bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topological computation based on direct magnetic logic communication
Authors: Zhang Shilei , Baker Alexander A. , Komineas Stavros , Hesjedal Thorsten
Published: October 2015

Non-uniform magnetic domains with non-trivial topology, such as vortices and skyrmions, are proposed as superior state variables for nonvolatile information storage. So far, the possibility of logic operations using topological objects has not been considered. Here, we demonstrate numerically that the topology of the system plays a significant role for its dynamics, using the example of vortex-antivortex pairs in a planar ferromagnetic film. Utilising the dynamical properties and geometrical confinement, direct logic communication between the topological memory carriers is realised. This way, no additional magnetic-to-electrical conversion is required. More importantly, the information carriers can spontaneously travel up to ~300 nm, for which no spin-polarised current is required. The derived logic scheme enables topological spintronics, which can be integrated into large-scale memory and logic networks capable of complex computations.
miR-346 and miR-138 competitively regulate hTERT in GRSF1- and AGO2-dependent manners, respectively
Authors: Song Ge , Wang Renjie , Guo Junfei , Liu Xuyuan , Wang Fang , Qi Ying , Wan Haiying , Liu Min , Li Xin , Tang Hua
Published: October 2015

miRNAs typically downregulate the expression of target genes by binding to their 3′UTR and dysregulation of miRNAs may contribute to tumorigenesis. Here, we found that miR-346 and miR-138 competitively bind to a common region in the 3′UTR of hTERT mRNA and have opposite effects on the expression and function of hTERT in human cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, G-rich RNA sequence binding factor 1 (GRSF1) mediates the miR-346-dependent upregulation of hTERT by binding to the miR-346 middle sequence motif (CCGCAU) which forms a “bulge loop” when miR-346 is bound to the hTERT 3′UTR, facilitating the recruitment of hTERT mRNA to ribosomes to promote translation in an AGO2-independent manner. Conversely, miR-138 suppresses hTERT expression in an AGO2-dependent manner. Interestingly, replacement of the miR-138 middle sequence with that of miR-346 results in an upregulation of hTERT expression in a GRSF1-dependent manner. Moreover, miR-346 depends on GRSF1 to upregulate another target gene, activin A receptor, type IIB (ACVR2B), in which miR-346 “CCGCAU” motif is essential. These findings reveal novel mechanisms of miRNA-mediated upregulation of target gene expression and describe the coordinated action of multiple miRNAs to control the fate of a single target mRNA through binding to its 3′UTR.
High sensitive space electric field sensing based on micro fiber interferometer with field force driven gold nanofilm
Authors: Zhu Tao , Zhou Liming , Liu Min , Zhang Jingdong , Shi Leilei
Published: October 2015

The traditional electrical field sensing can be realized by utilizing electro-optic materials or liquid crystals and has limitations of easy breakdown, free assembly and difficult measurement of low-frequency. Here, we propose a new method to realize safe measurement of spatial dynamic electric field by using a micro fiber interferometer integrated with gold nanofilm. The energy of the electric charge received through antenna forms the intrinsic electric field with two micro electrodes, one of which is the 120 nm gold film vibration beam micromachined by femtosecond lasers and integrated with the micro fiber. The change of the intrinsic electric field force due to the spatial electric field will cause the vibration of the film beam. By demodulating the output signal of the micro fiber interferometer, the electric field can be measured. We demonstrate the detectable frequency ranges from tens of Hz to tens of KHz and the minimum electric field intensity is ~200 V/m at 1 KHz. Our electric field measurement technology combining optical fiber interference with gold nanostructures shows the advantages of security, high sensitivity, compact size and multiplexed multi-point and remote detection.
Optical Characterization of Strong UV Luminescence Emitted from the Excitonic Edge of Nickel Oxide Nanotowers
Authors: Ho Ching-Hwa , Kuo Yi-Ming , Chan Ching-Hsiang , Ma Yuan-Ron
Published: October 2015

NiO had been claimed to have the potential for application in transparent conducting oxide, electrochromic device for light control and nonvolatile memory device. However, the detailed study of excitonic transition and light-emission property of NiO has rarely been explored to date. In this work, we demonstrate strong exciton-complex emission of high-quality NiO nanotowers grown by hot-filament metal-oxide vapor deposition with photoluminescence as an evaluation tool. Fine and clear emission features coming from the excitonic edge of the NiO are obviously observed in the photoluminescence spectra. A main excitonic emission of ~3.25 eV at 300 K can be decomposed into free exciton, bound excitons and donor-acceptor-pair irradiations at lowered temperatures down to 10 K. The band-edge excitonic structure for the NiO nanocrystals has been evaluated and analyzed by transmission and thermoreflectacne measurements herein. All the experimental results demonstrate the cubic NiO thin-film nanotower is an applicable direct-band-gap material appropriate for UV luminescence and transparent-conducting-oxide applications.
Performance improvement and single laboratory validation of classical qualitative methods for the detection of adulterants in milk: starch, chlorides and sucrose
Authors: de Souza Gondim Carina , Cesar Santos de Souza Roberto , de Paula Penna e Palhares Marina , Junqueira Roberto Gonçalves , Carvalho de Souza Scheilla Vitorino
Published: October 2015

Simple modifications in classical methods for detection of milk adulteration were validated with significant performance improvement.
Correction: Separation of micro-phytoplankton from inorganic particulate in Antarctic seawater (Ross Sea) for the determination of Cd, Pb and Cu: optimization of the analytical methodology
Authors: Truzzi C. , Annibaldi A. , Finale C. , Libani G. , Romagnoli T. , Scarponi G. , Illuminati S.
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Separation of micro-phytoplankton from inorganic particulate in Antarctic seawater (Ross Sea) for the determination of Cd, Pb and Cu: optimization of the analytical methodology’ by C. Truzzi et al., Anal. Methods, 2015, 7, 5490–5496.
Interplay of experiment and theory: high resolution infrared spectrum and accurate equilibrium structure of BF2OH
Authors: Vogt Natalja , Demaison Jean , Rudolph Heinz Dieter , Perrin Agnès
Published: October 2015

Substitution of hydrogen by deuterium induces a large rotation of the principal axis system that amplifies the errors.
The medicinal chemist's toolbox for late stage functionalization of drug-like molecules
Authors: Cernak Tim , Dykstra Kevin D. , Tyagarajan Sriram , Vachal Petr , Krska Shane W.
Published: October 2015

The advent of modern C–H functionalization chemistries has enabled medicinal chemists to consider a synthetic strategy, late stage functionalization (LSF), which utilizes the C–H bonds of drug leads as points of diversification for generating new analogs.
Ce–Zr–La/Al2O3 prepared in a continuous stirred-tank reactor: a highly thermostable support for an efficient Rh-based three-way catalyst
Authors: Wang Su-Ning , Lan Li , Hua Wei-Bo , Shi Zhong-Hua , Chen Yao-Qiang , Gong Mao-Chu , Zhong Lin
Published: October 2015

Nano-architectured Ce–Zr–La/Al2O3 support materials were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation, and the material synthesized by CSTR has excellent physicochemical properties.
Copper and nickel bind via two distinct kinetic mechanisms to a CsoR metalloregulator
Authors: Porto Tatiana V. , Wilson Michael. T. , Worrall Jonathan A. R.
Published: October 2015

Copper and nickel ion binding to a bacterial metalloregulator from the copper sensitive operon repressor (CsoR) family are shown to have kinetically distinct mechanisms.
Insight into the origin of ferromagnetism in Fe-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals: an EXFAS study of local structure
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Tiwari Nidhi , Jha S. N. , Chatterjee S. , Bhattacharyya D. , Sahoo N. K. , Ghosh Anup K.
Published: October 2015

XANES study at Fe edge (a) and signature of ferromagnetism (b) of Zn1−xFexO nanoparticles.
Controlled aggregation of quantum dot dispersions by added amine bilinkers and effects on hybrid polymer film properties
Authors: Yan Junfeng , McNaughter Paul D. , Wang Ziji , Hodson Nigel , Chen Mu , Cui Zhengxing , O'Brien Paul , Saunders Brian R.
Published: October 2015

Nanocrystal aggregation triggered by added bilinker prior to P3HT/ZnO film formation results in increased film thickness and light absorption.
Analogous viscosity equations of granular powders based on Eyring's rate process theory and free volume concept
Authors: Hao Tian
Published: October 2015

Granular powders can be successfully treated with kinetic theory and statistical mechanics, though the granular powders are athermal systems and the conventional environmental temperature is too weak to drive particles to move.
Anomalous room temperature magnetoresistance in brownmillerite Ca2Fe2O5
Authors: Dhankhar Suchita , Gupta Kapil , Bhalerao Gopal , Shukla Neeraj , Chandran Maneesh , Francis Bellarmine , Tiwari Brajesh , Baskar K. , Singh Shubra
Published: October 2015

Anomalous magnetoresistance in wet chemical synthesized bulk polycrystalline Ca2Fe2O5and its comparative magnetic features with nanostructured Ca2Fe2O5.
Nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube/Co3O4 hybrids: one-step synthesis and superior electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Lu Hengyi , Huang Yunpeng , Yan Jiajie , Fan Wei , Liu Tianxi
Published: October 2015

N-rGO/CNTs/Co3O4 hybrids were prepared through a simple one-step hydrothermal method, and exhibited comparable electrocatalytic ORR activity to Pt/C catalysts, excellent tolerance to methanol crossover effects, and even better long-term stability.
Synthesis of surfactant-free SnS nanoplates in an aqueous solution
Authors: Yang Heeseung , Kim Chang-Eun , Giri Anupam , Soon Aloysius , Jeong Unyong
Published: October 2015

A synthetic route to produce surfactant-free SnS nanoplates with the Pbnm crystal structure is suggested. The process is quick and environmentally-friendly, accomplished under mild aqueous conditions by chemical transformation.
3-D N-doped porous graphene-like network and vanadium nitride co-promoted Pt electrocatalyst with high activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Zesheng , Li Bolin , Liu Zhisen , Liu Zhenghui , Li Dehao
Published: October 2015

Novel ternary 3DNPG/VN/Pt hybrid architectures with unique 3D network configuration and very high activity are presented for ORR.
Electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers supported alloyed Pd–Pt nanoparticles as recyclable catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Jiang Yanzhou , Chi Maoqiang , Yang Zezhou , Wang Ce , Lu Xiaofeng
Published: October 2015

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers supported alloyed Pd–Pt nanoparticles were synthesized as recyclable catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane.
Ion conduction behaviour in chemically crosslinked hybrid ionogels: effect of free-dangling oligoethyleneoxides
Authors: Lee Albert S. , Lee Jin Hong , Hong Soon Man , Lee Jong-Chan , Hwang Seung Sang , Koo Chong Min
Published: October 2015

Ion conduction studies of chemically crosslinked hybrid ionogels fabricated with newly synthesized PEO-functionalized ladder-like polysilsesquioxanes revealed insight into the design of electrolytes for next generation lithium ion batteries.
A validated chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of guaifenesin enantiomers and ambroxol HCl in pharmaceutical formulation
Authors: Saleh Ola Ahmed , Yehia Ali Mohamed , Abd-El Sattar El-Azzouny Aida , Aboul-Enein Hassan Youssef
Published: October 2015

The performance of three phenylcarbamate based chiral stationary phases was evaluated for the optimum separation of guaifenesin enantiomers.
Iodine(iii)-mediated construction of the dibenzoxazepinone skeleton from 2-(aryloxy)benzamides through oxidative C–N formation
Authors: Guo Xuliang , Zhang-Negrerie Daisy , Du Yunfei
Published: October 2015

Dibenzoxazepinone compounds were conveniently synthesized from 2-(aryloxy)benzamides through hypervalent iodine(iii)-mediated oxidative cyclization under mild reaction conditions.
Anionic phenoxy-amido rare-earth complexes as efficient catalysts for amidation of aldehydes with amines
Authors: Wang Chao , Huang Lingling , Lu Min , Zhao Bei , Wang Yaorong , Zhang Yong , Shen Qi , Yao Yingming
Published: October 2015

A series of anionic organo-rare-earth amido complexes stabilized by dianionic phenoxy-amido ligands were synthesized, and their catalytic property for the amidation reactions of aldehydes with amines was explored.
Striped nanoscale friction and edge rigidity of MoS2layers
Authors: Boland Mathias J. , Nasseri Mohsen , Hunley D. Patrick , Ansary Armin , Strachan Douglas R.
Published: October 2015

Lateral force microscopy (LFM) is used to probe the nanoscale elastic and frictional characteristics of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2).
Porous N-doped carbon material derived from prolific chitosan biomass as a high-performance electrode for energy storage
Authors: Wang Ying-Ying , Hou Bao-Hua , Lü Hong-Yan , Wan Fang , Wang Jie , Wu Xing-Long
Published: October 2015

A prolific biomass of chitosan is employed as the raw material to successfully prepare one porous N-doped carbon material, which exhibits excellent energy-storage performance when used as electrode for SCs and LIBs.
Rice husk derived nanosilica supported Cu(ii) complex: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of alcohols using TBHP
Authors: Gogoi Nibedita , Begum Tahshina , Dutta Smarika , Bora Utpal , Gogoi Pradip K.
Published: October 2015

We have developed a heterogenized catalyst of Cu(ii) complex immobilized onto nanosilica obtained from rice husk (RH), through Schiff-base condensation between 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized nanosilica and acetamide.
Chairside-Fertigung implantatgetragener Kronen mit VITA ENAMIC IS
Authors: Neumann P.
Published: October 2015

In diesem Artikel wird ein Behandlungskonzept für die effiziente Herstellung implantatprothetischer Einzelzahnversorgungen vorgestellt. Industriell vorgefertigte Rohlinge mit integrierter Schnittstelle zu einer Titan-/Klebebasis bilden hier die Basis für die CAD/CAM-gestützte Fertigung der Implantatsuprakonstruktion. Der Autor beschreibt mögliche Indikationen und die klinische Vorgehensweise.
Systematic hierarchical coarse-graining with the inverse Monte Carlo method
Authors: Lyubartsev Alexander P. , Naômé Aymeric , Vercauteren Daniel P. , Laaksonen Aatto
Published: October 2015

We outline our coarse-graining strategy for linking micro- and mesoscales of soft matter and biological systems. The method is based on effective pairwise interaction potentials obtained in detailed ab initio or classical atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, which can be used in simulations at less accurate level after scaling up the size. The effective potentials are obtained by applying the inverse Monte Carlo (IMC) method [A. P. Lyubartsev and A. Laaksonen, Phys. Rev. E 52(4), 3730–3737 (1995)] on a chosen subset of degrees of freedom described in terms of radial distribution functions. An in-house software package MagiC is developed to obtain the effective potentials for arbitrary molecular systems. In this work we compute effective potentials to model DNA-protein interactions (bacterial LiaR regulator bound to a 26 base pairs DNA fragment) at physiological salt concentration at a coarse-grained (CG) level. Normally the IMC CG pair-potentials are used directly as look-up tables but here we have fitted them to five Gaussians and a repulsive wall. Results show stable association between DNA and the model protein as well as similar position fluctuation profile.
Experimental investigation and molecular dynamics simulations of impact-mode wear mechanisms in silicon micromachines with alkylsilane self-assembled monolayer films
Authors: Douglas C. M. , Rouse W. A. , Driscoll J. A. , Timpe S. J.
Published: October 2015

In the current work, polycrystalline silicon microdevices are treated with a 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) film. Using a microelectromechanical systems-based tribometer, the adhesion characteristics of the FDTS-treated surfaces are compared to those of untreated surfaces over a range of approximately 10 × 106 impact cycles. FDTS-treated surfaces showed a lower zero-hour adhesion force compared to untreated surfaces under identical environmental conditions. The presence of the monolayer did not have a discernible effect on the number of cycles to initiate the surface degradation that was manifested as an increase in the adhesion force. Based on trends in degradation, it is concluded that similar chemical and physical wear mechanisms dominate the evolution of adhesion in both treated and untreated devices. The qualitative results of the experiment are reinforced by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a single nanoasperity contact coated with an octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) SAM. MD simulations show cleavage of bonds along the aliphatic chains of ODTS resulting in adhesion fluctuations. In agreement with experimental observations, the MD simulation shows a logarithmic increase in adhesion force with increasing number of cycles. MD simulations also predict a logarithmic decrease in adhesion energy with increasing cycles. These results provide insight into the physicohemical changes occurring during repetitive impact of surfaces coated with low surface energy films.
Background oriented schlieren in a density stratified fluid
Authors: Verso Lilly , Liberzon Alex
Published: October 2015

Non-intrusive quantitative fluid density measurement methods are essential in the stratified flow experiments. Digital imaging leads to synthetic schlieren methods in which the variations of the index of refraction are reconstructed computationally. In this study, an extension to one of these methods, called background oriented schlieren, is proposed. The extension enables an accurate reconstruction of the density field in stratified liquid experiments. Typically, the experiments are performed by the light source, background pattern, and the camera positioned on the opposite sides of a transparent vessel. The multimedia imaging through air-glass-water-glass-air leads to an additional aberration that destroys the reconstruction. A two-step calibration and image remapping transform are the key components that correct the images through the stratified media and provide a non-intrusive full-field density measurements of transparent liquids.
High temperature setup for measurements of Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of thin films using inductive heating
Authors: Adnane L. , Williams N. , Silva H. , Gokirmak A.
Published: October 2015

We have developed an automated setup for simultaneous measurement of Seebeck coefficient S(T) and electrical resistivity ρ(T) of thin film samples from room temperature to ∼650 °C. S and ρ are extracted from current–voltage (I-V) measurements obtained using a semiconductor parameter analyzer and temperature measurements obtained using commercial thermocouples. The slope and the x-axis intercept of the I-V characteristics represent the sample conductance G and the Seebeck voltage, respectively. The measured G(T) can be scaled to ρ(T) by the geometry factor obtained from the room temperature resistivity measurement of the film. The setup uses resistive or inductive heating to control the temperature and temperature gradient on the sample. Inductive heating is achieved with steel plates that surround the test area and a water cooled copper pipe coil underneath that generates an AC magnetic field. The measurements can be performed using resistive heating only or inductive heating only, or a combination of both depending on the desired heating ranges. Inductive heating provides a more uniform heating of the test area, does not require contacts to the sample holder, can be used up to the Curie temperature of the particular magnetic material, and the temperature gradients can be adjusted by the relative positions of the coil and sample. Example results obtained for low doped single-crystal silicon with inductive heating only and with resistive heating only are presented.
Kinetic analysis of interaction between N atoms and O-covered Ru(0001)
Authors: Kang Kai , Kleyn A. W. , Gleeson M. A.
Published: October 2015

Eley-Rideal (ER) reactions involving neutral atoms heavier than hydrogen reacting with adsorbed atoms of similar mass were first observed in recent molecular beam experiments by Zaharia et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 053201 (2014)]. Through analysis of two types of measurements, they obtained different estimations for the N–O ER reaction cross section, one of which is unexpectedly high. This was qualitatively accounted for by invoking a secondary effect whereby the presence of N adatoms on the surface acted to “shield” O adatoms from prompt recombinative desorption. We apply a rate equation model that includes two ER processes involving different adsorbed species (N–Oad and N–Nad) and an N-adsorption process to the full-beam exposure subset of the experimental data in order to study the reaction kinetics. Values for the individual reaction cross sections are derived. The measured N2 response can be well described by the model, but it is insufficient to completely describe the NO response. Modeling of different exposures is used to evaluate the qualitative picture presented by Zaharia et al.
In-situ structural investigations of ferroelasticity in soft and hard rhombohedral and tetragonal PZT
Authors: Morozov Maxim I. , Einarsrud Mari-Ann , Tolchard Julian R. , Geiger Philipp T. , Webber Kyle G. , Damjanovic Dragan , Grande Tor
Published: October 2015

Despite the technological importance of hard and soft PZT, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, ceramics, the mechanisms of ferroelectric hardening and softening remain widely discussed in the literature. The hardening and softening phenomena have traditionally been investigated in relation with dielectric manifestations such as aging of the dielectric susceptibility and constriction of the polarization-electric field hysteresis loop. Here, we present a systematic investigation of the ferroelectric and ferroelastic properties of soft and hard PZT in both the tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. A particular focus has been devoted to ferroelastic domain switching by characterizing the macroscopic mechanical constitutive behavior and in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction during compression. It is demonstrated that variation of the ordering state of point defects in PZT ceramics affects the switching behavior of both ferroelectric and ferroelastic domains under mechanical or electrical fields. Softening of the mechanical and electrical properties of originally hard PZT ceramics was conferred by quenching the materials from above the Curie temperature. The present findings are discussed with respect to the current understanding of hardening-softening transitions in ferroelectric materials.
Compact permanent magnet H+ ECR ion source with pulse gas valve
Authors: Iwashita Y. , Tongu H. , Fuwa Y. , Ichikawa M.
Published: October 2015

Compact H+ ECR ion source using permanent magnets is under development. Switching the hydrogen gas flow in pulse operations can reduce the gas loads to vacuum evacuation systems. A specially designed piezo gas valve chops the gas flow quickly. A 6 GHz ECR ion source equipped with the piezo gas valve is tested. The gas flow was measured by a fast ion gauge and a few ms response time is obtained.
Effect of spacer layer thickness on structural and optical properties of multi-stack InAs/GaAsSb quantum dots
Authors: Kim Yeongho , Ban Keun-Yong , Boley Allison , Smith David J. , Honsberg Christiana B.
Published: October 2015

The structural and optical properties of ten-stack InAs/GaAsSb quantum dots (QDs) with different spacer layer thicknesses (ds = 2, 5, 10, and 15 nm) are reported. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the strain relaxation of the GaAsSb spacers increases linearly from 0% to 67% with larger ds due to higher elastic stress between the spacer and GaAs matrix. In addition, the dislocation density in the spacers with ds = 10 nm is lowest as a result of reduced residual strain. The photoluminescence peak energy from the QDs does not change monotonically with increasing ds due to the competing effects of decreased compressive strain and weak electronic coupling of stacked QD layers. The QD structure with ds = 10 nm is demonstrated to have improved luminescence properties and higher carrier thermal stability.
Nonlinear mode coupling and internal resonances in MoS2 nanoelectromechanical system
Authors: Samanta C. , Yasasvi Gangavarapu P. R. , Naik A. K.
Published: October 2015

Atomically thin two dimensional (2D) layered materials have emerged as a new class of material for nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) due to their extraordinary mechanical properties and ultralow mass density. Among them, graphene has been the material of choice for nanomechanical resonator. However, recent interest in 2D chalcogenide compounds has also spurred research in using materials such as MoS2 for the NEMS applications. As the dimensions of devices fabricated using these materials shrink down to atomically thin membrane, strain and nonlinear effects have become important. A clear understanding of the nonlinear effects and the ability to manipulate them is essential for next generation sensors. Here, we report on all electrical actuation and detection of few-layer MoS2 resonator. The ability to electrically detect multiple modes and actuate the modes deep into the nonlinear regime enables us to probe the nonlinear coupling between various vibrational modes. The modal coupling in our device is strong enough to detect three distinct internal resonances.
Texture induced magnetic anisotropy in Fe3O4 films
Authors: Liu Er , Huang Zhaocong , Zheng Jian-Guo , Yue Jinjin , Chen Leyi , Wu Xiumei , Sui Yunxia , Zhai Ya , Tang Shaolong , Du Jun , Zhai Hongru
Published: October 2015

This letter reports a free energy density model for textured films in which the related physical concept and expression of magneto-texture anisotropy energy are presented. The structural characterization and out-of-plane angular dependence ferromagnetic resonance of strongly textured Fe3O4 films were systematically investigated. We found that the typical free energy density model for polycrystalline film cannot be applied to the textured films. With the introduction of magneto-texture anisotropy energy in the free energy density model for thin films, we simulated and quantitatively determined the competing anisotropies in (111)-textured Fe3O4 films.
Excitation mechanisms of Er optical centers in GaN epilayers
Authors: George D. K. , Hawkins M. D. , McLaren M. , Jiang H. X. , Lin J. Y. , Zavada J. M. , Vinh N. Q.
Published: October 2015

We report direct evidence of two mechanisms responsible for the excitation of optically active Er3+ ions in GaN epilayers grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. These mechanisms, resonant excitation via the higher-lying inner 4f shell transitions and band-to-band excitation of the semiconductor host, lead to narrow emission lines from isolated and the defect-related Er optical centers. However, these centers have different photoluminescence spectra, local defect environments, decay dynamics, and excitation cross sections. The photoluminescence at 1.54 μm from the isolated Er optical center which can be excited by either mechanism has the same decay dynamics, but possesses a much higher excitation cross-section under band-to-band excitation. In contrast, the photoluminescence at 1.54 μm from the defect-related Er optical center can only be observed through band-to-band excitation but has the largest excitation cross-section. These results explain the difficulty in achieving gain in Er doped GaN and indicate approaches for realization of optical amplification, and possibly lasing, at room temperature.
Visualization of local phase transition behaviors near dislocations in epitaxial VO2/TiO2 thin films
Authors: Sohn Ahrum , Kanki Teruo , Tanaka Hidekazu , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: October 2015

We investigated local phase transition behaviors in epitaxial VO2/TiO2 thin films using variable-temperature Kelvin probe force microscopy while spanning the metal–insulator transition (MIT). Fully strained thin films were almost free of grain boundaries. In contrast, thicker films had cracks (dislocations) caused by strain relaxation. The surface area fraction of the insulating phase near the dislocations was higher than that in other regions. Thicker films have complicated domain patterns; hence, the three-dimensional percolation model properly described the MIT behaviors. In contrast, the two-dimensional percolation model well explained the transition behaviors of uniformly strained thinner films.
Note: Non-invasive optical method for rapid determination of alignment degree of oriented nanofibrous layers
Authors: Pokorny M. , Klemes J. , Rebicek J. , Kotzianova A. , Velebny V.
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a rapid non-destructive method that provides information on the anisotropic internal structure of nanofibrous layers. A laser beam of a wavelength of 632.8 nm is directed at and passes through a nanofibrous layer prepared by electrostatic spinning. Information about the structural arrangement of nanofibers in the layer is directly visible in the form of a diffraction image formed on a projection screen or obtained from measured intensities of the laser beam passing through the sample which are determined by the dependency of the angle of the main direction of polarization of the laser beam on the axis of alignment of nanofibers in the sample. Both optical methods were verified on Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous layers (fiber diameter of 470 nm) with random, single-axis aligned and crossed structures. The obtained results match the results of commonly used methods which apply the analysis of electron microscope images. The presented simple method not only allows samples to be analysed much more rapidly and without damaging them but it also makes possible the analysis of much larger areas, up to several square millimetres, at the same time.
Graphene oxide/carbon nanoparticle thin film based IR detector: Surface properties and device characterization
Authors: Chowdhury Farzana Aktar , Hossain Mohammad Abul , Uchida Koji , Tamura Takahiro , Sugawa Kosuke , Mochida Tomoaki , Otsuki Joe , Mohiuddin Tariq , Boby Monny Akter , Alam Mohammad Sahabul
Published: October 2015

This work deals with the synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon nanoparticles (CNP) adorned graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite materials. Here we mainly focus on an emerging topic in modern research field presenting GO-CNP nanocomposite as a infrared (IR) radiation detector device. GO-CNP thin film devices were fabricated from liquid phase at ambient condition where no modifying treatments were necessary. It works with no cooling treatment and also for stationary objects. A sharp response of human body IR radiation was detected with time constants of 3 and 36 sec and radiation responsivity was 3 mAW−1. The current also rises for quite a long time before saturation. This work discusses state-of-the-art material developing technique based on near-infrared photon absorption and their use in field deployable instrument for real-world applications. GO-CNP-based thin solid composite films also offer its potentiality to be utilized as p-type absorber material in thin film solar cell, as well.
Counter-intuitive experimental evidence on the initiation of radical crack in ceramic thin films at the atomic scale
Authors: Zhuang Chunqiang , Li Zhipeng , Lin Songsheng
Published: October 2015

The basic issue related to radial crack in ceramic thin films has received considerable attention due to the fact that the radial crack plays an important role in evaluating the toughness properties of ceramic materials. In this work, an atomic-scale new experimental evidence is clearly presented to reveal the counter-intuitive initiation, the nucleation and the propagation mechanism of the radial crack in Al-Cr-N ceramic thin films.
Irreversible thermochromic response of RF sputtered nanocrystalline BaWO4 films for smart window applications
Authors: Anil Kumar C. , Santhosh Kumar T. , Pamu D.
Published: October 2015

We report irreversible thermochromic behaviour of BaWO4 (BWO) films for the first time. BWO films have been deposited at different substrate temperatures (RT, 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C) using RF magnetron sputtering in pure argon plasma. BWO films deposited at 800 °C exhibit crystalline nature. Also, BWO films deposited in the temperature range of 400 - 600 °C exhibit WO3 as a secondary phase and its weight percentage decreases with an increase in deposition temperature, whereas the films deposited at 800 °C exhibited pure tetragonal phase. FESEM images revealed that as the average particle sizes of the films are higher as compared with the thickness of the films and is explained based on Avrami type nucleation and growth. The transmittance of the films decreases with an increase in deposition temperature up to 600 °C and increases thereafter. Films deposited at 600 °C show ≤ 20% transmittance, looking at the films deposited at room temperature and 800 °C exhibits 90 and 70%, respectively. The refractive index and extinction coefficient of the films show profound dependence on crystallinity and packing density. The optical bandgap of BWO films increases significantly with an increase in O2% during the deposition. The optical bandgap of the BWO films deposited at different temperatures in pure argon plasma, are in the range of 3.7 to 3.94 eV whereas the films deposited at 600 °C under different O2 plasma are in the range of 3.6 - 4.5 eV. The formations of colour centres are associated with the oxygen vacancies, which are clearly seen from the optical bandgap studies. The observed irreversible thermochromic behaviour in BWO films is attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancies that arises due to the electrons trapped at oxygen vacancies causing an inter valence charge transfer of W5+ to W6+ and is confirmed through the change in the optical density (ΔOD). Further, the Raman spectra are being used to quantify the presence of oxygen vacancies and the formation of pure BWO phase. The obtained optical responses of BWO films are promising for solar cell and smart window applications.
Rapid Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of N-Aryl 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines
Authors: Forni José Augusto , Brzozowski Martin , Tsanaktsidis John , Savage G. Paul. , Polyzos Anastasios
Published: October 2015

N-aryl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared rapidly in good yields by the microwave-assisted Pd-catalysed coupling of (hetero)aryl iodides or bromides with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. Reactions were typically complete within 5 min for aryl iodides and within 30 min for pyridyl bromides.
Diagnosis of congenital syphilis and toxoplasmosis
Authors: George C. R. Robert
Published: October 2015

Syphilis, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus represent disparate entities. The bacterial spirochaete Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum causes syphilis, the ‘The Great Imitator'; the organism's sole natural host is humans and it remains exquisitely sensitive to penicillin. By contrast, the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis. Infection is usually self-limited, although serious disease can occur in the immunocompromised. Meanwhile, the human cytomegalovirus (CMV; human herpesvirus 5) is a relatively prevalent enveloped DNA betaherpesvirus with infection specific to humans. Despite nomenclatural, ecological and therapeutic disparities, however, these agents exhibit several concordances, including various, and at times, cryptic syndromes in child and often mother; congenital infections with potentially devastating outcomes; diagnostic dilemmas. This article primarily discusses the latter of these issues in relationship to congenital syphilis and toxoplasmosis in the Australian context.
Differential outcome of TRIF-mediated signaling in TLR4 and TLR3 induced DC maturation
Authors: Hu Wei , Jain Aakanksha , Gao Yajing , Dozmorov Igor M. , Mandraju Rajakumar , Wakeland Edward K. , Pasare Chandrashekhar
Published: October 2015

Significance

Successful induction of protective immunity is critically dependent on our ability to design vaccines that can induce dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR3 induce DC maturation. We discovered that TLR4 that recognizes LPS from Gram-negative bacteria uses the signaling adaptor Toll–IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β to induce robust activation of NF-κB and MAP kinases that can directly lead to transcription of genes necessary for DC maturation. However, TLR3 that recognizes viral RNA depends on interferon α/β receptor signaling to induce DC maturation. Discovery of these molecular distinctions by which TLRs that recognize bacteria and viruses induce DC maturation will be beneficial to gaining critical insights into induction of adaptive immunity and for successful design of vaccines.
CRISPR/Cas9 somatic multiplex-mutagenesis for high-throughput functional cancer genomics in mice
Authors: Weber Julia , Öllinger Rupert , Friedrich Mathias , Ehmer Ursula , Barenboim Maxim , Steiger Katja , Heid Irina , Mueller Sebastian , Maresch Roman , Engleitner Thomas , Gross Nina , Geumann Ulf , Fu Beiyuan , Segler Angela , Yuan Detian , Lange Sebastian , Strong Alexander , de la Rosa Jorge , Esposito Irene , Liu Pentao , Cadiñanos Juan , Vassiliou George S. , Schmid Roland M. , Schneider Günter , Unger Kristian , Yang Fengtang , Braren Rickmer , Heikenwälder Mathias , Varela Ignacio , Saur Dieter , Bradley Allan , Rad Roland
Published: October 2015

Significance

Assigning biological relevance and molecular function to large catalogues of mutated genes in cancer is a major challenge. Likewise, pinpointing drivers among thousands of transcriptionally or epigenetically dysregulated genes within a cancer is complex and limited by the lack of tools for high-throughput functional cancer genomic analyses. We show here for the first time, to our knowledge, application of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering system for simultaneous (multiplexed) mutagenesis of large gene sets in adult mice, allowing high-throughput discovery and validation of cancer genes. We characterized applications of CRISPR/Cas9 multiplexing, resulting tumor phenotypes, and limitations of the methodology. By using defined genetic or environmental predisposing conditions, we also developed, to our knowledge, the first mouse models of CRISPR/Cas9-induced hepatocellular carcinoma and show how multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 can facilitate functional genomic analyses of hepatobiliary cancers.
Defining the mRNA recognition signature of a bacterial toxin protein
Authors: Schureck Marc A. , Dunkle Jack A. , Maehigashi Tatsuya , Miles Stacey J. , Dunham Christine M.
Published: October 2015

Significance

Bacteria have a tremendous capacity to rapidly adapt their gene expression profiles and metabolic rates through global regulatory responses. Toxin–antitoxin complexes regulate their own expression under exponential growth but inhibit energy-demanding processes like protein synthesis during stress. A majority of toxins display exquisite endonucleolytic specificity for mRNAs but only in the context of the ribosome. The molecular basis for this selectivity is unclear given their simple microbial RNase architecture. Here, we demonstrate the mechanistic determinants for host inhibition of growth B (HigB) toxin selection of mRNA substrates. Moreover, we propose that ribosome-dependent toxins recognize their mRNA substrates primarily through identification of the third nucleotide of the codon, contrary to how tRNAs and other translation factors also recognize the A site.
Conformal geometric inequalities on the Klein bottle
Authors: El Mir Chady , Yassine Zeina
Published: October 2015

We prove three optimal conformal geometric inequalities of C. Blatter type on every Riemannian Klein bottle. These inequalities provide conformal lower bounds on the area and involve lengths of homotopy classes of curves that are natural candidates to realize the systole.
The fundamental theorem of cubical small cancellation theory
Authors: Jankiewicz Kasia
Published: October 2015

We give a new proof of the main theorem in the theory of

C

(
6
)

\mathrm C(6)

small cancellation complexes. We prove the fundamental theorem of cubical small cancellation theory for

C

(
9
)

\mathrm C(9)

cubical small cancellation complexes.
Stability results for sections of convex bodies
Authors: Stephen M. , Yaskin V.
Published: October 2015

It is shown by Makai, Martini, and Ódor that a convex body

K
K

, all of whose maximal sections pass through the origin, must be origin-symmetric. We prove a stability version of this result. We also discuss a theorem of Koldobsky and Shane about determination of convex bodies by fractional derivatives of the parallel section function and establish the corresponding stability result.
ancGWAS: a post genome-wide association study method for interaction, pathway and ancestry analysis in homogeneous and admixed populations
Authors: Chimusa Emile R. , Mbiyavanga Mamana , Mazandu Gaston K. , Mulder Nicola J.
Published: October 2015

Motivation: Despite numerous successful Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS), detecting variants that have low disease risk still poses a challenge. GWAS may miss disease genes with weak genetic effects or strong epistatic effects due to the single-marker testing approach commonly used. GWAS may thus generate false negative or inconclusive results, suggesting the need for novel methods to combine effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms within a gene to increase the likelihood of fully characterizing the susceptibility gene.

Results: We developed ancGWAS, an algebraic graph-based centrality measure that accounts for linkage disequilibrium in identifying significant disease sub-networks by integrating the association signal from GWAS data sets into the human protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. We validated ancGWAS using an association study result from a breast cancer data set and the simulation of interactive disease loci in the simulation of a complex admixed population, as well as pathway-based GWAS simulation. This new approach holds promise for deconvoluting the interactions between genes underlying the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Results obtained yield a novel central breast cancer sub-network of the human interactome implicated in the proteoglycan syndecan-mediated signaling events pathway which is known to play a major role in mesenchymal tumor cell proliferation, thus providing further insights into breast cancer pathogenesis.

Availability and implementation: The ancGWAS package and documents are available at http://www.cbio.uct.ac.za/~emile/software.html

Contact:  emile.chimusa@uct.ac.za, Nicola.Mulder@uct.ac.za

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Costs per Diagnosis of Acute HIV Infection in Community-based Screening Strategies: A Comparative Analysis of Four Screening Algorithms
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Graff-Zivin Joshua , Little Susan J.
Published: October 2015

Background.  In nonhealthcare settings, widespread screening for acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (AHI) is limited by cost and decision algorithms to better prioritize use of resources. Comparative cost analyses for available strategies are lacking.

Methods.  To determine cost-effectiveness of community-based testing strategies, we evaluated annual costs of 3 algorithms that detect AHI based on HIV nucleic acid amplification testing (EarlyTest algorithm) or on HIV p24 antigen (Ag) detection via Architect (Architect algorithm) or Determine (Determine algorithm) as well as 1 algorithm that relies on HIV antibody testing alone (Antibody algorithm). The cost model used data on men who have sex with men (MSM) undergoing community-based AHI screening in San Diego, California. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per diagnosis of AHI were calculated for programs with HIV prevalence rates between 0.1% and 2.9%.

Results.  Among MSM in San Diego, EarlyTest was cost-savings (ie, ICERs per AHI diagnosis less than $13.000) when compared with the 3 other algorithms. Cost analyses relative to regional HIV prevalence showed that EarlyTest was cost-effective (ie, ICERs less than $69.547) for similar populations of MSM with an HIV prevalence rate >0.4%; Architect was the second best alternative for HIV prevalence rates >0.6%.

Conclusions.  Identification of AHI by the dual EarlyTest screening algorithm is likely to be cost-effective not only among at-risk MSM in San Diego but also among similar populations of MSM with HIV prevalence rates >0.4%.
Birth of the Yangtze River: age and tectonic-geomorphic implications
Authors: Zheng Hongbo
Published: October 2015

Large river systems are an integral and essential component of Earth dynamics. The development of large river systems in Asia is closely linked to the evolving topography driven by both near-field and far-field effects of the interplay among Indian, Eurasian and Pacific plates. Plate tectonics together with climatic changes during the Cenozoic is therefore believed to have determined the evolution of Asian large rivers, yet the age of the Yangtze, the largest in Asia, has been strongly debated over a century, with estimates ranging from 40–45 Ma to a more recent initiation postdating 750 ka. In this paper, I attempt to review the competing views about the age of the Yangtze, and evaluate the estimated pre-Miocene birth of the river based on the provenance of the fluvial sediments from the lower reaches. I further present new geological evidence from the upper stream in southeastern Tibetan Plateau to show the existence of a possible southward paleo-Jinshajiang during the Paleogene, and exploit when and how it might deviated eastward to give birth to the modern Yangtze River. I propose that the present Yangtze River system formed in response to the continental-scale gradient driven by uplifting Tibetan Plateau and regional extension throughout eastern China, synchronous with surface uplift in southeastern Tibet and strengthening of Asian summer monsoon.
Clean-energy development in China
Authors: Qiu Jane
Published: October 2015

In June, China announced its 2030 target to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 60%–65% from 2005 levels. To achieve the goal, it would increase the share of non-fossil fuels as part of its primary energy consumption to 20% by 2030 and aim to peak emissions around the same time. As world's largest carbon emitter, the announcement is widely hailed not only as a strong impetus for the UN climate talks, which are convened in Paris this month, but a solution to the country's unprecedented choking pollution.

In a forum chaired by National Science Review's executive associate editor Mu-ming Poo, four panelists from diverse backgrounds discuss how clean-energy development could help China to fight against air pollution and meet its 2030 target, what sorts of policies need to be in place, and what the main challenges are.