bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhodanine-based dyes absorbing in the entire visible spectrum
Authors: Sandoval-Torrientes Rafael , Calbo Joaquín , García-Fresnadillo David , Santos José , Ortí Enrique , Martín Nazario
Published: February 2017

A series of new broad-absorbing rhodanine-fluorene dyes conjugated with triarylamines are presented. Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations, along with theoretical DFT calculations, unveil the electronic and optical properties of the dyes.
Synthesis of 3-acylquinolines through Cu-catalyzed double C(sp3)–H bond functionalization of saturated ketones
Authors: Wang Ze , Chen Guang , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: February 2017

A novel synthesis of 3-acylquinolines through Cu-catalyzed one-pot reactions of 2-aminoaryl aldehydes/ketones with inactivated ketones featured with double C(sp3)–H bond functionalization is presented.
Low-temperature fabrication of Bi25FeO40/rGO nanocomposites with efficient photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation
Authors: Wang Xingfu , Mao Weiwei , Wang Qi , Zhu Yiyi , Min Yonggang , Zhang Jian , Yang Tao , Yang Jianping , Li Xing'ao , Huang Wei
Published: February 2017

Bismuth ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (Bi25FeO40/rGO) nanocomposites have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method, followed by a simple room temperature liquid phase process.
The water–iodine oxide system: a revised mechanism for hydration and dehydration
Authors: Smith Dylan K. , Pantoya Michelle L. , Parkey Jeffrey S. , Kesmez Mehmet
Published: February 2017

Iodic acids are widely studied in atmospheric and biological applications but their inherent hydrophilic properties introduce complexities that affect their functionality and reactivity.
Effect of fixed charge group concentration on equilibrium ion sorption in ion exchange membranes
Authors: Kamcev Jovan , Paul Donald R. , Freeman Benny D.
Published: February 2017

Ion sorption in highly charged, highly swollen membranes is influenced by fixed charge group concentration, as well as distribution of fixed charge groups.
New advances on the marrying of UCNPs and photothermal agents for imaging-guided diagnosis and the therapy of tumors
Authors: Wang Dongmei , Liu Bei , Quan Zewei , Li Chunxia , Hou Zhiyao , Xing Bengang , Lin Jun
Published: February 2017

This review primarily focuses on the new advances in the design and theranostic applications of rare earth upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)–NIR photothermal absorbers multifunctional nanoplatforms.
Charge transfer tuning in TiO2hybrid nanostructures with acceptor–acceptor systems
Authors: Pilarczyk K. , Lewandowska K. , Mech K. , Kawa M. , Gajewska M. , Barszcz B. , Bogucki A. , Podborska A. , Szaciłowski K.
Published: February 2017

The interplay between titanium dioxide and two electron acceptors (graphene oxide and chloranilic acid) results in the fine-tuning of photoelectrochemical properties of the ternary nanocomposite.
Formation of charge-transfer complexes based on a tropylium cation and 2,6-helic[6]arenes: a visible redox stimulus-responsive process
Authors: Zhang Geng-Wu , Shi Qiang , Chen Chuan-Feng
Published: February 2017

Charge-transfer complexes between 2,6-helic[6]arenes and a tropylium cation formed, and they could undergo visible redox stimulus-responsive and switchable complexation processes.
Preparation of a highly reactive polymer click reagent, PEG nitrile N-oxide, and its application in block and star polymer synthesis
Authors: Tsutsuba Toyokazu , Sogawa Hiromitsu , Takata Toshikazu
Published: February 2017

The polymer nitrile N-oxide containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) skeleton PEG-CNO was synthesized via a stepwise reaction.
Graphdiyne for multilevel flexible organic resistive random access memory devices
Authors: Jin Zhiwen , Chen Yanhuan , Zhou Qing , Mao Peng , Liu Huibiao , Wang Jizheng , Li Yuliang
Published: February 2017

A novel carbon material graphdiyne and thermally deposited Al–Al2O3core–shell NPs were employed to realize flexible multilevel RRAM.
2D MoS2/polyaniline heterostructures with enlarged interlayer spacing for superior lithium and sodium storage
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Jiang Hao , Hu Yanjie , Li Neng , Zhao Xiujian , Li Chunzhong
Published: February 2017

We demonstrate the confined synthesis of 2D MoS2/PANI nanosheets heterostructure with well-defined interfaces, in which the interlayer distance of MoS2 is enlarged from 0.62 nm to 1.08 nm. The unique structure shows excellent Li/Na storage capability mainly due to the remarkably enhanced Li+/Na+ diffusion mobility.
Carbon stars in the X-shooter Spectral Library
Authors: Gonneau A. , Lançon A. , Trager S. C. , Aringer B. , Nowotny W. , Peletier R. F. , Prugniel P. , Chen Y.-P. , Lyubenova M.
Published: February 2017

In a previous paper, we assembled a collection of medium-resolution spectra of 35 carbon stars, covering optical and near-infrared wavelengths from 400 to 2400 nm. The sample includes stars from the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds, with a variety of (J−Ks) colors and pulsation properties. In the present paper, we compare these observations to a new set of high-resolution synthetic spectra, based on hydrostatic model atmospheres. We find that the broad-band colors and the molecular-band strengths measured by spectrophotometric indices match those of the models when (J−Ks) is bluer than about 1.6, while the redder stars require either additional reddening or dust emission or both. Using a grid of models to fit the full observed spectra, we estimate the most likely atmospheric parameters Teff, log (g), [Fe/H] and C/O. These parameters derived independently in the optical and near-infrared are generally consistent when (J−Ks) < 1.6. The temperatures found based on either wavelength range are typically within ±100 K of each other, and log (g) and [Fe/H] are consistent with the values expected for this sample. The reddest stars ((J−Ks) > 1.6) are divided into two families, characterized by the presence or absence of an absorption feature at 1.53 μm, generally associated with HCN and C2H2. Stars from the first family begin to be more affected by circumstellar extinction. The parameters found using optical or near-infrared wavelengths are still compatible with each other, but the error bars become larger. In stars showing the 1.53 μm feature, which are all large-amplitude variables, the effects of pulsation are strong and the spectra are poorly matched with hydrostatic models. For these, atmospheric parameters could not be derived reliably, and dynamical models are needed for proper interpretation.
Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis: An Emerging, and A Confusing, Disease in Children (A Multicenter Experience)
Authors: Saleem Mervat , Saeedd Mayssa , Eissa Mohamed , Shreef Khalid
Published: February 2017

Introduction Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is an emerging fungal infection in children that leads to diagnostic confusion.

Aim Our study aim was twofold: a systematic review of published literature and an update of some Saudi Arabia hospital series to analyze their as well as our own experience in diagnosis and management of GIB.

Material and Methods This clinical study included 18 children whose final diagnosis was GIB. The patients, who ranged in age from 5 to 10 years, were admitted between November 2009 and November 2015 with vague abdominal pains with or without abdominal masses for further investigation.

Results Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (94.4%) followed by constipation and abdominal mass (83.3 and 77.8%, respectively); fever was present in only 22.2% of the cases. Elevated inflammatory markers and eosinophilia (94.4%) appeared as prominent laboratory findings.

Conclusion We conclude that diagnosing GIB in children requires a high index of suspicion, awareness, and consideration of its possibility in the differential diagnosis in patients with abdominal masses and eosinophilia, particularly in areas where it is endemic. Increased awareness of this clinical entity, early surgical resection of the infected tissue, and prolonged treatment with itraconazole offer the best chance for curing the disease.
Nanoboomerang-based inverse metasurfaces—A promising path towards ultrathin photonic devices for transmission operation
Authors: Zeisberger Matthias , Schneidewind Henrik , Huebner Uwe , Popp Juergen , Schmidt Markus A.
Published: February 2017

Metasurfaces have revolutionized photonics due to their ability to shape phase fronts as requested and to tune beam directionality using nanoscale metallic or dielectric scatterers. Here we reveal inverse metasurfaces showing superior properties compared to their positive counterparts if transmission mode operation is considered. The key advantage of such slot-type metasurfaces is the strong reduction of light in the parallel-polarization state, making the crossed-polarization, being essential for metasurface operation, dominant and highly visible. In the experiment, we show an up to four times improvement in polarization extinction for the individual metasurface element geometry consisting of deep subwavelength nanoboomerangs with feature sizes of the order of 100 nm. As confirmed by simulations, strong plasmonic hybridization yields two spectrally separated plasmonic resonances, ultimately allowing for the desired phase and scattering engineering in transmission. Due to the design flexibility of inverse metasurfaces, a large number of highly integrated ultra-flat photonic elements can be envisioned, examples of which include monolithic lenses for telecommunications and spectroscopy, beam shaper or generator for particle trapping or acceleration or sophisticated polarization control for microscopy.
Ferroelectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of a photovoltaic perovskite oxide
Authors: Bai Yang , Siponkoski Tuomo , Peräntie Jani , Jantunen Heli , Juuti Jari
Published: February 2017

A perovskite solid-solution, (1-x)KNbO3-xBaNi1/2Nb1/2O3-δ (KBNNO), has been found to exhibit tunable bandgaps in the visible light energy range, making it suitable for light absorption and conversion applications, e.g., solar energy harvesting and light sensing. Such a common ABO3–type perovskite structure, most widely used for ferroelectrics and piezoelectrics, enables the same solid-solution material to be used for the simultaneous harvesting or sensing of solar, kinetic, and thermal energies. In this letter, the ferroelectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of KBNNO with x = 0.1 have been reported above room temperature. The investigation has also identified the optimal bandgap for visible light absorption. The stoichiometric composition and also a composition with potassium deficiency have been investigated, where the latter has shown more balanced properties. As a result, a remanent polarization of 3.4 μC/cm2, a pyroelectric coefficient of 26 μC/m2 K, piezoelectric coefficients d33 ≈ 23 pC/N and g33 ≈ 4.1 × 10−3 Vm/N, and a direct bandgap of 1.48 eV have been measured for the KBNNO ceramics. These results are considered to be a significant improvement compared to those of other compositions (e.g., ZnO and AlN), which could be used for the same applications. The results pave the way for the development of hybrid energy harvesters/sensors, which can convert multiple energy sources into electrical energy simultaneously in the same material.
A tip-attached tuning fork sensor for the control of DNA translocation through a nanopore
Authors: Hyun Changbae , Kaur Harpreet , Huang Tao , Li Jiali
Published: February 2017

In this work, we demonstrate that a tuning fork can be used as a force detecting sensor for manipulating DNA molecules and for controlling the DNA translocation rate through a nanopore. One prong of a tuning fork is glued with a probe tip which DNA molecules can be attached to. To control the motion and position of the tip, the tuning fork is fixed to a nanopositioning system which has sub-nanometer position control. A fluidic chamber is designed to fulfill many requirements for the experiment: for the access of a DNA-attached tip approaching to a nanopore, for housing a nanopore chip, and for measuring ionic current through a solid-state nanopore with a pair of electrodes. The location of a nanopore is first observed by transmission electron microscopy, and then is determined inside the liquid chambers with an optical microscope combined with local scanning the probe tip on the nanopore surface. When a DNA-immobilized tip approaches a membrane surface near a nanopore, free ends of the immobilized DNA strings can be pulled and trapped into the pore by an applied voltage across the nanopore chip, resulting in an ionic current reduction through the nanopore. The trapped DNA molecules can be lifted up from the nanopore at a user controlled speed. This integrated apparatus allows manipulation of biomolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins) attached to a probe tip with sub-nanometer precision, and simultaneously allows measurement of the biomolecules by a nanopore device.
A source to deliver mesoscopic particles for laser plasma studies
Authors: Gopal R. , Kumar R. , Anand M. , Kulkarni A. , Singh D. P. , Krishnan S. R. , Sharma V. , Krishnamurthy M.
Published: February 2017

Intense ultrashort laser produced plasmas are a source for high brightness, short burst of X-rays, electrons, and high energy ions. Laser energy absorption and its disbursement strongly depend on the laser parameters and also on the initial size and shape of the target. The ability to change the shape, size, and material composition of the matter that absorbs light is of paramount importance not only from a fundamental physics point of view but also for potentially developing laser plasma sources tailored for specific applications. The idea of preparing mesoscopic particles of desired size/shape and suspending them in vacuum for laser plasma acceleration is a sparsely explored domain. In the following report we outline the development of a delivery mechanism of microparticles into an effusive jet in vacuum for laser plasma studies. We characterise the device in terms of particle density, particle size distribution, and duration of operation under conditions suitable for laser plasma studies. We also present the first results of x-ray emission from micro crystals of boric acid that extends to 100 keV even under relatively mild intensities of 1016 W/cm2.
Accurate alkynyl radical structures from density functional calculations without Hartree-Fock exchange
Authors: Janesko Benjamin G. , Proynov Emil
Published: February 2017

Density functional approximations (DFAs) often suffer from self-repulsion and delocalization errors which are reduced by exact (Hartree-Fock-like) exchange admixture. Oyeyemi and co-workers recently showed that several DFAs with little exact exchange incorrectly predict bent alkynyl radical geometries, giving errors in ab initio composite methods using density functional theory geometries [V. B. Oyeyemi et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 3, 289 (2012)]. We show that the simple Hartree-Fock-Slater and Xα DFAs, which have substantial delocalization error, predict linear alkynyl radical geometries without incorporating exact exchange. Our Rung 3.5 DFAs, and rescaled generalized gradient approximations, can give either linear σ, bent σ–π, or nearly linear π radicals, all without incorporating exact exchange. This highlights the complexity of delocalization error, the utility of accurate empirical DFA geometries for ab initio composite methods, and the insights to be gained from Rung 3.5 DFAs.
Turbulent transport in 2D collisionless guide field reconnection
Authors: Muñoz P. A. , Büchner J. , Kilian P.
Published: February 2017

Transport in hot and dilute, i.e., collisionless, astrophysical and space, plasmas is called “anomalous.” This transport is due to the interaction between the particles and the self-generated turbulence by their collective interactions. The anomalous transport has very different and not well known properties compared to the transport due to binary collisions, dominant in colder and denser plasmas. Because of its relevance for astrophysical and space plasmas, we explore the excitation of turbulence in current sheets prone to component- or guide-field reconnection, a process not well understood yet. This configuration is typical for stellar coronae, and it is created in the laboratory for which a 2.5D geometry applies. In our analysis, in addition to the immediate vicinity of the X-line, we also include regions outside and near the separatrices. We analyze the anomalous transport properties by using 2.5D Particle-in-Cell code simulations. We split off the mean slow variation (in contrast to the fast turbulent fluctuations) of the macroscopic observables and determine the main transport terms of the generalized Ohm's law. We verify our findings by comparing with the independently determined slowing-down rate of the macroscopic currents (due to a net momentum transfer from particles to waves) and with the transport terms obtained by the first order correlations of the turbulent fluctuations. We find that the turbulence is most intense in the “low density” separatrix region of guide-field reconnection. It is excited by streaming instabilities, is mainly electrostatic and “patchy” in space, and so is the associated anomalous transport. Parts of the energy exchange between turbulence and particles are reversible and quasi-periodic. The remaining irreversible anomalous resistivity can be parametrized by an effective collision rate ranging from the local ion-cyclotron to the lower-hybrid frequency. The contributions to the parallel and the perpendicular (to the magnetic field) components of the slowly varying DC-electric fields, balanced by the turbulence, are similar. This anomalous electric field is, however, smaller than the contributions of the off-diagonal pressure and electron inertia terms of Ohm's law. This result can now be verified by in-situ measurements of the turbulence, in and around the magnetic reconnection regions of the Earth's magnetosphere by the multi-spacecraft mission MMS and in laboratory experiments like MRX and VINETA-II.
Electronic structure investigation of biphenylene films
Authors: Totani R. , Grazioli C. , Zhang T. , Bidermane I. , Lüder J. , de Simone M. , Coreno M. , Brena B. , Lozzi L. , Puglia C.
Published: February 2017

Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PS) and Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy have been used to investigate the occupied and empty density of states of biphenylene films of different thicknesses, deposited onto a Cu(111) crystal. The obtained results have been compared to previous gas phase spectra and single molecule Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to get insights into the possible modification of the molecular electronic structure in the film induced by the adsorption on a surface. Furthermore, NEXAFS measurements allowed characterizing the variation of the molecular arrangement with the film thickness and helped to clarify the substrate-molecule interaction.
Topological obstructions in Lagrangian field theories, with an application to 3D Chern–Simons gauge theory
Authors: Palese Marcella , Winterroth Ekkehart
Published: February 2017

We relate the existence of Noether global conserved currents associated with locally variational field equations to the existence of global solutions for a local variational problem generating global equations. Both can be characterized as the vanishing of certain cohomology classes. In the case of a 3-dimensional Chern–Simons gauge theory, the variationally featured cohomological obstruction to the existence of global solutions is sharp and equivalent to the usual obstruction in terms of the Chern characteristic class for the flatness of a principal connection. We suggest a parallelism between the geometric interpretation of characteristic classes as obstruction to the existence of flat principal connections and the interpretation of certain de Rham cohomology classes to be the obstruction to the existence of global extremals for a local variational principle.
Transport and breakdown analysis for improved figure-of-merit for AlGaN power devices
Authors: Coltrin Michael E. , Kaplar Robert J.
Published: February 2017

Mobility and critical electric field for bulk AlxGa1-xN alloys across the full composition range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are analyzed to address the potential application of this material system for power electronics. Calculation of the temperature-dependent electron mobility includes the potential limitations due to different scattering mechanisms, including alloy, optical polar phonon, deformation potential, and piezoelectric scattering. The commonly used unipolar figure of merit (appropriate for vertical-device architectures), which increases strongly with increasing mobility and critical electric field, is examined across the alloy composition range to estimate the potential performance in power electronics applications. Alloy scattering is the dominant limitation to mobility and thus also for the unipolar figure of merit. However, at higher alloy compositions, the limitations due to alloy scattering are overcome by increased critical electric field. These trade-offs, and their temperature dependence, are quantified in the analysis.
Design of L21-type antiferromagnetic semiconducting full-Heusler compounds: A first principles DFT + GW study
Authors: Tas M. , Şaşıoğlu E. , Friedrich C. , Blügel S. , Galanakis I.
Published: February 2017

Antiferromagnetic spintronics is an on-going growing field of research. Employing both standard density functional theory and the GW approximation within the framework of the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave method, we study the electronic and magnetic properties of seven potential antiferromagnetic semiconducting Heusler compounds with 18 (or 28 when Zn is present) valence electrons per unit cell. We show that in these compounds G-type antiferromagnetism is the ground state and that they are all either semiconductors (Cr2ScP, Cr2TiZn, V2ScP, V2TiSi, and V3Al) or semimetals (Mn2MgZn and Mn2NaAl). The many-body corrections have a minimal effect on the electronic band structure with respect to the standard electronic structure calculations.
Determination of hole g-factor in InAs/InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells by magneto-photoluminescence studies
Authors: Terent'ev Ya. V. , Danilov S. N. , Durnev M. V. , Loher J. , Schuh D. , Bougeard D. , Ivanov S. V. , Ganichev S. D.
Published: February 2017

A circularly polarized magneto-photoluminescence (magneto-PL) technique has been applied to investigate the Zeeman effect in InAs/InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells (QWs) in the Faraday geometry. Structures with different thicknesses of the QW barriers have been studied in the magnetic field parallel and tilted with respect to the sample normal. The effective electron-hole g-factor has been found by measurement of splitting of polarized magneto-PL lines. Landé factors of electrons have been calculated using the 14-band k·p method, and the g-factor of holes was determined by subtracting the calculated contribution of the electrons from the effective electron-hole g-factor. Anisotropy of the hole g-factor has been studied applying the tilted magnetic field.
Note: Efficient diode laser line narrowing using dual, feed-forward + feed-back laser frequency control
Authors: Lintz M. , Phung D. H. , Coulon J.-P. , Faure B. , Lévèque T.
Published: February 2017

We have achieved distributed feedback laser diode line narrowing by simultaneously acting on the diode current via a feed-back loop and on an external electrooptic phase modulator in feed-forward actuator. This configuration turns out to be very efficient in reaching large bandwidth in the phase correction: up to 15 MHz with commercial laser control units. About 98% of the laser power undergoes narrowing. The full width at half maximum of the narrowed optical spectrum is of less than 4 kHz. This configuration appears to be very convenient as the delay in the feed-forward control electronics is easily compensated for by a 20 m optical fiber roll.
Patterned growth of ZnO nanowires on flexible substrates for enhanced performance of flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Yang Dechao , Qiu Yu , Jiang Qingyu , Guo Zhaoshuai , Song Wenbin , Xu Jin , Zong Yang , Feng Qiuxia , Sun Xiaoling
Published: February 2017

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) based on patterned growth of ZnO nanowires (PNWs) by the hydrothermal method are proposed for high-efficiency energy harvesting applications. The use of the PNWs in ZnO-based FPNGs results in a significant improvement in terms of the magnitude of the output currents of up to 6 times when compared with pristine ZnO NW-based FPNGs without patterned growth mode. The maximum output current was measured to be about 150 nA, which was enough to drive some micro/nanoelectronic devices. The improved output performance is mainly attributed to the patterned growth mode in FPNGs, which may significantly reduce the piezoelectric potential screening effect caused by free electrons in ZnO. This strategy may provide a highly promising platform as energy harvesting devices for viable industrial applications in portable/wearable nanodevices.
Epitaxial growth and characterization of Bi1-xSbx spin Hall thin films on GaAs(111)A substrates
Authors: Ueda Yugo , Duy Khang Nguyen Huynh , Yao Kenichiro , Hai Pham Nam
Published: February 2017

We grew and characterized Bi1-xSbx thin films on GaAs(111)A substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. By optimizing the growth condition, we were able to grow Bi1-xSbx thin films epitaxially with the Sb concentration ranging from 0% to 100% and the epitaxial orientation of Bi1-xSbx(001)//GaAs(111). The conductivity of Bi1-xSbx exceeds 105 Ω−1 m−1 and approaches those of bulk values for thick enough thin films, which are higher than those of other Bi-based topological insulators by at least an order of magnitude. From the temperature dependence of their electrical conductivity, we confirmed the existence of metallic surface states of Bi1-xSbx inside and outside of the topological insulating region. Our results demonstrate the potential of Bi1-xSbx as a spin Hall material with high conductivity and possibly large spin Hall angle for spintronic applications.
Electronic and optical properties of antiferromagnetic iron doped NiO – A first principles study
Authors: Petersen John E. , Twagirayezu Fidele , Scolfaro Luisa M. , Borges Pablo D. , Geerts Wilhelmus J.
Published: February 2017

Antiferromagnetic NiO is a candidate for next generation high-speed and scaled RRAM devices. Here, electronic and optical properties of antiferromagnetic NiO: Fe 25% in the rock salt structure are studied and compared to intrinsic NiO. From density of states and complex dielectric function analysis, the first optical transition is found to be at lower frequency than intrinsic NiO due to an Fe impurity level being the valence band maximum. The resulting effects on refractive index, reflectivity, absorption, optical conductivity and loss function for Fe-doped NiO are compared to those of intrinsic NiO, and notable differences are analyzed. The electronic component of the static dielectric constant of NiO: Fe 25% is calculated to be about 2% less than that of intrinsic NiO.
Note: Fully integrated active quenching circuit achieving 100 MHz count rate with custom technology single photon avalanche diodes
Authors: Acconcia G. , Labanca I. , Rech I. , Gulinatti A. , Ghioni M.
Published: February 2017

The minimization of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) dead time is a key factor to speed up photon counting and timing measurements. We present a fully integrated Active Quenching Circuit (AQC) able to provide a count rate as high as 100 MHz with custom technology SPAD detectors. The AQC can also operate the new red enhanced SPAD and provide the timing information with a timing jitter Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) as low as 160 ps.
N-polar InGaN-based LEDs fabricated on sapphire via pulsed sputtering
Authors: Ueno Kohei , Kishikawa Eiji , Ohta Jitsuo , Fujioka Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

High-quality N-polar GaN epitaxial films with an atomically flat surface were grown on sapphire (0001) via pulsed sputtering deposition, and their structural and electrical properties were investigated. The crystalline quality of N-polar GaN improves with increasing film thickness and the full width at half maximum values of the x-ray rocking curves for 0002 and 101¯2 diffraction were 313 and 394 arcsec, respectively, at the film thickness of 6μm. Repeatable p-type doping in N-polar GaN films was achieved using Mg dopant, and their hole concentration and mobility can be controlled in the range of 8 × 1016–2 × 1018 cm−3 and 2–9 cm2V−1s−1, respectively. The activation energy of Mg in N-polar GaN based on a temperature-dependent Hall measurement was estimated to be 161 meV, which is comparable to that of the Ga-polar GaN. Based on these results, we demonstrated the fabrication of N-polar InGaN-based light emitting diodes with the long wavelength up to 609 nm.
Spin Seebeck effect in insulating epitaxial γ−Fe2O3 thin films
Authors: Jiménez-Cavero P. , Lucas I. , Anadón A. , Ramos R. , Niizeki T. , Aguirre M. H. , Algarabel P. A. , Uchida K. , Ibarra M. R. , Saitoh E. , Morellón L.
Published: February 2017

We report the fabrication of high crystal quality epitaxial thin films of maghemite (γ−Fe2O3), a classic ferrimagnetic insulating iron oxide. Spin Seebeck effect (SSE) measurements in γ−Fe2O3/Pt bilayers as a function of sample preparation conditions and temperature yield a SSE coefficient of 0.5(1) μV/K at room temperature. Dependence on temperature allows us to estimate the magnon diffusion length in maghemite to be in the range of tens of nanometers, in good agreement with that of conducting iron oxide magnetite (Fe3O4), establishing the relevance of spin currents of magnonic origin in magnetic iron oxides.
Microfluidics cell sample preparation for analysis: Advances in efficient cell enrichment and precise single cell capture
Authors: Huang Liang , Bian Shengtai , Cheng Yinuo , Shi Guanya , Liu Peng , Ye Xiongying , Wang Wenhui
Published: February 2017

Single cell analysis has received increasing attention recently in both academia and clinics, and there is an urgent need for effective upstream cell sample preparation. Two extremely challenging tasks in cell sample preparation—high-efficiency cell enrichment and precise single cell capture—have now entered into an era full of exciting technological advances, which are mostly enabled by microfluidics. In this review, we summarize the category of technologies that provide new solutions and creative insights into the two tasks of cell manipulation, with a focus on the latest development in the recent five years by highlighting the representative works. By doing so, we aim both to outline the framework and to showcase example applications of each task. In most cases for cell enrichment, we take circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as the target cells because of their research and clinical importance in cancer. For single cell capture, we review related technologies for many kinds of target cells because the technologies are supposed to be more universal to all cells rather than CTCs. Most of the mentioned technologies can be used for both cell enrichment and precise single cell capture. Each technology has its own advantages and specific challenges, which provide opportunities for researchers in their own area. Overall, these technologies have shown great promise and now evolve into real clinical applications.
Single and double grating-based X-ray microtomography using synchrotron radiation
Authors: Thalmann P. , Bikis C. , Hipp A. , Müller B. , Hieber S. E. , Schulz G.
Published: February 2017

Hard X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques have become most suitable for the non-destructive three-dimensional visualization of soft tissues at the microscopic level. Among the hard X-ray grating interferometry methods, a single-grating approach (XSGI) has been implemented by simplifying the established double-grating interferometer (XDGI). We quantitatively compare the XSGI and XDGI tomograms of a human nerve and demonstrate that both techniques provide sufficient contrast to allow for the distinction of tissue types. The two-fold binned data show spatial resolution of (5.2 ± 0.6) μm and (10.7 ± 0.6) μm, respectively, underlying the performance of XSGI in soft tissue imaging.
Comparative determination of Y3Fe5O12/Pt interfacial spin mixing conductance by spin-Hall magnetoresistance and spin pumping
Authors: Wang Hailong , Du Chunhui , Hammel P. Chris , Yang Fengyuan
Published: February 2017

We studied spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) in a Y3Fe5O12/Pt bilayer at room temperature. The SMR loops precisely follow the magnetization hysteresis loops in both the in-plane and out-of-plane configurations. SMR up to 0.09% is observed, from which an interfacial spin mixing conductance g↑↓= (9.0 ± 2.6) × 1018 m−2 is extracted. In addition, we measured ferromagnetic resonance spin pumping induced damping enhancement in the bilayer, which gives g↑↓ = (6.9 ± 0.6) × 1018 m−2. The agreement in the values of g↑↓ obtained from two reciprocal processes within uncertainty demonstrates the validity of the model for analyzing interfacial spin transmission.
Low-threshold room-temperature AlGaAs/GaAs nanowire/single-quantum-well heterostructure laser
Authors: Yan Xin , Wei Wei , Tang Fengling , Wang Xi , Li Luying , Zhang Xia , Ren Xiaomin
Published: February 2017

Near-infrared nanowire lasers are promising as ultrasmall, low-consumption light emitters in on-chip optical communications and computing systems. Here, we report on a room-temperature near-infrared nanolaser based on an AlGaAs/GaAs nanowire/single-quantum-well heterostructure grown by Au-catalyzed metal organic chemical vapor deposition. When subjects to pulsed optical excitation, the nanowire exhibits lasing, with a low threshold of 600 W/cm2, a narrow linewidth of 0.39 nm, and a high Q factor of 2000 at low temperature. Lasing is observed up to 300 K, with an ultrasmall temperature dependent wavelength shift of 0.045 nm/K. This work paves the way towards ultrasmall, low-consumption, and high-temperature-stability near-infrared nanolasers.
Orthogonal decomposition of core loss along rolling and transverse directions of non-grain oriented silicon steels
Authors: Wan Xuezhi , Li Yongjian , Li Jingsong , Liu Chengcheng , Zhu Jianguo
Published: February 2017

Rotational core loss of the silicon steel laminations are measured under elliptical rotating excitation. The core loss decomposition model is very important in magnetic core design, in which the decomposition coefficients are calculated through the measurement data. By using the transformation of trigonometric function, the elliptical rotational magnetic flux can be decomposed into two parts along two directions. It is assumed that the rotating core loss is the sum of alternating core losses along rolling and transverse directions. The magnetic strength vector H of non-grain oriented (NGO) silicon steel 35WW270 along rolling and transverse directions is measured by a novel designed 3-D magnetic properties tester. Alternating core loss along the rolling, transverse directions and rotating core loss in the xoy-plane of this specimen in different frequencies such as 50 Hz, 100 Hz, and 200 Hz. Experimental results show that the core loss model is more accurate and useful to predict the total core loss.
Spatial interpolation and mean fire interval analyses quantify historical mixed-severity fire regimes
Authors: Greene Gregory A. , Daniels Lori D.
Published: February 2017

Tree-age data in combination with fire scars improved inverse-distance-weighted spatial modelling of historical fire boundaries and intervals for the Darkwoods, British Columbia, Canada. Fire-scarred trees provided direct evidence of fire. The presence of fire-sensitive trees at sites with no fire scars indicated fire-free periods over their lifespan. Sensitivity analyses showed: (1) tree ages used in combination with fire-scar dates refined fire boundaries without biasing mean fire return intervals; and (2) compared with derived conservative, moderate and liberal thresholds (i.e. minimum burn likelihood cut-off values), fixed thresholds generated area burned estimates that were most consistent with estimates based on the proportion of plots that recorded historical fires. Unweighted and weighted spatial mean fire intervals (50–56 and 58–68 years respectively) exceeded dendrochronological plot-level (38-year) estimates based on fire scars only. Including tree-age data from fire-sensitive trees to calculate landscape-level fire interval metrics lengthened the mean return intervals, better representing historical high-severity fires. Supplementing fire scars with tree ages better reflects the spatiotemporal diversity of fire frequencies and severities inherent to mixed-severity fire regimes.
Perceptions of extended concurrent speech in Mandarin
Authors: Zhu Weihua
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we adopt Kádár and Haugh’s (2013) discursive-interactional approach to argue that extended concurrent speech for floor taking or topic switching can be perceived as normal andqiàdàng(appropriate). Spontaneous mundane conversations and interviews in Mandarin were collected and transcribed by means of interactional sociolinguistic methods. A close analysis was conducted on participants’ responses to the extended concurrent speech for floor taking or topic switching and their retrospective thoughts. Results show that the participants did not view the speech as inappropriate. They produced the speech to achieve relational goals, clarify things, collaborate on a topic, claim participatory rights or display high involvement. They enjoyed conversing around a trivial topic in informal settings. This challenges the argument of long overlapping, floor taking or topic switching as problematic in the literature. The findings indicate the importance of embracing different perspectives from varying sources to understand perceptions of turn-taking mechanisms in Mandarin conversation. This study can contribute to our understanding of interpersonal pragmatics and the conventional views/norms that might cause communication misunderstanding in cross-cultural contact.
n-Hexanal and (Z)-3-hexenal are generated from arachidonic acid and linolenic acid by a lipoxygenase in Marchantia polymorpha L.
Authors: Tawfik Moataz M , Yamato Katsuyuki T , Kohchi Takayuki , Koeduka Takao , Matsui Kenji
Published: February 2017

Most terrestrial plants form green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which are mainly composed of six-carbon (C6) compounds. In our effort to study the distribution of the ability of lipoxygenase (LOX) to form GLVs, we found that a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha, formed n-hexanal and (Z)-3-hexenal. Some LOXs execute a secondary reaction to form short chain volatiles. One of the LOXs from M. polymorpha (MpLOX7) oxygenized arachidonic and α-linolenic acids at almost equivalent efficiency and formed C6-aldehydes during its catalysis; these are likely formed from hydroperoxides of arachidonic and α-linolenic acids, with a cleavage of the bond between carbon at the base of the hydroperoxy group and carbon of double bond, which is energetically unfavorable. These lines of evidence suggest that one of the LOXs in liverwort employs an unprecedented reaction to form C6 aldehydes as by-products of its reaction with fatty acid substrates.
A novel regulatory element responsible for high transcriptional expression of acerola GDP-d-mannose pyrophosphorylase gene
Authors: Kondo Takayuki , Fujikawa Yukichi , Esaka Muneharu
Published: February 2017

GDP-d-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP) is one of the enzymes that highly expressed in acerola plants. A promoter assay suggests the presence of a new cis-element in the −1087 to −1083 bp sequence of the MgGMP promoter. Moreover, cis-elements, present in the −1080 to −600 bp sequence of the MgGMP promoter, function as enhancers of MgGMP expression.
Fusion pores and their control of neurotransmitter and hormone release
Authors: Chang Che-Wei , Chiang Chung-Wei , Jackson Meyer B.
Published: February 2017

Ca2+-triggered exocytosis functions broadly in the secretion of chemical signals, enabling neurons to release neurotransmitters and endocrine cells to release hormones. The biological demands on this process can vary enormously. Although synapses often release neurotransmitter in a small fraction of a millisecond, hormone release can be orders of magnitude slower. Vesicles usually contain multiple signaling molecules that can be released selectively and conditionally. Cells are able to control the speed, concentration profile, and content selectivity of release by tuning and tailoring exocytosis to meet different biological demands. Much of this regulation depends on the fusion pore—the aqueous pathway by which molecules leave a vesicle and move out into the surrounding extracellular space. Studies of fusion pores have illuminated how cells regulate secretion. Furthermore, the formation and growth of fusion pores serve as a readout for the progress of exocytosis, thus revealing key kinetic stages that provide clues about the underlying mechanisms. Herein, we review the structure, composition, and dynamics of fusion pores and discuss the implications for molecular mechanisms as well as for the cellular regulation of neurotransmitter and hormone release.
MotifNet: a web-server for network motif analysis
Authors: Smoly Ilan Y , Lerman Eugene , Ziv-Ukelson Michal , Yeger-Lotem Esti
Published: February 2017

Network motifs are small topological patterns that recur in a network significantly more often than expected by chance. Their identification emerged as a powerful approach for uncovering the design principles underlying complex networks. However, available tools for network motif analysis typically require download and execution of computationally intensive software on a local computer. We present MotifNet, the first open-access web-server for network motif analysis. MotifNet allows researchers to analyze integrated networks, where nodes and edges may be labeled, and to search for motifs of up to eight nodes. The output motifs are presented graphically and the user can interactively filter them by their significance, number of instances, node and edge labels, and node identities, and view their instances. MotifNet also allows the user to distinguish between motifs that are centered on specific nodes and motifs that recur in distinct parts of the network.

Availability and Implementation

MotifNet is freely available at http://netbio.bgu.ac.il/motifnet. The website was implemented using ReactJs and supports all major browsers. The server interface was implemented in Python with data stored on a MySQL database.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Coil Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Bendok Bernard R. , Hanel Ricardo A. , Hopkins L. Nelson
Published: February 2017

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION of Guglielmi detachable coils more than a decade ago, the coiling technique for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms has been enhanced with technical and technological refinements. Both neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists have participated in this process. Stents and nondetachable balloons have been useful in the coiling of some wide-necked aneurysms. An increasing number of neurosurgeons are pursuing fellowship training in neuroendovascular techniques. Moreover, most neurosurgeons work closely with neurointerventionists. In this communication, technical preferences developed during our experience with intracranial aneurysm coiling are summarized.
Fetal and Neonatal Hand Movement
Authors: Sparling Joyce W , Van Tol Julia , Chescheir Nancy C
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Fetal movement occurs early in human gestation and can be observed by ultrasound imaging. This was a descriptive study of fetal hand movements from 14 weeks of gestation to postnatal day 1. The purpose of the study was to identify specific hand movements and their developmental trends in order to better understand low-risk human development.Subjects. Twenty-one women with low-risk pregnancies were identified from a university obstetrics clinic. Their fetuses or neonates were the focus of this study.Methods. Ultrasound imaging was used at 14, 20, 26, 32, and 37 weeks of gestation, and videotaping was used at 1 day after birth. Between 12 and 16 minutes of usable imaging was obtained at each fetal age, and 24 minutes of videotape was collected neonatally. The duration and frequency of 7 hand movements were determined and reliably scored. Nonparametric analyses were used.Results. Fetal and neonatal movements did not appear to be random, and they appeared to be directed or aimed at specific targets. Fetal movement was variable throughout gestation. Differences occurred between fetal and neonatal data. Durations of certain hand movements provided data that exhibited some developmental trends, such as decreasing linear trends and regression-typeU curves. Fetal movements to or at the head and face and the observations scored at 32 weeks of gestation were the best predictors of neonatal movement.Conclusion and Discussion. Results suggest the potential for fetal movement to be observed and scored reliably, with scores used to further our understanding of the development of human movement.
Can Some Physical Therapy and Manual Techniques Generate Potentially Osteogenic Levels of Strain Within Mammalian Bone?
Authors: Wilson Andrew W , Davies Helen MS , Edwards Glenn A , Grills Brian L
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Although physical therapy techniques are used to alleviate pain and stiffness in joint injuries, whether these methods are capable of affecting bone is unknown. For example, can these techniques potentially influence bone formation or resorption? To begin exploring this possibility, this study investigated the ability of 4 manual techniques to generate levels of compressive strains that presumably can stimulate bone metabolism. Subjects. Six 3,4 metacarpals from three 3-year-old Merino ewes were used. Methods. A rosette strain gauge was implanted onto the dorsomedial cortex of each ovine 3,4 metacarpal. Four different manual procedures were applied on 2 occasions on each metacarpal in vivo and ex vivo. Mean peak principal compressive strains were calculated for each technique. Results. Levered bending produced greater mean peak compressive strains than almost all other manual procedures tested in vivo or ex vivo. Conclusion and Discussion. Manual levered bending created levels of compressive strain similar in magnitude to those created by mechanical devices used in previous animal experiments to induce new bone formation (osteogenesis). This animal model appears to be suitable for investigating the effects of manually applied procedures on bone and may establish whether manual techniques can stimulate bone formation.