bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Y-chromosome diversity suggests southern origin and Paleolithic backwave migration of Austro-Asiatic speakers from eastern Asia to the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Liao Shiyu , Qi Xuebin , Liu Jiewei , Kampuansai Jatupol , Zhang Hui , Yang Zhaohui , Serey Bun , Sovannary Tuot , Bunnath Long , Seang Aun Hong , Samnom Ham , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Shi Hong , Su Bing
Published: October 2015

Analyses of an Asian-specific Y-chromosome lineage (O2a1-M95)—the dominant paternal lineage in Austro-Asiatic (AA) speaking populations, who are found on both sides of the Bay of Bengal—led to two competing hypothesis of this group’s geographic origin and migratory routes. One hypothesis posits the origin of the AA speakers in India and an eastward dispersal to Southeast Asia, while the other places an origin in Southeast Asia with westward dispersal to India. Here, we collected samples of AA-speaking populations from mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and southern China and genotyped 16 Y-STRs of 343 males who belong to the O2a1-M95 lineage. Combining our samples with previous data, we analyzed both the Y-chromosome and mtDNA diversities. We generated a comprehensive picture of the O2a1-M95 lineage in Asia. We demonstrated that the O2a1-M95 lineage originated in the southern East Asia among the Daic-speaking populations ~20–40 thousand years ago and then dispersed southward to Southeast Asia after the Last Glacial Maximum before moving westward to the Indian subcontinent. This migration resulted in the current distribution of this Y-chromosome lineage in the AA-speaking populations. Further analysis of mtDNA diversity showed a different pattern, supporting a previously proposed sex-biased admixture of the AA-speaking populations in India.
Efficient detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using a reusable microfluidic chip embedded with antimicrobial peptide-labeled beads
Authors: Chang Mi-Sook , Yoo Jeong Ha , Woo Deok Ha , Chun Myung-Suk
Published: October 2015

This paper presents efficient detection of pathogenic E. coli by applying a reusable microfluidic chip embedded with antimicrobial peptide-labeled beads.
Glycyrrhetinic acid-decorated and reduction-sensitive micelles to enhance the bioavailability and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma efficacy of tanshinone IIA
Authors: Chen Fengqian , Zhang Jinming , He Yao , Fang Xiefan , Wang Yitao , Chen Meiwan
Published: October 2015

A dual-functional polymeric micellar system with HCC-targeting property mediated by glycyrrhetinic acid and controlled-intracellular drug release by a redox-sensitive approach was developed for synergetic anti-HCC effects.
Correction: Oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution in DMSO based electrolytes: the role of the electrocatalyst
Authors: Bondue C. J. , Reinsberg P. , Abd-El-Latif A. A. , Baltruschat H.
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution in DMSO based electrolytes: the role of the electrocatalyst’ by C. J. Bondue et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 25593–25606.
Post-polymerization modification of poly(vinyl ether)s: a Ru-catalyzed oxidative synthesis of poly(vinyl ester)s and poly(propenyl ester)s
Authors: Liu Di , Bielawski Christopher W.
Published: October 2015

Poly(vinyl ester)s were readily prepared via a ruthenium catalyzed C–H oxidation of the corresponding poly(vinyl ether)s under mild conditions.
New insight into the flocculation behavior of hydrophilic silica in styrene butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Su Juqiao , Yang Qi , Tang Dahang , Huang Yajiang , Zhao Zhongguo , Liao Xia
Published: October 2015

We propose that modified silica filled rubber composites with moderate silica flocculation possesses preferable resistance to crack growth by the crack tip deflection mechanism.
Valence variation of phase-pure M1 MoVNbTe oxide by plasma treatment for improved catalytic performance in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane
Authors: Chen Xin , Yang Qianli , Chu Bozhao , An Hang , Cheng Yi
Published: October 2015

This work presents a new method of catalyst surface modification by using oxygen plasma to change the oxidation state of active sites in metal oxide catalysts.
Self-cleaning SiOx-embedded TiO2/SiO2 alternating multilayer
Authors: Kim Soon Wook , Khoa Nguyen Tri , Thuan Doan Van , Kim Eui Jung , Hahn Sung Hong
Published: October 2015

A new method of inserting an eco-sustainable hydrophilic system into an anti-reflection (AR) system was developed and its applicability to photovoltaic systems was determined.
Carbon nanotube-assisted capturing of bacterial pathogens
Authors: Wang Shengyuan , LeCroy Gregory E. , Yang Fan , Dong Xiuli , Sun Ya-Ping , Yang Liju
Published: October 2015

Polymer-coated MWNT assisted capture of bacterial cells of filters.
Microorganism inspired hydrogels: fermentation capacity, gelation process and pore-forming mechanism under temperature stimulus
Authors: Chen Bingjie , Zhang Shuhua , Zhang Qingsong , Mu Qifeng , Deng Lingli , Chen Li , Wei Yen , Tao Lei , Zhang Xiaoyong , Wang Ke
Published: October 2015

By controlling the temperature of fermentation and gelation, 3D microorganism inspired hydrogels (MIH) with a pore size from 5 μm to 900 μm could be obtained.
Rheology, thermal properties, and foaming behavior of highd-content polylactic acid/cellulose nanofiber composites
Authors: Ding WeiDan , Kuboki Takashi , Wong Anson , Park Chul B. , Sain Mohini
Published: October 2015

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) substantially improved the foam structure of a highd-content PLA by enhancing its melt strength and crystallization kinetics and serving as effective heterogeneous cell-nucleating agents.
Thermal and water dual-responsive shape memory poly(vinyl alcohol)/Al2O3 nanocomposite
Authors: Bai Quanming , Zhang Gongzheng , Xu Bo , Feng Xianqi , Jiang Haoyang , Li Huanjun
Published: October 2015

A new type of thermal and water dual-responsive shape memory poly(vinyl alcohol)/Al2O3 nanocomposite was reported.
Drastic change of electrical conductivity in Pr2CuO4by isovalent La doping
Authors: Kolchina L. M. , Lyskov N. V. , Kazakov S. M. , Mazo G. N. , Antipov E. V.
Published: October 2015

How to affect the transport properties of complex oxides was considered using the uncommon example of Pr2−xLaxCuO4.
Fabrication of a silver nano powder embedded kraton polymer actuator and its characterization
Authors: Khan Ajahar , Inamuddin  , Jain R. K. , Naushad Mu.
Published: October 2015

A novel silver nano powder (Ag Pw) embedded kraton (KR) ionic polymer actuator was fabricated.
Green synthesis of a natrolite zeolite/palladium nanocomposite and its application as a reusable catalyst for the reduction of organic dyes in a very short time
Authors: Hatamifard Arezo , Nasrollahzadeh Mahmoud , Lipkowski Janusz
Published: October 2015

A natrolite zeolite/palladium (natrolite zeolite/Pd) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized applying a simple in situ reduction method using an aqueous extract of fruits of Piper longum as a reducing and stabilizing agent.
Trimetallaborides as starting points for the syntheses of large metal-rich molecular borides and clusters
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Ewing William C. , Ghosh Sundargopal , Kramer Thomas , Mattock James D. , Östreicher Sebastian , Vargas Alfredo , Werner Christine
Published: October 2015

Treatment of an anionic dimanganaborylene complex with cationic coinage metal complexes led to the coordination of the incoming metal and displacement of dimethylsulfide in the formation of hexametalladiborides.
Effectiveness of Chin-tuck Maneuver to Facilitate Swallowing in Neurologic Dysphagia
Authors: Saconato Mariana , Chiari Brasilia , Lederman Henrique , Gonçalves Maria
Published: October 2015

Introduction The chin-tuck maneuver is the most frequently employed postural maneuver in the treatment of neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia caused by encephalic vascular strokes and degenerative diseases.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of this maneuver in patients with neurogenic dysphagia and factors that could interfere in it.

Methods In this retrospective cohort, we analyzed the medical files and videofluoroscopy exams of 35 patients (19 male – 54% and 16 female – 46%; age range between 20 and 89 years old; mean = 69 years).

Results The results suggest that the effectiveness of chin-tuck maneuver is related to the overall degree of dysphagia: the more severe the dysphagia, the less effective the maneuver.

Conclusion Chin-tuck maneuver should benefit dysphagic patients with delay in the swallowing trigger, reduced laryngeal elevation, and difficulties to swallow liquids, but is not the best compensatory strategy for patients with severe dysphagia.
A field study of spatial preferences in enterprise microblogging
Authors: Recker Jan , Lekse Dominik
Published: October 2015

How does the introduction of enterprise social networking affect the way that geographically dispersed managers communicate with each other? We examine enterprise social network (ESN) usage data obtained from a community of store managers in a leading Australian retail organization, over a period of 15 months after introduction of the platform. Our interest in examining this data is in spatial communication preferences by the network users, that is, to ascertain who is communicating with whom and where. Our analysis of 12,000 messages exchanged between 530 managers shows that interactions can generally be characterized by individual preferences for local communication but also that two different user communities exist - ‘locals’ and ‘globals’. We develop empirical profiles for these two types of social network user communities, and we compare the empirical results against contrasting theoretical perspectives for spatial preference patterns in communication behaviour. We outline implications for theories on spatial influences on communication behaviours on ESNs.
Femtosecond optical Kerr effect setup with signal “live view” for measurements in the solid, liquid, and gas phases
Authors: Polok K. , Gadomski W. , Ratajska-Gadomska B.
Published: October 2015

We present the experimental setup constructed in our laboratory for measurement of the femtosecond optical Kerr effect. The setup allows measurements with high temporal resolution and acquisition speed. The high signal to noise ratio is obtained with use of a homemade balanced detector. Due to the high acquisition speed and good signal to noise ratio, it is possible to have a “live view” of the signal and to easily tune the sample position and orientation before the measurement. We show the example results obtained in the solid, liquid, and the gas phases and we use them in order to check on the precision of our setup. As the samples we have used a YAG crystal, liquid acetone, and atmospheric air. In the latter two cases, a good agreement with the literature data has been found. The measurements in the gas phase confirm that our setup, although utilizing low energy pulses from the sapphire oscillator, is able to acquire high quality rotational signal in a low density sample.
Determination of 60° polarization nanodomains in a relaxor-based ferroelectric single crystal
Authors: Kim Kyou-Hyun , Payne David A. , Zuo Jian-Min
Published: October 2015

Here, we report a determination of monoclinic nanodomains in PMN-xPT with x = 31%PT by using scanning convergent beam electron diffraction (SCBED). We show the presence of 60 ± α degree nanodomains with Cm-like symmetry as well as significant variations (α) in local polarization directions across lengths of ∼10 nm. The principle of our technique is general and can be applied for the determination of polarization domains in other ferroelectric materials of different symmetry.
Flux-coherent series SQUID array magnetometers operating above 77 K with superior white flux noise than single-SQUIDs at 4.2 K
Authors: Chesca Boris , John Daniel , Mellor Christopher J.
Published: October 2015

A very promising direction to improve the sensitivity of magnetometers based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is to build a series-array of N non-interacting SQUIDs operating flux-coherently, because in this case their voltage modulation depth, ΔV, linearly scales with N whereas the white flux noise SΦ1/2 decreases as 1/N1/2. Here, we report the realization of both these improvements in an advanced layout of very large SQUID arrays made of YBa2Cu3O7. Specially designed with large area narrow flux focusers for increased field sensitivity and improved flux-coherency, our arrays have extremely low values for SΦ1/2 between (0.25 and 0.44) μΦ0/Hz1/2 for temperatures in the range (77–83) K. In this respect, they outperform niobium/aluminium trilayer technology-based single-SQUIDs operating at 4.2 K. Moreover, with values for ΔV and transimpedance in the range of (10–17) mV and (0.3–2.5) kΩ, respectively, a direct connection to a low-noise room temperature amplifier is allowed, while matching for such readout is simplified and the available bandwidth is greatly increased. These landmark performances suggest such series SQUID arrays are ideal candidates to replace single-SQUIDs operating at 4.2 K in many applications.
Fractional-order difference equations for physical lattices and some applications
Authors: Tarasov Vasily E.
Published: October 2015

Fractional-order operators for physical lattice models based on the Grünwald-Letnikov fractional differences are suggested. We use an approach based on the models of lattices with long-range particle interactions. The fractional-order operators of differentiation and integration on physical lattices are represented by kernels of lattice long-range interactions. In continuum limit, these discrete operators of non-integer orders give the fractional-order derivatives and integrals with respect to coordinates of the Grünwald-Letnikov types. As examples of the fractional-order difference equations for physical lattices, we give difference analogs of the fractional nonlocal Navier-Stokes equations and the fractional nonlocal Maxwell equations for lattices with long-range interactions. Continuum limits of these fractional-order difference equations are also suggested.
Double layer electric fields aiding the production of energetic flat-top distributions and superthermal electrons within magnetic reconnection exhausts
Authors: Egedal J. , Daughton W. , Le A. , Borg A. L.
Published: October 2015

Using a kinetic simulation of magnetic reconnection, it was recently shown that magnetic-field-aligned electric fields (E∥) can be present over large spatial scales in reconnection exhausts. The largest values of E∥ are observed within double layers. The existence of double layers in the Earth's magnetosphere is well documented. In our simulation, their formation is triggered by large parallel streaming of electrons into the reconnection region. These parallel electron fluxes are required for maintaining quasi-neutrality of the reconnection region and increase with decreasing values of the normalized electron pressure upstream of the reconnection region, βe∞=2μ0ne∞Te∞/B∞2. A threshold (βe∞ < 0.02) is derived for strong double layers to develop. We also document how the electron confinement, provided in part by the structure in E∥, allows sustained energization by perpendicular electric fields (E⊥). The energization is a consequence of the confined electrons' chaotic orbital motion that includes drifts aligned with the reconnection electric field. The level of energization is proportional to the initial particle energy and therefore is enhanced by the initial energy boost of the acceleration potential, eΦ∥=e∫x∞E∥dl, acquired by electrons entering the region. The mechanism is effective in an extended region of the reconnection exhaust allowing for the generation of superthermal electrons in reconnection scenarios, including those with only a single x-line. An expression for the phase-space distribution of the superthermal electrons is derived, providing an accurate match to the kinetic simulation results. The numerical and analytical results agree with detailed spacecraft observations recorded during reconnection events in the Earth's magnetotail.
A servo controlled gradient loading triaxial model test system for deep-buried cavern
Authors: Chen Xu-guang , Zhang Qiang-yong , Li Shu-cai
Published: October 2015

A servo controlled gradient loading model test system is developed to simulate the gradient geostress in deep-buried cavern. This system consists of the gradient loading apparatus, the digital servo control device, and the measurement system. Among them, the gradient loading apparatus is the main component which is used for exerting load onto the model. This loading apparatus is placed inside the counterforce wall/beam and is divided to several different loading zones, with each loading zone independently controlled. This design enables the gradient loading. Hence, the “real” geostress field surrounding the deep-buried cavern can be simulated. The loading or unloading process can be controlled by the human-computer interaction machines, i.e., the digital servo control system. It realizes the automation and visualization of model loading/unloading. In addition, this digital servo could control and regulate hydraulic loading instantaneously, which stabilizes the geostress onto the model over a long term. During the loading procedure, the collision between two adjacent loading platens is also eliminated by developing a guide frame. This collision phenomenon is induced by the volume shrinkage of the model when compressed in true 3D state. In addition, several accurate measurements, including the optical and grating-based method, are adopted to monitor the small deformation of the model. Hence, the distortion of the model could be accurately measured. In order to validate the performance of this innovative model test system, a 3D geomechanical test was conducted on a simulated deep-buried underground reservoir. The result shows that the radial convergence increases rapidly with the release of the stress in the reservoir. Moreover, the deformation increases with the increase of the gas production rate. This observation is consistence with field observation in petroleum engineering. The system is therefore capable of testing deep-buried engineering structures.
The inverse scattering transform for the differential-difference Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation
Authors: Li Qi , Su Shu-hua , Li Ming-hui , Zhang Jian-bing
Published: October 2015

The inverse scattering transform for the differential-difference Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation is presented. The properties of Jost function and scattering data are investigated for the direct problem, which is related to a “DBAR” problem and Fourier transform involving both the discrete variable and the continuous one. The inverse problem is formulated and the time evolution of scattering data is given by using the generalized Cauchy integral formula and the time dependent part of the corresponding Lax pair.
Mode specific dynamics of the H2 + CH3 → H + CH4 reaction studied using quasi-classical trajectory and eight-dimensional quantum dynamics methods
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Jun , Chen Liuyang , Lu Yunpeng , Yang Minghui , Guo Hua
Published: October 2015

An eight-dimensional quantum dynamical model is proposed and applied to the title reaction. The reaction probabilities and integral cross sections have been determined for both the ground and excited vibrational states of the two reactants. The results indicate that the H2 stretching and CH3 umbrella modes, along with the translational energy, strongly promote the reactivity, while the CH3 symmetric stretching mode has a negligible effect. The observed mode specificity is confirmed by full-dimensional quasi-classical trajectory calculations. The mode specificity can be interpreted by the recently proposed sudden vector projection model, which attributes the enhancement effects of the reactant modes to their strong couplings with the reaction coordinate at the transition state.
Generation of propagating spin waves from regions of increased dynamic demagnetising field near magnetic antidots
Authors: Davies C. S. , Sadovnikov A. V. , Grishin S. V. , Sharaevskii Yu. P. , Nikitov S. A. , Kruglyak V. V.
Published: October 2015

We have used Brillouin Light Scattering and micromagnetic simulations to demonstrate a point-like source of spin waves created by the inherently nonuniform internal magnetic field in the vicinity of an isolated antidot formed in a continuous film of yttrium-iron-garnet. The field nonuniformity ensures that only well-defined regions near the antidot respond in resonance to a continuous excitation of the entire sample with a harmonic microwave field. The resonantly excited parts of the sample then served as reconfigurable sources of spin waves propagating (across the considered sample) in the form of caustic beams. Our findings are relevant to further development of magnonic circuits, in which point-like spin wave stimuli could be required, and as a building block for interpretation of spin wave behavior in magnonic crystals formed by antidot arrays.
On the Born-Oppenheimer approximation of diatomic molecular resonances
Authors: Martinez André , Sordoni Vania
Published: October 2015

We give a new reduction of a general diatomic molecular Hamiltonian, without modifying it near the collision set of nuclei. The resulting effective Hamiltonian is the sum of a smooth semiclassical pseudodifferential operator (the semiclassical parameter being the inverse of the square-root of the nuclear mass) and a semibounded operator localised in the elliptic region corresponding to the nuclear collision set. We also study its behaviour on exponential weights and give several applications where molecular resonances appear and can be well located.
Sharp and principal elements in effect algebras
Authors: Bińczak G. , Kaleta J.
Published: October 2015

In this paper we characterize the effect algebras whose sharp and principal elements coincide. We present partially solution to the problems: when the set of sharp (principal) elements is closed under orthosum. We also give examples of two non-isomorphic effect algebras having the same universum, partial order, and orthosupplementation.
Contactless microfluidic pumping using microchannel-integrated carbon black composite membranes
Authors: Fu Xiaotong , Gagnon Zachary
Published: October 2015

The ability to pump and manipulate fluid at the micron-scale is a basic requirement for microfluidic platforms. Many current manipulation methods, however, require expensive and bulky external supporting equipment, which are not typically compatible for portable applications. We have developed a contactless metal electro-osmotic micropump capable of pumping conductive buffers. The pump operates using two pairs of gallium metal electrodes, which are activated using an external voltage source and separated from a main flow channel by a thin micron-scale polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane. The thin contactless membrane allows for field penetration and electro-osmotic flow within the microchannel, but eliminates electrode damage and sample contamination commonly associated with traditional DC electro-osmotic pumps that utilize electrodes in direct contact with the working fluid. Our previous work has demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in pumping deionized water. However, due to the high resistivity of PDMS, this method proved difficult to apply towards manipulating conductive buffers. To overcome this limitation, we fabricated conductive carbon black (CB) powder directly into the contactless PDMS membranes. The increased electrical conductivity of the contactless PDMS membrane significantly increased micropump performance. Using a microfluidic T-channel device and an electro-osmotic flow model, we determined the influence that CB has on pump pressure for CB weight percents varying between 0 and 20. The results demonstrate that the CB increases pump pressure by two orders of magnitude and enables effective operations with conductive buffers.
Guiding femtosecond high-intensity high-contrast laser pulses by copper capillaries
Authors: Lotov K. V. , Gubin K. V. , Leshchenko V. E. , Trunov V. I. , Pestryakov E. V.
Published: October 2015

Propagation of high-intensity, high-contrast (<10−8), 50 fs laser pulses through triangular copper capillaries is experimentally studied. The relative transmission through 20-mm-long, about 50 μm wide capillaries is directly measured to be 70% for input intensities up to 1017 W/cm2. The copper reflectivity in vacuum, helium, and air is measured in the intensity range of 1010–1017 W/cm2. No reflectivity decrease in vacuum and helium is observed, which leads to the conclusion that copper capillary waveguides can efficiently guide laser pulses of intensities greater than 1019 W/cm2 on the capillary axis (that corresponds to 1017 W/cm2 on the walls). The reduction of the transmission efficiency to zero after a number of transmitted pulses is observed, which is caused by plug formation inside the capillary. The dependence of the capillary lifetime on the pulse energy is measured.
The effect of ageing on the scattering properties of silver nanoparticles for a plasmonic solar cell
Authors: Pillai S. , Disney C. E. , Yang Y. , Green M. A.
Published: October 2015

Metal nanoparticles (MNP) supporting surface plasmon excitations have demonstrated efficiency improvements in solar cells through large angle scattering and light trapping. However, tarnishing of silver can degrade the scattering properties of the MNP, thereby limiting the potential for light trapping. In this work, we study the impact of ageing on the performance of silver MNPs over time. Our experimental results reveal that the degradation in photocurrent due to ageing can be as high as 7%, when compared to the case of freshly deposited silver MNPs. Simulation results further confirm that the degradation is indeed due to surface tarnish, which behaves as an undesirable over-coating layer. Our results highlight the sensitivity of the MNPs light trapping performance to varying properties of the dielectric material that surrounds them. It is important to prevent exposure of the MNPs to air to avoid tarnish. The use of encapsulation, over-coating, or embedding materials that have the potential to chemically alter the MNP surface should also be avoided. Experimental results reveal a method to mitigate these negative effects.
Veselago lensing in graphene with a p-n junction: Classical versus quantum effects
Authors: Milovanović S. P. , Moldovan D. , Peeters F. M.
Published: October 2015

The feasibility of Veselago lensing in graphene with a p-n junction is investigated numerically for realistic injection leads. Two different set-ups with two narrow leads are considered with absorbing or reflecting side edges. This allows us to separately determine the influence of scattering on electron focusing for the edges and the p-n interface. Both semiclassical and tight-binding simulations show a distinctive peak in the transmission probability that is attributed to the Veselago lensing effect. We investigate the robustness of this peak on the width of the injector, the position of the p-n interface, and different gate potential profiles. Furthermore, the influence of scattering by both short- and long-range impurities is considered.
BeZnCdSe quantum-well ridge-waveguide laser diodes under low threshold room-temperature continuous-wave operation
Authors: Feng Jijun , Akimoto Ryoichi
Published: October 2015

Low threshold current ridge-waveguide BeZnCdSe quantum-well laser diodes (LDs) have been developed by completely etching away the top p-type BeMgZnSe/ZnSe:N short-period superlattice cladding layer, which can suppress the leakage current that flows laterally outside of the electrode. The waveguide LDs are covered with a thick SiO2 layer and planarized with chemical-mechanical polishing and a reactive ion etching process. Room-temperature lasing under continuous-wave condition is achieved with the laser cavity formed by the cleaved waveguide facets coated with high-reflectivity dielectric films. For a 4 μm-wide green LD lasing around a wavelength of 535 nm, threshold current and voltage of 7.07 mA and 7.89 V are achieved for a cavity length of 300 μm, and the internal differential quantum efficiency, internal absorption loss, gain constant, and nominal transparency current density are estimated to be 27%, 4.09 cm−1, 29.92 (cm × μm)/kA and 6.35 kA/(cm2 × μm), respectively. This compact device can realize a significantly improved performance with much lower threshold power consumption, which would benefit the potential application for ZnSe-based green LDs as light sources in full-color display and projector devices installed in consumer products such as pocket projectors.
Radiative decay rates of impurity states in semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Turkov Vadim K. , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. , Rukhlenko Ivan D.
Published: October 2015

Doped semiconductor nanocrystals is a versatile material base for contemporary photonics and optoelectronics devices. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we theoretically calculate the radiative decay rates of the lowest-energy states of donor impurity in spherical nanocrystals made of four widely used semiconductors: ZnS, CdSe, Ge, and GaAs. The decay rates were shown to vary significantly with the nanocrystal radius, increasing by almost three orders of magnitude when the radius is reduced from 15 to 5 nm. Our results suggest that spontaneous emission may dominate the decay of impurity states at low temperatures, and should be taken into account in the design of advanced materials and devices based on doped semiconductor nanocrystals.
Genetic and socioeconomic study of mate choice in Latinos reveals novel assortment patterns
Authors: Zou James Y. , Park Danny S. , Burchard Esteban G. , Torgerson Dara G. , Pino-Yanes Maria , Song Yun S. , Sankararaman Sriram , Halperin Eran , Zaitlen Noah
Published: October 2015

Significance

Nonrandom mating in human populations reflects a confluence of socioeconomic and biological factors. In this paper, we integrate population genomics with quantitative social sciences to address fundamental questions about mate selection. In Mexican and Puerto Rican couples, we find that partners share more similar genomic ancestries, which is characterized as the fractions of genome that come from European, Native American, and African ancestries, than random pairs of individuals from the same community. Our analysis shows that this similarity cannot be explained by the individuals’ socioeconomic factors alone. Our mathematical model illustrates how assortative mating can increase the prevalence of recessive diseases in Latino populations.
Examining the effects of birth order on personality
Authors: Rohrer Julia M. , Egloff Boris , Schmukle Stefan C.
Published: October 2015

Significance

The question of whether a person’s position among siblings has a lasting impact on that person’s life course has fascinated both the scientific community and the general public for >100 years. By combining large datasets from three national panels, we confirmed the effect that firstborns score higher on objectively measured intelligence and additionally found a similar effect on self-reported intellect. However, we found no birth-order effects on extraversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, or imagination. This finding contradicts lay beliefs and prominent scientific theories alike and indicates that the development of personality is less determined by the role within the family of origin than previously thought.
Subdiffusive motion of bacteriophage in mucosal surfaces increases the frequency of bacterial encounters
Authors: Barr Jeremy J. , Auro Rita , Sam-Soon Nicholas , Kassegne Sam , Peters Gregory , Bonilla Natasha , Hatay Mark , Mourtada Sarah , Bailey Barbara , Youle Merry , Felts Ben , Baljon Arlette , Nulton Jim , Salamon Peter , Rohwer Forest
Published: October 2015

Significance

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. Being inanimate, phages rely on diffusion to search for bacterial prey. Here we demonstrate that a phage that adheres weakly to mucus exhibits subdiffusive motion, not normal diffusion, in mucosal surfaces. Supporting theory and experiments revealed that subdiffusive motion increases bacterial encounter rates for phages when bacterial concentration is low. To the best of our knowledge, no other predator has been shown to effectively use a subdiffusive search mechanism. Mucosal surfaces are vulnerable to infection. Mucus-adherent phages reduce bacterial infection of lifelike mucosal surfaces more effectively than nonadherent phages. These findings provide a basis for engineering adherent phages to manipulate mucosal surface microbiomes for protection from infection and other purposes.
Synaptic circuits and their variations within different columns in the visual system of
Drosophila
Authors: Takemura Shin-ya , Xu C. Shan , Lu Zhiyuan , Rivlin Patricia K. , Parag Toufiq , Olbris Donald J. , Plaza Stephen , Zhao Ting , Katz William T. , Umayam Lowell , Weaver Charlotte , Hess Harald F. , Horne Jane Anne , Nunez-Iglesias Juan , Aniceto Roxanne , Chang Lei-Ann , Lauchie Shirley , Nasca Ashley , Ogundeyi Omotara , Sigmund Christopher , Takemura Satoko , Tran Julie , Langille Carlie , Le Lacheur Kelsey , McLin Sari , Shinomiya Aya , Chklovskii Dmitri B. , Meinertzhagen Ian A. , Scheffer Louis K.
Published: October 2015

Significance

Circuit diagrams of brains are generally reported only as absolute or consensus networks; these diagrams fail to identify the accuracy of connections, however, for which multiple circuits of the same neurons must be documented. For this reason, the modular composition of the
Drosophila
visual system, with many identified neuron classes, is ideal. Using EM, we identified synaptic connections in the fly’s second visual relay neuropil, or medulla, in the 20 neuron classes in a so-called “core connectome,” those neurons present in seven neighboring columns. These connections identify circuits for motion. Their error rates for wiring reveal that <1% of contacts overall are not part of a consensus circuit but incorporate errors of either omission or commission. Autapses are occasionally seen.
VEGF-B-Neuropilin-1 signaling is spatiotemporally indispensable for vascular and neuronal development in zebrafish
Authors: Jensen Lasse D. , Nakamura Masaki , Bräutigam Lars , Li Xuri , Liu Yizhi , Samani Nilesh J. , Cao Yihai
Published: October 2015

Significance

We provide one of the few examples of spatiotemporal expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-B, which determine vascular development in zebrafish embryos. Nonoverlapping vascular functions of VEGF-A and VEGF-B are regulated by environmental oxygen tension. We show, for the first time to our knowledge, that downregulation of VEGF-B in zebrafish but not in mouse embryos produces a lethal phenotype owing to vascular defects. These findings indicate that different species use distinct mechanisms by the same factor for vascular development. Our data imply previously unidentified mechanisms for angiogenesis under pathological conditions as compared with healthy counterparts. Thus, differential targeting of the same VEGF-B in pathological and physiological angiogenesis may be potentially achieved by understanding spatiotemporal mechanisms of VEGF-B in relation to VEGF-A.
Transgenic expression of the proneural transcription factor Ascl1 in Müller glia stimulates retinal regeneration in young mice
Authors: Ueki Yumi , Wilken Matthew S. , Cox Kristen E. , Chipman Laura , Jorstad Nikolas , Sternhagen Kristen , Simic Milesa , Ullom Kristy , Nakafuku Masato , Reh Thomas A.
Published: October 2015

Significance

The retina is subject to a variety of insults that lead to degeneration of one or more types of neurons and ultimate visual impairment and blindness. Although the retinas of nonmammalian vertebrates can regenerate new neurons after injury, mammalian retinas largely lack this potential. We have tested whether the expression of the proneural transcription factor Ascl1 may be a key difference between the fish and mouse by targeting this factor to the cells that provide new retinal progenitors in mature retina, the Müller glia. Our results show that at least one of the differences between mammal and fish Müller glia that bears on their difference in regenerative potential is the proneural transcription factor Ascl1.
Digoxin derivatives with selectivity for the α2β3 isoform of Na,K-ATPase potently reduce intraocular pressure
Authors: Katz Adriana , Tal Daniel M. , Heller Dan , Habeck Michael , Ben Zeev Efrat , Rabah Bilal , Bar Kana Yaniv , Marcovich Arie L. , Karlish Steven J. D.
Published: October 2015

Significance

Glaucoma is associated with increased pressure in the eye, which can be alleviated by increasing outflow from the eye or reducing inflow of aqueous humor produced in the ciliary epithelium. A special form of Na,K-ATPase (α2β3 isoform), the ion pump that maintains electrochemical gradients of Na
+
and K
+
across animal cell membranes, powers production of aqueous humor. We describe derivatives of a classical Na,K-ATPase inhibitor, digoxin, with selectivity for the α2β3 isoform over the common α1β1 isoform and show that topical application of α2β3-selective derivatives to rabbit eyes efficiently reduces either pharmacologically raised or basal intraocular pressure. This work confirms the importance of α2β3 in production of aqueous humor and may provide a novel approach for glaucoma drug therapy.
Molecular signatures of plastic phenotypes in two eusocial insect species with simple societies
Authors: Patalano Solenn , Vlasova Anna , Wyatt Chris , Ewels Philip , Camara Francisco , Ferreira Pedro G. , Asher Claire L. , Jurkowski Tomasz P. , Segonds-Pichon Anne , Bachman Martin , González-Navarrete Irene , Minoche André E. , Krueger Felix , Lowy Ernesto , Marcet-Houben Marina , Rodriguez-Ales Jose Luis , Nascimento Fabio S. , Balasubramanian Shankar , Gabaldon Toni , Tarver James E. , Andrews Simon , Himmelbauer Heinz , Hughes William O. H. , Guigó Roderic , Reik Wolf , Sumner Seirian
Published: October 2015

Significance

In eusocial insect societies, such as ants and some bees and wasps, phenotypes are highly plastic, generating alternative phenotypes (queens and workers) from the same genome. The greatest plasticity is found in simple insect societies, in which individuals can switch between phenotypes as adults. The genomic, transcriptional, and epigenetic underpinnings of such plasticity are largely unknown. In contrast to the complex societies of the honeybee, we find that simple insect societies lack distinct transcriptional differentiation between phenotypes and coherently patterned DNA methylomes. Instead, alternative phenotypes are largely defined by subtle transcriptional network organization. These traits may facilitate genomic plasticity. These insights and resources will stimulate new approaches and hypotheses that will help to unravel the genomic processes that create phenotypic plasticity.
Erk signaling is indispensable for genomic stability and self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Chen Haixia , Guo Renpeng , Zhang Qian , Guo Hongchao , Yang Meng , Wu Zhenfeng , Gao Shan , Liu Lin , Chen Lingyi
Published: October 2015

Significance

Signaling pathways regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Suppression of Mek/Erk signaling by pharmacological inhibitors promotes self-renewal and pluripotency maintenance of mouse ESCs, supporting the prevailing view that Erk signaling is dispensable for ESC self-renewal. However, using inducible
Erk
knockout ESCs, we demonstrate that Erk signaling is critical for ESC self-renewal. ESCs cannot be maintained for more than four passages after
Erk
depletion, associated with misregulated expression of pluripotency genes, reduced proliferation rate, G1 cell-cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, rapid shortening of telomeres, and impaired genomic stability. We further demonstrate an Erk-independent function of Mek, which may explain the diverse effects of Mek inhibition and
Erk
knockout on ESC self-renewal.
Theory for rates, equilibrium constants, and Brønsted slopes in F
1
-ATPase single molecule imaging experiments
Authors: Volkán-Kacsó Sándor , Marcus Rudolph A.
Published: October 2015

Significance

The biological function in the F1-ATPase enzyme can be elucidated by understanding the dynamical interplay of reactions and mechanical rotation in the protein. Recent single molecule imaging and rotor manipulation experiments revealed that the rate constants of enzymatic steps, such as ATP binding or phosphate release, show an exponential dependence on the stalled rotor angle. Following concepts that originated in theories of electron and group transfer reactions, a structure-based analytic model is described to treat the dynamical behavior observed in these experiments. Using biochemical and the single molecule observations, thermodynamic driving potentials are constructed that take into account the elasticity of the rotor shaft. The model predicts observable quantities without using adjustable parameters and is tested using existing data.
The human gene damage index as a gene-level approach to prioritizing exome variants
Authors: Itan Yuval , Shang Lei , Boisson Bertrand , Patin Etienne , Bolze Alexandre , Moncada-Vélez Marcela , Scott Eric , Ciancanelli Michael J. , Lafaille Fabien G. , Markle Janet G. , Martinez-Barricarte Ruben , de Jong Sarah Jill , Kong Xiao-Fei , Nitschke Patrick , Belkadi Aziz , Bustamante Jacinta , Puel Anne , Boisson-Dupuis Stéphanie , Stenson Peter D. , Gleeson Joseph G. , Cooper David N. , Quintana-Murci Lluis , Claverie Jean-Michel , Zhang Shen-Ying , Abel Laurent , Casanova Jean-Laurent
Published: October 2015

Significance

The protein-coding exome of a patient with a monogenic disease contains about 20,000 variations, of which only one or two are disease causing. When attempting to select disease-causing candidate mutation(s), a challenge is to filter out as many false-positive (FP) variants as possible. In this study, we describe the gene damage index (GDI), a metric for the nonsynonymous mutational load in each protein-coding gene in the general population. We show that the GDI is an efficient gene-level method for filtering out FP variants in genes that are highly damaged in the general population.
Rootletin organizes the ciliary rootlet to achieve neuron sensory function in Drosophila
Authors: Chen Jieyan V. , Kao Ling-Rong , Jana Swadhin C. , Sivan-Loukianova Elena , Mendonça Susana , Cabrera Oscar A. , Singh Priyanka , Cabernard Clemens , Eberl Daniel F. , Bettencourt-Dias Monica , Megraw Timothy L.
Published: October 2015

Cilia are essential for cell signaling and sensory perception. In many cell types, a cytoskeletal structure called the ciliary rootlet links the cilium to the cell body. Previous studies indicated that rootlets support the long-term stability of some cilia. Here we report that Drosophila melanogaster Rootletin (Root), the sole orthologue of the mammalian paralogs Rootletin and C-Nap1, assembles into rootlets of diverse lengths among sensory neuron subtypes. Root mutant neurons lack rootlets and have dramatically impaired sensory function, resulting in behavior defects associated with mechanosensation and chemosensation. Root is required for cohesion of basal bodies, but the cilium structure appears normal in Root mutant neurons. We show, however, that normal rootlet assembly requires centrioles. The N terminus of Root contains a conserved domain and is essential for Root function in vivo. Ectopically expressed Root resides at the base of mother centrioles in spermatocytes and localizes asymmetrically to mother centrosomes in neuroblasts, both requiring Bld10, a basal body protein with varied functions.
Cell biology of the future: Nanometer-scale cellular cartography
Authors: Taraska Justin W.
Published: October 2015

Understanding cellular structure is key to understanding cellular regulation. New developments in super-resolution fluorescence imaging, electron microscopy, and quantitative image analysis methods are now providing some of the first three-dimensional dynamic maps of biomolecules at the nanometer scale. These new maps—comprehensive nanometer-scale cellular cartographies—will reveal how the molecular organization of cells influences their diverse and changeable activities.
LEO P: AN UNQUENCHED VERY LOW-MASS GALAXY*
Authors: McQuinn Kristen B. W. , Skillman Evan D. , Dolphin Andrew , Cannon John M. , Salzer John J. , Rhode Katherine L. , Adams Elizabeth A. K. , Berg Danielle , Giovanelli Riccardo , Girardi Léo , Haynes Martha P.
Published: October 2015

Leo P is a low-luminosity dwarf galaxy discovered through the blind H i Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA survey. The H i and follow-up optical observations have shown that Leo P is a gas-rich dwarf galaxy with active star formation, an underlying older population, and an extremely low oxygen abundance. We have obtained optical imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope to two magnitudes below the red clump in order to study the evolution of Leo P. We refine the distance measurement to Leo P to be 1.62 ± 0.15 Mpc, based on the luminosity of the horizontal branch stars and 10 newly identified RR Lyrae candidates. This places the galaxy at the edge of the Local Group, ∼0.4 Mpc from Sextans B, the nearest galaxy in the NGC 3109 association of dwarf galaxies of which Leo P is clearly a member. The star responsible for ionizing the H ii region is most likely an O7V or O8V spectral type, with a stellar mass ≳25 M
⊙. The presence of this star provides observational evidence that massive stars at the upper end of the initial mass function are capable of being formed at star formation rates as low as ∼10−5
M
⊙ yr−1. The best-fitting star formation history (SFH) derived from the resolved stellar populations of Leo P using the latest PARSEC models shows a relatively constant star formation rate over the lifetime of the galaxy. The modeled luminosity characteristics of Leo P at early times are consistent with low-luminosity dSph Milky Way satellites, suggesting that Leo P is what a low-mass dSph would look like if it evolved in isolation and retained its gas. Despite the very low mass of Leo P, the imprint of reionization on its SFH is subtle at best, and consistent with being totally negligible. The isolation of Leo P, and the total quenching of star formation of Milky Way satellites of similar mass, implies that the local environment dominates the quenching of the Milky Way satellites.
Corporate Law and Self-Regulation
Authors: Kershaw David
Published: October 2015

This chapter explores the different ways in which market actors are “co-opted” as corporate law regulators. It considers the preconditions for generating “endogenous self-regulation” through the lens of the formation and operation of the UK Takeover Code and Panel. From endogenous self-regulation, the chapter moves onto consider “market-controlled” regulation where the state directly co-opts market actors as regulators. The chapter shows that the regulatory biases generated by self-regulation are more multi-faceted than, and often inconsistent with, the standard account that self-regulation is likely to generate rules that favour the regulated.
Workplace Flexibility
Authors: Kossek Ellen Ernst , Thompson Rebecca J.
Published: October 2015

Workplace flexibility research has had mixed results and varied consequences for employees and employers. Workplace flexibility is defined as a formal or informal agreement between an employer and employee to provide individual job control over flexibility in timing, location, amount, or continuity in concert with nonwork needs. Integrating organizational and individual perspectives, this chapter discusses the mixed consequences of workplace flexibility taking into account that each type can be understood from varying employment relationship vantages, outcomes, and implementation challenges. The chapter concludes by examining multiple stakeholder roles to enhance future research and practice linkages.