performs rather poorly. We therefore systematically extended the order with respect to the fluctuation potential of the IP-CC2 LR Jacobian up to IP-CCSD LR, keeping the excitation space of the first-order (with respect to V(t)) cluster operator restricted to the m=12⊕32 subspace and the accuracy of the zero-order (ground-state) amplitudes at the level of CC2 or MP2. For the more expensive diagrams beyond the IP-CC2 LR Jacobian, we employ local approximations. The implemented methods are capable of treating large molecular systems with hundred atoms or more.
Evolution of spherical cavitation bubbles: Parametric and closed-form solutions
Authors: Mancas Stefan C. , Rosu Haret C.
Published: February 2016

We present an analysis of the Rayleigh-Plesset equation for a three dimensional vacuous bubble in water. In the simplest case when the effects of surface tension are neglected, the known parametric solutions for the radius and time evolution of the bubble in terms of a hypergeometric function are briefly reviewed. By including the surface tension, we show the connection between the Rayleigh-Plesset equation and Abel’s equation, and obtain the parametric rational Weierstrass periodic solutions following the Abel route. In the same Abel approach, we also provide a discussion of the nonintegrable case of nonzero viscosity for which we perform a numerical integration.
Thermometry of a high temperature high speed micro heater
Authors: Xu M. , Slovin G. , Paramesh J. , Schlesinger T. E. , Bain J. A.
Published: February 2016

A high temperature high-speed tungsten micro heater was fabricated and tested for application in phase change switches to indirectly heat and transform phase change material. Time domain transmissometry was used to measure heater temperature transients for given electrical inputs. Finite element modeling results on heater temperature transients show a good consistency between experiments and simulations with 0.2% mismatch in the best case and 13.1% in the worst case. The heater described in this work can reliably reach 1664 K at a rate of 1.67 × 1010 K/s and quench to room temperature with a thermal RC time constant (time for T to fall by a factor of e) of less than 40 ns.
Acoustic analysis of anisotropic poroelastic multilayered systems
Authors: Parra Martinez Juan Pablo , Dazel Olivier , Göransson Peter , Cuenca Jacques
Published: February 2016

The proposed method allows for an extended analysis of the wave analysis, internal powers, and acoustic performance of anisotropic poroelastic media within semi-infinite multilayered systems under arbitrary excitation. Based on a plane wave expansion, the solution is derived from a first order partial derivative as proposed by Stroh. This allows for an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms controlling the acoustic behaviour in terms of internal powers and wave properties in the media. In particular, the proposed approach is used to highlight the influence of the phenomena intrinsic to anisotropic poroelastic media, such as compression-shear coupling related to the material alignment, the frequency shift of the fundamental resonance, or the appearance of particular geometrical coincidences in multilayered systems with such materials.
Humidity-dependent thermoelectric properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)
Authors: Kim Gun-Ho , Kim Jinsang , Pipe Kevin P.
Published: February 2016

Thermoelectric properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped by different amounts of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were tested under various humidity conditions. The thermoelectric power factor was found to increase with humidity, with a larger increase observed for samples with less PSS content. For these samples with low PSS content, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity were observed to simultaneously increase as humidity was increased. Thermal conductivity was observed to increase with increasing humidity for samples with low PSS content and decrease for samples with high PSS content. Measurements on thick films soaked by various polar solvents likewise showed an enhancement in power factor.
On the variations of the vortex number in a periodic Ginzburg-Landau model
Authors: Zhang Peng
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we study the variations of the number of vortices contained in the minimizer of a two-dimensional Ginzburg-Landau functional describing a Type-II superconductor in the London limit, with periodic conditions on the boundary of the sample. We prove that, under the assumption that the sample is rectangular with height small enough, the number of vortices contained in the minimizer of the periodic Ginzburg-Landau functional jumps by unit step as the applied magnetic field increases. We convert the problem into the study of corresponding renormalized energy. By using the Γ-convergence, we reduce the two-dimensional renormalized energy to one-dimensional one. Then the result is obtained by analyzing the one dimensional model.
Fabrication and characterization of ultraviolet photosensors from ZnO nanowires prepared using chemical bath deposition method
Authors: Al-Asadi Ahmed S. , Henley Luke Alexander , Ghosh Sujoy , Quetz Abdiel , Dubenko Igor , Pradhan Nihar , Balicas Luis , Perea-Lopez Nestor , Carozo Victor , Lin Zhong , Terrones Mauricio , Talapatra Saikat , Ali Naushad
Published: February 2016

Highly crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) were synthesized through chemical bath deposition (CBD) method by using a simple seeding technique. The process includes dispersion of commercially available ZnO nanoparticles through spraying on a desired substrate prior to the CBD growth. A typical growth period of 16 h produced ZnO NW assemblies with an average diameter of ∼45 nm and lengths of 1–1.3 μm, with an optical band gap of ∼3.61 eV. The as-prepared ZnO NWs were photoactive under ultra violet (UV) illumination. Photodetector devices fabricated using these NW assemblies demonstrated a high photoresponse factor of ∼40 and 120 at room temperature under moderate UV illumination power of ∼250 μW/cm2. These findings indicate the possibility of using ZnO NWs, grown using the simple method discussed in this paper, for various opto-electronic applications.
Application of recycled media and algae-based anaerobic digestate in Scenedesmus cultivation
Authors: E Xinyi , Crofcheck Czarena , Crocker Mark
Published: February 2016

To make large-algae cultivation systems sustainable, commercial fertilizer inputs should be minimized. One means of achieving this is to maximize the recycle of nutrients used in algae cultivation. In addition to recycling nutrient-containing water from algae harvesting and dewatering, after harvesting algal biomass can be used as a substrate for anaerobic digestion, which can then generate mineralized nutrients to be used for further cultivation. In this study, the effect of recycling media and using mineralized nutrients during Scenedesmus cultivation was investigated. The recycled media proved to be able to support cell growth with nutrient replenishment, and it could be recycled for cultivation up to four times. Algae biomass was subjected to anaerobic digestion, and the liquid digestate and the total digestate were tested as nutrient sources. The digestate was rich in ammonium ions and proved to be a sufficient replacement for urea. When both urea and ammonium ions were available in the media, the assimilation of urea by algal cells slowed down compared to the case where urea was the only nitrogen source.
Label-free electrochemical detection of botulinum neurotoxin type E based on its enzymatic activity using interdigitated electrodes
Authors: Hyun Sang Hwa , Park Dae Keun , Kang Aeyeon , Kim Soohyun , Kim Daehee , Shin Yu Mi , Song Ji-Joon , Yun Wan Soo
Published: February 2016

We report a simple label-free electrochemical method of detecting low concentrations of botulinum neurotoxin type E light chain (BoNT/E LC) based on its peptide cleavage activity. Dual-mode cyclic voltammetry was employed to observe changes in the redox signal of ferri-/ferro-cyanide on interdigitated microelectrodes, whose surfaces were covered by peptides designed from synaptosomal-associated protein 25 to be cleaved by BoNT/E LC. With the introduction of BoNT/E LC, the redox signal showed a time-dependent increase due to cleavage of the immobilized peptide molecules. In addition to the increased redox signal intensity, its time-dependence can be considered as a strong evidence of BoNT/E sensing, since the time-dependent increase can only result from the enzymatic activity of BoNT/E LC. Using this method, BoNT/E LC, at concentrations as low as 5 pg/ml, was readily measurable with only an hour of incubation.
Note: Photoluminescence excitation measurements in the 1.1-1.6 μm spectral range
Authors: Bercha Artem , Ivonyak Yurii , Mędryk Radosław , Trzeciakowski Witold A.
Published: February 2016

Pressure-tuned laser diodes are used for photoluminescence excitation in quantum-well samples grown on InP. With two bent-waveguide, external cavity lasers, the spectral range from 1.1 to 1.6 μm can be covered. This range is important for telecommunication devices, for quantum-dot emitters etc. while it is inaccessible to solid-state tunable lasers or dye lasers.
Concurrent particle diffusion and sedimentation measurements using two-dimensional tracking in a vertical sample arrangement
Authors: Haiden Christoph , Wopelka Thomas , Jech Martin , Keplinger Franz , Vellekoop Michael J.
Published: February 2016

This letter reports a method for simultaneous tracking of Brownian motion and superimposed sedimentation movement of multiple micro- and nanoparticles in liquid. Simple two-dimensional particle tracking can be employed because the thin liquid sample film is arranged vertically and viewed from the side with a dark field video microscopy setup. Therefore, both diffusion and sedimentation can be used for particle size calculation, allowing analyses over a wide range of sizes and mass densities. To validate the method, size distributions of reference particles with known density and diameters ranging from 100 nm to 6 μm were determined. Brownian motion for size calculation is useful for sufficiently small particles, whereas sedimentation can only be applied if there is significant settling motion superimposed on Brownian motion (which requires large diameters and/or densities). Within a certain range, both principles are suitable for size measurements. As a consequence, this method can be used to determine the size and density of unknown particles in a single measurement step, provided that they exhibit both sedimentation and diffusive motion.
High performance high-κ/metal gate complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuit element on flexible silicon
Authors: Torres Sevilla G. A. , Almuslem A. S. , Gumus A. , Hussain A. M. , Cruz M. E. , Hussain M. M.
Published: February 2016

Thinned silicon based complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics can be physically flexible. To overcome challenges of limited thinning and damaging of devices originated from back grinding process, we show sequential reactive ion etching of silicon with the assistance from soft polymeric materials to efficiently achieve thinned (40 μm) and flexible (1.5 cm bending radius) silicon based functional CMOS inverters with high-κ/metal gate transistors. Notable advances through this study shows large area of silicon thinning with pre-fabricated high performance elements with ultra-large-scale-integration density (using 90 nm node technology) and then dicing of such large and thinned (seemingly fragile) pieces into smaller pieces using excimer laser. The impact of various mechanical bending and bending cycles show undeterred high performance of flexible silicon CMOS inverters. Future work will include transfer of diced silicon chips to destination site, interconnects, and packaging to obtain fully flexible electronic systems in CMOS compatible way.
Magnetic properties of low temperature phase MnBi of island structure
Authors: Suwa Takahiro , Tanaka Yoshitomo , Mankey Gary , Schad Rainer , Suzuki Takao
Published: February 2016

The magnetic and structural properties of island-structured LTP MnBi fabricated onto MgO single crystal substrates are discussed. The size and height of the “Volmer-Weber” type islands vary from place to place but are averagely a few microns and sub-microns, respectively. From the wetting angle (40 ∼ 60°) of those islands, the surface energy ΥMnBi of LTP MnBi is found to be 0.5∼0.8 J/m2. Those MnBi islands possesses the magnetic anisotropy constant Ku and saturation magnetization Ms close to those for bulk over a temperature range of 5 to 400 K. There seems to be a correlation between Ku and lattice constant c measured at 300K. The Ku is found to be inversely proportional to Ms5 over the temperature range from 5 K to 400 K, as compared to the Ms8 dependence for those fabricated onto fused silica glass substrates.
Temperature dependence of magneto-optical Kerr signal in GeTe − Sb2Te3 topological superlattice
Authors: Bang Do , Awano Hiroyuki , Saito Yuta , Tominaga Junji
Published: February 2016

In this report, we studied the temperature dependence of magneto-optical Kerr rotation in [(GeTe)2/(Sb2Te3)1]n=8 topological superlattice from room temperature to 440 K. At temperatures lower than a threshold temperature of 360 K, the Kerr signal was negligible. On the other hand, at temperatures higher than the threshold, two resonant Kerr peaks with a mirror-symmetry for one field scan from + 20 to – 20 kOe were observed. We found that the resonant field of each Kerr signal peak is gradually decreased with increasing the temperature, while its magnitude is increased. We further found that a phase transition from the high temperature phase to a low temperature phase can be controlled by an external magnetic field.
Tuning magnetic anisotropy of amorphous CoFeB film by depositing on convex flexible substrates
Authors: Qiao Xinyu , Wang Baomin , Tang Zhenhua , Shen Yuan , Yang Huali , Wang Junling , Zhan Qingfeng , Mao Sining , Xu Xiaohong , Li Run-Wei
Published: February 2016

We have investigated the magnetic properties of amorphous Co40Fe40B20 (CoFeB) thin films grown on flexible polyimide (PI) substrates, which were fixed on convex molds with different curvatures during the magnetron sputtering deposition. When the flexible substrates were changed from convex to flat state after fabrication, a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy was induced in the CoFeB film due to magnetostrictive effect. Furthermore, the anisotropy also depends on the thicknesses of the film and substrate. Our results demonstrate a convenient method to tune the anisotropy of magnetic thin films grown on flexible substrates.
Bilayer–metal assisted chemical etching of silicon microwire arrays for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Wu R. W. , Yuan G. D. , Wang K. C. , Wei T. B. , Liu Z. Q. , Wang G. H. , Wang J. X. , Li J. M.
Published: February 2016

Silicon microwires with lateral dimension from 5 μm to 20 μm and depth as long as 20 μm are prepared by bilayer metal assisted chemical etching (MaCE). A bilayer metal configuration (Metal 1 / Metal 2) was applied to assist etching of Si where metal 1 acts as direct catalyst and metal 2 provides mechanical support. Different metal types were investigated to figure out the influence of metal catalyst on morphology of etched silicon. We find that silicon microwires with vertical side wall are produced when we use Ag/Au bilayer, while cone–like and porous microwires formed when Pt/Au is applied. The different micro-/nano-structures in as-etched silicon are demonstrated to be due to the discrepancy of work function of metal catalyst relative to Si. Further, we constructed a silicon microwire arrays solar cells in a radial p–n junction configurations in a screen printed aluminum paste p–doping process.
Photosynthesis, light energy partitioning, and photoprotection in the shade-demanding species Panax notoginseng under high and low level of growth irradiance
Authors: Chen Jun-Wen , Kuang Shuang-Bian , Long Guang-Qiang , Yang Sheng-Chao , Meng Zhen-Gui , Li Long-Gen , Chen Zhong-Jian , Zhang Guang-Hui
Published: February 2016

Partitioning of light energy into several pathways and its relation to photosynthesis were examined in a shade-demanding species Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H.Chen ex C.Y.Wu & K.M.Feng grown along a light gradient. In fully light-induced leaves, the actual efficiency of PSII photochemistry (ΔF/Fmʹ), electron transport rate (ETR), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and photochemical quenching (qP) were lower in low-light-grown plants; this was also the case in fully dark-adapted leaves under a simulated sunfleck. In response to varied light intensity, high-light-grown plants showed greater quantum yields of light-dependent non-photochemical quenching (ΦNPQ) and PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) and smaller quantum yields of fluorescence and constitutive thermal dissipation (Φf,d). Under the simulated sunfleck, high-light-grown plants showed greater ΦPSII and smaller Φf,d. There were positive relationships between net photosynthesis (Anet) and ΦNPQ+f,d and negative relationships between Anet and ΦPSII in fully light-induced leaves; negative correlations of Anet with ΦNPQ+f,d and positive correlations of Anet with ΦPSII were observed in fully dark-adapted leaves. In addition, more nitrogen was partitioned to light-harvesting components in low-light-grown plants, whereas leaf morphology and anatomy facilitate reducing light capture in high-light-grown plants. The pool of xanthophyll pigments and the de-epoxidation state was greater in high-light-grown plants. Antioxidant defence was elevated by increased growth irradiance. Overall, the evidences from P. notoginseng suggest that in high-light-grown shade-demanding plants irradiated by high light more electrons were consumed by non-net carboxylative processes that activate the component of NPQ, that low-light-grown plants correspondingly protect the photosynthetic apparatus against photodamage by reducing the efficiency of PSII photochemistry under high light illumination, and that during the photosynthetic induction, the ΔpH-dependent (qE) component of NPQ might dominate photoprotection, but the NPQ also depresses the enhancement of photosynthesis via competition for light energy.
Insulin exposure during in vitro bovine oocyte maturation changes blastocyst gene expression and developmental potential
Authors: Laskowski Denise , Sjunnesson Ylva , Humblot Patrice , Sirard Marc-André , Andersson Göran , Gustafsson Hans , Båge Renée
Published: February 2016

Metabolic imbalance impairs fertility, because changes in concentrations of metabolites and hormones in the blood and follicular fluid create an unfavourable environment for early embryonic development. Insulin is a key metabolic hormone known for its effects on fertility: insulin concentrations are increased during energy balance disturbances in diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Still, insulin is frequently used at supraphysiological concentrations for embryo in vitro culture with unknown consequences for the developmental potential of the offspring. In the present study we investigated the effects of insulin exposure during in vitro bovine oocyte maturation on developmental rates, embryo quality and gene expression. Supplementation of the maturation media with insulin at 10 or 0.1 µg mL–1 decreased blastocyst rates compared with an insulin-free control (19.8 ± 1.3% and 20.4 ± 1.3% vs 23.8 ± 1.3%, respectively; P < 0.05) and led to increased cell numbers (nearly 10% more cells on Day 8 compared with control; P < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis revealed significant upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) stress response and cell differentiation, validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To conclude, the results of the present study demonstrate that insulin exposure during in vitro oocyte maturation has a lasting effect on the embryo until the blastocyst stage, with a potential negative effect in the form of specific gene expression perturbations.
The influence of conversational context and the developing lexicon on the calculation of scalar implicatures
Authors: Syrett Kristen , Austin Jennifer , Sanchez Liliana , Germak Christina , Lingwall Anne , Perez-Cortes Silvia , Arias-Amaya Anthony , Baker Hannah
Published: February 2016

Although monolingual children do not generally calculate the upper-bounded scalar implicature (SI) associated with ‘some’ without additional support, monolingual Spanish-speaking children have been reported to do so withalgunos(‘some’), and further distinguishalgunosfromunos. Given documented cross-linguistic influence in interface phenomena in bilinguals, we asked whether young Spanish-English bilinguals calculate SIs withalgunos, or if there is an effect of acquiring languages with overlapping but diverging lexical entries. Two experiments reveal that not only do bilinguals inconsistently calculate SIs, Spanish monolinguals do not always either. InExperiment 1, bilinguals did not calculate the SI associated withalgunos. However, inExperiment 2, which calls upon their awareness of speaker-hearer dynamics, they did. This research highlights the challenges arising from interpreting linguistic phenomena where lexical, semantic, and pragmatic information intersect, and is a call for further investigation with bilinguals in a rapidly growing area where bilingual research is lacking.
Explaining offline and online civic engagement intentions between Italian and migrant youth / Análisis de las intenciones de participación cívica virtual y presencial entre jóvenes italianos y emigrantes
Authors: Cicognani Elvira , Albanesi Cinzia , Mazzoni Davide , Prati Gabriele , Zani Bruna
Published: February 2016

The aim of the study was to assess the role of some psychosocial factors in explaining offline and online civic engagement intentions in a sample of Italian and second generation migrant (Albanian and Moroccan) adolescents and young adults living in Italy. The theoretical model was an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour including past experience. The sample included 598 adolescents and young adults ( M = 19.32, SD = 3.17). Two hundred were Italian (88 males, 44.0%), 197 migrants of Albanian origin (130 males, 66%) and 201 migrants of Moroccan origin (116 males, 57.7%). Moroccan youth reported higher levels of both past civic engagement and future intentions than Albanian and Italian peers. Perceived effectiveness of civic engagement and past experience are consistently associated with stronger intentions to engage in the future (offline and online) in all groups. Internal efficacy plays a limited role, whereas the role of subjective norms differs according to the group and the source of normative influence (parents, peers).
Direct visualization of replication dynamics in early zebrafish embryos
Authors: Kuriya Kenji , Higashiyama Eriko , Avşar-Ban Eriko , Okochi Nanami , Hattori Kaede , Ogata Shin , Takebayashi Shin-ichiro , Ogata Masato , Tamaru Yutaka , Okumura Katsuzumi
Published: February 2016

We analyzed DNA replication in early zebrafish embryos. The replicating DNA of whole embryos was labeled with the thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2ʹ-deoxyuridine (EdU), and spatial regulation of replication sites was visualized in single embryo-derived cells. The results unveiled uncharacterized replication dynamics during zebrafish early embryogenesis.
Trails to the gibberellin receptor, GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1
Authors: Yamaguchi Isomaro , Nakajima Masatoshi , Park Seung-Hyun
Published: February 2016

The researches on the identification of gibberellin receptor are reviewed from the early attempts in 1960s to the identification of GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) as the receptor in 2005. Unpublished data of the gibberellin-binding protein in the seedlings of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) are also included, suggesting that the active principle of the gibberellin-binding protein was a GID1 homolog.
Effect of Taurine Supplementation on Growth Response and Body Composition of Largemouth Bass
Authors: Frederick Catherine A , Coyle Shawn D , Durborow Robert M , Bright Leigh Anne , Tidwell James H
Published: February 2016

Taurine is “conditionally essential” for some fish species, particularly when fish meal levels in their diets are reduced. Taurine supplementation has not yet been evaluated in the Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. A 12-week feeding trial was conducted using a 2 × 2 factorial design with the main effects being fish meal inclusion (0% or 30%) or taurine supplementation (0% or 2%). The fish meal diets contained sardine fish meal while the nonfish meal diets used pork meal, which has a very low taurine content, as the animal source protein. The four experimental diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein and 12% lipid. The feeding trial was conducted using juvenile Largemouth Bass (19.3 ± 3.9 g; mean ± SD) stocked at 25 fish/tank into twelve 230-L aquaria within a recirculating system. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature were monitored daily, while alkalinity, total ammonia nitrogen, and nitrite-nitrogen were monitored three times weekly. Analysis of harvest data indicated a significant statistical interaction between fish meal inclusion and taurine supplementation only for feed conversion ratio (FCR). In diets containing no fish meal, the addition of taurine significantly increased the FCR (from 2.2 to 2.6). However, in fish fed diets containing fish meal, supplemental taurine significantly decreased the FCR (from 2.2 to 1.9). In terms of main effects, taurine supplementation did not significantly affect any of the measured growth or survival variables. Survival and growth in Largemouth Bass fed 0% fish meal were not significantly different from survival and growth in those fed 30% fish meal. Body composition variables were not significantly affected by either fish meal inclusion or taurine supplementation. These data support previous studies that found that by-products from terrestrial animal sources can successfully replace fish meal in diets for Largemouth Bass. These data also indicate that Largemouth Bass do not have a significant dietary requirement for taurine.
Modelling the relationship between biomechanics and performance of young sprinting swimmers
Authors: Morais Jorge E , Silva António J , Marinho Daniel A , Marques Mário C , Batalha Nuno , Barbosa Tiago M
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to compute a swimming performance confirmatory model based on biomechanical parameters. The sample included 100 young swimmers (overall: 12.3 ± 0.74 years; 49 boys: 12.5 ± 0.76 years; 51 girls: 12.2 ± 0.71 years; both genders in Tanner stages 1–2 by self‐report) participating on a regular basis in regional and national‐level events. The 100 m freestyle event was chosen as the performance indicator. Anthropometric (arm span), strength (throwing velocity), power output (power to overcome drag), kinematic (swimming velocity) and efficiency (propelling efficiency) parameters were measured and included in the model. The path‐flow analysis procedure was used to design and compute the model. The anthropometric parameter (arm span) was excluded in the final model, increasing its goodness‐of‐fit. The final model included the throw velocity, power output, swimming velocity and propelling efficiency. All links were significant between the parameters included, but the throw velocity–power output. The final model was explained by 69% presenting a reasonable adjustment (model's goodness‐of‐fit; x2/df = 3.89). This model shows that strength and power output parameters do play a mediator and meaningful role in the young swimmers’ performance.
ALIX and ESCRT-I/II function as parallel ESCRT-III recruiters in cytokinetic abscission
Authors: Christ Liliane , Wenzel Eva M. , Liestøl Knut , Raiborg Camilla , Campsteijn Coen , Stenmark Harald
Published: February 2016

Cytokinetic abscission, the final stage of cell division where the two daughter cells are separated, is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. The ESCRT-III subunit CHMP4B is a key effector in abscission, whereas its paralogue, CHMP4C, is a component in the abscission checkpoint that delays abscission until chromatin is cleared from the intercellular bridge. How recruitment of these components is mediated during cytokinesis remains poorly understood, although the ESCRT-binding protein ALIX has been implicated. Here, we show that ESCRT-II and the ESCRT-II–binding ESCRT-III subunit CHMP6 cooperate with ESCRT-I to recruit CHMP4B, with ALIX providing a parallel recruitment arm. In contrast to CHMP4B, we find that recruitment of CHMP4C relies predominantly on ALIX. Accordingly, ALIX depletion leads to furrow regression in cells with chromosome bridges, a phenotype associated with abscission checkpoint signaling failure. Collectively, our work reveals a two-pronged recruitment of ESCRT-III to the cytokinetic bridge and implicates ALIX in abscission checkpoint signaling.
Elevated p62/SQSTM1 determines the fate of autophagy-deficient neural stem cells by increasing superoxide
Authors: Wang Chenran , Chen Song , Yeo Syn , Karsli-Uzunbas Gizem , White Eileen , Mizushima Noboru , Virgin Herbert W. , Guan Jun-Lin
Published: February 2016

Autophagy plays important roles in many biological processes, but our understanding of the mechanisms regulating stem cells by autophagy is limited. Interpretations of earlier studies of autophagy using knockouts of single genes are confounded by accumulating evidence for other functions of many autophagy genes. Here, we show that, in contrast to Fip200 deletion, inhibition of autophagy by deletion of Atg5, Atg16L1, or Atg7 does not impair the maintenance and differentiation of postnatal neural stem cells (NSCs). Only Fip200 deletion, but not Atg5, Atg16L1, or Atg7 deletion, caused p62/sequestome1 aggregates to accumulate in NSCs. Fip200 and p62 double conditional knockout mice demonstrated that p62 aggregate formation triggers aberrant superoxide increases by impairing superoxide dismutase functions. By comparing the inhibition of autophagy by deletion of Atg5, Atg16L1, or Atg7 with Fip200 deletion, we revealed a critical role of increased p62 in determining the fate of autophagy-deficient NSCs through intracellular superoxide control.
Jessica Feldman: Microtubule-organizing function dives off centrosomes
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: February 2016

Feldman studies how cell patterning and cytoskeletal organization are controlled.
Endogenous network states predict gain or loss of functions for genetic mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Gaowei , Su Hang , Yu Helin , Yuan Ruoshi , Zhu Xiaomei , Ao Ping
Published: February 2016

Cancers have been typically characterized by genetic mutations. Patterns of such mutations have traditionally been analysed byposterioristatistical association approaches. One may ponder the possibility ofa prioridetermination of any mutation regularity. Here by exploring biological processes implied in a mechanistic theory recently developed (the endogenous molecular–cellular network theory), we found that the features of genetic mutations in cancers may be predicted without any prior knowledge of mutation propensities. With hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as an example, we found that the normal hepatocyte and cancerous hepatocyte can be represented by robust stable states of one single endogenous network. These stable states, specified by distinct patterns of expressions or activities of proteins in the network, provide means to directly identify a set of most probable genetic mutations and their effects in HCC. As the key proteins and main interactions in the network are conserved through cell types in an organism, similar mutational features may also be found in other cancers. This analysis yielded straightforward and testable predictions on accumulated and preferred mutation spectra in normal tissue. The validation of predicted cancer state mutation patterns demonstrates the usefulness and potential of a causal dynamical framework to understand and predict genetic mutations in cancer.
Species Identification by Bayesian Fingerprinting: A Powerful Alternative to DNA Barcoding
Authors: Yang Ziheng , Rannala Bruce
Published: February 2016

A number of methods have been developed to use genetic sequence data to identify and delineate species. Some methods are based on heuristics, such as DNA barcoding which is based on a sequence-distance threshold, while others use Bayesian model comparison under the multispecies coalescent model. Here we use mathematical analysis and computer simulation to demonstrate large differences in statistical performance of species identification between DNA barcoding and Bayesian inference under the multispecies coalescent model as implemented in the BPP program. We show that a fixed genetic-distance threshold as used in DNA barcoding is problematic for delimiting species, even if the threshold is “optimized”, because different species have different population sizes and different divergence times, and therefore display different amounts of intra-species versus inter-species variation. In contrast, BPP can reliably delimit species in such situations with only one locus and rarely supports a wrong assignment with high posterior probability. While under-sampling or rare specimens may pose problems for heuristic methods, BPP can delimit species with high power when multi-locus data are used, even if the species is represented by a single specimen. Finally we demonstrate that BPP may be powerful for delimiting cryptic species using specimens that are misidentified as a single species in the barcoding library.
Structure modulations in nonlinear optical (NLO) materials Cs2TB4O9(T= Ge, Si)
Authors: Zhou Zhengyang , Xu Xiang , Fei Rao , Mao Jianggao , Sun Junliang
Published: February 2016

Incommensurately modulated borate structures of a new type were studied in detail in the nonlinear optical (NLO) materials Cs2TB4O9(T= Ge, Si) using single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The structures were solved by the charge-flipping algorithm in the superspace groupI2(αβ0)0. The refinement results strongly suggest that the main structure modulation feature of Cs2TB4O9is the ordering of the O atoms. With these modulated structure models, the unreasonable B—O distances in the average structures were explained as the ordering of BO4and BO3.
The new one-dimensional coordination polymercatena-poly[[diaquasodium(I)]-μ-oxalato-[diaquairon(III)]-μ-oxalato]
Authors: Benhacine Mohamed Al Amine , Hamadène Malika , Bouacida Sofiane , Merazig Hocine
Published: February 2016

The oxalate dianion is one of the most studied ligands and is capable of bridging two or more metal centres and creating inorganic polymers based on the assembly of metal polyhedra with a wide variety of one-, two- or three-dimensional extended structures. Yellow single crystals of a new mixed-metal oxalate, namelycatena-poly[[diaquasodium(I)]-μ-oxalato-κ4O1,O2:O1′,O2′-[diaquairon(III)]-μ-oxalato-κ4O1,O2:O1′,O2′], [NaFe(C2O4)2(H2O)4]n, have been synthesized and the crystal structure elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space groupI41(Z= 4). The asymmetric unit contains one NaIand one FeIIIatom lying on a fourfold symmetry axis, one μ2-bridging oxalate ligand and two aqua ligands. Each metal atom is surrounded by two chelating oxalate ligands and two equivalent water molecules. The structure consists of infinite one-dimensional chains of alternating FeO4(H2OW1)2and NaO4(H2OW2)2octahedra, bridged by oxalate ligands, parallel to the [100] and [010] directions, respectively. Because of thecisconfiguration and the μ2-coordination mode of the oxalate ligands, the chains run in a zigzag manner. This arrangement facilitates the formation of hydrogen bonds between neighbouring chains involving the H2O and oxalate ligands, leading to a two-dimensional framework. The structure of this new one-dimensional coordination polymer is shown to be unique among theAIMIII(C2O4)2(H2O)nseries. In addition, the absorption bands in the IR and UV–Visible regions and their assignments are in good agreement with the local symmetry of the oxalate ligand and the irregular environment of iron(III). The final product of the thermal decomposition of this precursor is the well-known ternary oxide NaFeO2.
Radiation damage and derivatization in macromolecular crystallography: a structure factor's perspective
Authors: Owen Robin L. , Sherrell Darren A.
Published: February 2016

During, or even after, data collection the presence and effects of radiation damage in macromolecular crystallography may not always be immediately obvious. Despite this, radiation damage is almost always present, with site-specific damage occurring on very short time (dose) scales well before global damage becomes apparent. A result of both site-specific radiation damage and derivatization is a change in the relative intensity of reflections. The size and approximate rate of onset of X-ray-induced transformations is compared with the changes expected from derivatization, and strategies for minimizing radiation damage are discussed.
An overview of heavy-atom derivatization of protein crystals
Authors: Pike Ashley C. W. , Garman Elspeth F. , Krojer Tobias , von Delft Frank , Carpenter Elisabeth P.
Published: February 2016

Heavy-atom derivatization is one of the oldest techniques for obtaining phase information for protein crystals and, although it is no longer the first choice, it remains a useful technique for obtaining phases for unknown structures and for low-resolution data sets. It is also valuable for confirming the chain trace in low-resolution electron-density maps. This overview provides a summary of the technique and is aimed at first-time users of the method. It includes guidelines on when to use it, which heavy atoms are most likely to work, how to prepare heavy-atom solutions, how to derivatize crystals and how to determine whether a crystal is in fact a derivative.
Neighbourhood satisfaction: responses from residents of green townships in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Teck Hong
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the residents’ satisfaction level with their neighbourhood and which dominant attributes can predict the neighbourhood satisfaction levels of the residents in the green-accredited township.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this survey, 300 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to respondents who have resided in the green-accredited township. Only 190 survey forms were returned and used in generating the analysis.

Findings

– Integrated connectivity and accessibility and environmental quality have been shown to exert a significant influence on neighbourhood satisfaction. However, residents were not satisfied with the security level and community participation in the green-accredited neighbourhood.

Research limitations/implications

– Neighbourhood attributes are noteworthy determinants in assessing the significance of the green-accredited township in Malaysia.

Practical implications

– The results of this study would assist policymaking in proposing actual improvements in a sustainable neighbourhood and help in prediction of satisfaction with the planned housing development project.

Originality/value

– Going green has become trendy amongst communities. With the government’s move to promote green living, stakeholders, such as residents, local government or housing developers, have urged to contribute towards ensuring a more sustainable and green neighbourhood.
Robust hedonic price indexes
Authors: Bourassa Steven C , Cantoni Eva , Hoesli Martin
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of robust techniques to the estimation of hedonic house price indexes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use simulation analysis to compare an index estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS) with several indexes estimated using robust techniques. The analysis uses sales transactions data from a US city. The authors then explore how robust methods can correct for omitted variables under some circumstances and how they affect the revision problem that occurs when longitudinal hedonic indexes are updated.

Findings

– Robust methods can resolve missing variable problems in some circumstances and also can substantially reduce the revision problem in longitudinal hedonic indexes.

Practical implications

– Robust techniques may be preferable to OLS when constructing longitudinal hedonic indexes.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to undertake a systematic analysis of the applicability of robust techniques in constructing hedonic house price indexes.
Aging and real estate prices: evidence from Japanese and US regional data
Authors: Saita Yumi , Shimizu Chihiro , Watanabe Tsutomu
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Aging in Japan is advancing faster than in other major developed nations, and this is expected to have substantial effects on the country’s economic systems, including its social security system. What kind of effect will the falling birth rate, aging society and declining population have on the real estate market? Will the often mentioned real estate price asset meltdown really occur? The purpose of this paper is to address these questions by investigating how much demographic factors affected real estate prices in Japan and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use regional panel data for Japan and the USA real estate prices and estimate the effects of demographic factors, such as dependency ratio, i.e. the ratio of population aged 65+ to population aged 20-64. For Japan, as no region-by-region quality-adjusted housing price indexes covering the entire country exist, data are constructed by conducting quality adjustment using hedonic regression.

Findings

– Both in Japan and the USA, real estate prices in a region are inversely correlated with the old age dependency ratio in that region, and positively correlated with the total number of population in that region. The demographic factor had a greater impact on real estate prices in Japan than in the USA. For Japan, it was also found that demographic impact on land prices will be −2.4 per cent per year in 2012-2040, while it was −3.7 per cent per year in 1976-2010, suggesting that aging will continue to have downward pressure on land prices over the next 30 years, although the demographic impact will be slightly smaller than it was in 1976-2010, as the old age dependency ratio will not increase as much as it did before.

Originality/value

– Japan’s regional panel data are newly constructed based on a hedonic approach. Analyzing the effect of dependency ratio for Japan and the USA panel data is a new challenge. Forecasting future impact of demographic factor on Japan’s land prices based on the population forecast is a new challenge.
Space standardisation of low-income housing units in India
Authors: Roy Uttam Kumar , Roy Madhumita
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to develop a set of affordable space and dimensional standards for market-driven low-income housing in Indian context for the purpose of mass production using industrialised building system.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this, the paper first explains the significance of standardisation from the literature and revisits the codes and contemporary practices in industrialised building system (IBS) in India. Next, it undertakes a market survey of ongoing/completed housing projects to study the space/dimensions reflected in the market demand by the people. After considering conditions like modular grid suitability and provisions of code, it identifies a set of dimensional standards of activity spaces, emerging from the market study. It also suggests a framework of modular units showing the incremental attachment possibility for component-based construction using IBS. These standards and design frameworks will make the path for developing various products and components towards an open system in India.

Findings

– The paper gives an insight of the market trends of low-income housing, focusing on unit designs and spatial elements.

Research limitations/implications

– Local contextualisation during the unit designs will be required and that is not addressed in this paper.

Practical implications

– This will benefit developers, manufacturers, designers as well as policymakers towards a market-driven housing delivery using IBS.

Social implications

– As a result of this standardisation, housing delivery will be faster and there will be more numbers of market-driven affordable housing in masses for low-income people, thus solving housing shortage.

Originality/value

– A developing country like India is a diversified country having many geographical and social variations. Such standardisation for a space and design framework has never been attempted before and will make a contribution for the public housing sector.