bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constraints on pre-main-sequence evolution from stellar pulsations
Authors: Casey M. P. , Zwintz K. , Guenther D. B.
Published: February 2014

Pulsating pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars afford the earliest opportunity in the lifetime of a star to which the concepts of asteroseismology can be applied. PMS stars should be structurally simpler than their evolved counterparts, thus (hopefully!) making any asteroseismic analysis relatively easier. Unfortunately, this isn't necessarily the case. The majority of these stars (around 80) are δ Scuti pulsators, with a couple of γ Doradus, γ Doradus – δ Scuti hybrids, and slowly pulsating B stars thrown into the mix. The majority of these stars have only been discovered within the last ten years, with the community still uncovering the richness of phenomena associated with these stars, many of which defy traditional asteroseismic analysis.

A systematic asteroseismic analysis of all of the δ Scuti PMS stars was performed in order to get a better handle on the properties of these stars as a group. Some strange results have been found, including one star pulsating up to the theoretical acoustic cut-off frequency of the star, and a number of stars in which the most basic asteroseismic analysis suggests problems with the stars' positions in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. From this we get an idea of the\break constraints — or lack thereof — that these results can put on PMS stellar evolution.
The pulsation-rotation interaction: Greatest hits and the B-side
Authors: Townsend Rich
Published: February 2014

It has long been known that rotation can have an appreciable impact on stellar pulsation — by modifying the usual p and g modes found in the non-rotating case, and by introducing new classes of modes. However, it's only relatively recently that advances in numerical simulations and complementary theoretical treatments have enabled us to model these phenomena in any great detail. In this talk I'll review highlights in this area (the ‘Greatest Hits’), before considering the flip side (or the ‘B-side’, for those of us old enough to remember vinyl records) of the pulsation-rotation interaction: how pulsation can itself influence internal rotation profiles.
Pulsation of magnetic stars
Authors: Saio Hideyuki
Published: February 2014

Some Ap stars with strong magnetic fields pulsate in high-order p modes; they are called roAp (rapidly oscillating Ap) stars. The p-mode frequencies are modified by the magnetic fields. Although the large frequency separation is hardly affected, small separations are modified considerably. The magnetic field also affects the latitudinal amplitude distribution on the surface. We discuss the properties of axisymmetric p-mode oscillations in roAp stars.
Testing microphysics data
Authors: Walczak Przemysław , Daszyńska-Daszkiewicz Jadwiga
Published: February 2014

High precision asteroseismic data provide a unique opportunity to test input microphysics such as stellar opacities, chemical composition or equation of state. These tests are possible because pulsational frequencies as well as amplitudes and phases of the light variations are very sensitive to the internal structure of a star. We can therefore compute pulsation models and compare them with observations. The agreement or differences should tell us whether some models are adequate or not, and which input data need to be improved.
Iron-group opacities in the envelopes of massive stars
Authors: Le Pennec Maëlle , Turck-Chièze Sylvaine
Published: February 2014

β Cephei and SPB stars are pulsating stars for which the excitation of modes by the κ mechanism, due to the iron-group opacity peak, seems puzzling. We have first investigated the origins of the differences noticed between OP and OPAL iron and nickel opacity calculations (up to a factor 2), a fact which complicates the interpretation. To accomplish this task, new well-qualified calculations (SCO-RCG, HULLAC and ATOMIC) have been performed and compared to values of these tables, and most of the differences are now well understood. Next, we have exploited a dedicated experiment on chromium, iron and nickel, conducted at the LULI 2000 facilities. We found that, in the case of iron, detailed calculations (OP, ATOMIC and HULLAC) show good agreement, contrary to all of the non-detailed calculations. However, in the case of nickel, OP calculations show large discrepancies with the experiments but also with other codes. Thus, the opacity tables need to be revised in the thermodynamical conditions corresponding to the peak of the iron group. Consequently we study the evolution of this iron peak with changes in stellar mass, age, and metallicity to determine the relevant region where these tables should be revised.
Pulsations of blue supergiants before and after helium core ignition
Authors: Ostrowski Jakub , Daszyńska-Daszkiewicz Jadwiga
Published: February 2014

We present results of pulsation analyses of B-type supergiant models with masses of 14 – 18 M⊙, considering evolutionary stages before and after helium core ignition. Using a non-adiabatic pulsation code, we compute instability domains for low-degree modes. For selected models in these two evolutionary phases, we compare properties of pulsation modes. Significant differences are found in oscillation spectra and the kinetic energy density of pulsation modes.
The evolution of the internal rotation of solar-type stars
Authors: Di Mauro Maria Pia , Ventura Rita , Cardini Daniela , Christensen-Dalsgaard Jørgen , Dziembowski Wojciech A. , Paternò Lucio
Published: February 2014

We discuss the potential of asteroseismic inversion to study the internal dynamics of solar-type stars and to reconstruct the evolution of the internal rotation from the main sequence to the red-giant phase. In particular, we consider the use of gravity and mixed modes and the application of different inversion methods.
Spectropolarimetric study of the classical Cepheid η Aql: pulsation and magnetic field
Authors: Butkovskaya V. , Plachinda S. , Baklanova D. , Butkovskyi V.
Published: February 2014

We report the results of spectropolarimetric study of the classical Cepheid η Aql. We found that the longitudinal magnetic field of η Aql sinusoidally varies with the radial pulsation period, while the amplitude B, mean field B0, and phases of maximum and minimum field change from year to year. We hypothesize that possible reasons of those variations are stellar axial rotation or dynamo mechanisms.
Stellar variability in the VVV survey: overview and first results
Authors: Catelan M. , Minniti D. , Lucas P. W. , Dékány I. , Saito R. K. , Angeloni R. , Alonso-García J. , Hempel M. , Hełminiak K. , Jordán A. , Ramos R. Contreras , Navarrete C. , Beamín J. C. , Rojas A. F. , Gran F. , Lopes C. E. Ferreira , Peña C. Contreras , Kerins E. , Huckvale L. , Rejkuba M. , Cohen R. , Mauro F. , Borissova J. , Amigo P. , Eyheramendy S. , Pichara K. , Espinoza N. , Navarro C. , Hajdu G. , Espinoza D. N. Calderón , Muro G. A. , Andrews H. , Motta V. , Kurtev R. , Emerson J. P. , Bidin C. Moni , Chené A.-N.
Published: February 2014

The Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) ESO Public Survey is an ongoing time-series, near-infrared (IR) survey of the Galactic bulge and an adjacent portion of the inner disk, covering 562 square degrees of the sky, using ESO's VISTA telescope. The survey has provided superb multi-color photometry in 5 broadband filters (Z, Y, J, H, and Ks), leading to the best map of the inner Milky Way ever obtained, particularly in the near-IR. The main part of the survey, which is focused on the variability in the Ks-band, is currently underway, with bulge fields observed between 34 and 73 times, and disk fields between 34 and 36 times. When the survey is complete, bulge (disk) fields will have been observed up to a total of 100 (60) times, providing unprecedented depth and time coverage in the near-IR. Here we provide a first overview of stellar variability in the VVV data.
Characterizing the variability of Melotte 111 AV 1224: a new variable star in the Coma Berenices open cluster
Authors: Fox-Machado L. , Michel R. , Alvarez M. , Peña J. H.
Published: February 2014

A search for new pulsating stars in the Coma Berenices open cluster was carried out. As a result of this search, the cluster member Melotte 111 AV 1224 presented clear indications of photometric variability. In order to determine its physical parameters, Strömgren standard indices and low-resolution spectra were acquired. In this work, we present the preliminary results of these observations.
Asteroseismology from Dome A, Antarctica
Authors: Fu J. N. , Zong W. K. , Yang Y. , Moore A. , Ashley M. C. B. , Cui X. Q. , Feng L. L. , Gong X. F. , Lawrence J. S. , Luong-Van D. , Liu Q. , Pennypacker C. R. , Shang Z. H. , Storey J. W. V. , Wang L. Z. , Wang L. F. , Yang H. G. , Yuan X. Y. , York D. G. , Zhou X. , Zhu Z. H.
Published: February 2014

Gattini and CSTAR have been installed at Dome A, Antarctica, which provide time-series photometric data for a large number of pulsating variable stars. We present the study for several variable stars with the data collected with the two facilities in 2009 to demonstrate the scientific potential of observations from Dome A for asteroseismology.
Interaction of multidimensional convection and radial pulsation
Authors: Geroux Chris M. , Deupree Robert G.
Published: February 2014

We have previously calculated a number of 2D hydrodynamic simulations of convection and pulsation to full amplitude. These revealed a significantly better fit to the observed light curves near the red edge of the instability strip in the globular cluster M 3 than did previous 1D mixing length models. Here we compare those 2D results with our new 3D hydrodynamic simulations calculated with the same code. As expected, the horizontal spatial behaviour of convection in 2D and 3D is quite different, but the time dependence of the convective flux on pulsation phase is quite similar. The difference in pulsation growth rate is only about 0.1% per period, with the 3D models having more damping at each of the five effective temperatures considered. Full amplitude pulsation light curves in 2D and 3D are compared.
Ground-based photometry for 42 Kepler-field RR Lyrae stars
Authors: Jeon Young-Beom , Ngeow Chow-Choong , Nemec James M.
Published: February 2014

Follow-up (U)BVRI photometric observations have been carried out for 42 RR Lyrae stars in the Kepler field. The new magnitude and color information will complement the available extensive high-precision Kepler photometry and recent spectroscopic results. The photometric observations were made with the following telescopes: 1-m and 41-cm telescopes of Lulin Observatory (Taiwan), 81-cm telescope of Tenagra Observatory (Arizona, USA), 1-m telescope at the Mt. Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory (LOAO, Arizona, USA), 1.8-m and 15-cm telescopes at the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO, Korea) and 61-cm telescope at the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO, Korea). The observations span from 2010 to 2013, with ~200 to ~600 data points per light curve. Preliminary results of the Korean observations were presented at the 5th KASC workshop in Hungary. In this work, we analyze all observations. These observations permit the construction of full light curves for these RR Lyrae stars and can be used to derive multi-filter Fourier parameters.
Chromospheric activity of 9 Aurigae
Authors: Kaye Anthony B. , Kristof Cristine , Gray Richard O.
Published: February 2014

The definition of γ Dor stars as a new class of variable stars by Kaye et al. (1999) was based on a number of criteria, including the failure to detect any emission in the Ca II H & K lines in these stars (Kaye & Strassmeier 1998; KS98). Over the last 30 years, efforts continue to look for the blue edge of chromospheric activity. As a part of this effort, we put γ Dor stars to the test to see if magnetic fields play a non-trivial role in their variability.
Wide-field variability survey of the globular cluster NGC 4833
Authors: Kopacki Grzegorz
Published: February 2014

We present preliminary results of the variability survey in the field of the globular cluster NGC 4833. We observed all 34 variable stars known in the cluster. In addition, we have found two new SX Phoenicis stars, one new RR Lyrae star, twelve new eclipsing systems mostly of the W Ursae Majoris type, nine new variable red giants, and ten new field-stars showing irregular variations. Properties of RR Lyrae stars indicate that NGC 4833 is an Oosterhoff's type II globular cluster.
Modeling non-radial oscillations on components of close binaries
Authors: Latković Olivera , Cséki Attila
Published: February 2014

We developed an advanced binary system model that includes stellar oscillations on one or both stars, with the goal of mode identification by fitting of the photometric light curves. The oscillations are modeled as perturbations of the local surface temperature and the local gravitational potential. In the case of tidally distorted stars, it is assumed that the pulsation axis coincides with the direction connecting the centers of the components rather than with the rotation axis. The mode identification method, originally devised by B. Bíró, is similar to eclipse mapping in that it utilizes the amplitude, phase and frequency modulation of oscillations during the eclipse; but the identification is achieved by grid-fitting of the observed light curve rather than by image reconstruction. The proposed model and the mode identification method have so far been tested on synthetic data with encouraging results.
Nonlinear hydrodynamic simulations of radial pulsations in massive stars
Authors: Lovekin Catherine , Guzik Joyce A.
Published: February 2014

We investigate the radial pulsation properties of massive main-sequence stars using both linear and non-linear calculations. Using 20, 40, 60 and 85 solar-mass models evolved by Meynet et al. (1994), we calculate nonlinear hydrodynamic envelope models including the effects of time-dependent convection. Many of these models are massive enough to lose a significant amount of mass as they evolve, which also reveals more helium-rich layers. This allows us to investigate the dependence of pulsation on mass, metallicity and surface helium abundance. We find that as a model loses mass, the periods become longer relative to the period predicted by the period-mean density relation (period × $\sqrt{\overline{\rho}}$ is proportional to a constant, Q) for the initial model. Increased surface helium abundance causes a dramatic decrease in the period relative to that expected from Q, while changing the metallicity had little impact on the expected periods.
Kepler RR Lyrae stars: beyond period doubling
Authors: Molnár L. , Benkő J. M. , Szabó R. , Kolláth Z.
Published: February 2014

We examined the complete short cadence sample of fundamental-mode Kepler RR Lyrae stars to further investigate the recently discovered dynamical effects such as period doubling and additional modes. Here we present the findings on four stars. V450 Lyr may be a non-classical double-mode RR Lyrae star pulsating in the fundamental mode and the second overtone. For the three remaining stars we observe the interaction of three different modes. Since the period ratios are close to resonant values, we observe quasi-repetitive patterns in the pulsation cycles in the stars. These findings support the mode-resonance explanations of the Blazhko effect.
Long-term polarization observations of Mira variable stars suggest asymmetric structures
Authors: Neilson Hilding R. , Ignace Richard , Henson Gary D.
Published: February 2014

Mira and semi-regular variable stars have been studied for centuries but continue to be enigmatic. One unsolved mystery is the presence of polarization from these stars. In particular, we present 40 years of polarization measurements for the prototype o Ceti and V CVn and find very different phenomena for each star. The polarization fraction and position angle for Mira is found to be small and highly variable. On the other hand, the polarization fraction for V CVn is large and variable, from 2–7%, and its position angle is approximately constant, suggesting a long-term asymmetric structure. We suggest a number of potential scenarios to explain these observations.
Making a Be star: the role of rotation and pulsations
Authors: Neiner Coralie , Mathis Stéphane
Published: February 2014

The Be phenomenon, i.e. the ejection of matter from Be stars into a circumstellar disk, has been a long lasting mystery. In the last few years, the CoRoT satellite brought clear evidence that Be outbursts are directly correlated to pulsations and rapid rotation. In particular the stochastic excitation of gravito-inertial modes, such as those detected by CoRoT in the hot Be star HD 51452, is enhanced thanks to rapid rotation. These waves increase the transport of angular momentum and help to bring the already rapid stellar rotation to its critical value at the surface, allowing the star to eject material. Below we summarize the recent observational and theoretical findings and describe the new picture of the Be phenomenon which arose from these results.
Mode identification from spectroscopy of gravity-mode pulsators
Authors: Pollard K. R. , Brunsden E. , Cottrell P. L. , Davie M. , Greenwood A. , Wright D. J. , De Cat P.
Published: February 2014

The gravity modes present in γ Doradus stars probe the deep stellar interiors and are thus of particular interest in asteroseismology. For the MUSICIAN programme at the University of Canterbury, we obtain extensive high-resolution echelle spectra of γ Dor stars from the Mt John University Observatory in New Zealand. We analyze these to obtain the pulsational frequencies and identify these with the multiple pulsational modes excited in the star. A summary of recent results from our spectroscopic mode-identification programme is given.
An observational asteroseismic study of the pulsating B-type stars in the open cluster NGC 884
Authors: Saesen S. , Briquet M. , Aerts C. , Miglio A. , Carrier F.
Published: February 2014

Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field β Cep stars has resulted in improvements of the physical description in the stellar structure and evolution model computations of massive stars. Further asteroseismic constraints can be obtained from studying ensembles of stars in a young open cluster, which all have similar age, distance and chemical composition. We present an observational asteroseismic study based on the discovery of numerous multi-periodic and mono-periodic B-type stars in the open cluster NGC 884 (χ Persei). Our study illustrates the current status of ensemble asteroseismology of this young open cluster.
δ Scuti-type pulsation in the hot component of the Algol-type binary system BG Peg
Authors: Şenyüz T. , Soydugan E.
Published: February 2014

In this study, 23 Algol-type binary systems, which were selected as candidate binaries with pulsating components, were observed at the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory. One of these systems was BG Peg. Its hotter component shows δ Scuti-type light variations. Physical parameters of BG Peg were derived from modelling the V light curve using the Wilson-Devinney code. The frequency analysis shows that the pulsational component of the BG Peg system pulsates in two modes with periods of 0.039 and 0.047 d. Mode identification indicates that both modes are most likely non-radial l = 2 modes.
Induction of mitochondrial dysfunction as a strategy for targeting tumour cells in metabolically compromised microenvironments
Authors: Zhang Xiaonan , Fryknäs Mårten , Hernlund Emma , Fayad Walid , De Milito Angelo , Olofsson Maria Hägg , Gogvadze Vladimir , Dang Long , Påhlman Sven , Schughart Leoni A. Kunz , Rickardson Linda , D′Arcy Padraig , Gullbo Joachim , Nygren Peter , Larsson Rolf , Linder Stig
Published: February 2014

Abnormal vascularization of solid tumours results in the development of microenvironments deprived of oxygen and nutrients that harbour slowly growing and metabolically stressed cells. Such cells display enhanced resistance to standard chemotherapeutic agents and repopulate tumours after therapy. Here we identify the small molecule VLX600 as a drug that is preferentially active against quiescent cells in colon cancer 3-D microtissues. The anticancer activity is associated with reduced mitochondrial respiration, leading to bioenergetic catastrophe and tumour cell death. VLX600 shows enhanced cytotoxic activity under conditions of nutrient starvation. Importantly, VLX600 displays tumour growth inhibition in vivo. Our findings suggest that tumour cells in metabolically compromised microenvironments have a limited ability to respond to decreased mitochondrial function, and suggest a strategy for targeting the quiescent populations of tumour cells for improved cancer treatment.
Free-surface molecular command systems for photoalignment of liquid crystalline materials
Authors: Fukuhara Kei , Nagano Shusaku , Hara Mitsuo , Seki Takahiro
Published: February 2014

The orientation of liquid crystal molecules is very sensitive towards contacting surfaces, and this phenomenon is critical during the fabrication of liquid crystal display panels, as well as optical and memory devices. To date, research has focused on designing and modifying solid surfaces. Here we report an approach to control the orientation of liquid crystals from the free (air) surface side: a skin layer at the free surface was prepared using a non-photoresponsive liquid crystalline polymer film by surface segregation or inkjet printing an azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline block copolymer. Both planar-planar and homoeotropic-planar mode patterns were readily generated. This strategy is applicable to various substrate systems, including inorganic substrates and flexible polymer films. These versatile processes require no modification of the substrate surface and are therefore expected to provide new opportunities for the fabrication of optical and mechanical devices based on liquid crystal alignment.
Evaluation of perfluorooctanoic acid purity based on potentiometric titration
Authors: Hanari Nobuyasu , Yamazaki Taichi , Itoh Nobuyasu , Fujiki Naomi , Aoyagi Yoshie , Takatsu Akiko , Numata Masahiko
Published: February 2014

Reliable purity evaluation of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), surfactants, is desired for accurate quantification because purity is essential for the preparation of calibration solutions.
Ni-catalyzed asymmetric reductive allylation of aldehydes with allylic carbonates
Authors: Tan Zhuozhen , Wan Xiaolong , Zang Zhenhua , Qian Qun , Deng Wei , Gong Hegui
Published: February 2014

Asymmetric umpolung allylation of aldehydes with allylic carbonates was achieved for the first time using Ni-catalyzed reductive conditions.
Aggregation kinetics of single-walled carbon nanotubes investigated using mechanically wrapped multinuclear complexes: probing the tube–tube repulsive barrier
Authors: Ameen Anjail A. , Giordano Andrea N. , Alston Jeffrey R. , Forney Michael W. , Herring Natalie P. , Kobayashi Shiho , Ridlen Shawn G. , Subaran Sarah S. , Younts Thomas J. , Poler J. C.
Published: February 2014

SWCNT dispersion stability and kinetics of aggregation data support the EDL repulsion model (right).
Xylan-type hemicellulose supported palladium nanoparticles: a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the carbon–carbon coupling reactions
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhong Lin-xin , Peng Xin-wen , Wang Kun , Chen Zhi-feng , Sun Run-cang
Published: February 2014

A heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by depositing palladium nanoparticles onto xylan-type hemicellulose, which is a kind of renewable biopolymer catalyst, and used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions.
f-Orbital covalency in the actinocenes (An = Th–Cm): multiconfigurational studies and topological analysis
Authors: Kerridge Andrew
Published: February 2014

Multiconfigurational studies and topological analysis demonstrate 5f-orbital contributions to covalency in actinocenes.
Promoting effects of ceria on the catalytic performance of gold supported on TiO2 for low-temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Yu Jun , Wu Guisheng , Lu Guanzhong , Mao Dongsen , Guo Yun
Published: February 2014

Doping with Ce enhanced the Au–support synergy and modified the active sites. The effortless decomposition of carbonates and quick recovery of oxygen vacancies on the Au/CeO2–TiO2 surface may be responsible for its high stability.
Preparation of PDMS ultrathin films and patterned surface modification with cellulose
Authors: Bračič Matej , Mohan Tamilselvan , Kargl Rupert , Griesser Thomas , Hribernik Silvo , Köstler Stefan , Stana-Kleinschek Karin , Fras-Zemljič Lidija
Published: February 2014

Patterned surface functionalization of PDMS with the biopolymer cellulose via lithographic methods.
Synthesis and evaluation of 2-heteroaryl and 2,3-diheteroaryl-1,4-naphthoquinones that potently induce apoptosis in cancer cells
Authors: Tandon Vishnu K. , Maurya Hardesh K. , Kumar Sandeep , Rashid Aijaz , Panda Dulal
Published: February 2014

This article describes the preparation of 2-heteroaryl and 600 dpi in TIF format)??>2,3-diheteroaryl-1,4-naphthoquinones by an environmentally benign short synthetic route with the goal of finding 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives that induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
Adventures in corrole features by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies
Authors: Iglesias Bernardo A. , Barata Joana F. B. , Ramos Catarina I. V. , Santana-Marques M. Graça , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Cavaleiro José A. S.
Published: February 2014

In this short review the importance of electrospray mass spectrometry in corrole chemistry is highlighted.
Hydrofluoric acid-induced fluorination and formation of silica nanocapsules for 19F magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lopes Luís M. F. , Ilharco Laura M.
Published: February 2014

A new, easy and economical method for producing fluorinated hollow silica nanoparticles (A) using an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution is reported. A physico-chemical insight is proposed and the particles’ aggregation interpreted (B).
Chitin hybrid materials reinforced with graphene oxide nanosheets: chemical and mechanical characterisation
Authors: González Joaquín Antonio , Mazzobre María Florencia , Villanueva María Emilia , Díaz Luis Eduardo , Copello Guillermo Javier
Published: February 2014

A novel hybrid material of chitin–nGO was obtained. nGO reinforces the material by rearrangement of chitin chains, improving its chemical and mechanical properties.
Strontium influence on the oxygen electrocatalysis of La2−xSrxNiO4±δ (0.0 ≤ xSr ≤ 1.0) thin films
Authors: Lee Dongkyu , Lee Yueh-Lin , Grimaud Alexis , Hong Wesley T. , Biegalski Michael D. , Morgan Dane , Shao-Horn Yang
Published: February 2014

Strong Sr dependence of the oxygen surface exchange kinetics for the La2−xSrxNiO4±δ (LSNO) thin films.
Transparent aluminium zinc oxide thin films with enhanced thermoelectric properties
Authors: Loureiro Joana , Neves Nuno , Barros Raquel , Mateus Tiago , Santos Rafael , Filonovich Sergej , Reparaz Sebastian , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia M. , Wyczisk Frederic , Divay Laurent , Martins Rodrigo , Ferreira Isabel
Published: February 2014

This work reports enhanced thermoelectric properties of transparent thin films. The influence of the composition, thickness and deposition method has been studied, reaching a ZT > 0.1 at room temperature.
Facile synthesis of mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles for the selective production of N-benzylidenaniline in a solvent-free reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol
Authors: Sreenivasulu Peta , Viswanadham Nagabhatla , Saxena Sandeep K.
Published: February 2014

We report a simple method for the synthesis of mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles by adopting a novel concept of using TPABr as a precursor for the structure directing agent through a solvent-free physical mixing method.
Highly efficient photoelectrochemical response by sea-urchin shaped ZnO/TiO2 nano/micro hybrid heterostructures co-sensitized with CdS/CdSe
Authors: Ali Zahid , Shakir Imran , Kang Dae Joon
Published: February 2014

ZnO/TiO2-based hybrid heterostructures co-sensitized with CdS and CdSe showed remarkable PEC response while offering efficient scattering of sunlight in the visible frequency domain, and efficient electron–hole separation and transport.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering on aluminum using near infrared and visible excitation
Authors: Mogensen Klaus Bo , Gühlke Marina , Kneipp Janina , Kadkhodazadeh Shima , Wagner Jakob B. , Espina Palanco Marta , Kneipp Harald , Kneipp Katrin
Published: February 2014

Discontinuous nanostructured aluminum films can support surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using excitation in the near infrared range.
Iron-catalyzed carbonylative Suzuki reactions under atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide
Authors: Zhong Yanzhen , Han Wei
Published: February 2014

The first highly effective ligandless iron-catalyzed carbonylative Suzuki reaction has been developed.
Effect of catalyst shape on etching orientation in metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon
Authors: Xia Weiwei , Zhu Jun , Wang Haibo , Zeng Xianghua
Published: February 2014

Silicon nanowires with vertical, slanting and zigzag architectures have been fabricated by metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon wafers (n-Si(100), n-Si(111) and n-Si(110)).
Efficient ligand-free Hiyama cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by functionalized SBA-15-supported Pd nanoparticles
Authors: Huang Shao-Hsien , Liu Chun-Hsia , Yang Chia-Min
Published: February 2014

Functionalized SBA-15-supported Pd catalysts were prepared as efficient and recyclable catalysts for ligand-free Hiyama cross-coupling under relatively mild reaction conditions.
Tandem halogenation/Michael-initiated ring-closing reaction of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and activated methylene compounds: one-pot diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopropanes
Authors: Xin Xiaoqing , Zhang Qian , Liang Yongjiu , Zhang Rui , Dong Dewen
Published: February 2014

One-pot diastereoselective synthesis of cyclopropanes is developed from α,β-unsaturated nitriles and doubly activated methylene compounds under very mild conditions.
A polyester–polystyrene hybrid connected by dynamic covalent bonds prepared via radical polymerization of styrene in a “RAFT gel”
Authors: Yoshimura Daiki , Yamada Shinji , Takasu Akinori
Published: February 2014

We cross-linked the polyester chains with 1,1-thiocarbonyldiimidazole to form a reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) gel, in which the trithiocarbonate moiety acted as a cross-linker. The “RAFT gel” was then swollen in vinyl monomers and styrene was radically polymerized within the gel, in which the polyester and polystyrene segments were miscible at the segment level.
A facile, green, and solvent-free route to nitrogen–sulfur-codoped fluorescent carbon nanoparticles for cellular imaging
Authors: Huang Hong , Lu Ya-Chun , Wang Ai-Jun , Liu Jin-Hua , Chen Jian-Rong , Feng Jiu-Ju
Published: February 2014

A simple, solvent-free method was developed for preparation of fluorescent NSCPs by direct pyrolysis of gentamycin sulfate. The NSCPs showed high water-solubility, long lifetime, high quantum yield, excellent stability and low cytotoxicity, and thus can be used for cellular imaging.
Co3O4 microcubes with exceptionally high conductivity using a CoAl layered double hydroxide precursor via soft chemically synthesized cobalt carbonate
Authors: Antonyraj Churchil A. , Srivastava Divesh N. , Mane Gurudas P. , Sankaranarayanan Sivashunmugam , Vinu Ajayan , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: February 2014

We report a new synthetic protocol for highly conducting crystalline Co3O4 microcubes through soft-chemical decomposition of a layered material.
Analysis of the minimal specificity of caspase-2 and identification of Ac-VDTTD-AFC as a caspase-2-selective peptide substrate
Authors: Kitevska Tanja , Roberts Sarah J. , Pantaki-Eimany Delara , Boyd Sarah E. , Scott Fiona L. , Hawkins Christine J.
Published: February 2014

Caspase-2 is an evolutionarily conserved but enigmatic protease whose biological role remains poorly understood. To date, research into the functions of caspase-2 has been hampered by an absence of reagents that can distinguish its activity from that of the downstream apoptotic caspase, caspase-3. Identification of protein substrates of caspase-2 that are efficiently cleaved within cells may also provide clues to the role of this protease. We used a yeast-based transcriptional reporter system to define the minimal substrate specificity of caspase-2. The resulting profile enabled the identification of candidate novel caspase-2 substrates. Caspase-2 cleaved one of these proteins, the cancer-associated transcription factor Runx1, although with relatively low efficiency. A fluorogenic peptide was derived from the sequence most efficiently cleaved in the context of the transcriptional reporter. This peptide, Ac-VDTTD-AFC, was efficiently cleaved by purified caspase-2 and auto-activating caspase-2 in mammalian cells, and exhibited better selectivity for caspase-2 relative to caspase-3 than reagents that are currently available. We suggest that this reagent, used in parallel with the traditional caspase-3 substrate Ac-DEVD-AFC, will enable researchers to monitor caspase-2 activity in cell lysates and may assist in the determination of stimuli that activate caspase-2 in vivo.
Genetic parameters for lamb autopsy traits
Authors: Brown D. J. , Jones R. M. , Hinch G. N.
Published: February 2014

Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated between individual and composite autopsy traits for lambs autopsied in the Australian Sheep Cooperative Research Centre information nucleus flocks between 2008 and 2011 (n = 3224). Correlations were also estimated between autopsy categories and the production parameters Yearling greasy-fleece weight and Yearling weight, and the potential survival indicator traits: Lamb ease, Thorax circumference and Crown–rump length. All autopsy trait heritability estimates were low (range 0.01–0.04). For all traits, a higher proportion of the variance was partitioned into the maternal permanent environment than the direct effects (range 0.01–0.12), suggesting that selection based on lamb autopsy results would impart little advantage over the lamb survival trait itself in improving lamb survival. Genetic correlations between Lamb ease and all autopsy traits were positive, indicating that birth trauma is related to all causes of lamb deaths and that Lamb ease may be a useful selection criterion in seedstock flocks to reduce overall mortality. There were also positive genetic correlations between Thorax circumference after adjusting for birthweight and two classes of dystocia, as well as a positive correlation between Thorax circumference and incidences of Starvation mismothering, implying that Thorax circumference may be a useful indirect field measurement to reduce death from these causes. Of concern were the antagonistic genetic correlations estimated between Yearling greasy-fleece weight and a composite trait of All Dystocia classes plus Starvation mismothering (0.27 ± 0.15), implying that selection for increased fleece weight could be having a detrimental effect on overall lamb survival.
An Efficient and Convenient Approach for the Synthesis of Novel Pyrazolo[1,2-a]triazole-triones and Evaluation of their Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Saluja Pooja , Khurana Jitender M. , Sharma Chetan , Aneja Kamal R.
Published: February 2014

A new protocol for the efficient synthesis of novel pyrazolo[1,2-a]triazole-1,3,5-triones has been developed. The synthesis was achieved by reaction of aromatic aldehydes, Meldrum’s acid, and 4-phenylurazole in the presence of a catalytic amount of glacial AcOH at 80°C. The structural assignment has been unambiguously confirmed by X-ray analysis. The present finding provides an environmentally benign, efficient, and promising synthetic strategy for the synthesis of libraries with diversity. These compounds were tested in vitro for their antibacterial activity against four strains, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against two fungal strains, namely Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.
Source limitations due to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) during grain filling in wheat
Authors: Serrago Román A. , Miralles Daniel J.
Published: February 2014

Late foliar diseases (especially leaf rust) reduce assimilate supply during post-anthesis, determining fewer assimilates per grain and thereby inducing grain weight reductions. Although the assimilate reduction hypothesis is the most accepted to explain decreases in grain weight due to late foliar diseases, it has not been clearly established whether those reductions could be completely ascribed to source limitations or whether diminished grain weight could be the consequence of reductions in grain weight potential. The objective of this work was to determine whether grain weight reductions due to leaf rust during grain filling could be associated with source–sink limitations. Two experiments (during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons) including healthy and diseased wheat crops were conducted under field conditions. Source–sink manipulation treatments and grain water content measurements were made to test the source- and sink- limitation hypotheses due to the appearance of late foliar diseases during grain filling. Leaf rust was induced to appear exclusively during grain filling, and in both years, it reduced grain yield and grain weight in both experiments. However, except for distal grains, there were no significant differences between healthy and diseased plots in maximum grain water content, indicating that late foliar diseases did not affect the potential size of the grains. The reserves stored in stems were remobilised to the growing grains in both healthy and diseased crops. However, the reserves remaining at physiological maturity were significantly reduced in diseased crops. Reduction in grain number by trimming the spikes increased the grain weight in diseased but not in healthy crops. Grain weight of trimmed spikes in diseased crops reached similar values to those of healthy crops. These results support the hypothesis that foliar diseases could cause source limitation for grain filling beyond differences in grain weight potential when the crops are severely affected by late foliar diseases such as leaf rust.
Photolysis and TiO2-catalysed degradation of diclofenac in surface and drinking water using circulating batch photoreactors
Authors: Kanakaraju Devagi , Motti Cherie A. , Glass Beverley D. , Oelgemöller Michael
Published: February 2014

Environmental context Diclofenac, a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is not completely removed from surface and drinking water by conventional treatment methods. Consequently, this drug is present in the aquatic environment and has been subsequently linked to toxic effects on organisms. We show that photolysis and TiO2-catalysed degradation in circulating batch reactors efficiently results in diclofenac removal under a variety of conditions. These photochemical methods thus may lead to more effective water treatment processes. Abstract The occurrence of diclofenac (DCF) as an emerging pollutant in surface waters and drinking water has been attributed to elevated global consumption and the inability of sewage treatment plants to remove DCF. In this study, DCF spiked drinking water and river water was subjected to photolysis and TiO2 photocatalytic treatments in a circulating laboratory-scale (immersion-well) and a demonstration-scale loop reactor (Laboclean). The operational parameters for the immersion-well reactor were optimised as follows: TiO2 P25 loading, 0.1gL–1; natural pH, 6.2; initial concentration, 30mgL–1; water type, distilled water. Complete DCF removal was realised within 15min under the optimised conditions using the immersion-well reactor. Sunlight-mediated photochemical degradation required a prolonged exposure period of up to 360min for complete DCF removal. DCF in distilled and drinking water was efficiently degraded in the larger Laboclean reactor. Differences were, however, observed based on their pseudo-first-order rate constants, which implies that the water matrix has an effect on the degradation rate. Six major photoproducts, 2-(8-chloro-9H-carbazol-1-yl)acetic acid, 2-(8-hydroxy-9H-carbazol-1-yl)acetic acid, 2,6-dichloro-N-o-tolylbenzenamine, 2-(phenylamino)benzaldehyde, 1-chloromethyl-9H-carbazole and 1-methyl-9H-carbazole, generated from TiO2 photocatalysis of DCF were identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) and Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance–mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). This work has shown that photocatalytic degradation kinetics of DCF are dependent on both the geometry of the photoreactor and the nature of the water matrices.
Heed the Signs: Operation Signs have Spatial Associations
Authors: Pinhas Michal , Shaki Samuel , Fischer Martin H.
Published: February 2014

Mental arithmetic shows systematic spatial biases. The association between numbers and space is well documented, but it is unknown whether arithmetic operation signs also have spatial associations and whether or not they contribute to spatial biases found in arithmetic. Adult participants classified plus and minus signs with left and right button presses under two counterbalanced response rules. Results from two experiments showed that spatially congruent responses (i.e., right-side responses for the plus sign and left-side responses for the minus sign) were responded to faster than spatially incongruent ones (i.e., left-side responses for the plus sign and right-side responses for the minus sign). We also report correlations between this novel operation sign spatial association (OSSA) effect and other spatial biases in number processing. In a control experiment with no explicit processing requirements for the operation signs there were no sign-related spatial biases. Overall, the results suggest that (a) arithmetic operation signs can evoke spatial associations (OSSA), (b) experience with arithmetic operations probably underlies the OSSA, and (c) the OSSA only partially contributes to spatial biases in arithmetic.
On the Relation between the Mental Number Line and Arithmetic Competencies
Authors: Link Tanja , Nuerk Hans-Christoph , Moeller Korbinian
Published: February 2014

In this study, we aimed at investigating whether it is indeed the spatial magnitude representation that links number line estimation performance to other basic numerical and arithmetic competencies. Therefore, estimations of 45 fourth-graders in both a bounded and a new unbounded number line estimation task (with only a start-point and a unit given) were correlated with their performance in a variety of tasks including addition, subtraction, and number magnitude comparison. Assuming that both number line tasks assess the same underlying mental number line representation, unbounded number line estimation should also be associated with other basic numerical and arithmetic competencies. However, results indicated that children's estimation performance in the bounded but not the unbounded number line estimation task was correlated significantly with numerical and arithmetic competencies. We conclude that unbounded and bounded number line estimation tasks do not assess the same underlying spatial–numerical representation. Rather, the observed association between bounded number line estimation and numerical/arithmetic competencies may be driven by additional numerical processes (e.g., proportion judgement, addition/subtraction) recruited to solve the task.
Consequences of the recurrent MYD88L265P somatic mutation for B cell tolerance
Authors: Wang James Q. , Jeelall Yogesh S. , Beutler Bruce , Horikawa Keisuke , Goodnow Christopher C.
Published: February 2014

MYD88L265P has recently been discovered as an extraordinarily frequent somatic mutation in benign monoclonal IgM gammopathy, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. In this study, we analyze the consequences for antigen-activated primary B cells of acquiring MYD88L265P. The mutation induced rapid B cell division in the absence of exogenous TLR ligands and was inhibited by Unc93b13d mutation and chloroquine or TLR9 deficiency, indicating continued dependence on upstream TLR9 activation. Proliferation and NF-κB activation induced by MYD88L265P were nevertheless rapidly countered by the induction of TNFAIP3, an NF-κB inhibitor frequently inactivated in MYD88L265P–bearing lymphomas, and extinguished by Bim-dependent apoptosis. MYD88L265P caused self-reactive B cells to accumulate in vivo only when apoptosis was opposed by Bcl2 overexpression. These results reveal checkpoints that fortify TLR responses against aberrant B cell proliferation in response to ubiquitous TLR and BCR self-ligands and suggest that tolerance failure requires the accumulation of multiple somatic mutations.
The environmental dependence of u-band luminosity at fixed parameters or for different galaxy families
Authors: Deng Xin-Fa
Published: February 2014

In this work, the apparent-magnitude limited Main galaxy sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 8 (SDSS DR8) is applied to examine the correlation between u-band luminosity and environment at fixed parameters or for different galaxy families. Statistical results show that the abnormal environmental dependence of u-band luminosity for late-type galaxies and Low Stellar Mass (LSM) galaxies is fairly strong in the redshift range 0.03 ≤ z ≤ 0.09, while that for early-type galaxies, High Stellar Mass (HSM) galaxies, red galaxies, and blue galaxies is very weak in nearly all redshift bins. The result of this study further demonstrates that color is indeed fundamental in correlations between galaxy properties and the environment and that much of the u-band luminosity–density relation is likely due to the relation between color and density.
Impact of Rice Flour Cold‐Water‐Soluble Fraction Removal on Gelatinization and Pasting Properties
Authors: Jiao Guiai , Wei Xiangjin , Shao Gaoneng , Xie Lihong , Sheng Zhonghua , Tang Shaoqing , Hu Peisong
Published: February 2014

The influence of the cold‐water‐soluble fraction on gelatinization and pasting properties of rice flour was investigated. The cold‐water‐soluble fraction was removed by water extraction under room temperature. The gelatinization properties of untreated and treated flour were analyzed with a differential scanning calorimeter, and pasting profiles were measured with a rapid viscosity analyzer. The removal of the cold‐water‐soluble fraction resulted in the formation of a loosened starch granule structure, a morphological alteration of protein bodies, a markedly lower gelatinization temperature, and a significantly higher pasting enthalpy. The impact on paste viscosity followed different trends. In some cultivars that had lower endogenous amylase activity, the paste viscosity was greatly reduced by the removal of the cold‐water‐soluble fraction. In others, the higher level of endogenous amylase activity led to more soluble saccharides being released through starch hydrolysis. Removing the soluble fraction caused a remarkable increase in peak viscosity. The overall effect on paste viscosity of removing the cold‐water‐soluble fraction was attributed to multiple factors, involving loosening of the starch granule structure, alteration of morphology of protein bodies, and the release of saccharides by endogenous amylase activity.