bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revised human impact in north‐western Germany during the Neolithic: methodological limits and challenges
Authors: KRAMER ANNETTE , BITTMANN FELIX
Published: June 2015

The present study aims to improve our understanding of the chronology of vegetation changes in north‐western Germany during the Neolithic. Therefore, four archived peat profiles from small mires that had been pollen analysed and partly conventionally radiocarbon dated during the 1990s were re‐evaluated. Based on new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates, there are considerable differences between the existing and the newly developed age–depth models. These are also caused by the exclusion of pollen events that were previously assumed to be synchronous, and results from archaeological investigations as dating horizons, hence avoiding circular reasoning in the present study. In addition to the re‐evaluation of archived material, a new profile was recovered, pollen analysed and AMS radiocarbon dated to gain insights into the regional vegetation development and to put local human impact on the landscape in a broader context. The results indicate three different phases of human‐induced vegetation changes. The local vegetation changes do not follow this general pattern, but reflect a very patchy landscape which in turn probably refers to quite small pollen source areas. The study emphasizes that vegetation changes seen in local pollen profiles should neither be regarded as general trends nor be used as dating horizons for neighbouring sites.
Numerical methods for weak solution of wave equation with van der Pol type nonlinear boundary conditions
Authors: Liu Jun , Huang Yu , Sun Haiwei , Xiao Mingqing
Published: June 2015

We develop computational methods for solving wave equation with van der Pol type nonlinear boundary conditions under the framework of weak solutions. Based on the wave reflection on the boundaries, we first solve the Riemann invariants by constructing two iteration mappings, and then show that the weak solution can be obtained by the integration of the Riemann invariants on the boundaries. If the compatible conditions are not satisfied or only hold with a low degree, a high‐order integration method is developed for the numerical solution. When the initial condition is sufficiently smooth and compatible conditions hold with a sufficient degree, we establish a sixth‐order finite difference scheme, which only needs to solve a linear system at any given time instance. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 373–398, 2016
The hippocampal commissure: a new finding at prenatal 3D ultrasound in fetuses with isolated complete agenesis of the corpus callosum
Authors: Contro E. , Nanni M. , Bellussi F. , Salsi G. , Grisolia G. , Sanz‐Cortès M. , Righini A. , Rizzo N. , Pilu G. , Ghi T.
Published: June 2015

Objective

The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence and sonographic appearance of the hippocampal commissure in fetuses with isolated complete agenesis of the corpus callosum by three‐dimensional neurosonography in the multiplanar mode.

Methods

This was a multicenter observational study. Stored volume datasets of fetuses with isolated complete agenesis of the corpus were retrospectively retrieved for analysis in three tertiary centers. The presence or absence of the hippocampal commissure was independently evaluated in the coronal and midsagittal planes by two operators. Postnatal follow‐up was obtained in all cases.

Results

From November 2007 to February 2013, 41 cases between 19 and 30 weeks of gestation were retrieved for analysis. The hippocampal commissure was visible in the coronal and sagittal planes in 27/41 (65.8%), absent or not clearly recognizable in the remaining 14 cases. The qualitative analysis of the two operators was concordant in 100% of cases.

Conclusions

In more than half of fetuses with complete callosal agenesis, the hippocampal commissure may be visualized at prenatal ultrasound. This is a residual interhemispheric connection, which in normal cases is hidden by the corpus callosum itself. Further research is needed to establish if this has an impact on postnatal outcome. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Label‐free quantification reveals major proteomic changes in Pseudomonas putida F1 during the exponential growth phase
Authors: Herbst Florian‐Alexander , Danielsen Heidi Nolsøe , Wimmer Reinhard , Nielsen Per Halkjær , Dueholm Morten Simonsen
Published: June 2015

The physiological adaptation to stationary growth by Pseudomonas putida F1, a model organism for the degradation of aromatic compounds, was investigated by proteome‐wide label‐free quantification.The data unveiled that entrance to the stationary phase did not involve an abrupt switch within the P. putida F1 proteome, but rather an ongoing adaptation that started already during the mid‐exponential growth phase. The proteomic adaptations involved a clear increase in amino acid degradation capabilities and a loss of transcriptional as well as translational capacity. The final entrance to the stationary phase was accompanied by increased oxidative stress protection, although the stress and stationary sigma factor RpoS increased in abundance already during mid‐exponential growth. The results show that it is important to consider significant sample variations when exponentially growing cultures are studied alone or compared across proteomic or transcriptomic literature. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001219 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001219).
Chitosan solid electrolyte as electric double layer in multilayer MoS2 transistor for low‐voltage operation
Authors: Jiang Jie , Kuroda Marcelo A. , Ahyi Ayayi C. , Isaacs‐Smith Tamara , Mirkhani Vahid , Park Minseo , Dhar Sarit
Published: June 2015

Biocompatible solid electrolyte chitosan is introduced as a protonic/electronic electric double layer (EDL) dielectric in a multilayer MoS2 transistor. This chitosan‐bioinspired transistor can operate at a low working voltage (<3 V) and exhibits an asymmetric ambipolar behavior. A high on/off ratio (∼104) was achieved for both electrons and holes, in conjunction with a very steep subthreshold swing (67 mV/dec) which is close to the theoretical limit of an ideal field‐effect transistor (60 mV/dec). It was established that the on‐state conductance of these devices is strongly limited by the contact resistance of the metal–MoS2 junctions, and the conductance can be increased by a factor of ∼3 by using dual‐gate electrostatic modulation. Further exploiting the double‐gate geometry allows us to characterize the contact resistance in the on‐regime. We make a numerical simulation and observe important contributions that are independently modulated by back and top gates stemming from Schottky barriers formed at the MoS2/metal interface and the chitosan‐induced charge accumulation near the electrode, respectively. Such EDL multilayer MoS2 transistors with bioinspired chitosan solid electrolyte can provide a new opportunity for the fabrication of low voltage and cost‐effective two‐dimensional semiconductor devices which are also biocompatible and environment friendly.
Interactions between centralized and decentralized water systems in urban context: A review
Authors: Arora Meenakshi , Malano Hector , Davidson Brian , Nelson Rebecca , George Biju
Published: June 2015

This study presents a comprehensive review of the literature on implementation of various decentralized water systems along with centralized systems. The review highlights the benefits provided by these systems as well as various challenges posed associated with them. There are complex interactions involved within the water systems in an urban setting that are multidimensional and span over various aspects of water availability, quality, energy use, environmental, legal, economic, and social sectors. Although there are many economic, environmental, and social benefits associated with decentralized systems, there are some hidden challenges that are generally overlooked by planners and managers; these include the spatial integration of such systems, their energy intensity, social, economic, and environmental viability of these systems. Decisions to implement decentralized water systems require decision makers to consider economic, social, and environmental dimensions conjointly through an appropriate multicriteria decision analysis to select the hybrid water supply combination optimal for the given circumstances. The existing studies and tools are unable to address these factors using an integrated approach. So a holistic framework to evaluate and compare various water supply options in terms of energy use, social, economic, and environmental impacts is required to assess such systems in comprehensive manner. WIREs Water 2015, 2:623–634. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1099

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water
Effect of Registered Partnership on Labor Earnings and Fertility for Same-Sex Couples: Evidence From Swedish Register Data
Authors: Aldén Lina , Edlund Lena , Hammarstedt Mats , Mueller-Smith Michael
Published: June 2015

The expansion of legal rights to same-sex couples is afoot in a number of Western countries. The effects of this rollout are not only important in their own right but can also provide a window on the institution of marriage and the rights bundled therein. In this article, using Swedish longitudinal register data covering 1994–2007, we study the impact of the extension of rights to same-sex couples on labor earnings and fertility. In 1994, registered partnership for same-sex couples was introduced, which conferred almost all rights and obligations of marriage—a notable exception being joint legal parenting, by default or election. The latter was added in the 2002 adoption act. We find registered partnership to be important to both gays and lesbians but for different reasons. For gays, resource pooling emerges as the main function of registered partnerships. For lesbians, registered partnership appears to be an important vehicle for family formation, especially after the 2002 adoption act. In contrast to heterosexual couples (included for comparison), we find no evidence of household specialization among lesbians. The lack of specialization is noteworthy given similar fertility effects of registered partnership (after 2002) and the fact that lesbian couples were less assortatively matched (on education) than heterosexual couples—children and unequal earnings power being two factors commonly believed to promote specialization.
Deictic motion verbs in Pashto: to whom shall we come?
Authors: Pate David
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates the uses of the deictic motion verbs in Pashto. First, the paper focuses on the Pashto verbs COME and GO. The Pashto COME verb is unique in that it requires a directional person marker. These person markers are used in specific situations, which are outlined in this paper. Furthermore, the verbal person marker and the dative argument of the motion verb can differ in person. Such person “mismatches” are explained in terms of ascendance on the Person Hierarchy and of a semantic understanding of person. Second, this paper shows that the phenomenon of directional person markers extends to all Pashto motion verbs. Finally, the paper briefly discusses how Pashto COME and GO do not align with cross-linguistic analyses of COME and GO verbs in other languages. This misalignment is credited to the unique three-way deictic split of COME.
Effects of mouse predation on burrowing petrel chicks at Gough Island
Authors: Dilley Ben J. , Davies Delia , Bond Alexander L. , Ryan Peter G.
Published: June 2015

Since 2004 there has been mounting evidence of the severe impact of introduced house mice (Mus musculusL.) killing chicks of burrow-nesting petrels at Gough Island. We monitored seven species of burrow-nesting petrels in 2014 using a combination of infra-red video cameras augmented by burrowscope nest inspections. All seven camera-monitored Atlantic petrel (Pterodroma incertaSchlegel) chicks were killed by mice within hours of hatching (average 7.2±4.0 hours) with an 87% chick failure rate (n=83 hatchlings). Several grey petrel (Procellaria cinereaGmelin) chicks were found with mouse wounds and 60% of chicks failed (n=35 hatchlings). Video surveillance revealed one (of seven nests filmed) fatal attack on a great shearwater (Puffinus gravisO’Reilly) chick and two (of nine) on soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollisGould) chicks. Mice killed the chicks of the recently discovered summer-breeding MacGillivray’s prion (Pachyptila macgillivrayiMathews), with a chick mortality rate of 82% in 2013/14 and 100% in 2014/15. The closely-related broad-billed prion (P. vittataForster) breeds in late winter and also had a chick mortality rate of 100% in 2014. The results provide further evidence of the dire situation for seabirds nesting on Gough Island and the urgent need for mouse eradication.
Patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms experience of receiving treatment in a primary-care psychological therapies service: a qualitative study
Authors: Gerskowitch Chloe , Norman Ian , Rimes Katharine A.
Published: June 2015

As a pilot site under the primary-care Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Long Term Condition/Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS) project, patients with MUPS were offered cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-based treatments or attendance at a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programme. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the views and experiences of MUPS patients that received CBT-based therapy or MBSR within an IAPT service and to investigate the relationship between their experiences and health outcomes measured on self-report questionnaires. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data gathered via semi-structured interviews with 11 patients. Data collected from three self-report measures were considered in relation to key features of participants’ reported experiences and patterns identified. Four main themes emerged: (1) something needs to change; (2) making connections between physical symptoms and mood, thoughts or activities; (3) sharing experiences and feeling understood; and (4) reflections on treatment experience. Participants generally reported a positive experience of treatment and felt better able to cope with their symptoms, although treatment did not necessarily result in reliable change in symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). This novel model of treatment appears to be acceptable for this patient group although evaluation of the pilot should consider the ability of routinely used measures to capture the value of treatment to patients, including improved coping with symptoms.
Degrees of Responsibility in Kant’s Practical Philosophy
Authors: Blöser Claudia
Published: June 2015

It has been argued that Kant’s practical philosophy cannot allow for degrees of responsibility for one’s actions. However, it would be uncompromising to allow for only two possibilities: either full responsibility or none. Moreover, in theMetaphysics of MoralsKant himself claims that there can be degrees of responsibility, depending on the magnitude of the obstacles that have to be overcome when acting. I will show that this claim is consistent with Kant’s theory as a whole and thereby make transparent how degrees of responsibility are possible for Kant. The solution is based on the distinction between two senses of responsibility: taking oneself to be anaccountableperson is an all-or-nothing affair, whereaspraise- or blameworthinessfor a particular action can still be a matter of degree.
Categories of Freedom as Categories of Practical Cognition
Authors: Bojanowski Jochen
Published: June 2015

Kant famously claims that the table of the categories of freedom does not require explanation, ‘since it is intelligible enough of itself’ (Critique of Practical Reason 5: 67). Kant interpreters have been baffled by this claim, and the disagreement among the increasing number of studies in more recent years suggests that the table is not as straightforward as Kant took it to be. In this article I want to show that a coherent interpretation of the table depends essentially on a clarification of what have been taken to be three fundamental ambiguities in Kant’s presentation of the table. This assumption about ambiguities in Kant’s text is, I argue, rooted in a hybrid conception of practical rationality assumed by his interpreters. I believe the task of disambiguating the table in all three cases can be completed. But it will require spelling out Kant’s moral cognitivism in such a way that he emerges as holding what I will call a unitary account of practical rationality.
The First Person and the Moral Law
Authors: Moyar Dean
Published: June 2015

In Kant’s Defense of Common Moral Experience: A Phenomenological Account, Jeanine Grenberg argues for the centrality to Kant’s ethics of the experience of the feeling of moral constraint, especially as that feeling is described in Kant’s fact of reason argument. She criticizes interpretations of the fact of reason that interpret it as primarily a certain kind of act. I defend my version of an act-based interpretation against Grenberg’s criticisms, flesh out the Fichtean background of that interpretation and raise some further questions about Grenberg’s account.
Accessing the Moral Law through Feeling
Authors: Ware Owen
Published: June 2015

In this article I offer a critical commentary on Jeanine Grenberg’s claim that, by the time of the second Critique, Kant was committed to the view that we only access the moral law’s validity through the feeling of respect. The issue turns on how we understand Kant’s assertion that our consciousness of the moral law is a ‘fact of reason’. Grenberg argues that all facts must be forced, and anything forced must be felt. I defend an alternative interpretation, according to which the fact of reason refers to the actuality of our moral consciousness.
Individualisierte Weiterbildung durch Entwicklungsbegleitung
Authors: Bauer Agnes , Evanschitzky Petra , Reiners Dorothee
Published: June 2015

Kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen in Industrie und Handwerk wollen trotz des zunehmenden Fachkräftemangels flexibel und wettbewerbsfähig bleiben. Zur Bewältigung dieser Anforderung mit der bestehenden Belegschaft fehlt es den Unternehmen zumeist an praktikablen und finanzierbaren Personalentwicklungsmaßnahmen. Daher wurde im Pilotprojekt „Entwicklungsbegleitung” ein individualisiertes Personalentwicklungskonzept ausgearbeitet und in einem produzierenden Unternehmen mit Mitarbeitenden erprobt. Das Konzept zielt auf Mitarbeitende in der Produktion ab, Ausgangspunkt für Entwicklungsprozesse ist dabei stets die Person. Die Entwicklungsbegleitung umfasst vier Einzelgespräche innerhalb eines acht- bis zehnwöchigen Prozesses. Sie findet in der Produktion statt und wird passend zum Schichtbetrieb durchgeführt. Zwei Fallbeispiele zeigen exemplarisch, wie die Entwicklungsbegleitung bei den Mitarbeitenden eine Steigerung ihrer Lerngestaltungskompetenz bewirkt, die Produktionsleitung stellte eine nachhaltige Aktivierung für den kontinuierlichen Verbesserungsprozess fest. Das Pilotprojekt zeigt, dass sich der Ansatz in der Praxis bewährt und insbesondere die Durchführung durch den Entwicklungsbegleiter als eigenständige Funktion zu ihrem Erfolg beiträgt.
Crisis Phones - Suicide Prevention Versus Suggestion/Contagion Effects
Authors: Stack Steven
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Background: There has been no systematic work on the short- or long-term impact of the installation of crisis phones on suicides from bridges. The present study addresses this issue. Method: Data refer to 219 suicides from 1954 through 2013 on the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida. Six crisis phones with signs were installed in July 1999. Results: In the first decade after installation, the phones were used by 27 suicidal persons and credited with preventing 26 or 2.6 suicides a year. However, the net suicide count increased from 48 in the 13 years before installation of phones to 106 the following 13 years or by 4.5 additional suicides/year (t =3.512, p < .001). Conclusion: Although the phones prevented some suicides, there was a net increase after installation. The findings are interpreted with reference to suggestion/contagion effects including the emergence of a controversial bridge suicide blog.
A Multidimensional View of the Relationship Between Empathy and the Dark Triad
Authors: Jonason Peter K. , Kroll Christopher H.
Published: June 2015

The Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) are linked to individual differences in empathy, but what we know about these connections is limited to unidimensional or bidimensional conceptualizations of empathy and to English-speaking samples. Hence, we replicated and extended previous research by applying a multidimensional measure of empathy to the study of how empathy is linked to the Dark Triad in a German sample (N = 516). By doing so, we provided more detail about the way the Dark Triad traits are linked to individual differences in empathy in a unique sample. Narcissism was linked to empathy skills whereas psychopathy was linked to empathy deficits. The Dark Triad traits were stronger in men than in women, while women showed more empathic abilities. The sex differences in the Dark Triad traits were mediated by empathy. We also showed that the paths to empathy in the sexes differ in terms of quantity and quality. We discuss our results from an evolutionary perspective.
Alberto Behar (1967–2015)
Authors: Cassis Nicole
Published: June 2015

Devoted to exploration and discovery, this JPL scientist's inquisitive mind, inventiveness, and infectious enthusiasm inspired students, colleagues, and friends alike.
Metabolic and metagenomic outcomes from early-life pulsed antibiotic treatment
Authors: Nobel Yael R. , Cox Laura M. , Kirigin Francis F. , Bokulich Nicholas A. , Yamanishi Shingo , Teitler Isabel , Chung Jennifer , Sohn Jiho , Barber Cecily M. , Goldfarb David S. , Raju Kartik , Abubucker Sahar , Zhou Yanjiao , Ruiz Victoria E. , Li Huilin , Mitreva Makedonka , Alekseyenko Alexander V. , Weinstock George M. , Sodergren Erica , Blaser Martin J.
Published: June 2015

Mammalian species have co-evolved with intestinal microbial communities that can shape development and adapt to environmental changes, including antibiotic perturbation or nutrient flux. In humans, especially children, microbiota disruption is common, yet the dynamic microbiome recovery from early-life antibiotics is still uncharacterized. Here we use a mouse model mimicking paediatric antibiotic use and find that therapeutic-dose pulsed antibiotic treatment (PAT) with a beta-lactam or macrolide alters both host and microbiota development. Early-life PAT accelerates total mass and bone growth, and causes progressive changes in gut microbiome diversity, population structure and metagenomic content, with microbiome effects dependent on the number of courses and class of antibiotic. Whereas control microbiota rapidly adapts to a change in diet, PAT slows the ecological progression, with delays lasting several months with previous macrolide exposure. This study identifies key markers of disturbance and recovery, which may help provide therapeutic targets for microbiota restoration following antibiotic treatment.
PPL2ab neurons restore sexual responses in aged Drosophila males through dopamine
Authors: Kuo Shu-Yun , Wu Chia-Lin , Hsieh Min-Yen , Lin Chen-Ta , Wen Rong-Kun , Chen Lien-Cheng , Chen Yu-Hui , Yu Yhu-Wei , Wang Horng-Dar , Su Yi-Ju , Lin Chun-Ju , Yang Cian-Yi , Guan Hsien-Yu , Wang Pei-Yu , Lan Tsuo-Hung , Fu Tsai-Feng
Published: June 2015

Male sexual desire typically declines with ageing. However, our understanding of the neurobiological basis for this phenomenon is limited by our knowledge of the brain circuitry and neuronal pathways controlling male sexual desire. A number of studies across species suggest that dopamine (DA) affects sexual desire. Here we use genetic tools and behavioural assays to identify a novel subset of DA neurons that regulate age-associated male courtship activity in Drosophila. We find that increasing DA levels in a subset of cells in the PPL2ab neuronal cluster is necessary and sufficient for increased sustained courtship in both young and aged male flies. Our results indicate that preventing the age-related decline in DA levels in PPL2ab neurons alleviates diminished courtship behaviours in male Drosophila. These results may provide the foundation for deciphering the circuitry involved in sexual motivation in the male Drosophila brain.
Supramolecular amplification of amyloid self-assembly by iodination
Authors: Bertolani Arianna , Pirrie Lisa , Stefan Loic , Houbenov Nikolay , Haataja Johannes S. , Catalano Luca , Terraneo Giancarlo , Giancane Gabriele , Valli Ludovico , Milani Roberto , Ikkala Olli , Resnati Giuseppe , Metrangolo Pierangelo
Published: June 2015

Amyloid supramolecular assemblies have found widespread exploitation as ordered nanomaterials in a range of applications from materials science to biotechnology. New strategies are, however, required for understanding and promoting mature fibril formation from simple monomer motifs through easy and scalable processes. Noncovalent interactions are key to forming and holding the amyloid structure together. On the other hand, the halogen bond has never been used purposefully to achieve control over amyloid self-assembly. Here we show that single atom replacement of hydrogen with iodine, a halogen-bond donor, in the human calcitonin-derived amyloidogenic fragment DFNKF results in a super-gelator peptide, which forms a strong and shape-persistent hydrogel at 30-fold lower concentration than the wild-type pentapeptide. This is remarkable for such a modest perturbation in structure. Iodination of aromatic amino acids may thus develop as a general strategy for the design of new hydrogels from unprotected peptides and without using organic solvents.
Self-organized iron-oxide cementation geometry as an indicator of paleo-flows
Authors: Wang Yifeng , Chan Marjorie A. , Merino Enrique
Published: June 2015

Widespread iron oxide precipitation from groundwater in fine-grained red beds displays various patterns, including nodulation, banding and scallops and fingers. Hematite nodules have been reported also from the Meridiani Planum site on Mars and interpreted as evidence for the ancient presence of water on the red planet. Here we show that such patterns can autonomously emerge from a previously unrecognized Ostwald ripening mechanism and they capture rich information regarding ancient chemical and hydrologic environments. A linear instability analysis of the reaction-transport equations suggests that a pattern transition from nodules to bands may result from a symmetry breaking of mineral dissolution and precipitation triggered by groundwater advection. Round nodules tend to develop under nearly stagnant hydrologic conditions, while repetitive bands form in the presence of persistent water flows. Since water circulation is a prerequisite for a sustainable subsurface life, a Martian site with iron oxide precipitation bands, if one were found, may offer a better chance for detecting extraterrestrial biosignatures on Mars than would sites with nodules.
Conservation laws, radiative decay rates and excited state localization in organometallic complexes with strong spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Powell B. J.
Published: June 2015

There is longstanding fundamental interest in 6-fold coordinatedd6("Equation missing") transition metal complexes such as [Ru(bpy)3]2+and Ir(ppy)3, particularly their phosphorescence. This interest has increased with the growing realisation that many of these complexes have potential uses in applications including photovoltaics, imaging, sensing and light-emitting diodes. In order to design new complexes with properties tailored for specific applications a detailed understanding of the low-energy excited states, particularly the lowest energy triplet state,T1, is required. Here we describe a model of pseudo-octahedral complexes based on a pseudo-angular momentum representation and show that the predictions of this model are in excellent agreement with experiment - even when the deviations from octahedral symmetry are large. This model gives a natural explanation of zero-field splitting ofT1and of the relative radiative rates of the three sublevels in terms of the conservation of time-reversal parity and total angular momentum modulo two. We show that the broad parameter regime consistent with the experimental data implies significant localization of the excited state.
Pyridine-type alkaloid composition affects bacterial community composition of floral nectar
Authors: Aizenberg-Gershtein Yana , Izhaki Ido , Santhanam Rakesh , Kumar Pavan , Baldwin Ian T. , Halpern Malka
Published: June 2015

Pyridine-type alkaloids are most common in Nicotiana species. To study the effect of alkaloid composition on bacterial community composition in floral nectar, we compared the nicotine-rich wild type (WT) N. attenuata, the nicotine biosynthesis-silenced N. attenuata that was rich in anatabine and the anabasine-rich WT N. glauca plants. We found that the composition of these secondary metabolites in the floral nectar drastically affected the bacterial community richness, diversity and composition. Significant differences were found between the bacterial community compositions in the nectar of the three plants with a much greater species richness and diversity in the nectar from the transgenic plant. The highest community composition similarity index was detected between the two wild type plants. The different microbiome composition and diversity, caused by the different pyridine-type alkaloid composition, could modify the nutritional content of the nectar and consequently, may contribute to the change in the nectar consumption and visitation. These may indirectly have an effect on plant fitness.
Rapid endosomal escape of prickly nanodiamonds: implications for gene delivery
Authors: Chu Zhiqin , Miu Kaikei , Lung Pingsai , Zhang Silu , Zhao Saisai , Chang Huan-Cheng , Lin Ge , Li Quan
Published: June 2015

The prickly nanodiamonds easily entered cells via endocytosis followed by unique intracellular translocation characteristics—quick endosomal escape followed by stable residence in cytoplasm. Endosomal membrane rupturing is identified as the major route of nanodiamonds’ escaping the vesicle confinement and to the cytoplasm. Little cytotoxicity is observed to associate with the nanodiamonds’ cytosolic release. Such features enable its application for gene delivery, which requires both effective cellular uptake and cytosolic release of the gene. Taking green fluorescent protein gene as an example, we demonstrate the successful cytosolic delivery and expression of such a gene using the prickly nanodiamonds as carrier.
An Interfacial Europium Complex on SiO2 Nanoparticles: Reduction-Induced Blue Emission System
Authors: Ishii Ayumi , Hasegawa Miki
Published: June 2015

In this study, Eu-coated SiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared, consisting of an interfacial complex of Eu and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) at the solid surfaces of the SiO2/Eu nanostructures. The as-prepared SiO2/Eu/phen nanoparticles exhibits sharp red emission via energy transfer from the phen to the EuIII. After sintering at 200 °C in air, the emission is tuned from red to blue. The blue emission is originated from EuII. This reduction-induced emissive phenomenon resulted from the electron-donating environment created by the surrounding phen and SiO2, which is the first reported fabrication of a stable EuII-based emissive material using mild conditions (reaction in air and at low temperature) and an organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructure. The existence of two different stable oxidation states with characteristic emissions, blue emissive EuII and red emissive EuIII, suggests significant potential applications as novel luminescent materials with inorganic-organic hybrid structures.
Direct Reading of Bona Fide Barcode Assays for Diagnostics with Smartphone Apps
Authors: Wong Jessica X. H. , Li Xiaochun , Liu Frank S. F. , Yu Hua-Zhong
Published: June 2015

The desire to develop new point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools has led to the adaptation of smartphones to tackle limitations in state-of-the-art instrumentation and centralized laboratory facilities. Today’s smartphones possess the computer-like ability to image and process data using mobile apps; barcode scanners are one such type of apps. We demonstrate herein that a diagnostic assay can be performed by patterning immunoassay strips in a bona fide barcode format such that after target binding and signal enhancement, the linear barcode can be read directly with a standard smartphone app. Quantitative analysis can then be performed based on the grayscale intensities with a customized mobile app. This novel diagnostic concept has been validated for a real-world application, i.e., the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin, a pregnancy hormone. With the possibility of multiplex detection, the barcode assay protocol promises to boost POC diagnosis research by the direct adaptation of mobile devices and apps.
A Broadband Bessel Beam Launcher Using Metamaterial Lens
Authors: Qing Qi Mei , Tang Wen Xuan , Cui Tie Jun
Published: June 2015

An approach of generating broadband Bessel beams is presented. The broadband Bessel beams are produced by a gradient index (GRIN) metamaterial lens illuminated by broadband waveguide antenna. The metamaterial lens is constructed with multi-layered structure and each layer is composed of GRIN metamaterials. The metamaterials are designed as dielectric plates printed with metallic patterns in the center region and drilled by air holes near the edge, which operate in wide band. The metamaterial lens serves as a convertor which transforms the spherical beams emitted from feed into conical beams. The conical beams form quasi-Bessel beams in the near-field region. The aperture diameter of the GRIN lens is much larger than the operating wavelength to guarantee the transformation. In principle, this kind of metamaterial lens can produce Bessel beams at arbitrary distance by designing the refractive-index distribution. To verify the approach, we have designed, fabricated and tested a metamaterial lens. Full-wave simulation and experiment results have proved that the generated Bessel beams can be maintained in distance larger than 1 meter within a ranging from 12 GHz to 18 GHz.
Controlling alloy formation and optical properties by galvanic replacement of sub-20 nm silver nanoparticles in organic media
Authors: Collins G. , McCarty E. K. , Holmes J. D.
Published: June 2015

Galvanic replacement is a versatile synthetic strategy for the synthesis of alloy and hollow nanostructures.
Supercritical fluid processing: a rapid, one-pot exfoliation process for the production of surfactant-free hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Thangasamy Pitchai , Sathish Marappan
Published: June 2015

A simple, rapid, one-pot method for generating exfoliated surfactant-free few-layered h-boron nitride by supercritical fluid processing is demonstrated. The product was characterized by AFM, TEM and Raman analyses.
Vibronic couplings and coherent electron transfer in bridged systems
Authors: Borrelli Raffaele , Capobianco Amedeo , Landi Alessandro , Peluso Andrea
Published: June 2015

A computational strategy to analyze the dynamics of coherent electron transfer processes in bridged systems, involving three or more electronic states, is presented.
2-Octyl thiophene based three ring mesogens: solid state 13C NMR and XRD investigations
Authors: Veeraprakash B. , Lobo Nitin P. , Narasimhaswamy T. , Mandal A. B.
Published: June 2015

Molecular organization and molecular order of polymesomorphic thiophene based mesogens were investigated by variable temperature powder X-ray and high resolution solid state 13C NMR, and the higher order for thiophene in contrast to phenyl rings is attributed to molecular shape.
Laser-driven electron dynamics for circular dichroism in mass spectrometry: from one-photon excitations to multiphoton ionization
Authors: Kröner Dominik
Published: June 2015

Many electron dynamics based on first-principles calculations reveal origin of the distinction of enantiomers by non-resonant laser pulse ionization.
Guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation reaction catalyzed by highly dispersed, single layered MoS2/C
Authors: Mukundan Swathi , Konarova Muxina , Atanda Luqman , Ma Qing , Beltramini Jorge
Published: June 2015

Single layered MoS2 supported on activated carbon prepared by a microemulsion technique with good catalyst stability even after 4 uses.
Highly active tin(iv) phosphate phase transfer catalysts for the production of lactic acid from triose sugars
Authors: Wang Xincheng , Liang Fengbing , Huang Chongpin , Li Yingxia , Chen Biaohua
Published: June 2015

Tin phosphate phase transfer catalysts were used efficiently for the conversion of trioses to lactic acid under hydrothermal conditions.
Comparative study of titanium-functionalized UiO-66: support effect on the oxidation of cyclohexene using hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Nguyen Huong Giang T. , Mao Lily , Peters Aaron W. , Audu Cornelius O. , Brown Zachary J. , Farha Omar K. , Hupp Joseph T. , Nguyen SonBinh T.
Published: June 2015

Support effect in UiO-66 with TiIVas part of nodes, attached to nodes, and on organic linkers is reported.
Reactivity of an NHC-stabilized silylene towards ketones. Formation of silicon bis-enolates vs. bis-silylation of the CO bond
Authors: Li Yao , Ma Bing , Cui Chunming
Published: June 2015

The reaction of NHC-stabilized silylaminosilylene 1 with enolizable ketones rapidly led to the regio- and stereoselective formation of silicon bis-enolates in excellent yields under mild conditions.
Syntheses, structural characterisation and electronic structures of some simple acyclic amino carbene complexes
Authors: Eaves Samantha G. , Yufit Dmitry S. , Skelton Brian W. , Howard Judith A. K. , Low Paul J.
Published: June 2015

Reactions of the vinylidene complexes [M(CCH2)(PP)Cp′]PF6 with NH3 readily afford the acyclic amino carbene complexes [M{C(Me)NH2}(PP)Cp′]PF6 [M(PP)Cp′ = Fe(dppe)Cp, Ru(dppe)Cp, Ru(PPh3)2Cp, Ru(dppe)Cp*].
Functional nano-dispensers (FNDs) for delivery of insecticides against phytopathogen vectors
Authors: Meyer W. L. , Gurman P. , Stelinski L. L. , Elman N. M.
Published: June 2015

Sketch of cross-sectional view of particle containing uniform distribution of PLGA (not in scale) and imidacloprid for controlled release.
The nanomechanical signature of liver cancer tissues and its molecular origin
Authors: Tian Mengxin , Li Yiran , Liu Weiren , Jin Lei , Jiang Xifei , Wang Xinyan , Ding Zhenbin , Peng Yuanfei , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Cao Yi , Wang Wei , Shi Yinghong
Published: June 2015

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complicated multistep process with abnormalities in the nanomechanics and structures. When disease is progressing, the stiffness distribution across liver tissue alters with specific nanomechanical profiles.
Graphene and carbon nanodots in mesoporous materials: an interactive platform for functional applications
Authors: Innocenzi Plinio , Malfatti Luca , Carboni Davide
Published: June 2015

This review is focused on a specific class of nanocomposites obtained through combined assembly of graphene or carbon-based nanomaterials and mesoporous inorganic or hybrid materials.
Highly ordered core–shell CoFe2O4–BiFeO3 nanocomposite arrays from dimension confined phase separation and their interfacial magnetoelectric coupling properties
Authors: Lu X. L. , Zhang J. W. , Zhang C. F. , Zhang J. C. , Hao Y.
Published: June 2015

With dimension confinement, highly ordered core–shell CoFe2O4–BiFeO3 nanocomposite arrays were obtained from the self-assembly phase separation.
Dopant-configuration controlled carrier scattering in graphene
Authors: Anand Benoy , Karakaya Mehmet , Prakash Gyan , Sankara Sai S. Siva , Philip Reji , Ayala Paola , Srivastava Anurag , Sood Ajay K. , Rao Apparao M. , Podila Ramakrishna
Published: June 2015

Our detailed Raman, non-linear optical, and photoemission spectroscopic studies evince that the N-dopant configuration in graphene (blue-pyridinic, orange-graphitic, and red-pyrrolic) can be effectively tuned to mitigate electron-defect scattering.
Polar–nonpolar interconnected elastic networks with increased permittivity and high breakdown fields for dielectric elastomer transducers
Authors: Racles C. , Bele A. , Dascalu M. , Musteata V. E. , Varganici C. D. , Ionita D. , Vlad S. , Cazacu M. , Dünki S. J. , Opris D. M.
Published: June 2015

Polysiloxanes with polar cyano groups were cross-linked with PDMS by a hydrolysis–condensation process. Materials suitable for transducer applications with improved permittivity, good mechanical properties, and high breakdown fields were obtained.
Temperature-responsive zinc oxide nanorods arrays grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) via SI-ATRP
Authors: Feng Qian , Tang Dongyan , Lv Haitao , Zhang Weile , Li Wenbo
Published: June 2015

Nanocomposites based on ZnO nanorods, with photocatalysis and temperature responsibility, could be fabricated by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) PNIPAM via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP).
Hydroxycinnamic acid as a novel scaffold for the development of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors
Authors: Silva T. , Borges F. , Edraki N. , Alizadeh M. , Miri R. , Saso L. , Firuzi O.
Published: June 2015

The most active hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, caffeic acid diethyl ester (CA-DE), demonstrated 88.5/30.5% inhibition at 100/20 μM against COX-2 and negligible COX-1 inhibitory effect. CA-DE showed preferred interactions with COX-2 active site.
Using coaxial electrospinning to fabricate core/shell-structured polyacrylonitrile–polybenzoxazine fibers as nonfouling membranes
Authors: Kao Tzu-Hao , Cheng Chih-Chia , Huang Chih-Feng , Chen Jem-Kun
Published: June 2015

We used coaxial electrospinning to produce core/shell polyacrylonitrile (PAN)–benzoxazine (BA) fibers. The PAN–PBA core/shell fibers that we obtained after curing exhibited low surface energies and excellent biononfouling properties.
Gold nanoparticles deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide surface as an effective platform for fabricating a highly sensitive and specific digoxin aptasensor
Authors: Bagheri H. , Talemi R. P. , Afkhami A.
Published: June 2015

Fabrication steps of digoxin aptasensor. The DPVs are for accumulated MB at FTO/GNPs/Ap, before (a) and after (b) incubation with digoxin.
One-pot synthesis of trisubstituted ureas from α-chloroaldoxime O-methanesulfonates and secondary amines
Authors: Kaeobamrung Juthanat , Lanui Asan , Mahawong Sirinad , Duangmak Witthawin , Rukachaisirikul Vatcharin
Published: June 2015

Trisubstituted ureas can be synthesized in a one-pot fashion from bench-stable α-chloroaldoxime O-methanesulfonates and secondary amines under mild reaction conditions.
A green and facile method toward synthesis of waste paper-derived 3D functional porous graphene via in situ activation of cobalt(ii)
Authors: Xu Dan , Xie Yan , Song Yu-Jiang , Deng Wei-Qiao
Published: June 2015

Using waste paper as a carbon source, a strategy for the efficient production of Co3O4/Co@porous graphene as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction was developed, which provides a direction for facile preparation of functional porous graphene from wastes.
Improving the energy density of Na3V2(PO4)3-based positive electrodes through V/Al substitution
Authors: Lalère F. , Seznec V. , Courty M. , David R. , Chotard J. N. , Masquelier C.
Published: June 2015

The crystal chemistry and the electrochemical properties upon Na+ extraction/insertion of NASICON-type Na3AlyV2−y(PO4)3 compositions (y = 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5) were investigated.
A self-supported, flexible, binder-free pseudo-supercapacitor electrode material with high capacitance and cycling stability from hollow, capsular polypyrrole fibers
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Cai Jie , Cizek Pavel , Niu Haitao , Du Yong , Lin Tong
Published: June 2015

A hollow capsular polypyrrole nanofiber has shown great potential for preparing pseudo-supercapacitor electrodes with high capacitance and excellent cycling stability.
An EQT-cDFT approach to determine thermodynamic properties of confined fluids
Authors: Mashayak S. Y. , Motevaselian M. H. , Aluru N. R.
Published: June 2015

We present a continuum-based approach to predict the structure and thermodynamic properties of confined fluids at multiple length-scales, ranging from a few angstroms to macro-meters. The continuum approach is based on the empirical potential-based quasi-continuum theory (EQT) and classical density functional theory (cDFT). EQT is a simple and fast approach to predict inhomogeneous density and potential profiles of confined fluids. We use EQT potentials to construct a grand potential functional for cDFT. The EQT-cDFT-based grand potential can be used to predict various thermodynamic properties of confined fluids. In this work, we demonstrate the EQT-cDFT approach by simulating Lennard-Jones fluids, namely, methane and argon, confined inside slit-like channels of graphene. We show that the EQT-cDFT can accurately predict the structure and thermodynamic properties, such as density profiles, adsorption, local pressure tensor, surface tension, and solvation force, of confined fluids as compared to the molecular dynamics simulation results.
Operational electrochemical stability of thiophene-thiazole copolymers probed by resonant Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wade Jessica , Wood Sebastian , Beatrup Daniel , Hurhangee Michael , Bronstein Hugo , McCulloch Iain , Durrant James R. , Kim Ji-Seon
Published: June 2015

We report on the electrochemical stability of hole polarons in three conjugated polymers probed by resonant Raman spectroscopy. The materials considered are all isostructural to poly(3-hexyl)thiophene, where thiazole units have been included to systematically deepen the energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). We demonstrate that increasing the thiazole content planarizes the main conjugated backbone of the polymer and improves the electrochemical stability in the ground state. However, these more planar thiazole containing polymers are increasingly susceptible to electrochemical degradation in the polaronic excited state. We identify the degradation mechanism, which targets the C=N bond in the thiazole units and results in disruption of the main polymer backbone conjugation. The introduction of thiazole units to deepen the HOMO energy level and increase the conjugated backbone planarity can be beneficial for the performance of certain optoelectronic devices, but the reduced electrochemical stability of the hole polaron may compromise their operational stability.
Note: A non-invasive electronic measurement technique to measure the embedded four resistive elements in a Wheatstone bridge sensor
Authors: Ravelo Arias S. I. , Ramírez Muñoz D. , Cardoso S. , Ferreira R. , Freitas P.
Published: June 2015

The work shows a measurement technique to obtain the correct value of the four elements in a resistive Wheatstone bridge without the need to separate the physical connections existing between them. Two electronic solutions are presented, based on a source-and-measure unit and using discrete electronic components. The proposed technique brings the possibility to know the mismatching or the tolerance between the bridge resistive elements and then to pass or reject it in terms of its related common-mode rejection. Experimental results were taken in various Wheatstone resistive bridges (discrete and magnetoresistive integrated bridges) validating the proposed measurement technique specially when the bridge is micro-fabricated and there is no physical way to separate one resistive element from the others.