bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitosan nanoparticles for nitric oxide delivery in human skin
Authors: Pelegrino M. T. , Weller R. B. , Chen X. , Bernardes J. S. , Seabra A. B.
Published: November 2016

The use of nanoparticle-based transdermal delivery systems is a promising approach to efficiently carry and deliver therapeutic agents for dermal and systemic administration.
Bent bonds (τ) and the antiperiplanar hypothesis, and the reactivity at the anomeric center in pyranosides
Authors: Parent Jean-François , Deslongchamps Pierre
Published: November 2016

Hyperconjugation combined with the BBA hypothesis explainsC- andO-glycosylation of bicyclic pyranoside donors with an equatorial or axial C2–OBn group.
Self-healing poly(siloxane-urethane) elastomers with remoldability, shape memory and biocompatibility
Authors: Zhao Jian , Xu Rui , Luo Gaoxing , Wu Jun , Xia Hesheng
Published: November 2016

The poly(siloxane-urethane) elastomers with microphase separation structure and Diels–Alder bonds show high healing efficiency, good mechanical property and good biocompatibility.
Structural and optical properties of sol–gel derived Cr-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals: an EXAFS study to relate the local structure
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Tiwari N. , Jha S. N. , Chatterjee S. , Bhattacharyya D. , Ghosh Anup K.
Published: November 2016

Structural, local structural and optical properties of sol–gel derived Zn1−xCrxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) nanoparticles have been thoroughly studied by several complementary techniques.
Direct bonding of liquid crystal polymer to glass
Authors: Alam Arif Ul , Qin Yiheng , Howlader Matiar M. R. , Deen M. Jamal
Published: November 2016

A sequential plasma-activated bonding technology is developed for the low-temperature direct bonding of liquid crystal polymer to glass.
A comparative study of the crystalline structure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polyamide 6 composites enhanced with/without silane treatment
Authors: Sang Lin , Wang YuKai , Chen Guangyi , Liang Jicai , Wei Zhiyong
Published: November 2016

The silane-treated carbon fiber induced the formation of transcrystalline structure and enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and polyamide 6 matrix.
Covalent immobilization of glucose oxidase on amino MOFs via post-synthetic modification
Authors: Tudisco C. , Zolubas G. , Seoane B. , Zafarani H. R. , Kazemzad M. , Gascon J. , Hagedoorn P.-L. , Rassaei L.
Published: November 2016

Post Synthetic Modification (PSM) of amino-metal organic frameworks (NH2-MOFs) with the enzyme Glucose Oxidase (GOx) is reported.
Exonuclease III-assisted substrate fragment recycling amplification strategy for ultrasensitive detection of uranyl by a multipurpose DNAzyme
Authors: Cao Jin-Xiu , Wang Yong-Sheng , Xue Jin-Hua , Huang Yan-Qin , Li Ming-Hui , Chen Si-Han , Zhou Bin , Tang Xian , Wang Xiao-Feng , Zhu Yu-Feng
Published: November 2016

Substrate fragment cleaved by UO22+ hybridizes with SSP6 to form dsDNA, triggering substrate fragment recycling amplification by Exo III.
Two fluorescent lead phosphonates for highly selective sensing of nitroaromatics (NACs), Fe3+ and MnO4− ions
Authors: Xing Bo , Li Huan-Yu , Zhu Yan-Yu , Zhao Zhou , Sun Zhen-Gang , Yang Dan , Li Jing
Published: November 2016

Two novel lead(ii) phosphonates have been hydrothermally synthesized. The luminescence properties of compounds 1 and 2 have been investigated. Meanwhile, the selective fluorescent sensing properties of compounds 1 and 2 for p-NP, Fe3+ and MnO4− have also been demonstrated.
Facile synthesis of Pd/PDDA-GN/PMo11Co composite and its enhanced catalytic performance for formic acid oxidation
Authors: Le Lijuan , Zhang Xiaofeng , Ma Ai , Zhang Yi , Huang Huodi , Lin Shen
Published: November 2016

The PMo11Co into the composite Pd/PDDA-GN/PMo11Co contributes to converting intermediate species CO into CO2 for formic acid oxidation.
Effect of preparation methods on hierarchical zeolites for cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Wang Yuelun , Jiang Yuan , Huang Jun , Wang Hui , Li Zhuo , Wu Jinhu
Published: November 2016

Hierarchical zeolites were prepared by a soft template method and alkali treatment.
Determining chemospecificity in reactions with chain transfer agent and corresponding radical via evaluation of molecular weight dependency of apparent comonomer reactivity ratios: free-radical copolymerization of vinyl acetate and dibutyl maleate
Authors: Rahdar Seyed Saeid , Abdollahi Mahdi , Ahmadi Ebrahim , Biglari Abbas
Published: November 2016

Performing copolymerization with two different conditions leading to different molecular weights allows us to determine trichloromethyl radical reactivity towards comonomers.
Microbiote shift in sequencing batch reactors in response to antimicrobial ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Zhenghui , Zhou Huifang , Liu Jiefeng , Yin Xudong , Mao Yufeng , Liu Zhisen , Li Zesheng , Xie Wenyu
Published: November 2016

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been monitored in wastewater treatment plants as their potential adverse effects on functional microorganisms have been causing increasing concern.
A thermo-sensitive supramolecular hydrogel derived from an onium salt with solution–gel–crystal transition properties
Authors: Jia Xin-Jian , Wang Jinshu , Zhong Di-Chang , Wu Junshu , Zhao Bingxin , Engelsen Daniel den , Luo Xu-Zhong
Published: November 2016

A self-assembled supramolecular hydrogel, which not only exhibits thermo-sensitive characteristics but has the property of solution–gel–crystal transition, is obtained by mixing the aqueous solutions of benzoic acid and melamine.
Synthesis of polydopamine-coated halloysite nanotube-based hydrogel for controlled release of a calcium channel blocker
Authors: Ganguly Sayan , Das Tushar Kanti , Mondal Subhadip , Das N. C.
Published: November 2016

A stimuli-triggered drug delivery vehicle has been synthesized by self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) on the outer surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) followed by gelationviaalginate.
Germanium encapsulated in sulfur and nitrogen co-doped 3D porous carbon as an ultra-long-cycle life anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Yang Chenglong , Jiang Yu , Liu Xiaowu , Zhong Xiongwu , Yu Yan
Published: November 2016

Germanium encapsulated in sulfur and nitrogen co-doped 3D porous carbon was synthesized and used as anode for lithium-ion batteries showing excellent electrochemical performances.
Near-infrared persistent luminescence hollow mesoporous nanospheres for drug delivery and in vivo renewable imaging
Authors: Shi Junpeng , Sun Meng , Sun Xia , Zhang Hongwu
Published: November 2016

Near-infrared persistent luminescence hollow mesoporous nanospheres have been synthesized via a template method. These nanospheres can be used as large capacity drug carriers and realize super long-term and high sensitivity tracking of drug delivery in deep tissue.
Regulated necrosis-related molecule mRNA expression in humans and mice and in murine acute tissue injury and systemic autoimmunity leading to progressive organ damage, and progressive fibrosis
Authors: Honarpisheh Mohsen , Desai Jyaysi , Marschner Julian A. , Weidenbusch Marc , Lech Maciej , Vielhauer Volker , Anders Hans-Joachim , Mulay Shrikant R.
Published: November 2016

The species-specific, as well as organ-specific expression of regulated necrosis (RN)-related molecules, is not known. We determined the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1), receptor activated protein kinase (RIPK)1, RIPK3, mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL), CASP8, Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (CIAP)1, CIAP2, glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4), cyclophilin D (CYPD), CASP1, NLRP3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) in human and mouse solid organs. We observed significant differences in expression of these molecules between human and mice. In addition, we characterized their expression profiles in acute as well as persistent tissue injury and chronic tissue remodelling using acute and chronic kidney injury models. We observed that the degree and pattern of induction of RN-related molecules were highly dependent on the trigger and disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, we studied their expression patterns in mice with lupus-like systemic autoimmunity, which revealed that the expression of MLKL, GPX4 and PARP1 significantly increased in the spleen along disease progression and CASP1, RIPK1, RIPK3 and CYPD were higher at the earlier stages but were significantly decreased in the later stages. In contrast, in the kidney, the expression of genes involved in pyroptosis, e.g. NLRP3 and CASP1 were significantly increased and TNFR1, RIPK1, RIPK3, CIAP1/2 and GPX4 were significantly decreased along the progression of lupus nephritis (LN). Thus, the organ- and species-specific expression of RN-related molecules should be considered during designing experiments, interpreting the results as well as extrapolating the conclusions from one species or organ to another species or organ respectively.
Improved nested array with hole‐free DCA and more degrees of freedom
Authors: Yang Minglei , Sun Lei , Yuan Xin , Chen Baixiao
Published: November 2016

A new linear sparse array based on the nested array is proposed, which enjoys all the good properties of the two‐level nested array, and can provide more degrees of freedom (DOF). The new array is constructed by two uniform linear arrays (ULAs) and an additional sensor. The sensor locations, the array aperture, and the achievable DOF from its difference co‐array (DCA) are all benefited for closed‐form expressions. Furthermore, the resulting DCA is kept as a hole‐free ULA. The optimal numbers of sensors in the two ULAs provided the total number of physical sensors are derived. This new array can resolve more sources and achieve better angle estimation performance than the two‐level nested array. Simulation results validate these conclusions.
Simultaneous design of proportional–integral–derivative controller and measurement filter by optimisation
Authors: Soltesz Kristian , Grimholt Chriss , Skogestad Sigurd
Published: November 2016

A method for optimisation of proportional–integral–derivative controller parameters and measurement filter time constant is presented. The method differs from the traditional approach in that the controller and filter parameters are simultaneously optimised, as opposed to standard, sequential, design. Control performance is maximised through minimisation of the integrated absolute error caused by a unit step load disturbance. Robustness is achieved through constraints on sensitivity and complementary sensitivity. At the same time, noise attenuation is enforced by limiting either the or norm of the transfer function from measurement noise to control signal. The use of exact gradients makes the synthesis method faster and more numerically robust than previously proposed alternatives.
DC nanogrid for renewable sources with modular DC/DC LLC converter building block
Authors: Cecati Carlo , Khalid Hassan Abdullah , Tinari Mario , Adinolfi Giovanna , Graditi Giorgio
Published: November 2016

Centralised electricity systems are being integrated by a multitude of small distributed generation clusters, called nanogrids, capable of ensuring full utilisation of renewable energy sources, high flexibility, efficiency and improved reliability of the power grid due to redudancy. In this study, small photovoltaic plants combined with energy storage systems represent a promising solution for full exploitation of renewable energies and for effective development of electromobility. The purpose of this study is two‐fold: first it deals with a DC nanogrid suitable for small energetic clusters such as residential or office buildings and consisting of photovoltaic arrays, fuel cells, electric vehicle charger stations, loads, then proposes a multifunctional full‐bridge DC/DC LLC resonant converter building block. The latter, while accepting large input/output ranges is suitable for photovoltaic and fuel cells energy conversion, electric vehicle recharging stations and other DC applications available in the nanogrid. Proposed power system can be interconnected with conventional AC grid through voltage source converter. After description of proposed nanogrid, some analyses are performed on its core element, i.e. the DC converter building block.
Simple biosensing method to detect DMMP based on QCM transducer and acetylcholine esterase sensitive film
Authors: Ma Wenying , Tang Shi , Wei Yaohua , Xie Guangzhong
Published: November 2016

A simple and stable method to detect dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) was studied. Through direct monitoring of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition without histological substrate, the concentration of DMMP was sensitively detected. In the experimental setup, a liquid–gas interface was developed to improve the oscillation stability of quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) and to prevent protein denaturation of AChE. AChE was immobilised on the surface of gold electrodes on QCM by creating a cross‐linked gel with glutaraldehyde. Experimental results showed that the prepared biosensor had a frequency fall of ∼4 Hz when a concentration of 1 ng/ml increment occurred for liquid DMMP. Furthermore, the detection was repeatable and selective to only DMMP. Frequency response to DMMP in gas phase was also studied. The considerable frequency response and its complete recovery showed that the sensor had wide application potential in attack defence and public safety construction.
Synthesis of TiO2–Al2O3 and TiO2–Ta2O5 composite nanotubes on planar Si substrates
Authors: Chappanda Karumbaiah N. , Misra Mano , Mohanty Swomitra K.
Published: November 2016

Morphological studies of TiO2–Al2O3 and TiO2–Ta2O5 nanocomposite nanotubes synthesised on silicon substrates are presented here. Nanocomposite Ti–Al and Ti–Ta thin films were deposited on silicon substrates via simultaneous multi‐target sputtering of Ti and Al targets or Ti and Ta targets, followed by anodisation in a fluorinated electrolyte. By increasing the Al or Ta concentration in the sputtered films, the morphology of the anodised films is changed from tubular oxides (with ripples on the outer walls) to well‐aligned porous oxides (smooth walls, near zero gap between walls). By increasing the concentrations of Ta, formation of random Y‐branched porous oxides in the anodised films is demonstrated. These nanotubes were synthesised on a planar substrates making them suitable for integrated circuits.
The Moyal sphere
Authors: Eckstein Michał , Sitarz Andrzej , Wulkenhaar Raimar
Published: November 2016

We construct a family of constant curvature metrics on the Moyal plane and compute the Gauss–Bonnet term for each of them. They arise from the conformal rescaling of the metric in the orthonormal frame approach. We find a particular solution, which corresponds to the Fubini–Study metric and which equips the Moyal algebra with the geometry of a noncommutative sphere.
Real-space pseudopotential method for computing the vibrational Stark effect
Authors: Garrett Benjamin F. , Azuri Ido , Kronik Leeor , Chelikowsky James R.
Published: November 2016

The vibrational Stark shift is an important effect in determining the electrostatic environment for molecular or condensed matter systems. However, accurate ab initio calculations of the vibrational Stark effect are a technically demanding challenge. We make use of density functional theory constructed on a real-space grid to expedite the computation of this effect. Our format is especially advantageous for the investigation of small molecules in finite fields as cluster boundary conditions eliminate spurious supercell interactions and allow for charged systems, while convergence is controlled by a single parameter, the grid spacing. The Stark tuning rate is highly sensitive to the interaction between anharmonicity in a vibrational mode and the applied field. To ensure this subtle interaction is fully captured, we apply three parallel approaches: a direct finite field, a perturbative method, and a molecular dynamics method. We illustrate this method by applying it to several small molecules containing C–O and C–N bonds and show that a consistent result can be obtained.
Analytic formulation of derivative coupling vectors for complete active space configuration interaction wavefunctions with floating occupation molecular orbitals
Authors: Hohenstein Edward G.
Published: November 2016

The floating occupation molecular orbital complete active space configuration interaction (FOMO-CASCI) method is quite promising for the study of nonadiabatic processes. Use of this method directly in nonadiabatic dynamics simulations has been limited by the lack of available first-order nonadiabatic coupling vectors. Here, an analytic formulation of these derivative coupling vectors is presented for FOMO-CASCI wavefunctions using a simple Lagrangian-based approach. The derivative coupling vectors are applied in the optimization of minimum energy conical intersections of an aqueously solvated model compound for the chromophore of the green fluorescent protein (including 100 water molecules). The computational cost of the FOMO-CASCI derivative coupling vector is shown to scale quadratically, O(N2), with system size and is applied to systems with up to 1000 atoms.
End-anchored polymers in good solvents from the single chain limit to high anchoring densities
Authors: Whitmore Mark D. , Grest Gary S. , Douglas Jack F. , Kent Michael S. , Suo Tongchuan
Published: November 2016

An increasing number of applications utilize grafted polymer layers to alter the interfacial properties of solid substrates, motivating refinement in our theoretical understanding of such layers. To assess existing theoretical models of them, we have investigated end-anchored polymer layers over a wide range of grafting densities, σ, ranging from a single chain to high anchoring density limits, chain lengths ranging over two orders of magnitude, for very good and marginally good solvent conditions. We compare Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, numerical self-consistent field calculations, and experimental measurements of the average layer thickness, h, with renormalization group theory, the Alexander–de Gennes mushroom theory, and the classical brush theory. Our simulations clearly indicate that appreciable inter-chain interactions exist at all simulated areal anchoring densities so that there is no mushroom regime in which the layer thickness is independent of σ. Moreover, we find that there is no high coverage regime in which h follows the predicted scaling, h ∼ Nσ1/3, for classical polymer brushes either. Given that no completely adequate analytic theory seems to exist that spans wide ranges of N and σ, we applied scaling arguments for h as a function of a suitably defined reduced anchoring density, defined in terms of the solution radius of gyration of the polymer chains and N. We find that such a scaling approach enables a smooth, unified description of h in very good solvents over the full range of anchoring density and chain lengths, although this type of data reduction does not apply to marginal solvent quality conditions.
Kinetic effects observed in dynamic first-order reversal curves of magnetic wires: Experiment and theoretical description
Authors: Cimpoesu Dorin , Dumitru Ioan , Stancu Alexandru
Published: November 2016

This study is focused on the possibility to extend the use of the first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagram method to rate-dependent hysteresis observed experimentally on soft magnetic wires. The FORC system of an amorphous magnetic wire was measured with an inductometric experimental setup in which the field-rate was maintained constant. The FORC experiment was performed for four different field-rates. We have developed and implemented a model based on the hypothesis that the magnetization processes in the samples are mainly due to the movement of a domain wall between the central domains of the wire. The differential equation of the domain wall movement is able to give a remarkably accurate description of the experimental FORC diagrams for all the field rates used in the experiment. The experimental FORCs, the FORC susceptibility diagram, and the classical FORC diagram show, however, a number of details that the model is not able to describe. In each such case, one discusses the possible physical cause of the observed behavior.
Three-dimensional flow field over a trailing-edge serration and implications on broadband noise
Authors: Avallone F. , Pröbsting S. , Ragni D.
Published: November 2016

The three-dimensional flow field over the suction side of a NACA 0018 airfoil with trailing-edge serrations was studied by means of time-resolved tomographic particle image velocimetry. Mean flow results show that the boundary layer thickness decreases along the streamwise direction with a corresponding reduction of the size of the turbulent structures developing over the suction side of the serrations. At a positive angle of attack, streamwise-oriented and counter-rotating vortices aligned with the edge of the serrations are found to be the main features of the mean flow field. Their formation is attributed to the pressure imbalance between the two sides of the airfoil and the mixing layer at the edge. They locally modify the effective angle seen by the turbulent flow approaching the serrated edge. This effect may contribute to the serration underperformance in terms of noise reduction reported in literature. The spatial distribution of the spectra of the source term of the Poisson equation, which relates the velocity field to pressure fluctuations, suggests that the contribution of the serrations to far-field broadband noise is a function of the streamwise location. This observation is congruent with the spectra of the wall-normal and spanwise velocity fluctuations, which typically show low intensity close to the tips of the individual serrations. It follows that analytical models must take into account the local contribution to the far-field noise induced by the streamwise variation of the hydrodynamic pressure on the serration surface.
On the polymer physics origins of protein folding thermodynamics
Authors: Taylor Mark P. , Paul Wolfgang , Binder Kurt
Published: November 2016

A remarkable feature of the spontaneous folding of many small proteins is the striking similarity in the thermodynamics of the folding process. This process is characterized by simple two-state thermodynamics with large and compensating changes in entropy and enthalpy and a funnel-like free energy landscape with a free-energy barrier that varies linearly with temperature. One might attribute the commonality of this two-state folding behavior to features particular to these proteins (e.g., chain length, hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, attributes of the native state) or one might suspect that this similarity in behavior has a more general polymer-physics origin. Here we show that this behavior is also typical for flexible homopolymer chains with sufficiently short range interactions. Two-state behavior arises from the presence of a low entropy ground (folded) state separated from a set of high entropy disordered (unfolded) states by a free energy barrier. This homopolymer model exhibits a funneled free energy landscape that reveals a complex underlying dynamics involving competition between folding and non-folding pathways. Despite the presence of multiple pathways, this simple physics model gives the robust result of two-state thermodynamics for both the cases of folding from a basin of expanded coil states and from a basin of compact globule states.
Laboratory study of low-β forces in arched, line-tied magnetic flux ropes
Authors: Myers C. E. , Yamada M. , Ji H. , Yoo J. , Jara-Almonte J. , Fox W.
Published: November 2016

The loss-of-equilibrium is a solar eruption mechanism whereby a sudden breakdown of the magnetohydrodynamic force balance in the Sun's corona ejects a massive burst of particles and energy into the heliosphere. Predicting a loss-of-equilibrium, which has more recently been formulated as the torus instability, relies on a detailed understanding of the various forces that hold the pre-eruption magnetic flux rope in equilibrium. Traditionally, idealized analytical force expressions are used to derive simplified eruption criteria that can be compared to solar observations and modeling. What is missing, however, is a validation that these idealized analytical force expressions can be applied to the line-tied, low-aspect-ratio conditions of the corona. In this paper, we address this shortcoming by using a laboratory experiment to study the forces that act on long-lived, arched, line-tied magnetic flux ropes. Three key force terms are evaluated over a wide range of experimental conditions: (1) the upward hoop force; (2) the downward strapping force; and (3) the downward toroidal field tension force. First, the laboratory force measurements show that, on average, the three aforementioned force terms cancel to produce a balanced line-tied equilibrium. This finding validates the laboratory force measurement techniques developed here, which were recently used to identify a dynamic toroidal field tension force that can prevent flux rope eruptions [Myers et al., Nature 528, 526 (2015)]. The verification of magnetic force balance also confirms the low-β assumption that the plasma thermal pressure is negligible in these experiments. Next, the measured force terms are directly compared to corresponding analytical expressions. While the measured and analytical forces are found to be well correlated, the low-aspect-ratio, line-tied conditions in the experiment are found to both reduce the measured hoop force and increase the measured tension force with respect to analytical expectations. These two co-directed effects combine to generate laboratory flux rope equilibria at lower altitudes than are predicted analytically. Such considerations are expected to modify the loss-of-equilibrium eruption criteria for analogous flux ropes in the solar corona.
3D scanning Hall probe microscopy with 700 nm resolution
Authors: Dede M. , Akram R. , Oral A.
Published: November 2016

In this report, we present a three dimensional (3D) imaging of magnetic field vector B→(x,y,z) emanating from the magnetic material surfaces using a scanning Hall probe microscopy (3D-SHPM) down to a 700 nm spatial resolution. The Hall probe is used to measure Bz(x,y) on the specimen surface at different heights with the step size of Δz = 250 nm, as we move away from the surface in z direction, until the field decays to zero. These set of images are then used to get ∂Bz(x,y)/∂x and ∂Bz(x,y)/∂y at different z by numerical differentiation. Using the Maxwell's equations in the source free region, Bx(x,y) and By(x,y) can be calculated by integrating ∂Bz(x,y)/∂x and ∂Bz(x,y)/∂y in the z direction. Alternatively, the gradients can also be measured in the Hall gradiometer configuration directly. The operation of the 3D-SHPM is demonstrated by imaging Bx(x,y), By(x,y) and Bz(x,y) on a hard disk specimen at a 700 nm resolution, using both of these methods at 77 K. The system is capable of operating from 300 K down to 4 K range.
Electrical detection of magnetization dynamics in an ultrathin CoFeB film with perpendicular anisotropy
Authors: Kong Wenwen , Fan Xiaolong , Zhou Hengan , Cao Jiangwei , Guo Dangwei , Gui Y. S. , Hu C.-M. , Xue Desheng
Published: November 2016

The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) was used to investigate the magnetization dynamics of an ultrathin (1.3 nm) CoFeB magnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). By directly sending a radio frequency (rf) current into a millimeter-sized film sample without any lithography process, a resonant dc voltage can be detected along the Hall direction. This method was used to study the dynamic properties of ultrathin CoFeB films, such as the gyromagnetic ratio, amplitude of PMA field, and magnetic damping. The dc voltage was proven to be the consequence of spin rectification enabled by the AHE, and the dynamic magnetization was driven by the Oersted field and spin current from the electric current in the adjacent Ta layer.
Dynamics of low- and high-Z metal ions emitted during nanosecond laser-produced plasmas
Authors: Elsied Ahmed M. , Diwakar Prasoon K. , Polek Mathew , Hassanein Ahmed
Published: November 2016

Dynamics of metal ions during laser-produced plasmas was studied. A 1064 nm, Nd: YAG laser pulse was used to ablate pure Al, Fe, Co, Mo, and Sn samples. Ion flux and velocity were measured using Faraday cup ion collector. Time-of-flight measurements showed decreasing ion flux and ion velocity with increasing atomic weight, and heavy metal ion flux profile exhibited multiple peaks that was not observed in lighter metals. Slow peak was found to follow shifted Maxwell Boltzmann distribution, while the fast peak was found to follow Gaussian distribution. Ion flux angular distribution that was carried out on Mo and Al using fixed laser intensity 2.5 × 1010 W/cm2 revealed that the slow ion flux peaks at small angles, that is, close to normal to the target ∼0° independent of target's atomic weight, and fast ion flux for Mo peaks at large angles ∼40° measured from the target normal, while it completely absents for Al. This difference in spatial and temporal distribution reveals that the emission mechanism of the fast and slow ions is different. From the slow ion flux angular distribution, the measured plume expansion ratio (plume forward peaking) was 1.90 and 2.10 for Al and Mo, respectively. Moreover, the effect of incident laser intensity on the ion flux emission as well as the emitted ion velocity were investigated using laser intensities varying from 2.5 × 1010 W/cm2 to 1.0 × 1011 W/cm2. Linear increase of fast ion flux and velocity, and quadratic increase of slow ion flux and velocity were observed. For further understanding of plume dynamics, laser optical emission spectroscopy was used to characterize Sn plasma by measuring the temporal and spatial evolution of plasma electron density Ne and electron temperature Te. At 3.5 mm away from the target, plasma density showed slow decrease with time, however electron temperature was observed to decrease dramatically. The maximum plasma density and temperature occurred at 0.5 mm away from target and were measured to be 8.0 × 1017 cm−3 and 1.3 eV, respectively.
Early stages of irradiation induced dislocations in urania
Authors: Chartier A. , Onofri C. , Van Brutzel L. , Sabathier C. , Dorosh O. , Jagielski J.
Published: November 2016

The early stages of nucleation and growth of dislocations by irradiation in urania is clarified based on the combination of experiments and atomistic calculations. It is established that irradiation induced dislocations follow a five stage process: (i) point defects are first created by irradiation, (ii) they aggregate into clusters, (iii) from which nucleate Frank loops, (iv) which transform into unfaulted loops via Shockley that in turn grow, and (v) finally reorganize into forest dislocations. Stages (i)–(iii) participate in the lattice expansion while the onset of lattice contraction starts with stage (iv), i.e., when unfaulted loops nucleate. Irradiation induced dislocations operate in the spontaneous recombination regime, to be opposed to the thermal diffusion regime. Body of arguments collaborates to this statement, the main one is the comparison between characteristic distances estimated from the dose rate (Vat/(K0×τ))13 and from the diffusion coefficient  (D×τ)12. Such a comparison identifies materials under irradiation as belonging either into the recombination regime or not.
Dominance of radiative recombination from electron-beam-pumped deep-UV AlGaN multi-quantum-well heterostructures
Authors: Tabataba-Vakili Farsane , Wunderer Thomas , Kneissl Michael , Yang Zhihong , Teepe Mark , Batres Max , Feneberg Martin , Vancil Bernard , Johnson Noble M.
Published: November 2016

AlGaN-based multiple-quantum-well (MQW) heterostructures were irradiated with a pulsed electron beam. Excitation with a beam energy of 12 keV and a beam current of 4.4 mA produced cathodoluminescense at λ=246 nm with a measured peak output power of >200 mW. The emission is dominated by radiative recombination from the MQW up to the maximum tested excitation power density of 1 MW/cm2, as evidenced by unity slope in a double-logarithmic plot of the light output power vs. excitation power density. Monte Carlo simulations of the depth distribution of deposited energy for different beam energies produced good agreement with the measured peak output power vs. beam energy for an assumed carrier diffusion length of ∼200 nm.
A comparison of the innate flexibilities of six chains in F1-ATPase with identical secondary and tertiary folds; 3 active enzymes and 3 structural proteins
Authors: Tirion Monique M.
Published: November 2016

The α and β subunits comprising the hexameric assembly of F1-ATPase share a high degree of structural identity, though low primary identity. Each subunit binds nucleotide in similar pockets, yet only β subunits are catalytically active. Why? We re-examine their internal symmetry axes and observe interesting differences. Dividing each chain into an N-terminal head region, a C-terminal foot region, and a central torso, we observe (1) that while the foot and head regions in all chains obtain high and similar mobility, the torsos obtain different mobility profiles, with the β subunits exhibiting a higher motility compared to the α subunits, a trend supported by the crystallographic B-factors. The β subunits have greater torso mobility by having fewer distributed, nonlocal packing interactions providing a spacious and soft connectivity and offsetting the resultant softness with local stiffness elements, including an additional β sheet. (2) A loop near the nucleotide binding-domain of the β subunits, absent in the α subunits, swings to create a large variation in the occlusion of the nucleotide binding region. (3) A combination of the softest three eigenmodes significantly reduces the root mean square difference between the open and closed conformations of the β subunits. (4) Comparisons of computed and observed crystallographic B-factors suggest a suppression of a particular symmetry axis in an α subunit. (5) Unexpectedly, the soft intra-monomer oscillations pertain to distortions that do not create inter-monomer steric clashes in the assembly, suggesting that structural optimization of the assembly evolved at all levels of complexity.
High nuclear genetic differentiation, but low chloroplast diversity in a rare species, Aluta quadrata (Myrtaceae), with a disjunct distribution in the Pilbara, Western Australia
Authors: Byrne M. , Coates D. J. , Macdonald B. M. , Hankinson M. , McArthur S. M. , van Leeuwen S.
Published: November 2016

Geographically separated populations may show high levels of genetic differentiation, depending on the levels of current and historical isolation. In the ancient landscape of the Pilbara region, there are few plant species with restricted distributions, and one such species, Aluta quadrata Rye & Trudgen, is restricted to three separate locations on the southern edge of the Hamersley Range. We investigated genetic diversity and differentiation among geographically isolated locations of A. quadrata, using 10 microsatellite loci to assess contemporary genetic structure, and sequences of seven chloroplast gene regions to infer historical isolation. Nuclear genetic diversity was moderate, with moderate to high genetic differentiation among the three locations, and low differentiation among populations within locations. In contrast, there was no detected variation in the chloroplast genome. The high genetic differentiation is consistent with limited contemporary connectivity among the geographically separated locations, although lack of chloroplast haplotype variation indicates that limited connectivity has occurred more recently and is not due to historical isolation. The level of differentiation suggests use of local seed sources for augmentation or establishment of populations within gene flow distance of existing populations, whereas an experimental translocation established on more distant sites could use mixed seed sources to maximise genetic diversity.
Model-based transcriptome engineering promotes a fermentative transcriptional state in yeast
Authors: Michael Drew G. , Maier Ezekiel J. , Brown Holly , Gish Stacey R. , Fiore Christopher , Brown Randall H. , Brent Michael R.
Published: November 2016

Significance

The ability to engineer specific behaviors into cells would have a significant impact on biomedicine and biotechnology, including applications to regenerative medicine and biofuels production. One way to coax cells to behave in a desired way is to globally modify their gene expression state, making it more like the state of cells with the desired behavior. This paper introduces a broadly applicable algorithm for transcriptome engineering—designing transcription factor deletions or overexpressions to move cells to a gene expression state that is associated with a desired phenotype. This paper also presents an approach to benchmarking and validating such algorithms. The availability of systematic, objective benchmarks for a computational task often stimulates increased effort and rapid progress on that task.
Tertiary alphabet for the observable protein structural universe
Authors: Mackenzie Craig O. , Zhou Jianfu , Grigoryan Gevorg
Published: November 2016

Significance

Proteins fold into intricate 3D structures, determined by their amino acid sequences. Different proteins can fold into drastically different structures, and the space of all possible structures appears hopelessly complex. However, this is precisely the space that needs to be described to understand how sequence encodes structure. In this paper, we decompose the set of known protein structures into standard reusable building blocks, which we call tertiary structural motifs (TERMs). Strikingly, we find that only ∼600 TERMs describe 50% of the known protein structural universe at sub-Angstrom resolution. Furthermore, we find the natural utilization of TERMs gives us a means of uncovering sequence–structure relationships. These insights can be harnessed for protein structure prediction, protein design, and other applications.
Epithelial cell integrin β1 is required for developmental angiogenesis in the pituitary gland
Authors: Scully Kathleen M. , Skowronska-Krawczyk Dorota , Krawczyk Michal , Merkurjev Daria , Taylor Havilah , Livolsi Antonia , Tollkuhn Jessica , Stan Radu V. , Rosenfeld Michael G.
Published: November 2016

Significance

During embryogenesis, a dense vascular network develops in the pituitary gland through the process of angiogenesis. In tandem, pituitary gland precursor cells differentiate into hormone-producing cells that will rely on the vasculature to carry out regulated endocrine function. Our data show that expression of the cell surface adhesion molecule, integrin β1, in the epithelial-derived precursor cells is required for development of the vasculature and coordinated terminal differentiation of endocrine cells.
Better a Warm Hug than a Cold Bath: Nationalist Memory and the Failures of Iranian Historiography
Authors: Zia-Ebrahimi Reza
Published: November 2016

This paper assesses the extent to which the modern historiography of Iran is indebted to a nationalist construction of Iran’s past, rather than proceeding from impartial and critical historical research. The paper pursues this aim by applying the distinction between history (as a scholarly discipline) and memory (as a nationalist construct) to one of the central tropes of the country’s historiography. According to that trope, Iranian history can be summarized as a succession of violent invasions by foreign “races,” which never stamped out Iran’s separate ethnic identity. This resilience is attributed to Iranian civilization’s inherent superiority, which Iranianized the invaders and thus ensured Iran’s survival as a primordial nation. The analysis shows that—counter-intuitively—twentieth-century Iranian historians, instead of subjecting this narrative to critical assessment, have in fact played a central role in developing it into a self-serving historiography. Special attention is given to Zarrinkub’s seminalTwo Centuries of Silence.
“But what would they think of us?” Propaganda and the Manipulation of the Anglo-Soviet Occupation of Iran, 1941‒46
Authors: Abdul-Razak Rowena
Published: November 2016

The 1941 Anglo-Soviet occupation of Iran is a topic that continues to interest historians. Work on this period has mainly focused on the reasons behind the occupation and its impact on the political situation in the country. This article looks at the psyche of the occupying forces by studying their propaganda tactics during this period. It was through propaganda that both were able to manipulate local players to either further their own interests or damage the reputation of the other. Such tactics were reflective of the dynamic nature of British‒Soviet relations and had a direct consequence on the politics of Iran. A key aspect of this was the British machine’s promotion of the Tudeh Party’s legacy as a tool of the Soviets. The propaganda patterns reveal the reactive nature of the occupying force’s policy in Iran, and reflected their changing interests.
A Unique Event in Iran–Soviet Economic Relations: The 1935 Iranian Trade Delegation to the USSR
Authors: Yoshinari Mary
Published: November 2016

The Iranian trade delegation’s visit to the USSR in April–May 1935 was an event of global significance, underscored by its extensive coverage in the international press. Marking the culmination of a new turn in the Soviet Union’s policy approaches towards Iran with respect to bilateral economic relations, this event is also considered in view of earlier incidents involving Iranian merchants who had boycotted Soviet trade organizations. Along with these political developments, the perspectives of Iranian government officials on foreign trade and industrialization are analyzed within the context of the increasing expansion, centralization, and bureaucratization of Iran’s national economy during the 1930s.
Ecological and Economic Consequences of Ignoring Jellyfish: A Plea for Increased Monitoring of Ecosystems
Authors: Brodeur Richard D. , Link Jason S. , Smith B. E. , Ford M. D. , Kobayashi D. R. , Jones T. T.
Published: November 2016

Gelatinous zooplankton can dominate the dynamics of marine ecosystems; can have major ecological, social, and economic impacts; are often indicative of broader ecosystem perturbations; and are increasingly being harvested by humans. Yet fisheries scientists typically do not monitor these taxa on a regular basis, despite the existence of clear rationales and even mandated authorizations to do so. Notably, the costs of monitoring jellyfish during regular fisheries research cruises would be a small increase over the cost of running a large fishery survey and a small fraction of the costs caused by impacts from these taxa. As ecosystems experience increasing pressures from climate change and fisheries, we recommend considering routine monitoring before some future jellyfish-associated crisis arises.

El plancton gelatinoso puede determinar la dinámica de los ecosistemas marinos; éste tiene fuertes impactos ecológicos, sociales y económicos y en ciertas ocasiones es indicativo de perturbaciones a nivel ecosistema; y está siendo explotado cada vez con más intensidad. Los científicos pesqueros no monitorean estos taxa de forma regular pese a que existen relaciones claras, e incluso autorizaciones obligatorias, para hacerlo. Es de hacer notar que los costos asociados al monitoreo de medusas durante los cruceros pesqueros típicos, representarían un incremento marginal con respecto al costo de un crucero para una pesquería importante y apenas una fracción en cuanto a los costos de los impactos ocasionados por estos taxa. A medida que los ecosistemas experimentan presiones crecientes por el cambio climático y las pesquerías, se recomienda considerar un monitoreo rutinario antes de que se avecine una crisis relacionada con las medusas.

Le zooplancton gélatineux peut dominer la dynamique des écosystèmes marins; avoir des impacts écologiques, sociaux et économiques ; est souvent révélateur de perturbations d'écosystèmes plus vastes ; et est de plus en plus exploité par l'homme. Pourtant, les scientifiques de la pêche ne surveillent généralement pas ces taxons régulièrement, en dépit de l'existence de justifications claires et même, d'autorisations mandatées pour le faire. Notamment, les coûts de la surveillance des méduses au cours des campagnes de recherche halieutique régulières représenteraient une petite augmentation par rapport au coût de l'exécution d'une enquête à grande échelle et une petite fraction des coûts causés par les impacts de ces taxons. Comme les écosystèmes font face à des pressions croissantes exercées par le changement climatique et la pêche, nous recommandons de considérer la surveillance de routine avant qu'une crise associée à la méduse ne survienne.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Characteristics and Long-Term Risk for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Perkiömäki Juha S. , Nortamo Santeri , Ylitalo Antti , Kesäniemi Antero , Ukkola Olavi , Huikuri Heikki V.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that elevated nighttime systolic ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) yields additional information compared with daytime systolic ABP for the long-term risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and perhaps should be taken into account in treatment strategies for preventing the increasing burden of AF during aging.

METHODS

A total of 903 subjects with or without hypertension aged 40 to 59 years, who were recruited to the Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis (OPERA) study, underwent ABP monitoring, thorough clinical examinations and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

After an average of 16.4 ± 3.6 years of follow-up, 91 (10%) of the study subjects had experienced a new-onset AF requiring a hospital emergency room or hospital visit. Of the components of baseline ABP, the nighttime mean systolic blood pressure had the strongest univariable association with the occurrence of AF (120.8 ± 15.9 vs. 116.4 ± 14.1 mm Hg, P = 0.006, in subjects with vs. without the occurrence AF). When the univariable predictors of AF, such as age, sex, body mass index, height, smoking history, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and fasting plasma glucose, were entered in the multivariable Cox hazards model, age (P < 0.001), and body mass index (P = 0.014) retained their significant predictive power. After adjustments in this clinical hazards model, the nighttime mean systolic blood pressure still predicted the occurrence of AF (hazards ratio = 1.07 per every 5 mm Hg increase, 95% confidence intervals = 1.004–1.15, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

Of the baseline ABP characteristics, the nighttime systolic blood pressure is a significant independent contributor to the long-term risk of new-onset AF requiring a hospital visit.