bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High efficiency organic photovoltaic devices based on isoindigo conjugated polymers with a thieno[3,2-b]thiophene π-bridge
Authors: Zhu Lei , Wang Min , Li Bowen , Jiang Chao , Li Qifang
Published: September 2016

We introduce a thieno[3,2-b]thiophene π-bridge into isoindigo and BDT units to construction conjugated polymers and achieve a PCE of 8.05%.
Recovery property of double-network hydrogel containing a mussel-inspired adhesive moiety and nano-silicate
Authors: Liu Yuan , Lee Bruce P.
Published: September 2016

An adhesive catechol moiety and LAPONITE® were incorporated into a double network to form a mechanically tough and recoverable hydrogel. The ability of catechol–LAPONITE® to repeatedly break and reform dissipated fracture energy and minimized structural damage during large strain deformation.
Potential of porous silicon nanoparticles as an emerging platform for cancer theranostics
Authors: Stojanovic V. , Cunin F. , Durand J. O. , Garcia M. , Gary-Bobo M.
Published: September 2016

Currently, nanoscience is a major part of biomedical research, due to material advances that aid the development of new tools and techniques to replace traditional methods. Here we describe the theranostic potential of multifunctional porous silicon nanoparticles to target, image and treat cancer.
Self-assembly and mechanochromic luminescence switching of trifluoromethyl substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives
Authors: Ongungal Rahul M. , Sivadas Aneesh P. , Kumar N. S. Saleesh , Menon Sajith , Das Suresh
Published: September 2016

Stimuli responsive luminescence switching, liquid crystalline and gelation properties of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were investigated.
A phenothiazine/dimesitylborane hybrid material as a bipolar transport host of red phosphor
Authors: Cheng Yu-Jen , Yu Siao-Yin , Lin Song-Cheng , Lin Jiann T. , Chen Li-Yin , Hsiu Dai-Sin , Wen Yuh Sheng , Lee Mandy M. , Sun Shih-Sheng
Published: September 2016

High performance OLEDs with red-emitting phosphorescent iridium complexes doped in new bipolar transporters containing a meta-conjugated phenothiazine/dimesitylborane hybrid have been developed.
Perovskite CH3NH3Pb(BrxI1−x)3 single crystals with controlled composition for fine-tuned bandgap towards optimized optoelectronic applications
Authors: Zhang Yunxia , Liu Yucheng , Li Yajuan , Yang Zhou , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: September 2016

A series of dual-halide perovskite CH3NH3Pb(BrxI1−x)3 (x = 0–1) single crystals were prepared, which exhibited superior photoresponse performance.
Signals involved in the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on proliferation and motility of Leydig cells: a comparative proteomic analysis
Authors: Chen Zhuo-Jia , Zhang Kun-Shui , Ge Li-Chen , Liu Hao , Chen Li-Kun , Du Jun , Wang Hong-Sheng
Published: September 2016

Recent studies indicated that bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt spermatogenesis and then cause male infertility.
The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a positive regulator of the Notch pathway in Drosophila
Authors: Horvath Matej , Mihajlovic Zorana , Slaninova Vera , Perez-Gomez Raquel , Moshkin Yuri , Krejci Alena
Published: September 2016

The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) has been shown to have negative effects on the Notch pathway in several contexts. We bring evidence that Sirt1 has a positive effect on Notch activation in Drosophila, in the context of sensory organ precursor specification and during wing development. The phenotype of Sirt1 mutant resembles weak Notch loss-of-function phenotypes, and genetic interactions of Sirt1 with the components of the Notch pathway also suggest a positive role for Sirt1 in Notch signalling. Sirt1 is necessary for the efficient activation of enhancer of split [E(spl)] genes by Notch in S2N cells. Additionally, the Notch-dependent response of several E(spl) genes is sensitive to metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-d-glucose treatment, in a Sirt1-dependent manner. We found Sirt1 associated with several proteins involved in Notch repression as well as activation, including the cofactor exchange factor Ebi (TBL1), the RLAF/LAF histone chaperone complex and the Tip60 acetylation complex. Moreover, Sirt1 participates in the deacetylation of the CSL transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless. The role of Sirt1 in Notch signalling is, therefore, more complex than previously recognized, and its diverse effects may be explained by a plethora of Sirt1 substrates involved in the regulation of Notch signalling.
MicroRNA-195 regulates proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and autophagy of endothelial progenitor cells by targeting GABARAPL1
Authors: Mo Jianwen , Zhang Daifen , Yang Renze
Published: September 2016

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common type of venous thrombosis. Successful resolution of DVT-related thrombi is important in the treatment of DVT. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic choice for DVT-related thrombus resolution; however, the clinical application of EPCs faces many challenges. In the present study, the expression of miR-582, miR-195 and miR-532 under hypoxic or normoxic conditions was measured using quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR) and the results showed that the increased fold of miR-195 was highest in human EPCs (hEPCs) under hypoxic conditions. Then the role and regulating mechanism of miR-195 in improving the function of EPCs was investigated. To investigate the effect of miR-195 inhibition on the autophagy of hEPCs, the expression of the autophagy-related genes LC3B and beclin1 was examined using western blotting, and the formation of autophagosomes was observed using TEM. The results indicated that the inhibition of miR-195 expression could promote autophagy of hEPCs. In addition, we investigated the role of miR-195 on the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of hEPCs under hypoxia. The results revealed that miR-195 inhibition promotes cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of hEPCs under hypoxia. Furthermore, GABA type A receptor associated protein like 1 (GABARAPL1) was identified as a directed target of miR-195 and GABARAPL1 silencing could decrease the effect of miR-195 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and autophagy of hEPCs under hypoxia. Together, these results indicate that miR-195 regulates cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and autophagy of hEPCs by targeting GABARAPL1.
Potential role of microRNA-10b down-regulation in cardiomyocyte apoptosis in aortic stenosis patients
Authors: Gallego Idoia , Beaumont Javier , López Begoña , Ravassa Susana , Gómez-Doblas Juan José , Moreno María Ujué , Valencia Félix , de Teresa Eduardo , Díez Javier , González Arantxa
Published: September 2016

MicroRNAs have been associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a process involved in myocardial remodelling in aortic valve (Av) stenosis (AS). Our aim was to analyse whether the dysregulation of myocardial microRNAs was related to cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AS patients. Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from 28 patients with severe AS (based on pressure gradients and Av area) referred for Av replacement and from necropsies of 10 cardiovascular disease-free control subjects. AS patients showed an increased (P<0.001) cardiomyocyte apoptotic index (CMAI) compared with controls. Two clusters of patients were identified according to the CMAI: group 1 (CMAI ≤ 0.08%; n=16) and group 2 (CMAI > 0.08%; n=12). Group 2 patients presented lower cardiomyocyte density (P<0.001) and ejection fraction (P<0.05), and higher troponin T levels (P<0.05), prevalence of heart failure (HF; P<0.05) and NT-proBNP levels (P<0.05) than those from group 1. miRNA expression profile analysed in 5 patients randomly selected from each group showed 64 microRNAs down-regulated and 6 up-regulated (P<0.05) in group 2 compared with group 1. Those microRNAs with the highest fold-change were validated in the full two groups corroborating that miR-10b, miR-125b-2* and miR-338-3p were down-regulated (P<0.05) in group 2 compared with group 1 and control subjects. These three microRNAs were inversely correlated (P<0.05) with the CMAI. Inhibition of miR-10b induced an increase (P<0.05) of apoptosis and increased expression (P<0.05) of apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, myocardial down-regulation of miR-10b may be involved in increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AS patients, probably through Apaf-1 up-regulation, contributing to cardiomyocyte damage and to the development of HF.
Comparing Measures of Voice Quality From Sustained Phonation and Continuous Speech
Authors: Gerratt Bruce R. , Kreiman Jody , Garellek Marc
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The question of what type of utterance—a sustained vowel or continuous speech—is best for voice quality analysis has been extensively studied but with equivocal results. This study examines whether previously reported differences derive from the articulatory and prosodic factors occurring in continuous speech versus sustained phonation.

Method

Speakers with voice disorders sustained vowels and read sentences. Vowel samples were excerpted from the steadiest portion of each vowel in the sentences. In addition to sustained and excerpted vowels, a 3rd set of stimuli was created by shortening sustained vowel productions to match the duration of vowels excerpted from continuous speech. Acoustic measures were made on the stimuli, and listeners judged the severity of vocal quality deviation.

Results

Sustained vowels and those extracted from continuous speech contain essentially the same acoustic and perceptual information about vocal quality deviation.

Conclusions

Perceived and/or measured differences between continuous speech and sustained vowels derive largely from voice source variability across segmental and prosodic contexts and not from variations in vocal fold vibration in the quasisteady portion of the vowels. Approaches to voice quality assessment by using continuous speech samples average across utterances and may not adequately quantify the variability they are intended to assess.
Frequency‐domain distribution and band‐width of unintentional modulation on pulse
Authors: Ru Xiaohu , Huang Zhitao , Liu Zheng , Jiang Wenli
Published: September 2016

Unintentional modulation on pulse (UMOP) is the basis for specific emitter identification and has been studied for decades. However, the isolated distribution of UMOP in frequency domain has not been investigated. This Letter first gives the signal model of UMOP, and then evaluates its frequency‐domain distribution based on sinc‐function fitting. Experiments on real‐world data validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and further indicate that UMOP mainly distributes in low frequencies with dramatically limited bandwidth. Furthermore, the proposed distribution density can also serve as a practical UMOP feature which exhibits better recognition performance than conventional spectrum features.
Fast transient response DC–DC converter with start‐up in‐rush current control
Authors: Zhou M. , Sun Z. , Low Q. , Siek L.
Published: September 2016

A new alternative to achieve fast transient response while inherently managing the in‐rush current during DC/DC switching converter start‐up is proposed. An AC coupled feedback (ACCF) is introduced using a capacitor multiplier from the output of the converter to the output of the error amplifier. With this additional feedback, the transient response, which used to be limited by the compensator mid‐band gain has been significantly improved. Meanwhile, the ACCF circuit can help to control the converter output ramping speed during power‐up, thus eliminating the bulky soft‐start circuit. The simplified circuit design means the new controller can be realised by a tiny on‐chip circuit, thereby minimising the footprint and the cost. A buck converter with the proposed technique is designed using 0.18 μm CMOS process and simulated across different process corners. Simulation shows that the output voltage increases linearly with the designed slope despite the variations of the input voltage, inductor or output capacitor values. An excellent load transient response of 0.021 mV/mA is achieved for a load current variation from 50 μA to 1 A in 1 μs.
Dynamic‐scheduling mechanism of controllers based on security policy in software‐defined network
Authors: Qi Chao , Wu Jiangxing , Hu Hongchao , Cheng Guozhen
Published: September 2016

Modifying flow rule attack posts a huge threat to controllers in network operating system (NOS) for software defined network (SDN) due to its concealment. Based on the previously proposed NOS architecture with multiple controllers which introduce heterogeneity and dynamic to defend above attack effectively, its dynamic segment about dynamically scheduling controllers is explicitly presented. A dynamic‐scheduling method is put forward to maximise security gain of NOS during each switch. This algorithm is able to improve NOS security through altering its framework's diversity to maximum degree while considering switching cost and latency simultaneously. Theory analysis and simulation results prove validity and availability of the devised mechanism and its more effective security performance over traditional architectures.
Ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting system for on‐body sensors
Authors: Shaker G. , Chen R. , Milligan B. , Qu T.
Published: September 2016

An ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting system for on‐body sensors is presented. Specifically, a smart contact lens that monitors the glucose level in the tear fluid of a user is demonstrated. The energy harvesting system rectifies a portion of a cell phone/smartphone‐emitted uplink signal into DC power for the operations of on‐lens sensors and components. An actual cow eye is used to assist in various measurements of the proposed energy harvester. Ultimately, a power of 1 mW at about 1 V is harvested and delivered to a resistive load of 2 KΩ when a cell phone is held in a typical reading position. This harvested power level is more than adequate to enable numerous possible on‐body sensors.
Optimised power allocation to maximise secure rate in energy harvesting relay network
Authors: Yao Rugui , Xu Fei , Mekkawy Tamer , Xu Juan
Published: September 2016

For an energy harvesting relay network, an optimal secure transmission scheme is proposed. In the case of limited harvesting energy and total power, destination‐based jamming technique is applied to protect the confidential information from relay's jamming and eavesdropping. Moreover, the penalty function algorithm is utilised to obtain the optimal power allocation factor to maximise secure rate. The impacts of power allocation factor and energy transformation efficiency on the system secure rate are analysed. Simulation results validate the correctness and efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Energy‐efficient data transmission with non‐FIFO packets
Authors: Zhou Qing , Liu Nan
Published: September 2016

In this study, the authors investigate the problem of energy‐efficient packet transmission with arbitrary arrival instants and deadline constraints over a point‐to‐point additive white Gaussian noise channel. This is different from previous work where it is assumed that the packets follow a first‐in–first‐out (FIFO) order in that a packet that arrives earlier has a deadline that is also earlier. They first investigate the necessary and sufficient conditions of the optimal offline transmission schedule. They then propose an algorithm which finds the transmission schedule of each packet. Next, they show that their algorithm is optimal by proving it satisfies the sufficient conditions of the optimal offline transmission schedule, and further obtain the computational complexity in the worst case: 𝔼(N3), where N is the number of packets. In addition, based on the proposed optimal offline policy, an efficient heuristic online policy which assumes only the causal arrival information of the packets is proposed. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed offline policy can achieve significant energy savings compared with the existing FIFO offline policy, and the proposed online algorithm can achieve a comparable performance with the proposed optimal offline policy.
Wideband compact dipole antenna for microwave imaging applications
Authors: Abbak Mehmet , Nuri Akıncı Mehmet , Ertay Agah Oktay , Özgür Selçuk , Işık Cevdet , Akduman İbrahim
Published: September 2016

In this study, the authors present a novel dipole antenna for microwave imaging (MWI) applications. Different from the previous works, the designed dipole is compact while having a wide‐impedance bandwidth of 1–4.2 GHz along with a moderate gain. In particular, the largest dimension of the antenna is 6 cm, which is 0.2 wavelength at the very lower end of the operating frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, the resultant design has a cross‐polarisation level <20 dB. Important characteristics of the proposed design are given with the simulations through analysis system high‐frequency structure simulator. Obtained simulation results are also shown to be consistent with the measurements. In addition to measuring fundamental parameters of the designed dipole, they also test the proposed antenna in a circular MWI system. In this context, several dielectric scatterers are measured in a circular scanner and obtained scattered field measurements are supplied to the well‐known contrast source inversion method. Imaging results show that the proposed antenna is quite suitable for MWI applications.
Propagation characteristics of Gaussian beams in plasma sheath turbulence
Authors: Li Jiangting , Yang Shaofei , Guo Lixin
Published: September 2016

In this study, the new fractal model and power spectrum of plasma sheath turbulence are established based on the fractal dimensions in hypersonic turbulence that were measured through experiments. The expression for beam spot size, scintillation index, angle‐of‐arrival fluctuation, and beam wander are obtained from the power spectrum. Finally, the propagation characteristics of a Gaussian beam in a turbulent plasma sheath are simulated. The authors’ results indicate that plasma sheath turbulence can lead to amplitude and phase variations. A larger variance in the plasma sheath turbulence causes a more evident refractive index fluctuation and a greater effect on the Gaussian beam propagation characteristics. On the contrary, a larger Reynolds number reduces the effect of the plasma sheath turbulence on the Gaussian beam. This new power spectral model is fundamental to understanding Gaussian beam propagation in plasma sheath turbulence and may provide a reference for the imaging and communication system under the effect of plasma sheath turbulence.
Dielectric resonator based MIMO antenna system enabling millimetre‐wave mobile devices
Authors: Sharawi Mohammad S. , Podilchak Symon K. , Hussain Mohamed T. , Antar Yahia M.M.
Published: September 2016

In this study, a millimetre‐wave dielectric resonator (DR)‐based multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna system based on two linear arrays is presented. Each array that represents a single MIMO antenna consists of four cylindrical DR antenna (cDRA) elements operating at 30 GHz with a bandwidth of at least 1 GHz. Each array is designed with a fixed beam direction which is tilted to provide low field correlation. A passive microstrip‐based feed network was designed to achieve this beam tilting enabling suitable magnitude and phase excitation of the individual cDRAs for radiation. The complete antenna system was designed on a two‐layer substrate occupying 48 mm × 21 mm. Excellent field correlation values were measured (below 0.002) across the band of operation while peak gains were >7 dBi. High radiation efficiency is obtained. The proposed design approach for beam tilting, which enables MIMO operation, may also be useful for other compact implementations to support 5G communications.
Compact 4G MIMO antenna integrated with a 5G array for current and future mobile handsets
Authors: Hussain Rifaqat , Alreshaid Ali T. , Podilchak Symon K. , Sharawi Mohammad S.
Published: September 2016

A novel integrated antenna solution for wireless handheld devices is proposed for the existing 4G standards and upcoming 5G systems for broadband, high data rate communications. The complete antenna system is a unique combination of a multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna system at microwave frequencies and a millimetre (mm)‐wave antenna array. The MIMO antenna system consists of two reactive loaded monopoles while the mm‐wave array consists of a planar 2 by four slot antennas. The integrated antenna system covers the frequency bands from 1870 to 2530 MHz for 4G standards along with the upcoming 5G mm‐wave band at 28 GHz. In addition, the integrated antenna system is planar and is designed for typical smart phone devices with a standard 60 mm by 100 mm by 0.965 mm back plane. Excellent field correlation values were obtained across the 4G band while realised peak gain values of 4 and 8 dBi were, respectively, measured for the MIMO and mm‐wave antenna arrays. The proposed antenna design may also be useful for other compact implementations that support 4G and 5G communications.
A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Single vs. Double Layer Closure of Hysterotomy at the Time of Cesarean Delivery: The Effect on Uterine Scar Thickness
Authors: Bamberg Christian , Dudenhausen Joachim , Bujak Verena , Rodekamp Elke , Brauer Martin , Hinkson Larry , Kalache Karim , Henrich Wolfgang
Published: September 2016

Purpose We undertook a randomized clinical trial to examine the outcome of a single vs. a double layer uterine closure using ultrasound to assess uterine scar thickness.

Materials and Methods Participating women were allocated to one of three uterotomy suture techniques: continuous single layer unlocked suturing, continuous locked single layer suturing, or double layer suturing. Transvaginal ultrasound of uterine scar thickness was performed 6 weeks and 6 – 24 months after Cesarean delivery. Sonographers were blinded to the closure technique.

Results An “intent-to-treat” and “as treated” ANOVA analysis included 435 patients (n = 149 single layer unlocked suturing, n = 157 single layer locked suturing, and n = 129 double layer suturing). 6 weeks postpartum, the median scar thickness did not differ among the three groups: 10.0 (8.5 – 12.3 mm) single layer unlocked vs. 10.1 (8.2 – 12.7 mm) single layer locked vs. 10.8 (8.1 – 12.8 mm) double layer; (p = 0.84). At the time of the second follow-up, the uterine scar was not significantly (p = 0.06) thicker if the uterus had been closed with a double layer closure 7.3 (5.7 – 9.1 mm), compared to single layer unlocked 6.4 (5.0 – 8.8 mm) or locked suturing techniques 6.8 (5.2 – 8.7 mm). Women who underwent primary or elective Cesarean delivery showed a significantly (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, “as treated”) increased median scar thickness after double layer closure vs. single layer unlocked suture.

Conclusion A double layer closure of the hysterotomy is associated with a thicker myometrium scar only in primary or elective Cesarean delivery patients.
Excitation of surface plasmons in graphene-coated nanowire arrays
Authors: Xia Sheng-Xuan , Zhai Xiang , Wang Ling-Ling , Liu Jian-Ping , Li Hong-Ju , Liu Jian-Qiang , Pan An-Lian , Wen Shuang-Chun
Published: September 2016

One of the important challenges that graphene must overcome before it can legitimately declare its irreplaceable position among the fields of plasmonic materials is to achieve efficiently coupling to external light. In this paper, we demonstrate an effective solution to this problem by exciting localized surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on graphene-coated nanowire arrays (GCNAs). These SPPs are analyzed by introducing a universal scaling law that considerably simplifies the understanding of these modes. Meanwhile, numerical experiments are carried out to demonstrate the theoretical analysis of plasmon excitations. The excited SPPs permit the control through both geometrical and physical properties. The proposed structure can be used as a tunable optical filter, a highly sensitive refractive index sensor, and other plasmonic modulation devices.
Domain structures and correlated out-of-plane and in-plane polarization reorientations in Pb(Zr0.96Ti0.04)O3 single crystal via piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Andreeva N. V. , Pertsev N. A. , Andronikova D. A. , Filimonov A. V. , Leontiev N. G. , Leontyev I. N. , Vakhrushev S. B.
Published: September 2016

Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 single crystal with a low titanium content (x = 4%) was studied by the piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD studies showed that the crystal faces are orthogonal to the principal cubic axes and confirmed the existence of an intermediate phase between the high-temperature paraelectric (PE) phase and the low-temperature antiferroelectric (AFE) one. A significant temperature hysteresis of phase transitions was observed by the XRD: On heating, the AFE state transforms into the intermediate one at about 373 K and the PE phase appears at 508 K, whereas on cooling the intermediate phase forms at 503 K and persists down to at least 313 K. The PFM investigation was focused on the intermediate phase and involved measurements of both out-of-plane and in-plane electromechanical responses of the (001)-oriented crystal face. The PFM images revealed the presence of polarization patterns switchable by an applied electric field, which confirms the ferroelectric character of the intermediate phase. Importantly, two types of regular domain structures were found, which differ by the spatial orientation of domain walls. The reconstruction of polarization configurations in the observed domain structures showed that one of them is a purely ferroelectric 180° structure with domain walls orthogonal to the crystal surface and parallel to one of the ⟨111⟩ pseudocubic directions. Another one is a ferroelectric-ferroelastic domain structure with the 71° walls parallel to the {101} or {011} crystallographic planes. Remarkably, this domain structure shows correlated out-of-plane and in-plane polarization reorientations after the poling with the aid of the microscope tip.
Interfacial charge trapping in the polymer solar cells and its elimination by solvent annealing
Authors: Chauhan A. K. , Gusain Abhay , Jha P. , Veerender P. , Koiry S. P. , Sridevi C. , Aswal D. K. , Gupta S. K. , Taguchi D. , Manaka T. , Iwamoto M.
Published: September 2016

The PCDTBT:PCBM solar cells were fabricated adopting a tandem layer approach to investigate the critical issues of charge trapping, radiation absorption, and efficiency in polymer solar cells. This layered structure was found to be a source of charge trapping which was identified and confirmed by impedance spectroscopy. The low efficiency in multilayered structures was related to trapping of photo-generated carriers and low carrier mobility, and thus an increased recombination. Solvent annealing of the structures in tetrahydrofuran vapors was found beneficial in homogenizing the active layer, dissolving additional interfaces, and elimination of charge traps which improved the carrier mobilities and eventually the device efficiencies.
Selective growth of tilted ZnO nanoneedles and nanowires by PLD on patterned sapphire substrates
Authors: Shkurmanov Alexander , Sturm Chris , Lenzner Jörg , Feuillet Guy , Tendille Florian , De Mierry Philippe , Grundmann Marius
Published: September 2016

We report the possibility to control the tilting of nanoneedles and nanowires by using structured sapphire substrates. The advantage of the reported strategy is to obtain well oriented growth along a single direction tilted with respect to the surface normal, whereas the growth in other directions is suppressed. In our particular case, the nanostructures are tilted with respect to the surface normal by an angle of 58°. Moreover, we demonstrate that variation of the nanostructures shape from nanoneedles to cylindrical nanowires by using SiO2 layer is observed.
Hyperspectral imaging reveals the effect of sugar beet quantitative trait loci on Cercospora leaf spot resistance
Authors: Leucker Marlene , Wahabzada Mirwaes , Kersting Kristian , Peter Madlaina , Beyer Werner , Steiner Ulrike , Mahlein Anne-Katrin , Oerke Erich-Christian
Published: September 2016

The quantitative resistance of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) against Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora beticola (Sacc.) was characterised by hyperspectral imaging. Two closely related inbred lines, differing in two quantitative trait loci (QTL), which made a difference in disease severity of 1.1–1.7 on the standard scoring scale (1–9), were investigated under controlled conditions. The temporal and spatial development of CLS lesions on the two genotypes were monitored using a hyperspectral microscope. The lesion development on the QTL-carrying, resistant genotype was characterised by a fast and abrupt change in spectral reflectance, whereas it was slower and ultimately more severe on the genotype lacking the QTL. An efficient approach for clustering of hyperspectral signatures was adapted in order to reveal resistance characteristics automatically. The presented method allowed a fast and reliable differentiation of CLS dynamics and lesion composition providing a promising tool to improve resistance breeding by objective and precise plant phenotyping.
Box C/D guide RNAs recognize a maximum of 10 nt of substrates
Authors: Yang Zuxiao , Lin Jinzhong , Ye Keqiong
Published: September 2016

Significance

Box C/D RNAs are a large family of noncoding RNAs that guide 2′-O-methylation of RNAs. These RNAs associate with three or four proteins into C/D ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). The guide region of C/D RNAs is variable in length, particularly in eukaryotes, and by prediction, it can form 10–21 bp with substrates. Crystallographic and biochemical analyses revealed that the guide recognizes only a maximum of 10 nt in a substrate. Longer guide–substrate duplexes need to be unwound to fit into a size-limiting protein channel for modification. Our study reveals an aspect of the substrate recognition mechanism of C/D RNA. This mechanism is incompatible with the RNA-swapped model for dimeric C/D RNP.
The improved plasticity of NiTi alloy via electropulsing in rolling
Authors: Zhu R. , Tang G.
Published: September 2016

NiTi alloys were cold-rolled and electroplastic-rolled (EP-rolled) respectively, and the effect of rolling parameters on working plasticity was studied. NiTi alloy is easy to be embrittled and cracked in cold rolling, and the number of edge cracks is increased with higher thickness reduction. Electropulsing can enhance the ductility of NiTi alloy in rolling. In rolling, the resistance of deformation can be decreased, and deformation degree at the same roll gap increases because NiTi alloy develops recrystallisation and the hardness is decreased.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Estimating Recreational Effort in the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Fishery Using Boat Ramp Cameras: Reduction in Federal Season Length Does Not Proportionally Reduce Catch
Authors: Powers Sean P. , Anson Kevin
Published: September 2016

Estimating fishing effort is of critical importance in assessing population trends of exploited species. We used video camera footage collected by surveillance cameras to estimate effort during the federal recreational seasons for Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus during 2012–2015 in coastal Alabama. For 2012 (40 d in duration) and 2013 (28 d in duration), we randomly sampled 20% of days within the season and counted the number of boats launched and number of potential anglers (total number of people) on each vessel during randomly chosen 5-min blocks of time during each daylight or dusk hour. For 2014 and 2015, the seasons were considerably shorter, 9 and 10 d, respectively, and we were able to count the number of boats launched and potential anglers during randomly chosen 5-min intervals every daylight or dusk hour of each day. Using hourly weather observations (wind and precipitation), day of the week (weekend versus weekday), boat launch site, and year, general linear models were constructed to predict potential Red Snapper anglers per hour. For all years combined, the model had an R2 of 0.62, with a higher R2 (0.71) for the same variables using just 2014 and 2015 data. Applying the model, we were able to predict total offshore anglers by summing the hourly predictions over the season. We then estimated total number and weight of Red Snapper harvested for this group of anglers. Reductions in season length were not proportional to catch reductions due to changes in angler behavior. Red Snapper catch (in pounds) were reduced by 26% with a 75% reduction in season length. Our findings demonstrate the utility of dockside cameras for estimating marine recreational fishing effort and demonstrate the nonstatic response of anglers to management changes.

Received October 28, 2015; accepted May 25, 2016
Investigations on the heat flux and impurity for the HL-2M divertor
Authors: Zheng G.Y. , Cai L.Z. , Duan X.R. , Xu X.Q. , Ryutov D.D. , Cai L.J. , Liu X. , Li J.X. , Pan Y.D.
Published: September 2016

The controllability of the heat load and impurity in the divertor is very important, which could be one of the critical problems to be solved in order to ensure the success for a steady state tokamak. HL-2M has the advantage of the poloidal field (PF) coils placed inside the demountable toroidal field (TF) coils and close to the main plasma. As a result, it is possible to make highly accurate configuration control of the advanced divertor for HL-2M. The divertor target geometry of HL-2M has been designed to be compatible with different divertor configurations to study the divertor physics and support the high performance plasma operations. In this paper, the heat loads and impurities with different divertor configurations, including the standard X-point divertor, the snowflake-minus divertor and two tripod divertor configurations for HL-2M, are investigated by numerical simulations with the SOLPS5.0 code under the current design of the HL-2M divertor geometry. The plasmas with different conditions, such as the low discharge parameters with

I

p

  =  0.5 MA at the first stage of HL-2M and the high parameters with

I

p

  =  2.0 MA during the normal operations, are simulated. The heat load profiles and the impurity distributions are obtained, and the control of the peak heat load and the effect of impurity on the core plasma are discussed. The compatibility of different divertor configurations for HL-2M is also evaluated. It is seen that the excellent compatibility of different divertor configurations with the current divertor geometry has been verified. The results show that the snowflake-minus divertor and the tripod divertor with

d

x

=
30
 
cm

present good performance in terms of the heat load profiles and the impurity distributions under different conditions, which may not have a big effect on the core plasma. In addition, it is possible to optimize the distance between the two X-points,

d

x

, to achieve a better performance in terms of the parameters of discharges.
Modelling the thermomechanical behaviour of the tungsten first wall in HiPER laser fusion scenarios
Authors: Garoz D. , Páramo A.R. , Rivera A. , Perlado J.M. , González-Arrabal R.
Published: September 2016

The behaviour of a tungsten first wall is studied under the irradiation conditions predicted for the different operational scenarios of the European laser fusion project HiPER, which is based on direct drive targets and an evacuated dry wall chamber. The scenarios correspond to different stages in the development of a nuclear fusion reactor, from proof of principle (bunch mode facility) to economic feasibility (pre-commercial power plant). This work constitutes a quantitative study to evaluate first wall performance under realistic irradiation conditions in the different scenarios. We calculated the radiation fluxes assuming the geometrical configurations reported so far for HiPER. Then, we calculated the irradiation-induced evolution of first wall temperature and the thermomechanical response of the material. The results indicate that the first wall will plastically deform up to a few microns underneath the surface. Continuous operation in a power plant leads to fatigue failure with crack generation and growth. Finally, crack propagation and the minimum tungsten thickness required to fulfil the first wall protection role is studied. The response of tungsten as a first wall material as well as its main limitations will be discussed for the HiPER scenarios.
The importance of assessing and communicating scientific consensus
Authors: Maibach Edward W , van der Linden Sander L
Published: September 2016

The spread of influential misinformation, such as conspiracy theories about the existence of a secret, large-scale atmospheric spraying program (SLAP), is contributing to the politicization of science. In an important recent study, Shearer et al (2016 Environ. Res. Lett.

11 084011) employ a novel methodology to quantify the expert consensus of popular SLAP assertions. The authors find that 99% (76/77) of surveyed experts have not encountered any evidence that would support the existence of such a program. Here we argue that this finding is important because a growing body of research has shown that the public’s perception of expert consensus on key societal issues acts an important ‘gateway’ to science acceptance. Furthermore, communicating normative agreement among experts, such as the strong scientific consensus against the existence of a SLAP, can help limit the spread of misinformation and promote more effective public decision-making about science and society.
Hardy-type results on the average of the lattice point error term over long intervals
Authors: Randol Burton
Published: September 2016

Suppose

D
D

is a suitably admissible compact subset of

R

k

\mathbb {R}^k

having a smooth boundary with possible zones of zero curvature. Let
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper R left-parenthesis upper T comma theta comma x right-parenthesis equals upper N left-parenthesis upper T comma theta comma x right-parenthesis minus upper T Superscript k Baseline normal v normal o normal l left-parenthesis upper D right-parenthesis">

R
(
T
,
θ
,
x
)
=
N
(
T
,
θ
,
x
)
−

T

k

v
o
l

(
D
)

R(T,\theta ,x)= N(T,\theta ,x) - T^{k}\mathrm {vol}(D)

, where

N
(
T
,
θ
,
x
)

N(T,\theta ,x)

is the number of integral lattice points contained in an

x
x

-translation of

T
θ
(
D
)

T\theta (D)

, with

T
>
0

T >0

a dilation parameter and

θ
∈
S
O
(
k
)

\theta \in SO(k)

. Then

R
(
T
,
θ
,
x
)

R(T,\theta ,x)

can be regarded as a function with parameter

T
T

on the space

E

∗

+

(
k
)

E_{*}^{+}(k)

, where

E

∗

+

(
k
)

E_{*}^{+}(k)

is the quotient of the direct Euclidean group by the subgroup of integral translations and

E

∗

+

(
k
)

E_{*}^{+}(k)

has a normalized invariant measure which is the product of normalized measures on

S
O
(
k
)

SO(k)

and the

k
k

-torus. We derive an integral estimate, valid for almost all

(
θ
,
x
)
∈

E

∗

+

(
k
)

(\theta ,x) \in E_{*}^{+}(k)

, one consequence of which in two dimensions is that for almost all

(
θ
,
x
)
∈

E

∗

+

(
2
)

(\theta ,x) \in E_{*}^{+}(2)

, a counterpart of the Hardy circle estimate
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis 1 slash upper T right-parenthesis integral Subscript 1 Superscript upper T Baseline StartAbsoluteValue upper R left-parenthesis t comma theta comma x right-parenthesis d t EndAbsoluteValue much-less-than upper T Superscript one fourth plus epsilon">

(
1

/

T
)

∫

1

T

|

R
(
t
,
θ
,
x
)

d
t

|

≪

T

1
4

+
ϵ

(1/T)\int _{1}^{T} |R(t,\theta ,x)\,dt| \ll T^{\frac {1}{4} +\epsilon }

is valid with an improved estimate. We conclude with an account of hyperbolic versions for which, drawing on previous work of Hill and Parnovski, we give counterparts in all dimensions for both the compact and non-compact finite volume cases.
Explicit descent for Jacobians of prime power cyclic covers of the projective line
Authors: Schaefer Edward
Published: September 2016

The Jacobian of a cyclic cover of the projective line is isogenous to a product of abelian subvarieties, one for each positive divisor of the degree of the cover. In this article, we show how to compute a Selmer group that bounds the Mordell-Weil rank for each abelian subvariety corresponding to a non-trivial prime power divisor of the degree. In the case that the Chabauty condition holds for that abelian subvariety, we show how to bound the number of rational points on the curve.
Europe and the European Union
Authors: de Franco Chiara , Meyer Christoph , Smith Karen E.
Published: September 2016

This chapter analyses acceptance and implementation of the norm of the responsibility to protect by the European Union and its member states. Although European states have accepted the norm, and supported its development at the UN, progress in implementing it has been patchier. The chapter looks at the degree to which there has been programmatic, bureaucratic and operational implementation of the norm by the EU in particular. It finds there are wide divergences in Europe over the use of military force with regard to pillar 3 of R2P, a lack of EU bureaucratic capacity and will to implement pillars 1 and 2 of R2P, and confusion over the clarity of the norm which has led to the conflation of conflict prevention with mass atrocity prevention.
Somalia
Authors: Lotze Walter
Published: September 2016

International intervention in Somalia has been characterized by two distinct phases of engagement, between 1992 and 1995 and again from 2002 onwards, which proved both fundamental to the development of the responsibility to protect (R2P) norm, and which generate important lessons for the further development of the norm. This chapter explores both phases of engagement, drawing six key lessons which international engagement in Somalia yield for the R2P norm, and for future international intervention in conflicts characterized by war crimes and the absence of a state and an established governance architecture. While the situation in Somalia is likely to remain complex for some time to come, international engagement in Somalia has both proved key to the development of R2P in the first instance, and demonstrated that in spite of the most extreme obstacles, measures can effectively be taken to contribute to the protection of a civilian population affected by a complex conflict situation, and to support a nascent state to meet its responsibility to protect.
Śāntideva’s Impartialist Ethics
Authors: Goodman Charles
Published: September 2016

Of all the Buddhist teachers whose writings have come down to us, only Śāntideva has yet been shown to have engaged in sustained, general theoretical reflection about ethics. Śāntideva offers a radical critique of the rationality of most emotions, similar in some ways to that of the Stoics. His overall view has important similarities with utilitarianism; and he offers philosophical arguments for a distinctively utilitarian form of impartiality. Śāntideva quotes scriptures that make hyperbolic and implausible claims about the relative value of different practices; it may be possible to interpret these passages in terms of the lexical priority of some values over others. He also tells us that the various Buddhist virtues reinforce and sustain each other. These claims could be used to construct a homeostatic cluster view of well-being.
Freedom in Thinking
Authors: Ganeri Jonardon
Published: September 2016

The brilliant philosopher Krishnachandra Bhattacharyya (1875–1949) powerfully argued for freedom from the intellectual slavery brought by colonial occupation of India. He called on philosophers to show reverence for the classical Indian philosophical traditions. Yet reverence for him was not a nativist, uncritical return to the past but an attitude combining aesthetic sympathy for the living fabric of a philosophical outlook with openness to enrichment from metaphors from without. For him this formed the basis of an Indian notion of the classical that provincialized European classicism. The chapter argues that Bhattacharyya develops a powerful alternative idea to gloomy traditionalism and radical modernism: that of an immersive cosmopolitanism, which explains why he took such a keen interest both in Indian aesthetics and in the pluralist Jaina theory of standpoints, combined with detailed interpretations of several Indian philosophical systems and Indian commentaries on Kant, all in the service of a theory of subjective freedom.
What is Catholic Theology?
Authors: Ayres Lewis
Published: September 2016

This chapter argues that theological thinking should be considered as intrinsic to the activity of proclamation and as a form of speculation called forth as part of God’s salvific economy. God’s Word not only became flesh and revealed the Father, but Christ and his Spirit also act in his body, the Church, to reform and elevate human reason, to shape our understanding and celebration of revelation. This is so, even as theological thinking is also a human activity that may go astray. Theological thinking contains at its heart a dynamic relationship between attentive interpretation to Scripture and attention to the radical newness brought about by the continuing activity of Christ and the Spirit in the world. At the same time, in attention to the Church’s tradition, the theologian finds a school for the speculative imagination. The final section focuses on the unity and diversity of different theological acts and subdisciplines.
New Ecclesial Movements and Communities
Authors: Ker Ian
Published: September 2016

This chapter considers the flowering of new religious communities after the Second Vatican Council. The Council’s ecclesiological constitution Lumen gentium emphasizes the charismatic dimension of the Church at some key points, although without pitting this dimension against the hierarchical. Recent charismatic movements within the Church are the latest manifestation of a constant feature of the Church’s life, from early Christian ascetic communities, through to the new religious orders of the sixteenth and then the nineteenth centuries. The latter sections of the chapter consider a series of recent movements and their different charisms: Opus Dei, Charismatic Renewal, the Emmanuel Community, the Community of the Beatitudes, the Neocatechumenal Way, Communion and Liberation, and Focolare.
Statistical Models for Natural Language Processing
Authors: Church Kenneth W.
Published: September 2016

There is a considerable literature on applications of statistical methods in natural-language processing. This chapter focuses on two types of applications: (1) recognition/transduction applications based on Shannon’s Noisy Channel such as speech recognition, optical character recognition (OCR), spelling correction, part-of-speech (POS) tagging, and machine translation (MT); and (2) discrimination/ranking applications such as sentiment analysis, information retrieval, spam email filtering, author identification, and word sense disambiguation (WSD). Shannon’s Noisy-Channel model is often used for the first type, and linear separators such as Naive Bayes and logistic regression are often used for the second type. These techniques have produced successful products that are being used by large numbers of people every day: web search, spelling correction, translation, etc. Despite successes such as these, it should be mentioned that all approximations have their limitations. At some point, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the next generation may discover that the low-hanging fruit has been pretty well picked over, and it may be necessary to revisit some of these classic limitations.