bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women’s empowerment in agriculture and child nutritional status in rural Nepal
Authors: Cunningham Kenda , Ploubidis George B , Menon Purnima , Ruel Marie , Kadiyala Suneetha , Uauy Ricardo , Ferguson Elaine
Published: March 2015

Objective

To examine the association between women’s empowerment in agriculture and nutritional status among children under 2 years of age in rural Nepal.

Design

Cross-sectional survey of 4080 households conducted in 2012. Data collected included: child and maternal anthropometric measurements; child age and sex; maternal age, education, occupation and empowerment in agriculture; and household size, number of children, religion, caste and agro-ecological zone. Associations between the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI)’s Five Domains of Empowerment (5DE) sub-index and its ten component indicators and child length-for-ageZ-scores (LAZ) and weight-for-lengthZ-scores (WLZ) were estimated, using ordinary least-squares regression models, with and without adjustments for key child, maternal and household level covariates.

Setting

Two hundred and forty rural communities across sixteen districts of Nepal.

Subjects

Children under 24 months of age and their mothers (n1787).

Results

The overall WEAI 5DE was positively associated with LAZ (β=0·20,P=0·04). Three component indicators were also positively associated with LAZ: satisfaction with leisure time (β=0·27,P<0·01), access to and decisions regarding credit (β=0·20,P=0·02) and autonomy in production (β=0·10,P=0·04). No indicator of women’s empowerment in agriculture was associated with WLZ.

Conclusions

Women’s empowerment in agriculture, as measured by the WEAI 5DE and three of its ten component indicators, was significantly associated with LAZ, highlighting the potential role of women’s empowerment in improving child nutrition in Nepal. Additional studies are needed to determine whether interventions to improve women’s empowerment will improve child nutrition.
Suitability of quality-of-life outcome measures in palliative care in the South African setting
Authors: Maree Johanna E. , Jansen Van Rensburg Jacoba J.M.
Published: March 2015

Objective:

Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional, subjective, and highly individual phenomenon. The current study speaks to the QoL domains identified by palliative patients living in Africa. The need to identify these domains has been recognized but seemed to still be lacking. This study filled this knowledge gap by providing the domains and by giving directions in terms of the assessment of QoL in palliative patients living in resource-restricted communities in South Africa.

Method:

We followed a multi-method approach and conducted a literature review to identify and describe the multidimensional QoL instruments used in African palliative care. A secondary analysis design and open-coding method was employed to identify the domains influencing the QoL of palliative patients living in a resource-restricted South African community, after which we compared these domains to the domains assessed by the identified QoL instruments.

Results:

We found that two multidimensional QoL of life instruments—the Missoula–Vitas Quality of Life Index (MVQoLI) and the Functional Assessments of Chronic Illness Therapy–Palliative Care (FACIT–Pal)—have been used in African palliative care and have identified various domains, grouped as four themes: physical concerns, psychosocial issues, financial restraints, and existential issues. The patient-identified QoL domains were to a great extent not assessed by the MVQoLI and FACIT–Pal.

Significance of Results:

Our study highlights the complexity of QoL and QoL assessment. A more accurate representation of the QoL of palliative patients living in resource-restricted communities might be obtained by using individualized measures or exploring what QoL means to these patients and selecting QoL instruments accordingly.
Stochastic approach to modeling the γ-ray variability of Fermi/LAT blazars
Authors: Sobolewska M. , Siemiginowska A. , Kelly B. , Nalewajko K.
Published: March 2015

We studied the γ-ray variability of 13 blazars observed with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). These blazars were among the brightest ones monitored during the first 4 years of the Fermi sky survey. We modelled their γ-ray light curves with the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) process or mixed OU process. The power spectral density (PSD) of the OU process is a zero-centered Lorentzian function, proportional to 1/fα with α changing at a characteristic time scale, τ0, from 0 (τ ≫ τ0) to 2 (τ ≪ τ0). The PSD of the mixed OU process has in addition an intermediate part with 0 < α < 2 between the long and short characteristic time scales. We show that the OU model provides a good description of the Fermi/LAT light curves of three blazars in our sample. For the first time we provide constraints on the characteristic γ-ray time scale of variability in two BL Lac sources, 3C 66A and PKS 2155-304. We find that the mixed OU process describes the light curves of the remaining 10 blazars better than the OU process. We infer that their Fermi/LAT PSD resemble power-law functions and constrain their PSD slopes.
Very high energy gamma-rays from flat spectrum radio quasars
Authors: Lindfors Elina
Published: March 2015

The detection of Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) in the Very High Energy (VHE, E>100 GeV) range is challenging, mainly because of their steep soft spectra and distance. Nevertheless four FSRQs are now known to be VHE emitters. The detection of the VHE γ-rays has challenged the emission models of these sources. The sources are also found to exhibit very different behavior. I will give an overview of what is known about the VHE emission of these sources and about the multiwavelength signatures that are connected to the VHE gamma-ray emission.
Multifrequency VLBI follow up study of strong γ-ray flares in the blazars 3C273 and 3C279
Authors: Lisakov Mikhail M. , Kovalev Yuri Y.
Published: March 2015

We present multifrequency VLBI observations of the blazars 3C273 and 3C279 after detecting strong γ-ray flares in both of them. 3C273 exhibited a prominent flare in γ-rays in September 2009 which was followed by a strong flare in the 7 mm VLBI core and emergence of a new feature in the parsec scale jet. We have used time delay between flares in different wavebands together with kinematic analysis to determine that the γ-ray emission zone in 3C273 is located 3.6-5.3 pc upstream from the apparent 7 mm core. We have also analyzed frequency dependent core position to measure a deprojected distance between 7 mm core and the true base of the jet: 1-6 pc for 3C273 and 1-3 pc for 3C279, depending on observing epoch. For 3C279 light curve analysis did not give a robust γ-radio delay because there were too many overlapping flares in this source during considered period.
First results from HAWC: monitoring the TeV gamma-ray sky
Authors: Lauer Robert J. ,   for the HAWC Collaboration
Published: March 2015

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory is a wide-field gamma-ray detector sensitive to primary energies between 100 GeV and 100 TeV. The array is being built at an altitude of 4100 m a.s.l. on the Sierra Negra volcano near Puebla, Mexico. Data taking has already started while construction continues, with the completion projected for early 2015. The design is optimized to detect extended air showers induced by gamma rays that pass through the array and to reconstruct the directions and energies of the primary photons. With a duty cycle close to 100% and a daily coverage of ~8 sr of the sky, HAWC will perform a survey of TeV emissions from many different sources. The northern active galactic nuclei will be monitored for up to 6 hours each day, providing unprecedented light curve coverage at energies comparable to those of imaging air Cherenkov telescopes. HAWC has been in scientific operation with more than 100 detector modules since August 2013. Here we present a preliminary look at the first results and discuss the efforts to integrate HAWC in multi-wavelength studies of extragalactic jets.
Using the methods of wavelet analysis and singular spectrum analysis in the study of the variability of flux of radio sources 3C120 and BL Lac in the radio range
Authors: Donskykh Ganna , Ryabov Michael , Sukharev Artem , Aller Margo
Published: March 2015

We investigated the monitoring data of extragalactic sources 3C120 and BL Lac. This monitoring was held with University of Michigan 26-meter radio telescope. To study flux density of extragalactic sources 3C120 and BL Lac at frequencies of 14.5, 8 and 4.8 GHz, the wavelet analysis and singular spectrum analysis were used. Calculating the integral wavelet spectra revealed long-term components (11 - 4 years) and short-term components (3.4 - 0.7 years) in 3C120. BL Lac has long-period components of 7 - 8 years and short-term components of 1 - 4 years. Studying of VLBI radio maps (by the program Mojave) allowed investigating features of components movement relatively to the VLBI core. The data of radio astronomy observations were also investigated using singular spectrum analysis. This method does not use the analyzing function, so its calculations allow to distinguish various components of investigated series with a high accuracy. To get spectral power distribution depending on time in the studied narrowband components obtained by singular spectrum analysis, short-term Fourier transformation was used.
Variability of the counterpart to the gamma-ray blazar GT0106+613
Authors: Luque-Escamilla Pedro L. , Martí J. , Ramírez-Valenzuela E. , Muñoz-Arjonilla A. J. , Paredes J. M.
Published: March 2015

We present the optical/infrared counterpart to GT0106+613, a transient gamma-ray source believed to be a blazar. Long-term differential photometry and satellite information was used to confirm the variability in optical/infrared wavelengths, correlated with gamma-ray flares from the source. An intense optical flare with no counterpart in gamma-rays is also remarkable.
The mid-infrared spectral characteristics of blazars
Authors: Smith Howard A. , Massaro F. , D'Abrusco R. , Paggi A. , Cowperthwaite P. , Masetti N. , Giroletti M. , Tosti G. , Landoni M.
Published: March 2015

We previously reported discovering that blazars have distinctive infrared colors as seen in the WISE mission. Of particular note are γ-ray blazars, the locus of whose colors roughly overlaps with QSOs contours but which is more tightly delimited and bluer than ULIRGs and Seyferts. Since a large fraction of γ-ray sources are unassociated with any point source, but are expected to be blazars, identifying a WISE-candidate blazar in the γ-ray source field enables efficient followup studies. In an effort to better understand why blazars have these colors, we reduced and analyzed Spitzer Infrared Spectrometer (IRS) measurements on 73 blazars of varying types, some at several epochs. These spectra can be used to study the continuum emission (non-thermal), and search for atomic or other spectral features.
Symmetric and triangle-shaped variability of blazars
Authors: Yoshida Kenji
Published: March 2015

Symmetric and triangle-shaped flux variability in X-ray and gamma-ray light curves is observed from many blazars. We derived the X-ray spectrum changing in time by using a kinetic equation of high energy electrons. Giving linearly changing the injection of low energy electrons into accelerating and emitting region, we obtained the preliminary results that represent the characteristic X-ray variability of the linear flux increase with hardening in the rise phase and the linear decrease with softening in the decay phase.
AGN feedback by relativistic jets
Authors: Bicknell G. V. , McNamara B. R. , Nawaz M. A. , Sutherland R. S. , Umemura M. , Wagner A. Y.
Published: March 2015

Feedback provided by relativistic jets may be effective in shaping the galaxy luminosity function. The quenching mode (quasar mode) at redshifts ~2-3 potentially disperses gas in star-forming galaxies. The maintenance mode (radio mode) heats the gas in galaxy clusters counteracting cooling flows. A number of authors have examined the effect of relativistic jets in dispersing clouds in the kpc-scale inhomogeneous interstellar medium of evolving galaxies. We have also investigated a particular case of maintenance-mode feedback in our simulation of the iconic radio galaxy / cooling flow cluster Hydra A. Modelling of the knots produced by the jets in the inner 10 kpc provides an estimate of 0.8 – 0.9 c for the velocities of the jets in agreement with other velocity estimates for FR1 jets. The addition of jet precession provides realistic simulations of the morphology of the Hydra A radio source and raises interesting questions as to the role of black hole and disk precession, in general, in galaxy formation.
The parsec-scale structure, kinematics, and polarization of radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies
Authors: Richards J. L. , Lister M. L. , Savolainen T. , Homan D. C. , Kadler M. , Hovatta T. , Readhead A. C. S. , Arshakian T. G. , Chavushyan V.
Published: March 2015

Several narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) have now been detected in gamma rays, providing firm evidence that at least some of this class of active galactic nuclei (AGN) produce relativistic jets. The presence of jets in NLS1s is surprising, as these sources are typified by comparatively small black hole masses and near- or super-Eddington accretion rates. This challenges the current understanding of the conditions necessary for jet production. Comparing the properties of the jets in NLS1s with those in more familiar jetted systems is thus essential to improve jet production models. We present early results from our campaign to monitor the kinematics and polarization of the parsec-scale jets in a sample of 15 NLS1s through multifrequency observations with the Very Long Baseline Array. These observations are complemented by fast-cadence 15 GHz monitoring with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory 40 m telescope and optical spectroscopic monitoring with with the 2 m class telescope at the Guillermo Haro Astrophysics Observatory in Cananea, Mexico.
Very high energy neutrino expectation from Fanaroff-Riley I sources
Authors: Marinelli Antonio , Fraija Nissim
Published: March 2015

Fanaroff-Riley I radiogalaxies have been observed in TeV gamma-rays during the last decades. The origin of the emission processes related with this energy band is still under debate. Here we consider the case of the two closest Fanaroff-Riley I objects: Centaurus A and M87. Their entire broadband spectral energy distributions and variability fluxes show evidences that leptonic models are not sufficient to explain their fluxes above 100 GeV. Indeed, both objects have been imaged by LAT instrument aboard of Fermi telescope with measured spectra well connected with one-zone leptonic models. However, to explain the TeV spectra obtained with campaigns by H.E.S.S., for Centaurus A, and by VERITAS, MAGIC and H.E.S.S. for M87, different emission processes must be introduced. In this work we introduce hadronic scenarios to describe the TeV gamma-ray fluxes observed and to obtain the expected neutrino counterparts for each considered TeV campaign. With the obtained neutrino spectra we calculate, through Monte Carlo simulations, the expected neutrino event rate in a hypothetical Km3 neutrino telescope and we compare the results with what has been observed by IceCube experiment up to now.
A survey of X-ray emission from 100 kpc radio jets
Authors: Schwartz D. A. , Marshall H. L. , Worrall D. M. , Birkinshaw M. , Perlman E. , Lovell J. E. J. , Jauncey D. , Murphy D. , Gelbord J. , Godfrey L. , Bicknell G.
Published: March 2015

We have completed a Chandra snapshot survey of 54 radio jets that are extended on arcsec scales. These are associated with flat spectrum radio quasars spanning a redshift range z=0.3 to 2.1. X-ray emission is detected from the jet of approximately 60% of the sample objects. We assume minimum energy and apply conditions consistent with the original Felten-Morrison calculations in order to estimate the Lorentz factors and the apparent Doppler factors. This allows estimates of the enthalpy fluxes, which turn out to be comparable to the radiative luminosities.
Spatially resolved studies of extragalactic jets in high redshift radio galaxies
Authors: Morabito Leah K. , Deller Adam , Oonk J. B. R. , Röttgering Huub , Miley George
Published: March 2015

The correlation between radio spectral steepness and redshift has been successfully used to find high redshift (z ⩾ 2) radio galaxies, but the origin of this relation is unknown. The ultra-steep spectra of high-z radio sources make them ideally suited for studies with the Low Band Antenna of the new Low Frequency Array, which covers 10–80 MHz and has baselines up to about 1300 km. As part of an ongoing survey, we use the longest baselines to map the low-frequency (< 70 MHz) spatial distributions along the jets of 5 bright extended steep spectrum high-z radio sources. From this, we will determine whether the spectra change over these spatially resolved sources, thereby constraining particle acceleration processes. We present early results from our low-frequency survey of ultra-steep spectrum radio galaxies. The first low frequency long baseline images of these objects are presented.
Early evolution stage of AGN
Authors: Kunert-Bajraszewska M. , Labiano A. , Siemiginowska A. , Guainazzi M. , Gawroński M.
Published: March 2015

Radio sources are divided into two distinct morphological groups of objects: Fanaroff-Riley type I and type II sources. There is a relatively sharp luminosity boundary between these at low frequency. The nature of the FR division is still an open issue, as are the details of the evolutionary process in which younger and smaller GHz-peaked spectrum (GPS) and compact steep spectrum (CSS) sources become large-scale radio structures. It is still unclear whether FRII objects evolve to become FRIs, or whether a division has already occurred amongst CSS sources and some of these then become FRIs and some FRIIs. We explored evolution scenarios of AGNs using new radio, optical and X-ray data of unstudied so far Low Luminosity Compact (LLC) sources. We suggest that the determining factors of the further evolution of compact radio objects could occur at subgalactic (or even nuclear) scales, or they could be related to the radio jet - interstellar medium (ISM) interactions and evolution. Our studies show that the evolutionary track could be related to the interaction, strength of the radio source and excitation levels of the ionized gas instead of the radio morphology of the young radio source.
The North Middle Lobe of Centaurus A
Authors: Neff Susan G. , Eilek Jean A. , Owen Frazer N.
Published: March 2015

We present new, deep VLA 327 MHz, GALEX Far-UV, and Hα images of the inner ~50 kpc of Centaurus A. We find the structure identified by Morganti et al. 1999 as a possible “large scale jet” is part of a knotty, linear feature within a broader region of diffuse radio emission. The linear feature is coincident with a narrow ribbon of Far-UV and Hα emission that extends 6-35 kpc from the galaxy core, as well with a similar ridge of soft X-ray emission. The Far-UV image also shows that a strong starburst is occurring in the central dusty disk, with a star-formation rate of ~ 2M⊙ yr−1. We suggest that the various peculiar phenomena seen to the NE of the galaxy can be explained by a wind from the starburst disk, enhanced by energy input from the AGN.
Jet-gas interactions at crucial jet power for feedback
Authors: Worrall D. M. , Birkinshaw M.
Published: March 2015

Most X-ray studies of radio-mode feedback have concentrated on locally-abundant low-power radio sources in relatively rich cluster environments. But the scaling found between mechanical and radiative power, when combined with the radio luminosity function, means that half of the heating in the local Universe is expected from higher-power sources, which lie within a factor of about three of the FRI/II transition, and these sources encounter a wide range of atmosphere properties. We summarize what is observed at FRI/II transition powers from a complete sample observed with modest Chandra exposure times. We then discuss two systems with deep Chandra data. In one we find that the work done in driving shocks exceeds that in evacuating cavities. This source also displays a remarkable jet-cloud interaction, and revealing hotspot X-ray emission. In the second we find evidence of radio-emitting plasma running along boundaries between gas of different temperature, apparently lubricating the gas flows and inhibiting heat transfer, and itself being heavily structured by the process.
X-ray jets and nuclear emission in low redshift early-type galaxies
Authors: Jones Christine , Forman William , Churazov Eugene , Nulsen Paul
Published: March 2015

Due to its high angular resolution, the Chandra Observatory has allowed the discovery and detailed study of extragalactic X-ray jets. Although supermassive black holes are regularly found in the cores of massive galaxies and X-ray emission is detected from ~80% of these, X-ray and radio jets are only detected in a small fraction of “normal” galaxies. X-ray jets are either single-sided or double-sided and, with only one possible exception, are found to have radio emission. However many radio jets are not detected in current X-ray observations. The expanding jets produce cavities in the surrounding hot gas in the galaxy halos. By determining how much gas has been pushed out of these cavities, we can determine the mechanical energy and power of the jet.
Radio source evolution from galaxy core to intracluster medium
Authors: Maciel Tamela , Alexander Paul
Published: March 2015

There is mounting evidence that mechanical kinetic-mode AGN feedback is important in galaxy evolution, and in order to quantify this feedback, detailed models of radio source evolution are required. Self-similar analytic models exist for large powerful radio sources but the evolution of young precursor radio sources is not yet fully understood. In this talk we present a versatile dynamical and radiative model for young source evolution on sub-kiloparsec scales, which extends existing self-similar models into a more complete radio source evolutionary model. This semi-analytic model is successful in reproducing the strong spectral aging observed in compact symmetric objects.
Evidence for jet driven outflows: the case of 3C293
Authors: Mahony E. K. , Oonk J. B. R. , Morganti R. , Oosterloo T. A. , Emonts B. H. C. , Tadhunter C. N.
Published: March 2015

The tight correlations observed between galaxies and their SMBH provides compelling evidence that the evolution of the galaxy and its central black hole are strongly linked. This is generally attributed to feedback mechanisms which, according to simulations, often take the form of outflows of gas, quenching star formation in the host galaxy and halting accretion onto the central black hole. While there are a number of plausible ways that outflows could be produced, recent results have shown that in some cases radio jets could be responsible for driving fast outflows of gas. One such example is seen in the nearby radio galaxy 3C293. In this talk I will present results from JVLA radio observations where we detect fast outflows (~1200 km/s) of neutral gas which are being driven by the radio-jet approximately 0.5 kpc from the central core, providing direct evidence for jet-ISM interaction. This is accompanied with recent IFU observations showing that ionised gas outflows are also being driven by the radio jet. Pinpointing the location of these outflows enables us to derive crucial parameters, such as the mass outflow rates and kinetic energy involved, which we can compare to predictions from galaxy evolution simulations.
The implications of bent jets in galaxy groups
Authors: Nielsen Danielle M. , Wilcots Eric M.
Published: March 2015

Bent-double sources, sometimes referred to as wide- or narrow-angle tails, are most likely the result of ram pressure from either the motion of the source through a dense medium or the "cluster weather." These unusual sources have long been associated with high density, high velocity dispersion, and turbulent environments of massive clusters, however a surprising number have been found in lower mass systems. We focus our attention on a sample of such sources in galaxy groups where the velocity dispersion is significantly lower. We have acquired multi-frequency radio continuum observations using the GMRT of our bent-double sample and new optical spectroscopy to measure the velocity dispersion of groups hosting these bent-double sources. Our goal is to derive an estimate of the density of the intergalactic medium in these groups. Here, we present GMRT data for one source in our sample.
Supermassive black holes (SMBH) at work: M87, a case study of the effects of SMBH outbursts
Authors: Forman William , Churazov Eugene , Jones Christine , Vikhlinin Alexey
Published: March 2015

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) play key roles in galaxy and cluster evolution. This is most clearly seen in the “fossil record” that is imprinted in the gas rich atmospheres of early type galaxies, groups, and clusters by powerful SMBH outbursts. From a detailed X-ray study of M87, we present the properties of a typical SMBH outburst, its evolution, and the energy partition between shocks and the enthalpy of the gas cavities inflated by the SMBH. About 12 Myr ago, the SMBH in M87 inflated a cavity of relativistic plasma which is still centered near the galaxy nucleus. This outburst drove a shock into the surrounding gas. For M87, we show that the outburst duration is a few Myr and that about 50% of the total energy (5 × 1057 ergs) resides in the bubble inflated by the jet from the SMBH, that 25% of the outburst energy is deposited directly into the ambient atmosphere by the shock, and that 25% of the outburst energy is lost from the radiatively bright core as the weak shock moves to large radii. We conclude by describing a future X-ray mission, SMART-X, with < 1” angular resolution that would allow us to study the evolution of SMBHs and the hot, X-ray emitting atmospheres from high redshifts to the present for M87-like systems.
Explaining political attention allocation with the help of issue character: evidence from the European Council
Authors: Alexandrova Petya
Published: March 2015

Policy issues compete for the attention of political actors, and the size of the agenda an issue can occupy is largely determined by the way in which it is defined. This logic constitutes a simple agenda-setting model in which factors related to the participants in the policy process and their context influence the attention a single issue receives after being problematised. In order to be able to apply this model to the construction of a whole agenda, we need to add an intermediate step. This study proposes to do so by incorporating the notion of issue character and offers an empirical application of the adapted model to the European Council, a crucial informal player in European Union (EU) agenda setting. Using a dimensionality reduction technique, the composition of the agenda is broken down to two constitutive dimensions – core vs. non-core themes of government and economic vs. non-economic character. Since the first structuring element is in line with existing knowledge and the role expectations for the European Council, the analysis concentrates on the second type. Changing saliency levels of the economic issue character of the agenda are used as a dependent variable in a model, including predictors related to the nature of the institution and contextual factors. The results show that leftist European Council party ideology and growing government deficit in the EU contribute to the increasing prominence of the economic dimension, which in turn explains rising levels in attention to various issues, especially of the non-core themes type.
Significant measureable development of inductance gain per unit of space in loop fractals
Authors: Alibakhshi-Kenari Mohammad
Published: March 2015

A significant measureable development of inductance gain per unit of space in loop fractals for a suite of inductors which occupy the same layout space and require only a single-fabrication layer is investigated. All structures are fabricated on a borofloat glass substrate with dielectric constant loss tangent of 0.004. A chrome layer of 30 nm for adhesion followed by a 180 nm gold layer were sputtered and etched. To increase the surface area is implemented a simple geometrical strategy through fractalization and consequently the inductive performances is improved. Also, the higher fractal orders can be developed the inductive performance over 9 times from 0th to 3rd order. The fractal derivations of the original loop due to its space filling properties are examined and it suggests that although the effective electrode length increases, overall, the arrangement still essentially occupies the same space. In terms of design space for 0th, 3O-5O-7O of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd orders of fractals, 0, 26.2, 34.6, 38.6, 65.5, and 75.8% of occupied conductor surface area are saved. The measured inductances and resistances for aforementioned orders of fractals are 4.6 nH and 5 Ω, 8.6 nH and 10.5 Ω, 12 nH and 11.6 Ω, 12.8 nH and 17.3 Ω, 19.2 nH and 23.2 Ω, and 44.7 nH and 63.5 Ω, respectively.
Naive CD8+ T‐cell precursors display structured TCR repertoires and composite antigen‐driven selection dynamics
Authors: Neller Michelle A , Ladell Kristin , McLaren James E , Matthews Katherine K , Gostick Emma , Pentier Johanne M , Dolton Garry , Schauenburg Andrea JA , Koning Dan , Fontaine Costa Ana Isabel CA , Watkins Thomas S , Venturi Vanessa , Smith Corey , Khanna Rajiv , Miners Kelly , Clement Mathew , Wooldridge Linda , Cole David K , van Baarle Debbie , Sewell Andrew K , Burrows Scott R , Price David A , Miles John J
Published: March 2015

Basic parameters of the naive antigen (Ag)‐specific T‐cell repertoire in humans remain poorly defined. Systematic characterization of this ‘ground state’ immunity in comparison with memory will allow a better understanding of clonal selection during immune challenge. Here, we used high‐definition cell isolation from umbilical cord blood samples to establish the baseline frequency, phenotype and T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire of CD8+ T‐cell precursor populations specific for a range of viral and self‐derived Ags. Across the board, these precursor populations were phenotypically naive and occurred with hierarchical frequencies clustered by Ag specificity. The corresponding patterns of TCR architecture were highly ordered and displayed partial overlap with adult memory, indicating biased structuring of the T‐cell repertoire during Ag‐driven selection. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the complex nature and dynamics of the naive T‐cell compartment.
Cu2ZnSnS4 absorption layers with controlled phase purity
Authors: Su Chia-Ying , -Yen Chiu Chiu , Ting Jyh-Ming
Published: March 2015

We report the synthesis and characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) with controlled phase purity. The precursor was first prepared using sequential electrodeposition of Cu, Zn and Sn in different orders. The Cu/(Sn+Zn) ratio in each stacking order was also varied. The precursor was subjected to annealing at 200°C and sulfurization at 500°C in a 5%-H2S/Ar atmosphere for the formation of CZTS. The phase evolutions during the electrodeposition and annealing stages and the final phase formation at the sulfurization stage were examined using both x-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy, both of which are shown to be complimentary tools for phase identification. Detailed growth path is therefore reported. We also demonstrate by controlling the stacking order and the Cu/(Sn+Zn) ratio, CZTS with a phase purity as high as 93% is obtained.
Quantifying Nucleoporin Stoichiometry Inside Single Nuclear Pore Complexes In vivo
Authors: Mi Lan , Goryaynov Alexander , Lindquist Andre , Rexach Michael , Yang Weidong
Published: March 2015

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is one of the largest supramolecular structures in eukaryotic cells. Its octagonal ring-scaffold perforates the nuclear envelope and features a unique molecular machinery that regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs are composed of ~30 different nucleoporins (Nups), averaged at 8, 16 or 32 copies per NPC. This estimate has not been confirmed for individual NPCs in living cells due to the inherent difficulty of counting proteins inside single supramolecular complexes. Here we used single-molecule SPEED microscopy to directly count the copy-number of twenty-four different Nups within individual NPCs of live yeast and found agreement as well as significant deviation from previous estimates. As expected, we counted 8 copies of four peripheral Nups and 16 copies of fourteen scaffold Nups. Unexpectedly, we counted a maximum of 16 copies of Nsp1 and Nic96, rather than 32 as previously estimated; and found only 10–15 copies of six other Nups, rather than 8 or 16 copies as expected. This in situ molecular-counting technology can test structure-function models of NPCs and other supramolecular structures in cells.
Magnetic skyrmion logic gates: conversion, duplication and merging of skyrmions
Authors: Zhang Xichao , Ezawa Motohiko , Zhou Yan
Published: March 2015

Magnetic skyrmions, which are topological particle-like excitations in ferromagnets, have attracted a lot of attention recently. Skyrmionics is an attempt to use magnetic skyrmions as information carriers in next generation spintronic devices. Proposals of manipulations and operations of skyrmions are highly desired. Here, we show that the conversion, duplication and merging of isolated skyrmions with different chirality and topology are possible all in one system. We also demonstrate the conversion of a skyrmion into another form of a skyrmion, i.e., a bimeron. We design spin logic gates such as the AND and OR gates based on manipulations of skyrmions. These results provide important guidelines for utilizing the topology of nanoscale spin textures as information carriers in novel magnetic sensors and spin logic devices.
Endurance training facilitates myoglobin desaturation during muscle contraction in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Takakura Hisashi , Furuichi Yasuro , Yamada Tatsuya , Jue Thomas , Ojino Minoru , Hashimoto Takeshi , Iwase Satoshi , Hojo Tatsuya , Izawa Tetsuya , Masuda Kazumi
Published: March 2015

At onset of muscle contraction, myoglobin (Mb) immediately releases its bound O2 to the mitochondria. Accordingly, intracellular O2 tension (PmbO2) markedly declines in order to increase muscle O2 uptake (m"Equation missing"O2). However, whether the change in PmbO2 during muscle contraction modulates m"Equation missing"O2 and whether the O2 release rate from Mb increases in endurance-trained muscles remain unclear. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine the effect of endurance training on O2 saturation of Mb (SmbO2) and PmbO2 kinetics during muscle contraction. Male Wistar rats were subjected to a 4-week swimming training (Tr group; 6 days per week, 30 min × 4 sets per day) with a weight load of 2% body mass. After the training period, deoxygenated Mb kinetics during muscle contraction were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy under hemoglobin-free medium perfusion. In the Tr group, the m"Equation missing"O2peak significantly increased by 32%. Although the PmbO2 during muscle contraction did not affect the increased m"Equation missing"O2 in endurance-trained muscle, the O2 release rate from Mb increased because of the increased Mb concentration and faster decremental rate in SmbO2 at the maximal twitch tension. These results suggest that the Mb dynamics during muscle contraction are contributing factors to faster "Equation missing"O2 kinetics in endurance-trained muscle.
Ethnic differences in the association of SERPING1 with age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Liu Ke , Lai Timothy Y. Y. , Ma Li , Lai Frank H. P. , Young Alvin L. , Brelen Marten E. , Tam Pancy O. S. , Pang Chi Pui , Chen Li Jia
Published: March 2015

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are leading causes of irreversible blindness in developed countries. In this study, we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade G, member 1 (SERPING1) gene with neovascular AMD and PCV. Two haplotype-tagging SNPs, rs1005510 and rs11603020, of SERPING1 were genotyped in 708 unrelated Chinese individuals: 200 neovascular AMD, 233 PCV and 275 controls. A meta-analysis was also performed for all reported associations of SERPING1 SNPs with AMD and PCV. None of the tagging SNPs had a significant association with neovascular AMD or PCV (P > 0.05) in our study cohort. The meta-analyses showed that the most-studied SNP rs2511989 was not significantly associated with all forms of AMD, neovascular AMD, or PCV in East Asians (P = 0.98, 0.93 and 0.30, respectively) but was associated with AMD in Caucasians (P = 0.04 for all AMD and 0.004 for neovascular AMD). Therefore, the results of our study and meta-analysis suggest that SERPING1 is not a major genetic component of AMD or PCV in East Asians but is a genetic risk factor for AMD in Caucasians, providing evidence for an ethnic diversity in the genetic etiology of AMD.
Hsp60 response in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Gammazza Antonella Marino , Colangeli Roberto , Orban Gergely , Pierucci Massimo , Di Gennaro Giancarlo , Bello Margherita Lo , D'Aniello Alfredo , Bucchieri Fabio , Pomara Cristoforo , Valentino Mario , Muscat Richard , Benigno Arcangelo , Zummo Giovanni , de Macario Everly Conway , Cappello Francesco , Di Giovanni Giuseppe , Macario Alberto J. L.
Published: March 2015

The mitochondrial chaperonin Hsp60 is a ubiquitous molecule with multiple roles, constitutively expressed and inducible by oxidative stress. In the brain, Hsp60 is widely distributed and has been implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy. A role for mitochondria and oxidative stress has been proposed in epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we investigated the involvement of Hsp60 in TLE using animal and human samples. Hsp60 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus, measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, was increased in a rat model of TLE. Hsp60 was also increased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons somata and neuropil and hippocampus proper (CA3, CA1) of the epileptic rats. We also determined the circulating levels of Hsp60 in epileptic animals and TLE patients using ELISA. The epileptic rats showed circulating levels of Hsp60 higher than controls. Likewise, plasma post-seizure Hsp60 levels in patients were higher than before the seizure and those of controls. These results demonstrate that Hsp60 is increased in both animals and patients with TLE in affected tissues and in plasma in response to epileptic seizures and point to it as biomarker of hippocampal stress potentially useful for diagnosis and patient management.
Optical diagnosis of the progression and reversal of CCl4-induced liver injury in rodent model using minimally invasive autofluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Nazeer Shaiju S. , Sandhyamani S. , Jayasree Ramapurath S.
Published: March 2015

Schematic representation of the degree of intoxicant-induced liver injury and regeneration and the minimally invasive analysis using autofluorescence spectral features.
A photoluminescent layer for improving the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Wang Tzu-Hui , Huang Tzu-Wei , Tsai Yu-Chen , Chang Ya-Wen , Liao Chien-Shiun
Published: March 2015

The η of a DSSC coated with a pyrene photoluminescent layer improves from 9.12 to 10.30%.
Competitive excited-state single or double proton transfer mechanisms for bis-2,5-(2-benzoxazolyl)-hydroquinone and its derivatives
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Chen Junsheng , Liu Jianyong , Hoffmann Mark R.
Published: March 2015

The excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism of HBO, BBHQ and DHBO have been investigated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT).
Spatial dispersion of lone electron pairs? – Experimental charge density of cubic arsenic(iii) oxide
Authors: Guńka Piotr A. , Gontarz Zygmunt , Zachara Janusz
Published: March 2015

Lone electron pair dispersion into three separate domains in space is reported and discussed for the first time.
Pore collapse and regrowth in silicon electrodes for rechargeable batteries
Authors: DeCaluwe S. C. , Dhar B. M. , Huang L. , He Y. , Yang K. , Owejan J. P. , Zhao Y. , Talin A. A. , Dura J. A. , Wang H.
Published: March 2015

In-operando Neutron Reflectometry establishes the pore collapse and regrowth (PCRG) mechanism in amorphous Si. Upon lithiation, porosity is first consumed by expansion of solid Si domains, with little thickness increase. After, the whole film expands. Porosity returns upon delithiation.
High-quality, large-area MoSe2 and MoSe2/Bi2Se3 heterostructures on AlN(0001)/Si(111) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Xenogiannopoulou E. , Tsipas P. , Aretouli K. E. , Tsoutsou D. , Giamini S. A. , Bazioti C. , Dimitrakopulos G. P. , Komninou Ph. , Brems S. , Huyghebaert C. , Radu I. P. , Dimoulas A.
Published: March 2015

Atomically thin MoSe2 films grown epitaxially on AlN by MBE have high crystallinity, smooth surface and interface morphology, and sizable semiconductor band gap for use in nanoelectronics.
Susceptibility losses in heating of magnetic core/shell nanoparticles for hyperthermia: a Monte Carlo study of shape and size effects
Authors: Vasilakaki M. , Binns C. , Trohidou K. N.
Published: March 2015

Optimizing the heating properties of magnetic nanoparticles by their core/shell morphology, size and shape, a theoretical study.
Continuous cyclo-polymerisation of l-lactide by reactive extrusion using atoxic metal-based catalysts: easy access to well-defined polylactide macrocycles
Authors: Bonnet Fanny , Stoffelbach François , Fontaine Gaelle , Bourbigot Serge
Published: March 2015

Macrocyclic polylactide was synthesized by reactive extrusion polymerisation of l-lactide using lanthanide trisborohydrides as the catalysts. This is the first example of a cyclic polyester obtained directly via a continuous process.
Application of gas-diffusion microextraction to solid samples using the chromatographic determination of α-diketones in bread as a case study
Authors: Ferreira Rui César , Ramos Rui Miguel , Gonçalves Luís Moreira , Almeida Paulo Joaquim , Rodrigues José António
Published: March 2015

For the first time, gas-diffusion microextraction was used for the direct analysis of solid samples (vicinal diketones in bread).
Determination of Cd and Cr in tannin samples by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and direct solid sample sequential analysis (HR-CS SS-GF AAS)
Authors: Zmozinski Ariane V. , Pretto Tatiane , Borges Aline R. , Vale Maria Goreti R.
Published: March 2015

A fast and reliable analytical method for the sequential determination of Cd and Cr in tannin samples by HR-CS SS-GF AAS from the same sample aliquot is proposed.
Development of fluorescent probes specific for parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes by a library approach
Authors: Zhang Liyun , Er Jun Cheng , Li Xin , Heng Jun Jie , Samanta Animesh , Chang Young-Tae , Lee Chi-Lik Ken
Published: March 2015

A novel fluorescent sensor with super selectivity to G-quadruplexes was discovered by the library approach.
Efficient oxygen reduction catalysts formed of cobalt phosphide nanoparticle decorated heteroatom-doped mesoporous carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chen Kuiyong , Huang Xiaobin , Wan Chaoying , Liu Hong
Published: March 2015

Co2P nanoparticles could strongly promote the ORR catalytic performance of the heteroatom-doped carbon nanostructures via the electronic interaction between the embedded Co2P nanoparticles and the heteroatom-doped carbon structures.
Mother structures related to the hexagonal and cubic close packing in Cu24 clusters: solvent-influenced derivatives
Authors: Amayuelas Eder , Fidalgo-Marijuan Arkaitz , Barandika Gotzone , Bazán Begoña , Urtiaga Miren-Karmele , Arriortua María Isabel
Published: March 2015

Ideal and real cavities in Cu24 clusters based on the close packing of spheres.
Order and disorder around Cr3+ in chromium doped persistent luminescent AB2O4 spinels
Authors: Basavaraju Neelima , Priolkar Kaustubh R. , Gourier Didier , Bessière Aurélie , Viana Bruno
Published: March 2015

NIRPL intensity is strongly correlated with the percentage of Cr in clusters.
CO2 conversion to methanol on Cu(i) oxide nanolayers and clusters: an electronic structure insight into the reaction mechanism
Authors: Uzunova Ellie L. , Seriani Nicola , Mikosch Hans
Published: March 2015

The CO2 hydrogenation to methanol using dissociated water as the hydrogen source proceeds via stable carboxyl, formic acid and formaldehyde intermediates.
Selective NaOH-catalysed hydration of aromatic nitriles to amides
Authors: Schmid Thibault E. , Gómez-Herrera Alberto , Songis Olivier , Sneddon Deborah , Révolte Antoine , Nahra Fady , Cazin Catherine S. J.
Published: March 2015

The selective synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic amides through base-catalysed hydration of nitriles was achieved using inexpensive and commercially available NaOH as the only catalyst.
A metabolomic study of adipose tissue in mice with a disruption of the circadian system
Authors: Castro C. , Briggs W. , Paschos G. K. , FitzGerald G. A. , Griffin J. L.
Published: March 2015

Metabolomics has been used to analyse adipose tissue in mice with an adipocyte-specific deletion ofArntl, showing the importance of the peripheral circadian clock in metabolic regulation.Arntlinduces global changes in both white and brown adipose tissues which were distinct for the two tissues.
Protective activity of carnosine and anserine against zinc-induced neurotoxicity: a possible treatment for vascular dementia
Authors: Mizuno Dai , Konoha-Mizuno Keiko , Mori Miwako , Sadakane Yutaka , Koyama Hironari , Ohkawara Susumu , Kawahara Masahiro
Published: March 2015

Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) is a small dipeptide with numerous beneficial effects, including the maintenance of the acid–base balance, antioxidant properties, chelating agent, anti-crosslinking, and anti-glycation activities. High levels of carnosine and its analogue anserine (1-methyl carnosine) are found in skeletal muscle and the brain. Zinc (Zn)-induced neurotoxicity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD), and carnosine inhibits Zn-induced neuronal death. Here, the protective activity of carnosine against Zn-induced neurotoxicity and its molecular mechanisms such as cellular Zn influx and Zn-induced gene expression were investigated using immortalised hypothalamic neurons (GT1-7 cells). Carnosine and anserine protected against Zn-induced neurotoxicity not by preventing increases in intracellular Zn2+ but by participating in the regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway and the activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc). Accordingly, carnosine and anserine protected against neurotoxicity induced by ER-stress inducers thapsigargin and tunicamycin. Hence, carnosine and anserine are expected to have future therapeutic potential for VD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Metal–organic framework composites: from fundamentals to applications
Authors: Li Shaozhou , Huo Fengwei
Published: March 2015

The composition of MOFs not only shows enhanced properties, but also broadens the applications of MOFs to new fields owing to the interactions of functional species with the MOF structures. This review will discuss the fabrication, properties, and applications of MOF composites. The remaining challenges and future opportunities in this field have also been indicated.
A highly-deformable piezoresistive film composed of a network of carbon blacks and highly oriented lamellae of high-density polyethylene
Authors: Zheng Shaodi , Deng Jie , Yang Luqiong , Ren Danqi , Yang Wei , Liu Zhengying , Yang Mingbo
Published: March 2015

The electrical resistance change of highly extensible films consisting of a network of carbon blacks in high-density polyethylene, with different regularity of stacked lamellae, is investigated.