bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of published and unpublished surveys of a red-listed ‘flagship species’, the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: AWAN MUHAMMAD NAEEM , BUNER FRANCIS , KINGDON NEVILLE
Published: September 2015

We review all available information from previously published and unpublished material including peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, field progress reports and information from local communities and hunters on the globally threatened ‘flagship species’ Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan. Based on these data we summarise the species’ currently confirmed distribution in AJ&K, its minimum confirmed population size and highlight possible first signs of range contraction outside protected areas. We then use a simple ArcGIS habitat model to predict the species’ actual distribution in AJ&K and its potential population size. Depending on the chosen criteria for habitat suitability, the estimated maximum number of Western Tragopan in AJ&K ranges between 1,875 and 3,760 adult individuals. Given that AJ&K represents c.30% of the global distribution of the species, the current population estimate of 5,000 (BirdLife International 2014) might need reconsideration. We further illustrate the importance of critical literature reviews for little-known globally threatened species such as the Western Tragopan without which red list assessments can be at risk of relying on biased data which may easily lead to incorrect conclusions.
The Role of Creative Arts in European Universities: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Buekers Martinus , Mees Lieve , Baetens Jan
Published: September 2015

The role of creative arts for tertiary education has been recognized for many years. Yet it is not clear to what extent the institutes of higher education take the required measures to facilitate the access to cultural activities for students. In the current study we examine this issue by means of a survey. An electronic questionnaire was filled out by 26 European universities, examining their state of affairs in the field of creative arts. The results of this survey show a mixed picture as far as the institutions are really concerned about this issue. This concern materializes for example in a large number of activities organized by the institutions or in cooperation with the regional partners. However, most universities still need to take some extra measures in order to achieve a more focused policy that guarantees a well-balanced cultural programme.
Corporations and Universities
Authors: Engwall Lars
Published: September 2015

Large quoted corporations have become increasingly visible through the media. As a result, such corporations have become role models for other types of organizations. Even universities face pressures to act like these corporations. This paper demonstrates that there are fundamental differences between corporations and universities, particularly in terms of history, products, objectives, and principals. These differences, it is argued, have significant implications for the leadership of universities.
A New Approach to the Evaluation of Countries’ Educational Structure and Development: The European Study
Authors: Dobrota Marina , Savic Gordana , Bulajic Milica
Published: September 2015

The ranking of higher education institutions, as well as the ranking of countries based on their scientific achievements, draws a significant amount of attention. Nevertheless, the ranking of countries according to their educational structure provides a completely different view. This article introduces a new approach to ranking, proposes certain changes in defining the parameters that should be included in the ranking process, and compares the results to the available Education index. This provides a new perspective on the evaluation of a country’s educational structure, which can speak volumes about its overall educational development.
How Mathematics is Rooted in Life
Authors: Fenstad Jens Erik
Published: September 2015

Mathematics is almost always an insider’s affair. But sometimes things happen within the mathematical community that have a relevance, and perhaps also an interest, beyond the tribe itself. The Grundlagenstreit of the 1920s is such an example. In this review essay we tell this story with a focus on the main actors involved, David Hilbert in Göttingen and L.E.J. Brouwer in Amsterdam. We shall see how fine points concerning the existence of mathematical objects, the question of the editorship of the Mathematische Annalen, and the attempts to resume normal scientific contacts between French and German scientists after the First World War led to an unusually bitter conflict within the tribe and beyond. But even if the effects of the fight were at the time negative, the long range outcome was positive. Hilbert’s work on the foundation of mathematics is still a powerful influence on current research, and Brouwer’s view on the constructive foundation of mathematics, which at the time inspired both Husserl and Wittgenstein, is today of increasing importance in the evolving science of logic and computing.
A corporate-crime perspective on fisheries: liability rules and non-compliance
Authors: Jensen Frank , Nøstbakken Linda
Published: September 2015

The existing fisheries economics literature analyzes compliance problems by treating the fishing firm as one cohesive unit, but in many cases violations are committed by agents acting on behalf of a firm. To account for this, we analyze the principal–agent relationship within the fishing firm. In the case where the firm directly benefits from illegal fishing, the firm must induce its crew to violate regulations through the incentive scheme. Within this framework, we analyze how the allocation of liability between fishing firms and crew affects quota violations and the ability to design a socially efficient fisheries policy. We show that without wage frictions, it does not matter who is held liable. However, under the commonly used share systems of remuneration, crew liability generally yields a more efficient outcome than firm liability. Furthermore, asset restrictions may affect the outcome under various liability rules.
Are all interferences bad? Bilingual advantages in working memory are modulated by varying demands for controlled processing
Authors: YANG HWAJIN , YANG SUJIN
Published: September 2015

We investigated bilingual advantages in general control abilities using three complex-span tasks of working memory (WM). An operation-span task served as a baseline measure of WM capacity. Additionally, two modified versions of the Stroop-span task were designed to place varying attentional-control demands during memoranda encoding by asking participants either to read the to-be-remembered item aloud (lower cognitive control; i.e., Stroop-span task) or to name the font color of the to-be-remembered item while still encoding the word for later recall (greater cognitive control; i.e., attention-impeded Stroop-span task). Twenty-six Korean–English bilinguals and 25 English-native monolinguals were tested. We found that bilinguals outperformed monolinguals on the attention-impeded Stroop-span task, but on neither the operation-span nor the Stroop-span task. Our findings demonstrate that bilingualism provides advantages in controlled processing, an important component of WM and other executive functions, suggesting that the demand for controlled processing in WM tasks moderates bilingual effects on WM.
First record of Polyneura bonnemaisonii (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Atlantic Ocean of Africa
Authors: Hassoun Mustapha , Moussa Hanaa , Zbakh Hanaa , Riadi Hassane , Kazzaz Mohamed , Salhi Ghizlane
Published: September 2015

A red algal species,Polyneura bonnemaisonii(Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta), is described for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean of Morocco. This is also the first reference of the occurrence of this species in Africa. This species was collected in the lower intertidal to subtidal zones, from Hyayda (north-west of Morocco). The Moroccan specimen is studied in detail and compared with other closely related species. Habitat, geographic distribution, description and illustration of the macroscopic and microscopic characters are presented and discussed in this work.
Curbelo and Ghanbarian-Alavijeh Receive the 2015 Donald L. Turcotte Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: September 2015

Jezabel Curbelo and Behzad Ghanbarian-Alavijeh will receive the 2015 Donald L. Turcotte Award, given annually to recent Ph.D. recipients for outstanding dissertation research that contributes directly to the field of nonlinear geophysics.
Large Variability Measured in Kuroshio Current East of Taiwan
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: September 2015

Ship surveys show that the "Gulf Stream" of the Pacific is not a stable boundary current.
Activity and interactions of methane seep microorganisms assessed by parallel transcription and FISH-NanoSIMS analyses
Authors: Dekas Anne E , Connon Stephanie A , Chadwick Grayson L , Trembath-Reichert Elizabeth , Orphan Victoria J
Published: September 2015

To characterize the activity and interactions of methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and Deltaproteobacteria at a methane-seeping mud volcano, we used two complimentary measures of microbial activity: a community-level analysis of the transcription of four genes (16S rRNA, methyl coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA), adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate reductase α-subunit (aprA), dinitrogenase reductase (nifH)), and a single-cell-level analysis of anabolic activity using fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled to nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (FISH-NanoSIMS). Transcript analysis revealed that members of the deltaproteobacterial groups Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus (DSS) and Desulfobulbaceae (DSB) exhibit increased rRNA expression in incubations with methane, suggestive of ANME-coupled activity. Direct analysis of anabolic activity in DSS cells in consortia with ANME by FISH-NanoSIMS confirmed their dependence on methanotrophy, with no 15NH4+ assimilation detected without methane. In contrast, DSS and DSB cells found physically independent of ANME (i.e., single cells) were anabolically active in incubations both with and without methane. These single cells therefore comprise an active ‘free-living’ population, and are not dependent on methane or ANME activity. We investigated the possibility of N2 fixation by seep Deltaproteobacteria and detected nifH transcripts closely related to those of cultured diazotrophic Deltaproteobacteria. However, nifH expression was methane-dependent. 15N2 incorporation was not observed in single DSS cells, but was detected in single DSB cells. Interestingly, 15N2 incorporation in single DSB cells was methane-dependent, raising the possibility that DSB cells acquired reduced 15N products from diazotrophic ANME while spatially coupled, and then subsequently dissociated. With this combined data set we address several outstanding questions in methane seep microbial ecosystems and highlight the benefit of measuring microbial activity in the context of spatial associations.
Stochastic distribution of small soil eukaryotes resulting from high dispersal and drift in a local environment
Authors: Bahram Mohammad , Kohout Petr , Anslan Sten , Harend Helery , Abarenkov Kessy , Tedersoo Leho
Published: September 2015

A central challenge in ecology is to understand the relative importance of processes that shape diversity patterns. Compared with aboveground biota, little is known about spatial patterns and processes in soil organisms. Here we examine the spatial structure of communities of small soil eukaryotes to elucidate the underlying stochastic and deterministic processes in the absence of environmental gradients at a local scale. Specifically, we focus on the fine-scale spatial autocorrelation of prominent taxonomic and functional groups of eukaryotic microbes. We collected 123 soil samples in a nested design at distances ranging from 0.01 to 64 m from three boreal forest sites and used 454 pyrosequencing analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer for detecting Operational Taxonomic Units of major eukaryotic groups simultaneously. Among the main taxonomic groups, we found significant but weak spatial variability only in the communities of Fungi and Rhizaria. Within Fungi, ectomycorrhizas and pathogens exhibited stronger spatial structure compared with saprotrophs and corresponded to vegetation. For the groups with significant spatial structure, autocorrelation occurred at a very fine scale (<2 m). Both dispersal limitation and environmental selection had a weak effect on communities as reflected in negative or null deviation of communities, which was also supported by multivariate analysis, that is, environment, spatial processes and their shared effects explained on average <10% of variance. Taken together, these results indicate a random distribution of soil eukaryotes with respect to space and environment in the absence of environmental gradients at the local scale, reflecting the dominant role of drift and homogenizing dispersal.
Platinum–nickel frame within metal-organic framework fabricated in situ for hydrogen enrichment and molecular sieving
Authors: Li Zhi , Yu Rong , Huang Jinglu , Shi Yusheng , Zhang Diyang , Zhong Xiaoyan , Wang Dingsheng , Wu Yuen , Li Yadong
Published: September 2015

Developing catalysts that provide the effective activation of hydrogen and selective absorption of substrate on metal surface is crucial to simultaneously improve activity and selectivity of hydrogenation reaction. Here we present an unique in situ etching and coordination synthetic strategy for exploiting a functionalized metal-organic framework to incorporate the bimetallic platinum–nickel frames, thereby forming a frame within frame nanostructure. The as-grown metal-organic framework serves as a ‘breath shell’ to enhance hydrogen enrichment and activation on platinum–nickel surface. More importantly, this framework structure with defined pores can provide the selective accessibility of molecules through its one-dimensional channels. In a mixture containing four olefins, the composite can selectively transport the substrates smaller than its pores to the platinum–nickel surface and catalyse their hydrogenation. This molecular sieve effect can be also applied to selectively produce imines, which are important intermediates in the reductive imination of nitroarene, by restraining further hydrogenation via cascade processes.
The outer mucus layer hosts a distinct intestinal microbial niche
Authors: Li Hai , Limenitakis Julien P. , Fuhrer Tobias , Geuking Markus B. , Lawson Melissa A. , Wyss Madeleine , Brugiroux Sandrine , Keller Irene , Macpherson Jamie A. , Rupp Sandra , Stolp Bettina , Stein Jens V. , Stecher Bärbel , Sauer Uwe , McCoy Kathy D. , Macpherson Andrew J.
Published: September 2015

The overall composition of the mammalian intestinal microbiota varies between individuals: within each individual there are differences along the length of the intestinal tract related to host nutrition, intestinal motility and secretions. Mucus is a highly regenerative protective lubricant glycoprotein sheet secreted by host intestinal goblet cells; the inner mucus layer is nearly sterile. Here we show that the outer mucus of the large intestine forms a unique microbial niche with distinct communities, including bacteria without specialized mucolytic capability. Bacterial species present in the mucus show differential proliferation and resource utilization compared with the same species in the intestinal lumen, with high recovery of bioavailable iron and consumption of epithelial-derived carbon sources according to their genome-encoded metabolic repertoire. Functional competition for existence in this intimate layer is likely to be a major determinant of microbiota composition and microbial molecular exchange with the host.
Vertical suppression of the EGFR pathway prevents onset of resistance in colorectal cancers
Authors: Misale Sandra , Bozic Ivana , Tong Jingshan , Peraza-Penton Ashley , Lallo Alice , Baldi Federica , Lin Kevin H. , Truini Mauro , Trusolino Livio , Bertotti Andrea , Di Nicolantonio Federica , Nowak Martin A. , Zhang Lin , Wood Kris C. , Bardelli Alberto
Published: September 2015

Molecular targeted drugs are clinically effective anti-cancer therapies. However, tumours treated with single agents usually develop resistance. Here we use colorectal cancer (CRC) as a model to study how the acquisition of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies can be restrained. Pathway-oriented genetic screens reveal that CRC cells escape from EGFR blockade by downstream activation of RAS-MEK signalling. Following treatment of CRC cells with anti-EGFR, anti-MEK or the combination of the two drugs, we find that EGFR blockade alone triggers acquired resistance in weeks, while combinatorial treatment does not induce resistance. In patient-derived xenografts, EGFR-MEK combination prevents the development of resistance. We employ mathematical modelling to provide a quantitative understanding of the dynamics of response and resistance to these single and combination therapies. Mechanistically, we find that the EGFR-MEK Combo blockade triggers Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 downregulation and initiates apoptosis. These results provide the rationale for clinical trials aimed at preventing rather than intercepting resistance.
Circularly polarized light detection with hot electrons in chiral plasmonic metamaterials
Authors: Li Wei , Coppens Zachary J. , Besteiro Lucas V. , Wang Wenyi , Govorov Alexander O. , Valentine Jason
Published: September 2015

Circularly polarized light is utilized in various optical techniques and devices. However, using conventional optical systems to generate, analyse and detect circularly polarized light involves multiple optical elements, making it challenging to realize miniature and integrated devices. While a number of ultracompact optical elements for manipulating circularly polarized light have recently been demonstrated, the development of an efficient and highly selective circularly polarized light photodetector remains challenging. Here we report on an ultracompact circularly polarized light detector that combines large engineered chirality, realized using chiral plasmonic metamaterials, with hot electron injection. We demonstrate the detector’s ability to distinguish between left and right hand circularly polarized light without the use of additional optical elements. Implementation of this photodetector could lead to enhanced security in fibre and free-space communication, as well as emission, imaging and sensing applications for circularly polarized light using a highly integrated photonic platform.
Effects of Low Carbohydrate High Protein (LCHP) diet on atherosclerotic plaque phenotype in ApoE/LDLR−/− mice: FT-IR and Raman imaging
Authors: Wrobel T. P. , Marzec K. M. , Chlopicki S. , Maślak E. , Jasztal A. , Franczyk-Żarów M. , Czyżyńska-Cichoń I. , Moszkowski T. , Kostogrys R. B. , Baranska M.
Published: September 2015

Low Carbohydrate High Protein (LCHP) diet displays pro-atherogenic effects, however, the exact mechanisms involved are still unclear. Here, with the use of vibrational imaging, such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman (RS) spectroscopies, we characterize biochemical content of plaques in Brachiocephalic Arteries (BCA) from ApoE/LDLR−/− mice fed LCHP diet as compared to control, recomended by American Institute of Nutrition, AIN diet. FT-IR images were taken from 6–10 sections of BCA from each mice and were complemented with RS measurements with higher spatial resolution of chosen areas of plaque sections. In aortic plaques from LCHP fed ApoE/LDLR−/− mice, the content of cholesterol and cholesterol esters was increased, while that of proteins was decreased as evidenced by global FT-IR analysis. High resolution imaging by RS identified necrotic core/foam cells, lipids (including cholesterol crystals), calcium mineralization and fibrous cap. The decreased relative thickness of the outer fibrous cap and the presence of buried caps were prominent features of the plaques in ApoE/LDLR−/− mice fed LCHP diet. In conclusion, FT-IR and Raman-based imaging provided a complementary insight into the biochemical composition of the plaque suggesting that LCHP diet increased plaque cholesterol and cholesterol esters contents of atherosclerotic plaque, supporting the cholesterol-driven pathogenesis of LCHP–induced atherogenesis.
Volatile codes: Correlation of olfactory signals and reception in Drosophila-yeast chemical communication
Authors: Scheidler Nicole H. , Liu Cheng , Hamby Kelly A. , Zalom Frank G. , Syed Zainulabeuddin
Published: September 2015

Drosophilahave evolved strong mutualistic associations with yeast communities that best support their growth and survival, resulting in the development of novel niches. It has been suggested that flies recognize their cognate yeasts primarily based on the rich repertoire of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from the yeasts. Thus, it remained an exciting avenue to study whether fly spp. detect and discriminate yeast strains based on odor alone and if so, how such resolution is achieved by the olfactory system in flies. We used two fly species known to exploit different niches and harboring different yeasts,D. suzukii(a pest of fresh fruit) andD. melanogaster(a saprophytic fly and a neurogenetic model organism). We initially established the behavioral preference of both fly species to sixDrosophila-associated yeasts; then chemically analyzed the VOC profile of each yeast which revealed quantitative and qualitative differences; and finally isolated and identified the physiologically active constituents from yeast VOCs for each drosophilid that potentially define attraction. By employing chemical, behavioral and electrophysiological analyses, we provide a comprehensive portrait of the olfactory neuroethological correlates underlying fly-yeast coadaptation in two drosophilids with distinct habitats.
In vitro discovery of promising anti-cancer drug combinations using iterative maximisation of a therapeutic index
Authors: Kashif M. , Andersson C. , Hassan S. , Karlsson H. , Senkowski W. , Fryknäs M. , Nygren P. , Larsson R. , Gustafsson M.G.
Published: September 2015

In vitro-based search for promising anti-cancer drug combinations may provide important leads to improved cancer therapies. Currently there are no integrated computational-experimental methods specifically designed to search for combinations, maximizing a predefined therapeutic index (TI) defined in terms of appropriate model systems. Here, such a pipeline is presented allowing the search for optimal combinations among an arbitrary number of drugs while also taking experimental variability into account. The TI optimized is the cytotoxicity difference (in vitro) between a target model and an adverse side effect model. Focusing on colorectal carcinoma (CRC), the pipeline provided several combinations that are effective in six different CRC models with limited cytotoxicity in normal cell models. Herein we describe the identification of the combination (Trichostatin A, Afungin, 17-AAG) and present results from subsequent characterisations, including efficacy in primary cultures of tumour cells from CRC patients. We hypothesize that its effect derives from potentiation of the proteotoxic action of 17-AAG by Trichostatin A and Afungin. The discovered drug combinations against CRC are significant findings themselves and also indicate that the proposed strategy has great potential for suggesting drug combination treatments suitable for other cancer types as well as for other complex diseases.
Impact of climate changes during the last 5 million years on groundwater in basement aquifers
Authors: Aquilina Luc , Vergnaud-Ayraud Virginie , Les Landes Antoine Armandine , Pauwels Hélène , Davy Philippe , Pételet-Giraud Emmanuelle , Labasque Thierry , Roques Clément , Chatton Eliot , Bour Olivier , Ben Maamar Sarah , Dufresne Alexis , Khaska Mahmoud , La Salle Corinne Le Gal , Barbecot Florent
Published: September 2015

Climate change is thought to have major effects on groundwater resources. There is however a limited knowledge of the impacts of past climate changes such as warm or glacial periods on groundwater although marine or glacial fluids may have circulated in basements during these periods. Geochemical investigations of groundwater at shallow depth (80–400 m) in the Armorican basement (western France) revealed three major phases of evolution: (1) Mio-Pliocene transgressions led to marine water introduction in the whole rock porosity through density and then diffusion processes, (2) intensive and rapid recharge after the glacial maximum down to several hundred meters depths, (3) a present-day regime of groundwater circulation limited to shallow depth. This work identifies important constraints regarding the mechanisms responsible for both marine and glacial fluid migrations and their preservation within a basement. It defines the first clear time scales of these processes and thus provides a unique case for understanding the effects of climate changes on hydrogeology in basements. It reveals that glacial water is supplied in significant amounts to deep aquifers even in permafrosted zones. It also emphasizes the vulnerability of modern groundwater hydrosystems to climate change as groundwater active aquifers is restricted to shallow depths.
Influence of impact speed on water droplet erosion of TiAl compared with Ti6Al4V
Authors: Mahdipoor M.S. , Kirols H.S. , Kevorkov D. , Jedrzejowski P. , Medraj M.
Published: September 2015

Water Droplet Erosion (WDE) as a material degradation phenomenon has been a concern in power generation industries for decades. Steam turbine blades and the compressor blades of gas turbines that use water injection usually suffer from WDE. The present work focuses on studying erosion resistance of TiAl as a potential alloy for turbine blades compared to Ti6Al4V, a frequently used blade alloy. Their erosion behaviour is investigated at different droplet impact speeds to determine the relation between erosion performance and impact speed. It is found that the relationship is governed by a power law equation, ER ~ Vn, where the speed exponent is 7–9 for Ti6Al4V and 11–13 for TiAl. There is a contrast between the observed speed exponent in this work and the ones reported in the literature for Ti6Al4V. It is attributed to the different erosion setups and impingement conditions such as different droplet sizes. To verify this, the erosion experiments were performed at two different droplet sizes, 464 and 603 μm. TiAl showed superior erosion resistance in all erosion conditions; however, its erosion performance exhibits higher sensitivity to the impact speed compared to Ti6Al4V. It means that aggressive erosion conditions decrease the WDE resistance superiority of TiAl.
An integrated insight into the response of sedimentary microbial communities to heavy metal contamination
Authors: Yin Huaqun , Niu Jiaojiao , Ren Youhua , Cong Jing , Zhang Xiaoxia , Fan Fenliang , Xiao Yunhua , Zhang Xian , Deng Jie , Xie Ming , He Zhili , Zhou Jizhong , Liang Yili , Liu Xueduan
Published: September 2015

Response of biological communities to environmental stresses is a critical issue in ecology, but how microbial communities shift across heavy metal gradients remain unclear. To explore the microbial response to heavy metal contamination (e.g., Cr, Mn, Zn), the composition, structure and functional potential of sedimentary microbial community were investigated by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and a functional gene microarray. Analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed that the composition and structure of sedimentary microbial communities changed significantly across a gradient of heavy metal contamination and the relative abundances were higher for Firmicutes, Chloroflexi and Crenarchaeota, but lower for Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in highly contaminated samples. Also, molecular ecological network analysis of sequencing data indicated that their possible interactions might be enhanced in highly contaminated communities. Correspondently, key functional genes involved in metal homeostasis (e.g., chrR, metC, merB), carbon metabolism and organic remediation showed a higher abundance in highly contaminated samples, indicating that bacterial communities in contaminated areas may modulate their energy consumption and organic remediation ability. This study indicated that the sedimentary indigenous microbial community may shift the composition and structure as well as function priority and interaction network to increase their adaptability and/or resistance to environmental contamination.
Hierarchy of fillings for the FQHE in monolayer graphene
Authors: Łydżba Patrycja , Jacak Lucjan , Jacak Janusz
Published: September 2015

In this paper, the commensurability conditions, which originated from the unique topology of two-dimensional systems, are applied to determine the quantum Hall effect hierarchy in the case of a monolayer graphene. The fundamental difference in a definition of a typical semiconductor and a monolayer graphene filling factor is pointed out. The calculations are undertaken for all spin-valley branches of two lowest Landau levels, since only they are currently experimentally accessible. The obtained filling factors are compared with the experimental data and a very good agreement is achieved. The work also introduces a concept of the single-loop fractional quantum Hall effect.
Electrical injection and detection of spin-polarized currents in topological insulator Bi2Te2Se
Authors: Tian Jifa , Miotkowski Ireneusz , Hong Seokmin , Chen Yong P.
Published: September 2015

Topological insulators (TIs) are an unusual phase of quantum matter with nontrivial spin-momentum-locked topological surface states (TSS). The electrical detection of spin-momentum-locking of TSS has been lacking till very recently. Many of the results are from samples with significant bulk conduction, such as Bi2Se3, where it can be challenging to separate the surface and bulk contribution to the spin signal. Here, we report spin potentiometric measurements in flakes exfoliated from bulk insulating Bi2Te2Se crystals, using two outside nonmagnetic contacts for driving a DC spin helical current and a middle ferromagnetic (FM)-Al2O3 contact for detecting spin polarization. The voltage measured by the FM electrode exhibits a hysteretic step-like change when sweeping an in-plane magnetic field between opposite directions along the easy axis of the FM contact. Importantly, the direction of the voltage change can be reversed by reversing the direction of current and the amplitude of the change as measured by the difference in the detector voltage between opposite FM magnetization increases linearly with increasing current, consistent with the current-induced spin polarization of spin-momentum-locked TSS. Our work directly demonstrates the electrical injection and detection of spin polarization in TI and may enable utilization of TSS for applications in nanoelectronics and spintronics.
Simultaneous Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy in Living Cells
Authors: Jahn Karolina , Buschmann Volker , Hille Carsten
Published: September 2015

In living cells, there are always a plethora of processes taking place at the same time. Their precise regulation is the basis of cellular functions, since small failures can lead to severe dysfunctions. For a comprehensive understanding of intracellular homeostasis, simultaneous multiparameter detection is a versatile tool for revealing the spatial and temporal interactions of intracellular parameters. Here, a recently developed time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) board was evaluated for simultaneous fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM/PLIM). Therefore, the metabolic activity in insect salivary glands was investigated by recordingns-decaying intrinsic cellular fluorescence, mainly related to oxidized flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and theμs-decaying phosphorescence of the oxygen-sensitive ruthenium-complex Kr341. Due to dopamine stimulation, the metabolic activity of salivary glands increased, causing a higher pericellular oxygen consumption and a resulting increase in Kr341 phosphorescence decay time. Furthermore, FAD fluorescence decay time decreased, presumably due to protein binding, thus inducing a quenching of FAD fluorescence decay time. Through application of the metabolic drugs antimycin and FCCP, the recorded signals could be assigned to a mitochondrial origin. The dopamine-induced changes could be observed in sequential FLIM and PLIM recordings, as well as in simultaneous FLIM/PLIM recordings using an intermediate TCSPC timing resolution.
Fast and Precise 3D Fluorophore Localization based on Gradient Fitting
Authors: Ma Hongqiang , Xu Jianquan , Jin Jingyi , Gao Ying , Lan Li , Liu Yang
Published: September 2015

Astigmatism imaging approach has been widely used to encode the fluorophore’s 3D position in single-particle tracking and super-resolution localization microscopy. Here, we present a new high-speed localization algorithm based on gradient fitting to precisely decode the 3D subpixel position of the fluorophore. This algebraic algorithm determines the center of the fluorescent emitter by finding the position with the best-fit gradient direction distribution to the measured point spread function (PSF) and can retrieve the 3D subpixel position of the fluorophore in a single iteration. Through numerical simulation and experiments with mammalian cells, we demonstrate that our algorithm yields comparable localization precision to the traditional iterative Gaussian function fitting (GF) based method, while exhibits over two orders-of-magnitude faster execution speed. Our algorithm is a promising high-speed analyzing method for 3D particle tracking and super-resolution localization microscopy.
Temperature Evolution of Quasi-one-dimensional C60 Nanostructures on Rippled Graphene
Authors: Chen Chuanhui , Zheng Husong , Mills Adam , Heflin James R. , Tao Chenggang
Published: September 2015

We report the preparation of novel quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) C60 nanostructures on rippled graphene. Through careful control of the subtle balance between the linear periodic potential of rippled graphene and the C60 surface mobility, we demonstrate that C60 molecules can be arranged into a quasi-1D C60 chain structure with widths of two to three molecules. At a higher annealing temperature, the quasi-1D chain structure transitions to a more compact hexagonal close packed quasi-1D stripe structure. This first experimental realization of quasi-1D C60 structures on graphene may pave a way for fabricating new C60/graphene hybrid structures for future applications in electronics, spintronics and quantum information.
In vitro determination of titanium and other metals released from intra-osseous dental implants into the mucosa
Authors: Rykowska Iwona , Makuch Krzysztof , Wasiak Wiesław
Published: September 2015

The main goal of the study was to determine the compounds released from titanium into the overlying oral mucosa and the other metals found in two-stage dental intra-osseous implants.
Microwave-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet for the determination of triazines in honey samples
Authors: Hu Mingzhu , Wu Lijie , Song Ying , Li Zhanchao , Ma Qiang , Zhang Hanqi , Wang Ziming
Published: September 2015

Microwave-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet (MA-LLME-SFO) was first developed and applied to the extraction of triazines in honey samples.
A rapid and selective synthesis of α,α-fluorohalo esters via fluorohalogenative or difluorinative hydration of ynol ethers
Authors: Hu Liang , Che Chao , Tan Ze , Zhu Gangguo
Published: September 2015

A Selectfluor-mediated fluorohalogenative or difluorinative hydration of ynol ethers is described, giving various α,α-fluorohalo esters including α,α-bromofluoro, α,α-chlorofluoro, α,α-fluoroiodo, and α,α-difluoro esters in a highly selective manner under mild reaction conditions.
A comparison of ab initio quantum-mechanical and experimental D0 binding energies of eleven H-bonded and eleven dispersion-bound complexes
Authors: Haldar Susanta , Gnanasekaran Ramachandran , Hobza Pavel
Published: September 2015

Dissociation energies (D0) of 11 H-bonded and 11 dispersion-bound complexes were calculated as the sum of interaction energies and the change of zero-point vibrational energies (ΔZPVE).
Boron-selective reactions as powerful tools for modular synthesis of diverse complex molecules
Authors: Xu Liang , Zhang Shuai , Li Pengfei
Published: September 2015

The emerging methods for selectively manipulating multiple C–B bonds have dramatically expanded chemists' capability in building complex and diverse molecules.
Advanced CdII complexes as high efficiency co-sensitizers for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell performance
Authors: Gao Song , Fan Rui Qing , Wang Xin Ming , Qiang Liang Sheng , Wei Li Guo , Wang Ping , Yang Yu Lin , Wang Yu Lei
Published: September 2015

The prepared complexes 1 and 2 can serve as co-sensitizers to enhance the power-conversion efficiency.
Surfactant-free green synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles capped with 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylcarbamodithioate: stable recyclable magnetic nanoparticles for the rapid and efficient removal of Hg(ii) ions from water
Authors: Venkateswarlu Sada , Yoon Minyoung
Published: September 2015

A 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylcarbamodithioate capped biogenic Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite has been synthesized using a watermelon rind extract for the removal of Hg(ii) ions with a facile recyclability.
Magnetically tunable colloidal micromirrors
Authors: Goebl James , Liu Yiding , Wong Sandy , Zorba Serkan , Yin Yadong
Published: September 2015

Herein we demonstrate a method for decorating highly reflective 2D gold microplates with magnetic nanoparticles to produce an optical colloid that can be actuated using an applied magnetic field.
Large strain response and fatigue-resistant behavior in lead-free Bi0.5(Na0.80K0.20)0.5TiO3–(K0.5Na0.5)MO3(M = Sb, Ta) ceramics
Authors: Hao Jigong , Xu Zhijun , Chu Ruiqing , Li Wei , Du Juan , Fu Peng
Published: September 2015

BNKT20–KNM100xlead-free piezoelectric ceramics were fabricated to achieve large strain response. Compositions near the ferroelectric–relaxor phase boundary (x= 0.0125) exhibited large strains of 0.39–0.41% with fatigue-free behavior (106cycles).
Two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy reveals the detailed molecular movements during the crystallization of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Su Gehong , Zhou Tao , Liu Xifei , Zhang Jihai , Bao Jianjun , Zhang Aiming
Published: September 2015

The key role of hydrogen bonding during the crystallization of EVOH was elucidated from the enthalpy and molecular movements.
UV-controlled shape memory hydrogels triggered by photoacid generator
Authors: Feng Wei , Zhou Wanfu , Zhang Shidong , Fan Yujiao , Yasin Akram , Yang Haiyang
Published: September 2015

UV-controlled shape memory hydrogel is designed with PhotoAcid Generator (PAG) as the trigger.
Plasma protein corona reduces the haemolytic activity of graphene oxide nano and micro flakes
Authors: Papi M. , Lauriola M. C. , Palmieri V. , Ciasca G. , Maulucci G. , De Spirito M.
Published: September 2015

GO flakes, able to disrupt the erythrocyte plasma membrane, greatly reduce their haemolytic activity after interacting with plasma proteins. Haemolysis activity increases inversely to the GO flakes size.
Zeolitic imidazolate metal organic framework ZIF-8 with ultra-high adsorption capacity bound tetracycline in aqueous solution
Authors: Wu Chun-sheng , Xiong Zhen-hu , Li Chen , Zhang Jin-miao
Published: September 2015

Synthetic process of ZIF-8 and a mechanism of tetracycline bound to ZIF-8 due to electrostatic attraction and π–π stacking interaction.
Synergistic effects of halogen bond and π–π interactions in thiophene-based building blocks
Authors: Wilson Jamey , Dal Williams Jon Steven , Petkovsek Chesney , Reves Peyton , Jurss Jonah W. , Hammer Nathan I. , Tschumper Gregory S. , Watkins Davita L.
Published: September 2015

The use of a thiophene-based building block (Pyr-T) to achieve a supramolecular assembly driven by halogen bonding (XB) is described. X-ray crystallography, NMR, Raman spectroscopy, and computational chemistry afford evidence of strong XB and π–π stacking.
Biogeochemical cycles for combining chemical knowledge and ESD issues in Greek secondary schools part II: assessing the impact of the intervention
Authors: Koutalidi Sophia , Psallidas Vassilis , Scoullos Michael
Published: September 2015

In searching for effective ways to combine science/chemical education with EE/ESD, new didactic materials were designed and produced focussing on biogeochemical cycles and their connection to sustainable development. The materials were experimentally applied in 16 Greek schools under the newly introduced compulsory “school project” which offers an excellent opportunity for the development of EE/ESD projects. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed on the basis of questionnaires including knowledge and attitude questions and considering several factors (students' performance/grades, sex, previous participation in EE/ESD programmes, parents' educational level, etc.). The results demonstrated a positive impact on students' knowledge not only on biogeochemical cycles, but also on aspects related to sustainable development. Similarly, several components of students' attitudes vis a vis the environment and sustainable development (e.g. “Action commitment”, “Efficacy perception of personal action” and “Sustainable orientation of the positive attitude towards the environment”) were influenced positively.
Large active layer thickness toleration of high-efficiency small molecule solar cells
Authors: Zhang Qian , Kan Bin , Wan Xiangjian , Zhang Hua , Liu Feng , Li Miaomiao , Yang Xuan , Wang Yunchuang , Ni Wang , Russell Thomas P. , Shen Yan , Chen Yongsheng
Published: September 2015

The thickness dependence of the photovoltaic performance for devices based on the small molecule DR3TSBDT:PC71BM was systematically investigated and the power conversion efficiencies are found to be relatively insensitive to the thickness.
Roll-to-roll infrared (IR) drying and sintering of an inkjet-printed silver nanoparticle ink within 1 second
Authors: Sowade Enrico , Kang Hyunkyoo , Mitra Kalyan Y. , Weiß Oliver J. , Weber Jürgen , Baumann Reinhard R.
Published: September 2015

The scheme shows the experimental setup of roll-to-roll infrared drying and sintering of inkjet-printed silver layers on flexible polymer substrates.
Characteristics of the co-fluctuation matrix transmission network based on financial multi-time series
Authors: Li Huajiao , An Haizhong , Gao Xiangyun , Fang Wei
Published: September 2015

The co-fluctuation of two time series has often been studied by analysing the correlation coefficient over a selected period. However, in both domestic and global financial markets, there are more than two active time series that fluctuate constantly as a result of various factors, including geographic locations, information communications and so on. In addition to correlation relationships over longer periods, daily co-fluctuation relationships and their transmission features are also important, since they can present the co-movement patterns of multi-time series in detail. To capture and analyse the features of the daily co-movements of multiple financial time series and their transmission characteristics, we propose a new term—“the co-fluctuation relation matrix”—which can reveal the co-fluctuation relationships of multi-time series directly. Here, based on complex network theory, we construct a multi-time series co-fluctuation relation matrix transmission network for financial markets by taking each matrix as a node and the succeeding time sequence as an edge. To reveal the process more clearly, we utilize daily time series data for four well-known stock indices—the NASDAQ Composite (COMP), the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Russell 1000 Index—from 22 January 2003 to 21 January 2015, to examine the concentration of the transmission networks and the roles of each matrix—in addition to the transmission relationships between the matrices—based on a variety of coefficients. We then compare our results with the statistical features of the stock indices and find that there are not many discernible patterns of co-fluctuation matrices over the 12-year period, and few of these play important roles in the transmission network. However, the conductibility of the few dominant nodes is different and reveals certain novel features that cannot be obtained by traditional statistical analysis, such as the “all positive co-fluctuation matrix”, which is the most important node, although one stock index has negative correlation with the other three. This research therefore provides a novel method for analysing the co-movement behaviour of multiple financial time series, which can help researchers obtain the roles and relations of co-fluctuation patterns both over short and long terms. The findings also provide an important basis for further investigations into financial market simulations and the fluctuation of multiple financial time series.
How do glycine and histidine in nutrient solution affect zinc uptake and root-to-shoot translocation by wheat and triticale?
Authors: Khodamoradi K. , Khoshgoftarmanesh A. H. , Dalir N. , Afyuni M. , Schulin R.
Published: September 2015

Understanding how complexes with amino acids in soil solution affect plant zinc (Zn) uptake may aid in optimising plant Zn nutrition. We investigated the influence of histidine and glycine in nutrient solution on apoplastic and symplastic uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Zn in a triticale (×Triticosecale cv. Elinor) and a bread wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum cv. Back Cross Rushan). Six-week-old seedlings of the two cultivars were transferred to a nutrient solution containing 20 µm Zn, to which 50 µm histidine, 50 µm glycine or no amino acids were added. Control plants were transplanted to nutrient solution with no Zn or amino acids. Higher concentrations of Zn were found in root and shoots of wheat and triticale plants supplied with Zn than in the control plants without Zn supply. Among the treatments with Zn supply, histidine enhanced, whereas glycine reduced, symplastic root Zn concentration in bread wheat. Both amino acids decreased the symplastic root Zn concentration but had no effect on apoplastic Zn in triticale. Both amino acid treatments also reduced Zn concentrations in the xylem sap of the two plant species compared with the treatment with Zn addition only. In bread wheat, the effect was stronger for glycine than for histidine; in triticale, it was the same for both amino acids. The concentration of Zn in xylem sap was always greater in wheat than in triticale. Addition of histidine to the nutrient solution increased the total amount of shoot Zn in triticale but not in bread wheat, compared with the treatment with Zn addition only, whereas glycine had no significant effect on total shoot Zn in either of the plant species. The results show that histidine, but not glycine, can enhance Zn uptake and translocation into the aboveground parts of triticale. We suggest that this ability of histidine was due to the formation of strong complexes with Zn.