bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PPARγ stimulates expression of L-type amino acid and taurine transporters in human placentas: the evidence of PPARγ regulating fetal growth
Authors: Chen Zhaoguang , He Ping , Ding Xiaoying , Huang Ying , Gu Hang , Ni Xin
Published: July 2015

Placental amino acid transporters and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been implicated to placental development and therefore regulation of fetal growth. We analyzed the correlation between the expression of amino acid transporters and PPARs and investigated whether PPARs control the expression of amino acid transporters in placentas. It was found that protein expression of PPARγ and L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1) and 2 (LAT2) was decreased in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) placentas. LAT1, LAT2 and taurine transporter (TAUT) expression correlated to PPARγ level and birth weight. In cultured placental cells, PPARγ agonist stimulated LAT1 and LAT2 and TAUT, which was reversed by PPARγ siRNA. PPARγ up-regulation of LAT1 and TAUT was through specificity protein 1 (Sp-1) while stimulation of LAT2 expression was via induction of gene transcription. Our data suggest that PPARγ, SP-1, LAT1 and LAT2 in placentas are involved in control of fetal growth. PPARγ signaling pathway may be the therapeutic target for intrauterine growth restriction.
The Dissociation of Gefitinib Trough Concentration and Clinical Outcome in NSCLC Patients with EGFR Sensitive Mutations
Authors: Xin Shuang , Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Xueding , Huang Yan , Zhang Jing , Guo Ying , Li Jiali , Li Hongliang , Ma Yuxiang , Chen Lingyan , Hu Zhihuang , Huang Min , Zhang Li
Published: July 2015

Gefitinib is an essential drug for NSCLC patients harboring EGFR sensitive mutations. The approved dose 250mg/day is based on limited clinical trials, this research aims to explore the relationship between drug exposure and gefitinib response. Ctrough of 87 NSCLC patients harboring EGFR sensitive mutations were determined by LC-MS/MS. The median of Ctrough was 173.9 ng/ml (P25–P75, 130.5–231.2 ng/ml) and cutoff value 200 ng/ml was determined by X-Tile. The PFS between Ctrough < 200 ng/ml and Ctrough ≥ 200 ng/ml groups were not significantly different (17.3 VS 14.8 months; p = 0.258). Ctrough was not significantly associated with rash, diarrhea and hepatotoxicity. Non-smokers enjoyed longer PFS than smokers (18.7 VS 9.3 months; p = 0.025). The results showed that, for NSCLC patients with EGFR sensitive mutations, the PFS in lower trough concentration group were not inferior to that in higher trough concentration group and dose reduction is a rational suggestion for adjustment of dose regimen for aforementioned patients. More clinical trials are warranted to explore the precision dose schedule of gefitinib.
Generation-based life table analysis reveals manifold effects of inbreeding on the population fitness in Plutella xylostella
Authors: Peng Lu , Zou Mingmin , Ren Nana , Xie Miao , Vasseur Liette , Yang Yifan , He Weiyi , Yang Guang , Gurr Geoff M. , Hou Youming , You Shijun , You Minsheng
Published: July 2015

Understanding how inbreeding affects fitness is biologically important for conservation and pest management. Despite being a worldwide pest of many economically important cruciferous crops, the influence of inbreeding on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), populations is currently unknown. Using age-stage-specific life tables, we quantified the inbreeding effects on fitness-related traits and demographic parameters of P. xylostella. Egg hatching rate, survival and fecundity of the inbred line significantly declined compared to those of the outbred line over time. The inbred P. xylostella line showed significantly lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R0) and finite increase rate (λ) and increasing generation time (T). Inbreeding effects vary with developmental stages and the fitness-related traits can be profoundly affected by the duration of inbreeding. Our work provides a foundation for further studies on molecular and genetic bases of the inbreeding depression for P. xylostella.
Capillarity-driven blood plasma separation on paper-based devices
Authors: Kar Shantimoy , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Chakraborty Suman
Published: July 2015

We demonstrate capillarity-driven plasma separation from whole blood on simple paper-based H-channels.
CO2-selective PEO–PBT (PolyActive™)/graphene oxide composite membranes
Authors: Karunakaran M. , Shevate R. , Kumar M. , Peinemann K.-V.
Published: July 2015

CO2-selective graphene oxide (GO) nano-composite membranes were prepared for the first time by embedding GO into a commercially available poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEO–PBT) copolymer (PolyActive™).
Function and toxicity of amyloid beta and recent therapeutic interventions targeting amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rajasekhar K. , Chakrabarti Malabika , Govindaraju T.
Published: July 2015

Our Feature Article details the physiological role of amyloid beta (Aβ), elaborates its toxic effects and outlines therapeutic molecules designed in the last two years targeting different aspects of Aβ for preventing AD.
Compact and stable SNAP ligand-conjugated quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for single-molecule imaging of dynein motor protein
Authors: Ohyanagi Tatsuya , Shima Tomohiro , Okada Yasushi , Tsukasaki Yoshikazu , Komatsuzaki Akihito , Tsuboi Setsuko , Jin Takashi
Published: July 2015

Compact SNAP ligand-conjugated quantum dots (<10 nm) with high colloidal stability over a wide range of pH (5–9) are presented as a fluorescent probe for single-molecule imaging of dynein motor protein.
Influence of the sterol aliphatic side chain on membrane properties: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Robalo João R. , Ramalho J. P. Prates , Huster Daniel , Loura Luís M. S.
Published: July 2015

Cholesterol provides best hydrophobic matching, induces maximal membrane ordering, and displays highest preference for saturated phospholipid acyl chains, among a homologous ser ies of sterols with side chains of varying lengths.
π-Hole aerogen bonding interactions
Authors: Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio
Published: July 2015

High levelab initiocalculations combined with the analysis of available X-ray structures demonstrate the importance of π-hole aerogen bonding interactions in Xe(iv) compounds. The ability of square planar XeF4and Xe(OMe)4compounds to interact with electron rich molecules is rationalized using several computational tools.
Systematic study of the synthesis and coordination of 2-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-pyridine to Fe(ii), Ni(ii) and Zn(ii); ion-induced folding into helicates, mesocates and larger architectures, and application to magnetism and self-selection
Authors: Wu Nan , Melan Caroline F. C. , Stevenson Kristina A. , Fleischel Olivier , Guo Huan , Habib Fatemah , Holmberg Rebecca J. , Murugesu Muralee , Mosey Nicholas J. , Nierengarten Hélène , Petitjean Anne
Published: July 2015

The 2-pyridyl–1,2,3-triazole chelate was found to display unique coordination properties.
Application of mechanochemistry to metal recovery from second-hand resources: a technical overview
Authors: Ou Zhiyuan , Li Jinhui , Wang Zhishi
Published: July 2015

This work mainly discusses mechanochemistry as a promising method to recycle metal from second-hand resources, in order to meet the huge imbalance between metal demand and its reserve in nature.
Reversible crosslinking of lignin via the furan–maleimide Diels–Alder reaction
Authors: Duval Antoine , Lange Heiko , Lawoko Martin , Crestini Claudia
Published: July 2015

Lignoboost lignin was independently functionalized with furan and maleimide groups. Taken together, these functionalized lignins show all the features of reversible networks.
An array microhabitat system for high throughput studies of microalgal growth under controlled nutrient gradients
Authors: Kim Beum Jun , Richter Lubna V. , Hatter Nicholas , Tung Chih-kuan , Ahner Beth A. , Wu Mingming
Published: July 2015

The integration of a hydrogel-based chemical gradient generator and an array format microhabitats allows for a fast screening of optimal conditions for microalgal growth.
Achiral, acyclic nucleic acids: synthesis and biophysical studies of a possible prebiotic polymer
Authors: Srivastava P. , Abou El Asrar R. , Knies C. , Abramov M. , Froeyen M. , Rozenski J. , Rosemeyer H. , Herdewijn P.
Published: July 2015

The search for prebiotic, nucleic acid precursors is, at its best, a speculative undertaking.
Copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC): an update
Authors: Haldón Estela , Nicasio M. Carmen , Pérez Pedro J.
Published: July 2015

The recent advances in the copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions are reviewed.
Supramolecular glycopolymers with thermo-responsive self-assembly and lectin binding
Authors: Cakir Nese , Hizal Gurkan , Becer C. Remzi
Published: July 2015

Incorporating monomers into sequence-defined synthetic macromolecules endows them to mimic nature which results in key residues being anchored in the molecular recognition pattern.
A colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for selective detection of Hg2+: theoretical studies and intracellular applications
Authors: Roy Rimi , Rakshit Soumyadipta , Bhar Sanjay , Chandra Bhattacharya Subhash
Published: July 2015

A new colorimetric, “turn-on” fluorescent chemosensor (DEAS-BPH) was synthesized for selective and sensitive recognition of Hg2+ ions with no interference from environmentally relevant metal ions in a mixed organo-aqueous medium.
Electrochemiluminescence platform for the detection of C-reactive proteins: application of recombinant antibody technology to cardiac biomarker detection
Authors: O'Reilly Emmet J. , Conroy Paul J. , Hearty Stephen , Keyes Tia E. , O'Kennedy Richard , Forster Robert J. , Dennany Lynn
Published: July 2015

The stepwise fabrication of the sensor is highlighted, scFv immobilization, binding of pentameric CRP followed by binding of metal labeled scFv fragments.
Insight into the catalytic mechanism of meta-cleavage product hydrolase BphD: a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics study
Authors: Li Yanwei , Zhang Ruiming , Du Likai , Zhang Qingzhu , Wang Wenxing
Published: July 2015

The catalytic mechanism of BphD (the fourth enzyme of the biphenyl catabolic pathway) toward its natural substrate 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid (HOPDA) was investigated in atomistic detail by QM/MM approach.
Multiple strategies to produce lipophilic nanoparticles leaving water-soluble poly(HPMA)
Authors: Ferrari Raffaele , Callari Marco , Moscatelli Davide
Published: July 2015

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) is used to produce water-soluble polymers with non-immumogenic properties that can be used in drug delivery applications.
High thermo-responsive shape memory epoxies based on substituted biphenyl mesogenic with good water resistance
Authors: Guo Huilong , Li Yinwen , Zheng Jian , Gan Jianqun , Liang Liyan , Wu Kun , Lu Mangeng
Published: July 2015

In this work, a novel epoxy monomer denoted as 3,5′-di-t-butyl-5,3′-dimethyl biphenyl diglycidyl ether was synthesized and applied intoin situcomposites with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-biphenyl diglycidyl ether, accompanied with curing agent aromatic amines.
Effects of Li doping on the negative bias stress stability of solution-processed ZnO thin film transistors
Authors: Kim Bokyung , Park Si Yun , Ko Jieun , Kim Young-Jae , Kim Youn Sang
Published: July 2015

To investigate the effect of Li dopant on the electrical characteristics under negative bias stress (NBS), we analysed ZnO and Li doped ZnO TFTs. The Li dopant enhanced the field effect mobility and sustained the variation in Von of the ZnO TFTs.
Phase transitions and in situ dynamics of crystal grain formation of alumina nanotubes templated by vertically aligned carbon nanotubes
Authors: Lampert L. F. , Barnum A. , Smith S. W. , Conley J. F. , Jiao J.
Published: July 2015

Vertically aligned alumina nanotubes created by atomic layer deposition onto carbon nanotubes scaffolds are synthesized and analyzed for phase transitionsviathermal annealing andin situelectron-irradiation induced crystallization.
Electrochemical reduction of CO2to HCOOH on a synthesized Sn electrocatalyst using a Co3O4anode
Authors: Yadav V. S. K. , Purkait M. K.
Published: July 2015

Co3O4is used as an alternative to Pt for the reduction of CO2to HCOOH using a Sn electrocatalyst.
Antibacterial activities of polymeric poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles and Soluplus® micelles against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm and their characterization
Authors: Takahashi Chisato , Saito Shoko , Suda Asami , Ogawa Noriko , Kawashima Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Hiromitsu
Published: July 2015

We have successfully prepared polymeric micelles based on polyvinyl caprolactam–polyvinyl acetate–polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®) for a drug delivery system on a biofilm.
Boron chemistry in a new light
Authors: Duret Guillaume , Quinlan Robert , Bisseret Philippe , Blanchard Nicolas
Published: July 2015

Activation of stable boron species with visible-light allows the creation of boryl and/or carbon radicals through single electron- or energy transfer.
Synthesis of an indium oxide nanoparticle embedded graphene three-dimensional architecture for enhanced lithium-ion storage
Authors: Qin Si , Liu Dan , Lei Weiwei , Chen Ying
Published: July 2015

An In2O3 nanoparticle embedded graphene 3D architecture exhibits high reversible capacity and high rate capability as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Na2.44Mn1.79(SO4)3: a new member of the alluaudite family of insertion compounds for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Dwibedi Debasmita , Araujo Rafael B. , Chakraborty Sudip , Shanbogh Pradeep P. , Sundaram Nalini G. , Ahuja Rajeev , Barpanda Prabeer
Published: July 2015

Putting alluaudite chemistry on the anvil, here we unveil Na2+2xMn2−x(SO4)3 as a potential 4.4 V Mn-based positive insertion material for sodium batteries. Assuming a three-dimensional monoclinic framework, it undergoes antiferromagnetic ordering at 3.4 K.
NIR light responsive core–shell nanocontainers for drug delivery
Authors: Cui Liru , Zhang Feng , Wang Qian , Lin Huiming , Yang Chunyu , Zhang Ting , Tong Ruihan , An Na , Qu Fengyu
Published: July 2015

A novel near infrared (NIR)-triggered drug delivery nanocomposite (DOX-UCNP@mSiO2@α-CD, 70 nm in size) has been successfully constructed. The good biocompatibility, fast uptake and NIR light-sensitive cytotoxicity make the potential application for cancer therapy.
The first thiol–yne click chemistry approach for the preparation of liquid crystalline elastomers
Authors: Martella Daniele , Parmeggiani Camilla , Wiersma Diederik Sybolt , Piñol Milagros , Oriol Luis
Published: July 2015

A new synthetic strategy based on thiol–yne click chemistry is presented to prepare liquid crystalline elastomers, allowing us to obtain mixed side-chain/main-chain structures able to undergo contraction up to 48%.
The effect of light rare earth element substitution in Yb14MnSb11on thermoelectric properties
Authors: Hu Yufei , Bux Sabah K. , Grebenkemper Jason H. , Kauzlarich Susan M.
Published: July 2015

ThezTof Yb14MnSb11is improved by the introduction of a light rare earth element, RE3+(RE = Pr, Sm) with partially filled f-levels. The carrier concentration is reduced upon substituting RE3+for Yb2+, adding one electron to the system and improving thezTvalues 30–40% over that of the pristine material.
Correction: From non-detectable to decent: replacement of oxygen with sulfur in naphthalene diimide boosts electron transport in organic thin-film transistors (OTFT)
Authors: Chen Wangqiao , Zhang Jing , Long Guankui , Liu Yi , Zhang Qichun
Published: July 2015

Correction for ‘From non-detectable to decent: replacement of oxygen with sulfur in naphthalene diimide boosts electron transport in organic thin-film transistors (OTFT)’ by Wangqiao Chen et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015, 3, 8219–8224.
Circulating miR-33a and miR-33b are up-regulated in familial hypercholesterolaemia in paediatric age
Authors: Martino Francesco , Carlomosti Fabrizio , Avitabile Daniele , Persico Luca , Picozza Mario , Barillà Francesco , Arca Marcello , Montali Anna , Martino Eliana , Zanoni Cristina , Parrotto Sandro , Magenta Alessandra
Published: July 2015

Hypercholesterolaemia is one of the major causes of CVD (cardiovascular disease). It is associated with enhanced oxidative stress, leading to increased lipid peroxidation which in turn determines endothelial dysfunction and susceptibility to coronary vasoconstriction and atherosclerosis. Different miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of CVD and play an important role in inflammatory process control, therefore, together with atherogenic factors, they can stimulate atherosclerotic degeneration of the vessel walls of arteries. miR-33a and miR-33b play a pivotal role in a variety of biological processes including cholesterol homoeostasis, HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol formation, fatty acid oxidation and insulin signalling. Our study aimed to determine whether circulating miR-33a and miR-33b expression was altered in familial hypercholesterolaemic children. Total RNA was extracted from plasma, and miR-33a and miR-33b were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. We found that miR-33a and miR-33b were significantly up-regulated in the plasma of 28 hypercholesterolaemic children compared with 25 healthy subjects (4.49±0.27-fold increase, P<0.001, and 3.21±0.39-fold increase, P<0.05 respectively), and for both miRNAs, a positive correlation with total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, apolipoprotein B, CRP (C-reactive protein) and glycaemia was found. OLS (ordinary least squares) regression analysis revealed that miR-33a was significantly affected by the presence of FH (familial hypercholesterolaemia), glycaemia and CRP (P<0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.05 respectively). The same analysis showed that miR-33b was significantly related to FH and CRP (P<0.05 and P<0.05 respectively). Although it is only explorative, the present study could be the first to point to the use of miR-33a and miR-33b as early biomarkers for cholesterol levels in childhood, once validated in independent larger cohorts.
Fan‐in/fan‐out device employing v‐groove substrate for multicore fibre
Authors: Abe Y. , Shikama K. , Ono H. , Yanagi S. , Takahashi T.
Published: July 2015

A fan‐in/fan‐out device using small‐diameter fibres for 12‐core single‐mode multicore fibre, which realises a hexagonal closely packed fibre arrangement by employing v‐groove substrates and a low insertion loss is demonstrated.
Wavelets‐based smoothness comparisons for volume data
Authors: Lee Mong‐Shu , Ueng Shyh‐Kuang , Lin Jhih‐Jhong
Published: July 2015

In this study, the authors describe an objective smoothness assessment method for volume data. The metric can predict the extent of the difference in smoothness between a reference model, which may not be of perfect quality, and a distorted version. The proposed metric is based on the wavelet characterisation of Besov function spaces. The comparison of Besov norms between two models can resolve the global and local differences in smoothness between them. Experimental results from volume datasets with smoothing and sharpening operations demonstrate its effectiveness. By comparing direct volume rendered images, the experimental results show that the proposed smoothness index correlates well with human perceived vision. Finally, the metric can help the analyse compression distortions when they compare volume data with different smoothness.
What is the Best Multimodality Combination for Intraoperative Spinal Cord Monitoring of Motor Function? A Multicenter Study by the Monitoring Committee of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research
Authors: Ito Zenya , Matsuyama Yukihiro , Ando Muneharu , Kawabata Shigenori , Kanchiku Tsukasa , Kida Kazunobu , Fujiwara Yasushi , Yamada Kei , Yamamoto Naoya , Kobayashi Sho , Saito Takanori , Wada Kanichiro , Satomi Kazuhiko , Shinomiya Kenichi , Tani Toshikazu
Published: July 2015

Study Design

Surgeon survey.

Objective

To analyze multimodal intraoperative monitoring (MIOM) for different combinations of methods based on the collected data and determine the best combination.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to 72 training institutions to analyze and compile data about monitoring that had been conducted during the preceding 5 years to obtain data on the following: (1) types of monitoring; (2) names and number of diseases; (3) conditions of anesthesia; (4) condition of stimulation, the monitored muscle and its number; (5) complications; and (6) preoperative and postoperative manual muscle testing, presence of dysesthesia, and the duration of postoperative motor deficit. Sensitivity and specificity, false-positive rates, and false-negative rates were examined for each type of monitoring, along with the relationship between each type of monitoring and the period of postoperative motor deficit.

Results

Comparison of the various combinations showed transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potential (TcMEP) + cord evoked potential after stimulation to the brain (Br-SCEP) combination had the highest sensitivity (90%). The TcMEP + somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and TcMEP + spinal cord evoked potential after stimulation to the spinal cord (Sp-SCEP) combinations each had a sensitivity of 80%, exhibiting little difference between their sensitivity and that obtained when TcMEP alone was used. Meanwhile, the sensitivity was as low as 50% with Br-SCEP + Sp-SCEP (i.e., the cases where TcMEP was not included).

Conclusions

The best multimodality combination for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring is TcMEP + Br-SCEP, which had the highest sensitivity (90%), the lowest false-positive rate (6.1%), and the lowest false-negative rate (0.2%).
Simple expressions of the nuclear relaxation rate enhancement due to quadrupole nuclei in slowly tumbling molecules
Authors: Fries Pascal H. , Belorizky Elie
Published: July 2015

For slowly tumbling entities or quasi-rigid lattices, we derive very simple analytical expressions of the quadrupole relaxation enhancement (QRE) of the longitudinal relaxation rate R1 of nuclear spins I due to their intramolecular magnetic dipolar coupling with quadrupole nuclei of arbitrary spins S ≥ 1. These expressions are obtained by using the adiabatic approximation for evaluating the time evolution operator of the quantum states of the quadrupole nuclei S. They are valid when the gyromagnetic ratio of the spin S is much smaller than that of the spin I. The theory predicts quadrupole resonant peaks in the dispersion curve of R1 vs magnetic field. The number, positions, relative intensities, Lorentzian shapes, and widths of these peaks are explained in terms of the following properties: the magnitude of the quadrupole Hamiltonian and the asymmetry parameter of the electric field gradient (EFG) acting on the spin S, the S-I inter-spin orientation with respect to the EFG principal axes, the rotational correlation time of the entity carrying the S–I pair, and/or the proper relaxation time of the spin S. The theory is first applied to protein amide protons undergoing dipolar coupling with fast-relaxing quadrupole 14N nuclei and mediating the QRE to the observed bulk water protons. The theoretical QRE agrees well with its experimental counterpart for various systems such as bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and cartilages. The anomalous behaviour of the relaxation rate of protons in synthetic aluminium silicate imogolite nano-tubes due to the QRE of 27Al (S = 5/2) nuclei is also explained.
Long wavelength superluminescence from narrow gap HgCdTe epilayer at 100 K
Authors: Morozov S. V. , Rumyantsev V. V. , Dubinov A. A. , Antonov A. V. , Kadykov A. M. , Kudryavtsev K. E. , Kuritsin D. I. , Mikhailov N. N. , Dvoretskii S. A. , Gavrilenko V. I.
Published: July 2015

Experimental evidence of long wavelength superluminescence (SL), i.e., amplification of spontaneous emission, in narrow gap HgCdTe bulk epitaxial film at 100 K is reported. Photoluminescence line narrowing is observed at 8.4 μm as pump power increases. However, plasmonic contribution to dielectric function is shown to be detrimental for light confinement at high pumping intensities, limiting the SL line intensity growth. The design of the structures optimal for obtaining stimulated emission in 10–36 μm range is further discussed.
Non-equilibrium reaction and relaxation dynamics in a strongly interacting explicit solvent: F + CD3CN treated with a parallel multi-state EVB model
Authors: Glowacki David R. , Orr-Ewing Andrew J. , Harvey Jeremy N.
Published: July 2015

We describe a parallelized linear-scaling computational framework developed to implement arbitrarily large multi-state empirical valence bond (MS-EVB) calculations within CHARMM and TINKER. Forces are obtained using the Hellmann-Feynman relationship, giving continuous gradients, and good energy conservation. Utilizing multi-dimensional Gaussian coupling elements fit to explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory, we built a 64-state MS-EVB model designed to study the F + CD3CN → DF + CD2CN reaction in CD3CN solvent (recently reported in Dunning et al. [Science 347(6221), 530 (2015)]). This approach allows us to build a reactive potential energy surface whose balanced accuracy and efficiency considerably surpass what we could achieve otherwise. We ran molecular dynamics simulations to examine a range of observables which follow in the wake of the reactive event: energy deposition in the nascent reaction products, vibrational relaxation rates of excited DF in CD3CN solvent, equilibrium power spectra of DF in CD3CN, and time dependent spectral shifts associated with relaxation of the nascent DF. Many of our results are in good agreement with time-resolved experimental observations, providing evidence for the accuracy of our MS-EVB framework in treating both the solute and solute/solvent interactions. The simulations provide additional insight into the dynamics at sub-picosecond time scales that are difficult to resolve experimentally. In particular, the simulations show that (immediately following deuterium abstraction) the nascent DF finds itself in a non-equilibrium regime in two different respects: (1) it is highly vibrationally excited, with ∼23 kcal mol−1 localized in the stretch and (2) its post-reaction solvation environment, in which it is not yet hydrogen-bonded to CD3CN solvent molecules, is intermediate between the non-interacting gas-phase limit and the solution-phase equilibrium limit. Vibrational relaxation of the nascent DF results in a spectral blue shift, while relaxation of the post-reaction solvation environment results in a red shift. These two competing effects mean that the post-reaction relaxation profile is distinct from what is observed when Franck-Condon vibrational excitation of DF occurs within a microsolvation environment initially at equilibrium. Our conclusions, along with the theoretical and parallel software framework presented in this paper, should be more broadly applicable to a range of complex reactive systems.
Dipole-exchange spin waves in nanotubes composed of uniaxial ferromagnets with “easy-plane” and “easy-axis” anisotropies
Authors: Gorobets Yu. I. , Kulish V. V.
Published: July 2015

Dipole-exchange spin waves in nanotubes composed of uniaxial ferromagnets are studied. An equation for the magnetic potential of linear spin waves in uniaxial “easy plane” ferromagnets is obtained in the magnetostatic approximation taking into account magnetic dipole-dipole interactions, exchange interactions, and anisotropy effects. A solution is found for this equation and a dispersion relation for these types of spin waves is obtained. The dependence of the spin wave frequency on the total wave number is found for the case of a thin nanotube. An expression is derived for the transverse wave number spectrum.
The joint space-time statistics of macroweather precipitation, space-time statistical factorization and macroweather models
Authors: Lovejoy S. , de Lima M. I. P.
Published: July 2015

Over the range of time scales from about 10 days to 30–100 years, in addition to the familiar weather and climate regimes, there is an intermediate “macroweather” regime characterized by negative temporal fluctuation exponents: implying that fluctuations tend to cancel each other out so that averages tend to converge. We show theoretically and numerically that macroweather precipitation can be modeled by a stochastic weather-climate model (the Climate Extended Fractionally Integrated Flux, model, CEFIF) first proposed for macroweather temperatures and we show numerically that a four parameter space-time CEFIF model can approximately reproduce eight or so empirical space-time exponents. In spite of this success, CEFIF is theoretically and numerically difficult to manage. We therefore propose a simplified stochastic model in which the temporal behavior is modeled as a fractional Gaussian noise but the spatial behaviour as a multifractal (climate) cascade: a spatial extension of the recently introduced ScaLIng Macroweather Model, SLIMM. Both the CEFIF and this spatial SLIMM model have a property often implicitly assumed by climatologists that climate statistics can be “homogenized” by normalizing them with the standard deviation of the anomalies. Physically, it means that the spatial macroweather variability corresponds to different climate zones that multiplicatively modulate the local, temporal statistics. This simplified macroweather model provides a framework for macroweather forecasting that exploits the system's long range memory and spatial correlations; for it, the forecasting problem has been solved. We test this factorization property and the model with the help of three centennial, global scale precipitation products that we analyze jointly in space and in time.
Specific features of heat transfer in the orientationally ordered phases of molecular crystals in the region with predominant phonon-phonon scattering
Authors: Krivchikov A. I. , Romantsova O. O. , Korolyuk O. A. , Vdovichenko G. A. , Horbatenko Yu. V.
Published: July 2015

Thermal conductivity of an orientationally ordered tert-butanol crystal was measured in the temperature range T = 4–150 K at equilibrium vapor pressure. The literature data on the thermal conductivity of a number of orientationally ordered molecular crystals in the high temperature region were analyzed. It was shown that the thermal conductivity can be described as a sum of two contributions: due to propagating phonons and localized “diffuse” modes. Generally, the contribution of localized “diffuse” modes is inversely proportional to the number of molecules Z in the unit cell and temperature independent. It is suggested that strong hybridization of acoustic phonons and low-frequency optical phonon excitations in ordered crystals is the main factor influencing the heat transfer in a molecular crystal.
The asymptotics of an eigenfunction-correlation determinant for Dirac-δ perturbations
Authors: Gebert Martin
Published: July 2015

We prove the exact asymptotics of the scalar product of the ground states of two non-interacting Fermi gases confined to a 3-dimensional ball BL of radius L in the thermodynamic limit, where the underlying one-particle operators differ by a Dirac-δ perturbation. More precisely, we show the algebraic decay of the correlation determinant det〈φjL,ψkL〉j,k=1,…,N2=L−ζ(E)+o(1), as N, L → ∞ and N/BL→ρ>0, where φjL and ψkL denote the lowest-energy eigenfunctions of the finite-volume one-particle Schrödinger operators. The decay exponent is given in terms of the s-wave scattering phase shift ζ(E)≔1π2δ2(E). For an attractive Dirac-δ perturbation, we conclude that the decay exponent 1π2arcsinT(E)/2HS2 found in the work of Gebert et al. [J. Spect. Theory (to be published); e-print arXiv:1407.2512] does not provide a sharp upper bound on the decay of the correlation determinant.
Study of the operation temperature in the spin-exchange relaxation free magnetometer
Authors: Fang Jiancheng , Li Rujie , Duan Lihong , Chen Yao , Quan Wei
Published: July 2015

We study the influence of the cell temperature on the sensitivity of the spin-exchange relaxation free (SERF) magnetometer and analyze the possibility of operating at a low temperature. Utilizing a 25 × 25 × 25 mm3 Cs vapor cell with a heating temperature of 85 ∘C, which is almost half of the value of potassium, we obtain a linewidth of 1.37 Hz and achieve a magnetic field sensitivity of 55 fT/Hz1/2 in a single channel. Theoretical analysis shows that fundamental sensitivity limits of this device with an active volume of 1 cm3 could approach 1 fT/Hz1/2. Taking advantage of the higher saturated vapor pressure, SERF magnetometer based on Cs opens up the possibility for low cost and portable sensors and is particularly appropriate for lower temperature applications.
The dynamics of vortex streets in channels
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Alben Silas
Published: July 2015

We develop a model to numerically study the dynamics of vortex streets in channel flows. Previous work has studied the vortex wakes of specific vortex generators. Here, we study a wide range of vortex wakes including regular and reverse von Kármán streets with various strengths, geometries, and Reynolds numbers (Re) by applying a smoothed von Kármán street as an inflow condition. We find that the spatial structure of the inflow vortex street is maintained for the reverse von Kármán street and altered for the regular street. For regular streets, we identify a transition to asymmetric dynamics which happens when Re increases, or vortices are stronger, or vortex streets are compressed horizontally or extended vertically. We also determine the effects of these parameters on vortex street inversion.
Dynamic stall process on a finite span model and its control via synthetic jet actuators
Authors: Taylor K. , Amitay M.
Published: July 2015

An experimental study of the process by which dynamic stall occurs on a finite span S809 airfoil was conducted at the Center for Flow Physics and Control at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Understanding the flow field around a dynamically pitching airfoil helped in controlling the dynamic stall process through active flow control via synthetic jet actuators. The three component, two dimensional flow fields were measured with a stereoscopic particle image velocimetry system. This study demonstrated that, through the introduction of periodic momentum near the leading edge of this model, the evolution of the dynamic stall vortex, which forms and convects downstream under dynamic conditions, could be delayed or suppressed in favor of the preservation of a trailing edge vortex that arises due to trailing edge separation and recirculation in the time averaged sense. This process seems to be the result of changing how the flow field transitions from trailing edge separation to a fully separated flow. In a phase-averaged sense, absent of flow control, this process is defined by the creation of a phase averaged leading edge recirculation region, which interacts with the trailing edge separation. Through the introduction of momentum near the leading edge, this process can be altered, such that the phase averaged trailing edge separation region is the dominant structure present in the flow. Additionally, a cursory investigation into the instantaneous flow fields was conducted, and a comparison between the phase averaged flow field and instantaneous fields demonstrated that while similar effects can be observed, there is a significant difference in the flow field observed in the instantaneous fields versus the phase averaged sense. This would imply that a different method of analyzing dynamic stall from PIV measurements may be necessary.
Mechanically robust, electrically stable metal arrays on plasma-oxidized polydimethylsiloxane for stretchable technologies
Authors: Seghir Rian , Arscott Steve
Published: July 2015

Certain applications of evolving flexible technologies demand that metallic features remain both mechanically robust (crack-free) and electrically stable for large macroscopic mechanical deformation. Examples of this are flexible radio frequency transmission line technologies and soft metamaterials where electromagnetic properties (e.g., functionality and losses), which rely on the integrity of metallic features, are highly sensitive to shape and resistance variation. In this context, we demonstrate here the ability to deposit crack-free chromium/gold metallized mesa structures on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates using thermal evaporation. In order to achieve this, the PDMS is exposed to an optimized oxygen plasma prior to the metallization. A shadow mask allowed us to define specific arrays of metallic mesa features having different sizes (100–600 μm) and surface filling factors on plasma-treated and non-treated PDMS. In contrast to non-treated PDMS, we demonstrate for a loading strain >45% that the local metal mesa strain is <2% (crack-free) and the electrical resistance variation is <2 for plasma-treated substrates. Such a result is achieved by tailoring the filling factor and the equivalent stiffness ratio of the layers. The relationship between the filling factor, the equivalent stiffness ratio, and the local strain reduction is analytically modelled. This allows one to understand the role of the key parameters in the behavior of the overall flexible system and, in principle, to design optimized systems such as those mentioned above.
Design of integration-ready metasurface-based infrared absorbers
Authors: Ogando Karim , Pastoriza Hernán
Published: July 2015

We introduce an integration ready design of metamaterial infrared absorber, highly compatible with many kinds of fabrication processes. We present the results of an exhaustive experimental characterization, including an analysis of the effects of single meta-atom geometrical parameters and collective arrangement. We confront the results with the theoretical interpretations proposed in the literature. Based on the results, we develop a set of practical design rules for metamaterial absorbers in the infrared region.
Acoustic phonon assisted free-carrier optical absorption in an n-type monolayer MoS2 and other transition-metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Bhargavi K. S. , Patil Sukanya , Kubakaddi S. S.
Published: July 2015

The theory of free-carrier absorption (FCA) is given for monolayers of transition-metal dichalcogenides, particularly for molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), when carriers are scattered by phonons. Explicit expressions for the absorption coefficient α are obtained and discussed for acoustic phonon scattering via screened deformation potential and piezoelectric coupling taking polarization of the radiation in the plane of the layer. It is found that α monotonously decreases with the increasing photon frequency Ω, increases with the increasing temperature T, and linearly depends on two-dimensional electron concentration ns. Effect of screening, which is ignored in all the earlier FCA studies, is found to reduce α significantly, attributing to the larger effective mass of the electrons. Results are also obtained in the classical and quantum limit giving the power laws α ∼ Ω−2 and T. Comparison of the results is made with those in bulk semiconductors and semiconductor quantum wells.
Thermal stability and photoconductive properties of photosensors with an alternating multilayer structure of amorphous Se and AsxSe1−x
Authors: Yu Tung-Yuan , Pan Fu-Ming , Chang Cheng-Yi , Lin Jian-Siang , Huang Wen-Hsien
Published: July 2015

In this study, we fabricated a-Se based photosensors with an alternating multilayer structure of a-Se and AsxSe1−x by rotational thermal evaporation deposition. During the deposition of the amorphous AsxSe1−x layers, As diffuses into the underlying a-Se component layers, thereby improving the thermal stability of the multilayer photosensor and thus increasing the breakdown electric field. Although the As doping introduces carrier traps in the a-Se layers, the multilayer photosensors demonstrate an effective quantum efficiency comparable to the single-layered a-Se sensor under the blue light illumination but are with a lower dark current density by two orders of magnitude. In addition to the top AsxSe1−x layer being functioning as an electron blocking layer, carrier traps present in the multilayer structure may decrease the drift mobility of charge carriers and disturb electric field distribution in the photosensors, thereby suppressing the dark current.
Static and dynamic polarizability for C2+ in Rydberg states
Authors: Stancalie V.
Published: July 2015

This work presents results from a non-perturbative calculation of dynamic polarizability of C III ions in 1s22sns (1Se) Rydberg states. We employ a two-state model for dressed atomic states to investigate the effect of the frequency-dependent polarizability of optically dressed 1s22sns(1Se) states (n = 5 − 12) on transitions to nearby states (1s22pns(1P1o)). Our model calculation results indicate that the resonance structure of the polarizabilities is entirely captured by the transition terms whereas the free electron polarizability only provides a smooth background. The resonance structure is evident in the plots and the widths increase with increasing principal quantum number. This work refers to highly excited 1s22sns (1S) Rydberg states, embedded in the electric dipole field of the 2s – 2p core transition in Li-like C3+ ion. The contributions of the individual transitions to the static polarizabilities of these Rydberg states are obtained from the use of the sum-over-state method. To this aim, both the C2+ ground state and the C3+ target state energies have been carefully calculated based on the configuration interactions method implemented in the General-purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Package. Agreement is reasonably good with existing data wherever available. These results are believed to be the first such values for this system and will be important for ionic spectroscopy and plasma diagnostics.
Chemotherapy triggers HIF-1–dependent glutathione synthesis and copper chelation that induces the breast cancer stem cell phenotype
Authors: Lu Haiquan , Samanta Debangshu , Xiang Lisha , Zhang Huimin , Hu Hongxia , Chen Ivan , Bullen John W. , Semenza Gregg L.
Published: July 2015

Significance

We demonstrate that glutathione biosynthesis is controlled by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and is critical for chemotherapy-induced enrichment of breast cancer stem cells, making it an attractive therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer, which is the only subset of breast cancers for which there is no available targeted therapy. We also delineate a molecular mechanism in which glutathione functions as a signaling molecule to activate the breast cancer stem cell phenotype, establishing cross-talk between cancer metabolism and signal transduction. We also demonstrate that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-ERK inhibitors and copper chelators have the countertherapeutic effect of inducing breast cancer stem cell enrichment.
Character reference in Greek-German bilingual children’s narratives
Authors: Andreou Maria , Knopp Eva , Bongartz Christiane , Tsimpli Ianthi Maria
Published: July 2015

This study investigates reference management of two groups of 8–12 year old Greek–German bilinguals, resident in Greece (Bilinguals_GR N = 38) and in Germany (Bilinguals_GE N = 39). We analyze the bilinguals’ retellings in each language and compare them with data from two monolingual control groups of Greek and German children (Monolinguals_GR and Monolinguals_GE, N = 20 respectively). We seek to establish how the use of referential forms in character introduction, maintenance and reintroduction in the bilinguals’ narrative retellings is affected by language dominance and whether proficiency in each language patterns similarly with respect to dominance in input. Our results indicate that differences in choice of referential form can be attributed to language dominance. Bilingual production of referential expressions differed from that of monolinguals when exposure to one language outweighed the other, as in the case of Bilinguals_GE. Similarly, proficiency in terms of vocabulary, verb diversity and syntactic complexity was affected in the weaker language for this group, which showed a strong dominance in German input. When exposure was more balanced (Bilinguals_GR), proficiency measures in both languages were affected, but to a lesser degree.
Manner and path of motion in descriptions of motion trajectories by Polish L2 users of English
Authors: Ewert Anna , Krzebietke Weronika
Published: July 2015

The study offers an in-depth analysis of motion descriptions in Polish and English, i.e. a typologically related pair of languages that differ in manner salience, by Polish second language users of English. 20 bilingual Polish-English speakers were recruited among senior year students in an English-medium university programme and compared with Polish and English monolingual control groups. All the participants were asked to retell in detail a fragment of a Canary Row cartoon. The elicited narratives were analyzed to identify all manner and path components. The results show that the L2 users overuse path verbs in their L2 English and underuse common verbs like go and get that are unspecified for path or manner. While such behaviour constitutes evidence of L1→L2 transfer, it is argued that it is also target-like and provides evidence of desensitization to manner cues in attentional processing related to L2 production.
An Eye-tracking Study on the Role of Attention and its Relationship with Motivation
Authors: Issa Bernard , Morgan-Short Kara , Villegas Briana , Raney Gary
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to assess whether attentional allocation to direct object pronouns in L2 Spanish was influenced by external or internal manipulations of attention and whether these manipulations caused learning of the form. Attention was measured by fixation duration and skipping rate on the pronouns, and learning was measured with a sentence interpretation task. Results provided empirical evidence that both types of manipulations direct attention to target forms, but in different ways, and bring about learning. In addition to examining the role of attention, the present study examined how different types of motivation, (i.e., integrative, intrinsic and extrinsic) were related to both attentional allocation and learning and found that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were related to different attentional manipulations. Results are informative for models of L2 acquisition that posit a role for attention, instructed L2 acquisition and L2 motivation research.
The influences of proficiency levels and working memory capacities on sentence comprehension by Japanese learners of English
Authors: Suda Koji
Published: July 2015

Examining influences of two participant factors, i.e., proficiency and working memory (WM), in second language (L2) sentence processing, we discuss how Japanese learners of English (JLEs) with distinct proficiency levels and WM capacities comprehend relative clauses in English. Reading times (RTs) were collected from intermediate and elementary levels of JLEs with different WM capacities using a self-paced reading task. The results revealed that: (1) JLEs had difficulty interpreting object relative clauses with animate antecedents; (2) JLEs at the elementary level processed the critical region in subject relative clauses with animate antecedents faster than that in object relative clauses with animate antecedents; (3) JLEs with the large WM capacity read embedded verbs faster than those with the small WM capacity; and (4) RTs of the verb region in the subject relative clause were shorter than those in the object relative clause. From these results, we propose that lower proficient L2 learners depend heavily on animacy information when they comprehend relative clauses though there appears evidence that JLEs also make use of structural information. Moreover, we suggest that WM has a positive role in the L2 comprehension process, similar to findings in previous L2 processing studies.