bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuosu Yi
Authors: Edmondson Jerold A. , Esling John H. , Ziwo (拉玛兹偓) LAMA
Published: March 2016

The Nuosu (Nosu) Yi language, or Northern Yi (北部彝语), is spoken by approximately two million people in southern Sichuan Province and northern Yunnan Province, China, the majority of whom are monolingual. Yi is a member of the Yi Branch of the Lolo-Burmese subgroup of the Tibeto-Burman family (Benedict 1972/2009, Bradley 1979), which includes some 50 languages, also called the Nisoic languages (Lama 2012) or Ngwi Group. The large (5 million) ethnic Yi nationality groups of Yunnan Province are distantly related. The third author, Lama Ziwo, who was 31 at the time of recording, produced, translated and transcribed the recorded audio data phonemically and participated in the laryngoscopic filming of the video data. He is a native speaker of the Suondip/Suondi dialect, and a fluent speaker of the Shypnra/Shengza dialect. It is the Shypnra/Shengza standard dialect that is being represented in this paper. The most distinguishing phonetic feature of Northern Yi is its systematic vocal register contrast (Matisoff 1972, Dai 1990) between two settings of the laryngeal constrictor mechanism, which are referred to as a lax (unconstricted) series and a tense (constricted) series (Edmondson et al. 2000, 2001). The contrast is realized as a distinction in resonance (spectral quality) rather than as contrasting phonation types as in some other forms of Yi or in other Tibeto-Burman languages (e.g. Bai). The consonantal inventory is large, with complex vocalic interactions, including interactions with two pairs of fricativized vowels. Northern Yi has 43 initial consonants, five pairs of vowels (or syllable rhymes), and three tones: 55, 33, and 21. Relevant reports on voice quality in related languages can be found in Maddieson & Ladefoged (1985) and Sun & Liu (1986).
First language attrition
Authors: Schmid Monika S.
Published: March 2016

This statement opens the first collection of papers that specifically consider the deterioration of linguistic knowledge among bilinguals (Lambert & Freed 1982: see timeline), a field which in one of the papers in the volume is referred to as being in an ‘antenatal’ state (Berko-Gleason 1982: 22). Thirty years down the line it is still a fact that far less is known about the loss or attrition of language skills than about their acquisition.
TASK REPETITION AND SECOND LANGUAGE SPEECH PROCESSING
Authors: Lambert Craig , Kormos Judit , Minn Danny
Published: March 2016

This study examines the relationship between the repetition of oral monologue tasks and immediate gains in L2 fluency. It considers the effect of aural-oral task repetition on speech rate, frequency of clause-final and midclause filled pauses, and overt self-repairs across different task types and proficiency levels and relates these findings to specific stages of L2 speech production (conceptualization, formulation, and monitoring). Thirty-two Japanese learners of English sampled at three levels of proficiency completed three oral communication tasks (instruction, narration, and opinion) six times. Results revealed that immediate aural-oral same task repetition was related to gains in oral fluency regardless of proficiency level or task type. Overall gains in speech rate were the largest across the first three performances of each task type but continued until the fifth performance. More specifically, however, clause-final pauses decreased until the second performance, midclause pauses decreased up to the fourth, and self-repairs decreased only after the fourth performance, indicating that task repetition may have been differentially related to specific stages in the speech production process.
Bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands volcanic arc
Authors: Leat Philip T. , Fretwell Peter T. , Tate Alex J. , Larter Robert D. , Martin Tara J. , Smellie John L. , Jokat Wilfried , Bohrmann Gerhard
Published: March 2016

The South Sandwich Islands and associated seamounts constitute the volcanic arc of an active subduction system situated in the South Atlantic. We introduce a map of the bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands and the associated East Scotia Ridge back-arc spreading centre that consists of two sides: side 1, a regional overview of the volcanic arc, trench and back-arc, and side 2, detailed maps of the individual islands. Side 1 displays the bathymetry at scale 1:750 000 of the intra-oceanic, largely submarine South Sandwich arc, the back-arc system and other tectonic boundaries of the subduction system. Satellite images of the islands on side 2 are at scales of 1:50 000 and 1:25 000 with contours and main volcanological features indicated. These maps are the first detailed topological and bathymetric maps of the area. The islands are entirely volcanic in origin, and most have been volcanically or fumarolically active in historic times. Many of the islands are ice-covered, and the map forms a baseline for future glaciological changes caused by volcanic activities and climate change. The back-arc spreading centre consists of nine segments, most of which have rift-like morphologies.
Acceptance and Body Dissatisfaction: Examining the Efficacy of a Brief Acceptance Based Intervention for Body Dissatisfaction in College Women
Authors: Margolis Susan E. , Orsillo Susan M.
Published: March 2016

Background: Body dissatisfaction among college women is concerning given its high prevalence and associated negative consequences. While cognitive-behavioral approaches to reducing body dissatisfaction have considerable support, it may be beneficial to target the problematic relationship that some individuals have with their internal experiences. Aims: To examine the relative efficacy of an acceptance-based compared to a cognitive restructuring approach to targeting body dissatisfaction. Method: College women were randomly assigned to an acceptance (n = 21), cognitive restructuring (n = 21) or a neutral comparison condition (n = 24). Participants completed a body dissatisfaction challenge postintervention and their dissatisfaction, distress about body-related thoughts and emotions, and the extent they felt defined by their outward appearance were measured. Results: Both approaches provided a protective effect against decreases in body satisfaction and related feelings. Conclusion: Acceptance and CBT approaches to treating body dissatisfaction are worthy of future investigation.
Pre-R Dentalisation in Scotland
Authors: MAGUIRE WARREN
Published: March 2016

Pre-R Dentalisation (PreRD), the dental pronunciation of /t/ and /d/ before /r/ and /ər/, is a well-known feature of English varieties throughout Ireland. PreRD is often accompanied by an /r/-Realisation Effect (RRE), whereby /r/ is pronounced as a tap after the dentalised consonant, and a Morpheme Boundary Constraint (MBC), such that PreRD is blocked by Class 2 morpheme boundaries. Although an Irish origin for PreRD has been suggested, the presence of PreRD, the RRE and the MBC in northern English dialects in a form nearly identical to what is found in Ireland suggests that the origins of PreRD lie instead in English in Britain. The possible existence of PreRD in Scotland is suspected, but definitive evidence for PreRD, the RRE and the MBC there has never been published. In this article, I provide the first detailed analysis of these features in Scotland, using unpublished data collected as part of theLinguistic Survey of Scotland. It will be seen that there is substantial evidence for PreRD, the RRE and the MBC in Scots dialects. The presence of these features in Scotland has important consequences for their history in Britain, and confirms the British origin of PreRD in Ireland.
Interior Department Shelves Oil and Gas Lease off Atlantic Coast
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: March 2016

The administration moves forward with offshore plans for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, but its removal of an Atlantic lease sale sparks sharp responses from industry.
Targeting dendritic cells: a promising strategy to improve vaccine effectiveness
Authors: Macri Christophe , Dumont Claire , Johnston Angus PR , Mintern Justine D
Published: March 2016

Dendritic cell (DC) targeting is a novel strategy to enhance vaccination efficacy. This approach is based on the in situ delivery of antigen via antibodies that are specific for endocytic receptors expressed at the surface of DCs. Here we review the complexity of the DC subsets and the antigen presentation pathways that need to be considered in the settings of DC targeting. We also summarize current knowledge about antigen delivery to DCs via DEC‐205, Clec9A and Clec12A, receptor targets that strongly enhance cellular and humoral immune responses. Finally, we discuss the intracellular trafficking criteria of the targeted receptors that may impact their effectiveness as DC targets.
Human adaptation and population differentiation in the light of ancient genomes
Authors: Key Felix M. , Fu Qiaomei , Romagné Frédéric , Lachmann Michael , Andrés Aida M.
Published: March 2016

The influence of positive selection sweeps in human evolution is increasingly debated, although our ability to detect them is hampered by inherent uncertainties in the timing of past events. Ancient genomes provide snapshots of allele frequencies in the past and can help address this question. We combine modern and ancient genomic data in a simple statistic (DAnc) to time allele frequency changes, and investigate the role of drift and adaptation in population differentiation. Only 30% of the most strongly differentiated alleles between Africans and Eurasians changed in frequency during the colonization of Eurasia, but in Europe these alleles are enriched in genic and putatively functional alleles to an extent only compatible with local adaptation. Adaptive alleles—especially those associated with pigmentation—are mostly of hunter-gatherer origin, although lactose persistence arose in a haplotype present in farmers. These results provide evidence for a role of local adaptation in human population differentiation.
Cross-modal representations of first-hand and vicarious pain, disgust and fairness in insular and cingulate cortex
Authors: Corradi-Dell’Acqua Corrado , Tusche Anita , Vuilleumier Patrik , Singer Tania
Published: March 2016

The anterior insula (AI) and mid-anterior cingulate cortex (mACC) have repeatedly been implicated in first-hand and vicarious experiences of pain, disgust and unfairness. However, it is debated whether these regions process different aversive events through a common modality-independent code, reflecting the shared unpleasantness of the experiences or through independent modality-specific representations. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we subjected 19 participants (and 19 confederates) to equally unpleasant painful and disgusting stimulations, as well as unfair monetary treatments. Multivoxel pattern analysis identified modality-independent activation maps in the left AI and mACC, pointing to common coding of affective unpleasantness, but also response patterns specific for the events’ sensory properties and the person to whom it was addressed, particularly in the right AI. Our results provide evidence of both functional specialization and integration within AI and mACC, and support a comprehensive role of this network in processing aversive experiences for self and others.
Lithium-coated polymeric matrix as a minimum volume-change and dendrite-free lithium metal anode
Authors: Liu Yayuan , Lin Dingchang , Liang Zheng , Zhao Jie , Yan Kai , Cui Yi
Published: March 2016

Lithium metal is the ideal anode for the next generation of high-energy-density batteries. Nevertheless, dendrite growth, side reactions and infinite relative volume change have prevented it from practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a promising metallic lithium anode design by infusing molten lithium into a polymeric matrix. The electrospun polyimide employed is stable against highly reactive molten lithium and, via a conformal layer of zinc oxide coating to render the surface lithiophilic, molten lithium can be drawn into the matrix, affording a nano-porous lithium electrode. Importantly, the polymeric backbone enables uniform lithium stripping/plating, which successfully confines lithium within the matrix, realizing minimum volume change and effective dendrite suppression. The porous electrode reduces the effective current density; thus, flat voltage profiles and stable cycling of more than 100 cycles is achieved even at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2 in both carbonate and ether electrolyte. The advantages of the porous, polymeric matrix provide important insights into the design principles of lithium metal anodes.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a tool to predict chemical activity on mammalian development and identify mechanisms influencing toxicological outcome
Authors: Harlow Philippa H. , Perry Simon J. , Widdison Stephanie , Daniels Shannon , Bondo Eddie , Lamberth Clemens , Currie Richard A. , Flemming Anthony J.
Published: March 2016

To determine whether a C. elegans bioassay could predict mammalian developmental activity, we selected diverse compounds known and known not to elicit such activity and measured their effect on C. elegans egg viability. 89% of compounds that reduced C. elegans egg viability also had mammalian developmental activity. Conversely only 25% of compounds found not to reduce egg viability in C. elegans were also inactive in mammals. We conclude that the C. elegans egg viability assay is an accurate positive predictor, but an inaccurate negative predictor, of mammalian developmental activity. We then evaluated C. elegans as a tool to identify mechanisms affecting toxicological outcomes among related compounds. The difference in developmental activity of structurally related fungicides in C. elegans correlated with their rate of metabolism. Knockdown of the cytochrome P450s cyp-35A3 and cyp-35A4 increased the toxicity to C. elegans of the least developmentally active compounds to the level of the most developmentally active. This indicated that these P450s were involved in the greater rate of metabolism of the less toxic of these compounds. We conclude that C. elegans based approaches can predict mammalian developmental activity and can yield plausible hypotheses for factors affecting the biological potency of compounds in mammals.
Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients in the Hand or Forearm Vein: A Randomised Trial
Authors: Tan Peng Chiong , Mackeen Anjana , Khong Su Yen , Omar Siti Zawiah , Azmi M. A. Noor
Published: March 2016

A peripheral intravenous catheter is often inserted as part of care during labour. The catheter is inserted into the back of the hand or lower forearm vein in usual practice. There is no trial data to guide the care provider on which is the better insertion site in any clinical setting. 307 women admitted to the labour ward who required insertion of intravenous catheter were randomised to back of hand or lower forearm vein catheter insertion. Catheter insertion is by junior to mid-grade providers. We evaluated insertion success at the first attempt, pain during insertion and catheter replacement due to malfunction as main outcomes. After catheter removal, we recorded patient satisfaction with site, future site preference and insertion site swelling, bruising, tenderness, vein thrombosis and pain. Insertion of a catheter into back of hand vein is more likely to be successful at the first attempt. Insertion pain score, catheter replacement rate, patient satisfaction, patient fidelity to site in a future insertion and insertion site complications rate are not different between trial arms. In conclusion, both insertion sites are suitable; the back of the hand vein maybe easier to cannulate and seems to be preferred by our frontline providers.
Effects of Microporosity and Surface Chemistry on Separation Performances of N-Containing Pitch-Based Activated Carbons for CO2/N2 Binary Mixture
Authors: Lee Min-Sang , Park Mira , Kim Hak Yong , Park Soo-Jin
Published: March 2016

In this study, N-containing pitch-based activated carbons (NPCs) were prepared using petroleum pitch with a low softening point and melamine with a high nitrogen content. The major advantage of the preparation method is that it enables variations in chemical structures and textural properties by steam activation at high temperatures. The adequate micropore structures, appropriate chemical modifications, and high adsorption enthalpies of NPCs are favorable for CO2 adsorption onto carbon surfaces. Furthermore, the structure generates a considerable gas/N-containing carbon interfacial area, and provides selective access to CO2 molecules over N2 molecules by offering an increased number of active sites on the carbon surfaces. The highest CO2/N2 selectivity, i.e., 47.5, and CO2 adsorption capacity for a CO2/N2 (0.15:0.85) binary gas mixture, i.e., 5.30 wt%, were attained at 298 K. The NPCs also gave reversible and durable CO2-capturing performances. All the results suggest that NPCs are promising CO2 sorbents, which can meet the challenges of current CO2 capture and separation techniques.
Electrosensitization assists cell ablation by nanosecond pulsed electric field in 3D cultures
Authors: Muratori Claudia , Pakhomov Andrei G. , Xiao Shu , Pakhomova Olga N.
Published: March 2016

Previous studies reported a delayed increase of sensitivity to electroporation (termed “electrosensitization”) in mammalian cells that had been subjected to electroporation. Electrosensitization facilitated membrane permeabilization and reduced survival in cell suspensions when the electric pulse treatments were split in fractions. The present study was aimed to visualize the effect of sensitization and establish its utility for cell ablation. We used KLN 205 squamous carcinoma cells embedded in an agarose gel and cell spheroids in Matrigel. A local ablation was created by a train of 200 to 600 of 300-ns pulses (50 Hz, 300–600 V) delivered by a two-needle probe with 1-mm inter-electrode distance. In order to facilitate ablation by engaging electrosensitization, the train was split in two identical fractions applied with a 2- to 480-s interval. At 400–600 V (2.9–4.3 kV/cm), the split-dose treatments increased the ablation volume and cell death up to 2–3-fold compared to single-train treatments. Under the conditions tested, the maximum enhancement of ablation was achieved when two fractions were separated by 100 s. The results suggest that engaging electrosensitization may assist in vivo cancer ablation by reducing the voltage or number of pulses required, or by enabling larger inter-electrode distances without losing the ablation efficiency.
Delocalized Plastic Flow in Proton-Irradiated Monolithic Metallic Glasses
Authors: Heo Jaewon , Kim Sunghwan , Ryu Seunghwa , Jang Dongchan
Published: March 2016

Creating new materials with novel properties through structural modification is the Holy Grail of materials science. The range of targetable structures for amplification of mechanical properties in metallic glasses would include types of atomic short range orders at the smallest scale through compositions or morphologies of phases in composites. Even though the usefulness of the latter approach has been successfully demonstrated in the past decades, the feasibility of the former has been incompletely proved with only marginal property improvements reported within experimentally-accessible atomic-level structural changes. Here, we report the significant enhancement of deformability in Zr-based monolithic metallic glass only through the atomic disordering by proton irradiation without altering any other structural traits. Metallic glass nanopillars that originally failed catastrophically without any notable plasticity become capable of attaining more than 30% uniaxial plastic strain accommodated by homogeneous deformation when irradiated to ~1 displacement per atom (DPA). We discuss the atomistic origin of this improved plasticity in terms of density and spatial distributions of icosahedral short range order influenced by irradiation.
Photo-induced Doping in GaN Epilayers with Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Lin T. N. , Inciong M. R. , Santiago S. R. M. S. , Yeh T. W. , Yang W. Y. , Yuan C. T. , Shen J. L. , Kuo H. C. , Chiu C. H.
Published: March 2016

We demonstrate a new doping scheme where photo-induced carriers from graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can be injected into GaN and greatly enhance photoluminescence (PL) in GaN epilayers. An 8.3-fold enhancement of PL in GaN is observed after the doping. On the basis of time-resolved PL studies, the PL enhancement is attributed to the carrier transfer from GQDs to GaN. Such a carrier transfer process is caused by the work function difference between GQDs and GaN, which is verified by Kelvin probe measurements. We have also observed that photocurrent in GaN can be enhanced by 23-fold due to photo-induced doping with GQDs. The improved optical and transport properties from photo-induced doping are promising for applications in GaN-based optoelectronic devices.
Pt-free carbon-based fuel cell catalyst prepared from spherical polyimide for enhanced oxygen diffusion
Authors: Nabae Yuta , Nagata Shinsuke , Hayakawa Teruaki , Niwa Hideharu , Harada Yoshihisa , Oshima Masaharu , Isoda Ayano , Matsunaga Atsushi , Tanaka Kazuhisa , Aoki Tsutomu
Published: March 2016

The development of a non-precious metal (NPM) fuel cell catalyst is extremely important to achieve globalization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells due to the cost and scarcity of platinum. Here, we report on a NPM cathode catalyst prepared by the pyrolysis of spherical polyimide nanoparticles that contain small amounts of Fe additive. 60 nm diameter Fe-containing polyimide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the precipitation polymerization of pyromellitic acid dianhydride and 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene with Fe(acac)3 (acac = acetylacetonate) as an additive. The particles were subsequently carbonized by multistep pyrolysis to obtain the NPM catalyst while retaining the small particle size. The catalyst has good performance and promising durability for fuel cell applications. The fuel cell performance under a 0.2 MPa air atmosphere at 80 °C of 1.0 A cm−2 at 0.46 V is especially remarkable and better than that previously reported.
Enhanced photovoltaic properties in dye sensitized solar cells by surface treatment of SnO2 photoanodes
Authors: Basu Kaustubh , Benetti Daniele , Zhao Haiguang , Jin Lei , Vetrone Fiorenzo , Vomiero Alberto , Rosei Federico
Published: March 2016

We report the fabrication and testing of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) based on tin oxide (SnO2) particles of average size ~20 nm. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass substrates were treated with TiOx or TiCl4 precursor solutions to create a blocking layer before tape casting the SnO2 mesoporous anode. In addition, SnO2 photoelectrodes were treated with the same precursor solutions to deposit a TiO2 passivating layer covering the SnO2 particles. We found that the modification enhances the short circuit current, open-circuit voltage and fill factor, leading to nearly 2-fold increase in power conversion efficiency, from 1.48% without any treatment, to 2.85% achieved with TiCl4 treatment. The superior photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs assembled with modified photoanode is attributed to enhanced electron lifetime and suppression of electron recombination to the electrolyte, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) carried out under dark condition. These results indicate that modification of the FTO and SnO2 anode by titania can play a major role in maximizing the photo conversion efficiency.
Chiral quantum supercrystals with total dissymmetry of optical response
Authors: Baimuratov Anvar S. , Gun’ko Yurii K. , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. , Rukhlenko Ivan D.
Published: March 2016

Since chiral nanoparticles are much smaller than the optical wavelength, their enantiomers show little difference in the interaction with circularly polarized light. This scale mismatch makes the enhancement of enantioselectivity in optical excitation of nanoobjects a fundamental challenge in modern nanophotonics. Here we demonstrate that a strong dissymmetry of optical response from achiral nanoobjects can be achieved through their arrangement into chiral superstructures with the length scale comparable to the optical wavelength. This concept is illustrated by the example of the simple helix supercrystal made of semiconductor quantum dots. We show that this supercrystal almost fully absorbs light with one circular polarization and does not absorb the other. The giant circular dichroism of the supercrystal comes from the formation of chiral bright excitons, which are the optically active collective excitations of the entire supercrystal. Owing to the recent advances in assembly and self-organization of nanocrystals in large superparticle structures, the proposed principle of enantioselectivity enhancement has great potential of benefiting various chiral and analytical methods, which are used in biophysics, chemistry, and pharmaceutical science.
Habitat constraints and self-thinning shape Mediterranean red coral deep population structure: implications for conservation practice
Authors: Cau Alessandro , Bramanti Lorenzo , Cannas Rita , Follesa Maria Cristina , Angiolillo Michela , Canese Simonepietro , Bo Marzia , Cuccu Danila , Guizien Katell
Published: March 2016

The Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, is one of the most precious corals worldwide. Below 50 m depth, C. rubrum populations are generally characterised by large and sparse colonies, whereas shallow populations (above 50 m depth) show high densities of small colonies. We show here instead that populations dwelling between 80 and 170 m depth exhibited a continuous range of population density (from 2 to 75 colonies per 0.25 m2), with less than 1% of variance explained by water depth. An inverse relationship between maximum population density and mean colony height was found, suggesting that self-thinning processes may shape population structure. Moreover, demographically young populations composed of small and dense colonies dominated along rocky vertical walls, whereas mature populations characterised by large and sparsely distributed colonies were found only in horizontal beds not covered by sediment. We hypothesise that, in the long term, shallow protected populations should resemble to present deep populations, with sparsely distributed large colonies. Since the density of red coral colonies can decay as a result of self-thinning mechanisms, we advise that future protection strategies should be based also on a measure of red coral spatial coverage instead of population density.
Sound Interferes with the Early Tactile Manual Abilities of Preterm Infants
Authors: Lejeune Fleur , Parra Johanna , Berne-Audéoud Frédérique , Marcus Leïla , Barisnikov Koviljka , Gentaz Edouard , Debillon Thierry
Published: March 2016

Premature birth is a sudden change of the sensory environment of a newborn, while their senses are still in development, especially in the stressful and noisy environment of the NICU. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of noise on the early tactile manual abilities of preterm infants (between 29 and 35 weeks PCA). Infants were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions: Silence and Noise. For each condition, two phases were introduced: a habituation phase (repeated presentation of the same object, prism or cylinder), followed by a test phase (presentation of the familiar or a novel object). In the Silence condition, they received the tactile habituation and test phases: In the Noise condition, they went through the same phases, while an alarm sounded. Sixty-three preterm infants were included. They displayed a strong and effective ability to memorize tactile manual information and to detect the difference between two shape features, but this ability seems to be impaired by the concomitant exposure to an alarm sound. This study is the first to highlight the effect of a negative stimulus on sensory functioning in premature infants. It reinforces the importance of developing environmental measures to lower the sound level in NICUs.
Influence of pH, competing ions and salinity on the sorption of strontium and cobalt onto biogenic hydroxyapatite
Authors: Handley-Sidhu Stephanie , Mullan Thomas K. , Grail Quentin , Albadarneh Malek , Ohnuki Toshihiko , Macaskie Lynne E.
Published: March 2016

Anthropogenic radionuclides contaminate a range of environments as a result of nuclear activities, for example, leakage from waste storage tanks/ponds (e.g. Hanford, USA or Sellafield sites, UK) or as a result of large scale nuclear accidents (e.g. Chernobyl, Ukraine or Fukushima, Japan). One of the most widely applied remediation techniques for contaminated waters is the use of sorbent materials (e.g. zeolites and apatites). However, a key problem at nuclear contaminated sites is the remediation of radionuclides from complex chemical environments. In this study, biogenic hydroxyapatite (BHAP) produced by Serratia sp. bacteria was investigated for its potential to remediate surrogate radionuclides (Sr2+ and Co2+) from environmentally relevant waters by varying pH, salinity and the type and concentration of cations present. The sorption capacity of the BHAP for both Sr2+ and Co2+ was higher than for a synthetically produced hydroxyapatite (HAP) in the solutions tested. BHAP also compared favorably against a natural zeolite (as used in industrial decontamination) for Sr2+ and Co2+ uptake from saline waters. Results confirm that hydroxyapatite minerals of high surface area and amorphous calcium phosphate content, typical for biogenic sources, are suitable restoration or reactive barrier materials for the remediation of complex contaminated environments or wastewaters.
On-line monitoring of ozonation through estimation of Ct value, bromate and AOC formation with UV/Vis spectrometry
Authors: Ross P. S. , van der Helm A. W. C. , van den Broeke J. , Rietveld L. C.
Published: March 2016

Direct control of ozonation through on-line monitoring with UV/Vis spectrometry and direct estimation of important parameters.
Nanocomposites with both structural and porous hierarchy synthesized from Pickering emulsions
Authors: Avendano Carlos , Brun Nicolas , Mourad Eléonore , Fontaine Olivier , Sarroste Christine Labrugère , Baccour Mohamed , In Martin , Mehdi Ahmad , Stocco Antonio , Vioux André
Published: March 2016

Templating polycondensation of furfural and phloroglucinol by O/W emulsions stabilized by CNT-carboxymethylcellulose composite particles allowed preparing conductive and magnetic microcapsules.
Realist ontology and natural processes: a semantic tool to analyze the presentation of the osmosis concept in science texts
Authors: Spinelli Barria Michele , Morales Cecilia , Merino Cristian , Quiroz Waldo
Published: March 2016

In this work, we developed an ontological tool, based on the scientific realism of Mario Bunge, for the analysis of the presentation of natural processes in science textbooks. This tool was applied to analyze the presentation of the concept of osmosis in 16 chemistry and biology books at different educational levels. The results showed that more than 50% of the books present the process of osmosis connected just with concentration properties associated with the hydrodynamic state of the osmotic process, forgetting the properties of osmotic pressure to define the state of osmotic equilibrium. This omission creates confusion between the state of osmotic equilibrium with the isotonic state by reducing the entire osmosis process to a mere process of diffusion by differences in concentrations. Moreover, in 4 of the biology textbooks, the presentation of the osmosis concept and osmotic equilibrium in cell system illustrations generates confusion between hydrostatic pressure generated by gravityvs.hydrostatic pressure generated by membrane tension or turgor pressure. Our results show that in most of the texts, the osmotic process is not connected with the non-equilibrium state, macroscopic dynamic state or equilibrium state, whereas in other textbooks, equivalence between these states and hypo–hyper and isotonic states is incorrectly presented.
Rational design of asymmetric red fluorescent probes for live cell imaging with high AIE effects and large two-photon absorption cross sections using tunable terminal groups
Authors: Chang Zheng-Feng , Jing Ling-Min , Chen Bin , Zhang Mengshi , Cai Xiaolei , Liu Jun-Jie , Ye Yan-Chun , Lou Xiaoding , Zhao Zujin , Liu Bin , Wang Jin-Liang , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2016

Donor–acceptor π-conjugated aggregation-induced red emission materials for live cell imaging.
Hybrid 3D structures of ZnO nanoflowers and PdO nanoparticles as a highly selective methanol sensor
Authors: Acharyya D. , Huang K. Y. , Chattopadhyay P. P. , Ho M. S. , Fecht H.-J. , Bhattacharyya P.
Published: March 2016

The present study concerns the enhancement of methanol selectivity of three dimensional (3D) nanoflowers (NFs) of ZnO by dispersing nickel oxide (NiO) and palladium oxide (PdO) nanoparticles on the surface of the nanoflowers to form localized hybrid nano-junctions.
Electrochemical determination of lead based on metal–organic framework MIL-101(Cr) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry
Authors: Wang Yangjuan , Du Kejing , Chen Yifu , Li Yijun , He Xiwen
Published: March 2016

Green octahedral crystals of MIL-101(Cr) were synthesized and used for the determination of Pb2+ at the trace level by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) because of their good adsorption capability for Pb2+.
One-step microwave synthesized core–shell structured selenium@carbon spheres as cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries
Authors: Guo Jing , Wang Qingsong , Qi Chao , Jin Jun , Zhu Yingjie , Wen Zhaoyin
Published: March 2016

The core–shell structure greatly suppressed the shuttle effect of the lithium–selenium battery and the robust carbon shells could remain unbroken even after 100 cycles and flexibly accommodate to the volume change of selenium cores.
Multifunctionalization of C70 at the two polar regions with a high regioselectivity via oxazolination and benzylation reactions
Authors: Li Shu-Hui , Li Zong-Jun , Nakagawa Takafumi , Jeon Il , Ju Zheng , Matsuo Yutaka , Gao Xiang
Published: March 2016

C70 multiadducts with a novel 1,2,3,4,41,56,57,58-configuration were prepared via oxazolination and benzylation reactions.
Thermal-activated nanocarriers for the manipulation of cellular uptake and photothermal therapy on command
Authors: Zhao Jingjing , Zhang Penghui , He Zhimei , Min Qian-Hao , Abdel-Halim E. S. , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: March 2016

The combination of nanomaterials, polymers, and DNA aptamers has yielded smart nanocarriers for NIR-guided cellular uptake and photothermal therapy.
Theoretical rationalisation for the mechanism of N-heterocyclic carbene-halide reductive elimination at CuIII, AgIII and AuIII
Authors: Younesi Yasamin , Nasiri Bahare , BabaAhmadi Rasool , Willans Charlotte E. , Fairlamb Ian J. S. , Ariafard Alireza
Published: March 2016

A dichotomy in carbon versus bromide reductive elimination in CuIII–NHC complexes is rationalized by computational methods (DFT).
A simple method for enhancing the bioorthogonality of cyclooctyne reagent
Authors: Tian He , Sakmar Thomas P. , Huber Thomas
Published: March 2016

The cross-reactivity between some cyclooctynes and thiols limits the bioorthogonality of the strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction.
A mechano- and thermoresponsive luminescent cyclophane
Authors: Sagara Yoshimitsu , Simon Yoan C. , Tamaoki Nobuyuki , Weder Christoph
Published: March 2016

The first mechano- and thermoresponsive luminescent cyclophane is described in this report.
Asymmetric preparation of polysubstituted cyclopentanes by synergistic Pd(0)/amine catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloadditions of vinyl cyclopropanes with enals
Authors: Laugeois Maxime , Ponra Sudipta , Ratovelomanana-Vidal Virginie , Michelet Véronique , Vitale Maxime R.
Published: March 2016

The stereocontrolled [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of vinyl cyclopropanes with enals has been accomplished by merging organocatalysis with palladium(0) catalysis.
Mildly reduced less defective graphene oxide/sulfur/carbon nanotube composite films for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Rui , Zhang Miao , Li Yingru , Chen Ji , Yao Bowen , Yu Mingpeng , Shi Gaoquan
Published: March 2016

Mildly reduced less defective graphene oxide (mrLGO) has a good conductivity and a high content of oxygenated groups, providing the freestanding mrLGO/S/CNT cathode with superior performance in Li–S batteries.
Time-dependent Dyson orbital theory
Authors: Gritsenko O. V. , Baerends E. J.
Published: March 2016

Probabilities of single ionization channels or double and multiple simultaneous ionization can be determined from exact master equations for time-dependent Dyson orbitals.
Bis-phenoxido and bis-acetato bridged heteronuclear {CoIIIDyIII} single molecule magnets with two slow relaxation branches
Authors: Hazra Susanta , Titiš Ján , Valigura Dušan , Boča Roman , Mohanta Sasankasekhar
Published: March 2016

Crystal structures and single molecule magnetic behaviour of two bis(μ-phenoxido)–bis(μ-acetato) {CoIIIDyIII} complexes, derived from the hexadentate Schiff base N,N′-ethylenebis(3-ethoxy- or 3-methoxysalicylaldimine), are described.
The effect of “on/off” molecular switching on the photophysical and photochemical properties of axially calixarene substituted activatable silicon(iv)phthalocyanine photosensitizers
Authors: Güngör Ömer , Altınbaş Özpınar Gül , Durmuş Mahmut , Ahsen Vefa
Published: March 2016

Silicon(iv) phthalocyanines (4 and 5) bearing two calixarene groups as axial ligands were synthesized. Surprisingly, both phthalocyanines were obtained as two different isomers (4a–b and 5a–b).
Achieving long-term stable perovskite solar cells via ion neutralization
Authors: Back Hyungcheol , Kim Geunjin , Kim Junghwan , Kong Jaemin , Kim Tae Kyun , Kang Hongkyu , Kim Heejoo , Lee Jinho , Lee Seongyu , Lee Kwanghee
Published: March 2016

Corrosive ionic defects in perovskite films degrade perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and long-term stable PSCs are realized by neutralizing the defects.
Pilot plant test of the advanced flash stripper for CO2 capture
Authors: Lin Yu-Jeng , Chen Eric , Rochelle Gary T.
Published: March 2016

Alternative stripping processes have been proposed to reduce energy use for CO2 capture, but only a few have been applied to pilot-scale experiments. This paper presents the first pilot plant test results of one of the most promising stripper configurations, the advanced flash stripper with cold and warm rich solvent bypass. The campaign using aqueous piperazine was carried out at UT Austin in 2015. The advanced flash stripper improves the heat duty by over 25% compared to previous campaigns using the two-stage flash, achieving 2.1 GJ per tonne CO2 of heat duty and 32 kJ mol−1 CO2 of total equivalent work. The bypass control strategy proposed minimized the heat duty. The test successfully demonstrated the remarkable energy performance and the operability of this advanced system. An Aspen Plus® model was validated using the pilot plant data and used to explore optimum operating and design conditions. The irreversibility analysis showed that the pilot plant performance has attained 50% thermodynamic efficiency and further energy improvement should focus on the absorber and the cross exchanger by increasing absorption rate and solvent capacity.
Droplet-based microfluidics in drug discovery, transcriptomics and high-throughput molecular genetics
Authors: Shembekar Nachiket , Chaipan Chawaree , Utharala Ramesh , Merten Christoph A.
Published: March 2016

This review focuses on developments in the field of droplet microfluidics in the context of drug discovery, genomics and transcriptomics.
A combined computational and experimental investigation of the oxidative ring-opening of cyclic ethers by oxoammonium cations
Authors: Loman Jacob. J. , Carnaghan Emma R. , Hamlin Trevor A. , Ovian John M. , Kelly Christopher B. , Mercadante Michael A. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: March 2016

The oxidative ring-opening of cyclic ethers using oxoammonium cations is investigated using experimental and computational methods.
A versatile access to vicinal diamine motifs by highly anti-selective asymmetric vinylogous Mannich reactions: an efficient total synthesis of (+)-absouline
Authors: Ye Jian-Liang , Chen Hang , Zhang Yu-Feng , Huang Pei-Qiang
Published: March 2016

An anti-stereoselective vinylogous Mannich reaction between 2-TBSO-pyrrole and N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines and its application to the efficient synthesis of (+)-absouline were reported.
The structure and dynamics of chitin nanofibrils in an aqueous environment revealed by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Střelcová Zora , Kulhánek Petr , Friák Martin , Fabritius Helge-Otto , Petrov Michal , Neugebauer Jörg , Koča Jaroslav
Published: March 2016

The structure–property relations reveal the typical size of chitin nanofibrils observed in natural systems.
Cd-doping a facile approach for better thermoelectric transport properties of BiCuSeO oxyselenides
Authors: Farooq M. U. , Butt Sajid , Gao Kewei , Zhu YingCai , Sun Xigui , Pang XiaoLu , Khan Sajid U. , Mohmed Fida , Mahmood Asif , Mahmood Nasir , Xu Wei
Published: March 2016

We have found that substitution of Bi by Cd in the crystal lattice of BiCuSeO is a very effective way of improving the transport properties to obtain a higher ZT value for Cd-doped BiCuSeO.
Mo2C as a high capacity anode material: a first-principles study
Authors: Çakır Deniz , Sevik Cem , Gülseren Oğuz , Peeters Francois M.
Published: March 2016

Its good electrical conductivity, fast ion diffusion, good average open-circuit voltage and theoretical capacity suggest that the Mo2C monolayer can be utilized as a promising anode material.
αB-crystallin is essential for the TGF-β2-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells
Authors: Nahomi Rooban B. , Pantcheva Mina B. , Nagaraj Ram H.
Published: March 2016

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2-mediated pathways play a major role in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) during secondary cataract formation, which is also known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Although αB-crystallin is a major protein in LEC, its role in the EMT remains unknown. In a human LEC line (FHL124), TGF-β2 treatment resulted in changes in the EMT-associated proteins at the mRNA and protein levels. This was associated with nuclear localization of αB-crystallin, phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2) (S245/250/255), pSmad3 (S423/425), Smad4 and Snail and the binding of αB-crystallin to these transcription factors, all of which were reduced by the down-regulation of αB-crystallin. Expression of the functionally defective R120G mutant of αB-crystallin reduced TGF-β2-induced EMT in LECs of αB-crystallin knockout (KO) mice. Treatment of bovine lens epithelial explants and mouse LEC with TGF-β2 resulted in changes in the EMT-associated proteins at the mRNA and protein levels. This was accompanied by increase in phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (T202/Y204), p38 MAPK (T180/Y182), protein kinase B (Akt) (S473) and Smad2 when compared with untreated cells. These changes were significantly reduced in αB-crystallin depleted or knocked out LEC. The removal of the fibre cell mass from the lens of wild-type (WT) mice resulted in the up-regulation of EMT-associated genes in the capsule-adherent epithelial cells, which was reduced in the αB-crystallin KO mice. Together, our data show that αB-crystallin plays a central role in the TGF-β2-induced EMT of LEC. αB-Crystallin could be targeted to prevent PCO and pathological fibrosis in other tissues.
Rate‐varying space‐time coding scheme for multiple‐input multiple‐output fading channel with zero‐forcing receiver
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Zhaoyang
Published: March 2016

In this study, a rate‐varying space‐time pre‐coding scheme for a multiple‐input multiple‐output system in a fast‐fading channel is proposed. In particular, unlike the traditional fixed rate space‐time coding scheme, the transmitter which has no channel state information keeps choosing a pre‐coding matrix randomly at each space‐time symbol period to deliver the information until it is successfully decoded by the receiver. Since the number of received symbol vectors needed to successfully decode the information is determined by the channel realisation, the coding rate of the proposed scheme can adapt to the fast‐fading channel. The exact expression of the equivalent signal‐to‐noise ratio gain after the post‐combining and zero‐forcing equalisation at the receiver side is derived, and a design criteria to achieve optimal performance in terms of average error probability and ergodic capacity under the mean power constraint is provided. Based on this, a minimal variance pre‐coding (MVP) scheme is designed, which is compared with an intuitive Gaussian pre‐coding scheme. It is shown that the MVP scheme has better performance and could adapt to different channel conditions.
Taking advantage of adaptations when managing threatened species within variable environments: the case of the dwarf galaxias, Galaxiella pusilla (Teleostei, Galaxiidae)
Authors: Coleman R. A. , Raadik T. A. , Pettigrove V. , Hoffmann A. A.
Published: March 2016

Native fish are threatened globally by invasive species, and management actions largely focus on detecting and eradicating invaders before they become established. However, once established, invaders might also be controlled by taking advantage of adaptations of threatened species to local conditions. This strategy was explored in dwarf galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla) a freshwater-dependent species of national conservation significance in Australia, threatened by invasive eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki). Most habitats occupied by G. pusilla experience a seasonally variable and unpredictable hydrologic regime, where water levels substantially contract during dry periods and expand during wet periods. It was hypothesised that they are likely to have developed adaptations to surviving in these habitats by persisting without surface water. In contrast to G. holbrooki, we found that G. pusilla could withstand longer periods without surface water, including air breathing and higher respiration rates in air, than could G. holbrooki. We showed, within a single G. pusilla population, large inter-annual variability in fish densities linked to natural wetting and drying regimes. These findings indicate that periodic drying provides a way of protecting G. pusilla in water bodies where G. holbrooki has invaded, representing a strategy that takes advantage of local adaptation and metapopulation structure of G. pusilla.
Transiting planets as a precision clock to constrain the time variation of the gravitational constant
Authors: Masuda Kento , Suto Yasushi
Published: March 2016

Analysis of transit times in exoplanetary systems accurately provides an instantaneous orbital period, P(t), of their member planets. A long-term monitoring of those transiting planetary systems puts limits on the variability of P(t), which are translated into the constraints on the time variation of the gravitational constant G. We apply this analysis to 10 transiting systems observed by the Kepler spacecraft, and find that ΔG/G ≲ 5 × 10− 6 for 2009–2013, or $\dot{G}/G \lesssim 10^{-6}\:$yr−1 if $\dot{G}$ is constant. While the derived limit is weaker than those from other analyses, it is complementary to them and can be improved by analyzing numerous transiting systems that are continuously monitored.