bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated solar thermochemical cycles for energy storage and fuel production
Authors: Petrasch Jörg , Klausner James
Published: July 2012

Integrated solar thermochemical cycles comprise a range of promising novel process technologies that use concentrated solar energy to drive endothermic chemical reactions at elevated temperatures. The most promising application is the production of carbon‐neutral fuels, particularly via single or multistep water and CO2 splitting or via the solar thermochemical upgrading of carbonaceous fuels such as biomass, waste, or oil residues. Furthermore, intermediate storage of solar energy in reversible reactions, the so‐called solar thermochemical heat pipes, shows great promise to replace latent heat storage for concentrating solar power generation. Potential niche applications are material processing and material testing. Widespread deployment of solar thermochemical cycles hinges on the development of several key technologies: (i) reaction systems and catalysts able to endure tens of thousands of conversion cycles without significant degradation, (ii) reactors and heat recuperation systems that fully exploit the theoretical potential of solar thermochemical cycles, (iii) industrial‐scale reactor technologies, and (iv) process control technologies that address the inherently transient nature of solar power.

This article is categorized under:

Concentrating Solar Power > Science and Materials
Electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Figueiredo F. M. L. , Marques F. M. B.
Published: July 2012

Solid oxide fuel cells are extremely flexible energy conversion systems able to operate within a broad temperature range (500–1000°C), with a variety of fuels (from hydrogen to liquid fuels), including concepts able to be scaled to deliver power from the milliwatt to the megawatt range. The solid electrolyte, as an ionic charge carrier, is one central component that determines the operational characteristics of the fuel cell system, namely the working temperature. Design of new electrolytes includes manipulation of ionic defects concentration and mobility. Here, particular attention is given to the impact on ionic transport of point defects in various types of structures, dislocations, grain boundaries, and heterostructure interfaces. Properties derived from structural and compositional characteristics, but also from microstructural features, including recent complex engineered thin films, are reviewed. Major families of materials are compared with respect to key performance parameters. Finally, the effects of composition, structure, microstructure, and strain on ionic transport are assessed as complementary tools for future developments in solid electrolyte materials.

This article is categorized under:

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials

Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials
Poor prognosis of KRAS or BRAF mutant colorectal liver metastasis without microsatellite instability
Authors: Umeda Yuzo , Nagasaka Takeshi , Mori Yoshiko , Sadamori Hiroshi , Sun Dong‐Sheng , Shinoura Susumu , Yoshida Ryuich , Satoh Daisuke , Nobuoka Daisuke , Utsumi Masashi , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Yagi Takahito , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: July 2012

Background

The discovery of practical biomarkers is important to realize personalized medicine for patients with malignant neoplasias, including colorectal cancer (CRC).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine reliable prognostic biomarkers by the analysis of patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods

Genomic DNA was obtained from the CRLM tissues of a cohort of 126 patients with CRLM with curative hepatic resection. The KRAS/BRAF mutation spectrum and microsatellite instability (MSI) status were successfully analyzed in 100 of the 126 CRLM tissues and these findings were examined in relation to the patients' clinical outcomes.

Results

The cohort of 100 CRLM patients consisted of 46 with synchronous and 54 with metachronous liver metastasis. Overall survival and disease‐free survival at 5 years were 57.4 and 24.9 %, respectively. MSI analysis revealed that none of the 100 CRLM specimens showed any evidence of MSI. By KRAS/BRAF mutation analysis, the analyzed CRLM patients were divided into 3 groups;KRAS‐mutant (KRAS‐Mt;n = 27), BRAF‐mutant (BRAF‐Mt;n = 3), and wild‐types of both genes (Wild‐type;n = 70). In the survival analysis, both KRAS‐Mt and BRAF‐Mt patients showed significantly poorer prognoses compared with Wild‐type patients. Furthermore, although the population with the BRAF mutation was small, this mutation had a significant negative impact on disease‐free survival.

Conclusions

In this study, all tumors in the cohort of CRLM patients were non‐MSI tumors, suggesting MSI cancer in primary CRC would rarely reveal metastatic potential. KRAS and BRAF mutations are suggested to be poor prognostic factors in CRLM. Genetic information has an essential role as a prognostic marker and could contribute to the decisions on treatment strategy for CRLM.
Young Adults’ Experience of Living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Hummelvoll Grete , Antonsen Kjell Magnus
Published: July 2012

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) may have many psychosocial consequences for affected adults. More knowledge is needed about the experience of psychosocial aspects in different stages of adulthood. This qualitative study aims to describe the experiences and concerns of persons living with NF1 in the early stages of adulthood. In semi‐structured interviews, Norwegian adults with NF1 (n = 15) between 18 and 37 years of age described their experiences and concerns. Interview transcripts were analysed in a both concept and data driven way. Severity of NF1 was assessed from interview data. Our data indicate that many informants have more friends than in childhood, including friends with NF1. An important topic is whether or not to inform others about the NF1 diagnosis . Low self‐confidence is common, often related to early school failure and bullying or to visible neurofibromas. The unpredictable development of NF1 causes much concern. The experience of NF1's impact seems less associated with the assessed severity than with social network, relation to the labour market, and psychological factors.
Estimation of Micellization Parameters of SDS in the Presence of Some Electrolytes for Emulsion Polymerization Systems
Authors: Naderi Miqan Saeed , Farshchi Tabrizi Farshad , Abedini Hossein , Atashy Kashi Hossein
Published: July 2012

The critical micelle concentration and the effective degree of dissociation of micelles (α) of sodium dodecyl sulfate, which is the most extensively used surfactant in emulsion polymerization systems, were determined in the presence of various amounts of sodium carbonate and potassium persulfate, and some monomers, such as methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and styrene by means of the conductometric procedure at 25 °C. In addition, the other micellization parameters, such as aggregation number and number of counter‐ions per micelle, were computed directly from the obtained conductivity measurements data. The effect of the combination of sodium carbonate and potassium persulfate, on the critical micelle concentration of the sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions was studied at 60 °C (emulsion reaction temperature). The empirical formulations derived provide an easy way to estimate the critical micelle concentration and the effective degree of dissociation of micelles of a system at a given electrolyte and monomer concentration.
Free Fatty Acid Derivative HUHS2002 Potentiates α7 ACh Receptor Responses Through Indirect Activation of CaMKII
Authors: Kanno Takeshi , Shimizu Tadashi , Tanaka Akito , Nishimoto Takaaki , Nishizaki Tomoyuki
Published: July 2012

The present study examined the effect of 4‐[4‐(Z)‐hept‐1‐enyl‐phenoxy] butyric acid (HUHS2002), a free fatty acid derivative, on α7 acetylcholine (ACh) receptor responses. HUHS2002 potentiated whole‐cell membrane currents through α7 ACh receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes in a concentration (1–100 nM)‐dependent manner, reaching about 140 % of the original amplitude at 100 nM 50 min after a 10‐min treatment. The HUHS2002 effect was prevented by KN‐93, an inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), while it was not affected by GF109203X, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), or H‐89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA). In the in situ CaMKII assay using cultured rat hippocampal neurons, HUHS2002 activated CaMKII and the activation was abolished by KN‐93. In the cell‐free assay of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), HUHS2002 partially inhibited PP1 activity. Taken together, these results indicate that HUHS2002 potentiates α7 ACh receptor responses by indirectly activating CaMKII, possibly via inhibition of PP1.
The glucose‐6‐phosphate transport is not mediated by a glucose‐6‐phosphate/phosphate exchange in liver microsomes
Authors: Marcolongo Paola , Fulceri Rosella , Giunti Roberta , Margittai Eva , Banhegyi Gabor , Benedetti Angelo
Published: July 2012

A phosphate‐linked antiporter activity of the glucose‐6‐phosphate transporter (G6PT) has been recently described in liposomes including the reconstituded transporter protein. We directly investigated the mechanism of glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P) transport in rat liver microsomal vesicles. Pre‐loading with inorganic phosphate (Pi) did not stimulate G6P or Pi microsomal inward transport. Pi efflux from pre‐loaded microsomes could not be enhanced by G6P or Pi addition. Rapid G6P or Pi influx was registered by light‐scattering in microsomes not containing G6P or Pi. The G6PT inhibitor, S3483, blocked G6P transport irrespectively of experimental conditions. We conclude that hepatic G6PT functions as an uniporter.
Severe maternal morbidity due to abortion prospectively identified in a surveillance network in Brazil
Authors: Santana Danielly S. , Cecatti José G. , Parpinelli Mary A. , Haddad Samira M. , Costa Maria L. , Sousa Maria H. , Souza João P. , Camargo Rodrigo S. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Surita Fernanda G. , Pinto e Silva João L.
Published: July 2012

Objective

To evaluate the occurrence of severe maternal complications associated with abortion in Brazil.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional multicenter study, prospective surveillance was done for cases of potentially life‐threatening conditions (PLTC), maternal near miss (MNM), and maternal death (MD) among 9555 women with obstetric complications between June 2009 and May 2010. Abortion was evaluated as a cause, and sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, safety conditions where the abortion was performed, and the medical procedures used were also assessed. Prevalence ratios adjusted for the cluster effect of the design were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with greater severity.

Results

For 237 women (2.5%), abortion resulted in severe complications including PLTC (81.9%), MNM (15.2%), and MD (3%). When abortion was unsafe, infectious causes were more common for PLTC, whereas management criteria were more important for MNM and MD. In multivariate analysis, the presence of previous maternal conditions (sickle cell disease, low weight, neoplasm), being transferred or referred, previous uterine scar, and delays were associated with greater severity.

Conclusion

Abortion was responsible for only a small percentage of the complications associated with pregnancy; however, the risk of abortion‐related complications progressing unfavorably was higher.
LCP for Microwave Packages and Modules
Authors: Pham Anh-Vu H. , Chen Morgan J. , Aihara Kunia
Published: July 2012

A comprehensive overview of electrical design using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), giving you everything you need to know to get up-to-speed on the subject. This text describes successful design and development techniques for high-performance microwave and millimeter-wave packages and modules in an organic platform. These were specifically developed to make the most of LCP's inert, hermetic, low-cost, high-frequency (DC to 110+ GHz) properties. First-hand accounts show you how to avoid various pitfalls during design and development. You'll get extensive electrical design details in areas of broadband circuit design for low-loss interconnects, couplers, splitters/combiners, baluns, phase shifters, time-delay units (TDU), power amplifier (PA) modules, receiver modules, phased-array antennas, flexible electronics, surface mounted packages, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and reliability. Ideal for engineers in the fields of RF, microwave, signal integrity, advanced packaging, material science, optical and biomedical engineering.
The Physical Nature of Christian Life
Authors: Brown Warren S. , Strawn Brad D.
Published: July 2012

This book explores the implications of recent insights in modern neuroscience for the church's view of spiritual formation. Science suggests that functions of the brain and body in collaboration with social experience, rather than a disembodied soul, provide physical basis for the mental capacities, interpersonal relations, and religious experiences of human beings. The realization that human beings are wholly physical, but with unique mental, relational and spiritual capacities, challenges traditional views of Christian life as defined by the care of souls, a view that leads to inwardness and individuality. Psychology and neuroscience suggest the importance of developmental openness, attachment, imitation and stories as tools in spiritual formation. Accordingly, the idea that care of embodied persons should be fundamentally social and communal sets new priorities for encouraging spiritual growth and building congregations.
Democratization and Research Methods
Authors: Coppedge Michael
Published: July 2012

Democratization and Research Methods is a coherent survey and critique of both democratization research and the methodology of comparative politics. The two themes enhance each other: the democratization literature illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of various methodological approaches, and the critique of methods makes sense of the vast and bewildering democratization field. Michael Coppedge argues that each of the three main approaches in comparative politics - case studies and comparative histories, formal modeling and large-sample statistical analysis - accomplishes one fundamental research goal relatively well: 'thickness', integration and generalization, respectively. Throughout the book, comprehensive surveys of democratization research demonstrate that each approach accomplishes one of these goals well but the other two poorly. Chapters cover conceptualization and measurement, case studies and comparative histories, formal models and theories, political culture and survey research, and quantitative testing. The final chapter summarizes the state of knowledge about democratization and lays out an agenda for multi-method research.
From Colony to Nationhood in Mexico
Authors: McEnroe Sean F.
Published: July 2012

In an age of revolution, Mexico's creole leaders held aloft the Virgin of Guadalupe and brandished an Aztec eagle perched upon a European tricolor. Their new constitution proclaimed 'the Mexican nation is forever free and independent'. Yet the genealogy of this new nation is not easy to trace. Colonial Mexico was a patchwork state whose new-world vassals served the crown, extended the empire's frontiers and lived out their civic lives in parallel Spanish and Indian republics. Theirs was a world of complex intercultural alliances, interlocking corporate structures and shared spiritual and temporal ambitions. Sean F. McEnroe describes this history at the greatest and smallest geographical scales, reconsidering what it meant to be an Indian vassal, nobleman, soldier or citizen over three centuries in northeastern Mexico. He argues that the Mexican municipality, state and citizen were not so much the sudden creations of a revolutionary age as the progeny of a mature multiethnic empire.
Description of Sarcocystis turdusi sp. nov. from the common blackbird (Turdus merula)
Authors: KUTKIENĖ L. , PRAKAS P. , BUTKAUSKAS D. , SRUOGA A.
Published: July 2012

Cysts of Sarcocystis species were found in 24 of 44 (54·5%) examined blackbirds (Turdus merula). Under the light microscope, only 1 morphological type of cyst was found in all birds investigated. Ribbon-shaped cysts were long (the largest fragment found amounted to 7 mm) and of different thickness (25–206 μm). A cyst wall reached up to 3·5 μm and had finger-like protrusions. Under the transmission electron microscope, a single cyst isolated from 1 blackbird was studied. The cyst wall was 2·5–4·4 μm thick, had club- or irregularly-shaped and sometimes branched protrusions that differed in size. The content of cysts was divided into large chambers by septa. Orange segment-shaped cystozoites were 6·2 × 1·4 (5·5–7·2 × 1·2–1·5) μm. This type of cyst wall has never been described in Sarcocystis species isolated from birds, thus far. The results of 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS–1 region sequences showed that S. turdusi was most closely related to S. columbae, S. calchasi, S. wobeseri, S. cornixi and Sarcocystis sp. ex Accipiter nisus parasitizing birds. Phylogenetic results suggest that predatory birds are the most probable definitive hosts of S. turdusi.
Time-series analysis of hepatitis A, B, C and E infections in a large Chinese city: application to prediction analysis
Authors: SUMI A. , LUO T. , ZHOU D. , YU B. , KONG D. , KOBAYASHI N.
Published: July 2012

Viral hepatitis is recognized as one of the most frequently reported diseases, and especially in China, acute and chronic liver disease due to viral hepatitis has been a major public health problem. The present study aimed to analyse and predict surveillance data of infections of hepatitis A, B, C and E in Wuhan, China, by the method of time-series analysis (MemCalc, Suwa-Trast, Japan). On the basis of spectral analysis, fundamental modes explaining the underlying variation of the data for the years 2004–2008 were assigned. The model was calculated using the fundamental modes and the underlying variation of the data reproduced well. An extension of the model to the year 2009 could predict the data quantitatively. Our study suggests that the present method will allow us to model the temporal pattern of epidemics of viral hepatitis much more effectively than using the artificial neural network, which has been used previously.
Incidence and clinical relevance of primary congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries in children and adults
Authors: Tuo Giulia , Marasini Maurizio , Brunelli Claudio , Zannini Lucio , Balbi Manrico
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To describe our experience in the management of coronary artery anomalies both in an adult and in a paediatric population and to compare the two groups for finding out differences in terms of angiographic incidence and treatment.

Patients and methods

Databases at the Department of Cardiology of San Martino Adult's Hospital and of Gaslini Children's Hospital were searched for all patients with a diagnosis of coronary artery anomaly who underwent coronary angiography between 1994 and 2006.

Results

Coronary anomalies were diagnosed in 76 (1%) adult patients. Anomalous left circumflex artery was the commonest coronary anomaly (25%). Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery and myocardial bridges were the only anomalies responsible for angina-like symptoms. No patients except the one with anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery needed surgical intervention. In the paediatric population, we found 28 (0.9%) patients with coronary anomalies. Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery was the most common anomaly (48%) and always required emergency surgical treatment; in addition there were two patients with stenosis of the left main coronary artery.

Conclusion

Coronary artery anomalies may be associated with very acute, even life-threatening symptoms in children, whereas they are usually clinically silent and detected by accident on coronary angiography in adults. Recognition of coronary artery anomalies enables early treatment or close follow-up in children, whereas it could be useful in case of cardiac surgery in adults.
Persönlichkeit und Gesundheit
Authors: Maas Heike , Spinath Frank M.
Published: July 2012

Zusammenfassung. Gesundheitsbewusstes Verhalten (wie z.B. Sport, Ernährung, Verzicht auf Tabakkonsum) leistet einen bedeutsamen Beitrag zu Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden. Trotz des gut dokumentierten Nutzens verhält sich ein Großteil der Bevölkerung in den westlichen Industrienationen weniger gesundheitsbewusst als dies vorteilhaft wäre. Warum aber unterscheiden sich Personen in Lebensstil und Gesundheitsverhalten? Welchen Einfluss hat Persönlichkeit auf Gesundheit und inwiefern wird dieser Zusammenhang durch Gesundheitsverhalten vermittelt? Im Rahmen der Zwillingsstudie zu Persönlichkeit und Wohlbefinden (TwinPaW; Twin Study on Personality and Well-being; Spinath & Wolf, 2006 ) wurden Persönlichkeit, Gesundheit und das Gesundheitsverhalten von 302 ein- und zweieiigen Zwillingspaaren mittels Fragebogenverfahren detailliert erfasst. Mithilfe von Mediatoranalysen sowie uni- und multivariaten verhaltensgenetischen Analysen wurden Annahmen aus zwei theoretischen Modellen, dem Health Behavior Modell und dem Constitutional Predisposition Modell geprüft. Beide Modelle erheben den Anspruch, Mechanismen, die dem Zusammenhang von Persönlichkeit und Gesundheit zugrundeliegen, zu erklären. In Übereinstimmung mit dem Health Behavior Modell zeigte sich, dass Gesundheitsverhalten in gewissem Ausmaß den Zusammenhang zwischen Persönlichkeit und Gesundheit vermittelt. Entgegen den Annahmen des Constitutional Predisposition Modells spielte in den verhaltensgenetischen Analysen genetische Kovarianz für den Zusammenhang von Persönlichkeit und Gesundheit keine Rolle.
Quenching molecular photodissociation by intermolecular Coulombic decay
Authors: Kopelke S. , Chiang Y.-C. , Gokhberg K. , Cederbaum L. S.
Published: July 2012

In this paper we study the impact of interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) on molecular photodissociation. The investigation reveals the hitherto unrecognized ability of ICD to quench processes involving nuclear rearrangements. Numerical computations of the nuclear dynamics, initiated by photoexciting the B1Σ+ Rydberg state of CO in CO·Mg complexes, are carried out. The efficiencies of ICD and photoinduced predissociation are compared for the four lowest vibrational levels of the corresponding electronic state. We also show the impact of CO vibrations on the ICD electron spectrum. Finally, we discuss the growing efficiency of ICD to quench the dissociation as the number of neighboring Mg atoms is increased.
On the design of experiments for determining ternary mixture free energies from static light scattering data using a nonlinear partial differential equation
Authors: Wahle Chris W. , Ross David S. , Thurston George M.
Published: July 2012

We mathematically design sets of static light scattering experiments to provide for model-independent measurements of ternary liquid mixing free energies to a desired level of accuracy. A parabolic partial differential equation (PDE), linearized from the full nonlinear PDE [D. Ross, G. Thurston, and C. Lutzer, J. Chem. Phys. 129, 064106 (2008)10.1063/1.2937902], describes how data noise affects the free energies to be inferred. The linearized PDE creates a net of spacelike characteristic curves and orthogonal, timelike curves in the composition triangle, and this net governs diffusion of information coming from light scattering measurements to the free energy. Free energy perturbations induced by a light scattering perturbation diffuse along the characteristic curves and towards their concave sides, with a diffusivity that is proportional to the local characteristic curvature radius. Consequently, static light scattering can determine mixing free energies in regions with convex characteristic curve boundaries, given suitable boundary data. The dielectric coefficient is a Lyapunov function for the dynamical system whose trajectories are PDE characteristics. Information diffusion is heterogeneous and system-dependent in the composition triangle, since the characteristics depend on molecular interactions and are tangent to liquid-liquid phase separation coexistence loci at critical points. We find scaling relations that link free energy accuracy, total measurement time, the number of samples, and the interpolation method, and identify the key quantitative tradeoffs between devoting time to measuring more samples, or fewer samples more accurately. For each total measurement time there are optimal sample numbers beyond which more will not improve free energy accuracy. We estimate the degree to which many-point interpolation and optimized measurement concentrations can improve accuracy and save time. For a modest light scattering setup, a sample calculation shows that less than two minutes of measurement time is, in principle, sufficient to determine the dimensionless mixing free energy of a non-associating ternary mixture to within an integrated error norm of 0.003. These findings establish a quantitative framework for designing light scattering experiments to determine the Gibbs free energy of ternary liquid mixtures.
Modeling the electron-impact dissociation of methane
Authors: Ziółkowski Marcin , Vikár Anna , Mayes Maricris Lodriguito , Bencsura Ákos , Lendvay György , Schatz George C.
Published: July 2012

The product yield of the electron-impact dissociation of methane has been studied with a combination of three theoretical methods: R-matrix theory to determine the electronically inelastic collisional excitation cross sections, high-level electronic structure methods to determine excited states energies and derivative couplings, and trajectory surface hopping (TSH) calculations to determine branching in the dissociation of the methane excited states to give CH3, CH2, and CH. The calculations involve the lowest 24 excited-state potential surfaces of methane, up to the ionization energy. According to the R-matrix calculations, electron impact preferentially produces triplet excited states, especially for electron kinetic energies close to the dissociation threshold. The potential surfaces of excited states are characterized by numerous avoided and real crossings such that the TSH calculations show rapid cascading down to the lowest excited singlet or triplet states, and then slower the dissociation of these lowest states. Product branching for electron-impact dissociation was therefore estimated by combining the electron-impact excitation cross sections with TSH product branching ratios that were obtained from the lowest singlet and triplet states, with the singlet dissociation giving a comparable formation of CH2 and CH3 while triplet dissociation gives CH3 exclusively. The overall branching in electron-impact dissociation is dominated by CH3 over CH2. A small branching yield for CH is also predicted.
Scaled behavior of interface waves at an imperfect solid-solid interface
Authors: Valier-Brasier Tony , Dehoux Thomas , Audoin Bertrand
Published: July 2012

Laser ultrasonic techniques allow the remote analysis of adhesion mechanisms at imperfect interfaces up to GHz frequencies. However, the sensitivity of interface waves to the properties of the contact is not very well known. In the present work, the mechanical boundary conditions are described considering that the contacting solid half-spaces are connected by tangential and normal springs. Such a modeling implies a discontinuity of the displacement field across the interface. To identify the relative amplitudes of the different types of interface waves—skimming, leaky Rayleigh (LR) and Stoneley (St) waves—a semi-analytical time domain model describing the thermoelastic laser generation is derived. The results illustrate the influence of the boundary conditions on the attenuation of the LR wave and on the existence of the St wave. In addition, a single compact and elegant dispersion equation is presented to investigate the behaviour of the interface waves propagating along a generalized imperfect boundary. Such analysis reveals the existence of a cutoff frequency fc close to which the St wave behaves like a skimming transverse wave. A scaled analysis demonstrates that two master curves suffice to describe the dispersion of LR and St waves and that fc is inversely proportional to the tangential interfacial spring constant.
Micro-textured conductive polymer/silicon heterojunction photovoltaic devices with high efficiency
Authors: Chen Ting-Gang , Huang Bo-Yu , Chen En-Chen , Yu Peichen , Meng Hsin-Fei
Published: July 2012

In this work, hybrid heterojunction solar cells are demonstrated based on a conjugate polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) directly spun-cast on micro-textured n-type crystalline silicon wafers. The fabrication conditions suggest that the organic coverage on the micro-textured surface is excellent and key to achieve high efficiency, leading to an average power conversion efficiency of 9.84%. A one-dimensional drift-diffusion model is then developed based on fitting the device characteristics with experimentally determined PEDOT:PSS parameters and projects an ultimate efficiency above 20% for organic/inorganic hybrid photovoltaics. The simulation results reveal the impacts of defect densities, back surface recombination, doping concentration, and band alignment.
Band gaps and structural properties of graphene halides and their derivates: A hybrid functional study with localized orbital basis sets
Authors: Karlický František , Zbořil Radek , Otyepka Michal
Published: July 2012

Density functional theory calculations of the electronic structure of graphane and stoichiometrically halogenated graphene derivatives (fluorographene and other analogous graphene halides) show: (i) localized orbital basis sets can be successfully and effectively used for such two-dimensional materials; (ii) several functionals predict that the band gap of graphane is greater than that of fluorographene, whereas HSE06 gives the opposite trend; (iii) HSE06 functional predicts quite good values of band gaps with respect to benchmark theoretical and experimental data; (iv) the zero band gap of graphene is opened by hydrogenation and halogenation and strongly depends on the chemical composition of mixed graphene halides; (v) the stability of graphene halides decreases sharply with increasing size of the halogen atom - fluorographene is stable, whereas graphene iodide spontaneously decomposes. In terms of band gap and stability, the C2FBr and C2HBr derivatives seem to be promising materials, e.g., for (opto)electronics applications, because their band gaps are similar to those of conventional semiconductors, and they are expected to be stable under ambient conditions. The results indicate that other fluorinated compounds (CaHbFc and CaFbYc, Y = Cl, Br, I) are stable insulators.
Improved memory characteristics by NH3-nitrided GdO as charge storage layer for nonvolatile memory applications
Authors: Liu L. , Xu J. P. , Ji F. , Chen J. X. , Lai P. T.
Published: July 2012

Charge-trapping memory capacitor with nitrided gadolinium oxide (GdO) as charge storage layer (CSL) is fabricated, and the influence of post-deposition annealing in NH3 on its memory characteristics is investigated. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction are used to analyze the cross-section and interface quality, composition, and crystallinity of the stack gate dielectric, respectively. It is found that nitrogen incorporation can improve the memory window and achieve a good trade-off among the memory properties due to NH3-annealing-induced reasonable distribution profile of a large quantity of deep-level bulk traps created in the nitrided GdO film and reduction of shallow traps near the CSL/SiO2 interface.
Variation of magnetic domain structure during martensite variants rearrangement in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys
Authors: Wang Xingzhe , Li Fang
Published: July 2012

Studies of magnetic domain and anisotropy in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) are crucial for both understanding their ferromagnetism and engineering in applications. The experimental measurements showed that magnetization rotations and domain-wall motions exhibit distinct characteristics in the field-preferred variants and stress-preferred variants of FSMAs [Y. W. Lai, N. Scheerbaum, D. Hinz, O. Gutfleisch, R. Schäfer, L. Schultz, and J. McCord, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 192504 (2007)]. Aiming at characterization of formation and variation of the complex magnetic microstructure in FSMAs, we present an analytical approach based on the energy minimization theory and Boltzmann relation on magnetic domains. The magnetic domain behavior during the martensite variants rearrangement is captured to show a good agreement with the experimental observations.
The relationship between the stability of glass-forming Fe-based liquid alloys and the metalloid-centered clusters
Authors: Zhou S. X. , Dong B. S. , Qin J. Y. , Li D. R. , Pan S. P. , Bian X. F. , Li Z. B.
Published: July 2012

This article considers the roles of metalloids in two typical Fe-based glass former alloys (Fe78Si9B13 and Fe80P11C9) in liquid state by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. It presents that Fe78Si9B13 alloy is mainly composed of B-centered prism-like clusters and bcc-like Fe-Si solid solution, while P-centered antiprism-like and C-centered prism-like clusters dominate in Fe80P11C9 alloy. The different liquid stabilities of the two alloys can be attributed to the different local environments around P and Si atoms and the different avoidance of metalloid atoms. The appearance of supercooled liquid region for metallic glasses has gained a better understanding based on these models.
Colloidal particle-based surface nanotopography with high mechanical stability by thermal fixation for liquid crystal devices
Authors: Chul Park Seung , Na Jun-Hee , Lee Sin-Doo
Published: July 2012

We develop a simple and versatile platform to construct the surface nanotopography of a substrate by thermal fixation of colloidal particles. The micrometer-size particles of polystyrene are dispersed in a random monolayer on a substrate by spin-coating and transformed into hemispherical nanostructures with high mechanical stability under thermal treatment. The experimental results for the structural change of the particles agree well with the calculations in a simple model of the constant-volume. The liquid crystal (LC) alignment on the nanotopographic surface with hemispherical structures is found to increase the symmetry of the electro-optic properties of the LC devices. The colloidal particle-based surface topography with size-scalable nanostructures provides a practical route to the control of interfacial structural orders of the functional molecules on a nanometer-to-micrometer scale.
Damaged DNA induced UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) dimerization and its roles in chromatinized DNA repair
Authors: Yeh Joanne I. , Levine Arthur S. , Du Shoucheng , Chinte Unmesh , Ghodke Harshad , Wang Hong , Shi Haibin , Hsieh Ching L. , Conway James F. , Van Houten Bennett , Rapić-Otrin Vesna
Published: July 2012

UV light-induced photoproducts are recognized and removed by the nucleotide-excision repair (NER) pathway. In humans, the UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) is part of a ubiquitin E3 ligase complex (DDB1-CUL4A
DDB2
) that initiates NER by recognizing damaged chromatin with concomitant ubiquitination of core histones at the lesion. We report the X-ray crystal structure of the human UV-DDB in a complex with damaged DNA and show that the N-terminal domain of DDB2 makes critical contacts with two molecules of DNA, driving N-terminal-domain folding and promoting UV-DDB dimerization. The functional significance of the dimeric UV-DDB [(DDB1-DDB2)
2
], in a complex with damaged DNA, is validated by electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, solution biophysical, and functional analyses. We propose that the binding of UV-damaged DNA results in conformational changes in the N-terminal domain of DDB2, inducing helical folding in the context of the bound DNA and inducing dimerization as a function of nucleotide binding. The temporal and spatial interplay between domain ordering and dimerization provides an elegant molecular rationale for the unprecedented binding affinities and selectivities exhibited by UV-DDB for UV-damaged DNA. Modeling the DDB1-CUL4A
DDB2
complex according to the dimeric UV-DDB-AP24 architecture results in a mechanistically consistent alignment of the E3 ligase bound to a nucleosome harboring damaged DNA. Our findings provide unique structural and conformational insights into the molecular architecture of the DDB1-CUL4A
DDB2
E3 ligase, with significant implications for the regulation and overall organization of the proteins responsible for initiation of NER in the context of chromatin and for the consequent maintenance of genomic integrity.
Direct observation of kinetic traps associated with structural transformations leading to multiple pathways of S-layer assembly
Authors: Shin Seong-Ho , Chung Sungwook , Sanii Babak , Comolli Luis R. , Bertozzi Carolyn R. , De Yoreo James J.
Published: July 2012

The concept of a folding funnel with kinetic traps describes folding of individual proteins. Using in situ Atomic Force Microscopy to investigate S-layer assembly on mica, we show this concept is equally valid during self-assembly of proteins into extended matrices. We find the S-layer-on-mica system possesses a kinetic trap associated with conformational differences between a long-lived transient state and the final stable state. Both ordered tetrameric states emerge from clusters of the monomer phase, however, they then track along two different pathways. One leads directly to the final low-energy state and the other to the kinetic trap. Over time, the trapped state transforms into the stable state. By analyzing the time and temperature dependencies of formation and transformation we find that the energy barriers to formation of the two states differ by only 0.7 kT, but once the high-energy state forms, the barrier to transformation to the low-energy state is 25 kT. Thus the transient state exhibits the characteristics of a kinetic trap in a folding funnel.
Heterotrophic feeding as a newly identified survival strategy of the dinoflagellate
Symbiodinium
Authors: Jeong Hae Jin , Yoo Yeong Du , Kang Nam Seon , Lim An Suk , Seong Kyeong Ah , Lee Sung Yeon , Lee Moo Joon , Lee Kyung Ha , Kim Hyung Seop , Shin Woongghi , Nam Seung Won , Yih Wonho , Lee Kitack
Published: July 2012

Survival of free-living and symbiotic dinoflagellates (
Symbiodinium
spp.) in coral reefs is critical to the maintenance of a healthy coral community. Most coral reefs exist in oligotrophic waters, and their survival strategy in such nutrient-depleted waters remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that two strains of
Symbiodinium
spp. cultured from the environment and acquired from the tissues of the coral
Alveopora japonica
had the ability to feed heterotrophically.
Symbiodinium
spp. fed on heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria (
Synechococcus
spp.), and small microalgae in both nutrient-replete and nutrient-depleted conditions. Cultured free-living
Symbiodinium
spp. displayed no autotrophic growth under nitrogen-depleted conditions, but grew when provided with prey. Our results indicate that
Symbiodinium
spp.’s mixotrophic activity greatly increases their chance of survival and their population growth under nitrogen-depleted conditions, which tend to prevail in coral habitats. In particular, free-living
Symbiodinium
cells acquired considerable nitrogen from algal prey, comparable to or greater than the direct uptake of ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, or urea. In addition, free-living
Symbiodinium
spp. can be a sink for planktonic cyanobacteria (
Synechococcus
spp.) and remove substantial portions of
Synechococcus
populations from coral reef waters. Our discovery of
Symbiodinium
’s feeding alters our conventional views of the survival strategies of photosynthetic
Symbiodinium
and corals.
Quantifying Latent Impacts of an Introduced Piscivore: Pulsed Predatory Inertia of Lake Trout and Decline of Kokanee
Authors: Schoen Erik R. , Beauchamp David A. , Overman Nathanael C.
Published: July 2012

Introduced long‐lived predators often cause significant impacts on their prey, but these impacts can be masked from detection due to high “predatory inertia”: time lags in population growth and dietary ontogeny. We evaluated whether predation by introduced lake trout Salvelinus namaycush could explain the 88% decline in escapement of kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka during 2005–2009 in Lake Chelan, Washington. We quantified the strength and trend of predation impacts with field sampling, a hydroacoustic assessment of kokanee production, and bioenergetics and age‐structured population models of lake trout. Lake trout consumption of kokanee exceeded kokanee production, indicating strong predation impacts at the start of the decline. Fully piscivorous lake trout (>550 mm fork length) were responsible for 83% of this predation. The population model predicted that a pulse of strong stocked cohorts crossed this piscivorous size threshold, causing the biomass of fully piscivorous lake trout to expand by roughly 70–300% during 2004–2009 and driving predation pressure to peak levels. Together, these results suggested that lake trout predation was a large and growing source of kokanee mortality during the decline. Counterintuitively, predation pressure was projected to increase even if the numbers of harvestable lake trout declined, as strong cohorts grew to piscivorous size while succumbing to mortality. Angler catch rates of lake trout declined by 40% during 2004–2007, as was predicted by the population model; this decline in catch masked the rise in predation pressure. This analysis demonstrates the potential for introduced predators exhibiting high predatory inertia to cause strong, latent impacts on prey that would be unexpected based on harvest trends and prior dynamics alone. Forward‐looking monitoring and modeling analyses are clearly advantageous for managers who seek to maintain ecosystems in long‐term “balance” by detecting and reversing incipient changes in predation.
Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) Tags for Marking Small Rainbow Trout
Authors: Leblanc C. A. , Noakes D. L.
Published: July 2012

Being able to individually follow fish <40 mm in length is a challenge for fish research. In the present study we examined whether the use of visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags is suitable for research on first-feeding rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss raised under laboratory conditions. We assessed the effect of tagging and tagging location on the growth and survival of juveniles over a 34-d period. We also documented the retention rate and visibility of the tags under natural light. This study validates the use of VIE tags for 25–40-mm fish under laboratory conditions, using the base of the dorsal fin and upper or lower caudal fin as tagging locations.

Received October 26, 2011; accepted March 30, 2012
A new approach to detect coherent modes using microwave reflectometry
Authors: Estrada T. , Happel T. , Blanco E.
Published: July 2012

A new approach to detect coherent modes using microwave reflectometry is presented. The proposed approach is based on the modulation of the reflecting layer in the poloidal direction due to the presence of rotating coherent MHD modes. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated, using either conventional or Doppler reflectometry, in plasmas with a high background turbulence level where the standard analysis method fails.
The Contribution of Genetic Modification to Changes in Corn Yield in the United States
Authors: Nolan Elizabeth , Santos Paulo
Published: July 2012

We use a large, rich dataset compiled from results of university extension trials to estimate the contribution of genetic modification (GM) to changes in corn yield in the United States from timeA to timeB. Through repeated experimental trials, we obtain consistent estimates of the effect of these traits by using both the Hausman‐Taylor estimator and a comparison of fixed effects estimates analogous to the agronomic practice of comparing near‐isolines. Our results suggest that GM traits had a positive impact on yield, but that gains associated with combining several GM traits in one hybrid are not necessarily additive.
MolBioLib: a C++11 framework for rapid development and deployment of bioinformatics tasks
Authors: Ohsumi Toshiro K. , Borowsky Mark L.
Published: July 2012

Summary: We developed MolBioLib to address the need for adaptable next-generation sequencing analysis tools. The result is a compact, portable and extensively tested C++11 software framework and set of applications tailored to the demands of next-generation sequencing data and applicable to many other applications. MolBioLib is designed to work with common file formats and data types used both in genomic analysis and general data analysis. A central relational-database-like Table class is a flexible and powerful object to intuitively represent and work with a wide variety of tabular datasets, ranging from alignment data to annotations. MolBioLib has been used to identify causative single-nucleotide polymorphisms in whole genome sequencing, detect balanced chromosomal rearrangements and compute enrichment of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) on microtubules, typically requiring applications of under 200 lines of code. MolBioLib includes programs to perform a wide variety of analysis tasks, such as computing read coverage, annotating genomic intervals and novel peak calling with a wavelet algorithm. Although MolBioLib was designed primarily for bioinformatics purposes, much of its functionality is applicable to a wide range of problems. Complete documentation and an extensive automated test suite are provided.

Availability: MolBioLib is available for download at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/molbiolib

Contact: ohsumit@molbio.mgh.harvard.edu
RETINAL SURGERY–INDUCED TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
Authors: Jacobs-El Naima B. , Shaikh Saad
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

To report a case of trigeminal neuralgia after retinal surgery in a 72-year-old man.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 72-year-old man developed severe postoperative pain after undergoing vitrectomy and endolaser therapy. The pain responded to neuroleptic medications once a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia was made.

Conclusion:

The authors report a case of trigeminal neuralgia developed after vitreoretinal surgery. Clinicians should consider trigeminal neuralgia in the differential diagnosis of atypical pain after retinal surgery.