bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multivariate approach to infer locomotor modes in Mesozoic mammals
Authors: Chen Meng , Wilson Gregory P.
Published: February 2015

Ecomorphological diversity of Mesozoic mammals was presumably constrained by selective pressures imposed by contemporary vertebrates. In accordance, Mesozoic mammals for a long time had been viewed as generalized, terrestrial, small-bodied forms with limited locomotor specializations. Recent discoveries of Mesozoic mammal skeletons with distinctive postcranial morphologies have challenged this hypothesis. However, ecomorphological analyses of these new postcrania have focused on a single taxon, a limited region of the skeleton, or have been largely qualitative.

For more comprehensive locomotor inference in Mesozoic mammals, we applied multivariate analyses to a morphometric data set of extant small-bodied mammals. We used 30 osteological indices derived from linear measurements of appendicular skeletons of 107 extant taxa that sample 15 orders and eight locomotor modes. Canonical variate analyses show that extant small-bodied mammals of different locomotor modes have detectable and predictable morphologies. The resulting morphospace occupation reveals a morphofunctional continuum that extends from terrestrial to scansorial, arboreal, and gliding modes, reflecting an increasingly slender postcranial skeleton with longer limb output levers adapted for speed and agility, and extends from terrestrial to semiaquatic/semifossorial and fossorial modes, reflecting an increasingly robust postcranial skeleton with shorter limb output levers adapted for powerful, propulsive strokes. We used this morphometric data set to predict locomotor mode in ten Mesozoic mammals within the Docodonta, Multituberculata, Eutriconodonta, “Symmetrodonta,” and Eutheria. Our results indicate that these fossil taxa represent five of eight locomotor modes used to classify extant taxa in this study, in some cases confirming and in other cases differing from prior ecomorphological assessments. Together with previous locomotor inferences of 19 additional taxa, these results show that by the Late Jurassic mammals had diversified into all but the saltatorial and active flight locomotor modes, and that this diversification was greatest in the Eutriconodonta and Multituberculata, although sampling of postcranial skeletons remains uneven across taxa and through time.
Making Promises, Keeping Promises: Democracy, Ratification and Compliance in International Human Rights Law
Authors: von Stein Jana
Published: February 2015

This article argues that in order to understand how international human rights agreements (HRAs) work, scholars need to turn their attention to rights that are not definitional to democracy. When rights practices diverge from treaty rules, but the domestic enforcement mechanisms that give such agreements their bite are robust, how do governments behave? The study explores this question by examining a core treaty that prohibits child labor. When domestic enforcement is likely, states where many children work are often deterred from ratifying. Nevertheless, those that do ratify experience significant child labor improvements. By contrast, in non-democracies, ratification is a promise that is easily made but seldom kept.
Should Creditors Rely on the Solvency and Liquidity Threshold for Protection? A South African Case Study
Authors: Bradstreet Richard S
Published: February 2015

Many jurisdictions internationally have adopted some form of solvency-based threshold to protect creditors from opportunistic or abusive distributions being paid from corporate capital. When a legislative “test” for distributions involves an enquiry that is too heavily based on a company's balance sheet, and thus on the integrity of the financial reporting standards underpinning its preparation, the utility of such thresholds becomes questionable on a similar basis to that on which the effectiveness of the capital maintenance doctrine has been challenged. Even the addition of a “liquidity” threshold that shifts the emphasis away from a company's balance sheet appears to presume that a corporation's financial health can be accurately determined from its financial statements. This article explores the difficulties involved in so-called “solvency-based” thresholds for distributions and considers other sources of creditor protection that may be more reliable.
Reproductive biology of the seastar Ceramaster grenadensis from the deep north-western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mecho A. , Fernandez-Arcaya U. , Ramirez-Llodra E. , Aguzzi J. , Company J.B.
Published: February 2015

Ceramaster grenadensis is one of the most abundant bathyal seastars in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and also presents a wide geographic distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. As with other species in this genus, little information is available on the biology and reproductive strategy of C. grenadensis. In this context, we describe for the first time the reproductive cycle of this species from bathyal depths in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Specimens (N = 141) were collected seasonally from 194 benthic trawls (141 Otter Trawls and 53 Agassiz trawls) conducted during 10 cruises from October 2008 to April 2013. Open slope and canyon systems were sampled at depths between 900 and 2250 m. The population distribution of C. grenadensis showed a depth-related structure, with the smaller adult specimens and juveniles present at greater depths. Sex ratio was 2:1 females per male, constant among seasons and depths. Histological analyses of the gonads showed an asynchronous ovarian organization, with previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes throughout the year. These oogenesis patterns suggest a continuous reproduction. However, the Pyloric Caeca Index (PCI) decreased in summer while the Gonad Index (GI) increased in autumn in males, suggesting a higher spawning capacity in autumn. In both sexes, an increasing GI and PCI trend was observed with increasing depth.
Serve the City! Urban disaster governance in Tianjin city 1958–1962
Authors: PALTEMAA LAURI
Published: February 2015

Using new archival materials, internal publications, and gazetteers as its sources, this article studies the conduct of disaster governance in Tianjin city during the Great Leap Forward famine from 1958–1962. The city was organizationally well able to implement disaster relief efforts, and early on it took a number of measures to control and mitigate the food crisis that began in the city in early 1959. However, Maoist campaign-based disaster management could not work well when other campaigns were prioritized in its stead. Lacking central sanction for a major disaster relief effort, city leaders resorted to strategies that prioritized its residents over suburban peasants and outsiders. The city actively sought resources from outside while trying to prevent their outward flows. The city's own production of vegetables must not be overlooked as one of the reasons for better survival rates among urban residents, but even this policy was hampered by other Great Leap Forward initiatives. In the case of Tianjin, urban disaster governance of the famine was inward-looking and, at the same time, constrained and reliant on the central government.
Emotional response inhibition in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: neural and behavioural data
Authors: López-Martín S. , Albert J. , Fernández-Jaén A. , Carretié L.
Published: February 2015

Background

Although both emotion and response inhibition are thought to be important in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie the interaction between these two processes in patients with this disorder. This study aimed at examining how emotional contexts affect inhibitory control in children with ADHD.

Method

A total of 24 ADHD children and 24 healthy comparison subjects performed a modified go/no-go task during three different emotionally laden contexts: negative, neutral and positive. To explore the timing and the underlying neural substrates of emotion-modulated response inhibition, event-related potentials were measured and further analysed both at the scalp and at the voxel level.

Results

Patients with ADHD showed greater activation of inhibition-related neural mechanisms (i.e. no-go P3 amplitudes and orbitofrontal cortex activity) to maintain a similar level of performance as healthy comparison subjects, especially during the emotionally arousing contexts (negative and positive).

Conclusions

This study provides plausible neural mechanisms for the difficulty that ADHD children have in controlling their behaviour in highly emotional situations. Such emotional contexts might increase the need for top-down inhibitory control and put ADHD children at greater risk for impulsive behaviours and emotional dysregulation.
Angularity and axiality of a Schönflies parallel manipulator
Authors: Cervantes-Sánchez J. Jesús , Rico-Martínez José M. , Pérez-Muñoz Víctor H.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a systematic approach to compute the angularity and the axiality indices for a Schönflies parallel manipulator. Angularity index may be considered as a measure of the sensitivity of the mobile platform to changes in rotation, while axiality index can be used to measure the sensitivity of the OP of the mobile platform to changes in translation. Since both indices were inspired by very fundamental concepts of classical kinematics (angular velocity vector and helicoidal velocity field), they offer a clear and simple physical meaning, which may be useful to the designer of parallel manipulators. Moreover, both dexterity indices do not require obtaining a dimensionally homogeneous Jacobian matrix, nor do they depend on having similar types of actuators in each manipulator's leg. Detailed numerical examples are given in order to illustrate the computation of the dexterity indices.
A CONSISTENT NONPARAMETRIC TEST ON SEMIPARAMETRIC SMOOTH COEFFICIENT MODELS WITH INTEGRATED TIME SERIES
Authors: Sun Yiguo , Cai Zongwu , Li Qi
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we propose a simple nonparametric test for testing the null hypothesis of constant coefficients against nonparametric smooth coefficients in a semiparametric varying coefficient model with integrated time series. We establish the asymptotic distributions of the proposed test statistic under both null and alternative hypotheses. Moreover, we derive a central limit theorem for a degenerate second order U-statistic, which contains a mixture of stationary and nonstationary variables and is weighted locally on a stationary variable. This result is of independent interest and useful in other applications. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to examine the finite sample performance of the proposed test.
Exploring participation in ecological monitoring in Nepal's community forests
Authors: STADDON SAM C. , NIGHTINGALE ANDREA , SHRESTHA SHYAM K.
Published: February 2015

Members of the public and resource-dependent communities are increasingly participating alongside professional scientists to monitor the natural world. This study applies the contention from development studies that participatory approaches may be tyrannical to participatory monitoring of Nepal's community forests. There is a tyranny of the group because elites within the community stand to benefit at the cost of those already marginalized. In theory, tyranny is produced through the methods employed in the projects, as they promote scientific systems of monitoring at the expense of local understandings of environmental change; in practice, however, the latter aspects override official monitoring to enable effective learning from the projects. In some instances, tyranny is produced through decision-making and control, whilst, in other cases, the reverse is true and communities are empowered through their participatory monitoring efforts. Policy makers and those involved in participatory monitoring should endeavour to transform tyranny created at local and wider scales. Participatory monitoring holds huge potential in the assessment of biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem services, but programmes and projects need to effectively deliver associated benefits of conservation and community empowerment.
Limited uptake of protected area evaluation systems among managers and decision-makers in Spain and the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-RODRÍGUEZ D. , MARTÍNEZ-VEGA J. , TEMPESTA M. , OTERO-VILLANUEVA M. M.
Published: February 2015

Protected areas are regarded as the main strategy to halt biodiversity loss; however, protected area effectiveness evaluations remain scarce and mostly rely on limited scientific evidence. Protected area managers from two case studies in the Mediterranean basin biodiversity hotspot (networks of Spanish terrestrial protected areas and individual Mediterranean marine protected areas) were surveyed to assess the use of two protected area evaluation systems: the ‘System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas’ (SIAPA) and the ‘System for Quick Evaluation of Management in Mediterranean MPAs’ using the ‘Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development’ framework. A second survey in Spain ascertained the degree of implementation of protected area evaluation systems and the institutional interest in implementing such systems. The main weaknesses attributable to the systems presented were limited salience (for the SIAPA) and legitimacy in terms of costs (for the System for Quick Evaluation of Management in Mediterranean MPAs). However, the main reasons for the limited uptake of the evaluation systems presented were not attributable to the systems themselves, but to management or institutional limitations: the lack of basic data for and weak institutional interest in evaluation in Spain, and the scarce resources available for evaluation in the case of some Mediterranean marine protected areas.
Infomarkers for transition to goals consistent with palliative care in dying patients
Authors: Yao Yingwei , Stifter Janet , Ezenwa Miriam O. , Lodhi Muhammad , Khokhar Ashfaq , Ansari Rashid , Keenan Gail M. , Wilkie Diana J.
Published: February 2015

Objective:

Electronic health records (EHRs) may contain infomarkers that identify patients near the end of life for whom it would be appropriate to shift care goals to palliative care. Discovery and use of such infomarkers could be used to conduct effectiveness research that ultimately could help to reduce the monumental cost of caring for the dying. The aim of our study was to identify changes in the plans of care that represent infomarkers, which signal a transition of care goals from nonpalliative care ones to those consistent with palliative care.

Method:

Using an existing electronic health record database generated during a two-year longitudinal study of nine diverse medical–surgical units from four Midwest hospitals and a known group approach, we evaluated patient care episodes for 901 patients who died (mean age = 74.5 ± 14.6 years). We used ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests to compare patient groups.

Results:

We identified 11 diagnoses, including Death Anxiety and Anticipatory Grieving, whose addition to the care plan, some of which also occurred with removal of nonpalliative care diagnoses, represent infomarkers of transition to palliative care goals. There were four categories of patients, those who had: no infomarkers on plans (n = 507), infomarkers added on the admission plan (n = 194), infomarkers added on a post-admission plan (minor transitions, n = 109), and infomarkers added and nonpalliative care diagnoses removed on a post-admission plan (major transition, n = 91). Age, length of stay, and pain outcomes differed significantly for these four categories of patients.

Significance of Results:

EHRs contain pertinent infomarkers that if confirmed in future studies could be used for timely referral to palliative care for improved focus on comfort outcomes and to identify palliative care subjects from data repositories in order to conduct big-data research, comparative effectiveness studies, and health-services research.
Dielectric waveguides for industrial radar applications
Authors: Baer C. , Schulz C. , Rolfes I. , Musch T.
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we present several dielectric waveguide (DWG)setups that enable the transition between radar front ends and antennas in challenging, industrial environments. Apart from good propagation behavior, DWG provide a nearly dispersion free transmission over large distances. Furthermore, they can be used as an electrical insulator in places with critical creep distances, in high temperature environments, and for applications with limited installation space. Fundamentals concerning the ideal propagation mode and adequate waveguide–fiber transitions are presented. Results of electromagnetic simulations as well as measurements on manufactured DWG are discussed in detail. The presented excellent propagation behavior proves the effectiveness of the proposed setup.
Maternal restraint stress during pregnancy in mice induces 11β-HSD1-associated metabolic changes in the livers of the offspring
Authors: Maeyama H. , Hirasawa T. , Tahara Y. , Obata C. , Kasai H. , Moriishi K. , Mochizuki K. , Kubota T.
Published: February 2015

In rats, maternal exposure to restraint stress during pregnancy can induce abnormalities in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems of the offspring. These effects are mediated by long-lasting hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. However, little is known about the potential effects of stress during pregnancy on metabolic systems. We examined the effect of restraint stress in pregnant mice on the liver function of their offspring. The offspring of stressed mothers showed significantly higher lipid accumulation in the liver after weaning than did the controls; this accumulation was associated with increased expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins such as alanine aminotransferase 2 diglyceride acyltransferase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and glucocorticoid receptor. Additionally, we observed increased levels of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, an intercellular mediator that converts glucocorticoid from the inactive to the active form, in the foetal and postnatal periods. These results indicate that restraint stress in pregnancy in mice induces metabolic abnormalities via 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1-related pathways in the foetal liver. It is therefore possible that exposure to stress in pregnant women may be a risk factor for metabolic syndromes (e.g. fatty liver) in children.
Weaving and Tailoring the Andean Church: Textile Ornaments and Their Makers in Colonial Peru
Authors: Stanfield-Mazzi Maya
Published: February 2015

The first Christian churches were built in the Andes soon after Spaniards arrived. Initially simple structures, they were later remodeled into large stone monuments. Aside from their architectural construction, the furnishing and decoration of these churches was an ongoing project that involved many participants, often under the watchful eye of a parish priest. Art historians have uncovered fascinating cases in which native artists exercised agency in creating works to be displayed in church interiors, many of which expressed Andean as well as Christian beliefs. This scholarship has focused primarily on the art forms of painting and sculpture, which were very visible within the church, especially in cases such as the baptism murals discussed by Ananda Cohen Suarez in this issue. An underappreciated yet equally notable aspect of church decoration was textiles. Throughout the colonial period churches were abundantly adorned with “church clothing,” textile ornaments meant to cover floors, walls, and altars as well as clothe church functionaries and religious statuary. The purchase and maintenance of church textiles consumed the lion's share of annual church budgets.
Introduction: Andeans Articulating Colonial Worlds
Authors: Dueñas Alcira
Published: February 2015

Whether they be the painted walls and highly ‘dressed’ altars of Andean churches, or the collective knotted strings and litigation proceedings housed in locked chests in local Indian municipal councils, artifacts conjure up cultural interstices instrumental for discerning the “fine grain” of Spanish colonialism in the Andes. After the early years of the Spanish presence, the Andes became a mosaic of multifarious articulations of indigenous, European, and African ways of thinking, living, and weaving a social order that continued to change over time and across the geographical space of the viceroyalty of Peru.
Photonic lattice simulation of dissipation-induced correlations in bosonic systems
Authors: Rai Amit , Lee Changhyoup , Noh Changsuk , Angelakis Dimitris G.
Published: February 2015

We propose an optical simulation of dissipation-induced correlations in one-dimensional (1D) interacting bosonic systems, using a two-dimensional (2D) array of linear photonic waveguides and only classical light. We show that for the case of two bosons in a 1D lattice, one can simulate on-site two-body dissipative dynamics using a linear 2D waveguide array with lossy diagonal waveguides. The intensity distribution of the propagating light directly maps out the wave function, allowing one to observe the dissipation-induced correlations with simple measurements. Beyond the on-site model, we also show that a generalised model containing nearest-neighbour dissipative interaction can be engineered and probed in the proposed set-up.
Swimming droplets driven by a surface wave
Authors: Ebata Hiroyuki , Sano Masaki
Published: February 2015

Self-propelling motion is ubiquitous for soft active objects such as crawling cells, active filaments and liquid droplets moving on surfaces. Deformation and energy dissipation are required for self-propulsion of both living and non-living matter. From the perspective of physics, searching for universal laws of self-propelled motions in a dissipative environment is worthwhile, regardless of the objects' details. In this article, we propose a simple experimental system that demonstrates spontaneous migration of a droplet under uniform mechanical agitation. As we vary control parameters, spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs sequentially and cascades of bifurcations of the motion arise. Equations describing deformable particles and hydrodynamic simulations successfully describe all of the observed motions. This system should enable us to improve our understanding of spontaneous motions of self-propelled objects.
Ultrasensitive Biosensors Using Enhanced Fano Resonances in Capped Gold Nanoslit Arrays
Authors: Lee Kuang-Li , Huang Jhih-Bin , Chang Jhih-Wei , Wu Shu-Han , Wei Pei-Kuen
Published: February 2015

Nanostructure-based sensors are capable of sensitive and label-free detection for biomedical applications. However, plasmonic sensors capable of highly sensitive detection with high-throughput and low-cost fabrication techniques are desirable. We show that capped gold nanoslit arrays made by thermal-embossing nanoimprint method on a polymer film can produce extremely sharp asymmetric resonances for a transverse magnetic-polarized wave. An ultrasmall linewidth is formed due to the enhanced Fano coupling between the cavity resonance mode in nanoslits and surface plasmon resonance mode on periodic metallic surface. With an optimal slit length and width, the full width at half-maximum bandwidth of the Fano mode is only 3.68 nm. The wavelength sensitivity is 926 nm/RIU for 60-nm-width and 1,000-nm-period nanoslits. The figure of merit is up to 252. The obtained value is higher than the theoretically estimated upper limits of the prism-coupling SPR sensors and the previously reported record high figure-of-merit in array sensors. In addition, the structure has an ultrahigh intensity sensitivity up to 48,117%/RIU.
Aluminum-Centered Tetrahedron-Octahedron Transition in Advancing Al-Sb-Te Phase Change Properties
Authors: Xia Mengjiao , Ding Keyuan , Rao Feng , Li Xianbin , Wu Liangcai , Song Zhitang
Published: February 2015

Group IIIA elements, Al, Ga, or In, etc., doped Sb-Te materials have proven good phase change properties, especially the superior data retention ability over popular Ge2Sb2Te5, while their phase transition mechanisms are rarely investigated. In this paper, aiming at the phase transition of Al-Sb-Te materials, we reveal a dominant rule of local structure changes around the Al atoms based on ab initio simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance evidences. By comparing the local chemical environments around Al atoms in respective amorphous and crystalline Al-Sb-Te phases, we believe that Al-centered motifs undergo reversible tetrahedron-octahedron reconfigurations in phase transition process. Such Al-centered local structure rearrangements significantly enhance thermal stability of amorphous phase compared to that of undoped Sb-Te materials and facilitate a low-energy amorphization due to the weak links among Al-centered and Sb-centered octahedrons. Our studies may provide a useful reference to further understand the underlying physics and optimize performances of all IIIA metal doped Sb-Te phase change materials, prompting the development of NOR/NAND Flash-like phase change memory technology.
Molecular basis for convergent evolution of glutamate recognition by pentameric ligand-gated ion channels
Authors: Lynagh Timothy , Beech Robin N. , Lalande Maryline J. , Keller Kevin , Cromer Brett A. , Wolstenholme Adrian J. , Laube Bodo
Published: February 2015

Glutamate is an indispensable neurotransmitter, triggering postsynaptic signals upon recognition by postsynaptic receptors. We questioned the phylogenetic position and the molecular details of when and where glutamate recognition arose in the glutamate-gated chloride channels. Experiments revealed that glutamate recognition requires an arginine residue in the base of the binding site, which originated at least three distinct times according to phylogenetic analysis. Most remarkably, the arginine emerged on the principal face of the binding site in the Lophotrochozoan lineage, but 65 amino acids upstream, on the complementary face, in the Ecdysozoan lineage. This combined experimental and computational approach throws new light on the evolution of synaptic signalling.
A hybrid electro-optic polymer and TiO2 double-slot waveguide modulator
Authors: Qiu Feng , Spring Andrew M. , Maeda Daisuke , Ozawa Masa-aki , Odoi Keisuke , Otomo Akira , Aoki Isao , Yokoyama Shiyoshi
Published: February 2015

An electro-optic (EO) modulator using a TiO2 slot hybrid waveguide has been designed and fabricated. Optical mode calculations revealed that the mode was primarily confined within the slots when using a double-slot configuration, thus achieving a high EO activity experimentally. The TiO2 slots also acted as an important barrier to induce an enhanced DC field during the poling of the EO polymer and the driving of the EO modulator. The hybrid phase modulator exhibited a driving voltage (Vπ) of 1.6 V at 1550 nm, which can be further reduced to 0.8 V in a 1 cm-long push-pull Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure. The modulator demonstrated a low propagation loss of 5 dB/cm and a relatively high end-fire coupling efficiency.
Quantum metrology with unitary parametrization processes
Authors: Liu Jing , Jing Xiao-Xing , Wang Xiaoguang
Published: February 2015

Quantum Fisher information is a central quantity in quantum metrology. We discuss an alternative representation of quantum Fisher information for unitary parametrization processes. In this representation, all information of parametrization transformation, i.e., the entire dynamical information, is totally involved in a Hermitian operator "Equation missing". Utilizing this representation, quantum Fisher information is only determined by "Equation missing" and the initial state. Furthermore, "Equation missing" can be expressed in an expanded form. The highlights of this form is that it can bring great convenience during the calculation for the Hamiltonians owning recursive commutations with their partial derivative. We apply this representation in a collective spin system and show the specific expression of "Equation missing". For a simple case, a spin-half system, the quantum Fisher information is given and the optimal states to access maximum quantum Fisher information are found. Moreover, for an exponential form initial state, an analytical expression of quantum Fisher information by "Equation missing" operator is provided. The multiparameter quantum metrology is also considered and discussed utilizing this representation.
Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation provides insights into epigenetic regulation of fungal development in a plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Jeon Junhyun , Choi Jaeyoung , Lee Gir-Won , Park Sook-Young , Huh Aram , Dean Ralph A. , Lee Yong-Hwan
Published: February 2015

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates development of plants and mammals. To investigate the roles of DNA methylation in fungal development, we profiled genome-wide methylation patterns at single-nucleotide resolution during vegetative growth, asexual reproduction and infection-related morphogenesis in a model plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. We found that DNA methylation occurs in and around genes as well as transposable elements and undergoes global reprogramming during fungal development. Such reprogramming of DNA methylation suggests that it may have acquired new roles other than controlling the proliferation of TEs. Genetic analysis of DNA methyltransferase deletion mutants also indicated that proper reprogramming in methylomes is required for asexual reproduction in the fungus. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis showed that DNA methylation is associated with transcriptional silencing of transposable elements and transcript abundance of genes in context-dependent manner, reinforcing the role of DNA methylation as a genome defense mechanism. This comprehensive approach suggests that DNA methylation in fungi can be a dynamic epigenetic entity contributing to fungal development and genome defense. Furthermore, our DNA methylomes provide a foundation for future studies exploring this key epigenetic modification in fungal development and pathogenesis.
Enhanced photovoltaics inspired by the fovea centralis
Authors: Shalev Gil , Schmitt Sebastian W. , Embrechts Heidemarie , Brönstrup Gerald , Christiansen Silke
Published: February 2015

The fovea centralis is a closely-packed vertical array of inverted-cone photoreceptor cells located in the retina that is responsible for high acuity binocular vision. The cones are operational in well-lit environments and are responsible for trapping the impinging illumination. We present the vertical light-funnel silicon array as a light-trapping technique for photovoltaic applications that is bio-inspired by the properties of the fovea centralis. We use opto-electronic simulations to evaluate the performance of light-funnel solar cell arrays. Light-funnel arrays present ~65% absorption enhancement compared to a silicon film of identical thickness and exhibit power conversion efficiencies that are 60% higher than those of optimized nanowire arrays of the same thickness although nanowire arrays consist of more than 2.3 times the amount of silicon. We demonstrate the superior absorption of the light-funnel arrays as compared with recent advancements in the field. Fabrication of silicon light-funnel arrays using low-cost processing techniques is demonstrated.
Oxidation of hydroxymethylpyrazines and hydroxylated phenyl compounds in a gas chromatography inlet
Authors: Bohman B. , Flematti G. R.
Published: February 2015

Large proportions of aldehydes were formed when hydroxymethylpyrazines, and benzyl- and cinnamyl alcohols were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a heated inlet with a used glass inlet liner.
Metal-free oxidative decarbonylative coupling of aromatic aldehydes with arenes: direct access to biaryls
Authors: Tang Ren-Jin , He Qing , Yang Luo
Published: February 2015

A metal-free oxidative decarbonylative coupling of aromatic aldehydes with electron-rich or electron-deficient arenes to produce biaryl compounds was developed for the first time.
A QM:MM model for the interaction of DNA nucleotides with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chehel Amirani Morteza , Tang Tian
Published: February 2015

Hybrid materials formed by DNA and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown very interesting properties, but their simulation in solution using quantum mechanical approaches is still a challenge in the computational chemistry community.
Structure formation in diindenoperylene thin films on copper(111)
Authors: Aldahhak H. , Matencio S. , Barrena E. , Ocal C. , Schmidt W. G. , Rauls E.
Published: February 2015

First-principles calculations were combined with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements to analyze the adsorption of diindenoperylene (DIP) molecules on Cu(111) surfaces.
Polaron stability in molecular semiconductors: theoretical insight into the impact of the temperature, electric field and the system dimensionality
Authors: Ribeiro Junior Luiz Antonio , Stafström Sven
Published: February 2015

A semi-empirical Holstein–Peierls model is used to study the temperature effects on the polaron stability in organic semiconductors at a molecular scale.
Plasmonic circular dichroism in side-by-side oligomers of gold nanorods: the influence of chiral molecule location and interparticle distance
Authors: Hou Shuai , Zhang Hui , Yan Jiao , Ji Yinglu , Wen Tao , Liu Wenqi , Hu Zhijian , Wu Xiaochun
Published: February 2015

The CD signal of Au nanorod assemblies is highly sensitive to the chiral molecule location and the interparticle distance.
Theoretical insight into a novel zinc di-corrole dye with excellent photoelectronic properties for solar cells
Authors: Zhu Chun , Liang Jin-Xia
Published: February 2015

A new zinc di-corrole dye has been designed by substitution of Ga with Zn in a Ga di-corrole dye. Its optical and electronic properties were studied by extensive DFT calculations.
Effects of dangling bonds and diameter on the electronic and optical properties of InAs nanowires
Authors: Gordanian E. , Jalali-Asadabadi S. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Rahimi S. , Yazdani-Kachoei M.
Published: February 2015

In this article we explore the effects of dangling bonds and diameter on the electronic properties of the wurtzite InAs nanowires (NWs) using the density functional theory.
Conversion of glucose and sorbitol in the presence of Ru/C and Pt/C catalysts
Authors: Tronci Stefania , Pittau Barbara
Published: February 2015

Goal: clarify sugar reaction pathway and gain information on product selectivity.
Organic–inorganic composite micro-granules by evaporation induced assembly: role of trapped water in structural evolution
Authors: Sen D. , Lakhotiya H. , Das Avik , Bahadur J. , Mazumder S. , Basak C. B.
Published: February 2015

Nano-structured composite micro-granules are promising candidates for many technological and medical applications.
In situ sodium chloride template synthesis of cobalt oxide hollow octahedra for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Fei , Cheng Danfei , Wang Wengang , Wang Yuting , Zhao Mingshu , Yang Shengchun , Lu Xuegang , Song Xiaoping
Published: February 2015

A novel template synthesis route is developed to synthesize cobalt oxide hollow octahedra.
Thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of coffee grounds and excess sludge: long term process stability and energy production
Authors: Qiao Wei , Mohammad Shofie , Takayanagi Kazuyuki , Li Yu-you
Published: February 2015

In this research, thermophilic anaerobic digestion of coffee grounds and sludge was carried out using a 12 liter continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to identify the inhibitory factors and to evaluate the energy production.
Design of novel tetra-hetero[8]circulenes: a theoretical study of electronic structure and charge transport characteristics
Authors: Thu Huong Vu Thi , Tai Truong Ba , Nguyen Minh Tho
Published: February 2015

Tetra-hetero[8]circulenes were theoretically designed and emerged as good candidates for ambipolar organic semiconductors.
Electrosynthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2and epoxides on a reusable copper nanoparticle cathode
Authors: Wu Laxia , Yang Hengpan , Wang Huan , Lu Jiaxing
Published: February 2015

A highly stable and reusable Cu NP cathode was prepared for the electrosynthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2and epoxides under mild conditions.
Exploiting parameter space in MOFs: a 20-fold enhancement of phosphate-ester hydrolysis with UiO-66-NH2
Authors: Katz Michael J. , Moon Su-Young , Mondloch Joseph E. , Beyzavi M. Hassan , Stephenson Casey J. , Hupp Joseph T. , Farha Omar K.
Published: February 2015

Using the enzymatic mechanism of phosphoesterase as a template, we were able to modify a metal–organic framework such that the hydrolysis rates were 50 times faster than previously demonstrated with UiO-66.
Polymers under confinement: single polymers, how they interact, and as model chromosomes
Authors: Ha Bae-Yeun , Jung Youngkyun
Published: February 2015

A polymer in a confined and crowded space.
The development of a wideband and angle-insensitive metamaterial filter with extraordinary infrared transmission for micro-thermophotovoltaics
Authors: Jiang D. Y. , Yang W. M. , Liu Y. J. , Liu H. L. , Teng J. H.
Published: February 2015

This study demonstrates a metamaterial filter with coaxial ring structure for the micro-thermophotovoltaic system with improved system efficiency.
Gold nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposite for highly sensitive drug–DNA interaction
Authors: Kuralay F. , Erdem A.
Published: February 2015

We demonstrate a gold nanaparticle/polyvinylferrocenium (AuNP/PVF+) coated platinum (Pt) electrode for sensing highly sensitive DNA–anticancer drug interactions.
Electrokinetic preconcentration of particles and cells in microfluidic reservoirs
Authors: Harrison Herbert , Lu Xinyu , Patel Saurin , Thomas Cory , Todd Andrew , Johnson Mark , Raval Yash , Tzeng Tzuen-Rong , Song Yongxin , Wang Junsheng , Li Dongqing , Xuan Xiangchun
Published: February 2015

We present an electrokinetic (EK) technique for in-reservoir particle and cell preconcentration via induced-charge electroosmosis (ICEO) and dielectrophoresis (DEP).
Proficiency testing for determination of lead and arsenic in cosmetics: comparison of analytical procedures and evaluation of laboratory performances
Authors: Zhong Zhixiong , Li Gongke , Luo Jianbo , Chen Wensheng , Liu Liping , He Ping , Luo Zhibin
Published: February 2015

Proficiency testing scheme (CNAS T0419) involving 217 laboratories in China using their regular analytical methods for the determination of lead and arsenic in foundation cream cosmetics.
Study of structures and thermodynamics of CuNi nanoalloys using a new DFT-fitted atomistic potential
Authors: Panizon Emanuele , Olmos-Asar Jimena A. , Peressi Maria , Ferrando Riccardo
Published: February 2015

Structure and thermodynamics of CuNi nanoalloys determined by a new DFT-fitted atomistic potential.
Synthesis and (spectro)electrochemistry of mixed-valent diferrocenyl–dihydrothiopyran derivatives
Authors: Kowalski Konrad , Karpowicz Rafał , Mlostoń Grzegorz , Miesel Dominique , Hildebrandt Alexander , Lang Heinrich , Czerwieniec Rafał , Therrien Bruno
Published: February 2015

Cationic cyclic diferrocenyl–methane complexes display characteristic IVCT absorptions. These spectral features result from effective “through space” electronic communication between the metal centre in these mixed-valent dimetallic species.
Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination using easily accessible metallocenyl P,N-ligands
Authors: Wu Hongwei , Xie Fang , Wang Yanlan , Zhao Xiaohu , Liu Delong , Zhang Wanbin
Published: February 2015

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic aminations were carried out efficiently using both C2-symmetric and non-C2-symmetric metallocenyl P,N-ligands. A more accessible mixed ligand system of the above two was then examined, providing the amination product with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity.
Synthesis and complementary self-association of novel lipophilic π-conjugated nucleoside oligomers
Authors: Camacho-García J. , Montoro-García C. , López-Pérez A. M. , Bilbao N. , Romero-Pérez S. , González-Rodríguez D.
Published: February 2015

A series of lipophilic nucleosides comprising natural and non-natural bases that are π-conjugated to a short oligophenylene–ethynylene fragment has been synthesized and their respective association constants measured.
Maleimide as an efficient nucleophilic partner in the aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction: synthesis of chiral 3-substituted-3-aminooxindoles
Authors: Kumar Akshay , Sharma Vivek , Kaur Jasneet , Kumar Naveen , Chimni Swapandeep Singh
Published: February 2015

A highly enantioselective β-isocupreidine catalyzed aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of maleimides with isatin derived ketimines provides 3-substituted-3-aminooxindoles with enantiomeric excess upto 99%.
Novel E glass composites with polybenzoxazine and in situ generating reactive multi branched titanate for low temperature cure and high thermal resistance applications
Authors: Rajesh Kumar S. , Dhanasekaran J. , Krishna Mohan S.
Published: February 2015

Novel E glass composites with polybenzoxazine andin situgenerating reactive multi branched titanate for low temperature cure and high thermal resistance applications.
Micro-/mesoporous carbons for controlled release of antipyrine and indomethacin
Authors: Saha Dipendu , Moken Tara , Chen Jihua , Hensley Dale K. , Delaney Kristen , Hunt Marcus A. , Nelson Karl , Spurri Amada , Benham Lauren , Brice Robin , Azoro Martina
Published: February 2015

We have demonstrated the potential of meso- and microporous carbons in controlled release applications and targeted oral drug delivery.
The effect of γ-ray irradiation on the microstructure and thermal properties of polyacrylonitrile fibers
Authors: Zhao Weizhe , Lu Yonggen , Jiang Junqi , Hu Leiyang , Zhou Liangxiao
Published: February 2015

After γ-ray irradiation, the intramolecular cyclization of PAN fibers was dominant at relatively low doses (<200 kGy), while intermolecular crosslinking in amorphous regions dominated at higher doses, according to the solubility measurement.
Facile synthesis of amorphous Co/Ni hydroxide hierarchical films and the study of their morphology and electrochemical properties
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Panda H. S.
Published: February 2015

Amorphous Co/Ni hydroxide films were prepared by using a successive ionic adsorption and reaction method on a stainless steel substrate and their electrochemical properties were examined for supercapacitor application.
One-pot highly enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of anti,anti vinylic 3-amino-1,2 diols via proline catalyzed sequential α-amination/ benzoyloxyallylation of aldehydes
Authors: Ahuja Brij Bhushan , Sudalai Arumugam
Published: February 2015

The first direct asymmetric synthesis ofanti,antivinylic 3-amino-1,2-diols from aldehydes is describedviaa one-pot sequentiall-proline catalyzed α-amination/benzoyloxyallylation protocol.
Favoured local structures in liquids and solids: a 3D lattice model
Authors: Ronceray Pierre , Harrowell Peter
Published: February 2015

We investigate the connection between the geometry of Favoured Local Structures (FLS) in liquids and the associated liquid and solid properties.
Enhanced piezoelectricity over a wide sintering temperature (400–1050 °C) range in potassium sodium niobate-based ceramics by two step sintering
Authors: Zheng Ting , Wu Jiagang
Published: February 2015

In this study, we achieved an enhanced d33 of 350–400 pC N−1 in the dense 0.96(K0.4Na0.6)(Nb0.96Sb0.04)O3–0.04Bi0.5K0.5Zr0.9Sn0.1O3 ceramics over a wide sintering temperature range of 400–1050 °C by two-step sintering.
In situ synthesis of stimulus-responsive luminescent organic materials using a reactive inkjet printing approach
Authors: Jeon Seongho , Lee Jong Pil , Kim Jong-Man
Published: February 2015

A stimulus (vapour/heat)-responsive fluorescent dye as well as a luminescent conjugated polymer were readily generated using a reactive inkjet printing system.
Discussing End of Life Care: An Opportunity
Authors: Stead Amanda , McDonnell Caitlin
Published: February 2015

Most deaths now occur in medical or skilled nursing settings. This brings speech-language pathologists, and other professionals, in close contact with clients who face death. While it can feel uncomfortable, speech-language pathologists are in a position to influence this phase of their client's quality-of-life life by addressing death and end of life wishes. This can be a goal of therapy.
Preparation of silica‐supported nanoFe/Ni alloy and its application in viscosity reduction of heavy oil
Authors: Liu Xueliang , Yang Zhancun , Li Xiaohong , Zhang Zhijun , Zhao Mengyun , Su Changming
Published: February 2015

Nanozero valent iron and nickel particles of silica composite (SiO2/Fe/Ni) were prepared via sodium borohydride reduction of ferric chloride and nickel chloride mixed solution in the presence of surface‐modified silica. The prepared nano‐SiO2/Fe/Ni was characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area method. It was found that the SiO2/Fe/Ni, composed of silica with an average size of about 12 nm and zero valent iron and nickel nanoparticles (Fe/Ni) with an average size of several nanometres, exhibited good anti‐oxidation stability, dispersity and phase transfer function. The catalytic effect of SiO2/Fe/Ni on the Shengli extra‐heavy oil was evaluated at a low temperature and the sulphur content of heavy oil before and after aquathermolysis was analysed by an elemental analyser. Results have revealed that the SiO2/Fe/Ni has good catalytic performance in the aquathermolysis process of heavy oils. In particular, at the condition of mass fraction of 0.5% and reaction temperature of 150°C for 48 h, it could significantly reduce the viscosity of heavy oil from 184 to 42 Pa·s. When compared with the original heavy oil sample the viscosity reduction rate was 77.17%, showing promising potential in the industrial production of heavy crude oils.
Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Asymmetric Silylation of Alcohols
Authors: List Benjamin , Hyodo Kengo , Gandhi Shikha , van Gemmeren Manuel
Published: February 2015

We report a catalytic enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-1,2-diols by monosilylation using a chiral enantiopure Brønsted acid as catalyst and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as silyl source.
The mediatization of politics in contemporary Scandinavian film and television
Authors: Bondebjerg Ib
Published: February 2015

The increased mediatization of society since 1960 has lead to a discussion of the mediatization of politics and the role of media for political debate and democracy. Habermas as early as 1962 discussed the rise and potential decline of the public sphere. The role of media in general was central in this debate, and the rise of the internet in modern societies has increased the analysis and theories of the mediatization of politics in theories of democracy and in media sociology. Audio–visual media and the new digital media have increased the visibility of all parts of private and public life and changed the relation between media, public figures and the citizen. In this article, I will discuss main positions in theories on the mediatization of politics. I will also discuss and analyse three types of film and television genres that reflect this mediatization of politics in Scandinavian film and television culture:the political documentary, the political dramaand the “nordic noir” crime genre.