bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reward disrupts reactivated human skill memory
Authors: Dayan Eran , Laor-Maayany Rony , Censor Nitzan
Published: June 2016

Accumulating evidence across species and memory domains shows that when an existing memory is reactivated, it becomes susceptible to modifications. However, the potential role of reward signals in these mechanisms underlying human memory dynamics is unknown. Leaning on a wealth of findings on the role of reward in reinforcing memory, we tested the impact of reinforcing a skill memory trace with monetary reward following memory reactivation, on strengthening of the memory trace. Reinforcing reactivated memories did not strengthen the memory, but rather led to disruption of the memory trace, breaking down the link between memory reactivation and subsequent memory strength. Statistical modeling further revealed a strong mediating role for memory reactivation in linking between memory encoding and subsequent memory strength only when the memory was replayed without reinforcement. We suggest that, rather than reinforcing the existing memory trace, reward creates a competing memory trace, impairing expression of the original reward-free memory. This mechanism sheds light on the processes underlying skill acquisition, having wide translational implications.
Urban particulate matter pollution: a tale of five cities
Authors: Pandis Spyros N. , Skyllakou Ksakousti , Florou Kalliopi , Kostenidou Evangelia , Kaltsonoudis Christos , Hasa Erion , Presto Albert A.
Published: June 2016

Five case studies (Athens and Paris in Europe, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles in the United States, and Mexico City in Central America) are used to gain insights into the changing levels, sources, and role of atmospheric chemical processes in air quality in large urban areas as they develop technologically. Fine particulate matter is the focus of our analysis. In all cases reductions of emissions by industrial and transportation sources have resulted in significant improvements in air quality during the last few decades. However, these changes have resulted in the increasing importance of secondary particulate matter (PM) which dominates over primary in most cases. At the same time, long range transport of secondary PM from sources located hundreds of kilometres from the cities is becoming a bigger contributor to the urban PM levels in all seasons. “Non-traditional” sources including cooking, and residential and agricultural biomass burning contribute an increasing fraction of the now reduced fine PM levels. Atmospheric chemistry is found to change the chemical signatures of a number of these sources relatively fast both during the day and night, complicating the corresponding source apportionment.
Switching of the solid-state guest selectivity: solvent-dependent selective guest inclusion in a crystalline macrocyclic boronic ester
Authors: Ito Suguru , Ono Kosuke , Johmoto Kohei , Uekusa Hidehiro , Iwasawa Nobuharu
Published: June 2016

Switching of the inclusion of guest molecules was realized by the crystallization induced self-assembly of a benzothiadiazole-type macrocyclic boronic ester.
A new atomic absorption-based method development for indirect determination of histamine in fish samples, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages by flame AAS
Authors: Altunay Nail , Gürkan Ramazan , Tetik Mehmet
Published: June 2016

A new and sensitive analytical method for the indirect determination of histamine in fish samples, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was developed.
Reversible photo-patterning of soft conductive materials via spatially-defined supramolecular assembly
Authors: He Xun , Fan Jingwei , Zou Jiong , Wooley Karen L.
Published: June 2016

A strategy for reversible patterning technique is described, for facile and rapid construction of conductive patterns.
Using steric bulk for selective recognition; blocking the binding site to differentiate guests
Authors: Robson Ryan N. , Pfeffer Frederick M.
Published: June 2016

Amenable to bendable: blocking the binding cleft enhances selectivity for flexible guests.
Highlights from Faraday Discussion: Designing New Heterogeneous Catalysts, London, UK, April 2016
Authors: Fischer Nico , Manyar Haresh G. , Roldan Alberto
Published: June 2016

The Faraday Discussion on the design of new heterogeneous catalysts took place from 4–6 April 2016 in London, United Kingdom.
Structural changes of layered alkylsiloxanes during the reversible melting–solidification process
Authors: Fujii Kazuko , Hayashi Shigenobu , Hashizume Hideo , Shimomura Shuichi , Jimura Keiko , Fujita Taketoshi , Iyi Nobuo , Yamagishi Akihiko , Sato Hisako , Ando Toshihiro
Published: June 2016

Structural changes of layered alkylsiloxanes occurring during the reversible melting–solidification process were investigated byin situXRD and NMR.
Osteoblast-derived paracrine factors regulate angiogenesis in response to mechanical stimulation
Authors: Liu Chao , Cui Xin , Ackermann Thomas M. , Flamini Vittoria , Chen Weiqiang , Castillo Alesha B.
Published: June 2016

Mechanically stimulated osteoblasts release angiogenic factors that induce endothelial sprouting from anin vitro3D engineered vessel (eVessel).
Direct measurement of particle inertial migration in rectangular microchannels
Authors: Hood Kaitlyn , Kahkeshani Soroush , Di Carlo Dino , Roper Marcus
Published: June 2016

We experimentally measured the trajectories of particles undergoing microfluidic inertial focusing, and show that they can be predicted by an asymptotic theory with no unmeasured parameters.
Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed electrophilic amination of arylboronic acids with azo compounds for synthesis of arylhydrazides
Authors: Lau Yan-Fung , Chan Chun-Ming , Zhou Zhongyuan , Yu Wing-Yiu
Published: June 2016

A [Cp*Rh(iii)]-catalyzed electrophilic amination of arylboronic acids with azocarboxylates for the synthesis of mono- and di-arylhydrazides was developed.
Expansion of bioorthogonal chemistries towards site-specific polymer–protein conjugation
Authors: Jung Secheon , Kwon Inchan
Published: June 2016

Bioorthogonal chemistries have been used to achieve polymer-protein conjugation with the retained critical properties.
A multiple-stage activation of the catalytically inhomogeneous Cu(0) wire used in SET-LRP
Authors: Enayati Mojtaba , Jezorek Ryan L. , Percec Virgil
Published: June 2016

The surface of a Cu(0) wire used as a catalyst in SET-LRP is inhomogeneous since it contains a combination of Cu(111) and Cu(100) faces of the FCC unit cell whose ratio is dependent on the fabrication method. A method to activate this inhomogeneous Cu(0) wire for SET-LRP is reported.
Porphyrin dimers as donors for solution-processed bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Hsu Fang-Chi , Hsieh Ming-Kuang , Kashi Chiranjeevulu , Yeh Chen-Yu , Lin Tai-Yuan , Chen Yang-Fang
Published: June 2016

We synthesize a novel class of porphyrin dimers consisting of two zinc-metalated porphyrin units covalently linked through ethynyl or butadiyne group as electron donors for the fabrication of organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells.
Influence of material characteristics on the structure and properties of high-density polyethylene microporous membranes
Authors: Xie Jiayi , Xu Ruijie , Chen Changbin , Chen Xiande , Zhang Feng , Lei Caihong , Lin Yuanfei , Li Liangbin
Published: June 2016

Five PE resins with different material characteristics were chosen to fabricate microporous membranes based on a melt-stretching mechanism.
Highly flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors based on carbon nanotube/polypyrrole composite films and fibers
Authors: Zhou Yu , Hu Xiaoyang , Shang Yuanyuan , Hua Chunfei , Song Pingxin , Li Xinjian , Zhang Yingjiu , Cao Anyuan
Published: June 2016

A film-shaped supercapacitor (2.5 cm2) showed good flexibility and high stability when undergoing bending and twisting.
Spatial confinement growth of perovskite nanocrystals for ultra-flexible solar cells
Authors: Ma Mingming , Tang Qunwei , He Benlin , Yang Peizhi
Published: June 2016

Ultraflexible perovskite solar cells are built on 3D gel framework, yielding increasing cell performances under deformations and good stability in moisture.
Diterpenoids from the shed trunk barks of the endangered plant Pinus dabeshanensis and their PTP1B inhibitory effects
Authors: Hu Chang-Ling , Xiong Juan , Gao Li-Xin , Li Jia , Zeng Huaqiang , Zou Yike , Hu Jin-Feng
Published: June 2016

11 new (including an unprecedented skeleton, 3) and 28 related known diterpenoids with interesting PTP1B inhibitory effects were identified.
Morphology and thermal properties of novel clay-based poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) nanocomposites
Authors: Martino Lucrezia , Niknam Volga , Guigo Nathanaël , Gabriël van Berkel Jesper , Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas
Published: June 2016

Novel clay-based PEF nanocomposites with higher thermal stabilities than pure PEF both under inert (+20 °C) and oxidative atmosphere (+30 °C).
Ag3PW12O40/C3N4 nanocomposites as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrocarbon selective oxidation
Authors: Zhang Yalin , Hu Lulu , Zhao Shunyan , Liu Naiyun , Bai Liang , Liu Juan , Huang Hui , Liu Yang , Kang Zhenhui
Published: June 2016

Ag3PW12O40/C3N4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by loading Ag3PW12O40 into C3N4, in which case Ag3PW12O40 is gained through reaction between AgNO3 and H3PW12O40 at room temperature.
Improvement of stability of ZnO/CH3NH3PbI3 bilayer by aging step for preparing high-performance perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions
Authors: Guo Y. , Li X. , Kang L. L. , He X. , Ren Z. Q. , Wu J. D. , Qi J. Y.
Published: June 2016

The room-temperature aging method was first introduced to ZnO-based perovskite solar cells to improve the stability of ZnO/CH3NH3PbI3 bilayer. The prepared devices with a maximum efficiency of 9.4% exhibited promising stability under ambient conditions.
Preparation of a self-developed chrome-free colored coating based on a titanium conversion coating on 6063 Al alloy
Authors: Zhang Caixia , Jia Yuyu , Zhong Xin , Wu Xiaosong , Liu Yali
Published: June 2016

A new conversion coating improved via the combination of a self-developed Mannich base and hexafluorotitanic acid has been studied and compared with chromate conversion coatings and coatings without the Mannich base.
TiO2 passivation for improved efficiency and stability of ZnO nanorods based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Peng , Yin Xingtian , Que Meidan , Yang Yawei , Que Wenxiu
Published: June 2016

We adopted a wet-chemical method to deposit a TiO2 passivation layer on ZnO nanorods, and demonstrated drastically improved photovoltaic performance and device stability of ZnO nanorods based perovskite solar cells.
A computational triage approach to the synthesis of novel difluorocyclopentenes and fluorinated cycloheptadienes using thermal rearrangements
Authors: Orr David , Percy Jonathan M. , Harrison Zoë A.
Published: June 2016

Electronic structure calculations have been used for the effective triage of substituent effects on difluorinated vinylcyclopropane precursors and their ability to undergo vinyl cyclopropane rearrangements (VCPR).
Sub-nanometre mapping of the aquaporin–water interface using multifrequency atomic force microscopy
Authors: Ricci Maria , Quinlan Roy A. , Voïtchovsky Kislon
Published: June 2016

Multifrequency atomic force microscopy is used to gain sub-nanometre insights into the structure of aquaporin 0 and its interface with the surrounding water.
The structure-dependent enhancement of the oxygen reduction reaction performance of Co-based low Pt catalysts through Au addition
Authors: Lin Zi-Jun , Chou Tsung-Fu , Liu Chen-Wei , Huang Po-Hsiang , Guo Yao-Zhang , Wang Jeng-Han , Wang Kuan-Wen
Published: June 2016

Au in the inner core of CoPt/C can effectively stabilize its structure during the stability test of the oxygen reduction reaction.
A two-photon fluorescent RNA probe screened from a series of oxime-functionalized 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ZnX2(X = Cl, Br, I) complexes
Authors: Wang Hui , Tian Xiaohe , Du Wei , Zhang Qiong , Guan Lijuan , Wang Aidong , Zhang Yujin , Wang Chuankui , Zhou Hongping , Wu Jieying , Tian Yupeng
Published: June 2016

An oxime-functionalized terpyridine ZnCl2complex is a RNA two-photon fluorescent probe exhibiting RNA binding, fluorescence intensity enhancement and compatibility with Hoechst 33342.
Journal of Materials Chemistry B top picks web collection: “seeing the unseen: advances in bioimaging and biosensors”
Authors: Qu Xiaogang
Published: June 2016

Xiaogang Qu introduces a Journal of Materials Chemistry B Top Picks web collection on advances in bioimaging and biosensors.
On asynchronous filtering for networked fuzzy systems with Markov jump parameters over a finite‐time interval
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Feng , Sun Yonghui , Shen Hao
Published: June 2016

In this study, the problem of asynchronous filtering is investigated for discrete‐time networked Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy Markov jump systems (FMJSs). The system measurements are transmitted over an unreliable communication network affected by sensor non‐linearity and packet dropouts. The purpose is to design an asynchronous filter for discrete‐time FMJSs such that the resulting filtering error system is not only finite‐time bounded for the given conditions, but also satisfies a prescribed performance. Some sufficient conditions for the existence of the asynchronous filter are presented, and the corresponding design problem is converted into a convex optimisation one. Finally, a numerical example and a modified inverted pendulum model are utilised to demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed approach.
Minimum jerk norm scheme applied to obstacle avoidance of redundant robot arm with jerk bounded and feedback control
Authors: Chen Dechao , Zhang Yunong
Published: June 2016

In this study, a minimum jerk norm (MJN) scheme with an obstacle avoidance constraint is proposed and applied to a redundant robot arm, of which the joint jerks keep bounded for a human‐friendly robot control. To achieve superior tracking performances of the redundant robot arm, the proposed jerk bounded MJN scheme is improved by the feedback control. More importantly, the effectiveness on obstacle avoidance of the proposed scheme is guaranteed by the variable‐magnitude escape jerk theorem. Besides, for the purpose of implementation on the practical robot system, the corresponding discrete formulas with their theoretical analyses are presented. Then the proposed scheme is reformulated as a dynamical quadratic program which is solved by a piecewise‐linear projection equation neural network. Furthermore, the path‐tracking simulation and comparison substantiate the effectiveness and accuracy of such a scheme with the smooth and human‐friendly joint variables applied to the obstacle avoidance of a six degrees of freedom jerk bounded robot arm. At last, the experimental application conducted on a practical redundant robot arm system further shows the physical realisability and the safety of the proposed scheme.
Design of a UHF wide‐band antenna with a compact notch filter
Authors: Khattak Muhammad Kamran , Kahng Sungtek
Published: June 2016

A novel ultra high frequency (UHF) broadband polygonal monopole antenna with a notch is presented. The antenna is a wineglass‐shaped geometry near two pairs of long‐horn‐shaped coupling elements located on the top and bottom surfaces to cover the band of 700 MHz–1.3 GHz with the size of 150 × 100 × 1.2 mm. The notch filtering is achieved at 900 MHz by using the open‐terminated stub of a novel composite right/left handed transmission‐line phase shifter. The phase shifter is 12 mm as 0.07 × λg. The validity of the proposed scheme is verified by designing and comparing the wide‐band antenna with different notch‐making approaches through electromagnetic simulation, fabrication and measurement. The simulated and measured results show high degrees of agreement. The suggested antenna is shown to be useful for UHF‐band applications with a stopband at 900 MHz to avoid potential interference from the GSM‐E service, Z‐wave communication and UHF radio‐frequency identification tag frequencies.
Robust and fast algorithm for estimating fundamental periodicity of jet engine modulation signals
Authors: Yong Yang Woo , Hoon Park Ji , Young Song Won , Hoon Myung Noh
Published: June 2016

Jet engine modulation (JEM), a modulation phenomenon induced by a rotating jet engine compressor, is a representative feature extracted from the radar for aircraft target recognition. In this study, the authors present a robust and fast algorithm for extracting the spool rate, which imparts fundamental periodicity to JEM signals. First, a wavelet decomposition with Meyer wavelet was applied to the analytic form of the JEM signal. Then, the decomposition components were combined to achieve a sufficient energy and minimise the mean of the JEM auto‐correlation. Finally, the peak detection algorithm was employed for automatic estimation of the spool rate. Application results of measured JEM signals demonstrated that the proposed algorithm is effective for stable and accurate extraction of the jet engine information.
Oscillatory expression in Escherichia coli mediated by microRNAs with transcriptional and translational time delays
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Liu Haihong , Zhou Jin
Published: June 2016

The primary objective of this study is to study oscillatory expression of gene regulatory network in Escherichia coli mediated by microRNAs (sRNAs) with transcriptional and translational time delays. Motivated by the regulation of gene expression proposed by Shimoni et al. (Molecular Systems Biology, 2007), a general model of delayed gene regulatory network by sRNAs is formulated. This model can well describe many practical architectures of gene regulatory network by sRNAs, particularly when both transcriptional and translational time delays are introduced. Two functional issues on oscillatory expression of the gene regulatory network, i.e. stability and bifurcation, are investigated. Furthermore, an explicit algorithm determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation and stability of bifurcating periodic solutions is presented. It turns out that both transcriptional and translational time delays can induce gene expression in E. coli to be oscillatory even when its deterministic counterpart exhibits no oscillations. Moreover, the obtained results are in consistence with the experimental observations found in the biological literatures (Elowitz MB et al.: Nature, 2000, 403, pp. 335–338; Lennart Hilbert et al.: Mol. BioSyst, 2011, 7, pp. 2599–2607), which demonstrates that both transcriptional and translational time delays play an important role in the gene regulatory process of E. coli.
Cooperative fault estimation for linear multi‐agent systems with undirected graphs
Authors: Li Hao , Yang Ying
Published: June 2016

Fault estimation problem for linear multi‐agent systems with undirected graphs is studied. A two‐layer observer based on the relative measured output information is proposed, and specially it utilises the transformation of relative output rather than the absolute one. The integral action is used to construct an adaptive fault estimator for improving the estimation performance. The fault estimation is introduced back into the observer so that fault estimation problem can be considered as stabilisation problem of the observer error dynamics. Finally, simulations are undertaken for validating the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Investigation of proton damage in III-V semiconductors by optical spectroscopy
Authors: Yaccuzzi E. , Khachadorian S. , Suárez S. , Reinoso M. , Goñi A. R. , Strittmatter A. , Hoffmann A. , Giudici P.
Published: June 2016

We studied the damage produced by 2 MeV proton radiation on epitaxially grown InGaP/GaAs structure by means of spatially resolved Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The irradiation was performed parallel to the sample surface in order to determine the proton penetration range in both compounds. An increase in the intensity of longitudinal optical phonons and a decrease in the luminescence were observed. We associate these changes with the creation of defects in the damaged region, also responsible for the observed change of the carrier concentration in the GaAs layer, determined by the shift of the phonon-plasmon coupled mode frequency. From the spatially resolved profile of the PL and phonon intensities, we obtained the proton range in both materials and we compared them with stopping and range of ions in matter simulations. The comparison between the experimentally obtained proton range and simulations shows a very good agreement for GaAs but a discrepancy of 20% for InGaP. This discrepancy can be explained in terms of limitations of the model to simulate the electronic orbitals and bonding structure of the simulated compound. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose an increase in 40% in the electronic stopping power for InGaP.
Composition dependence of electric-field-induced structure of Bi1/2(Na1−xKx)1/2TiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Khansur Neamul H. , Benton Rachel , Dinh Thi Hinh , Lee Jae-Shin , Jones Jacob L. , Daniels John E.
Published: June 2016

Microscopic origins of the electric-field-induced strain for three compositions of Bi1/2(Na1−xKx)1/2TiO3 (x = 0.14, 0.18, and 0.22) (BNKT100x) ceramics have been compared using in situ high-energy (87.12 keV) X-ray diffraction. In the as-processed state, average crystallographic structure of BNKT14 and BNKT18 were found to be of rhombohedral symmetry, while BNKT22 was tetragonal. Diffraction data collected under electric field showed that both the BNKT14 and BNKT18 exhibit induced lattice strain and non-180° ferroelectric domain switching without any apparent phase transformation. The BNKT22 composition, in addition to the lattice strain and domain switching, showed an electric-field-induced transformation from a tetragonal to mixed tetragonal-rhombohedral state. Despite the difference in the origin of microscopic strain responses in these compositions, the measured macroscopic poling strains of 0.46% (BNKT14), 0.43% (BNKT18), and 0.44% (BNKT22) are similar. In addition, the application of a second poling field of opposite polarity to the first increased the magnitude of non-180° ferroelectric domain texture. This was suggested to be related to the existence of an asymmetric internal bias field.
Non-neutral plasma diode in the presence of a transverse magnetic field
Authors: Pramanik Sourav , Kuznetsov V. I. , Gerasimenko A. B. , Chakrabarti Nikhil
Published: June 2016

An analytical study of the plasma states in non-neutral plasma diodes in the presence of an external transverse magnetic field is presented for an arbitrary neutralization parameter γ. Considerations are restricted to the regime where no electrons are turned around by the magnetic field. The emitter electric field strength E0 is used as a characteristic function to investigate the existence of solutions depending on the diode length, the applied voltage, the neutralization parameter, and the magnetic field strength. The potential distribution has a wave form for small magnitudes of the external magnetic field, as well as for the case when magnetic field is absent. A new family of solutions appears along with the Bursian ones. On the other hand, as the Larmor radius becomes comparable with the beam Debye length, oscillations in the potential disappear, and only the Bursian branches remain. Unlike the vacuum diode, there are steady state solutions for the negative values of the emitter field strength. As the neutralization parameter (γ) increases, the emitter field strength relating to the SCL (space charge limit) bifurcation point diminishes, and at γ > 1, the value of the emitter's electric field strength at the space charge limit (E0,SCL) turns out to be negative.
All-silicon tandem solar cells: Practical limits for energy conversion and possible routes for improvement
Authors: Jia Xuguang , Puthen-Veettil Binesh , Xia Hongze , Yang Terry Chien-Jen , Lin Ziyun , Zhang Tian , Wu Lingfeng , Nomoto Keita , Conibeer Gavin , Perez-Wurfl Ivan
Published: June 2016

Silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) embedded in a dielectric matrix is regarded as one of the most promising materials for the third generation photovoltaics, owing to their tunable bandgap that allows fabrication of optimized tandem devices. Previous work has demonstrated fabrication of Si NCs based tandem solar cells by sputter-annealing of thin multi-layers of silicon rich oxide and SiO2. However, these device efficiencies were much lower than expected given that their theoretical values are much higher. Thus, it is necessary to understand the practical conversion efficiency limits for these devices. In this article, practical efficiency limits of Si NC based double junction tandem cells determined by fundamental material properties such as minority carrier, mobility, and lifetime are investigated. The practical conversion efficiency limits for these devices are significantly different from the reported efficiency limits which use Shockley-Queisser assumptions. Results show that the practical efficiency limit of a double junction cell (1.6 eV Si NC top cell and a 25% efficient c-Si PERL cell as the bottom cell) is 32%. Based on these results suggestions for improvement to the performance of Si nanocrystal based tandem solar cells in terms of the different parameters that were simulated are presented.
Driving-induced multistability in coupled chaotic oscillators: Symmetries and riddled basins
Authors: Ujjwal Sangeeta Rani , Punetha Nirmal , Ramaswamy Ram , Agrawal Manish , Prasad Awadhesh
Published: June 2016

We study the multistability that results when a chaotic response system that has an invariant symmetry is driven by another chaotic oscillator. We observe that there is a transition from a desynchronized state to a situation of multistability. In the case considered, there are three coexisting attractors, two of which are synchronized and one is desynchronized. For large coupling, the asynchronous attractor disappears, leaving the system bistable. We study the basins of attraction of the system in the regime of multistability. The three attractor basins are interwoven in a complex manner, with extensive riddling within a sizeable region of (but not the entire) phase space. A quantitative characterization of the riddling behavior is made via the so–called uncertainty exponent, as well as by evaluating the scaling behavior of tongue–like structures emanating from the synchronization manifold.
Note: Experimental observation of nano-channel pattern in light sheet laser interference nanolithography system
Authors: Mohan Kavya , Mondal Partha Pratim
Published: June 2016

We experimentally observed nano-channel-like pattern in a light-sheet based interference nanolithography system. The optical system created nano-channel-like patterned illumination. Coherent counter-propagating light sheets are made to interfere at and near geometrical focus along the propagation z-axis. This results in the formation of nano-channel-like pattern (of size ≈ 300 nm and inter-channel periodicity of ≈337.5 nm) inside the sample due to constructive and destructive interference. In addition, the technique has the ability to generate large area patterning using larger light-sheets. Exciting applications are in the broad field of nanotechnology (nano-electronics and nano-fluidics).
Enrichment of diluted cell populations from large sample volumes using 3D carbon-electrode dielectrophoresis
Authors: Islam Monsur , Natu Rucha , Larraga-Martinez Maria Fernanda , Martinez-Duarte Rodrigo
Published: June 2016

Here, we report on an enrichment protocol using carbon electrode dielectrophoresis to isolate and purify a targeted cell population from sample volumes up to 4 ml. We aim at trapping, washing, and recovering an enriched cell fraction that will facilitate downstream analysis. We used an increasingly diluted sample of yeast, 106–102 cells/ml, to demonstrate the isolation and enrichment of few cells at increasing flow rates. A maximum average enrichment of 154.2 ± 23.7 times was achieved when the sample flow rate was 10 μl/min and yeast cells were suspended in low electrically conductive media that maximizes dielectrophoresis trapping. A COMSOL Multiphysics model allowed for the comparison between experimental and simulation results. Discussion is conducted on the discrepancies between such results and how the model can be further improved.
Investigation of structural, electronic, elastic and optical properties of Cd1-x-yZnxHgyTe alloys
Authors: Tamer M.
Published: June 2016

Structural, optical and electronic properties and elastic constants of Cd1-x-yZnx HgyTe alloys have been studied by employing the commercial code Castep based on density functional theory. The generalized gradient approximation and local density approximation were utilized as exchange correlation. Using elastic constants for compounds, bulk modulus, band gap, Fermi energy and Kramers–Kronig relations, dielectric constants and the refractive index have been found through calculations. Apart from these, X-ray measurements revealed elastic constants and Vegard’s law. It is seen that results obtained from theory and experiments are all in agreement.
The effect of survey method on the detection probabilities of frogs and tadpoles in large wetland complexes
Authors: Wassens Skye , Hall Andrew , Spencer Jennifer
Published: June 2016

Knowledge of the probability of detecting a species with a given survey effort is important when planning monitoring programs. The present paper compares detection probabilities for six survey methods: audio-visual transect surveys targeting adult frogs, and sweep netting, bait traps, small fyke nets, large fyke nets and seine netting targeting tadpoles. Data were drawn from repeat surveys of 16 wetlands over a 3-year period (2008–2011). Detection probabilities of each method and species combination were determined by maximum likelihood estimation. Audio-visual surveys targeting adults had a higher probability of detecting individual species than did methods targeting their tadpoles. However, the presence of adults was a reasonably poor indicator of the presence of their tadpoles on any given survey occasion. Of the methods employed to target tadpoles, large and small fyke nets had a significantly higher probability of detecting tadpoles of all species than did bait traps, seining or sweep nets. Differences in the detection probability of different methods demonstrated that the choice of survey method can bias towards particular groups of species and, in some cases, underestimate breeding activity by frog species in large waterbodies.
Does the relative value of submerged aquatic vegetation for penaeid shrimps vary with proximity to a tidal inlet? Preliminary evidence from a subtropical coastal lagoon
Authors: Blanco-Martínez Zeferino , Pérez-Castañeda Roberto
Published: June 2016

The value of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) as a nursery habitat for penaeid shrimp has been recognised previously; however, the importance of SAV in terms of its distance from a tidal inlet (a site through which shrimp postlarvae migrate into coastal lagoons) has not been evaluated. In the present study, the effect of proximity to a tidal inlet on the relative importance of SAV beds for Farfantepenaeus shrimp was evaluated in the Laguna Madre of Tamaulipas (Mexico). Sampling was performed monthly from February to December 2005, diurnally and nocturnally, in two SAV bed areas, one 25km (distant) and the other 1km (nearby) from the inlet. Densities of shrimp (F. aztecus, F. duorarum and F. brasiliensis) were consistently higher in the nearby SAV bed during both the day and night. Water temperature was the most important explanatory variable of shrimp abundance in both SAV beds. The temperature–abundance relationship was negative in all cases, except in the distant SAV bed at night, when shrimp abundance was positively related to dissolved oxygen and salinity. The nearby SAV bed had higher recruit abundance and supported a greater numbers of juveniles and subadults. In contrast, shrimp abundance in the distant SAV bed was apparently limited by recruitment.
Abundance patterns at the invasion front: the case of Siganus luridus in Linosa (Strait of Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Azzurro Ernesto , Franzitta Giulio , Milazzo Marco , Bariche Michel , Fanelli Emanuela
Published: June 2016

The dusky spinefoot (Siganus luridus) has spread through much of the eastern Mediterranean since its introduction in 1920. In the present study, we monitored the abundance of this invader around the island of Linosa (Strait of Sicily), where the species was first recorded in 2003. Data were periodically collected along two temporal windows, 2005–06 and 2012–15, by both underwater visual census and surface snorkelling. Local ecological knowledge was investigated to gain complementary information. Both approaches highlighted significant proliferation of this tropical invader, with an average abundance of 0.36 individuals per 250m2 across the 0–30-m depth range. Dense aggregations of more than 100 adult individuals were observed in September 2015, and a coherent spatial structure at the small scale (<1km) was demonstrated. Considering the biogeographical relevance of this population, located at the western edge of its exotic distribution, these findings can be taken as a valuable case study for understanding invasion processes in the marine environment.
Disappearing jewels: an urgent need for conservation of Fiji’s partulid tree snail fauna
Authors: Brodie Gilianne , Barker Gary M. , Pippard Helen , Bick Cindy S. , Foighil Diarmaid Ó
Published: June 2016

Where conservation status of island non-marine molluscs is known, snails tend to be one of the most threatened faunal groups. However, published information regarding island gastropod conservation status, diversity and endemism is frequently unavailable despite the importance of this information for the formulation of biodiversity action plans and conservation strategy. Fiji, for example, has a diverse native land snail fauna (>240 species) with an endemism level of ~80%, but only within the last few years has any information about any of these species been available to the national biodiversity reporting repository. For one lineage in particular, members of the tree snail family Partulidae, with four endemic Fiji Island species, the conservation status of the group has never been assessed. However, based on the alarming extinction rates documented in partulid snail species on other Pacific Islands, information about the occurrence and status of these taxa is urgently needed for Fiji’s biodiversity action plan. To redress this information void, we formulated the Fijian Partulid Tree Snail Project, consisting of five components: (1) raising awareness; (2) locating populations and monitoring population trends; (3) elucidating patterns of genetic diversity; (4) creating action partnerships; and (5) conducting disturbance gradient analyses. The overall goal was to characterise mechanisms leading to persistence of partulids in the face of increasing anthropogenic disturbance. In the initial stages of this project, existing information on Fiji’s partulids was collated and two small, remote islands in the Fiji archipelago were surveyed to investigate whether tree snails persisted there. Living populations of Partula lanceolata and empty shells of Partula leefei were found on Cicia Island in Lau, and on Rotuma Island in the Rotuma Group, respectively. DNA analyses confirm a sister relationship between the two Partula species in north-eastern Lau, P. lirata and P. lanceolata, with both sharing a sister relationship with a member of the same genus in Vanuatu – P. auraniana Hartman, 1888. Prioritisation and further sampling of additional islands, and residual native habitat on less accessible islands and islets, is needed to fully assess the conservation status of all four Fijian species via the IUCN Red List process. Moreover, the basic descriptive information and associated studies reported here will serve to raise awareness of Fiji’s endemic tree snails particularly in communities that had no prior knowledge of their special conservation status; and also at a wider national, regional and global level. Community awareness is particularly vital as the willing support of land owners in the relevant small island communities is critical to implementing any future conservation action plans.
Individual-level protective factors for sexual health outcomes among sexual minority youth: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Armstrong Heather L. , Steiner Riley J. , Jayne Paula E. , Beltran Oscar
Published: June 2016

Although factors associated with negative sexual health outcomes among sexual minority youth (SMY) have been well documented, protective factors have been less studied. This review summarises the current state of science on individual-level protective factors for SMY and identifies gaps to inform future research. A systematic search of non-intervention, empirical peer-reviewed research was conducted. Articles that examined an a priori-identified individual-level protective factor and at least one sexual health outcome in a sample or subsample of SMY aged 10–24 years in Western, industrialised countries were eligible for inclusion. A total of 21 articles that reported data from 13 unique studies met inclusion criteria. Only two studies described findings for young sexual minority women and thus the literature synthesis was limited to studies reporting on young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the USA. A total of 11 individual-level protective factors were examined. Subjective peer norms and attitudes about condom use were repeatedly protective in cross-sectional analyses. Findings related to self-efficacy, self-esteem and clear and positive identity were more mixed. The findings of this review suggest that attitudes and subjective peer norms related to condom use are promising intervention targets for YMSM. There is a need, however, for longitudinal research to confirm these protective effects and to consider them among other SMY. Moreover, protective factors related to skills and competencies have been insufficiently studied among SMY. Addressing these gaps will help develop a robust body of evidence to inform interventions.
Flexible, solid-state, ion-conducting membrane with 3D garnet nanofiber networks for lithium batteries
Authors: Fu Kun (Kelvin) , Gong Yunhui , Dai Jiaqi , Gong Amy , Han Xiaogang , Yao Yonggang , Wang Chengwei , Wang Yibo , Chen Yanan , Yan Chaoyi , Li Yiju , Wachsman Eric D. , Hu Liangbing
Published: June 2016

Significance

This work describes a flexible, solid-state, lithium-ion–conducting membrane based on a 3D ion-conducting network and polymer electrolyte for lithium batteries. The 3D ion-conducting network is based on percolative garnet-type Li
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solid-state electrolyte nanofibers, which enhance the ionic conductivity of the solid-state electrolyte membrane at room temperature and improve the mechanical strength of the polymer electrolyte. The membrane has shown superior electrochemical stability to high voltage and high mechanical stability to effectively block lithium dendrites. This work represents a significant breakthrough to enable high performance of lithium batteries.
The history of Mandragora turkomanica (Solanaceae)
Authors: Sinev Innokentiy Evgenievich
Published: June 2016

In 1938 a new species, Mandragora turcomanica O. Mizgir., was discovered in the Sumbar river valley near the Soviet–Iranian border in the nowadays Republic of Turkmenistan. The prevailing hypothesis of its origin was that M. turcomanica is a species that survived in a refuge between the Mediterranean and Himalayan parts of the now disjunct genus range. Meteorological observation conducted by the author in the area occupied by the species revealed that the presumed high frost tolerance of the species was exaggerated. The plants of the Sumbar Valley could survive only in a narrow altitude belt due a very specific combination of favorable microclimate and soil. However, the present distribution of mandrake plants in Turkmenistan cannot explain why the plants were never observed in the southern valleys of the Turkmen–Khorasan range of northern Iran, which has a similar landscape to the Sumbar Valley and a considerably warmer climate. Cultivation and usage of the Turkmenian mandrake as a medicinal plant in Iran, its name “halom” and the fact that all known locations of Turkmenian mandrake match the traces of ancient irrigation in the Sumbar Valley support the hypothesis that Turkmenian mandrake could be the holy plant the ancient Iranians called “Haoma”, repeatedly mentioned in the “Avesta” (the collection of sacred texts of the ancient Aryan religion known as Zoroastrianism). The introduction of mandrake currently growing in Sumbar Valley from the other region is supported by the species biology, i.e. the lack of dispersal of its fruits by birds which strongly limits its potential distribution, and by a recently reported high genetic similarity of Turkmenian mandrake with plants from Israel.
Mechanistic Abstraction
Authors: Boone Worth , Piccinini Gualtiero
Published: June 2016

We provide an explicit taxonomy of legitimate kinds of abstraction within constitutive explanation. We argue that abstraction is an inherent aspect of adequate mechanistic explanation. Mechanistic explanations—even ideally complete ones—typically involve many kinds of abstraction and therefore do not require maximal detail. Some kinds of abstraction play the ontic role of identifying the specific complex components, subsets of causal powers, and organizational relations that produce a suitably general phenomenon. Therefore, abstract constitutive explanations are both legitimate and mechanistic.
Complex Life Cycles and the Evolutionary Process
Authors: Godfrey-Smith Peter
Published: June 2016

Problems raised by complex life cycles for standard summaries of evolutionary processes, and for concepts of individuality in biology, are described. I then outline a framework that can be used to compare life cycles. This framework treats reproduction as a combination of production and recurrence and organizes life cycles according to the distribution of steps in which multiplication, bottlenecks, and sex occur. I also discuss fitness and its measurement in complex life cycles and consider some phenomena that raise complications and difficulties for my framework.
Understanding Gauge
Authors: Weatherall James Owen
Published: June 2016

I consider two usages of the expression “gauge theory.” On one, a gauge theory is a theory with excess structure; on the other, a gauge theory is any theory appropriately related to classical electromagnetism. I make precise one sense in which one formulation of electromagnetism, the paradigmatic gauge theory on both usages, may be understood to have excess structure and then argue that gauge theories on the second usage, including Yang-Mills theory and general relativity, do not generally have excess structure in this sense.
Is Construct Validation Valid?
Authors: Alexandrova Anna , Haybron Daniel M.
Published: June 2016

What makes a measure of well-being valid? The dominant approach today, construct validation, uses psychometrics to ensure that questionnaires behave in accordance with background knowledge. Our first claim is interpretive—construct validation obeys a coherentist logic that seeks to balance diverse sources of evidence about the construct in question. Our second claim is critical—while in theory this logic is defensible, in practice it does not secure valid measures. We argue that the practice of construct validation in well-being research is theory avoidant, favoring a narrow focus on statistical tests while largely ignoring relevant philosophical considerations.
APMP.T-K3.4: key comparison of realizations of the ITS-90 over the range -38.8344 °C to 419.527 °C
Authors: Joung W , Gam K S , Achmadi A , Trisna B A
Published: June 2016

The APMP bilateral key comparison APMP.T-K3.4 was initiated on the request from RCM-LIPI (Indonesia) to link their national standards to the average reference values (ARVs) of the CCT-K3. Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, Republic of Korea) provided the linkage to the CCT-K3 for temperatures ranging from -38.8344 °C to 419.527 °C. In the APMP.T-K3.4, two standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs) were chosen as the transfer instruments and were calibrated at the ITS-90 fixed-points in the comparison range. The fixed-points in this comparison included Zn freezing point (419.527 °C), Sn freezing point (231.928 °C), In freezing point (156.5985 °C), Ga melting point (29.7646 °C), and Hg triple point (-38.8344 °C). The comparison was carried out in a participant-pilot-participant sequence where KRISS served as the pilot. The linkage was based on the fixed-point resistance ratios of RCM-LIPI relative to the ARVs of the CCT-K3 via the difference between the fixed-point resistance ratios of KRISS and the ARVs of the CCT-K3. The temperature differences between the national standards of RCM-LIPI and the ARVs of the CCT-K3 were within the evaluated comparison uncertainties of the ATPM.T-K3.4. This report provides detailed information on the comparison results, linkage mechanism, and the Degree of Equivalence of the RCM-LIPI relative to the institutes having participated in the CCT-K3.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCT, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Nucleus-dependent sarcomere assembly is mediated by the LINC complex
Authors: Auld Alexander L. , Folker Eric S.
Published: June 2016

Two defining characteristics of muscle cells are the many precisely positioned nuclei and the linearly arranged sarcomeres, yet the relationship between these two features is not known. We show that nuclear positioning precedes sarcomere formation. Furthermore, ZASP-GFP, a Z-line protein, colocalizes with F-actin in puncta at the cytoplasmic face of nuclei before sarcomere assembly. In embryos with mispositioned nuclei, ZASP-GFP is still recruited to the nuclei before its incorporation into sarcomeres. Furthermore, the first sarcomeres appear in positions close to the nuclei, regardless of nuclear position. These data suggest that the interaction between sarcomere proteins and nuclei is not dependent on properly positioned nuclei. Mechanistically, ZASP-GFP localization to the cytoplasmic face of the nucleus did require the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. Muscle-specific depletion of klarsicht (nesprin) or klariod (SUN) blocked the recruitment of ZASP-GFP to the nucleus during the early stages of sarcomere assembly. As a result, sarcomeres were poorly formed and the general myofibril network was less stable, incomplete, and/or torn. These data suggest that the nucleus, through the LINC complex, is crucial for the proper assembly and stability of the sarcomere network.
Lipid droplets maintain lipid homeostasis during anaphase for efficient cell separation in budding yeast
Authors: Yang Po-Lin , Hsu Tzu-Han , Wang Chao-Wen , Chen Rey-Huei
Published: June 2016

The neutral lipids steryl ester and triacylglycerol (TAG) are stored in the membrane-bound organelle lipid droplet (LD) in essentially all eukaryotic cells. It is unclear what physiological conditions require the mobilization or storage of these lipids. Here, we study the budding yeast mutant are1Δ are2Δ dga1Δ lro1Δ, which cannot synthesize the neutral lipids and therefore lacks LDs. This quadruple mutant is delayed at cell separation upon release from mitotic arrest. The cells have abnormal septa, unstable septin assembly during cytokinesis, and prolonged exocytosis at the division site at the end of cytokinesis. Lipidomic analysis shows a marked increase of diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid, the precursors for TAG, in the mutant during mitotic exit. The cytokinesis and separation defects are rescued by adding phospholipid precursors or inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, which both reduce DAG levels. Our results suggest that converting excess lipids to neutral lipids for storage during mitotic exit is important for proper execution of cytokinesis and efficient cell separation.