bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of Eosinophils Interacting with Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37: Implications in Allergic Asthma
Authors: Jiao Delong , Wong Chun-Kwok , Tsang Miranda Sin-Man , Chu Ida Miu-Ting , Liu Dehua , Zhu Jing , Chu Man , Lam Christopher Wai-Kei
Published: May 2017

The role of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in asthma exacerbation is unclear. Microbial infection, which is the most common inducer of asthma exacerbation, is accompanied by elevated LL-37. The present study found that co-culture of eosinophils and bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B significantly enhanced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on both cells and CD18 expression on eosinophils upon LL-37 stimulation. IL-6, CXCL8 and CCL4 were substantially released in co-culture in the presence of LL-37. LL-37 triggered the activation of eosinophils interacting with BEAS-2B cells in a P2X purinoceptor 7/epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent manner. Eosinophils and BEAS-2B cells differentially contribute to the expression of cytokines/chemokines in co-culture, while soluble mediators were sufficient to mediate the intercellular interactions. Intracellular p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways were essential for LL-37-mediated activation of eosinophils and BEAS-2B cells. By using the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model, intranasal administration of mCRAMP (mouse ortholog of LL-37) in combination with ovalbumin during the allergen challenge stage significantly enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in sensitized mice, thereby implicating a deteriorating role of LL-37 in allergic asthma. This study provides evidence of LL-37 in triggering asthma exacerbation via the activation of eosinophils interacting with bronchial epithelial cells in inflammatory airway.
Correction: Corrigendum: The LIM domain protein nTRIP6 acts as a co-repressor for the transcription factor MEF2C in myoblasts
Authors: Kemler Denise , Dahley Oliver , Roßwag Sven , Litfin Margarethe , Kassel Olivier
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 27746; published online: 13 June 2016; updated: 08 May 2017. This Article contains errors in Figure 2a where the pre-LIM images are a duplicate of the LIM images present in Figure 5a. The correct Figure 2a appears below as Figure 1.
Unusual activation pathways of amines in the reactions with molybdenum pentachloride
Authors: Bartalucci Niccolò , Bortoluzzi Marco , Marchetti Fabio , Pampaloni Guido , Schoch Silvia , Zacchini Stefano
Published: May 2017

Both single electron reduction and oxidation of Mo(v) guide the activation of a series of aliphatic amines when these are allowed to react with MoCl5.
A co-operative effect of visible light photo-catalysis and CoFe2O4nanoparticles for green synthesis of furans in water
Authors: Verma Fooleswar , Singh Puneet K. , Bhardiya Smita R. , Singh Manorama , Rai Ankita , Rai Vijai K.
Published: May 2017

A novel approach to poly-functionalized furan synthesis is disclosedviaoxidative decarboxylative [3+2] cycloaddition using co-operative catalysis by visible light and CoFe2O4nanoparticles.
K-junction structure mediated exponential signal amplification strategy for microRNA detection in electrochemiluminescence biosensor
Authors: Li Xue , Chen Anyi , Chai Yaqin , Yuan Ruo
Published: May 2017

Based on the novel designed K-junction structure, an economic and efficient exponential signal amplification strategy with simple protocol combining hemin/G-quadruplex, a mimetic peroxidase, as a catalyzer was proposed and utilized in an electrochemiluminescence biosensor for sensitive microRNA detection.
Separation, detection and identification of phase I and phase II metabolites and their corresponding polycyclic aromatic compounds
Authors: Malmquist L. M. V. , Boll E. S. , Nielsen N. J. , Christensen J. H.
Published: May 2017

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are transformed into polar metabolites in environmental matrices.
Utility of high resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRMS) in the mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA) of CSF proteins modified by stable isotope labeling in mammals (SILAM) methodology applied to neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Cantone Joseph L. , Polson Craig , Wei Cong , Guss Valerie , Ahlijanian Michael K. , Meredith Jere E. , Drexler Dieter M.
Published: May 2017

Stable isotope labeling of proteins affords indicators at the molecular level, specifically biomarkers, which may providein vivodata on disease diagnosis, progression, and treatment.
Reductive activation of O2 by a bioinspired Fe complex for catalytic epoxidation reactions
Authors: Singh Kundan K. , Sen Gupta Sayam
Published: May 2017

Aerobic epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by iron complexes without the use of a sacrificial coreductant is unknown.
Exploiting the unusual effects of fluorine in methodology
Authors: Orsi Douglas L. , Altman Ryan A.
Published: May 2017

Reactions of fluorinated substrates proceed with distinct patterns relative to non-fluorinated substrates.
Bio-inspired Ni2+-polyphenol hydrophilic network to achieve unconventional high-flux nanofiltration membranes for environmental remediation
Authors: You Fangjie , Xu Yanchao , Yang Xiaobin , Zhang Yanqiu , Shao Lu
Published: May 2017

A Ni2+-polyphenol network was synthesized as a hydrophilic coating to achieve highly efficient nanofiltration membranes with an unconventional high flux for dye wastewater remediation.
Taurine-modified Ru(ii)-complex targets cancerous brain cells for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Du Enming , Hu Xunwu , Roy Sona , Wang Peng , Deasy Kieran , Mochizuki Toshiaki , Zhang Ye
Published: May 2017

Symmetrical taurine modification not only enhances the intracellular affinity of a polypyridyl Ru-complex to cancer cells, but also boosts the quantum yield in a pH-independent manner without sacrificing water solubility for cytosolic photosensitizers of photodynamic therapy, with prominent efficacy in cancerous brain cells.
Metal-free spin and spin-gapless semiconducting heterobilayers: monolayer boron carbonitrides on hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Pan Hongzhe , Zhang Hongyu , Sun Yuanyuan , Ding Yingchun , Chen Jie , Du Youwei , Tang Nujiang
Published: May 2017

We show that the B4CN3/BN heterobilayer is a bipolar magnetic semiconductor while B3CN4/BN is a spin gapless semiconductor. The magnetic and spintronic properties of the two heterobilayers originate mainly from the 2pz electrons of the carbon atoms in the respective B4CN3 and B3CN4 layers.
Understanding the adsorptive interactions of arsenate–iron nanoparticles with curved fullerene-like sheets in activated carbon using a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics computational approach
Authors: Ha Nguyen Ngoc , Cam Le Minh , Ha Nguyen Thi Thu , Goh Bee-Min , Saunders Martin , Jiang Zhong-Tao , Altarawneh Mohammednoor , Dlugogorski Bogdan Z. , El-Harbawi Mohanad , Yin Chun-Yang
Published: May 2017

Incorporation of iron nanoparticles into activated carbon sheets greatly facilitates the chemisorption of HAsO42−.
Rehybridization-induced charge density oscillations in the long-range corrugated silicene
Authors: Podsiadły-Paszkowska Agata , Krawiec Mariusz
Published: May 2017

One-dimensional long-range periodic structural deformation leads to a novel state of matter, called the rehybridization-induced sublattice-polarized charge density oscillation phase.
Efficient carbon-supported heterogeneous molybdenum-dioxo catalyst for chemoselective reductive carbonyl coupling
Authors: Liu Shengsi , Li Jiaqi , Jurca Titel , Stair Peter C. , Lohr Tracy L. , Marks Tobin J.
Published: May 2017

Selective carbonyl coupling, high symmetric ether selectivity.
Highly active Au/δ-MoC and Au/β-Mo2C catalysts for the low-temperature water gas shift reaction: effects of the carbide metal/carbon ratio on the catalyst performance
Authors: Posada-Pérez Sergio , Gutiérrez Ramón A. , Zuo Zhijun , Ramírez Pedro J. , Viñes Francesc , Liu Ping , Illas Francesc , Rodriguez José A.
Published: May 2017

Water gas shift reaction catalyzed by Mo carbides surfaces and on Au supported thereon is studied by experiments and computational methods.
Hydrogenative ring-rearrangement of biomass derived 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural to 3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentanol using combination catalyst systems of Pt/SiO2 and lanthanoid oxides
Authors: Ohyama J. , Ohira Y. , Satsuma A.
Published: May 2017

Combination catalyst systems composed of Pt/SiO2 and lanthanoid oxides efficiently catalyze the hydrogenative ring-rearrangement of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in water to produce 3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentanol which can be a unique chemical building block derived from biomass.
Threading of various ‘U’ shaped bidentate axles into a heteroditopic macrocyclic wheel via NiII/CuIItemplation
Authors: Nandi Mandira , Santra Saikat , Akhuli Bidyut , Ghosh Pradyut
Published: May 2017

The NiII/CuIItemplated threading of various terminal group embedded ‘U’ shaped axles into an amido–amine macrocyclic wheel towards the development of a new generation of [2]pseudorotaxanesvia[3 + 2] coordination assisted by other non-covalent interactions.
Rapid self-healing and anion selectivity in metallosupramolecular gels assisted by fluorine–fluorine interactions
Authors: Arnedo-Sánchez Leticia , Nonappa Nonappa , Bhowmik Sandip , Hietala Sami , Puttreddy Rakesh , Lahtinen Manu , De Cola Luisa , Rissanen Kari
Published: May 2017

Metal complexes from perfluoroalkylamide terpyridine self-assemble into anion selective gels, which manifest self-healing and thermal rearrangement in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide.
A cuboidal [Ni4O4] cluster as a precursor for recyclable, carbon-supported nickel nanoparticle reduction catalysts
Authors: Yuan Yan-Qiu , Yuan Feng-Ling , Li Fei-Long , Hao Zhi-Min , Guo Jun , Young David J. , Zhang Wen-Hua , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: May 2017

A pyridine alkoxide ligated cuboidal [Ni4O4] cluster has been selected as the precursor to synthesize carbon-hosted Ni nanoparticles for catalytic conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol.
FOCuS: a metaheuristic algorithm for computing knockouts from genome-scale models for strain optimization
Authors: Mutturi Sarma
Published: May 2017

A novel computational procedure, termed as FOCuS (Flower-pOllination coupled Clonal Selection algorithm), was developed to find the optimal reaction knockout from a metabolic network to maximize the production of specific metabolites.
Enhancement of upconversion, temperature sensing and cathodoluminescence in the K+/Na+ compensated CaMoO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanophosphor
Authors: Sinha Shriya , Mahata Manoj Kumar , Swart H. C. , Kumar Ashwini , Kumar Kaushal
Published: May 2017

Enhancing upconversion, temperature sensing and cathodoluminescence in the CaMoO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanophosphor via K+/Na+ simultaneous codoping.
Upconverting Er3+,Yb3+ activated β-NaYF4 thin films: a solution route using a novel sodium β-diketonate polyether adduct
Authors: Catalano Maria R. , Pellegrino Anna L. , Rossi Patrizia , Paoli Paola , Cortelletti Paolo , Pedroni Marco , Speghini Adolfo , Malandrino Graziella
Published: May 2017

A new Na(hfa)·tetraglyme adduct has been synthesized and successfully applied, together with the RE(hfa)3·diglyme (RE = Y, Yb, Er) complexes, in the sol–gel synthesis of upconverting hexagonal NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ films.
Hydrazine-assisted electrolytic hydrogen production: CoS2nanoarray as a superior bifunctional electrocatalyst
Authors: Ma Xiao , Wang Jianmei , Liu Danni , Kong Rongmei , Hao Shuai , Du Gu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: May 2017

A CoS2nanoarray on Ti mesh acts as an efficient and durable catalyst for the hydrazine oxidation reaction and it only needs 0.81 V to attain 100 mA cm−2in 1.0 M KOH with 100 mM hydrazine for its two-electrode electrolyser.
A QM/QTAIM research under the magnifying glass of the DPT tautomerisation of the wobble mispairs involving 2-aminopurine
Authors: Brovarets' Ol'ha O. , Voiteshenko Ivan S. , Pérez-Sánchez Horacio , Hovorun Dmytro M.
Published: May 2017

In this study, a comprehensive survey of the changes of the physico-chemical parameters at each point of the IRC for the biologically important T·2AP*(w) ↔ T*·2AP(w) and G·2AP*(w) ↔ G*·2AP(w) DPT tautomerisation reactions involved in the point mutations (transitions and transversions) induced by 2-aminopurine (2AP) in DNA is provided.
High-affinity recognition of the human C-reactive protein independent of phosphocholine
Authors: Yang Jie , Gustavsson Anna-Lena , Haraldsson Martin , Karlsson Göran , Norberg Thomas , Baltzer Lars
Published: May 2017

The design of a small organic molecule based on hits from NMR screening of a building block collection enabled the synthesis of a polypeptide conjugate that binds human CRP with high affinity and selectivity independently of phosphocholine.
Cationic peptidopolysaccharides synthesized by ‘click’ chemistry with enhanced broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities
Authors: Su Yajuan , Tian Liang , Yu Meng , Gao Qiang , Wang Dehui , Xi Yuewei , Yang Peng , Lei Bo , Ma Peter X. , Li Peng
Published: May 2017

A series of broad-spectrum antimicrobial cationic peptidopolysaccharides have been synthesized using a facile thiol–ene ‘click’ chemistry.
Correction: Bipolar hosts and non-doped deep-blue emitters (CIEy = 0.04) based on phenylcarbazole and 2-(2-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine groups
Authors: Xu Huixia , Sun Peng , Wang Kexiang , Li Jie , Wang Fang , Miao Yanqin , Wang Hua , Xu Bingshe , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: May 2017

Correction for ‘Bipolar hosts and non-doped deep-blue emitters (CIEy = 0.04) based on phenylcarbazole and 2-(2-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine groups’ by Huixia Xu et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c6tc05630j.
Validity of Postexercise Measurements to Estimate Peak VO2 in 200-m and 400-m Maximal Swims
Authors: Rodríguez Ferran , Chaverri Diego , Iglesias Xavier , Schuller Thorsten , Hoffmann Uwe
Published: May 2017

To assess the validity of postexercise measurements to estimate oxygen uptake (V˙O2) during swimming, we compared V˙O2

measured directly during an all-out 200-m swim with measurements estimated during 200-m and 400-m maximal tests using several methods, including a recent heart rate (HR)/V˙O2 modelling procedure. 25 elite swimmers performed a 200-m maximal swim where V˙O2 was measured using a swimming snorkel connected to a gas analyzer. The criterion variable was V˙O2 in the last 20 s of effort, which was compared with the following V˙O2peak estimates: 1) first 20-s average; 2) linear backward extrapolation (BE) of the first 20 and 30 s, 3×20-s, 4×20-s, and 3×20-s or 4×20-s averages; 3) semilogarithmic BE at the same intervals; and 4) predicted V˙O2peak using mathematical modelling of 0–20 s and 5–20 s during recovery. In 2 series of experiments, both of the HR/V˙O2 modelled values most accurately predicted the V˙O2peak (mean ∆=0.1–1.6%). The BE methods overestimated the criterion values by 4–14%, and the single 20-s measurement technique yielded an underestimation of 3.4%. Our results confirm that the HR/V˙O2 modelling technique, used over a maximal 200-m or 400-m swim, is a valid and accurate procedure for assessing cardiorespiratory and metabolic fitness in competitive swimmers.
MRI Identification of the Fibular and Talus Position in Patients with Mechanical Ankle Instability
Authors: Li Hong-Yun , Zhou Ru-Shou , Hua Ying-Hui , Chen Shi-Yi
Published: May 2017

Specific anatomic variations of the ankle mortise may be found in people with ankle instability. The purpose was to evaluate the fibular and talus position in subjects with mechanical ankle instability (MAI). In this study, MR images of 54 patients with MAI and 51 patients from the author’s institution for reasons unrelated to ankle instability were reviewed. The position of the fibular in relation to the talus (axial malleolar index, AMI) and medial malleolus (intermalleolar index, IMI) were evaluated at the axial plane. Meanwhile, the rotation of the talus was measured and calculated using a new index, the Malleolar Talus Index (MTI), which is measured in relation to the medial malleolar. The results showed that the AMI in the MAI patients increased significantly when compared to that in the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the IMI between instability and control groups. The MTI increased significantly in the MAI patients when compared to that in the control group. The conclusion was that the patients with MAI have more of an internally rotated talus than a variation of fibular position.
Influence of Cr on local order and dynamic properties of liquid and undercooled Al–Zn alloys
Authors: Pasturel A. , Jakse N.
Published: May 2017

Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we present a systematic study of structural and transport properties of liquid Al90Zn10 and Al83Zn10Cr7 alloys. In the liquid phase, we find that Cr additions promote the formation of a heterogeneous local ordering characterized by a strong five-fold symmetry (icosahedral short-range order (ISRO)) around Cr atoms. In the undercooled phase, we observe the extension of ISRO to icosahedral medium-range order (IMRO) length scale referring to Cr atoms. In examining dynamic properties, we show that this Cr induced structural heterogeneity leads to a substantial decoupling of Cr diffusion from the diffusion of Al and Zn components by a factor of 3 at 1000 K, the liquidus temperature. Below this temperature, the formation of IMRO gives rise to a non-Arrhenian temperature dependence of diffusivity and viscosity, a breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein relation, as well as the onset of dynamic heterogeneities. Using the isoconfigurational ensemble method, we evidence that the structural origin of dynamics heterogeneities is clearly related to IMRO. Finally we discuss the role of IMRO in a quasicrystal-enhanced nucleation mechanism discovered recently in Al–Zn–Cr alloys.
Insight from first principles into the stability and magnetism of alkali-metal superoxide nanoclusters
Authors: Arcelus Oier , Suaud Nicolas , Katcho Nebil A. , Carrasco Javier
Published: May 2017

Alkali-metal superoxides are gaining increasing interest as 2p magnetic materials for information and energy storage. Despite significant research efforts on bulk materials, gaps in our knowledge of the electronic and magnetic properties at the nanoscale still remain. Here, we focused on the role that structural details play in determining stability, electronic structure, and magnetic couplings of (MO2)n (M = Li, Na, and K, with n = 2–8) clusters. Using first-principles density functional theory based on the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof and Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof functionals, we examined the effect of atomic structure on the relative stability of different polymorphs within each investigated cluster size. We found that small clusters prefer to form planar-ring structures, whereas non-planar geometries become more stable when increasing the cluster size. However, the crossover point depends on the nature of the alkali metal. Our analysis revealed that electrostatic interactions govern the highly ionic M–O2 bonding and ultimately control the relative stability between 2-D and 3-D geometries. In addition, we analyzed the weak magnetic couplings between superoxide molecules in (NaO2)4 clusters comparing model Hamiltonian methods based on Wannier function projections onto πg states with wave function-based multi-reference calculations.
Noise-assisted energy transfer from the dilation of the set of one-electron reduced density matrices
Authors: Chakraborty Romit , Mazziotti David A.
Published: May 2017

Noise-assisted energy transfer can be explained geometrically in terms of the set of one-electron reduced density matrices (1-RDMs) [R. Chakraborty and D. A. Mazziotti, Phys. Rev. A 91, 010101(R) (2015)]. In this paper, we examine the geometric picture of quantum noise for the seven-chromophore Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex. Noise expands the feasible set of orbital occupation trajectories to the target state through the violation of the pure-state N-representability conditions on the 1-RDM, known as the generalized Pauli constraints. While the generalized Pauli constraints are not explicitly known for seven-electron systems, we are able to treat a seven-exciton model of the FMO complex through the use of generalized Pauli constraints for p qubits which are known for arbitrary p. In the model, we find that while dephasing noise alone produces a trajectory of ensemble states that neither expands the set of 1-RDMs nor reaches the reaction center, the inclusion of both dephasing and dissipation expands the set of 1-RDMs and exhibits an efficient energy transfer to the reaction center. The degree to which the noise expands the set of 1-RDMs, violating the generalized Pauli constraints, is quantified by the distance of the 1-RDM outside its pure set to the distance of the 1-RDM inside its ensemble set. The geometric picture of energy transfer has applications to general quantum systems in chemistry and physics.
Precise thickness control in recess etching of AlGaN/GaN hetero-structure using photocarrier-regulated electrochemical process
Authors: Kumazaki Yusuke , Uemura Keisuke , Sato Taketomo , Hashizume Tamotsu
Published: May 2017

The photocarrier-regulated electrochemical (PREC) process was developed for fabricating recessed-gate AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) for normally off operation. The PREC process is based on photo-assisted electrochemical etching using low-energy chemical reactions. The fundamental photo-electrochemical measurements on AlGaN/GaN heterostructures revealed that the photo-carriers generated in the top AlGaN layer caused homogeneous etching of AlGaN with a smooth surface, but those generated in the GaN layer underneath caused inhomogeneous etching that roughens the surface. The concept of the PREC process is to supply the photo-carriers generated only in the AlGaN layer by selecting proper conditions on light wavelength and voltage. The phenomenon of self-termination etching has been observed during the PREC process, where the etching depth was controlled by light intensity. The recessed-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT fabricated with the PREC process showed positive threshold voltage and improvement in transconductance compared to planar-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.
An insight into the magnetoelectric coupling effect in the MOF of [NH2(CH3)2]n[FeIIIFeII(HCOO)6]n
Authors: Guo Jiangbin , Chen Lihong , Li Dong , Zhao Haixia , Dong Xinwei , Long Lasheng , Huang Rongbin , Zheng Lansun
Published: May 2017

Understanding the microscopic mechanism of magnetoelectric coupling is of fundamental importance for the rational design of multiferroics. Herein, the magnetoelectric coupling effect in the metal-organic frameworks of [NH2(CH3)2]n[FeIIIFeII(HCOO)6]n (1) was investigated, respectively, through measuring the dielectric properties and ferroelectric polarization of single-crystal 1 along different crystal axes under external magnetic fields. Analysis on the magnetic structure of 1 reveals that the defect in the FeII-FeIII sublattices plays a key contribution to the magnetoelectric coupling of 1, providing a unique insight into the magnetoelectric coupling effect of MOFs-based multiferroics.
Analysis of China's wind power development driven by incentive policies based on system dynamics model
Authors: Li Yue , Ren Yi-Xin
Published: May 2017

Under the increasing pressure of mitigating air pollution, wind power has been considered as the leader of China's energy revolution for a long time. Although China's wind power development enjoys a favorable policy environment, it is still impeded by the problem of wind power curtailment and overreliance on price subsidies. First, this paper built a system dynamics model to simulate China's wind power development during 2012–2032 considering both economic and technical factors. Further, sensitivity analyses and scenario analysis are performed to analyze the variation ranges of simulation results of different factor settings. The analysis results indicate that China's wind power might not develop as expected under the current development pattern. Our model allows evaluating the long-term trend and major constraints of China's wind power under the latest incentive policies, thus helping to provide reference for policy-making institutions.
Room-temperature five-tesla coercivity of a rare-earth-free shell-ferromagnet
Authors: Scheibel F. , Spoddig D. , Meckenstock R. , Gottschall T. , Çakır A. , Krenke T. , Farle M. , Gutfleisch O. , Acet M.
Published: May 2017

Ni2MnX-based Heusler (X: main group element), when enriched with Mn, will decompose into ferromagnetic Ni2MnX and antiferromagnetic NiMn when temper-annealed around 650 K. When the starting material is chosen such that the X-composition is about 5 at. % and the annealing takes place in the presence of a magnetic field of about 1 T, the resulting material is a composite of nanoprecipitate strongly pinned shell-ferromagnets with a soft ferromagnetic core embedded in the antiferromagnetic matrix. We show that the shells of the precipitates are so strongly pinned that the estimated field required to fully reorient the spins is in the order of 20 T. We examine in a Ni50.0Mn45.1In4.9 sample the pinning and the magnetic interactions of the precipitate and the matrix with magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance studies carried out in fields ranging up to 14 and 12 T, respectively.
Control of work function of MoS2 with ferroelectric polarization in honeycomb-like heterostructure
Authors: Jin Hye-Jin , Yoon Woo Young , Jo William
Published: May 2017

MoS2, one of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), has been utilized in heterostructures with functional oxide materials such as ferroelectrics. Here, we report MoS2-ferroelectric heterostructures, especially using the (111)-oriented PbTiO3 epitaxial thin films which have an unconventional polar axis. The mutual interplay between MoS2 and PbTiO3 is investigated via Kelvin probe force microscopy. On the ferroelectric thin films, an induced dipole effect is observed in MoS2, resulting in the variation of surface potential. From the surface potential, work function values of MoS2 are obtained on the ferroelectric polarizations. Also, a decrease and an increase in the work function of MoS2 are observed at in edge and interior regions, respectively. As a result, we performed an innovative approach to control the work function of MoS2 on the ferroelectric thin films. The honeycomb-like heterostructure consisting of MoS2 and PbTiO3 thin films gives the suggestion for the combination of TMDs and ferroelectrics, resulting in functional electronic devices.
Room temperature observation of biexcitons in exfoliated WS2 monolayers
Authors: Paradisanos I. , Germanis S. , Pelekanos N. T. , Fotakis C. , Kymakis E. , Kioseoglou G. , Stratakis E.
Published: May 2017

Single layers of WS2 are direct gap semiconductors with high photoluminescence (PL) yield holding great promise for emerging applications in optoelectronics. The spatial confinement in a two-dimensional monolayer together with the weak dielectric screening leads to huge binding energies for the neutral excitons as well as other excitonic complexes, such as trions and biexcitons whose binding energies scale accordingly. Here, we report on the existence of biexcitons in mechanically exfoliated WS2 flakes from 78 K up to room temperature. Performing temperature and power dependent PL measurements, we identify the biexciton emission channel through the superlinear behavior of the integrated PL intensity as a function of the excitation power density. On the contrary, neutral and charged excitons show a linear to sublinear dependence in the whole temperature range. From the energy difference between the emission channels of the biexciton and neutral exciton, a biexciton binding energy of 65–70 meV is determined.
Enhanced luminous transmittance of thermochromic VO2 thin film patterned by SiO2 nanospheres
Authors: Zhou Liwei , Liang Jiran , Hu Ming , Li Peng , Song Xiaolong , Zhao Yirui , Qiang Xiaoyong
Published: May 2017

In this study, an ordered SiO2 nanosphere array coated with vanadium dioxide (VO2) has been fabricated to enhance transmittance with the potential application as an energy-efficient coating in the field of smart windows. SiO2 arrays were formed using the methods of self-assembly, and VO2 thin films were prepared by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of sputtered vanadium films. VO2@SiO2 arrays were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, a four-point probe, and UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometry. Compared with the planar films, the films deposited on 300 nm diameter SiO2 nanospheres can offer approximately 18% enhancement of luminous transmission (Tlum) because the diameter is smaller than the given wavelength and the protuberance of the surface array behaves as a gradation of refractive index producing antireflection. The solar regulation efficiency was not much deteriorated.
Layer Dependence of Graphene for Oxidation Resistance of Cu Surface
Authors: Song Yu-qing , Wang Xiao-ping
Published: May 2017

We studied the oxidation resistance of graphene-coated Cu surface and its layer dependence by directly growing monolayer graphene with different multilayer structures coexisted, diminishing the influence induced by residue and transfer technology. It is found that the Cu surface coated with the monolayer graphene demonstrate tremendous difference in oxidation pattern and oxidation rate, compared to that coated with the bilayer graphene, which is considered to be originated from the strain-induced linear oxidation channel in monolayer graphene and the intersection of easily-oxidized directions in each layer of bilayer graphene, respectively. We reveal that the defects on the graphene basal plane but not the boundaries are the main oxidation channel for Cu surface under graphene protection. Our finding indicates that compared to putting forth efforts to improve the quality of monolayer graphene by reducing defects, depositing multilayer graphene directly on metal is a simple and effective way to enhance the oxidation resistance of graphene-coated metals.
Photodissociation Dynamics of Carbon Dioxide Cation via the Vibrationally Mediated Ã2Πu,1/2 State: A Time-Sliced Velocity-Mapped Ion Imaging Study
Authors: Mao Rui , He Chao , Chen Min , Zhou Dan-na , Zhang Qun , Chen Yang
Published: May 2017

We report on the photodissociation dynamics of CO2+ via its Ã2Πu,1/2 state using the scheme of [1+1] photon excitation that is intermediated by the mode-selected Ã2Πu,1/2(v1,v2,0) vibronic states. Photodissociation fragment exciation spectrum and images of photofragment CO+ have been measured to obtain reaction dynamics parameters such as the available energy and the average translational energy. Combining with the potential energy functions of CO2+, the dissociation mechanism of CO2+ is discussed. The conformational variation of CO2+ from linear to bent on the photodissociation dynamics of CO2+ is verified.
Synthesis of Cu2O/Ag Composite with Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation Activity for in situ SERS Analysis
Authors: Wu Yi-ping , Wu Bian-bian , Tang Xiang-hu
Published: May 2017

A multifunctional Cu2O/Ag micro-nanocomposite, which has the characteristics of high catalytic activities under the visible light and high surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, was fabricated via a facile method and employed for the in situ SERS monitoring of the photocatalytic degradation reaction of crystal violet. Through the variation of the AgNO3 concentration, Ag content on the Cu2O template can be controllably tuned, which has great influence on the SERS effect. The results indicate that Ag nanoparticles form on the Cu2O nanoframes to obtain the Cu2O/Ag nanocomposite, which can act as an excellent bifunctional platform for in situ monitoring of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutions by SERS.
Quality and yield response to the control of Mycosphaerella graminicola in wheat as affected by nitrogen rate and cultivar bread-making characteristics
Authors: Fleitas María Constanza , Castro Ana Carolina , Simón María Rosa
Published: May 2017

Septoria leaf blotch (SLB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, reduces yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by affecting the photosynthetically active area of the crop. This might influence grain protein concentration (GPC) and affect bread-making parameters. Nitrogen (N) fertilisation is required to achieve high yields in wheat; however, it may enhance the development of foliar diseases such as SLB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fungicide and N rate on SLB severity, green-leaf-area duration, grain yield and bread-making parameters in three wheat cultivars differing in bread-making characteristics. Two field experiments were conducted during 2009 and 2010 in a split-split-plot design with three fungicide treatments (triazole, triazole–strobilurin, nil) as main plots, three N fertiliser rates as subplots and three cultivars as sub-subplots. Fungicides significantly reduced the area under disease-progress curve (AUDPC) and this was associated with increased yield, which varied among cultivars. The AUDPC was lower in the higher N-rate treatments. Fungicide applications and increasing N rates extended green-leaf-area duration. GPC increased in untreated plots and it was reduced with applications of triazole–strobilurin fungicide. GPC reduction caused by this type of fungicide tended to be lower when the rate of N increased. The two cultivars with low bread-making characteristics showed a tendency to greater reductions in GPC with both fungicide types. Regarding quality variables, only tenacity and dough strength were reduced by the triazole-strobilurin fungicide. On average, for all treatments, tenacity, water absorption and dough development time were higher in the best quality group cultivars.
Variations in coat protein sequence of Wheat streak mosaic virus among crop and non-crop hosts
Authors: Singh Khushwant , Kundu Jiban Kumar
Published: May 2017

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) has become a re-emerging pathogen in recent years in the Czech Republic. Crop (e.g. wheat, barley, maize) and non-crop grasses from the Poaceae family are the natural hosts of the virus. Here, we report the results from coat protein (CP) gene-sequence analysis of WSMV isolates from wheat crops (four cultivars: Turondot, Bodyček, Avenue, Hymack) and three grass species (Agropyron repens, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis). Phylogenetic reconstruction of putative CP sequences showed that all tested isolates clustered with existing type B isolates of WSMV (originating from Europe and Asia) rather than type D (originating from USA, Argentina, Australia, and Iran) and type A (originating from Mexico) isolates. Analysis of recombination events showed that Turondot and Hymack isolates recombined with P. pratense, whereas Bodyček and Avenue isolates recombined with a type B isolate (Iran_Saadat-Shahr). The grasses A. repens, P. pratense and P. pratensis share recombination events with type A (Mexico_El Batán), type B (French and German isolates) and type D (Iran_Naghadeh) isolates. The characteristic GCA (Gly276) triplet codon found in type B isolates was conserved in both the wheat and grass isolates. Notably, nucleotide variations were mainly observed at positions nt 381–389, nt 405–460 and nt 486–497 between crop and non-crop hosts. Based on our analysis, we propose that the grass isolates form subtype B1 within the type B isolates of WSMV. Putative CP amino acid sequences in the centre of the protein and in the C-terminal domain (aa 112–260) were significantly more frequently conserved in both wheat and grasses than those in the N-terminal domain (aa 11–80). Collectively, these results indicate that variations exist between crop and non-crop hosts of WSMV.
Occurrence of fluorotelomer alcohols at two Alpine summits: sources, transport and temporal trends
Authors: Xu Zhenlan , Li Lingxiangyu , Henkelmann Bernhard , Schramm Karl-Werner
Published: May 2017

Environmental contextThe transport and fate of organic pollutants such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the atmosphere affect their risks to the environment and human health. On the basis of hourly trajectory predictions, we found that, from 2007 to 2010, individual levels of 6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTOH were from non-detectable to 72.4pgm–3 at two Alpine summits. Air mass origin was an important factor determining the Alpine atmospheric FTOH levels.
AbstractThe transport and fate of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the atmosphere affect their risks to the environment and human health. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sources, transport and temporal variations of FTOHs (6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTOH) at two Alpine summits (Sonnblick and Zugspitze). The active air sampler consisting of four XAD cartridges was applied to collect FTOHs from 2007 to 2010. Four separate cartridges were assigned for four air flow regimes (three European sectors and one mixed source origin), and switched and controlled on the basis of an hourly trajectory prediction. FTOH (6:2, 8:2 and 10:2) was measured with individual concentrations ranging from less than the limit of detection to 72.4pgm–3. Also, 8:2 FTOH was the dominant compound, accounting for 41–72% of the total FTOH (ΣFTOH) concentration. Significant differences were not observed in FTOH concentrations between Sonnblick and Zugspitze since the two sites are relatively close compared with the geographic extent of the area studied. Air-flow regime was an important factor determining the atmospheric FTOH levels. Particularly at Zugspitze, air mass from the NE (regions north-east of the Alps) showed the highest median ΣFTOH concentration (36.9pgm–3), followed by S (the Po basin in Italy), NW (regions north-west of Alps) and M (mixed source origin, polar regions or high altitudes). Furthermore, the seasonal variation in FTOH concentrations was not correlated with the site temperatures, but was dependent on the wind speed. Overall, the results indicated low FTOH concentrations at these two Alpine summits compared with European populated cities and provided important information for understanding the fate of FTOHs in the Alpine atmosphere.
Changing Ideas about the Environment in Australia: Learning from Stockholm
Authors: Robin Libby , Day Max
Published: May 2017

This paper explores Australia's responses to questions about ‘the environment', particularly in the period from the 1960s–80s, showing how they were informed in varying amounts by international science, by the emerging aesthetics of the idea of the environment and by social movements, including one later known as environmentalism. The rise of ‘integrated science', particularly Big Science and international collaborations in science, modelling and the information technology revolution all shaped the interdisciplinary expertise that frames the environment still. It is, however, very rare to find an individual like Max Day, whose biography enables a re-examination of the way thinking about the environment shaped strategic national thinking, public science and popular concerns including national parks management across the second half of the twentieth century.
Commissioning in New Zealand: learning from the past and present
Authors: Cumming Jacqueline
Published: May 2017

Over the past 25 years, New Zealand has had significant experience with two very different approaches to commissioning health and disability support services. The first is the purchaser–provider split model adopted during the 1990s. The second is the approach that replaced it in 2001, the District Health Board model, which is still in place today. Although the New Zealand health system has several desirable characteristics and recent developments in commissioning arrangements are improvements on earlier approaches, the system is slow at reorienting care, particularly towards primary healthcare services. Alternative arrangements have strengths and weaknesses but the current ‘alliancing’ approach in New Zealand needs time to consolidate and demonstrate whether it can deliver before those alternatives are seriously considered.
Chinese medical interpreters’ visibility through text ownership
Authors: Zhan Cheng , Zeng Lishan
Published: May 2017

The interpreter’s visibility in dialogue interpreting is a topic that has drawn extensive interest from researchers. Based on observation and recordings of 29 interpreted medical consultations at a hospital in Guangzhou, and replicating work on Spanish/English interpreting by Angelelli, this article analyzes Chinese medical interpreters’ achievement of visibility through text ownership. The dialogues, with interpreting between Chinese and English provided by four staff interpreters at the hospital, were transcribed and examined. Qualitative analysis of the transcriptions shows that the interpreters in some cases established partial or total ownership of the text and, as a result, became visible in the communication. According to how this visibility manifested itself, the medical interpreter’s text ownership can be seen as variously fulfilling four main functions: trying to expedite the drawing of conclusions; redirecting turns; expressing solidarity; and educating the patient. The research also shows that, while the purpose of a medical interpreter’s text ownership in medical encounters is to facilitate communication between the two parties to the dialogue, the visibility s/he gains by laying claim to part or all of a turn may actually prove counterproductive in this respect.
Strategies in public service interpreting
Authors: Arumi Ribas Marta , Vargas-Urpi Mireia
Published: May 2017

Strategies have been far more widely researched in conference interpreting than in the interactional setting of public service interpreting (PSI), although studies of the latter by Wadensjö and other authors suggest a strategic rationale for certain types of rendition (especially non-renditions). The present article describes an exploratory, qualitative study, based on roleplay, to identify strategies in PSI: the roleplays were designed to incorporate a variety of ‘rich points’, coinciding with peak demands on the interpreter’s problem-solving capacities and therefore particularly relevant to empirical study of interpreting strategies. Five interpreter-mediators with the Chinese–Spanish/Catalan language combination were each asked to interpret three different dialogues, in which the primary participants’ input was a re-enactment of real situations. Analysis of the transcribed video recordings was complemented by a preliminary questionnaire and by retrospective interviews with the interpreters. Their strategies, classified according to whether the problems concerned were essentially linguistic or involved the dynamics of interaction, in some cases reflect priorities typically associated with intercultural mediation. The advantages and limitations of using ‘rich points’ and roleplays in the study of interpreting strategies are briefly discussed
Fear of Islam in Greece: migration, terrorism, and “ghosts” from the past
Authors: Sakellariou Alexandros
Published: May 2017

The article explores the “fear of Islam” through a specific series of political debates about Islam and the future of the Greek-Orthodox national identity. The analysis is based on the method of qualitative content analysis, which makes use of thematic categories and draws on the proceedings of the Greek parliament. The main questions the article will try to address are: How have Greek political parties reacted to public demand for the construction of a mosque? What have been the rhetorical tropes they use? How have they capitalized on current and old fears about Islam? What have been the implications of this discourse on state policies toward Islam? Have there been any differences in this discourse over time? The analysis highlights the role of historical interpretations of Greek national identity and contemporary problems related to new waves of migration due to Greece's place on the border with Turkey and with the broader Islamic world.
Speaking German, Hearing Czech, Claiming Dvořák
Authors: Branda Eva
Published: May 2017

Discussions of Dvořák's Sixth Symphony typically focus on its connections with Vienna. Dvořák wrote the symphony for the Vienna Philharmonic and dedicated it to Hans Richter. Its allusions to Brahms and Beethoven led David Brodbeck to describe it as a piece in which Dvořák ‘speaks German with an unusual degree of clarity’. Contemporary Czech critics tell a different story. After its 1881 Prague première, the work was dubbed the ‘Czech Spring Symphony’. One critic stated that it ‘speaks to us in pure Czech’. Indeed, the Sixth is Dvořák's only symphony to include a furiant, and Czech scholars have long sought to prove that the work's themes were derived from Bohemian folk songs. Can these narratives be reconciled? This article suggests that political tensions and Dvořák's growing international renown made Czech critics eager to claim him, giving Czech labels to a piece that could be interpreted as conforming to the Austro-German tradition.
Microstructural characteristics of nano-structured Fe-28.5Ni steel by means of severe plastic deformation
Authors: Mousavi Anijdan S H , Jafarian H R , Bahrami A
Published: May 2017

Microstructural evolution together with changes in mechanical properties of an high nickel content steel processed by various cycles of accumulative roll bonding (ARB) is explored. It is shown by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis that after successive roll bonding processes a stabilized nano-structure is developed containing sufficient amount of ductility under severe plastic deformation. A mean grain size of few hundred nano meter was obtained after 6-cycle of ARB process meaning that the successive ARB cycles made the structure quite refined. The starting material was mainly coming from the transformation of martensite to retained austenite, particularly under high temperature and in high cycle of ARB process. This is an early indication of the stabilization of retained austenite during the ARB process through grain refinement phenomenon. Uniaxial tensile test demonstrated that yield strength significantly improves by only one cycle of ARB process. Successive cycles of ARB process gradually increased the yield and the ultimate tensile strengths at the expense of ductility. The main cause of such a substantial increase in yield strength is discussed. Remarkably high amount of ductility was still observed in a very high amount of deformation that was applied in the 6-cycle ARB process.
Declarative encodings of acyclicity properties
Authors: Gebser Martin , Janhunen Tomi , Rintanen Jussi
Published: May 2017

Many knowledge representation tasks involve trees or similar structures as abstract datatypes. However, devising compact and efficient declarative representations of such structural properties is non-obvious and can be challenging indeed. In this article, we take a number of acyclicity properties into consideration and investigate various logic-based approaches to encode them. We use answer set programming as the primary representation language but also consider mappings to related formalisms, such as propositional logic, difference logic and linear programming. We study the compactness of encodings and the resulting computational performance on benchmarks involving acyclic or tree structures.
Comparison of Gaia and asteroseismic distances
Authors: Yıldız M. , Çelik Orhan Z. , Örtel S. , Roth M.
Published: May 2017

Asteroseismology provides fundamental properties (mass, radius and effective temperature) of solar-like oscillating stars using so-called scaling relations. These properties allow the computation of the asteroseismic distance of stars. We compare the asteroseismic distances with the recently released Gaia distances for 74 stars studied in Yıldız et al. There is a very good agreement between these two distances; for 64 of these stars, the difference is less than 10 per cent. However, a systematic difference is seen if we use the effective temperature obtained by spectroscopic methods; the Gaia distances are about 5 per cent greater than the asteroseismic distances.