bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chance constrained unit commitment considering comprehensive modelling of demand response resources
Authors: Wang Beibei , Yang Xuechun , Short Taylor , Yang Shengchun
Published: October 2016

This study proposes an incentive‐based demand response (IDR) unit commitment model considering different types of demand response (DR) resources. In the proposed IDR dispatch model, (i) different load characteristic patterns of DR users can be included, such as transfer‐type, shift‐type and clip‐type electricity users, and (ii) the uncertainty of DR participation behaviour is considered in the system reserve electricity using chance constrained programming. Simulation results for the Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland (PJM) 5‐bus system and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 118‐bus system indicate that the proposed model can achieve optimal DR scheduling while considering both economics and system reliability when high‐quality DR resources are limited. Moreover, the unique scheduling features of DR must be considered in addition to economics and flexibility when dispatching DR resources; the uncertainty of DR can affect the highest confidence level of system operation. In addition, some significant coefficients of the special dispatch constraints of IDR clearly influence the performance of IDR resources.
Infraorbital Nerve Decompression for Infraorbital Neuralgia/Causalgia following Blowout Orbital Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: Beigi Bijan , Beigi Mazda , Niyadurupola Nuwan , Saldana Manuel , El-Hindy Nabil , Gupta Deepak
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to present the management of a series of patients referred with infraorbital nerve paraesthesia that developed after insignificant orbital floor fracture without diplopia or exophthalmos, and that did not require initial surgical repair. This is a retrospective interventional case series. The main outcome and measures were assessment of preoperative symptoms including neuralgia and sensory symptoms; review of periorbital computed tomography (CT) scans; and assessment of postoperative effects of surgery for infraorbital nerve decompression. Nine patients were identified who developed neuralgia affecting the infraorbital nerve distribution from a cohort of 79 patients who presented with orbital floor fracture. Six were female and three were male. Age range was 22 to 73 years with a mean of 48 years. Six patients were clinically depressed due to the chronic pain. In addition, two patients had dizziness on upgaze; one patient had blurring of central vision on eye movements; and one patient had mood swings. Reviews of CT scans revealed subtle disruption of the infraorbital canal in all cases. All nine patients underwent infraorbital nerve decompression. Abnormal adhesions between the nerve and its bony canal were found in five of nine cases. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 37 months (mean: 18 months). Following surgery, after a variable period of time ranging from 1 day to 3 months, all patients had resolution of their symptoms. Mean follow-up was 18 months. Reconstructive surgeons should be aware that infraorbital nerve neuralgia, secondary to disruption of the nerve in the distorted bony canal, may be another indication for surgical intervention following orbital floor trauma in selected cases, in addition to more traditionally accepted indications. Neuralgia and causalgia are probably more common than previously thought and symptoms should be actively sought in the patient's history or else risk being overlooked and inappropriately managed. Long-term follow-up of such patients is unlikely to be practical. Patient and/or family practitioner education of possible sequelae may be one possible solution to detect this type of problem early. Nerve decompression, where indicated, may improve the patient's neuralgia and associated behavioral changes and quality of life. An optimal diagnostic and management algorithm is yet to be established.
A voltage-division-type low-jitter self-triggered repetition-rate switch
Authors: Su Jian-cang , Zeng Bo , Gao Peng-cheng , Li Rui , Wu Xiao-long , Zhao Liang
Published: October 2016

A voltage-division-type (V/N) low-jitter self-triggered multi-stage switch is put forward. It comprises of a triggered corona gap, several quasi-uniform-field gaps, and an inversion inductor. When the corona gap is in the stage of self-breakdown, the multi-stage gaps are triggered and the switch is closed via an over-voltage. This type of V/N switch has the advantage of compact structure since the auxiliary components like the gas-blowing system and the triggered system are eliminated from the whole system. It also has advantages such as low breakdown jitter and high energy efficiency. The dependence of the self-triggered voltage on the over-voltage factor and the switch operating voltage is deduced. A switch of this type is designed and fabricated and experiments to research its characteristics are conducted. The results show that this switch can operate on a voltage of 1 MV at 50 Hz and can generate 1000 successive pulses with a jitter as low as 3% and an energy efficiency as high as 90%. This V/N switch can work under a high repetition rate with a long lifetime.
Multi-mode heterodyned 5th-order infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Leger Joel D. , Varner Clyde , Rubtsov Igor V.
Published: October 2016

Fifth-order multidimensional infrared spectroscopy with heterodyned detection was carried out in the three-beam dual-frequency configuration. Numerous 5th-order cross peaks were detected for the 4-azidobutyrate-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester compound in solution involving several vibrational modes ranging in frequency from 1045 to 2100 cm−1. Cross peaks involving overtones (2X/Z) and combination bands (XY/Z) among the tags, modes X and Y excited by the first two mid-IR laser pulses, and the reporter, modes Z excited by the third laser pulse, were acquired and the factors affecting the amplitude of 5th-order cross peaks are discussed. The 5th-order cross peaks were detected among modes that are spatially close (a few bonds apart) as well as for modes spatially separated by ca. 12 Å (eight bonds apart). In both cases, the waiting time dependences for the 3rd and 5th order cross peaks were found to be different. In particular, the waiting time at which the cross-peak maximum is reached, the decay time, and the value of a plateau at large waiting times were all differing strongly. The differences are explained by reduced sensitivity of the 5th-order signals to modes coupled weakly to the reporter mode and different relaxation dynamics involving overtone state of the tag. The ability of the 5th-order peaks to single out the modes coupled strongly to the reporter can help identifying specific energy relaxation and transport pathways, which will be useful for understanding energy transport dynamics in molecules. The absorptive 5th-order cross peaks were constructed which report on three-point correlation functions. It is shown that in addition to the triple-frequency correlation functions, a correlation of the frequencies with the mode coupling (anharmonicity) can be naturally measured by the 5th-order spectroscopy. The current limit for detecting 5th-order signals was estimated at the level of 1 × 10−3 in reduced anharmonicity, which is determined by the corresponding two-state anharmonicity divided by the reporter mode spectral width. Given the simplicity of recording the 5th-order cross peaks in the three-beam configuration, the approach carries a potential for a broad use.
Perspective: Ultracold molecules and the dawn of cold controlled chemistry
Authors: Balakrishnan N.
Published: October 2016

Ultracold molecules offer unprecedented opportunities for the controlled interrogation of molecular events, including chemical reactivity in the ultimate quantum regime. The proliferation of methods to create, cool, and confine them has allowed the investigation of a diverse array of molecular systems and chemical reactions at temperatures where only a single partial wave contributes. Here we present a brief account of recent progress on the experimental and theoretical fronts on cold and ultracold molecules and the opportunities and challenges they provide for a fundamental understanding of bimolecular chemical reaction dynamics.
Novel mixture model for the representation of potential energy surfaces
Authors: Pham Tien Lam , Kino Hiori , Terakura Kiyoyuki , Miyake Takashi , Dam Hieu Chi
Published: October 2016

We demonstrate that knowledge of chemical physics on a materials system can be automatically extracted from first-principles calculations using a data mining technique; this information can then be utilized to construct a simple empirical atomic potential model. By using unsupervised learning of the generative Gaussian mixture model, physically meaningful patterns of atomic local chemical environments can be detected automatically. Based on the obtained information regarding these atomic patterns, we propose a chemical-structure-dependent linear mixture model for estimating the atomic potential energy. Our experiments show that the proposed mixture model significantly improves the accuracy of the prediction of the potential energy surface for complex systems that possess a large diversity in their local structures.
Silicon 1s near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of functionalized silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Ritchie A. , Cao W. , Dasog M. , Purkait T. K. , Senger C. , Hu Y. F. , Xiao Q. F. , Veinot J. G. C. , Urquhart S. G.
Published: October 2016

Silicon 1s Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra of silicon nanocrystals have been examined as a function of nanocrystal size (3–100 nm), varying surface functionalization (hydrogen or 1-pentyl termination), or embedded in oxide. The NEXAFS spectra are characterized as a function of nanocrystal size and surface functionalization. Clear spectroscopic evidence for long range order is observed silicon nanocrystals that are 5-8 nm in diameter or larger. Energy shifts in the silicon 1s NEXAFS spectra of covalently functionalized silicon nanocrystals with changing size are attributed to surface chemical shifts and not to quantum confinement effects.
Injection barrel with a tapered structure for a low speed and small size cryogenic hydrogen pellet in medium-sized plasma fusion devices
Authors: Motojima G. , Sakamoto R. , Okada H. , Nagasaki K. , Yamada H. , Nakamura Y. , Kado S. , Kobayashi S. , Konoshima S. , Minami T. , Ohshima S. , Yamamoto S. , Mizuuchi T. , Mutoh T.
Published: October 2016

An injection barrel was designed and fabricated for a small size 0.8 mm cryogenic pellet with a low speed of 200-300 m/s in medium-sized plasma fusion devices. Pellet injection with pneumatic acceleration was examined using a conventional in situ technique. A tapered structure was applied in the downstream side of the injection barrel to satisfy the requirement of pellet speed reduction by expansion of the propellant gas. Shadowgraph and light gate measurements show that the intact pellets have speeds of 260 ± 30 m/s and a typical size of 1.1-1.2 mm. The pellet ablation code based on a neutral gas shielding model shows that the penetration depth of the measured pellet parameters does not cross the plasma center, even in medium-sized plasma devices such as the Heliotron J helical device. The injection barrel with a tapered structure developed in this study is feasible for low speed pellet injection.
Research Update: Prediction of high figure of merit plateau in SnS and solid solution of (Pb,Sn)S
Authors: Hao Shiqiang , Dravid Vinayak P. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Wolverton Christopher
Published: October 2016

Direct conversion between thermal and electrical energy can be achieved by thermoelectric materials, which provide a viable route for power generation and solid state refrigeration. Here, we use a combination of energetic, electronic, and vibrational first-principles based results to predict the figure of merit performance in hole doped single crystals of SnS and (Pb,Sn)S. We find high ZT values for both materials, specifically for (Pb,Sn)S along the b-axis. Both SnS and (Pb,Sn)S have excellent power factors when doped, due to a combination of increased electrical conductivity (due to doping) and a significantly enhanced Seebeck coefficient obtained by a doping-induced multiband effect. Anharmonic phonon calculations combined with a Debye-Calloway model show that the lattice thermal conductivity of both compounds is low, due to intrinsic anharmonicity, and is lowered further by the random, solid solution nature of the cation sublattice of (Pb,Sn)S. (Pb,Sn)S exhibits a high ZT plateau ranging from 1.3 at 300 K to 1.9 at 800 K. The overall ZT of the hole doped (Pb,Sn)S crystals is predicted to outperform most of the current state-of-the-art thermoelectric sulfide materials.
Five dimensional binary hard hypersphere mixtures: A Monte Carlo study
Authors: Bishop Marvin , Whitlock Paula A.
Published: October 2016

Additive binary mixtures of five dimensional hyperspheres were investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. Both equal packing fraction and equal mole fraction systems with diameter ratios of 0.4 and 0.5 were examined. A range of total densities were studied, spanning low to moderate density fluids. The pair correlation functions and the equations of state were determined and compared with molecular dynamics data and a variety of theoretical predictions. A significant result of the equal packing fraction simulations was the discovery of how quickly the larger hyperspheres reorganized into a dense fluid after a random initial placement. In the equal mole fraction case, the pair correlation functions for the larger hypersphere agree with the pair correlation function of a pure fluid at an appropriately scaled density. The theoretical results for the equation of state compare well to the Monte Carlo calculations for all but the highest densities studied.
Laser ultrasonics for bulk-density distribution measurement on green ceramic tiles
Authors: Revel G. M. , Cavuto A. , Pandarese G.
Published: October 2016

In this paper a Laser Ultrasonics (LUT) system is developed and applied to measure bulk density distribution of green ceramic tiles, which are porous materials with low heat conductivity. Bulk density of green ceramic bodies is a fundamental parameter to be kept under control in the industrial production of ceramic tiles. The LUT system proposed is based on a Nd:YAG pulsed laser for excitation and an air-coupled electro-capacitive transducer for detection. The paper reports experimental apparent bulk-density measurements on white ceramic bodies after a calibration procedures. The performances observed are better than those previously achieved by authors using air-coupled ultrasonic probes for both emission and detection, allowing to reduce average uncertainty down to about ±6 kg/m3 (±0.3%), thanks to the increase in excitation efficiency and lateral resolution, while maintaining potential flexibility for on-line application. The laser ultrasonic procedure proposed is available for both on-line and off-line application. In this last case it is possible to obtain bulk density maps with high spatial resolution by a 2D scan without interrupting the production process.
Development of an interatomic potential for the simulation of defects, plasticity, and phase transformations in titanium
Authors: Mendelev M. I. , Underwood T. L. , Ackland G. J.
Published: October 2016

New interatomic potentials describing defects, plasticity, and high temperature phase transitions for Ti are presented. Fitting the martensitic hcp-bcc phase transformation temperature requires an efficient and accurate method to determine it. We apply a molecular dynamics method based on determination of the melting temperature of competing solid phases, and Gibbs-Helmholtz integration, and a lattice-switch Monte Carlo method: these agree on the hcp-bcc transformation temperatures to within 2 K. We were able to develop embedded atom potentials which give a good fit to either low or high temperature data, but not both. The first developed potential (Ti1) reproduces the hcp-bcc transformation and melting temperatures and is suitable for the simulation of phase transitions and bcc Ti. Two other potentials (Ti2 and Ti3) correctly describe defect properties and can be used to simulate plasticity or radiation damage in hcp Ti. The fact that a single embedded atom method potential cannot describe both low and high temperature phases may be attributed to neglect of electronic degrees of freedom, notably bcc has a much higher electronic entropy. A temperature-dependent potential obtained from the combination of potentials Ti1 and Ti2 may be used to simulate Ti properties at any temperature.
Kondo screening and spin excitation in few-layer CoPc molecular assembly stacking on Pb(111) surface: A DFT+HEOM study
Authors: Wang Yu , Zheng Xiao , Yang Jinlong
Published: October 2016

Transition metal phthalocyanine molecules adsorbed on a metal substrate exhibit rich spin-related phenomena such as magnetic anisotropy, spin excitation, and Kondo effect. In this work, we investigate theoretically few-layer cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecular assembly stacking on Pb(111) surface with the use of a combined density functional theory (DFT) and hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) approach. Calculation results indicate that the local spin properties of CoPc/Pb(111) composites depend critically on the number of adsorption layers. The first layer of CoPc on the Pb(111) surface serves as a spin-insulating buffer, while the CoPc molecules in the second layer exhibit spin–1/2 Kondo effect with a Kondo temperature of about 22 K. In a triple-layer CoPc assembly stacking on Pb(111), the antiferromagnetic coupling between the second and third layers leads to local spin-flip excitations under finite bias voltages, which gives rise to characteristic signatures in the differential conductance spectra. The DFT+HEOM approach thus provides a practical means for investigating the local electronic and spin properties of two-dimensional molecular assemblies adsorbed on the metal surface. The insights obtained from the first-principles based simulations could be useful for experimental manipulation or design of magnetic composite systems.
Molecular model for chirality phenomena
Authors: Latinwo Folarin , Stillinger Frank H. , Debenedetti Pablo G.
Published: October 2016

Chirality is a hallmark feature for molecular recognition in biology and chemical physics. We present a three-dimensional continuum model for studying chirality phenomena in condensed phases using molecular simulations. Our model system is based upon a simple four-site molecule and incorporates non-trivial kinetic behavior, including the ability to switch chirality or racemize, as well as thermodynamics arising from an energetic preference for specific chiral interactions. In particular, we introduce a chiral renormalization parameter that can locally favor either homochiral or heterochiral configurations. Using this model, we explore a range of chirality-specific phenomena, including the kinetics of chiral inversion, the mechanism of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in the liquid, chirally driven liquid-liquid phase separation, and chiral crystal structures.
Quantifying point defects in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin films using resonant x-ray diffraction
Authors: Stone Kevin H. , Christensen Steven T. , Harvey Steven P. , Teeter Glenn , Repins Ingrid L. , Toney Michael F.
Published: October 2016

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 is an interesting, earth abundant photovoltaic material, but has suffered from low open circuit voltage. To better understand the film structure, we have measured resonant x-ray diffraction across the Cu and Zn K-edges for the device quality thin films of Cu2ZnSnS4 (8.6% efficiency) and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (3.5% efficiency). This approach allows for the confirmation of the underlying kesterite structure and quantification of the concentration of point defects and vacancies on the Cu, Zn, and Sn sublattices. Rietveld refinement of powder diffraction data collected at multiple energies is used to determine that there exists a high level of CuZn and ZnCu defects on the 2c and 2d Wyckoff positions. We observe a significantly lower concentration of ZnSn defects and Cu or Zn vacancies.
Tidal energy redistribution among vertical modes in a fluid with a mid-depth pycnocline
Authors: Bordois L. , Auclair F. , Paci A. , Dossmann Y. , Gerkema T. , Nguyen C.
Published: October 2016

We modeled internal tide generation above a high sinusoidal ridge in a fluid with a mid-depth pycnocline and developed an original method to quantify internal tide vertical mode amplitude in two-dimensional-vertical simulations. Since lowest modes can propagate over considerable distances, while high modes are more likely to dissipate locally, estimating the tidal energy distribution among vertical modes is necessary to investigate the spatial redistribution of the tidal energy. Our numerical approach allows expansion and verification of previous analytical studies over a larger range of configurations. The tidal energy distribution among vertical modes is shown here to be dependent on the topographic resonance criterion and the topographic blocking parameter.
Electronic-structural dynamics in graphene
Authors: Gierz Isabella , Cavalleri Andrea
Published: October 2016

We review our recent time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments, which measure the transient electronic structure of optically driven graphene. For pump photon energies in the near infrared (ℏωpump=950 meV), we have discovered the formation of a population-inverted state near the Dirac point, which may be of interest for the design of THz lasing devices and optical amplifiers. At lower pump photon energies (ℏωpump<400 meV), for which interband absorption is not possible in doped samples, we find evidence for free carrier absorption. In addition, when mid-infrared pulses are made resonant with an infrared-active in-plane phonon of bilayer graphene (ℏωpump=200 meV), a transient enhancement of the electron-phonon coupling constant is observed, providing interesting perspective for experiments that report light-enhanced superconductivity in doped fullerites in which a similar lattice mode was excited. All the studies reviewed here have important implications for applications of graphene in optoelectronic devices and for the dynamical engineering of electronic properties with light.
Quantitative study of band structure in BaTiO3 particles with vacant ionic sites
Authors: Oshime Norihiro , Kano Jun , Ikeda Naoshi , Teranishi Takashi , Fujii Tatsuo , Ueda Takeji , Ohkubo Tomoko
Published: October 2016

Levels of the conduction band minimum and the valence band maximum in ion-deficient BaTiO3 particles were investigated with optical band gap and ionization energy measurements. Though it is known that the quantification of the band structure in an insulator is difficult, due to the poor electrical conductivity of BaTiO3, systematic variation in the band energy levels was found that correlated with the introduction of vacancies. Photoelectron yield spectroscopy provided direct observation of the occupancy level of electrons, which is altered by the presence of oxygen and barium vacancies. In addition, the conduction band deviation from the vacuum level was determined by optical reflectance spectroscopy. Our results show that: (1) Introduction of oxygen vacancies forms a donor level below the conduction band. (2) The conduction band is shifted to a lower level by a larger number of oxygen vacancies, while the valence band also shifts to a lower level, due to the reduction in the density of O 2p orbitals. (3) Introduction of barium vacancies widens the band gap. Since barium vacancies can induce a small number of oxygen vacancies with accompanying charge compensation, this behavior suppresses any large formation of donor levels in the gap states, indicating that cation vacancies can control the number of both donor and acceptor levels.
Evidence of ferroelectricity in ferrimagnetic κ-Al2O3-type In0.25Fe1.75O3 films
Authors: Hamasaki Yosuke , Shimizu Takao , Yasui Shintaro , Taniyama Tomoyasu , Itoh Mitsuru
Published: October 2016

We report direct evidence of the multiferroic nature of the κ-Al2O3-type InxFe2-xO3 films (x = 0–0.25) grown on the SrTiO3(111) substrates at room temperature. The κ-Al2O3-type InxFe2-xO3 films show a clear saturated and opened P-E hysteresis loop at room temperature with a remnant polarization of 1.8 μC cm−2. Also, the ferrimagnetic-incommensurate magnetic phase transition is observed at 205 K, which is compatible with the recent report on the In0.24Fe1.76O3 nanorods. The results indicate that the substitution of Me3+ ion, which has a larger ionic radius than Fe3+, is effective to grow good insulating ferroelectric κ-Al2O3-type Fe2O3 films, leading to the genuine multiferroic nature.
Hydrophobically modified nanoparticle suspensions to enhance water evaporation rate
Authors: Huang Zhi , Li Xiaoying , Yuan Hao , Feng Yanhui , Zhang Xinxin
Published: October 2016

The evaporation rates of water can be enhanced by adding the hydrophobically modified nanoparticles as a suspension. The magnitudes of enhancement are related to the diameter and mass concentration of nanoparticles. In particular, a 15% enhancement was achieved after adding the modified Al2O3 nanoparticle with a diameter of 13 nm and mass percentage of 0.02%. A theoretical model was established in order to estimate the evaporation rates of hydrophobic particle-based nanofluids. The obtained results indicate that the enhanced evaporation rates are attributed to the elevated saturated vapor pressures of the nanofluids. These results may have important applications for energy-efficient enhancement of water evaporation rates.
Low voltage organic permeable base N-type transistor
Authors: Agrawal Kalpana , Rana Omwati , Singh Nidhi , Srivastava Ritu , Rajput S. S.
Published: October 2016

A vertical n-type organic permeable metal base transistor was fabricated using N,N-ditridecylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide as an active material for making emitter and collector regions. A composite of Al//C60/Al/AlOx forms the base region of the proposed structure. The detailed study of the Early effect was carried out for determining the intrinsic gain, transconductance, and output impedance which were found to be 92, 145 μΩ−1, and 0.634 MΩ, respectively, at an applied bias of 1 V between collector–emitter contacts. The device is capable of operating at a low voltage of 1 V, which makes it suitable for low voltage and high frequency applications.
Engineering amorphous-crystalline interfaces in TiO2−x/TiO2−y-based bilayer structures for enhanced resistive switching and synaptic properties
Authors: Bousoulas P. , Asenov P. , Karageorgiou I. , Sakellaropoulos D. , Stathopoulos S. , Tsoukalas D.
Published: October 2016

The operating principle of resistive random access memories (RRAMs) relies on the distribution of ionic species and their influence on the electron transport. Taking into account that formation and annihilation of conducting filaments (CFs) is the driving mechanism for the switching effect, it is very important to control the regions where these filaments will evolve. Thus, homolayers of titanium oxide with different oxygen contents were fabricated in order to tune the local electrical and thermal properties of the CFs and narrow down the potential percolation paths. We show that the oxygen content in the top layer of the TiO2−x/TiO2−y bilayer memristors can directly influence the morphology of the layers which affect the diffusion barrier and consequently the diffusivity and drift velocity of oxygen vacancies, yielding in important enhancement of switching characteristics, in terms of spatial uniformity (σ/μ < 0.2), enlarged switching ratio (∼104), and synaptic learning. In order to address the experimental data, a physical model was applied, divulging the crucial role of temperature, electric potential and oxygen vacancy density on the switching effect and offering physical insights to the SET/RESET transitions and the analog switching. The forming free nature of all the devices in conjunction with the self-rectifying behavior, should also be regarded as important assets towards RRAM device optimization.
Nanocrystal growth and morphology of PbTeSe-ZnSe composite thin films prepared by one-step synthesis method
Authors: Sato Kazuhisa , Abe Seishi
Published: October 2016

The microstructure of polycrystalline PbTe1−xSex-ZnSe composite thin films has been studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The films were prepared by the one-step synthesis method using simultaneous evaporation of PbTe and ZnSe. The nanocrystals of PbTe1−xSex are formed in a ZnSe matrix. Tellurium concentration can be tuned by controlling the PbTe evaporation source temperatures between 753 K and 793 K. Binary PbSe nanocrystals were formed at 753 K, while ternary PbTe1−xSex nanocrystals were formed at 793 K. The nanocrystals grow in a granular shape at the initial stage of film growth, and the morphology changes to nanowire-shape as the film grows, irrespective of the Te concentration. The ternary PbTe1−xSex nanocrystals were composed of two phases with different Te concentration; Te-rich (Se-poor) granular crystals were formed near the bottom half parts of the film and Te-poor (Se-rich) nanowires were formed at the upper half parts of the film. Columnar ZnSe crystals contain high-density {111} stacking faults due to the low stacking fault energy of ZnSe. A balance of deposition and re-evaporation on the substrate during the film growth will be responsible for the resultant nanocrystal morphology.
Note: 3D printed spheroid for uniform magnetic field generation
Authors: Öztürk Y. , Aktaş B.
Published: October 2016

This article is focused on a novel and practical production method for a uniform magnetic field generator. The method involves building of a surface coil template using a desktop 3D printer and winding of a conducting wire onto the structure using surface grooves as a guide. Groove pattern was based on the parametric spheroidal helical coil formula. The coil was driven by a current source and the magnetic field inside was measured using a Hall probe placed into the holes on the printed structure. The measurements are found to be in good agreement with our finite element analysis results and indicate a fairly uniform field inside.
Anomalous expansion of Nb nanowires in a NiTi matrix under high pressure
Authors: Yu Cun , Ren Yang , Cui Lishan , Ma Zhiyuan , Yang Wenge
Published: October 2016

Under high pressure, materials usually shrink during compression as described by an equation of state. Here, we present the anomalous volume expansion behavior of a one-dimensional Nb nano-wire embedded in a NiTi transforming matrix, while the matrix undergoes a pressure-induced martensitic transformation. The Nb volume expansion depends on the NiTi transition pressure range from the matrix, which is controlled by the shear strain induced by different pressure transmitting media. The transformation-induced interfacial stresses between Nb and NiTi may play a major role in this anomaly. Our discovery sheds new light on the nano-interfacial effect on mechanical anomalies in heterogeneous systems during a pressure-induced phase transition.
Towards noise engineering: Recent insights in low-frequency excess flux noise of superconducting quantum devices
Authors: Kempf Sebastian , Ferring Anna , Enss Christian
Published: October 2016

The comprehensive analysis of low-frequency excess flux noise both in terms of magnetic flux noise SΦ,1/f and energy sensitivity ϵ1∕f of 84 superconducting quantum devices studied at temperatures below 1 K reveals a universal behavior. When analyzing data in terms of ϵ1∕f, we find that noise spectra of independent devices cross each other all at certain crossing frequencies fc. Besides this main result of our paper, we further show that superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) arrays systematically feature higher noise exponents than single SQUIDs and give evidence for a material and device type dependence of low-frequency excess flux noise. The latter results facilitate to engineer the shape of magnetic flux noise spectra and thus to experimentally modify key properties such as coherence or measurement times of superconducting quantum devices.
Effect of feeding forage characteristic of wet- or dry-season tropical C4 grass in northern Australia, on methane production, intake and rumen outflow rates in Bos indicus steers
Authors: Perry L. A. , Al Jassim R. , Gaughan J. B. , Tomkins N. W.
Published: October 2016

Methane production (MP) from Bos indicus steers fed Chloris gayana hay characteristic of the ‘dry season’ (LQH), and a fresh Urochloa mosambicensis grass (PAS) or a C. gayana hay (HQH) characteristic of the ‘wet’ season was determined. A longitudinal feeding trial incorporated a 42-day covariate period (P1) in which Brahman steers (total n = 12) were fed ad libitum LQH (g/kg DM: crude protein (CP) 25; acid detergent fibre expressed exclusive of residual ash (ADFom) 487; DM digestibility (DMD) 380) followed by a 42-day treatment period where steers (n = 4 in each) were randomly assigned to PAS, HQH or remained on LQH (control). The diet composition in P2 was HQH (g/kg DM: CP 88; ADFom 376; DMD 590), PAS (g/kg DM: CP 90; ADFom 324; DMD 630) and LQH (g/kg DM: CP 31; ADFom 461; DMD 410). For each period, on Days 35–41, individual dry-matter intakes (DMI), rumen fermentation parameters and both fluid and particulate fractional rumen outflow rates were measured. On Days 41 and 42, MP was determined using open-circuit respiration chambers. There were diet effects on MP, DMI, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia-N. Both PAS- and HQH-fed steers had greater MP (g/day; P < 0.05) and DMI (P < 0.05) than did those fed LQH, but a lower MP per kilogram DMI digested. The use of predictive equations compared with measured data confirmed prior observations that MP from tropical grasses in the northern Australian rangelands may be overestimated using the current equations for greenhouse gas accounting.
Beyond fun runs and fruit bowls: an evaluation of the meso‐level processes that shaped the Australian Healthy Workers Initiative
Authors: Grunseit Anne C. , Rowbotham Samantha , Pescud Melanie , Indig Devon , Wutzke Sonia
Published: October 2016

Issue addressed

The Australian National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (NPAPH) charged states and territories with the development and implementation of the Healthy Workers Initiative (HWI) to improve workplace health promotion. Most evaluation efforts focus on the setting (micro) level. In the present study the HWI at the meso‐level (state program development) was examined to understand how jurisdictions navigated theoretical, practical, and political priorities to develop their programs, and the programmatic choices that support or hinder perceived success.

Methods

Interviews with HWI program coordinators and managers across seven Australian jurisdictions explored decisionmaking processes related to developing and implementing the HWI and the impact of defunding. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Despite taking a variety of approaches to the HWI, jurisdictions had common goals, namely achieving sustainability and capacity for meaningful change. These goals transcended the performance indicators set out by the NPAPH, which were considered unachievable in the given timeframe. Four ways jurisdictions sought to achieve their goals were identified, these were: 1) taking an embedded approach to workplace health promotion; 2) ensuring relevance of the HWI to businesses; 3) engaging in collaborative partnerships with agencies responsible for implementation; and 4) cultivating evolution of the HWI.

Conclusions

This meso‐level evaluation has provided valuable insights into how health promotion program coordinators translate broad, national‐level initiatives into state‐specific programs and how they define program success. The study findings also highlight how broader, contextual factors, such as jurisdiction size, political imperatives and funding decisions impact on the implementation and success of a national health promotion initiative.

So what?

When evaluating the translation of complex initiatives, a meso‐level analysis can reveal valuable principles for informing program effectiveness and sustainability. It can also identify alignment between macro‐ and meso‐level goals and where macro‐level specifications may hinder or assist those goals.
Evolution of Australian Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) based on nuclear and plastid phylogenetic trees: evidence of recent landscape-level disjunctions
Authors: van der Merwe Marlien , Crayn Darren M. , Ford Andrew J. , Weston Peter H. , Rossetto Maurizio
Published: October 2016

Species-level relationships within the pantropical, largely rainforest genus Cryptocarya R.Br (Lauraceae) and allied groups have long been problematic. Here, we utilise nuclear RPB2 and plastid trnL–trnF sequence data to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among Australian Cryptocarya species. We relate our findings to the previous two disparate attempts to resolve species-level relationships on the basis of traditional taxonomic tools. Our results showed that an early diversification gave rise to two lineages present in Australia and globally. The loss of cataphylls (bract-like leaves in seedlings) seems to be a derived state only found in the larger of these two clades. Ruminate cotyledons is another potentially informative character; however, it is highly likely that this condition arose through convergent or parallel evolution. Little or no molecular variation was observed between many species, which suggests recent diversification. Furthermore, the close relationships between species from two geographically disjunct centres of rainforest diversity within Australia suggests that loss of between-region connectivity is recent. A global revision of the group, incorporating molecular analyses and seedling and fruit morphology, is needed to untangle the complex evolutionary relationships within this genus.
Reduction of evaporation from bare soil using plastic and gravel mulches and assessment of gravel mulch for partitioning evapotranspiration under irrigated canola
Authors: Dlamini P. , Ukoh I. B. , van Rensburg L. D. , du Preez C. C.
Published: October 2016

Partitioning of evapotranspiration (ET) into its components of evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) is difficult, yet important for managing unproductive and productive water losses under irrigated agriculture. A lysimeter experiment (Expt 1) was conducted on sandy Clovelly and sandy loam Bainsvlei soils in Bloemfontein, South Africa where plastic sheet and dolerite gravel mulches were applied to lysimeters to determine to what extent they restricted E from the soil surface compared with a bare soil control. No crops were grown in the lysimeters for Expt 1. Gravel mulch on Clovelly-filled lysimeters reduced E by 33% and by 41% for Bainsvlei-filled lysimeters compared with bare soil. Based on these results, lysimeter Expt 2 was undertaken on gravel mulched and unmulched bare soil lysimeters to assess the effectiveness of gravel mulch in partitioning ET into E and T using the Tanner and Sinclair (1983) method embedded in the soil water balance. In Expt 2, canola (Brassica napus L.) was grown in the lysimeters for 168 days. Gravel mulch had a significant effect on water use (WU) by suppressing the E component of ET, resulting in WU being on average 11% lower from gravel-mulched lysimeters than the unmulched lysimeters, and this translated to an improved average WU efficiency of 11.91kgha–1mm–1 for canola. Taken together, these results reinforce the potential for gravel mulch as a viable management option for soil water conservation, which is crucial for plant available water, a major limiting factor for plant growth in arid and semiarid lands.
The post-colonial novels of Desmond Stewart and Ethel Mannin
Authors: Rawi Ahmed Al
Published: October 2016

In presenting their characters and political ideologies, Desmond Stewart (1924–81) and Ethel Mannin (1900–84) are both unique among British fiction writers because they offered different portrayals of the post-colonial Arab world than what was mostly found in Western mainstream writings. While Stewart discussed the postcolonial era in Iraq by focusing on pan-Arab national movements that rejected the British hegemony during the monarchical period, Mannin focused on the postcolonial era which followed the British occupation and was represented in the Palestinian national movements. This paper argues that Stewart and Mannin offered a more complex and diverse view of the Arab world that was far different from many other stereotypical fictional depictions. It deals more in depth with the following novels: Stewart’s Leopard in the Grass (London: W. J. Pollock, 1951) and A Stranger in Eden or The Unsuitable Englishman (New York: Signet, 1954), as well as Mannin’s The Road to Beersheba (Chicago: Henry Regnery, 1963) and The Night and Its Homing (London: Hutchinson, 1966).
The mitochondrial protein CHCHD2 primes the differentiation potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells to neuroectodermal lineages
Authors: Zhu Lili , Gomez-Duran Aurora , Saretzki Gabriele , Jin Shibo , Tilgner Katarzyna , Melguizo-Sanchis Dario , Anyfantis Georgios , Al-Aama Jumana , Vallier Ludovic , Chinnery Patrick , Lako Majlinda , Armstrong Lyle
Published: October 2016

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) utility is limited by variations in the ability of these cells to undergo lineage-specific differentiation. We have undertaken a transcriptional comparison of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines and hiPSC lines and have shown that hiPSCs are inferior in their ability to undergo neuroectodermal differentiation. Among the differentially expressed candidates between hESCs and hiPSCs, we identified a mitochondrial protein, CHCHD2, whose expression seems to correlate with neuroectodermal differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells. We provide evidence that hiPSC variability with respect to CHCHD2 expression and differentiation potential is caused by clonal variation during the reprogramming process and that CHCHD2 primes neuroectodermal differentiation of hESCs and hiPSCs by binding and sequestering SMAD4 to the mitochondria, resulting in suppression of the activity of the TGFβ signaling pathway. Using CHCHD2 as a marker for assessing and comparing the hiPSC clonal and/or line differentiation potential provides a tool for large scale differentiation and hiPSC banking studies.
Nuclear calcium is required for human T cell activation
Authors: Monaco Sara , Jahraus Beate , Samstag Yvonne , Bading Hilmar
Published: October 2016

Calcium signals in stimulated T cells are generally considered single entities that merely trigger immune responses, whereas costimulatory events specify the type of reaction. Here we show that the “T cell calcium signal” is a composite signal harboring two distinct components that antagonistically control genomic programs underlying the immune response. Using human T cells from healthy individuals, we establish nuclear calcium as a key signal in human T cell adaptogenomics that drives T cell activation and is required for signaling to cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element–binding protein and the induction of CD25, CD69, interleukin-2, and γ-interferon. In the absence of nuclear calcium signaling, cytosolic calcium activating nuclear factor of activated T cells translocation directed the genomic response toward enhanced expression of genes that negatively modulate T cell activation and are associated with a hyporesponsive state. Thus, nuclear calcium controls the T cell fate decision between a proliferative immune response and tolerance. Modulators of nuclear calcium–driven transcription may be used to develop a new type of pro-tolerance immunosuppressive therapy.
The lysosomal membrane protein SCAV-3 maintains lysosome integrity and adult longevity
Authors: Li Yuan , Chen Baohui , Zou Wei , Wang Xin , Wu Yanwei , Zhao Dongfeng , Sun Yanan , Liu Yubing , Chen Lianwan , Miao Long , Yang Chonglin , Wang Xiaochen
Published: October 2016

Lysosomes degrade macromolecules and recycle metabolites as well as being involved in diverse processes that regulate cellular homeostasis. The lysosome is limited by a single phospholipid bilayer that forms a barrier to separate the potent luminal hydrolases from other cellular constituents, thus protecting the latter from unwanted degradation. The mechanisms that maintain lysosomal membrane integrity remain unknown. Here, we identified SCAV-3, the Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of human LIMP-2, as a key regulator of lysosome integrity, motility, and dynamics. Loss of scav-3 caused rupture of lysosome membranes and significantly shortened lifespan. Both of these phenotypes were suppressed by reinforced expression of LMP-1 or LMP-2, the C. elegans LAMPs, indicating that longevity requires maintenance of lysosome integrity. Remarkably, reduction in insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling suppressed lysosomal damage and extended the lifespan in scav-3(lf) animals in a DAF-16–dependent manner. Our data reveal that SCAV-3 is essential for preserving lysosomal membrane stability and that modulation of lysosome integrity by the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway affects longevity.
Slip slidin’ away of mitosis with CRL2Zyg11
Authors: Brandeis Michael
Published: October 2016

The spindle assembly checkpoint arrests mitotic cells by preventing degradation of cyclin B1 by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome, but some cells evade this checkpoint and slip out of mitosis. Balachandran et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201601083) show that the E3 ligase CRL2ZYG11 degrades cyclin B1, allowing mitotic slippage.
Gut dysbiosis impairs recovery after spinal cord injury
Authors: Kigerl Kristina A. , Hall Jodie C.E. , Wang Lingling , Mo Xiaokui , Yu Zhongtang , Popovich Phillip G.
Published: October 2016

The trillions of microbes that exist in the gastrointestinal tract have emerged as pivotal regulators of mammalian development and physiology. Disruption of this gut microbiome, a process known as dysbiosis, causes or exacerbates various diseases, but whether gut dysbiosis affects recovery of neurological function or lesion pathology after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is unknown. Data in this study show that SCI increases intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation from the gut. These changes are associated with immune cell activation in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) and significant changes in the composition of both major and minor gut bacterial taxa. Postinjury changes in gut microbiota persist for at least one month and predict the magnitude of locomotor impairment. Experimental induction of gut dysbiosis in naive mice before SCI (e.g., via oral delivery of broad-spectrum antibiotics) exacerbates neurological impairment and spinal cord pathology after SCI. Conversely, feeding SCI mice commercial probiotics (VSL#3) enriched with lactic acid–producing bacteria triggers a protective immune response in GALTs and confers neuroprotection with improved locomotor recovery. Our data reveal a previously unknown role for the gut microbiota in influencing recovery of neurological function and neuropathology after SCI.