bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ruthenium and osmium complexes of dihydroperimidine-based N-heterocyclic carbene pincer ligands
Authors: McQueen Caitlin M. A. , Hill Anthony F. , Ma Chenxi , Ward Jas S.
Published: October 2015

Double geminal aminal C–H activation processes of the dihydroperimidine based NHC pincer pro-ligands H2C(NCH2PR2)2C10H6 are described leading to dihydroperimidinylidene complexes including the first osmium examples.
Ultrafast immunoassays by coupling dielectrophoretic biomarker enrichment in nanoslit channel with electrochemical detection on graphene
Authors: Sanghavi Bankim J. , Varhue Walter , Rohani Ali , Liao Kuo-Tang , Bazydlo Lindsay A. L. , Chou Chia-Fu , Swami Nathan S.
Published: October 2015

Enhancing binding kinetics of PSA to anti-PSA by dielectrophoretic enrichment of PSA in a nanoslit molecular dam device.
Effect of glass frit in Ag paste on the electrical properties of front-side Ag contacts for crystalline-silicon solar cells
Authors: Tai Yuping , Zheng Guojun , Wang Hanying , Wang Hui , Bai Jintao
Published: October 2015

The effect of glass frit, used in front-side silver pastes, on the electrical properties of front-side silver contacts in silicon solar cells was studied.
Study on the reaction mechanism and kinetics of CO hydrogenation on a fused Fe–Mn catalyst
Authors: Mirzaei A. A. , Rezazadeh E. , Arsalanfar M. , Abdouss M. , Fatemi M. , Sahebi M.
Published: October 2015

The kinetics of the CO hydrogenation reaction over a Fe–Mn fused catalyst was investigated in a fixed-bed micro-reactor.
Enhanced catalytic ability of chitosan–Cu–Fe bimetal complex for the removal of dyes in aqueous solution
Authors: Rashid Sadia , Shen Chensi , Chen Xiaoguang , Li Su , Chen Yanhong , Wen Yuezhong , Liu Jianshe
Published: October 2015

In this study, despite the high adsorption ability, efficient catalytic activity of a chitosan–metal complex has been developed through the chelation of chitosan polymer with bimetals Cu(ii) and Fe(iii).
Oxidative peeling of carbon black nanoparticles
Authors: Wilson Peter M. , Orange François , Guinel Maxime J.-F. , Shekhirev Mikhail , Gao Yang , Colon Santana Juan A. , Gusev Alexander A. , Dowben Peter A. , Lu Yongfeng , Sinitskii Alexander
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate that layered carbon black nanoparticles can be oxidatively peeledviathe reaction with potassium permanganate in sulfuric acid.
Influence of the diversified structural variations at the imine functionality of 4-bromophenylacetic acid derived hydrazones on alkaline phosphatase inhibition: synthesis and molecular modelling studies
Authors: Khan Imtiaz , Ibrar Aliya , Ejaz Syeda Abida , Khan Shafi Ullah , Shah Syed Jawad Ali , Hameed Shahid , Simpson Jim , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: October 2015

Putative binding mode of4ginside the active pocket of h-PLAP.
Monoamidinate titanium complexes: highly active catalysts for the polymerization and copolymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone
Authors: Lapenta Rosita , Mazzeo Mina , Grisi Fabia
Published: October 2015

A series of titanium trichloroamidinate complexes with distinct ligand sets showed different abilities in the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and l-lactide, producing copolymers ranging from gradient to truly random microstructures.
PSS-GN nanocomposites as highly-efficient peroxidase mimics and their applications in colorimetric detection of glucose in serum
Authors: Chen Jing , Ge Jia , Zhang Lin , Li Zhaohui , Zhou Saisai , Qu Lingbo
Published: October 2015

PSS-GN nanocomposites were firstly proposed as a peroxidase-like mimic successfully and utilized in the determination of glucose in serum samples.
Electrospun nanofiber enhanced imidazolium-functionalized polysulfone composite anion exchange membranes
Authors: Gong Xue , He Gaohong , Yan Xiaoming , Wu Yao , Chen Wanting , Wu Xuemei
Published: October 2015

A novel method of improving interfacial compatibility in electrospun anion exchange membranes is developed by using imidazolium-functionalized polysulfone as both fiber mats and interfiber voids filler.
Direct, non-amplified detection of microRNA-134 in plasma from epilepsy patients
Authors: Spain Elaine , Jimenez-Mateos Eva M. , Raoof Rana , ElNaggar Hani , Delanty Norman , Forster Robert J. , Henshall David C.
Published: October 2015

We report a novel electrochemical detection of microRNA-134, a low-abundance human plasma microRNA, based on regioselective functionalised electrocatalytic nanoparticles.
Comparative study on temperature/pH sensitive xylan-based hydrogels: their properties and drug controlled release
Authors: Gao Cundian , Ren Junli , Kong Weiqing , Sun Runcang , Chen Qifeng
Published: October 2015

Temperature/pH dual-responsive hydrogels as a new intestinal-targeted carriers were prepared by the grafting copolymerization of xylan possessing different functional groups with AM and NIPAm via ultraviolet irradiation.
Improving molecularly imprinted nanogels by pH modulation
Authors: Zhang Zijie , Liu Juewen
Published: October 2015

Non-specific binding between template molecule and the imprinted gel is significantly reduced by pH modulation.
Improved interfacial charge transfer and visible light activity of reduced graphene oxide–graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysts
Authors: Tiong Peggy , Lintang Hendrik O. , Endud Salasiah , Yuliati Leny
Published: October 2015

rGO–gCN composites, which were prepared by the in situ photoreduction of GO using bulk gCN as the photocatalyst, exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than bare gCN due to the improved interface charge transfer.
Fluorescent citric acid-modified silicone materials
Authors: Kasprzyk Wiktor , Krzywda Piotr , Bednarz Szczepan , Bogdał Dariusz
Published: October 2015

Novel transparent and flexible silicone materials with fluorescent properties were developed by incorporation of derivative of 2-pyridone into silicone matrix.
Design and fabrication of hollow and filled graphene-based polymeric spheres via core–shell electrospraying
Authors: Haghighi Poudeh Leila , Saner Okan Burcu , Seyyed Monfared Zanjani Jamal , Yildiz Mehmet , Menceloglu Yusuf
Published: October 2015

Two dimensional graphene oxide sheets are converted into three dimensional (3D) hollow and filled microspheres by using three different carrying polymers through one-step core–shell electrospraying technique without applying any post treatments.
Evolutionary identification of affinity peptides for the detection of sepsis biomarker procalcitonin
Authors: Park J. P. , Park C. Y. , Park A. Y. , Ryu M. Y.
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate for the first time the use of phage display for the discovery of unique peptide motifs which are capable of binding to procalcitonin. The best peptide specific for procalcitonin was found to be 1.9 ± 0.001 nanomolar affinity.
Composition-controlled synthesis of LixCo3−xO4solid solution nanocrystals on carbon and their impact on electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Jingjun , Liu Hongcan , Wang Feng , Song Ye
Published: October 2015

The incorporation of Li promotes the formation of the OC–O–CoIII–O bonds at the interfaces in the LixCo3−xO4/C hybrids, which is responsible for their enhanced ORR activity.
Protein-specific Raman imaging of glycosylation on single cells with zone-controllable SERS effect
Authors: Chen Yunlong , Ding Lin , Song Wanyao , Yang Min , Ju Huangxian
Published: October 2015

A zone-controllable SERS effect integrates the controlling of nano-substrate size to match the expression zone of protein-specific glycan for Raman imaging.
An ultra high performance multi-element doped mesoporous carbon catalyst derived from poly(4-vinylpyridine)
Authors: You Chenghang , Dang Dai , Qiao Xiaochang , Wang Guanghua , Fan Wenjun , Chen Rong , Li Yingwei , Li Xiuhua , Liao Shijun
Published: October 2015

An ordered mesoporous carbon catalyst derived from iron-complexed poly(4-vinylpyridine), with a much higher ORR performance than a commercial Pt/C catalyst.
Optimized effective charge density and size of polyglycerol amines leads to strong knockdown efficacy in vivo
Authors: Staedtler Anna Maria , Hellmund Markus , Sheikhi Mehrabadi Fatemeh , Thota Bala N. S. , Zollner Thomas M. , Koch Markus , Haag Rainer , Schmidt Nicole
Published: October 2015

The balance between core size, multiplicity and effective charge density plays an important role for the development of potent siRNA delivery systems.
Generalized seeded growth of Ag-based metal chalcogenide nanorods via controlled chalcogenization of the seeds
Authors: Chen Shutang , Thota Sravan , Reggiano Gabriella , Zhao Jing
Published: October 2015

A generalized synthesis is developed for a series of metal–chalcogenide nanorods using Ag nanocrystals as seeds. The Ag based CdS nanorods without sulfurization of the Ag seeds showed improved photocatalytic properties.
Repurposing metformin: an old drug with new tricks in its binding pockets
Authors: Pryor Rosina , Cabreiro Filipe
Published: October 2015

Improvements in healthcare and nutrition have generated remarkable increases in life expectancy worldwide. This is one of the greatest achievements of the modern world yet it also presents a grave challenge: as more people survive into later life, more also experience the diseases of old age, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Developing new ways to improve health in the elderly is therefore a top priority for biomedical research. Although our understanding of the molecular basis of these morbidities has advanced rapidly, effective novel treatments are still lacking. Alternative drug development strategies are now being explored, such as the repurposing of existing drugs used to treat other diseases. This can save a considerable amount of time and money since the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety profiles of these drugs are already established, effectively enabling preclinical studies to be bypassed. Metformin is one such drug currently being investigated for novel applications. The present review provides a thorough and detailed account of our current understanding of the molecular pharmacology and signalling mechanisms underlying biguanide–protein interactions. It also focuses on the key role of the microbiota in regulating age-associated morbidities and a potential role for metformin to modulate its function. Research in this area holds the key to solving many of the mysteries of our current understanding of drug action and concerted effects to provide sustained and long-life health.
Online open‐switch fault diagnosis method in single‐phase PWM rectifiers
Authors: Ge Xing‐Lai , Pu Jun‐Kai , Liu Yong‐Chao
Published: October 2015

On the basis of sampling theory, an online open‐switch fault diagnosis and location method for single‐phase pulse‐width modulation rectifiers applied in electric railway traction is presented. First, on the basis of analysing the features of the post‐fault line current under instantaneous current control strategy at low switching frequency, two specific pulse sequences for sampling line current are generated via the modulation. Then, the DC component of the sampled signal, which is easy to use for diagnostic decision, is obtained through filters. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the validity of the proposed scheme.
Effective object tracking using extreme learning machine with smoothness and preference regularisation
Authors: Wang Baoxian , Wang Shuigen , Liu Xun , Yang Jinglin
Published: October 2015

A novel object tracking method is proposed that takes advantage of the fast learning capability of extreme learning machine (ELM). Specifically, object tracking is viewed as a binary classification problem, and ELM is utilised for finding the optimal separate hyperplane between the object and backgrounds efficiently. To achieve a more robust tracking, two constraints are introduced in ELM training: (i) target visual changes across frames are smooth (i.e. smoothness) and (ii) probabilities to be true object of image samples around the tracked target trajectory are preferred than those of background ones (i.e. preference). Experiments on challenging sequences demonstrate that the proposed tracker performs favourably against the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
0.4–3.0 GHz highly efficient harmonic‐tuned power amplifier
Authors: Ma Chuanhui , Liu Ying , Pan Wensheng , Tang Youxi
Published: October 2015

An optimisation‐based method is proposed for the design of highly efficient harmonic tuned‐power amplifier (HT‐PA) with multi‐octave bandwidth. The distributed basic matching cell with L‐type structure is utilised to construct the broadband matching network, whose topology and parameters are determined through optimisation. To validate the proposed method, a 0.4–3.0 GHz HT‐PA is implemented and the power added efficiency of 53–72%, output power of more than 40 dBm and 10–12 dB gain are achieved across the frequency band. When tested with 20 MHz long‐term‐evolution advanced signals, the broadband HT‐PA shows about –30 dBc adjacent channel leakage ratio at about 36 dBm average output power, with drain efficiency higher than 36%.
Lateral AlGaN/GaN diode with MIS‐gated hybrid anode for high‐sensitivity zero‐bias microwave detection
Authors: Zhou Qi , Liu Li , Zhou Xingye , Zhang Anbang , Shi Yuanyuan , Wang Zeheng , Wang Yuan Gang , Fang Yulong , Lv Yuanjie , Feng Zhihong , Zhang Bo
Published: October 2015

A zero‐bias microwave detector using an AlGaN/GaN‐on‐Si lateral diode featuring a recessed metal/Al2O3/III‐nitride (MIS) gated hybrid anode (MG‐HAD) is experimentally demonstrated. The forward turn‐on voltage of the MG‐HAD is determined by the threshold‐voltage of the 2DEG channel beneath the recessed MIS‐gate, and thus the nonlinearity of the device at zero bias can be flexibly modulated by gate recessing. The optimal trench depth of the MIS‐gate for zero‐bias detection was designed and experimentally determined to be ∼23 nm, which enables a high‐curvature coefficient of 78 V−1 at zero bias. The first‐order voltage sensitivity, βV, is as high as 7.8 mV/μW. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these values are the highest reported for GaN‐based zero‐bias detectors to date.
Rounded‐edge bow‐tie antenna for wideband mobile direction finding system
Authors: Ozturk Mehmet E. , Korkmaz Erdal , Kebeli Murat
Published: October 2015

A novel relatively small wideband antenna is introduced for the mobile application of direction finding (DF) systems covering the frequency range from 150 MHz to 3 GHz. The proposed directional wideband antenna is a rounded‐edge directed bow‐tie antenna which is electrically small when considering at lower operating frequencies. A good agreement is obtained between the simulation and measurement results of the designed antenna. The performance of the antenna for DF applications is verified both in anechoic chamber measurements and in open field measurements. In addition, in open field DF measurements the proposed antenna is compared with a commercial antenna. During the tests, one of the angle of arrival estimation technique based on phase differences of the signal at the antenna elements, interferometer method, and combination of the phase differences and amplitude values of the captured signal were used. As well as, k‐means clustering used to reduce undesired error due to environmental effects.
Hybrid forecasting model‐based data mining and genetic algorithm‐adaptive particle swarm optimisation: a case study of wind speed time series
Authors: Wang Jianzhou , Zhang Fanyong , Liu Feng , Ma Jianjun
Published: October 2015

Wind energy has been part of the fastest growing renewable energy sources and is clean and pollution‐free. Wind energy has been gaining increasing global attention, and wind speed forecasting plays a vital role in the wind energy field. However, such forecasting has been demonstrated to be a challenging task due to the effect of various meteorological factors. This study proposes a hybrid forecasting model that can effectively provide preprocessing for the original data and improve forecasting accuracy. The developed model applies a genetic algorithm‐adaptive particle swarm optimisation algorithm to optimise the parameters of the wavelet neural network (WNN) model. The proposed hybrid method is subsequently examined in regard to the wind farms of eastern China. The forecasting performance demonstrates that the developed model is better than some traditional models (for example, back propagation, WNN, fuzzy neural network, and support vector machine), and its applicability is further verified by the paired‐sample T tests.
Surface microstructure profilometry based on laser confocal feedback
Authors: Wang Weiping , Zhang Shulian , Li Yan
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate a surface microstructure profile measurement method, which utilizes the positioning ability of confocal technology and the high sensitivity of frequency-shift feedback of a microchip laser. The surface profile is measured by combination of the amplitude and phase information of the feedback light reflected by the sample. The amplitude information is used for coarse measurement and to determine the integral number of half lasing wavelengths contained in the sample profile variation. The phase information is used for fine measurement and to determine the fractional number. The measurement realizes both a large axial measuring range of tens of microns and a high axial resolution of ∼2 nm. Meanwhile, a heterodyne phase measurement approach is introduced to compensate for environmental disturbance and to realize high axial resolution measurement under common room conditions. The surface profile of a grating is measured and proves the feasibility of the method.
Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Courtney Trevor L. , Fox Zachary W. , Slenkamp Karla M. , Khalil Munira
Published: October 2015

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a femtosecond Fourier transform (FT) third-order nonlinear technique that creates a link between existing 2D FT spectroscopies in the vibrational and electronic regions of the spectrum. 2D VE spectroscopy enables a direct measurement of infrared (IR) and electronic dipole moment cross terms by utilizing mid-IR pump and optical probe fields that are resonant with vibrational and electronic transitions, respectively, in a sample of interest. We detail this newly developed 2D VE spectroscopy experiment and outline the information contained in a 2D VE spectrum. We then use this technique and its single-pump counterpart (1D VE) to probe the vibrational-electronic couplings between high frequency cyanide stretching vibrations (νCN) and either a ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition ([FeIII(CN)6]3− dissolved in formamide) or a metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition ([(CN)5FeIICNRuIII(NH3)5]− dissolved in formamide). The 2D VE spectra of both molecules reveal peaks resulting from coupled high- and low-frequency vibrational modes to the charge transfer transition. The time-evolving amplitudes and positions of the peaks in the 2D VE spectra report on coherent and incoherent vibrational energy transfer dynamics among the coupled vibrational modes and the charge transfer transition. The selectivity of 2D VE spectroscopy to vibronic processes is evidenced from the selective coupling of specific νCN modes to the MMCT transition in the mixed valence complex. The lineshapes in 2D VE spectra report on the correlation of the frequency fluctuations between the coupled vibrational and electronic frequencies in the mixed valence complex which has a time scale of 1 ps. The details and results of this study confirm the versatility of 2D VE spectroscopy and its applicability to probe how vibrations modulate charge and energy transfer in a wide range of complex molecular, material, and biological systems.
Rotational study of the CH4–CO complex: Millimeter-wave measurements and ab initio calculations
Authors: Surin L. A. , Tarabukin I. V. , Panfilov V. A. , Schlemmer S. , Kalugina Y. N. , Faure A. , Rist C. , van der Avoird A.
Published: October 2015

The rotational spectrum of the van der Waals complex CH4–CO has been measured with the intracavity OROTRON jet spectrometer in the frequency range of 110–145 GHz. Newly observed and assigned transitions belong to the K = 2–1 subband correlating with the rotationless jCH4 = 0 ground state and the K = 2–1 and K = 0–1 subbands correlating with the jCH4 = 2 excited state of free methane. The (approximate) quantum number K is the projection of the total angular momentum J on the intermolecular axis. The new data were analyzed together with the known millimeter-wave and microwave transitions in order to determine the molecular parameters of the CH4–CO complex. Accompanying ab initio calculations of the intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of CH4–CO have been carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)-F12a] and an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta (aVTZ) basis set. The global minimum of the five-dimensional PES corresponds to an approximately T-shaped structure with the CH4 face closest to the CO subunit and binding energy De = 177.82 cm−1. The bound rovibrational levels of the CH4–CO complex were calculated for total angular momentum J = 0–6 on this intermolecular potential surface and compared with the experimental results. The calculated dissociation energies D0 are 91.32, 94.46, and 104.21 cm−1 for A (jCH4 = 0), F (jCH4 = 1), and E (jCH4 = 2) nuclear spin modifications of CH4–CO, respectively.
Dense plasma heating and shock wave generation by a beam of fast electrons
Authors: Llor Aisa E. , Ribeyre X. , Gus'kov S. , Nicolaï Ph. , Tikhonchuk V. T.
Published: October 2015

Hot electrons created in laser plasma interaction at laser intensities 1−10 PW cm−2 in shock ignition scheme can deposit their energy in the shell of the target, augmenting the strength of the ignitor shock. Here, we present a model that describes the effect of the spatial profile of fast electron energy deposition on the dynamics of shock wave formation. A criterion of a strong shock formation is obtained for an arbitrary electron beam distribution function. It is shown that the time and the position of the shock formation are defined by the electron average stopping range, while the strength of the shock decreases as the width of electron energy distribution increases. The latter feature is explained by the fast electron target preheat. The conclusions of theoretical model are confirmed in numerical simulations. The pressure, the strength of the shock, and the efficiency of shock generation are calculated for different electron distributions with the same average stopping range.
Evolution of electron current sheets in collisionless magnetic reconnection
Authors: Jain Neeraj , Sharma A. Surjalal
Published: October 2015

An electron current sheet embedded in an ion scale current sheet is an inherent feature of collisionless magnetic reconnection. Such thin electron current sheets are unstable to tearing mode and produce secondary magnetic islands modulating the reconnection rate. In this work, 2-D evolution of tearing mode at multiple reconnection sites in an electron current sheet is studied using electron-magnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) model. It is shown that growth of the perturbations can make reconnection impulsive by suddenly enhancing the reconnection rate and also forms new structures in the presence of multiple reconnection sites, one of which is dominant and others are secondary. The rise of the reconnection rate to a peak value and the time to reach the peak value due to tearing instability are similar to those observed in particle-in-cell simulations for similar thicknesses of the electron current sheet. The peak reconnection rate scales as 0.05/ϵ1.15, where ϵ is half thickness of the current sheet. Interactions of electron outflows from the dominant and secondary sites form a double vortex sheet inside the magnetic island between the two sites. Electron Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the double vortex sheet produces secondary vortices and consequently turbulence inside the magnetic island. Interaction of outflow from the dominant site and inflows to the adjacent secondary sites launches whistler waves which propagate from the secondary sites into the upstream region at Storey angle with the background magnetic field. Due to the wave propagation, the out-of-plane magnetic field has a nested structure of quadrupoles of opposite polarities. A numerical linear eigen value analysis of the EMHD tearing mode, valid for current sheet half-thicknesses ranging from ϵde (weak electron inertia), is presented.
Advancement of highly charged ion beam production by superconducting ECR ion source SECRAL (invited)
Authors: Sun L. , Guo J. W. , Lu W. , Zhang W. H. , Feng Y. C. , Yang Y. , Qian C. , Fang X. , Ma H. Y. , Zhang X. Z. , Zhao H. W.
Published: October 2015

At Institute of Modern Physics (IMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the superconducting Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source SECRAL (Superconducting ECR ion source with Advanced design in Lanzhou) has been put into operation for about 10 years now. It has been the main working horse to deliver intense highly charged heavy ion beams for the accelerators. Since its first plasma at 18 GHz, R&D work towards more intense highly charged ion beam production as well as the beam quality investigation has never been stopped. When SECRAL was upgraded to its typical operation frequency 24 GHz, it had already showed its promising capacity of very intense highly charged ion beam production. And it has also provided the strong experimental support for the so called scaling laws of microwave frequency effect. However, compared to the microwave power heating efficiency at 18 GHz, 24 GHz microwave heating does not show the ω2 scale at the same power level, which indicates that microwave power coupling at gyrotron frequency needs better understanding. In this paper, after a review of the operation status of SECRAL with regard to the beam availability and stability, the recent study of the extracted ion beam transverse coupling issues will be discussed, and the test results of the both TE01 and HE11 modes will be presented. A general comparison of the performance working with the two injection modes will be given, and a preliminary analysis will be introduced. The latest results of the production of very intense highly charged ion beams, such as 1.42 emA Ar12+, 0.92 emA Xe27+, and so on, will be presented.
Real-time three-dimensional profiling of ferroelectric domain walls
Authors: Kämpfe T. , Reichenbach P. , Haußmann A. , Woike T. , Soergel E. , Eng L. M.
Published: October 2015

Ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) do not only affect the properties of a ferroelectric material, but they also exhibit themselves fascinating functionalities. Hence, it is quite evident that the pathway of DWs is of major interest. Whereas, for thin films, mapping the domain pattern at the samples' surface is usually sufficient to obtain the information wanted, this is not the case for bulk samples. Indeed, extrapolating from surface images of domain patterns to the three-dimensional (3D) behavior of DWs is, in general, not adequate. In order to overcome this problem, we developed a 3D imaging technique that allows to trace the pathway of DWs in bulk samples with high resolution, exemplarily demonstrated for an irregular DW inside a mm-thick LiNbO3 crystal. Based on the optical nonlinearity of ferroelectrics and taking advantage of an interferometric approach, we compare the optical path differences between fundamental and second harmonic waves, yielding a full 3D map of the DW from a single two-dimensional planar laser-scan. The short image acquisition time of this technique might furthermore enable to record dynamic DW processes.
Characterization of a multimode coplanar waveguide parametric amplifier
Authors: Simoen M. , Chang C. W. S. , Krantz P. , Bylander Jonas , Wustmann W. , Shumeiko V. , Delsing P. , Wilson C. M.
Published: October 2015

We characterize a Josephson parametric amplifier based on a flux-tunable quarter-wavelength resonator. The fundamental resonance frequency is ∼1 GHz, but we use higher modes of the resonator for our measurements. An on-chip tuning line allows for magnetic flux pumping of the amplifier. We investigate and compare degenerate parametric amplification, involving a single mode, and nondegenerate parametric amplification, using a pair of modes. We show that we reach quantum-limited noise performance in both cases.
A method to decrease the harmonic distortion in Mn-Zn ferrite/PZT and Ni-Zn ferrite/PZT layered composite rings exhibiting high magnetoelectric effects
Authors: Loyau V. , Morin V. , Fortineau J. , LoBue M. , Mazaleyrat F.
Published: October 2015

We have investigated the magnetoelectric (ME) effect in layered composite rings subjected to circumferential AC magnetic fields and DC magnetic fields in radial, axial, or circumferential directions. Bilayer samples were obtained combining different grades of commercial Mn-Zn ferrites or Ni-Zn ferrites with commercial lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Mn-Zn ferrites with low magnetostriction saturation (λs<10−6) and low magneto-crystalline anisotropy constants show high ME capabilities when associated with PZT in ring structures. In certain conditions, these ME effects are higher than those obtained with Terfenol-D/PZT composites in the same layered ring structure. Magnetostrictive and mechanical characterizations have given results that explain these high ME performances. Nevertheless, Mn-Zn ferrite/PZT composites exhibit voltages responses with low linearity especially at high signal level. Based on the particular structure of the ME device, a method to decrease the nonlinear harmonic distortion of the ME voltages is proposed. Harmonic distortion analysis of ME voltages measured in different configurations allows us to explain the phenomenon.
Vacuum arc behavior and its voltage characteristics in drawing process controlled by composite magnetic fields along axial and transverse directions
Authors: Wang Lijun , Deng Jie , Wang Haijing , Jia Shenli , Qin Kang , Shi Zongqian
Published: October 2015

In this research, drawing vacuum arc (VA) experiments were conducted using composite contacts under currents ranging from 5 kA to 20 kA root mean square (rms). The new type of contact comprised an axial magnetic field (AMF) configuration and a transverse magnetic field (TMF) configuration. The TMF plate was in the center, surrounded by the AMF plate. The contact generated both AMFs and TMFs simultaneously. VA appearances and arc voltages were recorded, and the VA was modeled as a conductor for electromagnetic force analysis in ANSYS software. The results showed that the coaxiality of operating mechanisms significantly influenced arc behavior just as the arc was ignited. When arc brightness did not increase after ignition, there was a voltage drop accompanied with diffusion of the VA. As to VA development, when an arc was ignited on an AMF plate, it spread on the plate and rotated. Over time the arc current increased, the constricting arc forms, and the arc column rotated on the TMF plate under the action of Ampere's force. With regard to the influence of a magnetic field on a VA at different stages, in the initial drawing arc stage the TMF was dominant, and the arc started to rotate under the action of Ampere's force. Afterwards, the AMF was dominant, with a steadily burning arc. As for contact melting, in the initial arcing period, a contracted short arc caused severe melting and erosion of the contact plate. When the ignition spot or root was close to the slot of plate, the electromagnetic force pushed the arc toward slot and contact edge, resulting in local erosion of the slot region.
Thermal conductivity of penta-graphene from molecular dynamics study
Authors: Xu Wen , Zhang Gang , Li Baowen
Published: October 2015

Using classical equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and applying the original Tersoff interatomic potential, we study the thermal transport property of the latest two dimensional carbon allotrope, penta-graphene. It is predicted that its room-temperature thermal conductivity is about 167 W/mK, which is much lower than that of graphene. With normal mode decomposition, the accumulated thermal conductivity with respect to phonon frequency and mean free path is analyzed. It is found that the acoustic phonons make a contribution of about 90% to the thermal conductivity, and phonons with mean free paths larger than 100 nm make a contribution over 50%. We demonstrate that the remarkably lower thermal conductivity of penta-graphene compared with graphene results from the lower phonon group velocities and fewer collective phonon excitations. Our study highlights the importance of structure-property relationship and provides better understanding of thermal transport property and valuable insight into thermal management of penta-graphene.
Experimental research on Ku-band magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator
Authors: Jiang Tao , Zhang Jiande , He Juntao , Li Zhiqiang , Ling Junpu
Published: October 2015

An improved Ku-band magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator is proposed and investigated experimentally. In the particle-in-cell simulation, the Ku-band MILO generates the microwave with a power of 1.62 GW and a frequency of 13 GHz at the input voltage of 474 kV. The device is fabricated based on the simulation results, and an experiment system is designed. In the preliminary experiments, output microwave with frequency of 13.02 GHz, power of 150 MW, and pulse width of 17 ns is generated, under the diode voltage of 450 kV. Analysis on the experiment results shows that plasma produced due to the large current hitting to the outside of the collection tank is the essential cause for the low amplitude of the microwave power and short pulse width.
Evaluation of the effects of a plasma activated medium on cancer cells
Authors: Mohades S. , Laroussi M. , Sears J. , Barekzi N. , Razavi H.
Published: October 2015

The interaction of low temperature plasma with liquids is a relevant topic of study to the field of plasma medicine. This is because cells and tissues are normally surrounded or covered by biological fluids. Therefore, the chemistry induced by the plasma in the aqueous state becomes crucial and usually dictates the biological outcomes. This process became even more important after the discovery that plasma activated media can be useful in killing various cancer cell lines. Here, we report on the measurements of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, a species known to have strong biological effects, produced by application of plasma to a minimum essential culture medium. The activated medium is then used to treat SCaBER cancer cells. Results indicate that the plasma activated medium can kill the cancer cells in a dose dependent manner, retain its killing effect for several hours, and is as effective as apoptosis inducing drugs.
Superferromagnetism in dipolarly coupled L1 FePt nanodots with perpendicular magnetization
Authors: Bedanta S. , Seki T. , Iwama H. , Shima T. , Takanashi K.
Published: October 2015

The magnetization reversal for perpendicularly magnetized L10-FePt (001) nanodots with different interdot distances was studied by magnetic domain observation. We show the results for two kinds of dot arrays: (i) the dots with physical percolation leading to direct exchange coupling, and (ii) the dots which are fully isolated experiencing only dipolar interaction. For the physically percolated dot array, ferromagnetic domains were observed in which domain expanded with magnetic field. On the other hand, the array with the isolated FePt dots also exhibited domain like features resembling to the percolated dots, indicating the existence of superferromagnetism in the array of FePt nanodots.
Skyrmion creation and annihilation by spin waves
Authors: Liu Yizhou , Yin Gen , Zang Jiadong , Shi Jing , Lake Roger K.
Published: October 2015

Single skyrmion creation and annihilation by spin waves in a crossbar geometry are theoretically analyzed. A critical spin-wave frequency is required both for the creation and the annihilation of a skyrmion. The minimum frequencies for creation and annihilation are similar, but the optimum frequency for creation is below the critical frequency for skyrmion annihilation. If a skyrmion already exists in the cross bar region, a spin wave below the critical frequency causes the skyrmion to circulate within the central region. A heat assisted creation process reduces the spin-wave frequency and amplitude required for creating a skyrmion. The effective field resulting from the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and the emergent field of the skyrmion acting on the spin wave drive the creation and annihilation processes.
Sheath energy transmission in a collisional plasma with collisionless sheath
Authors: Tang Xian-Zhu , Guo Zehua
Published: October 2015

Sheath energy transmission governs the plasma energy exhaust onto a material surface. The ion channel is dominated by convection, but the electron channel has a significant thermal conduction component, which is dominated by the Knudsen layer effect in the presence of an absorbing wall. First-principle kinetic simulations reveal a robustly supersonic sheath entry flow. The ion sheath energy transmission and the sheath potential are accurately predicted by a sheath model of truncated bi-Maxwellian electron distribution. The electron energy transmission is further enhanced by a parallel heat flux of the perpendicular degrees of freedom.
Effect of strain on ferroelectric field effect in strongly correlated oxide Sm0.5Nd0.5NiO3
Authors: Zhang L. , Chen X. G. , Gardner H. J. , Koten M. A. , Shield J. E. , Hong X.
Published: October 2015

We report the effect of epitaxial strain on the magnitude and retention of the ferroelectric field effect in high quality PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3 (PZT)/3.8–4.3 nm Sm0.5Nd0.5NiO3 (SNNO) heterostructures grown on (001) LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) substrates. For SNNO on LAO, which exhibits a first-order metal-insulator transition (MIT), switching the polarization of PZT induces a 10 K shift in the transition temperature TMI, with a maximum resistance change between the on and off states of ΔR/Ron ∼75%. In sharp contrast, only up to 5% resistance change has been induced in SNNO on STO, where the MIT is second-order, with the modulation of TMI negligibly small. We also observe thermally activated retention of the off state resistance Roff in both systems, with the activation energy of 22 meV (28 meV) for devices on LAO (STO). The time dynamics and thermal response of the field effect instability points to phonon-assisted interfacial trapping of charged mobile defects, which are attributed to strain induced oxygen vacancies. At room temperature, Roff stabilizes at ∼55% and ∼19% of the initial switching levels for SNNO on LAO and STO, respectively, reflecting the significantly different oxygen vacancy densities in these two systems. Our results reveal the critical role of strain in engineering and modeling the complex oxide composite structures for nanoelectronic and spintronic applications.
Self-proclaimed diplomats: Catalan-Lithuanian cooperation during WWI
Authors: Esculies Joan , Petronis Vytautas
Published: October 2015

The topic of international cooperation between national movements before the end of World War I (WWI) has still not received sufficient scholarly attention. It is common for national historiographies to concentrate on the case of their own nation. When it comes to international relations, however, connections with neighboring nations and national movements - chief adversaries in the achievement of national goals - are usually prioritized. Nevertheless, even before and especially during the war there was a vibrant scene where non-dominant nationalities could practice international diplomacy, conduct discussions, share experiences, build coalitions, and so on. This article explores one of such examples of international relations conducted between the representatives of two nations - the Catalans and the Lithuanians. They came in contact before the war at the Paris-basedUnion des Nationalités(the Union of Nationalities), an organization that was designed to unite and support non-dominant national movements. Despite being located on the opposite sides of Europe and having no apparent direct connections, the Lithuanians and the Catalans established common ground for cooperation, which especially peaked during WWI.
Owner parties and party institutionalisation in Italy: is the Northern League exceptional?
Authors: Vercesi Michelangelo
Published: October 2015

Studies on party institutionalisation commonly argue that parties with personalist leadership and weak organisation are unlikely to remain in power beyond leadership succession. In other words, these parties will rarely attain their own institutionalisation. From this perspective, the recent Italian political reality represents a conundrum. Three parties of this type – Northern League; Forza Italia; Italy of Values – confronted significant resignation issues concerning their leaders, but only the League, contrary to the theory, made a decisive step toward institutionalisation by removing its founding father and remaining an actor with national blackmail potential. This article addresses this challenge and provides a solution to this conundrum. In particular, the article demonstrates that an approach that considers both party factors and critical events is necessary to account fully for the variance of outcomes and, more generally, for party change.
Computational discovery of specificity-conferring sites in non-ribosomal peptide synthetases
Authors: Knudsen Michael , Søndergaard Dan , Tofting-Olesen Claus , Hansen Frederik T. , Brodersen Ditlev Egeskov , Pedersen Christian N. S.
Published: October 2015

Motivation: By using a class of large modular enzymes known as Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetases (NRPS), bacteria and fungi are capable of synthesizing a large variety of secondary metabolites, many of which are bioactive and have potential, pharmaceutical applications as e.g. antibiotics. There is thus an interest in predicting the compound synthesized by an NRPS from its primary structure (amino acid sequence) alone, as this would enable an in silico search of whole genomes for NRPS enzymes capable of synthesizing potentially useful compounds.

Results: NRPS synthesis happens in a conveyor belt-like fashion where each individual NRPS module is responsible for incorporating a specific substrate (typically an amino acid) into the final product. Here, we present a new method for predicting substrate specificities of individual NRPS modules based on occurrences of motifs in their primary structures. We compare our classifier with existing methods and discuss possible biological explanations of how the motifs might relate to substrate specificity.

Availability and implementation: SEQL-NRPS is available as a web service implemented in Python with Flask at http://services.birc.au.dk/seql-nrps and source code available at https://bitbucket.org/dansondergaard/seql-nrps/.

Contact:  micknudsen@gmail.com or cstorm@birc.au.dk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Murine allergic rhinitis and nasal T
h2
activation are mediated via TSLP- and IL-33-signaling pathways
Authors: Akasaki Shoko , Matsushita Kazufumi , Kato Yukinori , Fukuoka Ayumi , Iwasaki Naruhito , Nakahira Masakiyo , Fujieda Shigeharu , Yasuda Koubun , Yoshimoto Tomohiro
Published: October 2015

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL-33 are epithelium-derived proallergic cytokines that contribute to allergic diseases. Although the involvement of TSLP in allergic rhinitis (AR) is suggested, the exact role of TSLP in AR is poorly understood. Furthermore, the relative contribution of TSLP and IL-33 in nasal allergic responses has not been described. In this study, we examined the roles of TSLP and IL-33 in AR by analyzing acute and chronic AR models. Acute AR mice were intraperitoneally immunized with ragweed, then intranasally challenged with ragweed pollen for four consecutive days. Chronic AR mice were nasally administrated ragweed pollen on consecutive days for 3 weeks. In both models, TSLP receptor (TSLPR)-deficient mice showed defective sneezing responses and reduced serum ragweed-specific IgE levels compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Analyses of bone-marrow chimeric mice demonstrated that hematopoietic cells were responsible for defective sneezing in TSLPR-deficient mice. In addition, FcεRI + -cell-specific TSLPR-deficient mice showed partial but significant reduction in sneezing responses. Of note, T h2 activation and nasal eosinophilia were comparable between WT and TSLPR-deficient mice. ST2- and IL-33-deficient mice showed defective T h2 activation and nasal eosinophilia to acute, but not chronic, ragweed exposure. TSLPR and ST2 double-deficient mice showed defective T h2 activation and nasal eosinophilia even after chronic ragweed exposure. These results demonstrate that TSLPR signaling is critical for the early phase response of AR by controlling the IgE-mast-cell/basophil pathway. The IL-33/ST2 pathway is central to nasal T h2 activation during acute allergen exposure, but both TSLPR and ST2 contribute to T h2 responses in chronically allergen-exposed mice.
Rapid Diagnosis of Mediastinal Tuberculosis with Polymerase Chain Reaction Evaluation of Aspirated Material Taken by Endobronchial Ultrasound–Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Authors: Senturk Aysegul , Arguder Emine , Hezer Habibe , Babaoglu Elif , Kilic Hatice , Karalezli Aysegul , Hasanoglu H. Canan
Published: October 2015

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a diagnostic method for tuberculosis (TB). This study was conducted to determine the efficiency of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for detecting TB lymphadenitis in samples obtained by EBUS-TBNA.

Materials and Methods

A total of 93 consecutive patients with hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathies and diagnosed with granulomatous diseases through histopathological evaluation were included in the study. The specimens provided by EBUS-TBNA were evaluated through pathological, microbiological, and molecular tests.

Results

Eighty-nine (95.7%) of the 93 patients had histopathologically granulomatous diseases by EBUS-TBNA. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 27 (30.3%) patients and sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 62 (69.7%) patients. Four (4.3%) patients were diagnosed through mediastinoscopy. Endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration had an overall diagnostic efficiency in TB of 96.9%, a sensitivity of 90.9%, and a specificity of 100%. Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR was positive in 17 of the 30 patients. The sensitivity of PCR was 56.7%, the specificity was 100%, and the general efficiency of the test was 96.4%.

Conclusions

As a result, the use of M. tuberculosis PCR in the EBUS-TBNA specimens provides a rapid and an accurate diagnosis of TB. Therefore, we recommend the use of M. tuberculosis PCR in the EBUS-TBNA specimens as a rapid diagnostic method for mediastinal lymphadenopathies in patients with suspected TB.