bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The initial state of the human gut microbiome determines its reshaping by antibiotics
Authors: Raymond Frédéric , Ouameur Amin A , Déraspe Maxime , Iqbal Naeem , Gingras Hélène , Dridi Bédis , Leprohon Philippe , Plante Pier-Luc , Giroux Richard , Bérubé Ève , Frenette Johanne , Boudreau Dominique K , Simard Jean-Luc , Chabot Isabelle , Domingo Marc-Christian , Trottier Sylvie , Boissinot Maurice , Huletsky Ann , Roy Paul H , Ouellette Marc , Bergeron Michel G , Corbeil Jacques
Published: September 2015

Microbiome studies have demonstrated the high inter-individual diversity of the gut microbiota. However, how the initial composition of the microbiome affects the impact of antibiotics on microbial communities is relatively unexplored. To specifically address this question, we administered a second-generation cephalosporin, cefprozil, to healthy volunteers. Stool samples gathered before antibiotic exposure, at the end of the treatment and 3 months later were analysed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. On average, 15 billion nucleotides were sequenced for each sample. We show that standard antibiotic treatment can alter the gut microbiome in a specific, reproducible and predictable manner. The most consistent effect of the antibiotic was the increase of Lachnoclostridium bolteae in 16 out of the 18 cefprozil-exposed participants. Strikingly, we identified a subgroup of participants who were enriched in the opportunistic pathogen Enterobacter cloacae after exposure to the antibiotic, an effect linked to lower initial microbiome diversity and to a Bacteroides enterotype. Although the resistance gene content of participants’ microbiomes was altered by the antibiotic, the impact of cefprozil remained specific to individual participants. Resistance genes that were not detectable prior to treatment were observed after a 7-day course of antibiotic administration. Specifically, point mutations in beta-lactamase blaCfxA-6 were enriched after antibiotic treatment in several participants. This suggests that monitoring the initial composition of the microbiome before treatment could assist in the prevention of some of the adverse effects associated with antibiotics or other treatments.
Comparative Proteomic Insights into the Lactate Responses of Halophilic Salinicoccus roseus W12
Authors: Wang Hongyan , Wang Limin , Yang Han , Cai Yumeng , Sun Lifan , Xue Yanfen , Yu Bo , Ma Yanhe
Published: September 2015

Extremophiles use adaptive mechanisms to survive in extreme environments, which is of great importance for several biotechnological applications. A halophilic strain, Salinicoccus roseus W12, was isolated from salt lake in Inner Mongolia, China in this study. The ability of the strain to survive under high sodium conditions (including 20% sodium lactate or 25% sodium chloride, [w/v]) made it an ideal host to screen for key factors related to sodium lactate resistance. The proteomic responses to lactate were studied using W12 cells cultivated with or without lactate stress. A total of 1,656 protein spots in sodium lactate-treated culture and 1,843 spots in NaCl-treated culture were detected by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and 32 of 120 significantly altered protein spots (fold change > 2, p < 0.05) were identified by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Among 21 successfully identified spots, 19 proteins were upregulated and 2 were downregulated. The identified proteins are mainly involved in metabolism, cellular processes and signaling and information storage and processing. Transcription studies confirmed that most of the encoding genes were upregulated after the cells were exposed to lactate in 10 min. Cross-protecting and energy metabolism-related proteins played an important role in lactate tolerance for S. roseus W12.
Proteomic analysis of embryonic kidney development: Heterochromatin proteins as epigenetic regulators of nephrogenesis
Authors: Dihazi Gry H. , Jahn Olaf , Tampe Björn , Zeisberg Michael , Müller Claudia , Müller Gerhard A. , Dihazi Hassan
Published: September 2015

Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the nephrogenesis will boost enormously the regenerative medicine. Here we performed 2-D gel-based comparative proteome analyses of rat embryonic kidney from different developmental stages. Out of 288 non-redundant identified proteins, 102 were common in all developmental stages. 86% of the proteins found in E14 and E16 were identical, in contrast only 37% of the identified proteins overlap between E14 and P1. Bioinformatics analysis suggests developmental stage-specific pathway activation and highlighted heterochromatin protein 1 (Cbx1, Cbx3, Cbx5) and Trim28 as potential key players in nephrogenesis. These are involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene silencing and were down-regulated in the course of kidney development. Trim28 is a potential epigenetic regulator of the branching inhibitor Bmp4. Silencing of Trim28 in cultured kidneys resulted in branching arrest. In contrast knockdown of Cbx5 was associated with abnormal ureteric bud growth and slight impairment of branching. ChIP analysis showed that the H3K9me3 distribution on Bmp4 promoters at E14 and E19 inversely correlate with mRNA expression levels. The concentrated expression-pattern of heterochromatin proteins and the negative impact of their silencing on kidney development, suggest an important role in reciprocal and inductive signaling between the ureteric bud and the metanephric mesenchyme.
Discovery of a monophagous true predator, a specialist termite-eating spider (Araneae: Ammoxenidae)
Authors: Petráková Lenka , Líznarová Eva , Pekár Stano , Haddad Charles R. , Sentenská Lenka , Symondson William O. C.
Published: September 2015

True predators are characterised by capturing a number of prey items during their lifetime and by being generalists. Some true predators are facultative specialists, but very few species are stenophagous specialists that catch only a few closely related prey types. A monophagous true predator that would exploit a single prey species has not been discovered yet. Representatives of the spider family Ammoxenidae have been reported to have evolved to only catch termites. Here we tested the hypothesis that Ammoxenus amphalodes is a monophagous termite-eater capturing only Hodotermes mossambicus. We studied the trophic niche of A. amphalodes by means of molecular analysis of the gut contents using Next Generation Sequencing. We investigated their willingness to accept alternative prey and observed their specific predatory behaviour and prey capture efficiency. We found all of the 1.4 million sequences were H. mossambicus. In the laboratory A. amphalodes did not accept any other prey, including other termite species. The spiders attacked the lateral side of the thorax of termites and immobilised them within 1 min. The paralysis efficiency was independent of predator:prey size ratio. The results strongly indicate that A. amphalodes is a monophagous prey specialist, specifically adapted to feed on H. mossambicus.
Recent developments in the determination of residual solvents in pharmaceutical products by microextraction methods
Authors: Mirmoghaddam Majid , Kaykhaii Massoud , Yahyavi Hossein
Published: September 2015

Recent developments in the determination of residual solvents in pharmaceutical products by microextraction methods.
A glassy carbon electrode based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for simultaneous detection of acetaminophen and ascorbic acid
Authors: Zhao Chengfei , Liu Zong'en , Xu Wentan , Chen Min , Weng Shaohuang , Xu Liufang , Cai Qihong
Published: September 2015

In this present work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were handily prepared with citric acid by the pyrolysis method and used to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (AC) and ascorbic acid (AA) in compound preparation.
Platinum nanoparticles in suspension are as efficient as Karstedt's complex for alkene hydrosilylation
Authors: Galeandro-Diamant Thomas , Zanota Marie-Line , Sayah Reine , Veyre Laurent , Nikitine Clémence , de Bellefon Claude , Marrot Sébastien , Meille Valérie , Thieuleux Chloé
Published: September 2015

1–2 nm Pt nanoparticles and Karstedt's catalyst were used in the hydrosilylation of 1-octene with a polymethylhydrosiloxane and showed a very similar behaviour (the same TONs and the same selectivity towards 1-octene isomerization). This further assesses that Karstedt's catalyst is not truly homogeneous, but rather colloidal, during catalysis at high TONs.
Co3O4nanoparticle embedded carbonaceous fibres: a nanoconfinement effect on enhanced lithium-ion storage
Authors: Sun Jin , Li Daohao , Xia Yanzhi , Zhu Xiaoyi , Zong Lu , Ji Quan , Jia Yi (Alec) , Yang Dongjiang
Published: September 2015

Nanoconfined Co3O4/carbon fibres were developed by pyrolysis of Co2+coordinated regenerated cellulose fibres, which may pave a new way for the scalable synthesis of anode materials for Li ion batteries.
Cyclic aromatic imides as a potential class of molecules for supramolecular interactions
Authors: Nath Jayanta K. , Baruah Jubaraj B.
Published: September 2015

Prospects of stacking interactions of imides beneficial to generation of new soft materials are projected by analysing examples of primary building blocks that provide a basis for understanding at the molecular level.
Regulation of epithelial cell organization by tuning cell–substrate adhesion
Authors: Ravasio Andrea , Le Anh Phuong , Saw Thuan Beng , Tarle Victoria , Ong Hui Ting , Bertocchi Cristina , Mège René-Marc , Lim Chwee Teck , Gov Nir S. , Ladoux Benoit
Published: September 2015

Combining live cell imaging, particle image velocimetry and numerical simulations, we show the role of extracellular matrix and intercellular adhesion on the expansion of epithelial cells.
Syntheses, structural characterization and biological activities of spiro-ansa-spiro-cyclotriphosphazenes
Authors: Başterzi Nisan Sevin , Bilge Koçak Selen , Okumuş Aytuğ , Kılıç Zeynel , Hökelek Tuncer , Çelik Ömer , Türk Mustafa , Koç L. Yasemin , Açık Leyla , Aydın Betül
Published: September 2015

spiro-ansa-spiro-Phosphazenes were investigated for their DNA binding, antimicrobial activities and cytotoxic, apoptotic, and necrotic effects on fibroblast and lung cancer cells.
A gate defined quantum dot on the two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductor WSe2
Authors: Song Xiang-Xiang , Liu Di , Mosallanejad Vahid , You Jie , Han Tian-Yi , Chen Dian-Teng , Li Hai-Ou , Cao Gang , Xiao Ming , Guo Guang-Can , Guo Guo-Ping
Published: September 2015

A gate defined quantum dot is demonstrated on few-layer WSe2.
Mechanism and kinetic study on the ring-opening degradation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzofuran initiated by OH radicals in waste incineration
Authors: Zhang Kun , Sun Shengmin , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2015

This work is about bimolecular reactions and subsequent unimolecular reactions including the ring-opening and hydrogen-transfer of 2,3,7,8-TCDF-OH adducts.
Synthesis and characterization of a cyclic 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine (phenylene phosphonate) oligomer and its flame retardancy application
Authors: Li Nana , Jiang Guowei , Zhou Guangyuan
Published: September 2015

A novel solid flame retardant cyclic 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine (phenylene phosphonate) (CPFP) oligomer was synthesized in high yields by the reaction of phenylphosphonic dichloride with 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine under pseudo-high-dilution conditions.
Synthesis and characterization of UV-curable acrylate films modified by functional methacrylate terminated polysiloxane hybrid oligomers
Authors: Wang Honglei , Liu Weiqu , Yan Zhenlong , Tan Jianquan , Xia-Hou Guolun
Published: September 2015

Methacrylate terminated polysiloxane segments migrated to the top surface of the composite UV-curable polyacrylate film.
The pivotal role of the dopant choice on the thermodynamics of hydration and associations in proton conducting BaCe0.9X0.1O3−δ (X = Sc, Ga, Y, In, Gd and Er)
Authors: Løken Andreas , Bjørheim Tor Svendsen , Haugsrud Reidar
Published: September 2015

The choice of acceptor has been demonstrated to result in distinctly different hydration properties in proton conducting perovskites such as BaZrO3 and BaCeO3 and may as such have significant implications for their proton conductivity.
The Pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Further Developments in
our Understanding
Authors: Ajjan R. A. , Weetman A. P.
Published: September 2015

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is part of a spectrum of thyroid autoimmune
conditions and this review provides an update on the latest developments in the
field. HT has a genetic predisposition with a number of immune-related and
thyroid-specific genes conferring disease susceptibility. However, disentangling
genes with protective and predisposing effect is a complex process that requires
further work. The recent increase in the incidence of HT implicates
environmental factors in disease pathogenesis including improved hygiene,
increased dietary iodine intake, new treatment modalities and chemical agents.
Additional unmodifiable predisposing factors include stress, climate, age and
gender. Both cellular and humoral immunity play a role in HT pathogenesis.
Defects in T regulatory cells and increased activation of follicular helper T
cells may have a role in disease initiation/perpetuation. Infiltrating
lymphocytes can be directly cytotoxic to thyroid follicular cells (TFC) or may
affect cell viability/function indirectly through cytokine production, which
alters TFC integrity and modulates their metabolic and immune function. Thyroid
peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are present in the majority of HT
patients and help with management decisions. Antibodies against the sodium
iodide symporter and pendrin are present in a minority with little known about
their clinical relevance. In addition to immune cells, recent work has
identified DNA fragments, generated following cell death, and micro RNA as
potential factors in HT pathogenesis. Despite the large number of studies, the
mechanistic pathways in HT are still not fully understood and further work is
required to enhance our knowledge and identify novel preventative and
therapeutic clinical targets.
Graves’ Disease Mechanisms: The Role of Stimulating, Blocking, and Cleavage Region TSH Receptor Antibodies
Authors: Davies T. F. , Morshed S. A.
Published: September 2015

The immunologic processes involved in Graves’ disease (GD) have one unique characteristic – the autoantibodies to the TSH receptor (TSHR) – which have both linear and conformational epitopes. Three types of TSHR antibodies (stimulating, blocking, and cleavage) with different functional capabilities have been described in GD patients, which induce different signaling effects varying from thyroid cell proliferation to thyroid cell death. The establishment of animal models of GD by TSHR antibody transfer or by immunization with TSHR antigen has confirmed its pathogenic role and, therefore, GD is the result of a breakdown in TSHR tolerance. Here we review some of the characteristics of TSHR antibodies with a special emphasis on new developments in our understanding of what were previously called “neutral” antibodies and which we now characterize as autoantibodies to the “cleavage” region of the TSHR ectodomain.
Generalized quantum kinetic expansion: Time scale separation between intra-cluster and inter-cluster kinetics
Authors: Tang Zhoufei , Gong Zhihao , Wu Jianlan
Published: September 2015

For a general two-cluster network, a new methodology of the cluster-based generalized quantum kinetic expansion (GQKE) is developed in the matrix formalism under two initial conditions: the local cluster equilibrium and system-bath factorized states. For each initial condition, the site population evolution follows exactly a distinct closed equation, where all the four terms involved are systematically expanded over inter-cluster couplings. For the system-bath factorized initial state, the numerical investigation of the two models, a biased (2, 1)-site system and an unbiased (2, 2)-site system, verifies the reliability of the GQKE and the relevance of higher-order corrections. The time-integrated site-to-site rates and the time evolution of site population reveal the time scale separation between intra-cluster and inter-cluster kinetics. The population evolution of aggregated clusters can be quantitatively described by the approximate cluster Markovian kinetics.
Impact of laser phase and amplitude noises on streak camera temporal resolution
Authors: Wlotzko V. , Uhring W. , Summ P.
Published: September 2015

Streak cameras are now reaching sub-picosecond temporal resolution. In cumulative acquisition mode, this resolution does not entirely rely on the electronic or the vacuum tube performances but also on the light source characteristics. The light source, usually an actively mode-locked laser, is affected by phase and amplitude noises. In this paper, the theoretical effects of such noises on the synchronization of the streak system are studied in synchroscan and triggered modes. More precisely, the contribution of band-pass filters, delays, and time walk is ascertained. Methods to compute the resulting synchronization jitter are depicted. The results are verified by measurement with a streak camera combined with a Ti:Al2O3 solid state laser oscillator and also a fiber oscillator.
Development of a high magnetic field assisted pulsed laser deposition system
Authors: Zhang Kejun , Dai Jianming , Wu Wenbin , Zhang Peng , Zuo Xuzhong , Zhou Shu , Zhu Xuebin , Sheng Zhigao , Liang Changhao , Sun Yuping
Published: September 2015

A high magnetic field assisted pulsed laser deposition (HMF-PLD) system has been developed to in situ grow thin films in a high magnetic field up to 10 T. In this system, a specially designed PLD cylindrical vacuum chamber is horizontally located in the bore configuration of a superconducting magnet with a bore diameter of 200 mm. To adjust the focused pulsed laser into the target in such a narrow PLD vacuum chamber, an ingeniously built-in laser leading-in chamber is employed, including a laser mirror with a reflection angle of 65° and a damage threshold up to 3.4 J/cm2. A laser alignment system consisting of a built-in video-unit leading-in chamber and a low-energy alignment laser is applied to monitor and align the pulsed laser propagation in the PLD vacuum chamber. We have grown La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin films on (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 (001) [LSAT (001)] substrates by HMF-PLD. The results show that the nanostructures of the LSMO films can be tuned from an epitaxially continuous film structure without field to a vertically aligned nanorod structure with an applied high magnetic field above 5 T, and the dimension size of the nanorods can be tuned by the strength of the magnetic field. The associated magnetic anisotropy is found to be highly dependent on the nanorod structures. We show how the HMF-PLD provides an effective route toward tuning the nanostructures and the physical properties of functional thin films, giving it an important role in development of nanodevices and their application.
Favorable target positions for intense laser acceleration of electrons in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions
Authors: Pi Liang-Wen , Hu S. X. , Starace Anthony F.
Published: September 2015

Classical relativistic Monte Carlo simulations of petawatt laser acceleration of electrons bound initially in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions show that both the angles and energies of the laser-accelerated electrons depend on the initial ion positions with respect to the laser focus. Electrons bound in ions located after the laser focus generally acquire higher (≈GeV) energies and are ejected at smaller angles with respect to the laser beam. Our simulations assume a tightly-focused linearly-polarized laser pulse with intensity approaching 1022 W/cm2. Up to fifth order corrections to the paraxial approximation of the laser field in the focal region are taken into account. In addition to the laser intensity, the Rayleigh length in the focal region is shown to play a significant role in maximizing the final energy of the accelerated electrons. Results are presented for both Ne9+ and Ar17+ target ions.
Low-cost copper complexes as p-dopants in solution processable hole transport layers
Authors: Kellermann Renate , Taroata Dan , Maltenberger Anna , Hartmann David , Brabec Christoph J. , Schmid Guenter
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate the usage of the Lewis-acidic copper(II)hexafluoroacetylacetonate (Cu(hfac)2) and copper(II)trifluoroacetylacetonate (Cu(tfac)2) as low-cost p-dopants for conductivity enhancement of solution processable hole transport layers based on small molecules in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The materials were clearly soluble in mixtures of environmentally friendly anisole and xylene and spin-coated under ambient atmosphere. Enhancements of two and four orders of magnitude, reaching 4.0 × 10−11 S/cm with a dopant concentration of only 2 mol% Cu(hfac)2 and 1.5 × 10−9 S/cm with 5 mol% Cu(tfac)2 in 2,2′,7,7′-tetra(N,N-ditolyl)amino-9,9-spiro-bifluorene (spiro-TTB), respectively, were achieved. Red light emitting diodes were fabricated with reduced driving voltages and enhanced current and power efficiencies (8.6 lm/W with Cu(hfac)2 and 5.6 lm/W with Cu(tfac)2) compared to the OLED with undoped spiro-TTB (3.9 lm/W). The OLED with Cu(hfac)2 doped spiro-TTB showed an over 8 times improved LT50 lifetime of 70 h at a starting luminance of 5000 cd/m2. The LT50 lifetime of the reference OLED with PEDOT:PSS was only 8 h. Both non-optimized OLEDs were operated at similar driving voltage and power efficiency.
Construction of van der Waals magnetic tunnel junction using ferromagnetic layered dichalcogenide
Authors: Arai Miho , Moriya Rai , Yabuki Naoto , Masubuchi Satoru , Ueno Keiji , Machida Tomoki
Published: September 2015

We investigate the micromechanical exfoliation and van der Waals (vdW) assembly of ferromagnetic layered dichalcogenide Fe0.25TaS2. The vdW interlayer coupling at the Fe-intercalated plane of Fe0.25TaS2 allows exfoliation of flakes. A vdW junction between the cleaved crystal surfaces is constructed by dry transfer method. We observe tunnel magnetoresistance in the resulting junction under an external magnetic field applied perpendicular to the plane, demonstrating spin-polarized tunneling between the ferromagnetic layered material and the vdW junction.
Soliton radiation beat analysis of optical pulses generated from two continuous-wave lasers
Authors: Zajnulina M. , Böhm M. , Blow K. , Rieznik A. A. , Giannone D. , Haynes R. , Roth M. M.
Published: September 2015

We propose a fibre-based approach for generation of optical frequency combs (OFCs) with the aim of calibration of astronomical spectrographs in the low and medium-resolution range. This approach includes two steps: in the first step, an appropriate state of optical pulses is generated and subsequently moulded in the second step delivering the desired OFC. More precisely, the first step is realised by injection of two continuous-wave (CW) lasers into a conventional single-mode fibre, whereas the second step generates a broad OFC by using the optical solitons generated in step one as initial condition. We investigate the conversion of a bichromatic input wave produced by two initial CW lasers into a train of optical solitons, which happens in the fibre used as step one. Especially, we are interested in the soliton content of the pulses created in this fibre. For that, we study different initial conditions (a single cosine-hump, an Akhmediev breather, and a deeply modulated bichromatic wave) by means of soliton radiation beat analysis and compare the results to draw conclusion about the soliton content of the state generated in the first step. In case of a deeply modulated bichromatic wave, we observed the formation of a collective soliton crystal for low input powers and the appearance of separated solitons for high input powers. An intermediate state showing the features of both, the soliton crystal and the separated solitons, turned out to be most suitable for the generation of OFC for the purpose of calibration of astronomical spectrographs.
Ion aggregation in high salt solutions. IV. Graph-theoretical analyses of ion aggregate structure and water hydrogen bonding network
Authors: Choi Jun-Ho , Cho Minhaeng
Published: September 2015

Ions in high salt solutions form a variety of ion aggregates, from ion pairs to clusters and networks. Their influences on water hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) network structures have long been of great interest. Recently, we have shown that the morphological structures of ion aggregates can be analyzed by using a spectral graph analysis theory, where each ion cluster or ion network is represented by a properly defined graph with edges and vertices. Here, to further examine the network properties of ion aggregates and water H-bonding networks in high salt solutions, we consider a few representative graph-theoretical descriptors: clustering coefficient, minimum path length, global efficiency, and degree distribution of ion aggregates. From the molecular dynamics trajectories, these graph theoretical properties of ion aggregates and water structures in NaCl and kosmotropic solutions are calculated and shown to be strongly dependent on the two types of ion aggregate structures, i.e., ion cluster and ion network. Ion clusters in high NaCl solutions exhibit typical behaviors of scale free network. The corresponding graph theoretical properties of ion networks in high KSCN solutions are notably different from those of NaCl ion clusters and furthermore they are very similar to those of water hydrogen-bonding network. The present graph-theoretical analysis results indicate that the high solubility limits of KSCN and other ion-network-forming salts might originate from their ability to form a large scale morphological network that can be intertwined with co-existing water H-bonding network. Furthermore, it is shown that the graph-theoretical properties of water H-bonding network structures do not strongly depend on the nature of dissolved ions nor on the morphological structures of ion aggregates, indicating that water’s H-bonding interaction and network-forming capability are highly robust. We anticipate that the present graph-theoretical analysis results of high salt solutions would provide important information on the Hofmeister ion effects on water structure.
Tuning magnetization, blocking temperature, cation distribution of nanosized Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 by mechanical activation
Authors: Dey S. , Mondal R. , Dey S. K. , Majumder S. , Dasgupta P. , Poddar A. , Reddy V. R. , Kumar S.
Published: September 2015

The study on structural, microstructural, magnetic, and hyperfine properties of nanosized Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 having particle size ∼18 nm (CZM) synthesized by high energy ball milling of Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 nanoparticles of size ∼20 nm (CZ) produced by flow rate controlled coprecipitation method has revealed that the inclusion of strain induced anisotropy produced by mechanical treatment and escalation of oxygen mediated intersublattice exchange interaction of spinel ferrites by tuning cation distribution properly, can improve the magnetic quality of nanosized ferrites significantly. This upshot will be of immense help in promoting the technological application of nanostructured ferrites. The Rietveld refinement of powder x-ray diffraction pattern and the analysis of transmission electron micrographs, energy dispersive x-ray spectrum, and FTIR spectrum of the sample have confirmed that CZM is single phase cubic nanometric spinel ferrite of Fd3¯m symmetry and it possesses large microstrain within its crystal lattice. The dc magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies together with indicate that the particles in the sample are composed of ferrimagnetically aligned core and spin-glass like shell and the system behaves superparamagnetically at 300 K. The saturation magnetization (44 and 87 emu g−1 at 300 and 10 K) and hyperfine field of the sample are substantially higher than its counterparts reported earlier. In spite of its lower size compared to CZ, the blocking temperature (∼220 K) of CZM is higher than that of CZ (70 K) and also that of its counterparts synthesized by chemical methods. The strengthening of the intersublattice A-O-B superexchange interaction because of migration of Fe3+ ions from octahedral [B] to tetrahedral (A) sites in lieu of the relocation of Zn2+ among (A) and [B] sites helps in enhancement of magnetization and hyperfine field of CZM. The giant coercivity (HC ∼ 5600 Oe at 10 K) of CZM is accounted by the presence of spin glass like surface layer in the sample. Moreover, the system exhibits striking memory effect which can be suitably utilized in storing binary bits (0, 1) through magnetic field change in the cooling cycle of magnetization versus temperature profile, and the stored binary coded number can be faithfully retrieved in the heating cycle.
Tailoring the photocurrent in BaTiO3/Nb:SrTiO3 photoanodes by controlled ferroelectric polarization
Authors: Rioult M. , Datta S. , Stanescu D. , Stanescu S. , Belkhou R. , Maccherozzi F. , Magnan H. , Barbier A.
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate on prototypical samples containing a ferroelectric layer (BaTiO3/Nb:SrTiO3) that the efficiency of the system, used as photoanode, substantially depends on the polarization state of the ferroelectric layer. We show a significant increase of the photocurrent by a factor larger than 2 when the BaTiO3 film is downward polarized. We explain this finding by the presence of an internal electric field which favors the separation of photo-generated charges.
Investigations on the droplet distributions in the atomization of kerosene jets in supersonic crossflows
Authors: Wu Liyin , Wang Zhen-guo , Li Qinglian , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: September 2015

Phase Doppler anemometry was applied to investigate the atomization processes of a kerosene jet injected into Ma = 1.86 crossflow. Physical behaviors, such as breakup and coalescence, are reproduced through the analysis of the spatial distribution of kerosene droplets' size. It is concluded that Sauter mean diameter distribution shape transforms into “I” type from “C” type as the atomization development. Simultaneously, the breakup of large droplets and the coalescence of small droplets can be observed throughout the whole atomization process.
Fabrication of reproducible sub-5 nm nanogaps by a focused ion beam and observation of Fowler-Nordheim tunneling
Authors: Li Hu , Wani Ishtiaq H. , Hayat Aqib , Jafri S. Hassan M. , Leifer Klaus
Published: September 2015

Creating a stable high resistance sub-5 nm nanogap in between conductive electrodes is one of the major challenges in the device fabrication of nano-objects. Gap-sizes of 20 nm and above can be fabricated reproducibly by the precise focusing of the ion beam and careful milling of the metallic lines. Here, by tuning ion dosages starting from 4.6 × 1010 ions/cm and above, reproducible nanogaps with sub-5 nm sizes are milled with focused ion beam. The resistance as a function of gap dimension shows an exponential behavior, and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling effect was observed in nanoelectrodes with sub-5 nm nanogaps. The application of Simmon's model to the milled nanogaps and the electrical analysis indicates that the minimum nanogap size approaches to 2.3 nm.
All-optical switching of magnetoresistive devices using telecom-band femtosecond laser
Authors: He Li , Chen Jun-Yang , Wang Jian-Ping , Li Mo
Published: September 2015

Ultrafast all-optical switching of the magnetization of various magnetic systems is an intriguing phenomenon that can have tremendous impact on information storage and processing. Here, we demonstrate all-optical switching of GdFeCo alloy films using a telecom-band femtosecond fiber laser. We further fabricate Hall cross devices and electrically readout all-optical switching by measuring anomalous Hall voltage changes. The use of a telecom laser and the demonstrated all-optical switching of magnetoresistive devices represent the first step toward integration of opto-magnetic devices with mainstream photonic devices to enable novel optical and spintronic functionalities.
Roles of grain boundaries on the semiconductor to metal phase transition of VO2 thin films
Authors: Jian Jie , Zhang Wenrui , Jacob Clement , Chen Aiping , Wang Han , Huang Jijie , Wang Haiyan
Published: September 2015

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films with controlled grain sizes are deposited on amorphous glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The grain boundaries (GBs) are found as the dominating defects in the thin films. The semiconductor to metal transition (SMT) properties of VO2 thin films are characterized and correlated to the GB density. The VO2 films with lower GB density exhibit a sharper SMT with a larger transition amplitude. A high resolution TEM study at GB area reveals the disordered atomic structures along the boundaries and the distorted crystal lattices near the boundaries. The VO2 SMT amplitude and sharpness could be directly related to these defects at and near the boundaries.
Monolithic fabrication of quasi phase-matched waveguides by femtosecond laser structuring the χ(2) nonlinearity
Authors: Kroesen Sebastian , Tekce Kemal , Imbrock Jörg , Denz Cornelia
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate second harmonic generation in quasi phase-matched waveguide structures fabricated by direct laser writing. Circular waveguides are inscribed in z-cut lithium niobate that provide well confined guiding of the fundamental and second harmonic wave. In contrast to classic schemes that employ periodically poled crystals, quasi phase-matching is realized by a laser-induced modulation of the nonlinearity inside the waveguide core. The proposed design allows monolithic integration of buried frequency conversion devices with tailored nonlinear response and excellent compatibility to on-chip optical elements. Second harmonic generation of 1064 nm radiation is demonstrated for different grating periods and associated matching temperatures. A maximum conversion efficiency of 5.72% is obtained for a 6 mm long, laser-induced quasi phase-matching grating.
Anisotropic superfluidity of 4He on a C36 fullerene molecule
Authors: Park Sungjin , Kim Byeongjoon , Kwon Yongkyung
Published: September 2015

We have performed path-integral Monte Carlo calculations to study the adsorption of 4He atoms on two different C36 isomers with the D6h and the D2d symmetries. The radial 4He density distributions reveal layer-by-layer growth with the first layer being located at a distance of ∼5.5 Å from the C36 molecular center and the second layer at ∼8.3 Å. From the angular density profiles of 4He, we find different quantum states as the number of 4He adatoms N varies. For N = 20, we observe commensurate solid structures on both D6h and D2d isomers, where each of 8 hexagon and 12 pentagon centers of the fullerene surfaces is occupied by a single 4He atom. The second-layer promotion starts beyond N = 38 on both isomers, where a compressible incommensurate structure is observed on the D6h isomer and another commensurate structure on D2d. Between N = 20 and N = 38, the 4He monolayer on D6h shows several distinct rings of delocalized 4He atoms along with strongly anisotropic superfluid responses at low temperatures, while isotropic but weak superfluid responses are observed in the 4He layer on D2d.
Passivation of organic light emitting diode anode grid lines by pulsed Joule heating
Authors: Janka M. , Gierth R. , Rubingh J.-E. , Abendroth M. , Eggert M. , Moet D. J. D. , Lupo D.
Published: September 2015

We report the self-aligned passivation of a current distribution grid for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) anode using a pulsed Joule heating method to align the passivation layer accurately on the metal grid. This method involves passing an electric current through the grid to cure a polymer dielectric. Uncured polymer is then rinsed away, leaving a patterned dielectric layer that conforms to the shape of the grid lines. To enhance the accuracy of the alignment, heat conduction into the substrate and the transparent electrode is limited by using short current pulses instead of a constant current. Excellent alignment accuracy of the dielectric layer on printed metal grid lines has been achieved, with a typical 4-μm dielectric overhang. In addition to good accuracy, pulsed Joule heating significantly cuts down process time and energy consumption compared to heating with a constant current. The feasibility of using a printed current distribution grid and Joule heating was demonstrated in an OLED device.
Self-catalyzed growth of dilute nitride GaAs/GaAsSbN/GaAs core-shell nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Kasanaboina Pavan Kumar , Ahmad Estiak , Li Jia , Reynolds C. Lewis , Liu Yang , Iyer Shanthi
Published: September 2015

Bandgap tuning up to 1.3 μm in GaAsSb based nanowires by incorporation of dilute amount of N is reported. Highly vertical GaAs/GaAsSbN/GaAs core-shell configured nanowires were grown for different N contents on Si (111) substrates using plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed close lattice matching of GaAsSbN with GaAs. Micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) revealed red shift as well as broadening of the spectra attesting to N incorporation in the nanowires. Replication of the 4K PL spectra for several different single nanowires compared to the corresponding nanowire array suggests good compositional homogeneity amongst the nanowires. A large red shift of the Raman spectrum and associated symmetric line shape in these nanowires have been attributed to phonon localization at point defects. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the dominance of stacking faults and twins in these nanowires. The lower strain present in these dilute nitride nanowires, as opposed to GaAsSb nanowires having the same PL emission wavelength, and the observation of room temperature PL demonstrate the advantage of the dilute nitride system offers in the nanowire configuration, providing a pathway for realizing nanoscale optoelectronic devices in the telecommunication wavelength region.
Breeding signatures of rice improvement revealed by a genomic variation map from a large germplasm collection
Authors: Xie Weibo , Wang Gongwei , Yuan Meng , Yao Wen , Lyu Kai , Zhao Hu , Yang Meng , Li Pingbo , Zhang Xing , Yuan Jing , Wang Quanxiu , Liu Fang , Dong Huaxia , Zhang Lejing , Li Xinglei , Meng Xiangzhou , Zhang Wan , Xiong Lizhong , He Yuqing , Wang Shiping , Yu Sibin , Xu Caiguo , Luo Jie , Li Xianghua , Xiao Jinghua , Lian Xingming , Zhang Qifa
Published: September 2015

Significance

Intensive rice breeding over the past 50 y has produced many high-performing cultivars, but our knowledge of the genomic changes associated with such improvement remains limited. By analyzing sequences of 1,479 rice accessions, this study identified genomic changes associated with breeding efforts, referred to as breeding signatures, involving 7.8% of the rice genome. Accumulation of selected regions is positively correlated with yield improvement. The number of selected regions in a line may be used for predicting agronomic potential, and the selected loci may provide useful targets for rice improvement.
The Board of Directors
Authors: Bainbridge Stephen M.
Published: September 2015

This chapter explores issues relating to the board of directors. Focusing on the formal model of corporate governance, it considers why corporate decisions are made through the exercise of hierarchical corporate authority instead of consensus. Specifically, it examines the survival advantage that a bureaucratic hierarchy confers on a large corporation and which of its constituencies should elect the board. It first outlines the key functions of the board of directors drawing on the unitary and dual board models. It then asks why corporations are run by boards of directors rather than by shareholders or the chief executive officer. It discusses why ownership and control are separated in the corporate form, with special emphasis on the US experience, along with the economic rationale for vesting control in a group rather than in an individual. Finally, it analyses how boards fail and looks at the reforms that have been implemented to improve their performance.
The Ghost in the Machine
Authors: Metcalfe Janet , Schwartz Bennett L.
Published: September 2015

Although metacognition is considered to be the highest human cognitive function and a crucial self-reflective function allowing us to have free will, finding where this modern “pineal gland” resides in the brain is an enterprise fraught with peril. Searching for metacognition in the brain is like searching for the Holy Grail: It always seems to be in the next valley. We focus on two considerations. First, metacognitions are conscious. They spontaneously occur when something goes wrong, and conflict-based “feeling states” are manifest. We argue that when metacognitive feelings are spontaneous, feeling states are adaptive because they trigger action needed to resolve conflict. Conscious feeling states are, therefore, related to the control functions of metacognition. Second, metacognitive feelings are self-referential. They refer to the core person and indicate that conflict being experienced is a potential threat to the self. These two considerations drive our search for neural activations related to metacognition.
Aging and Metacognitive Control
Authors: Hertzog Christopher
Published: September 2015

This chapter reviews age differences in metacognitive control, defined as behaviors based on the monitoring of cognitive systems and states with the goal of improving the quality of cognition, especially the likelihood of successful remembering. Metacognitive monitoring and control are promising means of improving older adults’ cognition and can compensate for age-related cognitive decline. A prototypical type of metacognitive control studied in aging research involves the self-testing procedure to guide allocation of study time and strategic effort. Older adults often fail to use this strategy even though it can be highly effective for them. Evidence regarding age differences in metacognitive control using more complicated multitrial learning tasks is mixed. The literature is still in its formative stages and age differences in observed metacognitive control should not be taken as signifying irremediable aging-related deficits. Issues with the existing body of evidence and suggestions for future research questions are highlighted.
Obesity and Welfare Regimes
Authors: Offer Avner
Published: September 2015

Among affluent countries, those with market-liberal welfare regimes (which are also English-speaking) tend to have the highest prevalence of obesity. The impact of cheap, accessible, high-energy food is often invoked in explanation. An alternative approach is that overeating is a response to stress and that competition, uncertainty, and inequality make market-liberal societies more stressful. This hypothesis was investigated in 2010 by means of a multivariate study of 11 advanced countries. The fast-food “shock” impact was found to be strongest in market-liberal countries. Economic insecurity, measured in several different ways, was almost twice as powerful as fast-food impact, whereas the impact of inequality was weak and went in the opposite direction. Since then, the findings have been confirmed in several multicountry panel studies with different research designs that have found market liberalism to be a powerful determinant of the prevalence of obesity.
Kemalism and Beyond
Authors: Houston Christopher
Published: September 2015

Abstract: Despite the ceaseless efforts of what its supporters name the “Atatürk Cumhuriyeti” (Atatürk Republic), Kemalism is seen by many as a discredited ideology and an oppressive political practice. This chapter explores the social history of Kemalism since 1923 and the background to its now decades-long crisis of legitimacy. It compares the orthodox narrative concerning the Kemalist project with its various deconstructive accounts, many of which zero in on the years after the First World War and the 1920s and 1930s as foundational in present-day conflicts. These orthodox and heterodox histories, allied to the interests of different groups, do politics by another means. The chapter then traces how the power struggle over Kemalism’s futures is developing. Rather than pontificate about what the state or civil society should do, it concludes by drawing attention to emerging lineaments of change in existing civil society and social conditions.
Animals as Sentient Commodities
Authors: Wilkie Rhoda
Published: September 2015

A discrepancy exists between the legal and perceived status of livestock. Legally, food animals are property, but their thing-like status is unstable and does not determine how they are perceived in practice. The extent to which food animals are regarded as commodities or sentient beings is therefore contextually contingent, oscillates, and is riddled with inconsistency. To understand livestock as a sentient commodity is to attend to, and (re)contextualize, the contradictory and changeable nature of the perceived status of commodified animals in food animal productive contexts, and to how stockpeople experience and manage this perceptual paradox in practice. Bringing to the fore the relatively mundane aspect of human-livestock relations not only upsets commonly held assumptions that productive animals are nothing more than mere commodities, it also highlights the non-productive aspects of stockpeople’s roles that have, to date, been typically overlooked or underexplored.
Narrative Deliberation in Biblical Politics
Authors: Brett Mark G.
Published: September 2015

A number of social theorists have recently expressed doubts about the possibility of political deliberation in ancient Israel on the grounds that divine initiative in biblical narrative ultimately tends to overwhelm merely human action. Michael Walzer, for example, suggests that debates among tribal elders might provide evidence of political deliberation, but the absence of such debate in biblical narrative leads him to think that elders came to have a “secular and non-covenantal character” in the eyes of biblical narrators. This chapter argues that the arrival of kingship in Israel was forged through the deliberations of tribal elders, rather than through the application of Deuteronomy’s law of kingship, and that this is briefly, but quite explicitly, depicted in a number of narratives. The biblical texts then reveal an ongoing process of reflection on the performance of kings, with northern tribal elders and southern “people of the land” taking decisive political initiatives.