bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionic liquid based lithium battery electrolytes: fundamental benefits of utilising both TFSI and FSI anions?
Authors: Kerner M. , Plylahan N. , Scheers J. , Johansson P.
Published: July 2015

Synergetic effects of FSI–TFSI mixed electrolytes?
A theoretical study of potentially observable chirality-sensitive NMR effects in molecules
Authors: Garbacz Piotr , Cukras Janusz , Jaszuński Michał
Published: July 2015

Derivatives of fluorocyclopropene have large antisymmetric parts of the fluorine nucleus shielding tensor, thus they are promising molecules for direct determination of chirality by NMR analysis.
Endohedral C3Ca@B39+and C2Ca@B39+: axially chiral metalloborospherenes based on B39−
Authors: Chen Qiang , Gao Ting , Tian Wen-Juan , Bai Hui , Zhang Su-Yan , Li Hai-Ru , Miao Chang-Qing , Mu Yue-Wen , Lu Hai-Gang , Zhai Hua-Jin , Li Si-Dian
Published: July 2015

Axially chiral endohedral metalloborospherenesC3/C2Ca@B39+predictedviafirst-principles calculations are charge-transfer complexes in nature with the universal bonding pattern of σ plus π double delocalization.
Cerium promotion on the hydrocarbon resistance of a Cu-SAPO-34 NH3-SCR monolith catalyst
Authors: Cao Yi , Lan Li , Feng Xi , Yang Zhengzheng , Zou Sha , Xu Haidi , Li Zheqi , Gong Maochu , Chen Yaoqiang
Published: July 2015

Ce was introduced to promote the HC resistance of Cu-SAPO-34, and a series of CuCe-xcatalysts with various content of Ce were prepared by a wet co-impregnation method.
An organic–inorganic hybrid photocatalyst based on sandwich-type tetra-Co-substituted phosphotungstates with high visible light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Song Bai-Qiao , Wang Xin-Long , Sun Chun-Yi , Zhang Yu-Teng , Wu Xue-Song , Yang Liu , Shao Kui-Zhan , Zhao Liang , Su Zhong-Min
Published: July 2015

A novel hybrid photocatalyst constructed from tetra-CoII-substituted sandwich-type phosphotungstates exhibits highly efficient visible light photocatalysis activity.
Reactions of α-diimine-aluminum complexes with sodium alkynides: versatile structures of aluminum σ-alkynide complexes
Authors: Zhao Yanxia , Liu Yanyan , Wu Biao , Yang Xiao-Juan
Published: July 2015

Aluminum alkynide complexes of versatile structures with 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 equivalents of alkynide (and alkyne) ligands were synthesized.
Magneto-structural variety of new 3d–4f–4(5)d heterotrimetallic complexes
Authors: Visinescu Diana , Alexandru Maria-Gabriela , Madalan Augustin M. , Pichon Céline , Duhayon Carine , Sutter Jean-Pascal , Andruh Marius
Published: July 2015

Three families of heterotrimetallic chains with different topologies, have been obtained by reacting Schiff-base bicompartmental [CuII(L1)] complexes and lanthanide(iii) salts, with (NHBu3)3[M(CN)8] (M = MoV, WV).
Formation of ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate ligands with versatile binding modes via facile carbon–sulfur bond cleavage of 2-aminobenzothiazoles at mercury(ii) centres
Authors: Al-Jibori Subhi A. , Irzoqi Ahmed A. , Al-Saraj Emad G. H. , Al-Janabi Ahmed S. M. , Basak-Modi Sucharita , Ghosh Shishir , Merzweiler Kurt , Wagner Christoph , Schmidt Harry , Hogarth Graeme
Published: July 2015

Mercuric acetate and 2-aminobenzothiazoles react to give novel ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate complexes via sulfur–carbon bond cleavage and H2 loss.
The photobioelectrochemical activity of thylakoid bioanodes is increased via photocurrent generation and improved contacts by membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolytes
Authors: Kirchhofer Nathan D. , Rasmussen Michelle A. , Dahlquist Frederick W. , Minteer Shelley D. , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: July 2015

Systematic modification of thylakoid bioanodes with conjugated oligoelectrolytes reveals the molecular structural features that enhance photobioelectrochemical devices.
Use of the distributions of adamantane acids to profile short-term temporal and pond-scale spatial variations in the composition of oil sands process-affected waters
Authors: Lengger Sabine K. , Scarlett Alan G. , West Charles E. , Frank Richard A. , Hewitt L. Mark , Milestone Craig B. , Rowland Steven J.
Published: July 2015

The tricyclic naphthenic acid distributions of two tailings ponds showed industry-dependent differences and spatial, but little short-term temporal variability.
The chemoprotection of a blueberry anthocyanin extract against the acrylamide-induced oxidative stress in mitochondria: unequivocal evidence in mice liver
Authors: Zhao Mengyao , Wang Pengpu , Zhu Yuchen , Liu Xin , Hu Xiaosong , Chen Fang
Published: July 2015

The mitochondrial mechanism of Acrylamide-induced oxidative stress.
One-touch-activated blood multidiagnostic system using a minimally invasive hollow microneedle integrated with a paper-based sensor
Authors: Li Cheng Guo , Joung Hyou-Arm , Noh Hyungrye , Song Mun-Bum , Kim Min-Gon , Jung Hyungil
Published: July 2015

One-touch-activated blood multidiagnostic system using a minimally invasive hollow microneedle integrated with a paper-based sensor.
Engineering reprogrammable RNA-binding proteins for study and manipulation of the transcriptome
Authors: Abil Zhanar , Zhao Huimin
Published: July 2015

With the expanding interest in RNA biology, interest in artificial RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is likewise increasing.
Correction: Discovery, synthesis and structure–activity analysis of symmetrical 2,7-disubstituted fluorenones as urea transporter inhibitors
Authors: Lee Sujin , Esteva-Font Cristina , Phuan Puay-Wah , Anderson Marc O. , Verkman A. S.
Published: July 2015

Correction for ‘Discovery, synthesis and structure–activity analysis of symmetrical 2,7-disubstituted fluorenones as urea transporter inhibitors’ by Sujin Lee et al., Med. Chem. Commun., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5md00198f.
Hierarchical hollow ZnO cubes constructed using self-sacrificial ZIF-8 frameworks and their enhanced benzene gas-sensing properties
Authors: Li Wenhui , Wu Xiaofeng , Liu Haidi , Chen Jiayuan , Tang Wenxiang , Chen Yunfa
Published: July 2015

Hierarchical ZnO hollow cubes constructed using Zn-based metal–organic frameworks enhance significantly chemical sensitivity towards low-concentration gaseous benzene.
Nano- and microstructured silver films synthesised by halide-assisted electroless plating
Authors: Muench Falk , Juretzka Benjamin , Narayan Suman , Radetinac Aldin , Flege Stefan , Schaefer Sandra , Stark Robert W. , Ensinger Wolfgang
Published: July 2015

Halide-directed particle growth is introduced as a new structuring tool for Ag plating and used to create biomimetic, superhydrophobic coatings.
Atomic layer deposition in nanostructured photovoltaics: tuning optical, electronic and surface properties
Authors: Palmstrom Axel F. , Santra Pralay K. , Bent Stacey F.
Published: July 2015

This review highlights applications of atomic layer deposition for third generation photovoltaics, including light absorption, barrier layer formation and passivation.
Enhancing carrier generation in TiO2 by a synergistic effect between plasmon resonance in Ag nanoparticles and optical interference
Authors: Cacciato Giuseppe , Bayle Maxime , Pugliara Alessandro , Bonafos Caroline , Zimbone Massimo , Privitera Vittorio , Grimaldi Maria Grazia , Carles Robert
Published: July 2015

Vibrations and electronic excitations are used as probes for carrier injection, light capture and SERS in Ag/TiO2 nano-composites.
Non-linear optical response by functionalized gold nanospheres: identifying design principles to maximize the molecular photo-release
Authors: Bergamini Luca , Voliani Valerio , Cappello Valentina , Nifosì Riccardo , Corni Stefano
Published: July 2015

Light-triggered release of payload molecules from functionalized metal nanoparticles is achieved by photocleaving a molecular bridgeviamolecular absorption of plasmon-assisted non-linearly generated light.
Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)/ethylene methacrylate copolymer (EMA)/sepiolite nanocomposite via a facile one-step covalent modification technique
Authors: Bhagabati Purabi , Chaki Tapan K. , Khastgir Dipak
Published: July 2015

Facile one-step organo-modification of sepiolite improves polymer–filler interfacial adhesion, thereby advances mechanical properties and thermal stability of the CPE/EMA/sepiolite nanocomposite.
Synthesis, characterization of silicon(iv) compounds containing 2-alkyl-aminopyridine ligands and evaluation of them as CVD precursors
Authors: Du Liyong , Chu Wenxiang , Xu Chongying , Miao Hongyan , Ding Yuqiang
Published: July 2015

A family of silicon(iv) compounds, where the Si centers of trimethylsilyl (–SiMe3) are linked with 2-alkyl-aminopyridine ligands, has been synthesized by reaction of the corresponding lithium salt of these ligands and SiMe3Cl in a general procedure.
Moderate surface acetylation of nanofibrillated cellulose for the improvement of paper strength and barrier properties
Authors: Mashkour Mozhdeh , Afra Elyas , Resalati Hossein , Mashkour Mahdi
Published: July 2015

This study evaluated the effect of using acetylated nanofibrillated cellulose (ANFC) and acetylated pulp (AP) fibers to modify strength and barrier properties of paper.
The beneficial effects of trifluoromethyl-substituents on the photoconversion efficiency of copper(i) dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Brunner Fabian , Klein Y. Maximilian , Keller Sarah , Morris Collin D. , Prescimone Alessandro , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E.
Published: July 2015

DSCs containing copper(i) bis(diimine) dyes with CF3groups show photoconversion efficiencies of ≈30–34% relative to N719 set at 100%.
Self-assembly of nano-ellipsoids into ordered structures via vertical deposition
Authors: Dugyala Venkateshwar Rao , Basavaraj Madivala G.
Published: July 2015

By exploiting DLVO interactions, we demonstrate a single step bottom-up approach to self-assemble nano-ellipsoids into three dimensional ordered structures via a vertical deposition technique.
An extremely highly recoverable clay-supported Pd nanoparticle catalyst for solvent-free Heck–Mizoroki reactions
Authors: Martínez Alejandro V. , Leal-Duaso Alejandro , García José I. , Mayoral José A.
Published: July 2015

Palladium nanoparticles supported onto LAPONITE® clay are shown to be robust and highly recoverable catalysts (up to 75 catalytic cycles) for Mizoroki–Heck reactions.
Fast diffusion supercapacitors via an ultra-high pore volume of crumpled 3D structure reduced graphene oxide activation
Authors: Lee Keunsik , Kim Doyoung , Yoon Yeoheung , Yang Junghee , Yun Ho-Gyeong , You In-Kyu , Lee Hyoyoung
Published: July 2015

In order to obtain a high performance supercapacitor, our a-NSrGO for crumpled 3D structure graphene maintains a high specific surface area and total pore volume with a wide pore size distribution, leading to the fast diffusion rate of electrolyte ions.
Morphology controlled growth of ZnAl-layered double hydroxide and ZnO nanorod hybrid nanostructures by solution method
Authors: Baek Seong-Ho , Nam Gwang-Hee , Park Il-Kyu
Published: July 2015

Morphological evolution of ZnAl-based hybrid nanostructures from ZnAl layered double hydroxide to ZnO nanorods grown by a hydrothermal method depending on the thickness of the Al2O3/ZnO double seed layer.
Saliramophenol, an unprecedented natural t-butylphenol derivative from Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods
Authors: Isca V. M. S. , Seca A. M. L. , Pinto D. C. G. A. , Silva H. , Silva A. M. S.
Published: July 2015

A unique skeleton-type compound with four t-butyl groups, named saliramophenol, was identified in Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods aerial parts.
Electrochemical ecology: VIMP monitoring of plant defense against external stressors
Authors: Doménech-Carbó Antonio , Cebrián-Torrejón Gerardo , Lopes-Souto Augusto , Martins-de-Moraes Marcilio , Jorge-Kato Massuo , Fechine-Tavares Josean , Barbosa-Filho José Maria
Published: July 2015

The voltammetric response of microparticulate films from ethanolic leaf extracts is used to monitor the defense of plants against external stressors and chemical communication.
Potential antiviral activities of camel, bovine, and human lactoperoxidases against hepatitis C virus genotype 4
Authors: Redwan Elrashdy M. , Almehdar Hussein A. , EL-Fakharany Esmail M. , Baig Abdul-Wahab K. , Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: July 2015

Lactoperoxidases (LPOs) were assayed against hepatitis C virus (HCV) using PCR. Direct interaction of HCV with LPO neutralized the viral particles and prevented entry into cells. LPOs inhibited virus amplification in infected HepG2 cells with a relative activity of 100%.
Cucurbit[8]uril directed stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer brushes for dynamic surface engineering
Authors: Hu Chi , Tian Feng , Zheng Yu , Tan Cindy Soo Yun , West Kevin R. , Scherman Oren A.
Published: July 2015

Dual stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer brushes are attached to the surface with cucurbit[8]uril-rotaxanes for dynamic surface engineering.
Overcoming aggregation in indium salen catalysts for isoselective lactide polymerization
Authors: Aluthge D. C. , Ahn J. M. , Mehrkhodavandi P.
Published: July 2015

A methodology for controlling aggregation in highly active and isoselective indium catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of racemic lactide is reported.
Tuning the singlet-triplet energy gap: a unique approach to efficient photosensitizers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics
Authors: Xu Shidang , Yuan Youyong , Cai Xiaolei , Zhang Chong-Jing , Hu Fang , Liang Jing , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing , Liu Bin
Published: July 2015

The efficiency of the intersystem crossing process can be improved by reducing the energy gap between the singlet and triplet excited states (ΔEST), which offers the opportunity to improve the yield of the triplet excited state.
Biosynthetic insights provided by unusual sesterterpenes from the medicinal herb Aletris farinosa
Authors: Challinor Victoria L. , Johnston Ryne C. , Bernhardt Paul V. , Lehmann Reginald P. , Krenske Elizabeth H. , De Voss James J.
Published: July 2015

Configuration of a single stereocenter determines if a key carbocation in sesterterpene biosynthesis undergoes simple elimination or a cascade of seven 1,2-methyl and hydride migrations.
Directed cardiomyogenesis of human pluripotent stem cells by modulating Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signalling with small molecules
Authors: Aguilar Jose S. , Begum Aynun N. , Alvarez Jonathan , Zhang Xiao-bing , Hong Yiling , Hao Jijun
Published: July 2015

Cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a potential cell source for regenerative medicine, disease modelling and drug development. However, current approaches for in vitro cardiac differentiation of human PSCs are often time-consuming, heavily depend on expensive growth factors and involve the tedious formation of embryonic bodies whose signalling pathways are difficult to precisely modulate due to their complex microenvironments. In the present study, we report a new small molecule-based differentiation approach, which significantly promoted contracting cardiomyocytes in human PSCs in a monolayer format in as little as 7 days, in contrast with most traditional differentiation methods that usually take up to 3 weeks for cardiomyogenesis. This approach consists in activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling at day 0–1 with small molecule CHIR99021 (CH) followed by inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling at day 1–4 with DMH1 [termed as CH(0-1)/DMH1(1-4) treatment], a selective small molecule BMP inhibitor reported by us previously. Our study further demonstrated that the CH(0-1)/DMH1(1-4) treatment significantly promotes cardiac formation via mesoderm and mesoderm-derived cardiac progenitor cells without impacts on either endoderm or ectoderm differentiation of human PSCs. This rapid, efficient and inexpensive small molecule-based cardiomyogenic method may potentially harness the use of human PSCs in regenerative medicine as well as other applications.
Current generator for 6‐bit active phase shifter
Authors: Quan Xing , Zhuang Yiqi , Li Zhenrong , Zhang Yanlong , Jing Kai , Zhan Jinsong
Published: July 2015

A current generator for a broadband 6‐bit active phase shifter (PS) with low RMS phase error and low RMS gain error using 0.18 μm BiCMOS technology is presented. The ratio of two output currents of the current generator determines the phase shift. In the proposed current generator, the two output currents are controlled independently, which makes it possible that the ratio of the two output currents can be accurately approaching the desired value. The control scheme for 6‐bit phase generation is set such that the sum of the two output currents is constant for all phase states and results in a constant gain. With the proposed current generator, the 6‐bit active PS obtains a RMS phase error less than 2.5° and a RMS gain error less than 0.55 dB at 5–20 GHz.
Vacant parking area estimation through background subtraction and transience map analysis
Authors: del Postigo Carlos Gálvez , Torres Juan , Menéndez José Manuel
Published: July 2015

A method for estimating the dimensions of non‐delimited free parking areas by using a static surveillance camera is proposed. The proposed method is specially designed to tackle the main challenges of urban scenarios (multiple moving objects, outdoor illumination conditions and occlusions between vehicles) with no training. The core of this work is the temporal analysis of the video frames to detect the occupancy variation of the parking areas. Two techniques are combined: background subtraction using a mixture of Gaussians to detect and track vehicles and the creation of a transience map to detect the parking and leaving of vehicles. The authors demonstrate that the proposed method yields satisfactory estimates on three real scenarios while being a low computational cost solution that can be applied in any kind of parking area covered by a single camera.
Review on the Infomobility Quality – a new framework
Authors: Arena Marika , Azzone Giovanni , Malpezzi Silvia
Published: July 2015

Infomobility systems are spreading across the world, attracting the attention of policy‐makers and practitioners from a variety of industries. However, several studies have asserted that they not always are effective in improving transport systems, since they do not convey the required information to mobility managers and customers. On the basis of existing academic contributions in the transport information quality and information quality literature, this study addresses the concept of Infomobility Quality, proposing a comprehensive framework that encompasses the main quality dimensions to be considered in the design and assessment of the quality and potential effectiveness of the Infomobility system. This study aims to fill a literature gap and to provide transport system decision‐makers with an instrument to develop and improve Infomobility systems.
High-resolution simulations of downslope gravity currents in the acceleration phase
Authors: Dai Albert
Published: July 2015

Gravity currents generated from an instantaneous buoyancy source propagating down a slope in the range of 0∘ ≤ θ < 90∘ have been investigated in the acceleration phase by means of high-resolution two-dimensional simulations of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with the Boussinesq approximation. Front velocity history shows that, after the heavy fluid is released from rest, the flow goes through the acceleration phase, reaching a maximum front velocity Uf,max, and followed by the deceleration phase. The existence of a maximum of Uf,max is found near θ = 40∘, which is supported by the improved theory. It is identified for the first time that the time of acceleration decreases as the slope angle increases, when the slope angle is approximately greater than 10∘, and the time of acceleration increases as the slope angle increases for gravity currents on lower slope angles. A fundamental difference in flow patterns, which helps explain the distinct characteristics of gravity currents on high and low slope angles using scaling arguments, is revealed. Energy budgets further show that, as the slope angle increases, the ambient fluid is more easily engaged in the gravitational convection and the potential energy loss is more efficiently converted into the kinetic energy associated with ambient fluid. The propagation of gravity currents on a slope is found to be qualitatively modified as the depth ratio, i.e., the lock height to channel height ratio, approaches unity. As the depth ratio increases, the conversion of potential energy loss into the kinetic energy associated with heavy fluid is inhibited and the conversion into the kinetic energy associated with ambient fluid is enhanced by the confinement of the top wall.
Hydration-dependent dynamics of human telomeric oligonucleotides in the picosecond timescale: A neutron scattering study
Authors: Sebastiani F. , Longo M. , Orecchini A. , Comez L. , De Francesco A. , Muthmann M. , Teixeira S. C. M. , Petrillo C. , Sacchetti F. , Paciaroni A.
Published: July 2015

The dynamics of the human oligonucleotide AG3(T2AG3)3 has been investigated by incoherent neutron scattering in the sub-nanosecond timescale. A hydration-dependent dynamical activation of thermal fluctuations in weakly hydrated samples was found, similar to that of protein powders. The amplitudes of such thermal fluctuations were evaluated in two different exchanged wave-vector ranges, so as to single out the different contributions from intra- and inter-nucleotide dynamics. The activation energy was calculated from the temperature-dependent characteristic times of the corresponding dynamical processes. The trends of both amplitudes and activation energies support a picture where oligonucleotides possess a larger conformational flexibility than long DNA sequences. This additional flexibility, which likely results from a significant relative chain-end contribution to the average chain dynamics, could be related to the strong structural polymorphism of the investigated oligonucleotides.
Analysis of Wien filter spectra from Hall thruster plumes
Authors: Huang Wensheng , Shastry Rohit
Published: July 2015

A method for analyzing the Wien filter spectra obtained from the plumes of Hall thrusters is derived and presented. The new method extends upon prior work by deriving the integration equations for the current and species fractions. Wien filter spectra from the plume of the NASA-300M Hall thruster are analyzed with the presented method and the results are used to examine key trends. The new integration method is found to produce results slightly different from the traditional area-under-the-curve method. The use of different velocity distribution forms when performing curve-fits to the peaks in the spectra is compared. Additional comparison is made with the scenario where the current fractions are assumed to be proportional to the heights of peaks. The comparison suggests that the calculated current fractions are not sensitive to the choice of form as long as both the height and width of the peaks are accounted for. Conversely, forms that only account for the height of the peaks produce inaccurate results. Also presented are the equations for estimating the uncertainty associated with applying curve fits and charge-exchange corrections. These uncertainty equations can be used to plan the geometry of the experimental setup.
Exchange Coulomb interaction in nanotubes: Dispersion of Langmuir waves
Authors: Andreev P. A. , Ivanov A. Yu.
Published: July 2015

The microscopic derivation of the Coulomb exchange interaction for electrons located on the nanotubes is presented. The derivation is based on the many-particle quantum hydrodynamic method. We demonstrate the effect of curvature of the nanocylinders on the force of exchange interaction. We calculate corresponding dispersion dependencies for electron oscillations on the nanotubes.
Controlling the plasmonic surface waves of metallic nanowires by transformation optics
Authors: Liu Yichao , Yuan Jun , Yin Ge , He Sailing , Ma Yungui
Published: July 2015

In this letter, we introduce the technique of using transformation optics to manipulate the mode states of surface plasmonic waves of metallic nanowire waveguides. As examples we apply this technique to design two optical components: a three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic mode rotator and a mode convertor. The rotator can rotate the polarization state of the surface wave around plasmonic nanowires by arbitrarily desired angles, and the convertor can transform the surface wave modes from one to another. Full-wave simulation is performed to verify the design and efficiency of our devices. Their potential application in photonic circuits is envisioned.
Quantum dots in single electron transistors with ultrathin silicon-on-insulator structures
Authors: Ihara S. , Andreev A. , Williams D. A. , Kodera T. , Oda S.
Published: July 2015

We report on fabrication and transport properties of lithographically defined single quantum dots (QDs) in single electron transistors with ultrathin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. We observed comparatively large charging energy EC∼20 meV derived from the stability diagram at a temperature of 4.2 K. We also carried out three-dimensional calculations of the capacitance matrix and transport properties through the QD for the real structure geometry and found an excellent quantitative agreement with experiment of the calculated main parameters of stability diagram (charging energy, period of Coulomb oscillations, and asymmetry of the diamonds). The obtained results confirm fabrication of well-defined integrated QDs as designed with ultrathin SOI that makes it possible to achieve relatively large QD charging energies, which is useful for stable and high temperature operation of single electron devices.
Highly tunable perpendicularly magnetized synthetic antiferromagnets for biotechnology applications
Authors: Vemulkar T. , Mansell R. , Petit D. C. M. C. , Cowburn R. P. , Lesniak M. S.
Published: July 2015

Magnetic micro and nanoparticles are increasingly used in biotechnological applications due to the ability to control their behavior through an externally applied field. We demonstrate the fabrication of particles made from ultrathin perpendicularly magnetized CoFeB/Pt layers with antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling. The particles are characterized by zero moment at remanence, low susceptibility at low fields, and a large saturated moment created by the stacking of the basic coupled bilayer motif. We demonstrate the transfer of magnetic properties from thin films to lithographically defined 2 μm particles which have been lifted off into solution. We simulate the minimum energy state of a synthetic antiferromagnetic bilayer system that is free to rotate in an applied field and show that the low field susceptibility of the system is equal to the magnetic hard axis followed by a sharp switch to full magnetization as the field is increased. This agrees with the experimental results and explains the behaviour of the particles in solution.
Velocity derivative skewness in fractal-generated, non-equilibrium grid turbulence
Authors: Hearst R. J. , Lavoie P.
Published: July 2015

The evolution of the velocity derivative skewness, S(∂u/∂x), is investigated along two streamwise axes and four transverse positions in the wake of a square-fractal-element grid. In the near-field, the produced turbulence exhibits non-equilibrium characteristics including Cϵ∼ReMα/ReLβ. In the far-field, the turbulence agrees with canonical grid turbulence results and Cϵ is approximately constant. It is found that in the non-equilibrium region, the value of −S(∂u/∂x) is dependent on both streamwise and transverse positions, but after a sufficient decay period, it takes on a near constant value in the far-field. It is demonstrated that the evolution Cϵ approximately corresponds to that of −S(∂u/∂x), which is suggestive that some of the non-equilibrium properties are likely a result of residual strain from the turbulence generating conditions.
Spin-orbit torque induced magnetization switching in nano-scale Ta/CoFeB/MgO
Authors: Zhang C. , Fukami S. , Sato H. , Matsukura F. , Ohno H.
Published: July 2015

We study the device size dependence of spin-orbit torque induced magnetization switching in a Ta/CoFeB/MgO structure with perpendicular easy axis. The miniaturization of the device from micrometer-sized wire to 80-nm dot results in the increase of the threshold current density Jth by one order, whereas Jth increases only slightly with further reducing the device size down to 30 nm. No significant increase in Jth is seen, as the current pulse width decreases from 100 ms down to 3 ns. We reveal that the switching in devices at reduced size is reasonably well explained by the macrospin model, in which the effects of both the Slonczewski-like torque and field-like torque are included.
A modified two-state empirical valence bond model for proton transport in aqueous solutions
Authors: Mabuchi Takuya , Fukushima Akinori , Tokumasu Takashi
Published: July 2015

A detailed analysis of the proton solvation structure and transport properties in aqueous solutions is performed using classical molecular dynamics simulations. A refined two-state empirical valence bond (aTS-EVB) method, which is based on the EVB model of Walbran and Kornyshev and the anharmonic water force field, is developed in order to describe efficiently excess proton transport via the Grotthuss mechanism. The new aTS-EVB model clearly satisfies the requirement for simpler and faster calculation, because of the simplicity of the two-state EVB algorithm, while providing a better description of diffusive dynamics of the excess proton and water in comparison with the previous two-state EVB models, which significantly improves agreement with the available experimental data. The results of activation energies for the excess proton and water calculated between 300 and 340 K (the temperature range used in this study) are also found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data.
Wideband superconducting nanotube electrometer
Authors: Häkkinen Pasi , Fay Aurélien , Golubev Dmitry , Lähteenmäki Pasi , Hakonen Pertti
Published: July 2015

We have investigated the microwave response of nanotube Josephson junctions at 600–900 MHz at microwave powers corresponding to currents from 0 to 2 × IC in the junction. Compared with theoretical modeling, the response of the junctions corresponds well to the lumped element model of resistively and capacitively shunted junction. We demonstrate the operation of these superconducting FETs as charge detectors at high frequencies without any matching circuits. Gate-voltage-induced charge QG modifies the critical current IC, which changes the effective impedance of the junction under microwave irradiation. This change, dependent on the transfer characteristics dIC/dQG, modifies the reflected signal and it can be used for wide band electrometry. We measure a sensitivity of 3.1×10−5 e/Hz from a sample which has a maximum switching current of 2.6 nA.
Evidence of large magneto-dielectric effect coupled to a metamagnetic transition in Yb2CoMnO6
Authors: Blasco J. , García-Muñoz J. L. , García J. , Stankiewicz J. , Subías G. , Ritter C. , Rodríguez-Velamazán J. A.
Published: July 2015

The double perovskite Yb2CoMnO6 has been synthesized with an almost perfect checkerboard arrangement of Co2+ and Mn4+ cations in the B-sublattice of the perovskite cell. It presents an anomaly in the electric capacitance and a strong magneto-dielectric effect at about 40 K whose interplay with the microscopic magnetic behavior has been investigated by means of neutron diffraction, magnetization, pyroelectric, and relative dielectric permittivity measurements. We show that the onset of an E-type antiferromagnetic ordering of Co2+ and Mn4+ moments monitored by neutron diffraction provokes the noticeable jump of the relative dielectric permittivity (∼9%) at about 40 K. It is also shown that this jump can be totally suppressed by application of a magnetic field of μ0H = 5 T. Neutron experiments and magnetic measurements confirm that such a suppression leading to a significant magneto-dielectric effect is driven by a metamagnetic phase transition from the peculiar E-type ordering of 3d moments into a collinear ferromagnetic order. Pyroelectric current measurements do not show any spontaneous electric polarization, so the large dielectric anomaly at zero field cannot be ascribed to a ferroelectric ordering.
Large magneto-optic enhancement in ultra-thin liquid-phase-epitaxy iron garnet films
Authors: Levy Miguel , Chakravarty A. , Huang H.-C. , Osgood R. M.
Published: July 2015

Significant departures from bulk-like magneto-optic behavior are found in ultra-thin bismuth-substituted iron-garnet films grown by liquid-phase-epitaxy. These changes are due, at least in part, to geometrical factors and not to departures from bulk-composition in the transient layer at the film-substrate interface. A monotonic increase in specific Faraday rotation with reduced thickness is the signature feature of the observed phenomena. These are traced to size-dependent modifications in the diamagnetic transition processes responsible for the Faraday rotation. These processes correspond to the electronic transitions from singlet 6S ground states to spin-orbit split excited states of the Fe3+ ions in the garnet. A measurable reduction in the corresponding ferrimagnetic resonance linewidths is found, thus pointing to an increase in electronic relaxation times and longer lived excitations at reduced thicknesses. These changes together with a shift in vibrational frequency of the Bi-O bonds in the garnet at reduced thicknesses result in greatly enhanced magneto-optical performance. These studies were conducted on epitaxial monocrystalline Bi0.8Gd0.2Lu2Fe5O12 films.
Simulations of hybrid system varying solar radiation and microturbine response time
Authors: Fernández Ribaya Yolanda , Álvarez Eduardo , Paredes Sánchez José Pablo , Xiberta Bernat Jorge
Published: July 2015

Hybrid power systems, such as combinations of renewable power sources with intermittent power production and non-renewable power sources, theoretically increase the reliability and thus integration of renewable sources in the electrical system. However, a recent increase in the number of hybrid installations has sparked interest in the effects of their connection to the grid, especially in remote areas. This paper analyses a photovoltaic-gas microturbine hybrid system dimensioned to be installed in La Paz (Mexico).The research presented in this paper studies and quantifies the effects on the total electric power produced, varying both the solar radiation and the gas microturbine response time. The gas microturbine and the photovoltaic panels are modelled using Matlab/Simulink software, obtaining a platform where different tests to simulate real conditions have been executed. They consist of diverse ramps of irradiance that replicate solar radiation variations, and different microturbine response times reproduced by the time constants of a first order transfer function that models the microturbine dynamic response. The results obtained show that when radiation varies quickly it does not produce significant differences in the power guarantee or the microturbine gas consumption, to any microturbine response time. However, these two parameters are highly variable with smooth radiance variations. The maximum total power variation decreases greatly as the radiation variation gets lower. In addition, by decreasing the microturbine response time, it is possible to appreciably increase the power guarantee although the maximum power variation and gas consumption increase. Only in cases of low radiation variation is there no appreciable difference in the maximum power variation obtained by the different turbine response times.
Te-doping of self-catalyzed GaAs nanowires
Authors: Suomalainen S. , Hakkarainen T. V. , Salminen T. , Koskinen R. , Honkanen M. , Luna E. , Guina Mircea
Published: July 2015

Tellurium (Te)-doping of self-catalyzed GaAs nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy is reported. The effect of Te-doping on the morphological and crystal structure of the NWs is investigated by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The study reveals that the lateral growth rate increases and axial growth rate decreases with increasing Te doping level. The changes in the NW morphology can be reverted to some extent by changing the growth temperature. At high doping levels, formation of twinning superlattice is observed alongside with the {111}-facetted sidewalls. Finally, the incorporation of Te is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.
Ferroelectric-field-effect-enhanced resistance performance of TiN/Si:HfO2/oxygen-deficient HfO2/TiN resistive switching memory cells
Authors: Jiang Ran , Wu Zhengran , Du Xianghao , Han Zuyin , Sun Weideng
Published: July 2015

Greatly improved resistance performance, including high resistance ratio between the high resistance state and the low resistance state, long-time retention, and reliable endurance, was observed in TiN/Si:HfO2/oxygen-deficient HfO2/TiN memory cells. The enhanced resistance ratio is ascribed to the creation/elimination of an extra barrier in oxygen-deficient HfO2 layer in response to the polarization reversal in the ferroelectric Si:HfO2 layer. Along with the enhanced resistance ratio, the long retention and good endurance make the proposed device a promising candidate for non-volatile resistive memories.
Study of Vertical and Lateral Charge Transport Properties of DPP-Based Polymer/PC61BM Films Using Space Charge Limited Current (SCLC) and Field Effect Transistor Methods and their Effects on Photovoltaic Characteristics
Authors: Murphy Leanne , Sun Bin , Hong Wei , Aziz Hany , Li Yuning
Published: July 2015

We studied the vertical and lateral charge transport characteristics of a diketopyrrolopyrrole polymer donor (D)–PC61BM acceptor (A) system by measuring the space charge limited current (SCLC) mobility and field-effect mobility respectively. It was found that with an increase in annealing temperature, the SCLC hole mobility decreased for the pure polymer (PDBFBT) but increased for the PDBFBT:PC61BM blends, which could be explained by changes in the crystallinity and crystal orientation (edge-on versus face-on). The pure PDBFBT and most blend films showed the maximum field-effect hole mobility (µh) when annealed at 100°C, which then declined as the annealing temperature was further increased. Surprisingly, the D/A = 1/1 blend films annealed at high temperatures exhibited an abrupt increase in the field-effect µh. This unusual phenomenon was interpreted by the antiplasticization effect of PC61BM, which promoted the molecular organization of the polymer. The effect of annealing on the carrier mobility was further correlated with the performance of inverted organic solar cell devices with the PDBFBT:PC61BM blend (D/A = 1/3). Thermal annealing at high temperatures (>100°C) was found to obstruct electron transport and cause the device performance to significantly deteriorate.
The structure of the male proboscis in the New Guinean tree frogs, Litoria pronimia and Litoria havina (Anura : Hylidae)
Authors: Menzies J. I. , Johnston G. R.
Published: July 2015

At least three species of New Guinean tree frogs (Litoria) are sexually dimorphic in that the snout of the male is projected into a proboscis, which is poorly developed or absent in females. In this paper the anatomy of the proboscis in the male Litoria pronimia is described and compared with the structure of the smaller proboscis of Litoria havina, described previously. We note that it appears to be erectile, speculate on the possible method of erection and suggest directions for future research.
Constructing Japanese men’s multidimensional identities
Authors: Itakura Hiroko
Published: July 2015

Most previous studies of language and gender have focused on English as well as women’s language. The present study focuses on context dependency and the multiple functions of Japanese men’s language, or “masculine Japanese.” It reports a case study that qualitatively analyzes four conversations between a Japanese male and a female speaker collected in a naturalistic setting. The findings suggest the specific nature of the mixed-gender pair is important in examining these aspects. In mixed pairs where the male speaker is in a superior position to the female speaker, his use of masculine Japanese may be limited in “direct talk” or when he is directly addressing his female interlocutor because of their relatively hierarchical interpersonal relationship. On the other hand, his use of masculine language may be more frequent in direct quotations used to reveal his inner thoughts or simulate male speakers’ speech from prior contexts during his storytelling. In each context, masculine Japanese seems to have different functions. In direct talk, it provides linguistic resources for constructing traditional masculinities, even if they are not necessarily used, for example, when his relative status is a more salient feature than his gender. By contrast, in direct quotation, masculine language may be used as an involvement strategy or to consolidate solidarity, thus constructing different dimensions of interpersonal relationships in the mixed pair, though it may also be used as an entertainment strategy. The paper also discusses the need for a more holistic approach by including interactional features in research on gender and Japanese language.
Modelling the multidimensional niche by linking functional traits to competitive performance
Authors: Maynard Daniel S. , Leonard Kenneth E. , Drake John M. , Hall David W. , Crowther Thomas W. , Bradford Mark A.
Published: July 2015

Linking competitive outcomes to environmental conditions is necessary for understanding species' distributions and responses to environmental change. Despite this importance, generalizable approaches for predicting competitive outcomes across abiotic gradients are lacking, driven largely by the highly complex and context-dependent nature of biotic interactions. Here, we present and empirically test a novel niche model that uses functional traits to model the niche space of organisms and predict competitive outcomes of co-occurring populations across multiple resource gradients. The model makes no assumptions about the underlying mode of competition and instead applies to those settings where relative competitive ability across environments correlates with a quantifiable performance metric. To test the model, a series of controlled microcosm experiments were conducted using genetically related strains of a widespread microbe. The model identified trait microevolution and performance differences among strains, with the predicted competitive ability of each organism mapped across a two-dimensional carbon and nitrogen resource space. Areas of coexistence and competitive dominance between strains were identified, and the predicted competitive outcomes were validated in approximately 95% of the pairings. By linking trait variation to competitive ability, our work demonstrates a generalizable approach for predicting and modelling competitive outcomes across changing environmental contexts.
SPARTA: Simple Program for Automated reference-based bacterial RNA-seq Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Johnson Benjamin K. , Scholz Matthew B. , Teal Tracy K. , Abramovitch Robert B.
Published: July 2015

SPARTA is a reference-based bacterial RNA-seq analysis workflow application for single-end Illumina reads. SPARTA is turnkey software that simplifies the process of analyzing RNA-seq data sets, making bacterial RNA-seq analysis a routine process that can be undertaken on a personal computer or in the classroom. The easy-to-install, complete workflow processes whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing data files by trimming reads and removing adapters, mapping reads to a reference, counting gene features, calculating differential gene expression, and, importantly, checking for potential batch effects within the data set. SPARTA outputs quality analysis reports, gene feature counts and differential gene expression tables and scatterplots. The workflow is implemented in Python for file management and sequential execution of each analysis step and is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and Linux. To promote the use of SPARTA as a teaching platform, a web-based tutorial is available explaining how RNA-seq data are processed and analyzed by the software.

Availability and Implementation

Tutorial and workflow can be found at sparta.readthedocs.org. Teaching materials are located atsparta-teaching.readthedocs.org. Source code can be downloaded atwww.github.com/abramovitchMSU/, implemented in Python and supported on Mac OS X, Linux, and MS Windows.

Contact

Robert B. Abramovitch (abramov5@msu.edu)

Supplemental Information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Livestock market data for modeling disease spread among US cattle
Authors: Carroll Ian T. , Bansal Shweta
Published: July 2015

Transportation of livestock carries the risk of spreading foreign animal diseases, leading to costly public and private sector expenditures on disease containment and eradication. Livestock movement tracing systems in Europe, Australia and Japan have allowed epidemiologists to model the risks engendered by transportation of live animals and prepare responses designed to protect the livestock industry. Within the US, data on livestock movement is not sufficient for direct parameterization of models for disease spread, but network models that assimilate limited data provide a path forward in model development to inform preparedness for disease outbreaks in the US. Here, we develop a novel data stream, the information publicly reported by US livestock markets on the origin of cattle consigned at live auctions, and demonstrate the potential for estimating a national-scale network model of cattle movement. By aggregating auction reports generated weekly at markets in several states, including some archived reports spanning several years, we obtain a market-oriented sample of edges from the dynamic cattle transportation network in the US. We first propose a sampling framework that allows inference about shipments originating from operations not explicitly sampled and consigned at non-reporting livestock markets in the US, and we report key predictors that are influential in extrapolating beyond our opportunistic sample. As a demonstration of the utility gained from the data and fitted parameters, we model the critical role of market biosecurity procedures in the context of a spatially homogeneous but temporally dynamic representation of cattle movements following an introduction of a foreign animal disease. We conclude that auction market data fills critical gaps in our ability to model intrastate cattle movement for infectious disease dynamics, particularly with an ability to addresses the capacity of markets to amplify or control a livestock disease outbreak.

Author Summary

We have automated the collection of previously unavailable cattle movement data, allowing us to aggregate details on the origins of cattle sold at live-auction markets in the US. Using our novel dataset, we demonstrate potential to infer a complete dynamic transportation network that would drive disease transmission in models of potential US livestock epidemics.