bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition of Coconut Testa, Coconut Kernel and its Oil
Authors: Appaiah Prakruthi , Sunil L. , Prasanth Kumar P. K. , Gopala Krishna A. G.
Published: March 2014

Testa, a by‐product from the coconut processing industry is getting wasted. A study was carried out to utilize testa as a source of edible oil. The composition of the oils from testa of wet coconut (WCT) and copra (CT) were evaluated and compared with wet coconut whole, copra whole, wet coconut white kernel and copra white kernel. The samples had fat as a major component ranging from 34 to 63 %. Oils had 90–98.2 % triacylglycerols, 1–8 % diacylglycerols and 0.4–2 % monoacylglycerols. The triacylglycerol composition of oil from WCT had decreased trilaurin and increased triolein. Lauric acid content of CT was 40.9 % and WCT was 32.4 % whereas other oils were 50–53 %. Oils from testa were richer in monounsaturates and polyunsaturates than other coconut oil samples. The phenolics and phytosterols content were 0.2–1.9 % and 31–51 mg%, respectively. The total phenolic acids and tocopherol content of oils from CT (313.9 μg%, 22.3 mg%) and WCT (389.0 μg%, 100.1 mg%) were higher than other samples (94.8–291.4 μg%, 2.5–6.7 mg%). These studies indicated that the oil from coconut testa contained more of natural antioxidants such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and phenolics compared to coconut kernel oil and may confer health benefits.
Functional relevance of the internal hydrophobic cavity of urate oxidase
Authors: Colloc'h Nathalie , Prangé Thierry
Published: March 2014

Urate oxidase from Aspergillus flavus is a 135 kDa homo‐tetramer which has a hydrophobic cavity buried within each monomer and located close to its active site. Crystallographic studies under moderate gas pressure and high hydrostatic pressure have shown that both gas presence and high pressure would rigidify the cavity leading to an inhibition of the catalytic activity. Analysis of the cavity volume variations and functional modifications suggest that the flexibility of the cavity would be an essential parameter for the active site efficiency. This cavity would act as a connecting vessel to give flexibility to the neighboring active site, and its expansion under pure oxygen pressure reveals that it might serve as a transient reservoir on its pathway to the active site.
Postnatal development of nestin positive neurons in rat basal forebrain: Different onset and topography with choline acetyltransferase and parvalbumin expression
Authors: Guo Kai‐Hua , Li Dong‐Pei , Gu Huai‐Yu , Jie‐Xu  , Yao Zhi‐Bin
Published: March 2014

Our previous studies identified a sub‐population of cholinergic neurons which express nestin in the rostral part of the basal forebrain (BF) in normal adult rats. In the present study, the postnatal developmental patterns of nestin, choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and parvalbumin (PV) positive neurons were explored by means of immunohistochemistry combined with immunofluorescence double label methods. Compared with early onset of ChAT expression (from P1) and delayed onset of PV expression (from P16), nestin positive activity was detected in the BF from P9 and co‐expressed by parts of the ChAT positive neurons within the same region during the whole postnatal development process. However, ChAT and PV were not coexpressed by the neurons within the medial septum‐diagonal band of Broca (MS‐DBB) of BF. These results might imply a composite of separate development patterns displayed by different subpopulations of cholinergic neurons (nestin positive cholinergic neurons and nestin negative cholinergic neurons) within this region. Moreover, the topographic distribution of nestin, ChAT and PV positive neurons also showed different characteristics. In summary, our present study revealed a remarkable timing and topographic difference on the postnatal development of the nestin expression within the MS‐DBB of BF compared with ChAT and PV expression. It is further suggested that nestin is re‐expressed by cholinergic neurons in the BF after differentiation but not persisted from neuronal precursor cells.
Dub3 controls DNA damage signalling by direct deubiquitination of H2AX
Authors: Delgado-Díaz M. Rocío , Martín Yusé , Berg Anna , Freire Raimundo , Smits Veronique A.J.
Published: March 2014

A crucial event in the DNA damage response is the phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination of H2AX, required for the recruitment of proteins involved in DNA repair. Here we identify a novel regulator of this process, the ubiquitin hydrolase Dub3. Overexpression of wild type, but not catalytic inactive, Dub3 decreases the DNA damage‐induced mono‐ubiquitination of H2A(X) whereas downregulation of Dub3 has the opposite effect. Dub3 overexpression abrogates focus formation of 53BP1 and BRCA1 in response to genotoxic stress. However, focus formation of MDC1 and γH2AX, earlier events in this response, are unaffected by Dub3 overexpression. We show that Dub3 counteracts H2AX E3 ligases RNF8 and RNF168. Moreover, Dub3 and H2AX interact and Dub3 deubiquitinates H2AX in vitro. Importantly, overexpression of Dub3 delays H2AX dephosphorylation and recovery of MDC1 focus formation at later time points after DNA damage, whereas H2AX dephosphorylation at later time points is faster after Dub3 depletion. Altogether these results show that Dub3 regulates a correct DNA damage response by controlling H2AX ubiquitination.
A detailed East Asian monsoon history surrounding the ‘Mystery Interval’ derived from three Chinese speleothem records
Authors: Zhang Weihong , Wu Jiangying , Wang Yi , Wang Yongjin , Cheng Hai , Kong Xinggong , Duan Fucai
Published: March 2014

The ‘Mystery Interval’ (MI, 17.5−14.5 ka) was the first stage of the last deglaciation, a key interval for understanding mechanisms of glacial–interglacial cycles. To elucidate possible causes of the MI, here we present three high-resolution, precisely dated oxygen-isotope records of stalagmites from Qingtian and Hulu Caves in China, reflecting changes in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) then. Based on well-established chronologies using precise 230Th dates and annual-band counting results, the two-cave δ18O profiles of ~7-yr resolution match well at decadal timescales. Both of the two-cave records document an abrupt weakening (2‰ of δ18O rise within 20 yr) in the EASM at ~16.1 ka, coinciding with the transition of the two-phased MI reconstructed from New Mexico's Lake Estancia. Our results indicate that the maximum southward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and associated southward shift of polar jet stream may generate this two-phase feature of the MI during that time. We also discover a linear relationship among decreasing EASM intensity, rising atmospheric CO2 and weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation between the MI and Younger Dryas episodes, suggesting a strong coupling of atmospheric/oceanic circulations in response to the millennial-scale forcing, which in turn regulates global climate changes and carbon cycles.
Progressive glacial retreat in the Southern Altiplano (Uturuncu volcano, 22°S) between 65 and 14 ka constrained by cosmogenic 3He dating
Authors: Blard Pierre-Henri , Lave Jérôme , Farley Kenneth A. , Ramirez Victor , Jimenez Nestor , Martin Léo C.P. , Charreau Julien , Tibari Bouchaïb , Fornari Michel
Published: March 2014

This work presents the first reconstruction of late Pleistocene glacier fluctuations on Uturuncu volcano, in the Southern Tropical Andes. Cosmogenic 3He dating of glacial landforms provides constraints on ancient glacier position between 65 and 14 ka. Despite important scatter in the exposure ages on the oldest moraines, probably resulting from pre-exposure, these 3He data constrain the timing of the moraine deposits and subsequent glacier recessions: the Uturuncu glacier may have reached its maximum extent much before the global LGM, maybe as early as 65 ka, with an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) at 5280 m. Then, the glacier remained close to its maximum position, with a main stillstand identified around 40 ka, and another one between 35 and 17 ka, followed by a limited recession at 17 ka. Then, another glacial stillstand is identified upstream during the late glacial period, probably between 16 and 14 ka, with an ELA standing at 5350 m. This stillstand is synchronous with the paleolake Tauca highstand. This result indicates that this regionally wet and cold episode, during the Heinrich 1 event, also impacted the Southern Altiplano. The ELA rose above 5450 m after 14 ka, synchronously with the Bolling–Allerod.
The Idle and the Industrious – European Ideas about the African Work Ethic in Precolonial West Africa
Authors: Rönnbäck Klas
Published: March 2014

There is a growing interest in the historical attitudes to work globally. This paper studies the stereotype of the “lazy African” in European travel accounts from precolonial West Africa. This was one of the central aspects in the European construction of an African “other” during this period, and came to be used as a justification for much European oppression in Africa in both precolonial and colonial times. It is argued in the paper that the stereotype has existed for much longer than suggested in previous literature in the field. Previous studies have also made over-simplified statements about the stereotype, since it overlooks a most significant trend among European writers, who described not only idleness, but also industriousness, among the Africans they wrote about. By the late eighteenth century, finally, the development of an anti-slavery ideology was followed by a challenge to the whole stereotype.
Variation in phosphorus content of milk from dairy cattle as affected by differences in milk composition
Authors: KLOP G. , ELLIS J. L. , BLOK M. C. , BRANDSMA G. G. , BANNINK A. , DIJKSTRA J.
Published: March 2014

In view of environmental concerns with regard to phosphorus (P) pollution and the expected global P scarcity, there is increasing interest in improving P utilization in dairy cattle. In high-producing dairy cows, P requirements for milk production comprise a significant fraction of total dietary P requirements. Although variation in P content of milk can affect the efficiency of P utilization for milk production (i.e. the fraction of ingested P that is incorporated in milk), this variation is poorly understood. It was hypothesized that the P content of milk is related to both milk protein and milk lactose content, but not necessarily to milk fat content. Three existing experiments comprising individual animal data on milk yield and fat, protein, lactose and P content of milk (in total 278 observations from 121 cows) were analysed to evaluate this hypothesis using a mixed model analysis. The models including the effects of both protein and lactose content of milk yielded better prediction of milk P content in terms of root-mean-square prediction error (RMSPE) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) statistics than models with only protein included as prediction variable; however, estimates of effect sizes varied between studies. The inclusion of milk fat content in equations already including protein and lactose did not further improve prediction of milk P content. Equations developed to describe the relationship between milk protein and lactose contents (g/kg) and milk P content (g/kg) were: (Expt 1) P in milk=−0·44(±0·179)+0·0253(±0·00300)×milk protein+0·0133(±0·00382)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 5·2%; CCC: 0·71); (Expt 2) P in milk=−0·26 (±0·347)+0·0174(±0·00328)×milk protein+0·0143 (±0·00611)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·3%; CCC: 0·40); and (Expt 3) P in milk=−0·36(±0·255)+0·0131(±0·00230)×milk protein+0·0193(±0·00490)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·5%; CCC: 0·55). Analysis of the three experiments combined, treating study as a random effect, resulted in the following equation to describe the same relationship as in the individual study equations: P in milk=−0·64(±0·168)+0·0223(±0·00236)×milk protein+0·0191(±0·00316)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·2%; CCC: 0·61). Although significant relationships between milk protein, milk lactose and milk P were found, a considerable portion of the observed variation remained unexplained, implying that factors other than milk composition may affect the P content of milk. The equations developed may be used to replace current fixed milk P contents assumed in P requirement systems for cattle.
A study of laryngeal gestures in Mandarin citation tones using simultaneous laryngoscopy and laryngeal ultrasound (SLLUS)
Authors: Moisik Scott R. , Lin Hua , Esling John H.
Published: March 2014

In this work, Mandarin tone production is examined usingsimultaneous laryngoscopy and laryngeal ultrasound(SLLUS). Laryngoscopy is used to obtain information about laryngeal state, and laryngeal ultrasound is used to quantify changes in larynx height. With this methodology, several observations are made concerning the production of Mandarin tone in citation form. Two production strategies are attested for low tone production: (i) larynx lowering and (ii) larynx raising with laryngeal constriction. Another finding is that the larynx rises continually during level tone production, which is interpreted as a means to compensate for declining subglottal pressure. In general, we argue that larynx height plays a supportive role in facilitating f0 change under circumstances where intrinsic mechanisms for f0 control are insufficient to reach tonal targets due to vocal fold inertia. Activation of the laryngeal constrictor can be used to achieve low tone targets through mechanical adjustment to vocal fold dynamics. We conclude that extra-glottal laryngeal mechanisms play important roles in facilitating the production of tone targets and should be integrated into the contemporary articulatory model of tone production.
The Grammar of Experience
Authors: Thalos Mariam
Published: March 2014

What do we learn when we focus analysis – not so much on the content of experience – as on its universal features and functioning? Descartes believed that such focus (when exercised by someone employing his first-personal method of inquiry) held the key to the fundamental metaphysics of our universe – that it could reveal fundamental truths about the nature of substance, or at any rate could reveal some fundamental metaphysical categories and their contrasts. He believed such focus could lead to a certain doctrine of dualism. Philosophers now widely hold that Descartes' method was profoundly wrongheaded, in no way a candidate method for illuminating the material universe that is our own. In fact, however, Descartes' method is considerably more serviceable. While unable to do what Descartes thought it could do, nonetheless it is ideal for examining a taxon that this essay will refer to as grammar or structure in the most general sense. Grammar is a contrary of content or materiality, though not the only one since materiality enjoys multiple contraries. Thus Descartes' method can lead us to a certain dualism, but not the one that Descartes imagined.
Understanding jumping to conclusions in patients with persecutory delusions: working memory and intolerance of uncertainty
Authors: Freeman D. , Startup H. , Dunn G. , Černis E. , Wingham G. , Pugh K. , Cordwell J. , Mander H. , Kingdon D.
Published: March 2014

Background

Persecutory delusions are a key psychotic experience. A reasoning style known as ‘jumping to conclusions’ (JTC) – limited information gathering before reaching certainty in decision making – has been identified as a contributory factor in the occurrence of delusions. The cognitive processes that underpin JTC need to be determined in order to develop effective interventions for delusions. In the current study two alternative perspectives were tested: that JTC partially results from impairment in information-processing capabilities and that JTC is a motivated strategy to avoid uncertainty.

Method

A group of 123 patients with persistent persecutory delusions completed assessments of JTC (the 60:40 beads task), IQ, working memory, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychiatric symptoms. Patients showing JTC were compared with patients not showing JTC.

Results

A total of 30 (24%) patients with delusions showed JTC. There were no differences between patients who did and did not jump to conclusions in overall psychopathology. Patients who jumped to conclusions had poorer working memory performance, lower IQ, lower intolerance of uncertainty and lower levels of worry. Working memory and worry independently predicted the presence of JTC.

Conclusions

Hasty decision making in patients with delusions may partly arise from difficulties in keeping information in mind. Interventions for JTC are likely to benefit from addressing working memory performance, whilein vivotechniques for patients with delusions will benefit from limiting the demands on working memory. The study provides little evidence for a contribution to JTC from top-down motivational beliefs about uncertainty.
A simple and novel helical drive in-pipe robot
Authors: Chen Yonghua , Liu Qingyou , Ren Tao
Published: March 2014

Pipeline grids of various size and material are pervasive in today's modern society. The frequent inspection and maintenance of such pipeline grids have presented a tremendous challenge. It is advocated that only advanced robot design embedded with intelligent electronics and control algorithms could perform the job. Given the ever increasing demands for intelligent in-pipe robots, various in-pipe drive mechanisms have been reported. One of the simplest is helical wheel drives that have only one degree of freedom. All previously reported in-pipe helical drives are based on independent passive wheels that are tilted an angle. One of the major problems of current helical wheel drives is their unstable traction force. In this paper, instead of allowing the wheels to rotate independently, they are synchronized by adding a timing belt. This small change will result in significant improvement which will be highlighted in this paper. In the proposed driving method, tracking force is analyzed together with a comprehensive set of traction force measurement experiments. Both analysis and experiments have shown that the proposed mechanism has great potential for in-pipe robot drive design.
Quality of Context: models and applications for context-aware systems in pervasive environments
Authors: Manzoor Atif , Truong Hong-Linh , Dustdar Schahram
Published: March 2014

Limitations of sensors and the situation of a specific measurement can affect the quality of context information that is implicitly collected in pervasive environments. The lack of information about Quality of Context (QoC) can result in degraded performance of context-aware systems in pervasive environments, without knowing the actual problem. Context-aware systems can take advantage of QoC if context producers also provide QoC metrics along with context information. In this paper, we analyze QoC and present our model for processing QoC metrics. We evaluate QoC metrics considering the capabilities of sensors, circumstances of specific measurement, requirements of context consumer, and the situation of the use of context information. We also illustrate how QoC metrics can facilitate in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of different tasks performed by a system to provide context information in pervasive environments.
Specifying ubiquitous systems through the algebra of contextualized ontologies
Authors: Cafezeiro Isabel , Viterbo José , Rademaker Alexandre , Haeusler Edward Hermann , Endler Markus
Published: March 2014

In order to be able to specify and design ubiquitous applications, it is necessary to rely on a precise and formal representation of context. Aiming at reducing the gap between the formal specification and the design of a concrete ubiquitous application, we have proposed an approach to specify a context-aware system at three levels of abstraction. This specification uses the Algebra of Contextualized Ontologies, which is based on Category Theory and takes contextualization as a basic notion, proposing a small set of simple and powerful operations to compose and decompose contextualized ontologies. In this paper, we present a revised version of the algebra and algorithms to compute the algebraic operations. We exemplify our approach along with a concrete ubiquitous computing scenario. Moreover, by taking advantage of Category Theory foundations, we show that it is possible to derive the algorithms for each algebraic operation from simple modifications of a single basic algorithm.
Monodialectal and multidialectal infants’ representation of familiar words
Authors: DURRANT SAMANTHA , DELLE LUCHE CLAIRE , CATTANI ALLEGRA , FLOCCIA CAROLINE
Published: March 2014

Monolingual infants are typically studied as a homogenous group and compared to bilingual infants. This study looks further into two subgroups of monolingual infants, monodialectal and multidialectal, to identify the effects of dialect-related variation on the phonological representation of words. Using an Intermodal Preferential Looking task, the detection of mispronunciations in familiar words was compared in infants aged 1;8 exposed to consistent (monodialectal) or variable (multidialectal) pronunciations of words in their daily input. Only monodialectal infants detected the mispronunciations whereas multidialectal infants looked longer at the target following naming whether the label was correctly produced or not. This suggests that variable phonological input in the form of dialect variation impacts the degree of specificity of lexical representations in early infancy.
Tightly Integrated Processing of High-Rate GPS and Accelerometer Observations by Real-Time Estimation of Transient Baseline Shifts
Authors: Tu Rui , Chen Kejie
Published: March 2014

The complementary advantages of high-rate Global Positioning System (GPS) and accelerometer observations for measuring seismic ground motion have been recognised in previous research. Here we propose an approach of tight integration of GPS and accelerometer measurements. The baseline shifts of the accelerometer are introduced as unknown parameters and estimated by a random walk process in the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) solution. To demonstrate the performance of the new strategy, we carried out several experiments using collocated GPS and accelerometer. The experimental results show that the baseline shifts of the accelerometer are automatically corrected, and high precision coseismic information of strong ground motion can be obtained in real-time. Additionally, the convergence and precision of the PPP is improved by the combined solution.
Attentional bias modification for addictive behaviors: clinical implications
Authors: Cox W. Miles , Fadardi Javad S. , Intriligator James M. , Klinger Eric
Published: March 2014

When a person has a goal of drinking alcohol or using another addictive substance, the person appears to be automatically distracted by stimuli related to the goal. Because the attentional bias might propel the person to use the substance, an intervention might help modify it. In this article, we discuss techniques that have been developed to help people overcome their attentional bias for alcohol, smoking-related stimuli, drugs, or unhealthy food. We also discuss how these techniques are being adapted for use on mobile devices. The latter would allow people with an addictive behavior to use the attentional training in privacy and as frequently as needed. The attentional training techniques discussed here appear to have several advantages. They are inexpensive, can be fun to use, and have flexibility in when, where, and how often they are used. The evidence so far also suggests that they are effective.
EQUAL LIBERTY, NONESTABLISHMENT, AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Authors: Laborde Cécile
Published: March 2014

Egalitarian theories of religious freedom deny that religion is entitled to special treatment in law above and beyond that granted to comparable beliefs and practices. The most detailed and influential defense of such an approach is Christopher Eisgruber and Lawrence Sager's Religious Freedom and the Constitution (2007). In this essay I develop, elucidate, and show the limits of the “reductionist” strategy adopted by Eisgruber and Sager. The strategy requires that religion be analogized with other beliefs and practices according to a robust metric of comparison. I argue that Eisgruber and Sager fail to develop a consistent and coherent metric and I further suggest that this failure is symptomatic of the broader difficulty encountered by liberal theory in fitting the concept of religious freedom into a broadly egalitarian framework.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE ON GROWTH, OPTIMAL FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY, AND FINANCIAL FRICTIONS
Authors: Kouretas Georgios P. , Papadopoulos Athanasios P.
Published: March 2014

Since 1997, the Department of Economics of the University of Crete has organized an annual international conference on macroeconomic analysis and international finance. The articles included in this special issue are refereed versions of papers presented at the 17th International Conference on Macroeconomic Analysis and International Finance held at the University Campus, Rethymno, 30 May–1 June 2013, and submitted to Macroeconomic Dynamics in an open call for papers. The central theme of this Special Issue is Growth, Optimal Fiscal and Monetary Policy, and Financial Frictions. The topics discussed in this issue are endogenous growth and public investment and taxation; optimal inflation and fiscal and monetary policy; foreign reserve accumulation and China's exchange rate policy; and liquidity shocks and financial frictions. We begin the Special Issue with an overview of these papers.
Direct Observation of the Optical Response of Twisted Bilayer Graphene by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy
Authors: Basile L.A. , Zhou W. , Salafranca J. , Idrobo J.-C.
Published: March 2014

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Studies of Local Structural Distortions in Strained Ultrathin BaTiO3 Films Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Park Daesung , Herpers Anja , Menke Tobias , Heidelmann Markus , Houben Lothar , Dittmann Regina , Mayer Joachim
Published: March 2014

Ultrathin ferroelectric heterostructures (SrTiO3/BaTiO3/BaRuO3/SrRuO3) were studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in terms of structural distortions and atomic displacements. The TiO2-termination at the top interface of the BaTiO3 layer was changed into a BaO-termination by adding an additional BaRuO3 layer. High-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging by aberration-corrected STEM revealed that an artificially introduced BaO-termination can be achieved by this interface engineering. By using fast sequential imaging and frame-by-frame drift correction, the effect of the specimen drift was significantly reduced and the signal-to-noise ratio of the HAADF images was improved. Thus, a quantitative analysis of the HAADF images was feasible, and an in-plane and out-of-plane lattice spacing of the BaTiO3 layer of 3.90 and 4.22 Å were determined. A 25 pm shift of the Ti columns from the center of the unit cell of BaTiO3 along the c-axis was observed. By spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies, a reduction of the crystal field splitting (CFS, ΔL3=1.93 eV) and an asymmetric broadening of the eg peak were observed in the BaTiO3 film. These results verify the presence of a ferroelectric polarization in the ultrathin BaTiO3 film.
Not Only Dogs Resemble Their Owners, Cars Do, Too
Authors: Stieger Stefan , Voracek Martin
Published: March 2014

Research has found that raters are able to match dogs with their owners at above-chance rates, even with controls for size or hairiness ( Roy & Christenfeld, 2004 ). This suggests that dogs, to some extent, resemble their owners. We conducted three studies (with 160, 130, and 201 raters) and showed that this resemblance effect generalizes to cars (sets of one picture of the front view of a car and frontal headshots of six possible owners). Specifically, raters were better than chance at matching car owners to front views of their cars, but not to side or back views of their cars. Alternative explanations for this novel effect (e.g., sex stereotypes related to car type or masculine vs. feminine car looks) were successively ruled out. Furthermore, not only did cars resemble their owners, but cars also resembled the owners’ dogs (when they were purebreds). This suggests that matching owners to their cars cannot entirely be explained by stereotypes. In addition, facial features may account for the reported effect.
Mn-modified Bi2Ti2O7 photocatalysts: bandgap engineered multifunctional photocatalysts for hydrogen generation
Authors: Gupta Satyajit , De Leon Luis , Subramanian Vaidyanathan (Ravi)
Published: March 2014

The applicability of pyrochlore bismuth titanate as a photocatalyst amenable to additional element inclusion resulting in a bandgap engineered composite oxide nanostructure (BECON) offers significant potential for multifunctional photo-driven applications.
High-throughput rare cell separation from blood samples using steric hindrance and inertial microfluidics
Authors: Shen Shaofei , Ma Chao , Zhao Lei , Wang Yaolei , Wang Jian-Chun , Xu Juan , Li Tianbao , Pang Long , Wang Jinyi
Published: March 2014

We present a multistage microfluidic device for continuous label-free separation of rare cells using a combination of inertial microfluidics and steric hindrance.
Ultralow-temperature CO oxidation on an In2O3–Co3O4 catalyst: a strategy to tune CO adsorption strength and oxygen activation simultaneously
Authors: Lou Yang , Cao Xiao-Ming , Lan Jinggang , Wang Li , Dai Qiguang , Guo Yun , Ma Jian , Zhao Zhenyang , Guo Yanglong , Hu P. , Lu Guanzhong
Published: March 2014

Highly efficient In2O3–Co3O4 catalysts were prepared for ultralow-temperature CO oxidation by simultaneously tuning the CO adsorption strength and oxygen activation over a Co3O4 surface.
The photocathodic properties of a Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 wrapped CaFe2O4 layer on ITO coated quartz for water splitting
Authors: Cheng Xiaorong , Chen Deliang , Dong Wen , Zheng Fengang , Fang Liang , Shen Mingrong
Published: March 2014

An efficient photocathode was prepared through a ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 wrapped CaFe2O4 structure.
Water-soluble pyrrolopyrrole cyanine (PPCy) NIR fluorophores
Authors: Wiktorowski Simon , Rosazza Christelle , Winterhalder Martin J. , Daltrozzo Ewald , Zumbusch Andreas
Published: March 2014

Water-soluble pyrrolopyrrole cyanines (PPCys) NIR fluorophores suited for live cell imaging have been synthesized.
ROD-8, a rod MOF with a pyrene-cored tetracarboxylate linker: framework disorder, derived nets and selective gas adsorption
Authors: Li Ru-Jin , Li Mian , Zhou Xiao-Ping , Ng Seik Weng , O'Keeffe Michael , Li Dan
Published: March 2014

Reported here is a new CdII-based metal–organic framework (MOF), ROD-8, based on the rod secondary building unit (SBU) and tetratopic linker 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene.
Oxyhalogenation of thiols and disulfides into sulfonyl chlorides/bromides using oxone-KX (X = Cl or Br) in water
Authors: Madabhushi Sridhar , Jillella Raveendra , Sriramoju Vinodkumar , Singh Rajpal
Published: March 2014

A simple and efficient method for synthesis of sulfonyl chlorides/bromides by oxyhalogenation of thiols and disulfides with oxone-KX (X = Cl or Br) using water as the solvent is presented.
Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of His(2-aryl)-Arg and Trp-His(2-aryl) classes of dipeptidomimetics
Authors: Mahindra Amit , Sharma Krishna K. , Rathore Dinesh , Khan Shabana. I. , Jacob Melissa R. , Jain Rahul
Published: March 2014

In this communication, we report the design, synthesis andin vitroantimicrobial activity of ultra short peptidomimetics.
Design of glycosyltransferase inhibitors targeting humanO-GlcNAc transferase (OGT)
Authors: Wang Shuai , Shen David L. , Lafont Dominique , Vercoutter-Edouart Anne-Sophie , Mortuaire Marlène , Shi Yun , Maniti Ofelia , Girard-Egrot Agnès , Lefebvre Tony , Pinto B. Mario , Vocadlo David , Vidal Sébastien
Published: March 2014

Inhibition of glycosyltransferases requires the design of neutral inhibitors to allow cell permeation as mimicks of their natural dianionic substrates.
Tuning band gaps of BN nanosheets and nanoribbons via interfacial dihalogen bonding and external electric field
Authors: Tang Qing , Bao Jie , Li Yafei , Zhou Zhen , Chen Zhongfang
Published: March 2014

DFT computations with dispersion corrections were performed to investigate dihalogen interactions and their effect on the electronic band structures of halogenated BN bilayers and aligned halogen-passivated zigzag BN nanoribbons (BNNRs).
Radiofrequency treatment enhances the catalytic function of an immobilized nanobiohybrid catalyst
Authors: San Boi Hoa , Ha Eun-Ju , Paik Hyun-jong , Kim Kyeong Kyu
Published: March 2014

A new strategy to enhance the functionality of biocatalysts has been demonstrated by combining three processes with enzymes: integration with inorganic nanoparticles, immobilization on the hydrogel, and radiofrequency current treatment.
Naphthodithieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based semiconductors: synthesis, characterization, and device performance of field-effect transistors
Authors: Zhang Ji , Li Zhaoguang , Xing Hui , Zhang Weifeng , Guo Lei , Liu Yunqi , Wong Man Shing , Yu Gui
Published: March 2014

A series of compounds based on naphthodithieno[3,2-b]thiophene were synthesized. The mobility was significantly improved through simple thermal annealing.
Soft-templated LiFePO4/mesoporous carbon nanosheets (LFP/meso-CNSs) nanocomposite as the cathode material of lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wu Ruofei , Xia Guofeng , Shen Shuiyun , Zhu Fengjuan , Jiang Fengjing , Zhang Junliang
Published: March 2014

A soft-templated LFP/mesoporous carbon nanosheets (LFP/meso-CNSs) nanocomposite as the cathode of lithium ion batteries displays an excellent high-rate capability and stable cycling property, benefitting from its high electronic conductivity, open mesoporosity, and the nano-size of its active material.
Synthesis of arylacetonitrile derivatives: Ni-catalyzed reaction of benzyl chlorides with trimethylsilyl cyanide under base-free conditions
Authors: Satoh Yasushi , Obora Yasushi
Published: March 2014

A simple and practical method of cyanation of benzyl chlorides and trimethylsilyl cyanide was achieved, using the Ni(cod)2/PPh3 catalyst system, to give arylacetonitriles.
Diastereoselective intramolecular aldol ring closures of threonine derivatives leading to densely functionalised pyroglutamates related to oxazolomycin
Authors: Heaviside Elizabeth A. , Moloney Mark G. , Thompson Amber L.
Published: March 2014

Intramolecular aldol reactions on oxazolidine templates derived from threonine may be used to generate libraries of densely functionalised pyroglutamates with a high level of diastereoselectivity.
Oversampled ADC based on pulse frequency modulator and TDC
Authors: Hernández L. , Gutiérrez E.
Published: March 2014

Oversampled converters based on voltage controlled ring oscillators are an attractive solution because of their digital implementation and simplicity. However, the voltage‐to‐frequency conversion of ring oscillators displays a poor linearity. Replacing the ring oscillator by a pulse frequency modulator (PFM) that provides improved linearity at the expense of feedback and analogue amplification is proposed. Compared to the equivalent continuous time sigma–delta modulators, the PFM may be more tolerant to circuit impairments. In addition, the output data of the proposed architecture is a multibit sequence through the use of a time‐to‐digital converter TDC instead of a Flash quantiser or a multibit digital‐to‐analogue converter. A high dynamic range can be achieved without severe constraints on analogue mismatch or clock jitter.
Improving spectrum access using a beam‐forming relay scheme for cognitive radio transmissions
Authors: Jaafar Wael , Ajib Wessam , Haccoun David
Published: March 2014

Cognitive radio (CR) systems allow unlicensed secondary users to transmit on the licensed frequency bands without degrading the transmissions of licensed primary users. Combining CR with other emerging techniques such as multi‐antenna relaying may bring many benefits for the secondary transmissions. In this study, the authors propose and investigate a new relay‐based cooperation scheme for a CR network to improve the secondary access to the licensed spectrum band without causing additional interference to the simultaneous primary transmission. The proposed scheme considers one multi‐antenna relay node that can assist either the primary or the secondary transmission using beam‐forming (BF). In the proposed new scheme, the BF weights are designed in the presence of imperfect channel state information (CSI). Simulation results show that the secondary's channel capacity is significantly improved and outperforms conventional transmission schemes. The results also reveal the impact of imperfect CSI on the primary outage performance and the efficiency of the proposed solution for minimising the interference due to imperfect CSI.
Design of a leaky‐wave long slot antenna using ridge waveguide
Authors: Mallahzadeh Ali Reza , Amini Mohammad Hossein
Published: March 2014

A new design of the leaky‐wave long slot waveguide antenna with low cross‐polarisation is proposed. The proposed antenna consists of a straight long slot located at the centre of the broad wall of the ridge waveguide. By properly designing the ridge, the amount of leakage power along the slot is controlled, which results in the desired aperture distribution. The aperture has a Taylor distribution with a sidelobe level of −35 dB. Such a design has a low cross‐polarisation level as well as a desired beam pointing angle, which is defined at the beginning of the design procedure. The simulation results confirm the high accuracy of the design procedure. The proposed antenna is also fabricated and measured. According to the measurement results, the structure has a cross‐polarisation of −41.9 dB and a sidelobe level of −26.3 dB. The measured reflection coefficient of the proposed antenna is −22.8 dB at the design frequency.
Endohedral functionalisation of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes by acidic cesium salt of Preyssler in nanosize
Authors: Bamoharram F.F. , Hasanzadeh N. , Heravi M.M. , Ahmadpour A. , Ayati A. , Sillanpää M.
Published: March 2014

Nanoparticles of acidic cesium salt of Preyssler by a one‐step solid‐state reaction at room temperature, were synthesised and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, titration, inductively coupled plasma and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. These uniform nanoparticles showed an average size of 2–10 nm. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesised by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition method and used as nanostructured porous supports for the immobilisation of the nanoparticles of the acidic cesium salt of Preyssler. The TEM image showed a bamboo‐like structure with inner and outer diameters of about 20 and 35 nm, respectively. The modification of the MWCNTs by the synthesised nanoparticles was successfully achieved via the impregnation method. The infrared analysis showed that the basic structure of Preyssler is preserved and left intact. The TEM images also showed an endohedral functionalisation of the MWCNTs.
Ultrastable method for determination of folic acid based on polyneutral red and multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite nanofilm
Authors: Qu Jianying , Du Xueping , Lou Tongfang , Dong Ying , Shi Lijuan
Published: March 2014

By using the electrocatalytic property of the nanomaterials and the molecular recognition characteristic of neutral red (NR), a new modified electrode was fabricated by electropolymerising the NR onto the surface of the multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode, which exhibited a good electrocatalytic activity for folic acid (FA). The results of experiments showed that a good linear relationship between the reductive peak current of FA and its concentration was in the range of 6.25 × 10−7 –5.00 × 10−5 mol/l with a detection limit of 1.37 × 10−7 mol/l in the optimal conditions. The recovery ratio was in the range of 99.3 ∼ 103.2%. The composite film modified electrode exhibited an excellent stability with a simple fabrication, which established a solid foundation for the practical applications.
Is it appropriate to apply Hertz model to describe cardiac myocytes' mechanical properties by atomic force microscopy nanoindentation?
Authors: Soufivand A.A. , Navidbakhsh M. , Soleimani M.
Published: March 2014

An analysis is conducted of application of the Hertz model for measuring the cardiac myocytes' mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used, which characterises the cellular mechanical properties at a nanoscale precision. The Hertz model, the most common model in contact mechanics, was applied to the experimental data and an elastic modulus was determined by analysing the relationship between the AFM indentation force and the depth. To determine the Hertz model appropriateness accurately, the contribution of the viscous properties, the cell adherence and the elastic modulus extracting method were examined. The elastic moduli were 48.08 ± 2.26 kPa and 55.67 ± 2.56 kPa, respectively, with two different evaluation approaches. The cardiac myocyte exhibited a nonlinear elastic behaviour since the elastic modulus determined by the Hertz model was not constant in the different indentation depths. Furthermore, the viscous dissipation was negligible; therefore the mechanical behaviour of this cell type can be well described by appropriate hyperelastic models.
Chaos and turbulent nucleosynthesis prior to a supernova explosion
Authors: Arnett W. D. , Meakin C. , Viallet M.
Published: March 2014

Three-dimensional (3D), time dependent numerical simulations of flow of matter in stars, now have sufficient resolution to be fully turbulent. The late stages of the evolution of massive stars, leading up to core collapse to a neutron star (or black hole), and often to supernova explosion and nucleosynthesis, are strongly convective because of vigorous neutrino cooling and nuclear heating. Unlike models based on current stellar evolutionary practice, these simulations show a chaotic dynamics characteristic of highly turbulent flow. Theoretical analysis of this flow, both in the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) framework and by simple dynamic models, show an encouraging consistency with the numerical results. It may now be possible to develop physically realistic and robust procedures for convection and mixing which (unlike 3D numerical simulation) may be applied throughout the long life times of stars. In addition, a new picture of the presupernova stages is emerging which is more dynamic and interesting (i.e., predictive of new and newly observed phenomena) than our previous one.
Comparing the magnetic property of shell thickness controlled of Ag-Ni core-shell nanoparticles
Authors: Ger Tzong-Rong , Huang Hao-Ting , Huang Chen-Yu , Liu Wan-Chih , Lai Jun-Yang , Liu Bo-Tau , Chen Jiann-Yeu , Hong Che-Wun , Chen Pao-Jen , Lai Mei-Feng
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we studied the critical diameter of superparamagnetic core-shell particles. One pot method and microwave-assisted technique were used to synthesize Ag-Ni core-shell nanoparticles with diameters of 10 nm and 30 nm. From the experimental results of hysteresis (M-H curves) and temperature dependent magnetization (M-T curves), the theoretical critical diameter does not agree with the experimental observation of the core-shell structure. Furthermore, the blocking temperature equation should be reconsidered.
Surface morphology of atomic nitrogen on Pt(111)
Authors: Liang Zhu , Jin Yang Hyun , Kim Yousoo , Trenary Michael
Published: March 2014

The surface morphology of chemisorbed N on the Pt(111) surface has been studied at the atomic level with low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). When N is coadsorbed with O on the surface, they form a mixed (2 × 2)-N+O structure. When the surface is covered with N atoms only, isolated atoms and incomplete (2 × 2) patches are observed at low coverages. In a dense N layer, two phases, (√3 × √3)R30°-N and p(2 × 2)-N, are found to coexist at temperatures between 360 and 400 K. The (√3 × √3)R30° phase converts to the (2 × 2) phase as temperature increases. For both phases, nitrogen occupies fcc-hollow sites. At temperatures above 420 K, nitrogen starts to desorb. The p(2 × 2)-N phase shows a honeycomb structure in STM images with three nitrogen and three platinum atoms forming a six-membered ring, which can be attributed to the strong nitrogen binding to the underlying Pt surface.
Temperature dependent nucleation, propagation, and annihilation of domain walls in all-perpendicular spin-valve nanopillars
Authors: Gopman D. B. , Bedau D. , Mangin S. , Fullerton E. E. , Katine J. A. , Kent A. D.
Published: March 2014

We present a study of the temperature dependence of the switching fields in Co/Ni-based perpendicularly magnetized spin-valves. While magnetization reversal of all-perpendicular Co/Ni spin valves at ambient temperatures is typically marked by a single sharp step change in resistance, low temperature measurements can reveal a series of resistance steps, consistent with non-uniform magnetization configurations. We propose a model that consists of domain nucleation, propagation, and annihilation to explain the temperature dependence of the switching fields. Interestingly, low temperature (<30 K) step changes in resistance that we associate with domain nucleation have a bimodal switching field and resistance step distribution, attributable to two competing nucleation pathways.
Highly accurate potential energy surface, dipole moment surface, rovibrational energy levels, and infrared line list for 32S16O2 up to 8000 cm−1
Authors: Huang Xinchuan , Schwenke David W. , Lee Timothy J.
Published: March 2014

A purely ab initio potential energy surface (PES) was refined with selected 32S16O2 HITRAN data. Compared to HITRAN, the root-mean-squares error (σRMS) for all J = 0–80 rovibrational energy levels computed on the refined PES (denoted Ames-1) is 0.013 cm−1. Combined with a CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z dipole moment surface (DMS), an infrared (IR) line list (denoted Ames-296K) has been computed at 296 K and covers up to 8000 cm−1. Compared to the HITRAN and CDMS databases, the intensity agreement for most vibrational bands is better than 85%–90%. Our predictions for 34S16O2 band origins, higher energy 32S16O2 band origins and missing 32S16O2 IR bands have been verified by most recent experiments and available HITRAN data. We conclude that the Ames-1 PES is able to predict 32/34S16O2 band origins below 5500 cm−1 with 0.01–0.03 cm−1 uncertainties, and the Ames-296K line list provides continuous, reliable and accurate IR simulations. The Ka-dependence of both line position and line intensity errors is discussed. The line list will greatly facilitate SO2 IR spectral experimental analysis, as well as elimination of SO2 lines in high-resolution astronomical observations.