bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dominant role of plant physiology in trend and variability of gross primary productivity in North America
Authors: Zhou Sha , Zhang Yao , Ciais Philippe , Xiao Xiangming , Luo Yiqi , Caylor Kelly K. , Huang Yuefei , Wang Guangqian
Published: February 2017

Annual gross primary productivity (GPP) varies considerably due to climate-induced changes in plant phenology and physiology. However, the relative importance of plant phenology and physiology on annual GPP variation is not clear. In this study, a Statistical Model of Integrated Phenology and Physiology (SMIPP) was used to evaluate the relative contributions of maximum daily GPP (GPPmax) and the start and end of growing season (GSstart and GSend) to annual GPP variability, using a regional GPP product in North America during 2000–2014 and GPP data from 24 AmeriFlux sites. Climatic sensitivity of the three indicators was assessed to investigate the climate impacts on plant phenology and physiology. The SMIPP can explain 98% of inter-annual variability of GPP over mid- and high latitudes in North America. The long-term trend and inter-annual variability of GPP are dominated by GPPmax both at the ecosystem and regional scales. During warmer spring and autumn, GSstart is advanced and GSend delayed, respectively. GPPmax responds positively to summer temperature over high latitudes (40–80°N), but negatively in mid-latitudes (25–40°N). This study demonstrates that plant physiology, rather than phenology, plays a dominant role in annual GPP variability, indicating more attention should be paid to physiological change under futher climate change.
Targeted capture to assess neutral genomic variation in the narrow-leaf hopbush across a continental biodiversity refugium
Authors: Christmas Matthew J. , Biffin Ed , Breed Martin F. , Lowe Andrew J.
Published: February 2017

The Adelaide geosyncline, a mountainous region in central southern Australia, is purported to be an important continental refugium for Mediterranean and semi-arid Australian biota, yet few population genetic studies have been conducted to test this theory. Here, we focus on a plant species distributed widely throughout the region, the narrow-leaf hopbush, Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima, and examine its genetic diversity and population structure. We used a hybrid-capture target enrichment technique to selectively sequence over 700 genes from 89 individuals across 17 sampling locations. We compared 815 single nucleotide polymorphisms among individuals and populations to investigate population genetic structure. Three distinct genetic clusters were identified; a Flinders/Gammon ranges cluster, an Eastern cluster, and a Kangaroo Island cluster. Higher genetic diversity was identified in the Flinders/Gammon Ranges cluster, indicating that this area is likely to have acted as a refugium during past climate oscillations. We discuss these findings and consider the historical range dynamics of these populations. We also provide methodological considerations for population genomics studies that aim to use novel genomic approaches (such as target capture methods) on non-model systems. The application of our findings to restoration of this species across the region are also considered.
The antibacterial activities of aditoprim and its efficacy in the treatment of swine streptococcosis
Authors: Cheng Guyue , Xu Yamei , Zhu Xudong , Xie Shuyu , Wang Liye , Huang Lingli , Hao Haihong , Liu Zhenli , Pan Yuanhu , Chen Dongmei , Wang Yulian , Yuan Zonghui
Published: February 2017

Aditoprim (ADP) has potential use as an antimicrobial agent in animals. However, its pharmacodynamic properties have not been systematically studied yet. In this study, thein vitroantibacterial activities of ADP and its main metabolites were assayed, and thein vivoantibacterial efficacy of ADP for the treatment of swine streptococcosis was evaluated. It was shown thatSalmonellaandStreptococcusfrom swine,Escherichia coliandSalmonellafrom chickens,E. coli, Streptococcus, Mannheimia, Pasteurellafrom calves,StreptococcusandMannheimiafrom sheep, andE. coli, Flavobacterium columnare, Acinetobacter baumanniiandYersinia ruckerifrom fishes were highly susceptible to ADP.Haemophilus parasuisfrom swine,Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas punctate, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus agalactiaefrom fishes, andKlebsiellafrom calves and sheep showed moderate susceptibility to ADP, whereasE. coli, Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia, Pasteurella, S. aureus, Clostridium perfringensfrom swine,S. aureus, C. perfringensfrom chickens, andS. aureusfrom calves were resistant to ADP. The main metabolites of ADP showed equal activity to that of their parent compound, and the prevention and therapeutic dosages of ADP recommended for swine streptococcosis were 10 and 20~40 mg/kg b.w., respectively. This study firstly showed that ADP had strong antibacterial activity and had potential to be used as a single drug in the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.
Thermo-Magneto-Electric Generator Arrays for Active Heat Recovery System
Authors: Chun Jinsung , Song Hyun-Cheol , Kang Min-Gyu , Kang Han Byul , Kishore Ravi Anant , Priya Shashank
Published: February 2017

Continued emphasis on development of thermal cooling systems is being placed that can cycle low grade heat. Examples include solar powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and data storage servers. The power efficiency of solar module degrades at elevated temperature, thereby, necessitating the need for heat extraction system. Similarly, data centres in wireless computing system are facing increasing efficiency challenges due to high power consumption associated with managing the waste heat. We provide breakthrough in addressing these problems by developing thermo-magneto-electric generator (TMEG) arrays, composed of soft magnet and piezoelectric polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) cantilever. TMEG can serve dual role of extracting the waste heat and converting it into useable electricity. Near room temperature second-order magnetic phase transition in soft magnetic material, gadolinium, was employed to obtain mechanical vibrations on the PVDF cantilever under small thermal gradient. TMEGs were shown to achieve high vibration frequency at small temperature gradients, thereby, demonstrating effective heat transfer.
Enhanced Gas Sensing Properties of Spin-coated Na-doped ZnO Nanostructured Films
Authors: Basyooni Mohamed A. , Shaban Mohamed , El Sayed Adel M.
Published: February 2017

In this report, the structures, morphologies, optical, electrical and gas sensing properties of ZnO and ZnO: Na spin-coated films are studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that the films are of a single phase wurtzite ZnO with a preferential orientation along (002) direction parallel to c-axis. Na doping reduces the crystalline quality of the films. The plane surface of ZnO film turned to be wrinkle net-work structure after doping. The reflectance and the optical band gap of the ZnO film decreased after Na doping. The wrinkle net-work nanostructured Na-doped film shows an unusually sensitivity, 81.9% @ 50 sccm, for CO2 gas at room temperature compared to 1.0% for the pure ZnO film. The signals to noise ratio (SNR) and detection limit of Na-doped ZnO sensor are 0.24 and 0.42 sccm, respectively. These enhanced sensing properties are ascribed to high surface-to-volume ratio, hoping effect, and the increase of O- vacancies density according to Kroger VinK effect. The response time increased from 179 to 240 s by the incorporation of Na atoms @50 sccm. This response time increased as the CO2 concentration increased. The recovery time is increased from 122 to 472 s by the incorporation of Na atoms @50 sccm.
Detection of latent fingerprints based on gas phase adsorption of NO and subsequent application of an ultrasonically nebulized fluorescent probe
Authors: Zhou Jingdan , Wang Chan , Zhao Yuan , Song Qijun
Published: February 2017

A method for detecting latent fingerprints based on the adsorption of NO gas and an ultrasonically nebulized NO probe was developed.
Highly sensitive detection of C-reactive protein using a novel dissolution approach in a dye-doped silica nanoparticle-based fluorescence immunoassay
Authors: Nooney Robert , Rebello Valerie , Keegan Gemma , O'Connell Claire L. , Byrne Daragh , McDonagh Colette
Published: February 2017

A novel dissolution approach was used to achieve enhanced sensitivity in a nanoparticle (NP) immunoassay for the detection of a cardiovascular disease marker, C-reactive protein (CRP).
Thermally activated delayed fluorescence OLEDs with fully solution processed organic layers exhibiting nearly 10% external quantum efficiency
Authors: Albrecht Ken , Matsuoka Kenichi , Yokoyama Daisuke , Sakai Yoshiya , Nakayama Akira , Fujita Katsuhiko , Yamamoto Kimihisa
Published: February 2017

An OLED device with fully solution processed organic layers with new laminatable TADF dendrimers, which exhibits 9.5% external quantum efficiency, is reported.
Evolution of CH3NO2/Si interfacial chemistry under reaction conditions: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Zhang Xueqiang , Wang Chen-Guang , Ji Wei , Ptasinska Sylwia
Published: February 2017

Dissociative adsorption of CH3NO2 onto a Si(100)-2 × 1 surface is studied using ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
The dynamic conductance response and mechanics-modulated memristive behavior of the Azurin monolayer under cyclic loads
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Shao Jian , Chen Yun , Chen Weijin , Yu Jing , Wang Biao , Zheng Yue
Published: February 2017

The conductance of Azurin is found to depend on both the magnitude and duration of mechanical loading, which is defined as mechanical modulated memristive (MMM) behaviour.
Cerium oxide as a catalyst for the ketonization of aldehydes: mechanistic insights and a convenient way to alkanes without the consumption of external hydrogen
Authors: Orozco Lina M. , Renz Michael , Corma Avelino
Published: February 2017

The atom-efficient transformation of two aldehyde molecules into a linear alkane at the expense of one carbon dioxide molecule.
Synthesis and antitumor mechanism of a new iron(iii) complex with 5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-quinolinol as ligands
Authors: Zou Bi-Qun , Qin Qi-Pin , Bai Yu-Xia , Cao Qian-Qian , Zhang Ye , Liu Yan-Cheng , Chen Zhen-Feng , Liang Hong
Published: February 2017

A new iron(iii) complex with 5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-quinolinol (HClMQ) as ligands,i.e., [Fe(ClMQ)2Cl] (1), was synthesized and evaluated for its anticancer activity.
A feasible approach to dispose of soil washing wastes: adsorptive removal of chlorobenzene compounds in aqueous solutions using humic acid modified with monoolein (HA–M)
Authors: Shen Yueyue , Zhao Shilin , Li Yue , Liu Qian , Ma Chongdi , Mao Hui , Liao Yang , Ma Jun
Published: February 2017

Humic acid (HA), one of most ubiquitous natural resources in the world, was modified with monoolein to prepare a novel hydrophobic adsorbent (HA–M) for removal of chlorobenzene compounds (CBs) from aqueous solutions.
A novel perspective for techno-economic assessments and effects of parameters on techno-economic assessments for biodiesel production under economic and technical uncertainties
Authors: Xia Yanjun , Tang Zhang-Chun
Published: February 2017

Various parameters including biodiesel price, capital cost, interest rate and feedstock price, may exhibit variation in the techno-economic assessments of biodiesel production within project's lifetime due to economic and technical uncertainties.
Continuous flow synthesis of citrate capped gold nanoparticles using UV induced nucleation
Authors: du Toit H. , Macdonald T. J. , Huang H. , Parkin I. P. , Gavriilidis A.
Published: February 2017

A novel multimodal reactor system for separating the nucleation and growth phases of gold nanoparticle synthesis to control particle size.
Cubic mesoporous carbon nitride polymers with large cage-type pores for visible light photocatalysis
Authors: Long Baihua , Zheng Yun , Lin Lihua , Alamry Khalid A. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Wang Xinchen
Published: February 2017

Cubic mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride polymers with large cage-type pores were synthesized and exhibited superior photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution.
High-voltage and free-standing poly(propylene carbonate)/Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 composite solid electrolyte for wide temperature range and flexible solid lithium ion battery
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Zang Xiao , Wen Huijie , Dong Tiantian , Chai Jingchao , Li Yang , Chen Bingbing , Zhao Jingwen , Dong Shanmu , Ma Jun , Yue Liping , Liu Zhihong , Guo Xiangxin , Cui Guanglei , Chen Liquan
Published: February 2017

PPC/LLZTO composite solid electrolyte was developed for a flexible solid lithium battery.
Furan-carboxamide derivatives as novel inhibitors of lethal H5N1 influenza A viruses
Authors: Yu Yongshi , Zheng Jie , Cao Lei , Li Shu , Li Xiwang , Zhou Hai-Bing , Liu Xianjun , Wu Shuwen , Dong Chune
Published: February 2017

The simple scaffold furan-carboxamide derivatives were firstly identified as novel inhibitors of lethal H5N1 influenza A virus.
Genome-wide methylation profiles in coronary artery ectasia
Authors: Lu Tzu-Pin , Chuang Nai-Chen , Cheng Chin-Yu , Hsu Cheng-An , Wang Yi-Chih , Lin Yen-Hong , Lee Jen-Kuang , Wu Cho-Kai , Hwang Juey-Jen , Lin Lian-Yu , Yeh Shih-Fan Sherri , Chien Kuo-Liang , Juang Jyh-Ming Jimmy
Published: February 2017

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a disease characterized by abnormally dilated coronary arteries. The mechanism of CAE remains unclear, and its treatment is limited. Previous studies have shown that risk factors for CAE were related to changes in DNA methylation. However, no systematic investigation of methylation profiles has been performed. Therefore, we compared methylation profiles between 12 CAE patients and 12 propensity-matched individuals with normal coronary arteries using microarrays. Wilcoxon's rank sum tests revealed 89 genes with significantly different methylation levels (P<0.05 and Δβ > |0.1|). Functional characterization using the DAVID database and gene set enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Of these genes 6 were validated in 29 CAE patients and 87 matched individuals with CAE, using pyro-sequencing. TLR6 and NOTCH4 showed significant differences in methylation between the two groups, and lower protein levels of toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) were detected in CAE patients. In conclusion, this genome-wide analysis of methylation profiles in CAE patients showed that significant changes in both methylation and expression of TLR6 deserve further study to elucidate their roles in CAE.
Speech-Language Pathologists' Use of Hearing Screening for Clients With Aphasia: Challenges, Potential Solutions, and Future Directions
Authors: Silkes JoAnn P. , Winterstein Kaitlin
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The co-occurrence of aphasia and hearing loss can lead to compounded receptive communication impairment that is significantly worse than in either disorder alone. Therefore, identifying potential hearing loss is a critical part of communication assessment for clients with neurogenic communication disorders, many of whom have aphasia. This clinical focus article explores speech language pathologists' (SLPs') hearing-screening practices with this population, identifies patterns of concern, and presents potential solutions and future research needs.

Method

SLPs completed an online survey. Data were obtained from 102 SLPs who work with adults with aphasia.

Results

Most respondents indicated that they do some form of hearing screening, although few do them in a reliable, valid manner. Awareness of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association hearing-screening guidelines was low. The most common reasons given for not conducting screenings included cost and lack of proper equipment and time.

Conclusions

SLPs are an important resource for identifying potential hearing loss in individuals with aphasia. These data suggest that hearing screenings are being conducted only inconsistently with this population, often using nonstandardized methods. The results demonstrate a need to develop hearing-screening tools that are affordable, easily accessible, and validated for aphasia, and to raise awareness of currently available hearing-screening protocols and tools.
Onsite magnetic moment through cation distribution and magnetocrystalline anisotropy studies in NiFe2−xRxO4 (R = Y and Lu; x = 0, 0.05, and 0.075)
Authors: Kodam Ugendar , K Kamala Bharathi , V Raghavendra Reddy , Rayaprol Sudhindra , Siruguri Vasudeva , Garimalle Markandeyulu
Published: February 2017

Onsite magnetic moments through cation distribution and magnetocrystalline anisotropy studies of NiFe2−xRxO4 (R = Y and Lu; x = 0, 0.05, and 0.075) compounds were investigated, and the results are discussed and presented in this paper. All the compounds were prepared by solid state reaction, and the compounds formed in the cubic inverse spinel phase with the space group Fd3¯m. The cation distribution, bond lengths, u-parameter, etc. were estimated through the Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns. Increment in the lattice constant was observed upon partial substitution of Fe3+ by Y3+/Lu3+. The presence of all elements and their ionic states were confirmed from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. Analyses of Mössbauer spectra revealed that the hyperfine fields and the magnetic moments at the B-site (and hence net moment) decreased with increasing Y3+/Lu3+ occupancy and that the compounds exhibited a Néel-type, collinear ferrimagnetic structure. Magnetization measurements revealed that the magnetic moment decreased with Y3+/Lu3+ substitution. The high field regimes of the magnetization curves were modeled using the law of approach to the saturation magnetization equation, and the first order cubic anisotropy constants (K1) were calculated. The temperature variation of K1 and effects of Y3+/Lu3+ substitution are explained.
Role of head of turbulent 3-D density currents in mixing during slumping regime
Authors: Bhaganagar Kiran
Published: February 2017

A fundamental study was conducted to shed light on entrainment and mixing in buoyancy-driven Boussinesq density currents. Large-eddy simulation was performed on lock-exchange (LE) release density currents—an idealized test bed to generate density currents. As dense fluid was released over a sloping surface into an ambient lighter fluid, the dense fluid slumps to the bottom and forms a characteristic head of the current. The dynamics of the head dictated the mixing processes in LE currents. The key contribution of this study is to resolve an ongoing debate on mixing: We demonstrate that substantial mixing occurs in the early stages of evolution in an LE experiment and that entrainment is highly inhomogeneous and unsteady during the slumping regime. Guided by the flow physics, entrainment is calculated using two different but related perspectives. In the first approach, the entrainment parameter (E) is defined as the fraction of ambient fluid displaced by the head that entrains into the current. It is an indicator of the efficiency in which ambient fluid is displaced into the current and it serves as an important metric to compare the entrainment of dense currents over different types of surfaces, e.g., roughness configuration. In the second approach, E measures the net entrainment in the current at an instantaneous time t over the length of the current. Net entrainment coefficient is a metric to compare the effects of flow dynamical conditions, i.e., lock-aspect ratio that dictates the fraction of buoyancy entering the head, and also the effect of the sloping angle. Together, the entrainment coefficient and the net entrainment coefficient provide an insight into the entrainment process. The “active” head of the current acts as an engine that mixes the ambient fluid with the existing dense fluid, the 3-D lobes and clefts on the frontal end of the current causes recirculation of the ambient fluid into the current, and Kelvin-Helmholtz rolls are the mixers that entrain the ambience into the current. Buoyancy and shear production occur at the interface in the head region of the current, and transport of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) by Reynolds stresses results in high TKE.
Perturbations of embedded eigenvalues for a magnetic Schrödinger operator on a cylinder
Authors: Laptev Ari , Maad Sasane Sara
Published: February 2017

Perturbation problems for operators with embedded eigenvalues are generally challenging since the embedded eigenvalues cannot be separated from the rest of the spectrum. In this paper, we study a perturbation problem for embedded eigenvalues for a magnetic Schrödinger operator, when the underlying domain is a cylinder. The magnetic potential is C2 with an algebraic decay rate as the unbounded variable of the cylinder tends to ±∞. In particular, no analyticity of the magnetic potential is assumed. We also assume that the embedded eigenvalue of the unperturbed problem is not the square of an integer, thus avoiding the thresholds of the continuous spectrum of the unperturbed operator. We show that the set of nearby potentials, for which a simple embedded eigenvalue persists, forms a smooth manifold of finite codimension.
Note: A temperature-stable low-noise transimpedance amplifier for microcurrent measurement
Authors: Xie Kai , Shi Xueyou , Zhao Kai , Guo Lixin , Zhang Hanlu
Published: February 2017

Temperature stability and noise characteristics often run contradictory in microcurrent (e.g., pA-scale) measurement instruments because low-noise performance requires high-value resistors with relatively poor temperature coefficients. A low-noise transimpedance amplifier with high-temperature stability, which involves an active compensation mechanism to overcome the temperature drift mainly caused by high-value resistors, is presented. The implementation uses a specially designed R-2R compensating network to provide programmable current gain with extra-fine trimming resolution. The temperature drifts of all components (e.g., feedback resistors, operational amplifiers, and the R-2R network itself) are compensated simultaneously. Therefore, both low-temperature drift and ultra-low-noise performance can be achieved. With a current gain of 1011 V/A, the internal current noise density was about 0.4 fA/√Hz, and the average temperature coefficient was 4.3 ppm/K at 0–50 °C. The amplifier module maintains accuracy across a wide temperature range without additional thermal stabilization, and its compact size makes it especially suitable for high-precision, low-current measurement in outdoor environments for applications such as electrochemical emission supervision, air pollution particles analysis, radiation monitoring, and bioelectricity.
Vibrational circular dichroism spectra for large molecules and molecules with heavy elements
Authors: Reiter Kevin , Kühn Michael , Weigend Florian
Published: February 2017

We present an implementation of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in TURBOMOLE. We mainly followed the route proposed by Cheeseman [Chem. Phys. Lett. 252, 211 (1996)] and extended the modules for calculating the magnetic response and vibrational frequencies accordingly. The implementation allows for gauge origin invariant employment of effective core potentials, as demonstrated for Co(ppy)3, ppy = 2-Phenylpyridine. In this way, scalar relativistic effects are covered and heavy elements can be treated. Further, with the present implementation molecular symmetry may be efficiently exploited, which makes the calculation of large (symmetric) systems feasible. The calculation of the VCD spectrum of icosahedral C6202+ is shown as an illustrative application.
Beam quality study for a grating-based dielectric laser-driven accelerator
Authors: Wei Y. , Jamison S. , Xia G. , Hanahoe K. , Li Y. , Smith J. D. A. , Welsch C. P.
Published: February 2017

Dielectric laser-driven accelerators (DLAs) based on grating structures are considered to be one of the most promising technologies to reduce the size and cost of future particle accelerators. They offer high accelerating gradients of up to several GV/m in combination with mature lithographic techniques for structure fabrication. This paper numerically investigates the beam quality for acceleration of electrons in a realistic dual-grating DLA. In our simulations, we use beam parameters of the future Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications facility to load an electron bunch into an optimized 100-period dual-grating structure where it interacts with a realistic laser pulse. The emittance, energy spread, and loaded accelerating gradient for modulated electrons are then analyzed in detail. Results from simulations show that an accelerating gradient of up to 1.13 ± 0.15 GV/m with an extremely small emittance growth, 3.6%, can be expected.
On a new semi-discrete integrable combination of Burgers and Sharma-Tasso-Olver equation
Authors: Zhao Hai-qiong
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a new semi-discrete integrable combination of Burgers and Sharma-Tasso-Olver equation is investigated. The underlying integrable structures like the Lax pair, the infinite number of conservation laws, the Darboux-Bäcklund transformation, and the solutions are presented in the explicit form. The theory of the semi-discrete equation including integrable properties yields the corresponding theory of the continuous counterpart in the continuous limit. Finally, numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed integrable semi-discretization algorithms.
Fabrication and high temperature electronic behaviors of n-WO3 nanorods/p-diamond heterojunction
Authors: Wang Liying , Cheng Shaoheng , Wu Chengze , Pei Kai , Song Yanpeng , Li Hongdong , Wang Qinglin , Sang Dandan
Published: February 2017

This work explores the temperature-dependent characteristic and carrier transport behavior of a heterojunction of n-WO3 nanorods (NRs)/p-diamond. The n-type WO3 NRs grown by the hydrothermal method were deposited on a p-type boron-doped diamond film. The p-n heterojunction devices showed good thermal stability and have rectification characteristic from room temperature up to 290 °C. With increasing temperature, the turn-on voltages were decreased, and the rectification ratios were relatively high. The calculated ideality factor of the device decreased monotonously with increased temperature. The carrier transport mechanisms at different applied bias voltages following Ohmic laws, recombination-tunneling, and space-charge-limited current conduction of the heterojunction are discussed depending on temperature.
Effects of adhesion layer on Ag nanorod growth mode and morphology using glancing angle physical vapor deposition
Authors: Davies Matthew P. , McKinney Casey S. , Serrano Joel M. , Mullen Thomas J. , Stagon Stephen P.
Published: February 2017

This letter reports on the transition from a non-wetting to an effectively wetting growth mode of silver (Ag) nanorods when an adhesion layer is used during glancing angle physical vapor deposition growth. When deposited onto a silicon substrate without an adhesion layer, Ag nanorods grow from partially interconnected non-wetting islands with diameters of ∼100 nm, although many connect with their neighbors due to small rod-to-rod spacing. When a 1 nm thick Cr adhesion layer is used, which is shown not to completely coat the substrate, the growth mode becomes effectively wetting through the coalescence of closely spaced nuclei, and both Ag nanorod diameter and spacing increase. Alternatively, when a thicker 10 nm Cr adhesion layer is used, the growth mode becomes mixed, as both small effective wetting regions and film gaps exist. For the cases of no adhesion layer and 1 nm Cr adhesion layer, the nanorods are oriented at ∼23° from the substrate but lay down onto the substrate when a 10 nm thick Cr adhesion layer is used. Thin film adhesion tests demonstrate that both 1 nm and 10 nm Cr adhesion layers offer an enhanced performance over no adhesion layer or a glancing angle adhesion layer.
Superparamagnetic nanoparticle detection system by using a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate (FM-OFG) gradiometer
Authors: Karo Hikaru , Sasada Ichiro
Published: February 2017

A new magnetic nanoparticle detection system by using a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate (FM-OFG) gradiometer and ac magnetizing coil has been developed. The FM-OFG gradiometer has an active canceling coil on each of its sensor heads against the common magnetic field input to avoid the saturation of the amorphous wire core by a strong ac magnetic field. In addition, the ac magnetizing coil has an adjusting capability to make ac magnetic field strength affecting each of the gradiometer heads equal, which allows us to use a high gain amplifier at the latter stage. Two types of the gradiometer are tested: one is parallel configuration in which two sensor heads are placed in parallel side by side, the other is axial configuration in which two sensor heads are placed axially. Detectable distance was investigated using a 5μL (≈100μg in Fe atomic amount) magnetic nanoparticle sample. The maximum detectable distance for the parallel gradiometer is 17 mm, and that for the axial one is 18 mm.
Revisiting the social cost of carbon
Authors: Nordhaus William D.
Published: February 2017

Significance

The most important single economic concept in the economics of climate change is the social cost of carbon (SCC). At present, regulations with more than $1 trillion of benefits have been written for the United States that use the SCC in their economic analysis. The DICE model (Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy) is one of three integrated assessment models used to estimate the SCC in the United States. The present study presents updated estimates based on a revised DICE model (DICE-2016R). The study estimates that the SCC is $31 per ton of CO
2
in 2010 US$ for the current period (2015). This study will be an important step in developing the next generation of estimates of the SCC in the United States and other countries.
Oxidative DNA damage is epigenetic by regulating gene transcription via base excision repair
Authors: Fleming Aaron M. , Ding Yun , Burrows Cynthia J.
Published: February 2017

Significance

Damage to DNA bases due to oxidative stress is thought to be deleterious, leading to stalled replication forks and mutations. Similarly, folding of DNA strands into G-quadruplexes slows the progression of polymerases, requiring specialized helicases for unfolding before transcription. In the case of oxidative damage in a G-quadruplex–forming sequence of a promoter, we show that the presence of the DNA damage lesion 8-oxoguanine (OG) leads to an ∼300% increase in gene expression. This concept was demonstrated by chemical synthesis of a segment of the vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF
) or endonuclease III-like protein 1 (
NTHL1
) promoter with a site specifically incorporated lesion in a reporter plasmid. This observation is direct evidence that OG represents an epigenetic modification and G-quadruplex–forming sequences can serve as sensors of oxidative stress.
Quantifying the momentum correlation between two light beams by detecting one
Authors: Hochrainer Armin , Lahiri Mayukh , Lapkiewicz Radek , Lemos Gabriela Barreto , Zeilinger Anton
Published: February 2017

Significance

Entanglement as a fundamental concept of quantum physics is manifested in correlations between particles. The correlation between two particles is usually measured by detecting both of them. Here, we present the results of an experiment based on a unique concept, where the momentum correlation between two photons is measured by detecting only one of them. This measurement is possible by exploiting the quantum mechanical complementarity between path-distinguishability and interference. Our approach can potentially be generalized to measure other higher-order correlations in lower order, which would enable experimental access to a broader class of correlated quantum systems, particularly in situations in which technical limitations make it impossible to efficiently detect one of the correlated particles.
Dissection of neuronal gap junction circuits that regulate social behavior in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Jang Heeun , Levy Sagi , Flavell Steven W. , Mende Fanny , Latham Richard , Zimmer Manuel , Bargmann Cornelia I.
Published: February 2017

Significance

Electrical coupling through gap junctions is an important form of neuronal communication, but methods to interrogate electrical coupling are limited. We identified the UNC-9 gap junction protein (innexin) as an essential component of a circuit that regulates social aggregation and related behaviors in
Caenorhabditis elegans
. By transgenic expression of dominant-negative UNC-1 stomatin and rescue with gain-of-function UNC-9::GFP, we selectively interrogated and restored gap junction coupling between neurons, allowing fine dissection of the neuronal circuit for social behavior.
O-GlcNAc transferase regulates excitatory synapse maturity
Authors: Lagerlöf Olof , Hart Gerald W. , Huganir Richard L.
Published: February 2017

Significance

Neurons in the brain adapt to environmental challenges by rearranging their connections, or synapses, to other neurons. This process is called synaptic plasticity and it is unclear how synaptic plasticity is regulated. Here we show that the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) modulates the maturity of excitatory synapses. The function of OGT depends on the metabolic status of the cell and the body. Previously, OGT has been linked to appetitive behavior, learning and memory, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Our data suggest that OGT may underlie brain function by coordinating experience-driven synaptic plasticity with nutrient availability.
Timing and Location of Spawning Based on Larval Capture and Ultrasonic Telemetry of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Saint John River, New Brunswick
Authors: Taylor Andrew D. , Litvak Matthew K.
Published: February 2017

The timing and location of spawning of Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus were investigated using larval sampling and ultrasonic telemetry in 2010–2014 in the lower Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada. Larval sampling was conducted to identify potential spawning areas using anchored D‐frame drift nets and towed bongo nets. Forty‐four adult Atlantic Sturgeon (138–213 cm) were ultrasonically tagged and passively tracked using hydrophone receivers located throughout the river. Spawning was confirmed with the first capture of Atlantic Sturgeon larvae in the river. Four Atlantic Sturgeon yolk sac larvae (13.44–14.43 mm) were captured on July 23, 2011, and one exogenous feeding larva (22.6 mm) on July 25, 2011, at river kilometer (rkm) 106 near Burton, New Brunswick. Spawning time was estimated using larval growth models and is likely to have occurred July 6–13, 2011, above rkm 106. Eleven tagged fish returned to the river in May and June after a minimum of 2 years at large: nine males, one female, and one unknown sex. Seven of the 11 returning fish migrated to potential spawning areas above rkm 100. Based on the upstream occupancy observed, annual variability in spawning time is likely. The other four fish that returned remained below the salt–fresh interface with brief upstream migrations below rkm 100, suggesting that some fish are not spawning during summer migration. The majority of fish migrated from the river in August and September. This study provides the first description of the location and timing of Atlantic Sturgeon spawning and migratory patterns in the Saint John River.

Received April 3, 2016; accepted November 17, 2016 Published online February 1, 2017
On the rationality of certain type A Galois representations
Authors: Hui Chun Yin
Published: February 2017

Let

X
X

be a complete smooth variety defined over a number field

K
K

and let

i
i

be an integer. The absolute Galois group

G
a
l

K

\mathrm {Gal}_K

of

K
K

acts on the

i
i

th étale cohomology group

H

e
´

t

i

(

X

K
¯

,

Q

ℓ

)

H^i_{\mathrm {\acute {e}t}}(X_{\bar K},\mathbb {Q}_\ell )

for all primes

ℓ
\ell

, producing a system of

ℓ
\ell

-adic representations

{

Φ
ℓ

}
ℓ

\{\Phi _\ell \}_\ell

. The conjectures of Grothendieck, Tate, and Mumford-Tate predict that the identity component of the algebraic monodromy group of

Φ
ℓ

\Phi _\ell

admits a reductive

Q

\mathbb {Q}

-form that is independent of

ℓ
\ell

if

X
X

is projective. Denote by

Γ
ℓ

\Gamma _\ell

and

G

ℓ

\mathbf {G}_\ell

respectively the monodromy group and the algebraic monodromy group of

Φ
ℓ

s
s

\Phi _\ell ^{\mathrm {ss}}

, the semisimplification of

Φ
ℓ

\Phi _\ell

. Assuming that

G

ℓ
0

\mathbf {G}_{\ell _0}

satisfies some group theoretic conditions for some prime

ℓ
0

\ell _0

, we construct a connected quasi-split

Q

\mathbb {Q}

-reductive group

G

Q

\mathbf {G}_{\mathbb {Q}}

which is a common

Q

\mathbb {Q}

-form of

G

ℓ
∘

\mathbf {G}_\ell ^\circ

for all sufficiently large

ℓ
\ell

. Let

G

Q

s
c

\mathbf {G}_{\mathbb {Q}}^{\mathrm {sc}}

be the universal cover of the derived group of

G

Q

\mathbf {G}_{\mathbb {Q}}

. As an application, we prove that the monodromy group

Γ
ℓ

\Gamma _\ell

is big in the sense that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="normal upper Gamma Subscript script l Superscript normal s normal c Baseline approximately-equals bold upper G Subscript double-struck upper Q Superscript normal s normal c Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper Z Subscript script l Baseline right-parenthesis">

Γ
ℓ

s
c

≅

G

Q

s
c

(

Z

ℓ

)

\Gamma _\ell ^{\mathrm {sc}}\cong \mathbf {G}_{\mathbb {Q}}^{\mathrm {sc}}(\mathbb {Z}_\ell )

for all sufficiently large

ℓ
\ell

.
Spring diet of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from northwestern Spitsbergen, Norway
Authors: Labansen Aili L. , Lydersen Christian , Haug Tore , Kovacs Kit M.
Published: February 2017

Labansen, A. L., Lydersen, C., Haug, T., and Kovacs, K. M. 2007. Spring diet of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from northwestern Spitsbergen, Norway. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1246–1256. Complete gastro-intestinal tracts (GITs) from 267 ringed seals from five different locations in Spitsbergen were collected during spring of the years 2002–2004. Diet was assessed based on hard part remains from prey. Invertebrates constituted <2% of all prey (relative frequency, Ni). Fish otoliths were found in all seals; 1.7, 34.3, and 64.0% of the recovered otoliths were found in the stomach, small and large intestines, respectively, emphasizing the importance of analysing the whole GIT, not only the stomach. Otoliths from stomachs and small intestines with minimal signs of erosion were measured to back-calculate pre-ingested prey size and biomass. Based on measured polar cod (Boreogadus saida) otoliths (n = 7007), the ringed seals fed on fish in the length range 44.4–229.2 mm, primarily consuming the youngest year classes. Adult females ate smaller polar cod more often than adult males or juveniles. Polar cod dominated the diet, with a frequency of occurrence (FO) of 100%, Ni of 71.9%, and a biomass contribution of 77.2%. The taxon Stichaeidae was the second most frequent prey type (FO = 55.6%) followed by Cottidae (FO = 35.6%). The diet of ringed seals from one locality markedly differed from the others, with a greater species diversity, low Ni of polar cod (15%), and a dominance of Stichaeidae (Ni = 67%). Location of sampling, as well as sex and age of the seals, had significant influences on ringed seal diet in spring.
Infections caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: differences in therapy and mortality in a multicentre study
Authors: Tumbarello Mario , Trecarichi Enrico Maria , De Rosa Francesco Giuseppe , Giannella Maddalena , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Bassetti Matteo , Losito Angela Raffaella , Bartoletti Michele , Del Bono Valerio , Corcione Silvia , Maiuro Giuseppe , Tedeschi Sara , Celani Luigi , Cardellino Chiara Simona , Spanu Teresa , Marchese Anna , Ambretti Simone , Cauda Roberto , Viscoli Claudio , Viale Pierluigi ,   on behalf of ISGRI-SITA (Italian Study Group on Resistant Infections of the Società Italiana Terapia Antinfettiva)
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) carbapenemase (KPC)-producing strains of Kp have become a significant threat in recent years. To assess their outcomes and identify risk factors for 14 day mortality, we conducted a 4 year (2010–13) retrospective cohort study in five large Italian teaching hospitals.

Methods

The cohort included 661 adults with bloodstream infections (BSIs; n = 447) or non-bacteraemic infections (lower respiratory tract, intra-abdominal structure, urinary tract or other sites) caused by a KPC-Kp isolate. All had received ≥48 h of therapy (empirical and/or non-empirical) with at least one drug to which the isolate was susceptible.

Results

Most deaths occurred within 2 weeks of infection onset (14 day mortality: 225/661, 34.1%). Logistic regression analysis identified BSI (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.34–3.29), presentation with septic shock (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.47–4.08), inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.01–2.18), chronic renal failure (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.44–3.58), high APACHE III score (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04–1.07) and colistin-resistant isolates (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.37–3.46) as independent predictors of 14 day mortality. Combination therapy with at least two drugs displaying in vitro activity against the isolate was associated with lower mortality (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.77), in particular in patients with BSIs, lung infections or high APACHE III scores and/or septic shock at infection onset. Combinations that included meropenem were associated with significantly higher survival rates when the KPC-Kp isolate had a meropenem MIC of ≤8 mg/L.

Conclusions

KPC-Kp infections are associated with high mortality. Treatment with two or more drugs displaying activity against the isolate improves survival, mainly in patients who are critically ill.
Technical and Administrative Anomalies in a Large TL Dosimetry Service
Authors: Grogan D. , Bradley R.P. , Scott J.G.
Published: February 2017

Thermoluminescence dosimetry is widely used for occupational monitoring of radiation workers and it has significant advantages when compared with more traditional methods such as film. However, there are also disadvantages caused by technical anomalies which appear in dosemeter signals. The Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare has provided personnel monitoring services for radiation workers since 1950, and in the period 1976 to 1981 converted all its monitoring, with the exception of neutron dosimetry, from film to TLD. The treatment of anomalous TLD data is described in this paper. While emphasis is placed on technically anomalous results including contamination, faulty holder, damage, thermal neutrons, ultraviolet exposures and other questionable results, the handling of administrative anomalies such as exposed control monitors, late dosemeters, non-personal exposures and return of dosemeters previously declared lost is also addressed. The statistical occurrence of such anomalies for the period 1981 to 1985 inclusive is shown.
Automated Counting and Analysis of Etched Tracks in CR-39 Plastic
Authors: Majborn B.
Published: February 2017

An image analysis system has been set up which is capable of automated counting and analysis of etched nuclear particle tracks in plastic. The system is composed of an optical microscope, CCD camera, frame grabber, personal computer, monitor, and printer. The frame grabber acquires and displays images at video rate. It has a spatial resolution of 512 x 512 pixels with 8 bits of digitisation corresponding to 256 grey levels. The software has been developed for general image processing and adapted for the present purpose. Comparisons of automated and visual microscope counting of tracks in chemically etched CR-39 detectors are presented with emphasis on results of interest for practical radon measurements or neutron dosimetry, e.g. calibration factors, background track densities and variations in background.
A TL Dosemeter that Estimates the Dose and Energy Distribution of Environmental Gamma Radiation
Authors: Bøtter-Jensen L. , Furuta S. , Nielsen S.P.
Published: February 2017

Nuclear power accidents have demonstrated the need for reliable passive dosemeters that can estimate the doses from effluent gamma emitters with a wide range of energies, and give information on the energy distribution of the environmental gamma radiation. For this purpose, experimentally obtained energy responses from a TL dosemeter combination consisting of five CaSO4:Dy dosemeters with different filters were used as input for the SAND II computer code (Spectrum Analysis by Neutron Detectors) that had been adapted to evaluate the energy distribution of environmental gamma radiation and related doses. The dosemeters were exposed to radiation from the natural environment as well as that produced by artificial sources, and the estimated gamma ray energy distributions and doses were tested against results from measurements made with a sodium iodide spectrometer and a high pressure ionisation chamber.
Present State of Art of TSEE Dosimetry
Authors: Scharmann A. , Kriegseis (INVITED) W.
Published: February 2017

The principles and application potentials of the TSEE method for dosimetry are reviewed. The physical and dosimetric properties of BeO thin film detectors, the most advanced TSEE dosemeters at present, are described in detail. These detectors differ in their TSEE behaviour from ceramic BeO because of their smaller grain size, which reduces spurious effects caused by the pyroelectric properties of BeO.
Mechanism of Thermally Stimulated Luminescence in LiF (TLD-100) Below Room Temperature
Authors: Jain V.K.
Published: February 2017

The thermoluminescence of LiF (TLD-100) has been studied from liquid nitrogen temperatures to room temperature. The glow curve contains at least nine peaks (137, 149, 166, 187, 202, 228, 254, 275 and 287K). Four of which (137, 149, 187 and 254K) are isolated by partial thermal annealing and their activation energies are determined. Up to a temperature of about 140K, the emission spectrum consists of three bands at 250, 305, and 420 nm, up to about 200K of two bands at 305 and the 420 nm and at still higher temperatures only the 420 nm band. Two peaks, 149 and 275K, are also produced by phototransfer from filled traps above RT with two emission bands (315 and 440/450 nm). Mayhugh's model delivers a 420 nm emission. The 250 nm emission band is explained by the recombination of Vk holes at another luminescence centre and the 305 nm emission by the recombination of Vk holes with electrons.
TSEE and TL of Crystallised Tetraborate Glasses Irradiated at LNT
Authors: Kutomi Y. , Tomita A. , Takeuchi N.
Published: February 2017

TSEE and TL of Li2B4O7 crystallised glasses X irradiated at liquid nitrogen temperature were investigated and also the effects of activators in these materials. It was found that AgCl, CuCl2 or TbCl3 doped samples as well as an undoped one showed strong TSEE peaks at about -40 and 100 oC. They also showed less intense TSEE peaks at about -100, 200, 230 and 300 oC. TL glow peaks were also observed (the heating rate was 20 oC.min-1). The TSEE peaks were observed even from samples without previous X irradiation at LNT. This may have been due to the thermal release of stress induced in Li2B4O7 micro-crystals by the quenching to LNT from RT, because Li2B4O7 single crystals belong to the 4 mm point group and are piezoelectric. Some TL glow peaks were also observed in these quenched samples without X irradiation. A slight change in the X ray powder diffraction pattern analysis was observed for quenched Li2B4O7 sample around 100 oC, which was not observed for unquenched samples.