bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework for assessing amorphous oxide semiconductor thin‐film transistor passivation
Authors: Wager John F. , Hoshino Ken , Sundholm Eric S. , Presley Rick E. , Ravichandran Ram , Knutson Christopher C. , Keszler Douglas A. , Hoffman Randy L. , Mourey Devin A. , Robertson John
Published: October 2012

Amorphous oxide semiconductor thin‐film transistors (TFTs) are moving towards commercialization for a variety of display applications. Invariably, display applications require a bottom‐gate TFT configuration in which passivation of the top channel layer surface is required. The objective of this work is to propose a conceptual model framework for assessing TFT passivation schemes, within the context of amorphous oxide semiconductor electronics. This model involves first estimating the energy of the charge neutrality levels (CNLs) for the channel and passivation layers. Then, an energy band diagram is drawn to establish the relative position of these CNLs prior to their establishment of intimate contact. A situation in which the passivation layer CNL is below that of the channel layer CNL is considered undesirable because interface state electronic transfer from the channel to the passivation layer leads to formation of an accumulation layer at this interface. Although the opposite case in which the passivation layer CNL is above that of the channel layer CNL is more desirable, the ideal situation would be when both CNLs align because no interface state electronic transfer would occur. This framework is then employed in a discussion of the passivation of indium gallium zinc oxide and zinc tin oxide bottom‐gate TFTs.
Vivid image projection system using e‐Paper active screen
Authors: Kinjo Tsukasa , Saito Naoki , Omodani Makoto
Published: October 2012

Projected image on a screen is not always vivid enough when it is projected in a bright room. We generally have to choose either vivid image in a dark room or dull image in a bright room.

We have suggested a new projection system which can realize high contrast image projection in a bright room. It is consisted of electronic paper screen, projector, and light‐emitting diode room light. The electronic paper (e‐Paper) screen alternates its whole surface white/black with 120 Hz. Room lights are controlled with the same frequency of 120 Hz with the opposite phase as that of the e‐Paper screen. We have confirmed that our new system has achieved higher contrast than the conventional projection system and also enough readability of paper documents in the room simultaneously. We have thus confirmed that our new system can bring an ideal condition, for audience, which can realize a vivid image projection in a bright room.
Evaluation of peptide fractionation strategies used in proteome analysis
Authors: Chiu Chih‐Wei , Chang Chun‐Lun , Chen Sung‐Fang
Published: October 2012

Peptide fractionation is extremely important for the comprehensive analysis of complex protein mixtures. Although a few comparisons of the relative separation efficiencies of 2‐D methodologies using complex biological samples have appeared, a systematic evaluation was conducted in this study. Four different fractionation methods, namely strong‐cation exchange, hydrophilic interaction chromatography, alkaline‐RP and solution isoelectric focusing, which can be used prior to LC‐MS/MS analysis, were compared. Strong‐cation exchange × RPLC was used after desalting the sample; significantly more proteins were identified, compared with the nondesalted sample (1990 and 1375). We also found that the use of a combination of analytical methods resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of unique peptides that could be identified, compared with only a small increase in protein levels. The increased number of distinct peptides that can be identified is especially beneficial, not only for unequivocally identifying proteins but also for proteomic studies involving posttranslational modifications and peptide‐based quantification approaches using stable isotope labeling. The identification and quantification of more peptides per protein provide valuable information that improves both the quantification of, and confidence of protein identification.
Low-dose steroids associated with milder histological changes after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Kosola Silja , Lampela Hanna , Jalanko Hannu , Mäkisalo Heikki , Lohi Jouko , Arola Johanna , Pakarinen Mikko P.
Published: October 2012

Controversy remains about the role of protocol liver biopsy for symptom-free recipients and about the long-term use of low-dose steroids after pediatric liver transplantation (LT). We conducted a national cross-sectional study of pediatric recipients who underwent LT between 1987 and 2007. Liver biopsy samples were taken from 54 patients (82% of survivors) after a median posttransplant follow-up of 11 years, and they were reviewed by 2 pathologists blinded to the clinical data. Biopsy samples from 18 patients (33%) showed nearly normal histology with no inflammation, fibrosis, or steatosis. Portal inflammation was detected in 14 samples (26%), showed no correlation with anti-nuclear antibodies, and was less frequent in the 35 patients whose immunosuppression included steroids (14% versus 47% of patients not using steroids, P = 0.008). Fibrosis was present in 21 biopsy samples (39%). According to the Metavir classification, 16 were stage 1, 3 were stage 2, and 2 were stage 3. The fibrosis stage correlated negatively with serum prealbumin levels (r = −0.364, P = 0.007) and positively with chronic cholestasis (cytokeratin 7 staining; r = 0.529, P < 0.001) and portal inflammation (r = 0.350, P = 0.01). Microvesicular steatosis was found in 23 biopsy samples (43% of patients in 5%-80% of hepatocytes), and it correlated with the body mass index (r = 0.458, P < 0.001) but not with steroid use. The age of the allograft (donor age plus follow-up time) correlated with higher serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (r = 0.472, P < 0.001) and conjugated bilirubin levels (r = 0.420, P = 0.002) as well as chronic cholestasis (r = 0.299, P = 0.03). The biopsy findings led to treatment changes in 10 patients (19%), whereas only 1 complication (subcapsular hematoma) was encountered. In conclusion, continuing low-dose steroids indefinitely after pediatric LT may have a positive effect on the long-term histological state of the liver graft. Allograft aging may lead to chronic cholestasis and thus contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. Liver Transpl 19:145–154, 2013. © 2012 AASLD.
Using Molecular Docking to Compare Toxicity of Reactive Chemicals to Freshwater and Marine Luminous Bacteria
Authors: Gao Ya , Lin Zhifen , Chen Rui , Wang Ting , Liu Shushen , Yao Zhifeng , Yin Daqiang
Published: October 2012

Vibrio fischeri is a marine luminous bacterium that has been widely used in toxicity bioassays, while Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67 is a newly found freshwater species which is more suitable for the tests on freshwater samples. However, there is a sensitive difference between these two species due to the media, chemical modes of action and the tested species. It remains unclear how these factors induce toxicity changes in luminous bioassays. Therefore, by using molecular docking between reactive chemicals and the target proteins of Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67 respectively, the sensitive difference was explored from the angle of amino acid residues that involved in the interactions. Mutation of amino acid residues was performed to investigate the role of these amino acids in the interactions and the most important amino acid residues in toxicity effect were found. The results suggested tat the most important amino acid residues in toxicity effect would affect the binding affinity between chemicals and target proteins of Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67, and then induce distinct toxic effect on them. As there are fewer toxicity data for freshwater Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.‐Q67 than for Vibrio fischeri, this study helps to take advantage of the plentiful toxicity data of Vibrio fischeri to predict toxicities of freshwater samples.
Molecular and immunological characterization of wheat Serpin (Tri a 33)
Authors: Mameri Hamza , Denery‐Papini Sandra , Pietri Manon , Tranquet Olivier , Larré Colette , Drouet Martine , Paty Evelyne , Jonathan Anne‐Marie , Beaudouin Etienne , Moneret‐Vautrin Denise‐Anne , Moreau Thierry , Briozzo Pierre , Gaudin Jean‐Charles
Published: October 2012

Scope

Several wheat proteins are responsible for food and respiratory allergies. Due to their large polymorphism, the allergenic potential of a number of them has not yet been precisely established. The aim of this work was to perform a thorough assessment of serpin (Tri a 33) allergenicity.

Methods and results

Recombinant wheat Serpin‐Z2B isoform (rSerpin‐Z2B) was expressed in Escherichia coli. Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism data indicated that the recombinant serpin contains slightly more β‐strands than α‐helix structures. IgE reactivity of sera from 103 patients with food allergy and 29 patients with Baker's asthma was evaluated using ELISA, a model of basophil activation and linear epitope mapping (Pepscan). Twenty percent of patients with food allergy to wheat and 31% of those with Baker's asthma displayed rSerpin‐Z2B‐specific IgE in ELISA. The protein was able to induce IgE‐dependent basophil degranulation. The Pepscan experiment identified four regions involved in IgE binding to serpin. Heating the protein induced its irreversible denaturation and impaired IgE binding, revealing the predominance of conformational epitopes.

Conclusion

This study confirms wheat serpin allergenicity and shows that recombinant serpin may be a marker of a broad spectrum of sensitization to wheat proteins.
Modulation of lipid metabolism by polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract improves liver steatosis and adiposity in high fat fed mice
Authors: Park Hae‐Jin , Jung Un Ju , Lee Mi‐Kyung , Cho Su‐Jung , Jung Hee‐Kyoung , Hong Joo Heon , Park Yong Bok , Kim Sang Ryong , Shim Sangphil , Jung Jieun , Choi Myung‐Sook
Published: October 2012

This study investigated the influence of polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract (GSE) on adiposity and hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and its underlying mechanisms based on adipose and hepatic lipid metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or a HFD (20% fat, w/w) with or without GSE (0.15%, w/w) for 10 weeks. The supplementation of GSE significantly lowered body weight, fat weight, plasma free fatty acid level, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD group. Plasma leptin level was significantly lower, while the plasma adiponectin level was higher in the GSE group than in the HFD group. GSE supplementation significantly suppressed the activities of lipogenic enzymes in both adipose and liver tissues, which was concomitant with β‐oxidation activation. Furthermore, GSE reversed the HFD‐induced changes of the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and β‐oxidation in the liver. These findings suggest that GSE may protect against diet‐induced adiposity and hepatic steatosis by regulating mRNA expression and/or activities of enzymes that regulate lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in the adipose tissue and liver.
Accelerated high‐frame‐rate mouse heart cine‐MRI using compressed sensing reconstruction
Authors: Motaal Abdallah G. , Coolen Bram F. , Abdurrachim Desiree , Castro Rui M. , Prompers Jeanine J. , Florack Luc M. J. , Nicolay Klaas , Strijkers Gustav J.
Published: October 2012

We introduce a new protocol to obtain very high‐frame‐rate cinematographic (Cine) MRI movies of the beating mouse heart within a reasonable measurement time. The method is based on a self‐gated accelerated fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) acquisition and compressed sensing reconstruction. Key to our approach is that we exploit the stochastic nature of the retrospective triggering acquisition scheme to produce an undersampled and random k–t space filling that allows for compressed sensing reconstruction and acceleration. As a standard, a self‐gated FLASH sequence with a total acquisition time of 10 min was used to produce single‐slice Cine movies of seven mouse hearts with 90 frames per cardiac cycle. Two times (2×) and three times (3×) k–t space undersampled Cine movies were produced from 2.5‐ and 1.5‐min data acquisitions, respectively. The accelerated 90‐frame Cine movies of mouse hearts were successfully reconstructed with a compressed sensing algorithm. The movies had high image quality and the undersampling artifacts were effectively removed. Left ventricular functional parameters, i.e. end‐systolic and end‐diastolic lumen surface areas and early‐to‐late filling rate ratio as a parameter to evaluate diastolic function, derived from the standard and accelerated Cine movies, were nearly identical. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface‐modified long‐chain branching hyperbranched polymer for postsurgical anti‐adhesion applications
Authors: Chang Chi‐Jung , Hsieh Shih‐Rong , Wang Chung-Chi , Hung Tsung‐Wei , Hsieh Chih‐Chiao
Published: October 2012

Hyperbranched polyurethanes with various lengths of linear segments between two branching points were synthesized by an A2 + B3 polymerization approach, where A2 is an aliphatic diisocyanate and B3 is a triol with three poly(ethylene glycol)–polycaprolactone diblock chains. The influences of the A2/B3 monomer ratio and the segment length on the gel point and thermal properties of the polymers were investigated. Crystallization behavior of the hyperbranched polymers can be controlled by tuning the segment length between two branching points. Surface restructuring is observed after oxygen plasma treatment because of the temperature effect and preferential etching effect. The effects of oxygen plasma treatment on the surface morphology, surface energy, surface chemical properties and postsurgical anti‐adhesion properties of hyperbranched polymer films were studied.
Magnetic removal of crystal violet from aqueous solutions using polysaccharide‐based magnetic nanocomposite hydrogels
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Hosseini Seyed Hassan , Seidi Farzad , Soleyman Rouhollah
Published: October 2012

Magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 starch‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid) (SPAA) nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared and used as absorbents for removal of crystal violet from aqueous solutions. Dynamic swelling, effect of contact time, absorption kinetics and nanocomposite hydrogel mass for removal of crystal violet dyes from aqueous solutions were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements were used for the characterization of the nanocomposite hydrogels. The nanocomposite hydrogels had high magnetic sensitivity under an external magnetic field, which allowed their magnetic separation from water, thus avoiding secondary pollution. The results obtained are very promising since: (i) high levels of colour removal (>85%) were achieved with low magnetic SPAA nanocomposite mass and (ii) the magnetic SPAA nanocomposites can be successfully used several times as absorbents of crystal violet in aqueous solution without needing filtration. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of temperature coefficients for III–V multi‐junction concentrator cells
Authors: Siefer Gerald , Bett Andreas W.
Published: October 2012

The temperature dependence of the I–V parameters of different III–V multi‐junction concentrator cells at several concentration levels was investigated. Moreover, the influence of spectral changes on the temperature coefficients of multi‐junction solar cells was examined. Complete sets of temperature coefficients of a metamorphic Ga0.35In0.65P/Ga0.83In0.17As dual‐junction cell, a metamorphic Ga0.35In0.65P/Ga0.83In0.17As/Ge triple‐junction cell and a lattice‐matched Ga0.50In0.50P/Ga0.99In0.01As/Ge triple‐junction cell determined under well‐controlled laboratory conditions are reported. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light trapping with titanium dioxide diffraction gratings fabricated by nanoimprinting
Authors: Wang Er‐Chien , Mokkapati Sudha , White Tom P. , Soderstrom Thomas , Varlamov Sergey , Catchpole Kylie R.
Published: October 2012

Dielectric scattering structures are a promising way of trapping light in solar cells. Titanium dioxide is a particularly attractive candidate material because of its high refractive index and ability to be deposited on a finished solar cell. Here, we present an experimental demonstration of photocurrent enhancement in thin film recrystallised silicon solar cells using TiO2 pillar arrays fabricated on the rear of the cells using nanoimprint lithography. A short circuit current enhancement of 19% is measured experimentally, and excellent agreement with numerical simulations is obtained. We show numerically that by replacing the Ag capping present on the cells with a detached rear Ag back reflector, the enhancement could reach 37%. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer synthesis of amidine‐based, CO2‐responsive homo and AB diblock (Co)polymers comprised of histamine and their gas‐triggered self‐assembly in water
Authors: Quek Jing Yang , Roth Peter J. , Evans Richard A. , Davis Thomas P. , Lowe Andrew B.
Published: October 2012

Well‐defined homopolymers of pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) and AB diblock copolymers of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA) with PFPA were prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization. Three PFPA homopolymers of different molecular weights were reacted with the commercially available amidine and guanidine species histamine (HIS) dihydrochloride and L‐arginine methyl ester (ARG) dihydrochloride in the presence of S‐methyl methanethiosulfonate to yield, quantitatively, the corresponding amidine and guanidine‐based acrylamido homopolymers. Both the HIS and ARG homopolymers are known to reversibly bind CO2 with, in the case of the former, CO2 fixation being accompanied with a switch from a hydrophobic to hydrophilic state. The RAFT synthesis of PFPA‐DMA and PEGA‐PFPA diblock copolymers yielded well‐defined materials with a range of molar compositions. These precursor materials were converted to the corresponding HIS and ARG block copolymers whose structure was confirmed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Employing a combination of dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that the DMA‐HIS and PEGA‐HIS diblock copolymers are able to undergo reversible and cyclable self‐directed assembly in aqueous media using CO2 and N2 as the triggers between fully hydrophilic and amphiphilic (assembled) states. For example, in the case of the 54:46 DMA‐HIS diblock, aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters of about 40.0 nm are readily formed from the molecularly dissolved state. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Propylene polymerization by C1‐symmetric {ONNO′}‐type salan zirconium complexes
Authors: Cohen Ad , Coates Geoffrey W. , Kol Moshe
Published: October 2012

The activities of C1‐symmetric dibenzyl zirconium complexes of Salan ligands that bear a halo‐substituted phenolate ring and an alkyl‐substituted phenolate ring in propylene polymerization with methylaluminoxane as cocatalyst were studied. These {ONNO′}ZrBn2‐type catalysts exhibited moderate‐to‐high activities and yielded polypropylene of low molecular weight. The degree of tacticity was found to depend on the steric bulk of the substituents on both phenolate rings and ranged from practically atactic to substantially isotactic (74–78% [mmmm] for polymerizations at room temperature by Lig5ZrBn2). Hemi‐isotactic polypropylene was not obtained, despite the diastereotopicity of the two positions. The pattern of stereo errors was consistent with the enantiomorphic site control of propylene insertion typically observed for C2‐symmetric catalysts and implied a facile site‐averaging mechanism. A regular 1,2‐insertion and a β‐H transfer to an incoming monomer correspond to the main propagation and termination processes, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Do cancer and treatment type affect distress?
Authors: Admiraal J. M. , Reyners A. K. L. , Hoekstra‐Weebers J. E. H. M.
Published: October 2012

Objective

We examined differences in distress levels and Distress Thermometer (DT) cutoff scores between different cancer types. The effect of socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables on distress was also examined.

Methods

One thousand three hundred fifty patients (response = 51%) completed questions on socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables, the Dutch version of the DT and Problem List, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were performed to determine cancer specific cutoff scores. Univariate and multivariate effects of socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables (including cancer type) on distress were examined.

Results

Prostate cancer patients reported significantly lower DT scores (M = 2.5 ± 2.5) and the cutoff score was lower (≥4) than in patients with most other cancer types (M varied between 3.4 and 5.1; cutoff ≥ 5). Multivariate analyses (F = 10.86, p < .001, R2 = 0.08) showed an independent significant effect of four variables on distress: intensive treatment (β = .10, any (combination of) treatment but surgery only and ‘wait and see’); a non‐prostate cancer type (β = −.17); the interaction between gender and age (β = −.12, highest distress in younger women as compared with older women and younger and older men); and the interaction between cancer type and treatment intensity (β = .08, lowest scores in prostate cancer patients receiving non‐intensive treatment as compared with their counterparts).

Conclusions

Distress and cutoff score in prostate cancer patients were lower than in patients with other cancer types. Additionally, younger women and patients receiving treatment other than surgery only or ‘wait and see’ are at risk for higher distress. These results can help identify patients possibly in need of referral to professional psychosocial and/or allied health care.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deriving major accident failure frequencies with a storybuilder analysis of reportable accidents
Authors: Manuel Henk Jan , Kooi Eelke S. , Bellamy Linda J. , Mud Martijn L. , Oh Joy I. H.
Published: October 2012

Quantitative risk analysis (QRA) is used in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom for site permitting and land‐use planning around industries with dangerous substances. For example, individual risk contours resulting from a QRA determine where houses and other types of constructions may exist or be built. Therefore, both industry and regulators ask for models and data that are up to date. Data used for input include the failure frequency of failure scenarios. In the past, updating frequencies required was undertaken through costly single snapshot investigations. As major hazard accidents are investigated by the Labor Inspectorate by decree, a possibility arises to use this accident investigation data for a progressive updating scheme. Recent major accidents in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands were analyzed with the Storybuilder method. Underlying failure causes at operational and management levels were investigated and stored in a structured database. The amount of equipment present at plants was explored using various paths. This demonstrated that failure scenarios and frequencies can be updated on a regular basis by combining the accident data with the equipment data. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Process safety management mentoring: Subjects to convey and the methods for conveying
Authors: Young Clyde W. , Hodges Keith J.
Published: October 2012

Many organizations have developed competency descriptions at various levels for personnel. These competencies generally start at awareness level and progress to more advanced levels. Process safety competency at high levels will not be achieved from training sessions alone. Work experience and productive time in the job are critical factors in achieving high‐level competency. In the recent years, organizations have experienced a loss of competent personnel through workforce depletion and have struggled to fill those positions vacated.

Young professionals are entering the workforce and while they are bright and energetic, they may lack the experience required to identify and mitigate process hazards effectively. A formalized mentoring program can help a young professional gain confidence and accelerate value to the organization.

This article will describe the elements of a formalized mentoring program, the advantages of the program, and the challenges facing those who are mentoring or being mentored.

Examples of process safety management activities applicable to the elements of the mentoring program will be presented. The first pillar of risk‐based process safety management is “commitment to process safety.” A formalized mentoring system can insure workforce involvement, compliance with company and regulatory requirements, increase the competency of personnel, and enhance the process safety culture of the entire organization. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
A fire in a secondary pharmaceutical powder transfer operation
Authors: Riedewald Frank
Published: October 2012

A fire occurred in a dust filter of a secondary pharmaceutical powder‐transfer operation. No personnel were injured. Damage to property was largely superficial confined to inside contamination of the equipment with powder, soot, and other products of incomplete combustion. The root cause of the incident can be traced back to the selection of an unsuitable filter not capable of handling low‐MIE powders more than 15 years ago. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Preparing for process safety management
Authors: Goddard Sheryl
Published: October 2012

Herein, we present the steps a small pharmaceutical research and development company is taking to prepare for process safety management (PSM). Although not regulated by PSM at the present time, the corporate growth plan is such that PSM will be a requirement within the next 2–5 years. When looking at the safety management systems in use by many major companies, safety personnel at small companies can become overwhelmed by the daunting task before them. Preparation is key for a small company that must use available resources efficiently in order to accomplish day to day activities. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Impact of insecticide and fungicide residue contact on plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), mobility and mortality: implications for pest management
Authors: Leskey Tracy C , Wright Starker E , Saguez Julien , Vincent Charles
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

An evaluation was made of the effects of seven neurotoxic insecticides (esfenvalerate, indoxacarb, clothianidin, thiacloprid, azinphosmethyl, phosmet and imidacloprid), one insect growth regulator (novaluron) and two fungicides (myclobutanin and mancozeb), with water as the control, on the horizontal mobility of plum curculios exposed to dried pesticide residues. Mobility was recorded over a 2 h period using ethological tracking software. Mortality was recorded immediately after horizontal mobility experiments and 24 h later.

RESULTS

Esfenvalerate had the greatest impact on mobility. Immediately after exposure to this compound, plum curculios moved significantly greater distances and for a significantly longer period of time compared with all other compounds. After 24 h, esfenvalerate also led to high mortality rates (>86.0%). Exposure to azinphosmethyl and phosmet also led to high rates of mortality, although the impact on mobility was less pronounced. Exposure to indoxacarb, thiacloprid, imidacloprid, novaluron, myclobutanin and mancozeb had no impact on mobility and resulted in little to no mortality. Clothianidin affected mobility after a 2 h exposure period, and high mortality (60%) was recorded after 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that, in the context of a treated orchard, plum curculios exposed to dried pesticide residues may be capable of foraging before succumbing to toxicant exposure, while exposure to pesticides such as esfenvalerate may rapidly incapacitate adult plum curculios.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Ecotoxicological characterisation of a mycoherbicide mixture isolated from the fungus Ascochyta caulina
Authors: Fumagalli Pietro , Andolfi Anna , Avolio Fabiana , Boari Angela , Cimmino Alessio , Finizio Antonio
Published: October 2012

Background

Recent studies have highlighted the possibility of using a mixture of three fungal toxins produced by Ascochyta caulina as a bioherbicide to control noxious weeds. However, to assess the commercial potential of this new bioherbicide, it is necessary to increase knowledge regarding the environmental behaviour of these toxins, and particularly their effects on non‐target organisms. A negative ecotoxicological profile of this potential bioherbicide could eventually hinder its registration.

Results

In this study, acute and chronic effects of the A. caulina toxins (ACTs) on non‐target organisms were evaluated in the laboratory. The (96 h) calculated algal ErC50 and NOEC were 142.7 and <12.5 mg L−1 respectively. For daphnids, the EC50 (48 h, acute test) was 20.1 mg L−1, whereas the NOEC (21 day chronic reproduction test) was 6.3 µg L−1. No cases of mortality, sublethal effects or abnormalities were observed in the acute and chronic tests for Brachydanio rerio at a concentration of 100 mg L−1, indicating a low toxicity of ACTs for this organism. The calculated LC50 (14 days, acute test) and NOEC (56 day chronic reproduction) for earthworms were >1000 and ≥250 mg kg−1 soil respectively.

Conclusions

The present study has provided baseline information needed to assess the potential hazard of the fungal toxins of A. caulina. In particular, the acute and chronic effects on aquatic (algae, Daphnia and fish) and terrestrial organisms (earthworms) have been highlighted. Finally, a comparison of the inherent toxicity of ACTs with other synthetic herbicides has shown comparative ecotoxicity of the tested mixture. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Target‐site mutation associated with cross‐resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in late watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola Vasing.)
Authors: Kaloumenos Nikolaos S , Chatzilazaridou Sofia L , Mylona Photini V , Polidoros Alexios N , Eleftherohorinos Ilias G
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

Studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in 29 Echinochloa accessions from water‐seeded rice fields of northern Greece and to discriminate the Echinochloa species.

RESULTS

Two E. oryzicola accessions were found to be cross‐resistant to penoxsulam, bispyribac‐sodium, imazamox, foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron, whereas all accessions were susceptible (S) to profoxydim. Sequencing of the ALS gene revealed that resistant (R) accessions had a Trp574Leu mutation, which was also confirmed by TspRI endonuclease digestion. Use of cpDNA sequence comparison analysis of Echinochloa species discriminated successfully E. crus‐galli and E. oryzicola accessions.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of Echinochloa oryzicola cross‐resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides as a result of Trp574Leu mutation. The cpDNA sequence comparison analysis is a reliable tool for discrimination of conventionally classified E. crus‐galli and E. oryzicola accessions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
HFCVD growth of various carbon nanostructures on SWCNT paper controlled by surface treatment
Authors: Varga M. , Kotlar M. , Vretenar V. , Izak T. , Ledinsky M. , Michalka M. , Skakalova V. , Kromka A. , Vesely M.
Published: October 2012

In this article, we investigate the nanocomposite material formation, particularly the deposition of nanocrystalline diamond and carbon nanowalls (CNWs) on single‐wall carbon nanotubes buckypaper (BP). One part of the buckypaper substrate was nucleated by nanodiamond powder. The growth was carried out in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) system. Contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used for the surface morphology analysis and characterization of carbon phases. Due to a different surface pretreatment, different carbon nanostructures were formed: diamond film was grown on the nucleated BP area; non‐treated area of the BP was covered with a dense field of CNWs. Covering a part of the BP surface prevented an access of the HF‐plasma and so the growth of any carbon structures.
Characterizing the luminescence properties of LiF crystal imaging detectors using femtosecond soft X‐ray monochromatic free electron laser radiation
Authors: Pikuz Tatiana , Faenov Anatoly , Fukuda Yuji , Kando Masaki , Bolton Paul , Mitrofanov Alexander , Vinogradov Alexander , Nagasono Mitsuru , Ohashi Haruhiko , Yabashi Makina , Tono Kensuke , Senba Yashinori , Togashi Tadashi , Ishikawa Tetsuya
Published: October 2012

The monochromatic soft X‐ray femtosecond pulses of the Free Electron Laser (FEL) with wavelengths of 17.2‐61.5 nm were applied for measurements of optical features of point defects photoluminescence in LiF crystals. It was observed that peak of photoluminescence spectra appears near 530 nm and is associated with emission of F3+ centers. Our results suggest that a shortening of the applied laser pulses down to pico ‐ or femtosecond duration causes redistribution of photolumi‐nescence peak intensity from the red to the green part of the spectra and does not depend on the energy of EUV or X‐ray photons. Dependence of peak intensity of photoluminescence spectra on the fluence of FEL radiation was measured. Even for relatively high fluencies a quenching phenomenon was not observed.
Temperature variation of non‐radiative recombination rate in a‐Si:H films
Authors: Ogihara C. , Morigaki K.
Published: October 2012

Temperature variation of the recombination rates has been investigated for the electron‐hole pairs responsible for defect PL in a defective a‐Si:H film as grown. The results are compared with those obtained for a high‐quality a‐Si:H film after illumination. The results of the nonradiative recombination rate are fitted by a theoretical prediction for the case of strong electron‐phonon coupling in the case of the defective a‐Si:H film similarly to the case of the illuminated high‐quality a‐Si:H film.

Difference between the frequency of the phonon associated with the non‐radiative recombination process in the defective a‐Si:H film and that in the illuminated highquality a‐Si:H film is discussed by considering the influence of the amorphous network in the a‐Si:H films affected by the preparation conditions and the nature of the native and photo‐created defects.
Optical properties of phosphorescent nano‐silicon electrochemically doped with terbium
Authors: Gelloz Bernard , Mentek Romain , Koshida Nobuyoshi
Published: October 2012

Hybrid thin films consisting of oxidized nano‐silicon doped with terbium have been fabricated. Nano‐silicon was formed by electrochemical etching of silicon wafers. Terbium was incorporated into nano‐silicon pores by electrochemical deposition. Different oxidizing thermal treatments were applied to the films. The samples treated by high‐pressure water vapor annealing (HWA) exhibited strong blue emission with a phosphorescent component, as previously reported by our group. The low temperature (260 °C) HWA also led to strong emission from Tb3+ ions, whereas typical high temperature (900 °C) treatment generally used to activate Tb3+ ions in silicon‐based materials led to less luminescent samples. Spectroscopic and dynamic analyses suggest that terbium was incorporated as a separate oxide phase in the pores of the porous nano‐silicon. The PL of the terbium phase and nano‐silicon phase exhibit different temperature and excitation power dependences suggesting little optical or electronic interaction between the two phases. The luminescence of terbium is better activated at low temperature (260 °C) than at high temperature (900 °C). The hybrid material may find some applications in photonics, for instance as a display material. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and optical properties of a naphthalimide dimer
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Ma Wenjing , Sun Jiao , Mei Kuan , Yang Min , Xie Fuli , Zhu Kaijuan , Jiang Wenjuan , Li Yajuan , Kim Hyungjoo , Son Younga
Published: October 2012

In this contribution, a new naphthalimide dimer with A‐π ‐D‐π ‐A framework was synthesized efficiently and well characterized. Its spectral properties were investigated. Significant features, such as strong solid and liquid fluorescence, usual large Stokes shift were discussed in terms of its electronic structures. In addition, it is soluble in common organic solvent and stable at ambient conditions. Optimized molecular structure shows the twisted molecular conformation, which leads to its narrow solid emission. Frontier orbital calculation indicates effective excited‐state intramolecular charge transfer (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Glass‐forming region and high refractive index of TiO2‐based glasses prepared by containerless processing
Authors: Masuno Atsunobu , Watanabe Yasuhiro , Inoue Hiroyuki , Arai Yasutomo , Yu Jianding , Kaneko Masashi
Published: October 2012

TiO2‐based high‐refractive‐index glasses without any network former oxides were fabricated by containerless processing in an aerodynamic levitation furnace. The glass‐forming region of a BaO‐LaO3/2‐TiO2 ternary system was determined. Moreover, the glass transition and crystallization temperatures of a (La1−xBax)4Ti9O24 glass system and a LaO3/2‐TiO2‐M Ox ternary system (M = Ga, Y, Gd, Hf, W, Zn Ge, Nb, Ta, Bi, and Ba) were obtained. Finally, the refractive index dispersion of LaO3/2‐TiO2‐M Ox (M = Ga, W, and Gd) was also investigated. The results indicate that these glasses are promising materials for future optical applications in the visible region. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photoluminescence of excitons and biexcitons in (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 crystals under high excitation density
Authors: Yamamoto Yasuo , Oohata Goro , Mizoguchi Kohji , Ichida Hideki , Kanematsu Yasuo
Published: October 2012

Optical properties in (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 single crystals under high density excitation have been investigated by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The PL bands associated with the Γ1, Γ2 and Γ5 excitons and the biexcitons have been observed. While the Γ2 exciton and biexciton PL intensities are proportional to the 0.9 and 1.7 power of the excitation density, respectively, the Γ5 exciton PL intensity shows the nonlinear dependence on the excitation density. The excitation‐density dependence of the PL bands is calculated by taking account of the dynamical change of the exciton and biexciton populations in an exciton‐biexciton system consisting of two exciton states and a biexciton state. The calculated results well explain the nonlinear dependence of the Γ5 exciton PL intensity on the excitation density. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cooling of the SPM cantilever by nonlinear mechanical frequency modulation with cavity‐induced radiation force
Authors: Vy Nguyen Duy , Iida Takuya
Published: October 2012

We perform a systematic analysis of the dynamics of a scanning probe microscope (SPM) cantilever incorporating the mechanical nonlinearity by the cavity‐induced radiation force (CIRF) under the random noise depending on the ambient conditions. It has been clarified that higher vibration modes emerge and modulate the mechanical frequency of the cantilever to greatly suppress its amplitude by increasing CIRF.

Particularly, we have revealed that the cooling efficiency of translational motion of cantilever can be controlled by changing the properties of ambient environment. The results and discussion here will give us guiding principles to control the sensitivity of SPM by utilizing CIRF (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Selective formation of novel fluorescent aggregates of rhodamine dyes: contribution of surface SiO2 layer and underlying Si layer
Authors: Tomioka Akihiro , Takeuchi Takaya , Takada Kouhei
Published: October 2012

Rhodamine (Rh) 6G aggregates were formed on a silicon substrate with a varying thickness surface SiO2 layer utilizing a dewetting process of Rh ethanol solution. Sufficient thickness of 30 nm SiO2 layer gave rise to fluorescent aggregates selectively, similar to those formed on a hydrophilic glass surface. Annealing at 200 oC forced a phase transition of those aggregates to fluorescence quenched state, which was also common with those formed on a hydrophilic glass surface. In contrast, sufficiently thin, e.g. naturally formed at ambient condition, 2 nm thick SiO2 layer gave rise to quenched aggregates, that was spectroscopically identical with the annealed aggregates formed on thick SiO2 layer. Whereas the quenching on sufficiently thin SiO2 layer may be partially due to a nonradiative energy transfer to underlying Si, the majority of the quenching was attributed to specific Rh molecular ordering that is thermodynamically stable than the quasi‐stable fluorescent Rh aggregates. This quasi‐stable aggregates were formed only on sufficiently thick SiO2 layer or on hydrophilic glass substrate. This finding will shed light on the disputed discrepancy of fluorescence quenching of Rh dyes deposited on SiO2 nanostripes that were formed on a Si substrate by local anodic oxidation using a conductive AFM tip. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Topological phase transition in bulk materials described by the coherent potential approximation technique
Authors: Chadov Stanislav , Kiss Janos , Kübler Jürgen , Felser Claudia
Published: October 2012

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We consider the analogy between the topological phase transition which occurs on a surface of a non‐trivial insulator as a function of spatial coordinate, and the phase transition occurring in the bulk due to the change of internal parameters (such as crystal field and spin–orbit coupling). In both cases the system exhibits a Dirac cone, which is the universal manifestation of a topological phase transition, independent of the type of the driving parameters. In particular, this leads to a simple way of determining the topological class – based solely on the bulk information – even for systems where the translational symmetry is broken by atomic disorder or by strong electron correlations. Here we demonstrate this idea, using as an example the zinc‐blende related semiconductors by means of ab‐initio fully‐relativistic band structure calculations, involving the technique of coherent potential approximation (CPA). (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Observing electronic structures on ex‐situ grown topological insulator thin films
Authors: Yao S. H. , Zhou B. , Lu M. H. , Liu Z. K. , Chen Y. B. , Analytis J. G. , Brüne C. , Dang W. H. , Mo S.‐K. , Shen Z.‐X. , Fisher I. R. , Molenkamp L. W. , Peng H. L. , Hussain Z. , Chen Y. L.
Published: October 2012

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Topological insulators represent a new state of quantum matter recently discovered with insulating bulk but conducting surface states formed by an odd number of Dirac fermions. In this Letter, we report our recent progress on the study of electronic structures of ex‐situ grown topological insulator thin films by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). We successfully obtained the topological band structures of molecular beam epitaxial HgTe and vapor–solid grown Bi2Te3 thin films after proper surface cleaning procedures. This new development will not only enable us to study more topological insulators that cannot be measured by conventional in‐situ ARPES technique (e.g. by cleaving or growing samples in‐situ), but also open the door to directly characterize the electronic properties of topological insulators used in functional devices. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Sun Ginseng on Memory Enhancement and Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Authors: Lee Chang Hwan , Kim Jong Min , Kim Dong Hyun , Park Se Jin , Liu Xiaotong , Cai Mudan , Hong Jin Gyu , Park Jeong Hill , Ryu Jong Hoon
Published: October 2012

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been used in traditional herb prescriptions for thousands of years. A heat‐processing method has been used to increase the efficacy of ginseng, yielding what is known as red ginseng. In addition, recently, a slightly modified heat‐processing method was applied to ginseng, to obtain a new type of processed ginseng with increased biological activity; this new form of ginseng is referred to as Sun ginseng (SG). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SG on memory enhancement and neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region. The subchronic administration of SG (for 14 days) significantly increased the latency time in the passive avoidance task relative to the administration of the vehicle control (P < 0.05). Western blotting revealed that the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (pERK) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAkt) were significantly increased in hippocampal tissue after 14 days of SG administration (P < 0.05). Doublecortin and 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine immunostaining revealed that SG significantly enhanced the neuronal cell proliferation and the survival of immature neurons in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal DG region. These results suggest that SG has memory‐enhancing activities and that these effects are mediated, in part, by the increase in the levels of pERK and pAkt and by the increases in cell proliferation and cell survival. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tensorial green‐function theory of atomic‐wire T‐junction transmission
Authors: Sulston Kenneth W. , Davison Sydney G.
Published: October 2012

A tensorial Green‐function treatment of the electronic transmission properties of an atomic wire T‐junction is presented within the framework of the tight‐binding approximation. The adoption of the tensorial formalism enables overlap effects to be included in a straightforward manner, without the need to resort to a change in the Hilbert space. The T‐junction structure and the presence of overlap effects both give rise to antiresonances. Although those due to the former are located inside the energy band, the latter appear at the band edges. The transmission is seen to depend in different ways on the bond energy and the overlap between the attached atom and the wire. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gaussian basis sets for molecular applications
Authors: Hill J. Grant
Published: October 2012

The choice of basis set in quantum chemical calculations can have a huge impact on the quality of the results, especially for correlated ab initio methods. This article provides an overview of the development of Gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations, with a focus on four popular families of modern atom‐centered, energy‐optimized bases: atomic natural orbital, correlation consistent, polarization consistent, and def2. The terminology used for describing basis sets is briefly covered, along with an overview of the auxiliary basis sets used in a number of integral approximation techniques and an outlook on possible future directions of basis set design. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Translation of real solid spherical harmonics
Authors: Rico Jaime Fernández , López Rafael , Ema Ignacio , Ramírez Guillermo
Published: October 2012

General formulae for the translation of both regular and irregular real solid harmonics are derived from the addition theorems of complex harmonics. The resultant expressions, being too complicated for practical purposes, are rewritten in a more compact and friendly manner. The usefulness of these simplified expressions is illustrated with two examples: the potential generated by sets of charges and multipoles in points placed far away, and the expansion in regular harmonics of the long‐range potential inside a region surrounded by pointwise charge distributions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.