bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pedagogical View of English/Urdu Collocations
Authors: Akhter Saleem , Anwar Behzad , Qureshi Abrar
Published: December 2017

To build a sound vocabulary and to give the basic knowledge of language to ESL students is one of the key issues for English language teachers in Pakistan. They emphasize single word vocabulary build-up along with grammatical construction of a sentence at the same time by making its Urdu translation without taking any considerable notice of the use of collocation (the naturally co-occurring words) not by chance but chosen by the native speakers consistently as a psycholinguistic consideration. This phenomenon results in the development of erroneous writing and speaking skills on the part of ESL students. So, the purpose of present study is to give a concrete description of English/Urdu collocations and to highlight the scope of English/Urdu collocations in Second Language Acquisition and Learning. A corpus based approach has been adopted to give the description of English/Urdu collocations based on contrastive analysis to point out the equivalent and non-equivalent collocations. The data is analyzed to emphasize the importance of teaching non-equivalent English/Urdu collocations to Pakistani students. This brief paper suggests the practical solutions of the present problem.
From Communicative Competence to Language Development
Authors: Mart Cagri Tugrul
Published: December 2017

Communicative competence is a term which alludes to tacit knowledge of language and the ability to understand and use the language effectively for communication purposes. Simply put, it refers to the ability of forming correct utterances and using them appropriately. This paper looks briefly at the concept of communicative competence and how it is acquired. The second issue that the paper raises is the components of different communicative competence models which are seen as central to further language development. Finally, the paper summarizes the essence and core tenets of communicative language teaching.
Language, Social Media and Political Identity (Re)presentation: A New Theoretical Framework for the Analysis of Social Media Political Discourse
Authors: Sajjad Farhat , Malghnai Mehwish , Khosa Durdana
Published: December 2017

As language is central to all social processes and practices, so it is considered as the most effective tool for (re)shaping and (re)constructing the social realities and political identities as they are negotiated, (re)constructed and thus projected in the broader social and cultural contexts. Since the advent of new media technologies, particularly social media, the forms and modes of political identity construction and (re)presentations are also transformed. As debated earlier that language enables its users, specifically political actors, to exhibit the political ideologies and identities effectively, so the political actors frequently exploit these platforms to achieve their pre-defined political agendas. Within the same context the political rhetoric, specifically the ones that is generated and exhibited on social media network sites, offers a new visibility for the researchers to explore and predict how ideologies and perceptions can be achieved, advocated, altered and rebuilt through discursive discourse strategies on these networking sites. Providing the power of social media for political participation, political engagement and political activism, there is a need to design such framework that can offer a different lens for the analysis of critical yet sensitive issue of political identity (re)presentation beyond the textual level. To address the above debated issue a new theoretical framework is presented in this paper that enables to analyse the text with special reference to the context in which the political identities are negotiated, (re)constructed and (re)presented. This framework is designed by collaborating the approaches of CDA, Political Identity theory, Social Media theory and Political Discourse theory that enables to explore the interrelationship between the “language in use” and the context in which it is created and consumed.
Cultural Identity in Sinan Antoon’s Self-Translated “The Corpse Washer”
Authors: Al-Omar Nibras A. M.
Published: December 2017

Self-translation can be a powerful tool in the transmission of cultural identity. The Baghdad-born American Sinan Antoon, as self-translator of his successful novel “The Corpse Washer”, was awarded the Banipal Saif Ghobash prize for his invisibility and fluency in the Target Language, English. Accordingly, he is expected to have domesticated the Source Text cultural idiosyncrasies in the Target Text at the expense of accuracy, and met the English reader expectations in consequence. Apparently, he has accomplished a readable translation. Still, it is assumed that he has also chosen to be visible in many instances of his self-translation. Such visibility is substantiated by retaining the Arabic cultural items in English through foreignization. There is ambivalence here. Antoon’s intended visibility as a self-translator is attributed to his emotional and cultural involvement in the cause of his country of origin, Iraq. His self-translation is an attempt to avoid cultural alienation, make a difference, let the Target Text readers be aware of his cultural identity, and achieve universality.
A Proposed Holistic Approach to the Critical Analysis of Online News Reports
Authors: Abid Raith Zeher , Al-Khazraji Nidaa Hussain Fahmi
Published: December 2017

This study proposes a new holistic approach that accounts for the multi-layered structure of online news reports. The approach consists of two phases of analysis. The journalistic phase examines the headline, semiotics, and text of the report while the societal reception phase examines the comments that readers make as a response to the news report. Consequently, unlike previous frameworks of CDA, this approach finds a balance between the analysis of discourse production and discourse reception. To demonstrate the approach, we analysed an online news report from CNN about the Saudi ban on women to drive. The analysis shows that although the journalistic phase focuses on the courageous acts of Saudi women who are defying the ban to achieve equality in Saudi Arabia, the societal reception phase results are characterised by racist discourse against Islam and Muslims in general.
Concord in English and Arabic: A Contrastive Study
Authors: Igaab Zainab Kadim , Magrood Altai Saja Mohammed
Published: December 2017

The present study is a descriptive, analytic and contrastive one because it describes concord in English and Arabic to arrive at the similarities and differences between the two languages. This study aims at describing, analyzing and comparing concord in English and Arabic because the phenomenon of concord has attracted a great deal of attention in the recent years. It also aims at comparing and contrasting concord between the two languages by defining it, showing its syntactic and semantic aspects and illustrating its different types and rules. This study concludes that concord as a syntactic phenomenon exists in both languages. English deals with such a topic clearly and separately in grammar while in Arabic, it is not by being explained in sentences. Arab grammarians pay attention to the role of concord in the sentence and deal with it in different grammatical topics.
Comparative Study on Validity of Paper-Based Test and Computer-Based Test in the Context of Educational and Psychological Assessment among Arab Students
Authors: Hakim Badia Muntazir
Published: December 2017

A prerequisite to evolving the concept of computerized assessment method requires a comparable test scores data based on the comparative study scores of both paper-based test (PBT) and computer-based test (CBT) methods. Previous research studies reported that even though both testing types show significant commonalities in many areas of technical and academic concerns, still there are substantial variances found in test scores. Consequently, in various educational assessment systems this significant inconsistency raises serious question on the rationale of substituting PBT with CBT. This is imperative to compare the both testing modes and to provide a concrete base for this replacement. This research study was aimed at implementing an achievement test and a motivation level checking questionnaire in order to test the effectiveness and validity of the CBT and to measure the level of student motivation that directly controls the performance and results. Researcher aims to get some valid data to provide a solid base for the effective use of CBT in academic and placement modes. Results showed that (a) the pretests improved the results by providing experience for the tests themselves (b) participants in CBT group showed better test performance. In fact, CBT is known to be an efficient tool for assessment.
Van de redactie
Authors: Metze Tamara
Published: December 2017

Van de redactie

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.
Iedereen kent iedereen
Authors: Veenendaal Wouter
Published: December 2017

Everybody knows everybody: The influence of smallness and informal politics on governance in the Carribean Netherlands.

In 2010, the three Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (the BES islands) were constitutionally integrated into the Netherlands, and were administratively reorganized on the basis of the Dutch municipal model. While this reform was anticipated to mitigate some of the governance problems of these islands, so far this expectation has remained unmet. Using the literature on the effects of smallness on the relation between formal and informal politics as a baseline, this article investigates why the new institutional structure has so far not resulted in improved governance in the Caribbean Netherlands. On the basis of three stages of field research resulting in over forty semi-structured interviews with political elites on the three islands, the analysis highlights the influence of two contextual factors – the small scale and the political culture of the postcolonial Caribbean – that have a powerful, and in many ways negative, impact on governance performance. Subsequently, the article highlights the inapplicability of the Dutch municipal model to the Dutch Caribbean islands, and also pays attention to a number of differences between the three islands, which are explained on the basis of their divergent historical and demographic trajectories, as well as differences in individual leadership.
Ondermijning: achterhaald perspectief op wietindustrie
Authors: Maalsté Nicole , Panhuysen Michiel
Published: December 2017

R&D

Reflection and debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Geen reflectie en discussie, maar voldongen feiten
Authors: Engelen Ewald
Published: December 2017

Dossier

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Contractonderhandelingen met een letter of intent: het opstellen van bedingen
Authors: Pannebakker E.
Published: December 2017

Contractonderhandelingen met een letter of intent: het opstellen van bedingen

Tijdens contractonderhandelingen stellen partijen geregeld een ‘letter of intent’ op. De vraag in hoeverre de partijen aan dergelijke documenten zijn gebonden, staat zowel bij het opstellen van een letter of intent als bij de eventuele geschillen centraal. In deze bijdrage worden de meest voorkomende bedingen van een letter of intent onder de loep genomen en wordt een aantal aanbevelingen over het opstellen van de letter of intent geformuleerd.
Ontbinding en opzegging: in de Twilight Zone van ‘tenzij’ en ‘zwaarwegende gronden’
Authors: Spanjaard J.H.M.
Published: December 2017

Ontbinding en opzegging: in de Twilight Zone van ‘tenzij’ en ‘zwaarwegende gronden’

De regelingen van opzegging en ontbinding, zoals vormgegeven in de rechtspraak van de Hoge Raad en in de wet, blijven een mijnenveld. Het blijft continu een kwestie van goed manoeuvreren en tijdig klagen en in gebreke stellen. In zijn arrest Nanada/Golden Earring gaat de Hoge Raad nader in op de opzegbaarheid van overeenkomsten en de ontbinding. De auteur bespreekt dit arrest tegen de achtergrond van de opzegging en ontbinding van overeenkomsten.
Begaafdheid en crimineel gedrag
Authors: Oleson J.C.
Published: December 2017

High intelligence and delinquency

Criminologists generally regard below-average intelligence as a robust correlate of delinquency and crime. In this article the author argues that the negative association between IQ and crime could be explained at least in part by a lack of research access to gifted adults who possess wealth, power and privileges. Asking these adults about other types of offending (e.g. white-collar crimes) than usual in self-report studies might uncover a positive relationship between IQ and prevalence rates, in accordance with the results of the exploratory study underlying this article. As a consequence different conclusions about the linkages between intelligence and crime might have to be drawn.
‘Slimme Don’: de intelligente maffiabaas van Rusland
Authors: Siegel D.
Published: December 2017

‘The smart Don’: Russia’s intelligent mafia boss

Drawing on material from her extensive study of Russian organized crime, the author sketches a portrait of Semjon Mogilevitsj. This Russian ‘godfather’ enjoys the reputation of being the smartest and highest educated mafia boss worldwide. Indeed Mogilevitsj obtained a master’s degree in Economics with good results, but this alone doesn’t explain his phenomenal successes in criminal as well as in legal business. Describing the steady expansion of his criminal activities from Russia into Israel, the United States, Eastern Europa, Italy and Canada, the author suggests that the social and economic circumstances in Russia just before and during the collapse of the Soviet Union might have served as an ideal playing ground for Mogilevitsj to develop the specific social intelligence and skills needed to successfully run a criminal organization.
Intelligentie, executieve functies en licht verstandelijke beperking in justitiecontext
Authors: Platje E. , Cornet L.J.M. , de Kogel C.H.
Published: December 2017

Intelligence, executive functioning and MBID in the criminal justice context

Individuals with a mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) are thought to be over-represented in the criminal justice system. The current article reviews research on the associations between executive functioning with antisocial behavior and MBID. Associations with executive functions such as working memory, inhibition, planning and cognitive flexibility, as well as punishment and reward sensitivity, are described. Working memory appears particularly strongly associated with antisocial behavior as well as with MBID. Research on MBID to date, however, almost exclusively focused on children and adolescents. More research on these issues could provide practical information for supervision as well as aid the adaptation or development of interventions for this population, and provide tools to allocate individuals to interventions tailored to their specific needs.
Spectroscopic examination and release of microencapsulated oregano essential oil
Authors: Partheniadis Ioannis , Karakasidou Panagiota , Vergkizi Souzan , Nikolakakis Ioannis
Published: December 2017

Oregano essential oil (EO) of Greek origin with high carvacrol content (86.84 %) was encapsulated by spray drying using Arabic gum, modified starch and maltodextrin (75:12.5:12.5) as wall materials. The spray-dried product (EOSD) consisted of roundish particles with narrow size distribution. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy identified the EO in EOSD, with Raman spectra showing more distinct peaks and a small shift of the peak at 1260 cm-1 (assigned to the stretching vibration of the bond of C-O of the phenol), implying only minor chemical interaction with the wall materials. Release of the EO from EOSD was described by the Hixson-Crowell equation (R2=0.986) with apparent diffusion coefficient 8.3x10-10 m2/s. These findings indicate that microencapsulation by spray drying did not affect the quality of the oregano EO and provided relatively fast and complete release.
Preclinical assessment of ulixertinib, a novel ERK1/2 inhibitor
Authors: Balakrishna Vinod Anera , Police Anitha , Hiremath Rakesh , Raj Anusha , Sulochana Suresh P , Chandrasekhar Devaraj V , Mohd Zainuddin , Bhamidipati Ravi Kanth , Mullangi Ramesh
Published: December 2017

Ulixertinib (BVD-523) is a novel and selective reversible inhibitor of ERK1/ERK2. In xenograft studies it inhibited tumor growth in BRAF-mutant melanoma and colorectal xenografts as well as KRAS-mutant colorectal and pancreatic models. Ulixertinib is currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of advance solid tumors. The objective of the study is to assess the metabolic stability (in various pre-clinical and human liver microsomes/hepatocytes), permeability, protein binding, CYP inhibition, CYP induction and CYP phenotyping of ulixertinib. We have also studied the oral and intravenous pharmacokinetics of ulixertinib in mice, rats and dogs. Ulixertinib was found to be moderately to highly stable in various liver microsomes/hepatocytes tested. It is a medium permeable (2.67 x 10-6 cm /sec) drug and a substrate for efflux (efflux ratio: 3.02) in Caco-2 model. Ulixertinib was highly bound to plasma proteins. CYPs involved in its limited metabolism and it is CYP inhibition IC50 ranged between 10-20 µM. Post oral administration ulixertinib exhibited early Tmax (0.50-0.75 h) in mice and rats indicating absorption was rapid, however in dogs Tmax attained at 2 h. The half-life (t½) of ulixertinib by intravenous and oral routes ranged between 1.0-2.5 h across the species. Clearance and volume of distribution by intravenous route for ulixertinib were found to be 6.24 mL/min/kg and 0.56 L/kg; 1.67 mL/min/kg and 0.36 L/kg and 15.5 mL/min/kg and 1.61 L/kg in mice, rats and dogs, respectively. Absolute oral bioavailability in mice and rats was > 92 %, however in dogs it was 34 %.
Doctoral Students’ Academic Engagements in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia: Nature, Sources, and Challenges
Authors: Desie Yekoyealem , Tefera Belay
Published: December 2017

Doctoral education cultivates thinkers and researchers. This study investigated the engagement of 67 doctoral students conveniently sampled from diﬀerent departments of Addis Ababa University. Engagement was operationalised in terms of vigour, dedication and absorption in academic activities and measured by the adapted Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for students (UWES-S). Qualitative data were also gathered to explore the sources and challenges of engagement. The results show that 62.7 percent of these doctoral students reported an average level of engagement and that there were no diﬀerences in terms of gender and feld of study. The need for professional growth, a sense of contribution, social recognition, and improved employability and income were found to be important sources of engagement. Inadequate research funds, poor facilities, extended coursework, difculty balancing family and academic responsibilities, and relational concerns with supervisors were the major challenges of engagement. La formation doctorale permet de cultiver des penseurs et des chercheurs. Cette étude analyse l’engagement d’un échantillon de 67 doctorants issus de diﬀérents départements de l’Université d’Addis Ababa. L’engagement des doctorants a été mesuré en termes de vigueur, de dévouement et de participation dans des activités académiques, en adaptant la « Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students » (UWES-S : Echelle d’engagement au travail d’Utrecht pour les étudiants). Des données qualitatives ont aussi été collectées pour explorer les sources de cet engagement et les défs qui y sont liés. Les résultats montrent que 62.7 pour cent de ces doctorants font preuve d’un niveau d’engagement moyen et qu’il n’y a pas de diﬀérence entre les genres et les domaines d’études. Le besoin de se développer professionnellement, le sentiment de contribuer, la reconnaissance sociale, et les perspectives d’emploi et de hausses de salaires sont d’importantes sources d’engagement. Des fnancements insufsants pour la recherche, de mauvais équipements, une charge de cours accrue, le difcile équilibre entre responsabilités familiales et académiques, et des inquiétudes liées à la relation avec le directeur de thèse sont les principaux problèmes faisant obstacle à l’engagement.
Doc2B acts as a calcium sensor for vesicle priming requiring synaptotagmin-1, Munc13-2 and SNAREs
Authors: Houy Sébastien , Groffen Alexander J , Ziomkiewicz Iwona , Verhage Matthijs , Pinheiro Paulo S , Sørensen Jakob Balslev
Published: December 2017

Doc2B is a cytosolic protein with binding sites for Munc13 and Tctex-1 (dynein light chain), and two C2-domains that bind to phospholipids, Ca2+ and SNAREs. Whether Doc2B functions as a calcium sensor akin to synaptotagmins, or in other calcium-independent or calcium-dependent capacities is debated. We here show by mutation and overexpression that Doc2B plays distinct roles in two sequential priming steps in mouse adrenal chromaffin cells. Mutating Ca2+-coordinating aspartates in the C2A-domain localizes Doc2B permanently at the plasma membrane, and renders an upstream priming step Ca2+-independent, whereas a separate function in downstream priming depends on SNARE-binding, Ca2+-binding to the C2B-domain of Doc2B, interaction with ubMunc13-2 and the presence of synaptotagmin-1. Another function of Doc2B – inhibition of release during sustained calcium elevations – depends on an overlapping protein domain (the MID-domain), but is separate from its Ca2+-dependent priming function. We conclude that Doc2B acts as a vesicle priming protein.
Cortical response states for enhanced sensory discrimination
Authors: Gutnisky Diego A , Beaman Charles , Lew Sergio E , Dragoi Valentin
Published: December 2017

Brain activity during wakefulness is characterized by rapid fluctuations in neuronal responses. Whether these fluctuations play any role in modulating the accuracy of behavioral responses is poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether and how trial changes in the population response impact sensory coding in monkey V1 and perceptual performance. Although the responses of individual neurons varied widely across trials, many cells tended to covary with the local population. When population activity was in a ‘low’ state, neurons had lower evoked responses and correlated variability, yet higher probability to predict perceptual accuracy. The impact of firing rate fluctuations on network and perceptual accuracy was strongest 200 ms before stimulus presentation, and it greatly diminished when the number of cells used to measure the state of the population was decreased. These findings indicate that enhanced perceptual discrimination occurs when population activity is in a ‘silent’ response mode in which neurons increase information extraction.
CRISPR/Cas9 and active genetics-based trans-species replacement of the endogenous Drosophila kni-L2 CRM reveals unexpected complexity
Authors: Xu Xiang-Ru Shannon , Gantz Valentino Matteo , Siomava Natalia , Bier Ethan
Published: December 2017

The knirps (kni) locus encodes transcription factors required for induction of the L2 wing vein in Drosophila. Here, we employ diverse CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools to generate a series of targeted lesions within the endogenous cis-regulatory module (CRM) required for kni expression in the L2 vein primordium. Phenotypic analysis of these ‘in locus’ mutations based on both expression of Kni protein and adult wing phenotypes, reveals novel unexpected features of L2-CRM function including evidence for a chromosome pairing-dependent process that promotes transcription. We also demonstrate that self-propagating active genetic elements (CopyCat elements) can efficiently delete and replace the L2-CRM with orthologous sequences from other divergent fly species. Wing vein phenotypes resulting from these trans-species enhancer replacements parallel features of the respective donor fly species. This highly sensitive phenotypic readout of enhancer function in a native genomic context reveals novel features of CRM function undetected by traditional reporter gene analysis.
Structural insights into the assembly and polyA signal recognition mechanism of the human CPSF complex
Authors: Clerici Marcello , Faini Marco , Aebersold Ruedi , Jinek Martin
Published: December 2017

3’ polyadenylation is a key step in eukaryotic mRNA biogenesis. In mammalian cells, this process is dependent on the recognition of the hexanucleotide AAUAAA motif in the pre-mRNA polyadenylation signal by the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF) complex. A core CPSF complex comprising CPSF160, WDR33, CPSF30 and Fip1 is sufficient for AAUAAA motif recognition, yet the molecular interactions underpinning its assembly and mechanism of PAS recognition are not understood. Based on cross-linking-coupled mass spectrometry, crystal structure of the CPSF160-WDR33 subcomplex and biochemical assays, we define the molecular architecture of the core human CPSF complex, identifying specific domains involved in inter-subunit interactions. In addition to zinc finger domains in CPSF30, we identify using quantitative RNA-binding assays an N-terminal lysine/arginine-rich motif in WDR33 as a critical determinant of specific AAUAAA motif recognition. Together, these results shed light on the function of CPSF in mediating PAS-dependent RNA cleavage and polyadenylation.
Understanding the Process of Creation: A New Approach
Authors: Shkliarevsky Gennady
Published: December 2017

Our contemporary civilization increasingly relies on creative approaches and solutions. This growing dependence makes issues of control, regulation, and management of the process of creation ever more important. This article finds two major current theoretical perspectives on creativity and the process of creation to be vulnerable in one important respect: their explanation of the production of disequilibrium, which plays a singularly important role in the process of creation, does not pass the test of rational justification. This article suggests that the production of disequilibrium is intimately related to equilibration—the essential operation of rational thought processes. The emphasis on the role equilibration makes a rational justification of the production of disequilibrium possible. The new theoretical perspective opens the path toward a comprehensive and objective understanding of the process of creation, which is the main condition for regulating, controlling, and managing this process.
Strategic management and its effects on Serbian wood industry
Authors: Vukmirović Valentina , Petrović Dejan , Kostić-Stanković Milica
Published: December 2017

According to the available data on economic trends in Serbia, it is noticeable that companies in wood industry do not use their capacities to the maximum. Furthermore, a significant number of newly founded small  enterprises, shortly after their establishment, go bankrupt or go into liquidation. Research works that have been conducted so far have indicated that, most commonly, company deterioration is caused by a lack of strategic approach in business management and company development. The aim of this paper is to gain an insight into the extent to which wood industry enterprises apply strategic approach (their vision, mission and development strategies) when making business decisions, as well as the effects of such approach. This will be achieved by analyzing collected questionnaires and interviews with competent experts from wood industry monitoring institutions. Besides, SWOT and PESTLE analyses of the surveyed companies will be conducted. Furthermore, possible solutions for overcoming weaknesses and threats emerging in Serbian wood industry development will be indicated. Likewise, the possibilities for encouraging industry development and increasing its competitiveness level will be presented.
Phytoplankton biomass and production off the Baja California Peninsula: 1997–2016
Authors: De La Cruz-Orozco Martín E , Gómez-Ocampo Eliana , Miranda-Bojórquez Luis E , Cepeda-Morales Jushiro , Durazo Reginaldo , Lavaniegos Bertha E , Espinosa-Carreón Teresa L , Sosa-Ávalos Ramón , Aguirre-Hernández Elsa , Gaxiola-Castro Gilberto
Published: December 2017

Between 1997 and 2016, the Investigaciones Mexicanas de la Corriente de California (IMECOCAL, Mexican Investigations of the California Current) program conducted measurements of chlorophyll a and phytoplankton production off Baja California. Here, we summarize the main results obtained during the survey period. Long-term means indicated that high productivity occurred along the coastal zone where upwelling occurs, and in a semi-permanent cyclonic gyre off Punta Eugenia. At the seasonal scale, the variability of integrated primary production showed differences with respect to integrated chlorophyll a variability. Integrated chlorophyll a exhibited maximum values during the coastal upwelling season in spring and summer, while minimum values occurred during the inflow of tropical-subtropical waters south of Punta Eugenia in autumn and winter. In contrast, the highest values of integrated primary production occurred in spring and summer to the north of Punta Eugenia, whereas to the south of this location, the highest values occurred in winter and autumn. This seasonal variability was associated with phytoplankton size and maximum photosynthetic rates. At the interannual scale, low productivity was associated with increased stratification during the subarctic water intrusion events and the “Blob” and El Niño events in 2015–2016. Productivity time-series were in agreement with the seasonal variability of the north Pacific Gyre Oscillation index. Given that phytoplankton is the first level of the marine food web, this study contributes to the understanding of regional variations in higher trophic levels at the seasonal and interannual scales.
Arctic Sea Ice Loss in Different Regions Leads to Contrasting Northern Hemisphere Impacts
Authors: McKenna Christine M. , Bracegirdle Thomas J. , Shuckburgh Emily F. , Haynes Peter H. , Joshi Manoj M.
Published: December 2017

To explore the mechanisms linking Arctic sea ice loss to changes in midlatitude surface temperatures, we conduct idealized modeling experiments using an intermediate general circulation model and with sea ice loss confined to the Atlantic or Pacific sectors of the Arctic (Barents‐Kara or Chukchi‐Bering Seas). Extending previous findings, there are opposite effects on the winter stratospheric polar vortex for both large‐magnitude (late 21st century) and moderate‐magnitude sea ice loss. Accordingly, there are opposite tropospheric Arctic Oscillation (AO) responses for moderate‐magnitude sea ice loss. However, there are similar strength negative AO responses for large‐magnitude sea ice loss, suggesting that tropospheric mechanisms become relatively more important than stratospheric mechanisms as the sea ice loss magnitude increases. The midlatitude surface temperature response for each loss region and magnitude can be understood as the combination of an “indirect” part induced by the large‐scale circulation (AO) response, and a residual “direct” part that is local to the loss region.
Spin‐Controlled Integrated Near‐ and Far‐Field Optical Launcher
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Bao Yanjun , Lin Feng , Zhu Xing , Zhang Shuang , Fang Zheyu
Published: December 2017

With the evergrowing demand for miniaturization of photonic devices, the integration of different functionalities in a single module is highly desired for the next generation of ultracompact photonic devices. Optical modules based on the near field and scattered far field are both key elements in the construction of nanophotonic devices. However, integrating the near‐ and far‐field functionalities into a single module is a great challenge, which hinders the integration and minimization of optical devices. Here, a bifunctional integrated near‐ and far‐field optical launcher with a single metasurface structure is theoretically proposed and experimentally demonstrated, where the unidirectional launching of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and the focusing of scattered far fields can be simultaneously achieved. Moreover, the SPP propagating direction and the real/virtual focus of the far‐field scattering can be actively controlled by the spin state of the incident light. With the additional degree of freedom provided by the positions of the metasurface elements, the optical performances of this bifunctional structure can be compared to the one with single functionality. The work provides a new platform for the integration and control of different optical components at subwavelength scale, and opens a way to design multifunctional optical devices for the future.
Air‐Stable Cesium Lead Iodide Perovskite for Ultra‐Low Operating Voltage Resistive Switching
Authors: Han Ji Su , Le Quyet Van , Choi Jaeho , Hong Kootak , Moon Cheon Woo , Kim Taemin Ludvic , Kim Hyojung , Kim Soo Young , Jang Ho Won
Published: December 2017

CsPbX3 (X = halide, Cl, Br, or I) all‐inorganic halide perovskites (IHPs) are regarded as promising functional materials because of their tunable optoelectronic characteristics and superior stability to organic–inorganic hybrid halide perovskites. Herein, nonvolatile resistive switching (RS) memory devices based on all‐inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite are reported. An air‐stable CsPbI3 perovskite film with a thickness of only 200 nm is successfully synthesized on a platinum‐coated silicon substrate using low temperature all‐solution process. The RS memory devices of Ag/polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/CsPbI3/Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si structure exhibit reproducible and reliable bipolar switching characteristics with an ultralow operating voltage (<+0.2 V), high on/off ratio (>106), reversible RS by pulse voltage operation (pulse duration < 1 ms), and multilevel data storage. The mechanical flexibility of the CsPbI3 perovskite RS memory device on a flexible substrate is also successfully confirmed. With analyzing the influence of phase transition in CsPbI3 on RS characteristics, a mechanism involving conducting filaments formed by metal cation migration is proposed to explain the RS behavior of the memory device. This study will contribute to the understanding of the intrinsic characteristics of IHPs for low‐voltage resistive switching and demonstrate the huge potential of them for use in low‐power consumption nonvolatile memory devices on next‐generation computing systems.
Hot Electrons and Hot Spins at Metal–Organic Interfaces
Authors: Arnold Thorsten , Atxabal Ainhoa , Parui Subir , Hueso Luis E. , Ortmann Frank
Published: December 2017

A model is developed to describe the electron transport properties of hot electron devices based on organic semiconductors. For the first time, the simulations cover all the different processes the carriers experience in the device, which allows disentangling various effects on the transport characteristics. The model is compared to experimental measurements and excellent agreement is found. In addition, the model includes the electron spin and is thus able to describe a hot spin transistor. In this device, a spatial variation of the spin diffusion length is found, which scales inversely proportional to the variation of the electron density. The spin current can be increased by increasing the hot electron energy and by decreasing the image charge barrier without changing the spin diffusion length. Unprecedented insight into the effect of interfacial disorder at the metal–organic interface on charge and spin transport is provided. Finally, conditions are established, where majority and minority spin carriers propagate in opposite directions, increasing the spin current relative to the charge current and the occurrence of pure spin currents is analyzed.
Greatly Enhanced Anticorrosion of Cu by Commensurate Graphene Coating
Authors: Xu Xiaozhi , Yi Ding , Wang Zhichang , Yu Jiachen , Zhang Zhihong , Qiao Ruixi , Sun Zhanghao , Hu Zonghai , Gao Peng , Peng Hailin , Liu Zhongfan , Yu Dapeng , Wang Enge , Jiang Ying , Ding Feng , Liu Kaihui
Published: December 2017

Metal corrosion is a long‐lasting problem in history and ultrahigh anticorrosion is one ultimate pursuit in the metal‐related industry. Graphene, in principle, can be a revolutionary material for anticorrosion due to its excellent impermeability to any molecule or ion (except for protons). However, in real applications, it is found that the metallic graphene forms an electrochemical circuit with the protected metals to accelerate the corrosion once the corrosive fluids leaks into the interface. Therefore, whether graphene can be used as an excellent anticorrosion material is under intense debate now. Here, graphene‐coated Cu is employed to investigate the facet‐dependent anticorrosion of metals. It is demonstrated that as‐grown graphene can protect Cu(111) surface from oxidation in humid air lasting for more than 2.5 years, in sharp contrast with the accelerated oxidation of graphene‐coated Cu(100) surface. Further atomic‐scale characterization and ab initio calculations reveal that the strong interfacial coupling of the commensurate graphene/Cu(111) prevents H2O diffusion into the graphene/Cu(111) interface, but the one‐dimensional wrinkles formed in the incommensurate graphene on Cu(100) can facilitate the H2O diffusion at the interface. This study resolves the contradiction on the anticorrosion capacity of graphene and opens a new opportunity for ultrahigh metal anticorrosion through commensurate graphene coating.
Giant Magnetic Heat Induction of Magnesium‐Doped γ‐Fe2O3 Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Completely Killing Tumors
Authors: Jang Jung‐tak , Lee Jooyoung , Seon Jiyun , Ju Eric , Kim Minkyu , Kim Young Il , Kim Min Gyu , Takemura Yasushi , Arbab Ali Syed , Kang Keon Wook , Park Ki Ho , Paek Sun Ha , Bae Seongtae
Published: December 2017

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia has been recently considered as a Renaissance of cancer treatment modality due to its remarkably low side effects and high treatment efficacy compared to conventional chemotheraphy or radiotheraphy. However, insufficient AC induction heating power at a biological safe range of AC magnetic field (Happl·fappl < 3.0–5.0 × 109 A m−1 s−1), and highly required biocompatibility of superparamagnetic nanoparticle (SPNP) hyperthermia agents are still remained as critical challenges for successful clinical hyperthermia applications. Here, newly developed highly biocompatible magnesium shallow doped γ‐Fe2O3 (Mg0.13‐γFe2O3) SPNPs with exceptionally high intrinsic loss power (ILP) in a range of 14 nH m2 kg−1, which is an ≈100 times higher than that of commercial Fe3O4 (Feridex, ILP = 0.15 nH m2 kg−1) at Happl·fappl = 1.23 × 109 A m−1 s−1 are reported. The significantly enhanced heat induction characteristics of Mg0.13‐γFe2O3 are primarily due to the dramatically enhanced out‐of‐phase magnetic susceptibility and magnetically tailored AC/DC magnetic softness resulted from the systematically controlled Mg2+ cations distribution and concentrations in octahedral site Fe vacancies of γ‐Fe2O3 instead of well‐known Fe3O4 SPNPs. In vitro and in vivo magnetic hyperthermia studies using Mg0.13‐γFe2O3 nanofluids are conducted to estimate bioavailability and biofeasibility. Mg0.13‐γFe2O3 nanofluids show promising hyperthermia effects to completely kill the tumors.
High‐Performance Vertical Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Donahue Mary J. , Williamson Adam , Strakosas Xenofon , Friedlein Jacob T. , McLeod Robert R. , Gleskova Helena , Malliaras George G.
Published: December 2017

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising transducers for biointerfacing due to their high transconductance, biocompatibility, and availability in a variety of form factors. Most OECTs reported to date, however, utilize rather large channels, limiting the transistor performance and resulting in a low transistor density. This is typically a consequence of limitations associated with traditional fabrication methods and with 2D substrates. Here, the fabrication and characterization of OECTs with vertically stacked contacts, which overcome these limitations, is reported. The resulting vertical transistors exhibit a reduced footprint, increased intrinsic transconductance of up to 57 mS, and a geometry‐normalized transconductance of 814 S m−1. The fabrication process is straightforward and compatible with sensitive organic materials, and allows exceptional control over the transistor channel length. This novel 3D fabrication method is particularly suited for applications where high density is needed, such as in implantable devices.
Bright Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering with Fluorescence Quenching from Silica Encapsulated J‐Aggregate Coated Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Walters Christopher M. , Pao Caroline , Gagnon Brandon P. , Zamecnik Colin R. , Walker Gilbert C.
Published: December 2017

Plexitonic nanoparticles offer variable optical properties through tunable excitations, in addition to electric field enhancements that far exceed molecular resonators. This study demonstrates a way to design an ultrabright surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal while simultaneously quenching the fluorescence background through silica encapsulation of the semiconductor–metal composite nanoparticles. Using a multistep approach, a J‐aggregate‐forming organic dye is assembled on the surface of gold nanoparticles using a cationic linker. Excitonic resonance of the J‐aggregate–metal system shows an enhanced SERS signal at an appropriate excitation wavelength. Further encapsulation of the decorated particles in silica shows a significant reduction in the fluorescence signal of the Raman spectra (5× reduction) and an increase in Raman scattering (7× enhancement) when compared to phospholipid encapsulation. This reduction in fluorescence is important for maximizing the useful SERS enhancement from the particle, which shows a signal increase on the order of 104 times greater than J‐aggregated dye in solution and 24 times greater than Oxonica S421 SERS tag. The silica layer also serves to promote colloidal stability. The combination of reduced fluorescence background, enhanced SERS intensity, and temporal stability makes these particles highly distinguishable with potential to enable high‐throughput applications such as SERS flow cytometry.
Sleep disordered breathing does not predict acute severe pain episodes in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Willen Shaina M. , Rodeghier Mark , Rosen Carol L. , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: December 2017

Conflicting evidence has suggested that low mean nocturnal hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) predicts future hospital days for acute severe pain in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). In an unselected multicenter prospective cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that either low mean nocturnal SpO2 or high obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (OAHI; the number of obstructive apneas and hypopneas with ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal per hour of sleep) or high oxygen desaturation index (ODI; number of ≥ 3% desaturation from baseline saturation per hour of sleep) is associated with increased incidence rates of pain. A total of 140 children with SCA with a median age of 10.8 years (interquartile range 7.2) were followed for a median of 4.9 years (interquartile range 1.8). Overnight polysomnography evaluations at baseline health exam were measured and adjudicated centrally. Multivariable models created in two steps were included. First, all plausible covariates were included in a screening model. Subsequently, covariates meeting level of statistical significance of P < .20 were included in the final model. Contrary to our hypothesis, higher (but not lower) mean nocturnal SpO2 was associated with higher rates of pain episodes (Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.10, 95% CI [1.03‐1.18], P = .004). Higher log OAHI did not pass screening criteria. Higher log ODI was not significantly associated with higher rates of pain episodes (IRR 0.93, 95% CI [0.82‐1.06], P = .28). Neither low nocturnal SpO2, higher OAHI, nor higher ODI were associated with clinically relevant increased incidence rates of acute severe pain episodes.
α‐Aminoxy‐Acid‐Auxiliary‐Enabled Intermolecular Radical γ‐C(sp3)−H Functionalization of Ketones
Authors: Jiang Heng , Studer Armido
Published: December 2017

A method for site‐specific intermolecular γ‐C(sp3)−H functionalization of ketones has been developed using an α‐aminoxy acid auxiliary applying photoredox catalysis. Regioselective activation of an inert C−H bond is achieved by 1,5‐hydrogen atom abstraction by an oxidatively generated iminyl radical. Tertiary and secondary C‐radicals thus formed at the γ‐position of the imine functionality undergo radical conjugate addition to various Michael acceptors to provide, after reduction and imine hydrolysis, the corresponding γ‐functionalized ketones.
The Metal–Metal‐to‐Ligand Charge Transfer Excited State and Supramolecular Polymerization of Luminescent Pincer PdII–Isocyanide Complexes
Authors: Wan Qingyun , To Wai‐Pong , Yang Chen , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: December 2017

Pincer PdII–isocyanide complexes are described that display intermolecular interactions and emissive 3MMLCT excited states in aggregation state(s) at room temperature. The intermolecular PdII−PdII and ligand–ligand interactions drive these complexes to undergo supramolecular polymerization in a living manner. Comprehensive spectroscopic studies reveal a pathway with a kinetic trap that can be modulated by changing the counteranion and metal atom. The PdII supramolecular assemblies comprise two different aggregation forms with only one to be emissive. DFT/TDDFT calculations lend support to the MMLCT absorption and emission of these pincer PdII–isocyanide aggregates.
Regulation of Coordination Number over Single Co Sites: Triggering the Efficient Electroreduction of CO2
Authors: Wang Xiaoqian , Chen Zhao , Zhao Xuyan , Yao Tao , Chen Wenxing , You Rui , Zhao Changming , Wu Geng , Wang Jing , Huang Weixin , Yang Jinlong , Hong Xun , Wei Shiqiang , Wu Yuen , Li Yadong
Published: December 2017

The design of active, selective, and stable CO2 reduction electrocatalysts is still challenging. A series of atomically dispersed Co catalysts with different nitrogen coordination numbers were prepared and their CO2 electroreduction catalytic performance was explored. The best catalyst, atomically dispersed Co with two‐coordinate nitrogen atoms, achieves both high selectivity and superior activity with 94 % CO formation Faradaic efficiency and a current density of 18.1 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 520 mV. The CO formation turnover frequency reaches a record value of 18 200 h−1, surpassing most reported metal‐based catalysts under comparable conditions. Our experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that lower a coordination number facilitates activation of CO2 to the CO2.− intermediate and hence enhances CO2 electroreduction activity.