bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel side-chain-type sulfonated diphenyl-based poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with a hydrogen-bonded network as proton exchange membranes
Authors: Li Guibin , Zhao Chengji , Li Xuefeng , Qi Duo , Liu Cong , Bu Fanzhe , Na Hui
Published: June 2015

Diphenyl-based poly(arylene ether sulfone) membranes with a side-chain-type architecture and a hydrogen-bonded network were prepared.
Monosubstitution at the 4-position of 2,7-carbazolylene expands the structural design and fundamental properties of D-π-A copolymers for organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Shibasaki Kosuke , Yasuda Takeshi , Yamamoto Yohei , Kijima Masashi
Published: June 2015

A 4-octyloxy-carbazole-2,7-diyl unit was newly developed, and was combined with dithienylbenzothiadiazole derivatives by using the Suzuki-coupling reaction to synthesize good processable D-π-A copolymers.
Alternating poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene-co-butylene) supramolecular multiblock copolymers with tunable shape memory and self-healing properties
Authors: Chang Ruoxing , Huang Yongfeng , Shan Guorong , Bao Yongzhong , Yun Xueyan , Dong Tungalag , Pan Pengju
Published: June 2015

PLA/PEB SMPs with tunable shape memory and self-healing properties were prepared by end functionalization of PLA–PEB–PLA with UPy units.
Low temperature cross-linked, high performance polymer gate dielectrics for solution-processed organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Li Shengxia , Feng Linrun , Zhao Jiaqing , Guo Xiaojun , Zhang Qing
Published: June 2015

Thermal cross-linking the bi-functional polymer thin-films at low temperature for gate dielectric application in solution processed organic field-effect transistors.
Controlled release of anticancer drug Paclitaxel using nano-structured amphiphilic star-hyperbranched block copolymers
Authors: Geyik Caner , Ciftci Mustafa , Demir Bilal , Guler Bahar , Ozkaya A. Burak , Gumus Z. Pınar , Barlas F. Baris , Odaci Demirkol Dilek , Coskunol Hakan , Timur Suna , Yagci Yusuf
Published: June 2015

Two amphiphilic star-hyperbranched copolymers with different hydrophilic PHEMA segments were synthesized, and their drug loading/release profiles were examined by using Paclitaxel.
Biocompatible and bioreducible micelles fabricated from novel α-amino acid-based poly(disulfide urethane)s: design, synthesis and triggered doxorubicin release
Authors: Lu Wentao , Wang Xiuxiu , Cheng Ru , Deng Chao , Meng Fenghua , Zhong Zhiyuan
Published: June 2015

Novel α-amino acid-based poly(disulfide urethane)s have been developed for the construction of smart triblock copolymer micelles that show good biocompatibility, fast reductive degradation, and triggered intracellular drug release behavior.
Preparation of biocompatible and photostable PEGylated red fluorescent nanoparticles for cellular imaging
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhang Xiaoyong , Zhang Xiqi , Fan Xingliang , Huang Zengfang , Chen Yi , Wei Yen
Published: June 2015

Biocompatible and photostable PEGylated red fluorescent nanoparticles were preparedviasurface-initiated ATRP and their cellular imaging application was successfully demonstrated.
Low temperature and controlled synthesis of Bi2(S1−xSex)3 thin films using a simple chemical route: effect of bath composition
Authors: Salunkhe Manauti M. , Khot Kishorkumar V. , Sahare Sanjay H. , Bhosale Popatrao N. , Bhave Tejashree
Published: June 2015

Nanostructured Bi2(S1−xSex)3 thin films were synthesized using a simple chemical bath deposition method at room temperature, and their photoelectrochemical performance was tested.
V-containing ZrO2 inorganic yellow nano-pigments
Authors: Calatayud José Miguel , Pardo Pablo , Alarcón Javier
Published: June 2015

Inorganic yellow nano-pigments based on monoclinic vanadium–zirconia solid solutions for digital decoration prepared by a polyol approach.
Homogeneous benzoylation of cellulose in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride: Hammett correlation, mechanism and regioselectivity
Authors: Chen Weiwei , Feng Ye , Zhang Mei , Wu Jin , Zhang Jinming , Gao Xia , He Jiasong , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2015

We revealed the mechanism of cellulose benzoylation in an ionic liquid by using Hammett parameters, and found that the benzoylation of cellulose exhibited a high C-6 regioselectivity.
Rationally designed hierarchical MnO2@NiO nanostructures for improved lithium ion storage
Authors: Wang Nana , Zhai Yanjun , Ma Xiaojian , Qian Yitai
Published: June 2015

Hierarchical MnO2@NiO nanostructures present 939 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 200 cycles which is higher than individual MnO2 and NiO.
Phage display selected magnetite interacting Adhirons for shape controlled nanoparticle synthesis
Authors: Rawlings Andrea E. , Bramble Jonathan P. , Tang Anna A. S. , Somner Lori A. , Monnington Amy E. , Cooke David J. , McPherson Michael J. , Tomlinson Darren C. , Staniland Sarah S.
Published: June 2015

Biopanning was used to generate novel artificial binding proteins which are able to control the formation of synthetic cubic nanoparticles of magnetite.
Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of Au–ZnO nanopyramids
Authors: Ranasingha Oshadha K. , Wang Congjun , Ohodnicki Paul R. , Lekse Jonathan W. , Lewis James P. , Matranga Christopher
Published: June 2015

ZnO nanopyramids have been grown on top of Au nanoparticle seeds creating a unique heterostructured system for photocatalytic applications.
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibrous mats with covalently attached SiO2 nanoparticles as an ionic liquid host: enhanced ion transport for electrochromic devices and lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Rui , Liu Wanshuang , Yao Xiayin , Leong Yew Wei , Lu Xuehong
Published: June 2015

Using ionic liquid-loaded SiO2-on-P(VDF–HFP) nanofibrous mats as electrolytes, both electrochromic devices and Li/LiCoO2 batteries exhibit significantly improved performance.
An advanced aqueous sodium-ion supercapacitor with a manganous hexacyanoferrate cathode and a Fe3O4/rGO anode
Authors: Lu Ke , Li Dan , Gao Xiang , Dai Hongxiu , Wang Nan , Ma Houyi
Published: June 2015

This paper demonstrates how to design and construct an advanced aqueous sodium-ion supercapacitor by using manganous hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) as the cathode material and Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposites as the anode material.
Amelioration of mercury nephrotoxicity after pharmacological manipulation of organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) with furosemide
Authors: Hazelhoff María H. , Trebucobich Mara S. , Stoyanoff Tania R. , Chevalier Alberto A. , Torres Adriana M.
Published: June 2015

Furosemide improves HgCl2-induced tubule injury up-regulating Oat1 and Mrp2, thus increasing renal elimination of mercuric ions.
Acquisition of Consonant Clusters and Acceptable Variants in Chinese-Influenced Malaysian English-Speaking Children
Authors: Phoon Hooi San , Maclagan Margaret , Abdullah Anna Christina
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This study investigated consonant cluster acquisition in Chinese-influenced Malaysian English (ChME)-speaking children.

Method

This cross-sectional study involved 262 typically developing ChME-speaking children (138 girls, 124 boys) ages 3 to 7 years old. A single-word picture-naming task, which contained 66 words and targeted 32 syllable-initial (SI) and 14 syllable-final (SF) consonant clusters, was administered.

Results

Older children produced more correct productions than younger children, and there was no sex effect for consonant cluster production. SF consonant clusters were more accurate than SI consonant clusters among the younger children. The overall sequence of SI consonant cluster accuracy based on cluster categories from most to least accurate was /s/ + C, C + /w/, C + /j/, C + /l/, and C + /r/, whereas for SF consonant clusters, the order was C + stop, C + /s/, nasal + C, and /l/ + C. Two-element clusters consistently had higher accuracy in comparison to three-element clusters across the age groups. The overall consonant cluster accuracy of the present study showed similar patterns to those found in previous studies of Standard English.

Conclusion

The findings of the study will be useful in the assessment of consonant cluster production of ChME-speaking children.
Nonspeech Oral Movements and Oral Motor Disorders: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kent Ray D.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

Speech and other oral functions such as swallowing have been compared and contrasted with oral behaviors variously labeledquasispeech, paraspeech, speechlike,andnonspeech,all of which overlap to some degree in neural control, muscles deployed, and movements performed. Efforts to understand the relationships among these behaviors are hindered by the lack of explicit and widely accepted definitions. This review article offers definitions and taxonomies for nonspeech oral movements and for diverse speaking tasks, both overt and covert.

Method

Review of the literature included searches of Medline, Google Scholar, HighWire Press, and various online sources. Search terms pertained to speech, quasispeech, paraspeech, speechlike, and nonspeech oral movements. Searches also were carried out for associated terms in oral biology, craniofacial physiology, and motor control.

Results and Conclusions

Nonspeech movements have a broad spectrum of clinical applications, including developmental speech and language disorders, motor speech disorders, feeding and swallowing difficulties, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, trismus, and tardive stereotypies. The role and benefit of nonspeech oral movements are controversial in many oral motor disorders. It is argued that the clinical value of these movements can be elucidated through careful definitions and task descriptions such as those proposed in this review article.
Survey of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program Training in Outer and Middle Ear Screening
Authors: Serpanos Yula C. , Senzer Deborah
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the national training practices of speech-language pathology graduate programs in outer and middle ear screening.

Method

Directors of all American Speech-Language-Hearing Association–accredited speech-language pathology graduate programs (
N
= 254; Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, 2013) were surveyed on instructional formats in outer and middle ear screening.

Results

The graduate speech-language pathology program survey yielded 84 (33.1%) responses. Results indicated that some programs do not provide any training in the areas of conventional screening otoscopy using a handheld otoscope (15.5%;
n
= 13) or screening tympanometry (11.9%;
n
= 10), whereas close to one half (46.4%;
n
= 39) reported no training in screening video otoscopy. Outcomes revealed that approximately one third or more of speech-language pathology graduate programs do not provide experiential opportunities in screening handheld otoscopy (36.9%) or tympanometry (32.1%), and most (78.6%) do not provide experiential opportunities in video otoscopy.

Conclusions

The implication from the graduate speech-language pathology program survey findings is that some speech-language pathologists will graduate from academic programs without the acquired knowledge or experiential learning required to establish skill in 1 or more areas of screening otoscopy and tympanometry. Graduate speech-language pathology programs should consider appropriate training opportunities for students to acquire and demonstrate skill in outer and middle ear screening.
Characteristics of Fluency and Speech in Two Families With High Incidences of Stuttering
Authors: Stager Sheila V. , Freeman Frances J. , Braun Allen
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This study presents data from 2 families with high incidence of stuttering, comparing methods of phenotype assignment and exploring the presence of other fluency disorders and corresponding speech characteristics.

Method

Three methods for assigning phenotype of stuttering were used: self-identification, family identification, and expert identification. Agreement on which individuals were assigned by each of these methods was studied. Multiple measures of fluency and speech production were obtained.

Results

Self-reports and descriptions of blocking rather than self-identification as a person who stutters demonstrated the best agreement with expert identification of stuttering. Family identification showed poor agreement with both expert and self-identification of stuttering. Using binary categories of fluent or stuttering, 90% of individuals in 1 family were classified by expert consensus. Only 70% of the other family could be similarly categorized. Experts required 2 other categories, cluttering and other fluency disorders, to fully characterize dysfluency within this family. These 2 families also demonstrated differences in speech production.

Conclusion

Some families with high incidence of stuttering may also have high incidence of other fluency disorders and other speech-production difficulties. This finding may have ramifications for genetic studies, including criteria for defining phenotype and collapsing data across multiple families.
Simultaneous Multiple Extradural Hematomas
Authors: Agarwal Parag , Roy Kaushik , Tripathy Parimal
Published: June 2015

Objective Simultaneous multiple epidural hematomas (EDHs) are very rare and are associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical features, varying mechanisms that may be responsible for production of these hematomas, location of hematomas, and outcome of simultaneous multiple EDHs.

Methods Our study consisted of 528 patients who were admitted in our emergency department with diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) over a period of 14 months from September 2012 to October 2013 and retrospective analysis of all cases with EDH, particularly those with simultaneous multiple EDHs was done. All the patients were carefully examined clinically, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was noted, plain computed tomographic scan (CT scan) was done and managed accordingly.

Results We came across six cases of multiple EDHs which accounted to 1.13% of all TBI. All of the cases except one were diagnosed within the first 6 hours. The GCS was used for neurological evaluations on admission and during hospital stay. A CT scan was done in all cases. Five patients underwent surgical intervention and one was managed conservatively. Two patients expired due to pre- and postoperative complications.

Conclusion EDHs are serious manifestation of TBI, of which multiple EDHs are even worse. These are life-threatening conditions. Early recognition and treatment can save a precious life. Widespread use of CT scan leads to early diagnosis before deterioration of the neurological status and affects the outcome of surgery.
An Unusual Case of Transorbital Penetrating Brain Injury due to Fall on Branch of a Tree
Authors: Hasa Chandra , Maitra Jayabrata , Ramdurg Shashank Ravindra
Published: June 2015

Penetrating injury of the skull and brain are relatively uncommon wounds, representing about 0.4% of all head injuries. The orbit is an easy path for low velocity foreign bodies into the cranium. Severity of the injury may be masked by superficial wounds and lack of a primary neurological deficit. Here, we present an unusual and a dramatic case wherein a patient was brought to the hospital with a branch of a tree penetrating into the left orbit. We also highlight the usage of 3D reconstruction computed tomography for nonradiopaque objects such as, wooden stick, thus, obviating the need for routine magnetic resonance imaging in these cases. The patient was successfully operated on at the institute and the patient had postoperatively preserved vision and eye movements.
State interactions and illumination of hidden states through perturbations and observations of new states: High energy resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization of HI
Authors: Hróðmarsson Helgi Rafn , Wang Huasheng , Kvaran Ágúst
Published: June 2015

Hydrogen iodide, a Hund’s case (c) molecule, serves as a benchmark compound for studying rich molecular state interactions between Rydberg and valence states as well as between Rydberg states at high energies (72 300–74 600 cm−1) by mass resolved resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Perturbations in the spectra appearing as deformations in line-positions, line-intensities, and linewidths are found to be either due to near-degenerate or non-degenerate interactions, both homogeneous and heterogeneous in nature. Perturbation analyses allow indirect observation as well as characterization of “hidden states” to some extent. Furthermore, new observable spectral features are assigned and characterized.
Variance decomposition in stochastic simulators
Authors: Le Maître O. P. , Knio O. M. , Moraes A.
Published: June 2015

This work aims at the development of a mathematical and computational approach that enables quantification of the inherent sources of stochasticity and of the corresponding sensitivities in stochastic simulations of chemical reaction networks. The approach is based on reformulating the system dynamics as being generated by independent standardized Poisson processes. This reformulation affords a straightforward identification of individual realizations for the stochastic dynamics of each reaction channel, and consequently a quantitative characterization of the inherent sources of stochasticity in the system. By relying on the Sobol-Hoeffding decomposition, the reformulation enables us to perform an orthogonal decomposition of the solution variance. Thus, by judiciously exploiting the inherent stochasticity of the system, one is able to quantify the variance-based sensitivities associated with individual reaction channels, as well as the importance of channel interactions. Implementation of the algorithms is illustrated in light of simulations of simplified systems, including the birth-death, Schlögl, and Michaelis-Menten models.
Sub-Doppler infrared spectroscopy of propargyl radical (H2CCCH) in a slit supersonic expansion
Authors: Chang Chih-Hsuan , Nesbitt David J.
Published: June 2015

The acetylenic CH stretch mode (ν1) of propargyl (H2CCCH) radical has been studied at sub-Doppler resolution (∼60 MHz) via infrared laser absorption spectroscopy in a supersonic slit-jet discharge expansion, where low rotational temperatures (Trot = 13.5(4) K) and lack of spectral congestion permit improved determination of band origin and rotational constants for the excited state. For the lowest J states primarily populated in the slit jet cooled expansion, fine structure due to the unpaired electron spin is resolved completely, which permits accurate analysis of electron spin-rotation interactions in the vibrationally excited states (εaa = − 518.1(1.8), εbb = − 13.0(3), εcc = − 1.8(3) MHz). In addition, hyperfine broadening in substantial excess of the sub-Doppler experimental linewidths is observed due to nuclear spin–electron spin contributions at the methylenic (—CH2) and acetylenic (—CH) positions, which permits detailed modeling of the fine/hyperfine structure line contours. The results are consistent with a delocalized radical spin density extending over both methylenic and acetylenic C atoms, in excellent agreement with simple resonance structures as well as ab initio theoretical calculations.
Growth and characterization of (110) InAs quantum well metamorphic heterostructures
Authors: Podpirka Adrian A. , Shabani Javad , Katz Michael B. , Twigg Mark E. , Mack Shawn , Palmstrøm Chris J. , Bennett Brian R.
Published: June 2015

An understanding of the growth of (110) quantum wells (QWs) is of great importance to spin systems due to the observed long spin relaxation times. In this article, we report on the metamorphic growth and characterization of high mobility undoped InAs (110) QWs on GaAs (110) substrates. A low-temperature nucleation layer reduces dislocation density, results in tilting of the subsequent buffer layer and increases the electron mobility of the QW structure. The mobility varies widely and systematically (4000–16 000 cm2/Vs at room temperature) with deposition temperature and layer thicknesses. Low-temperature transport measurements exhibit Shubnikov de-Haas oscillations and quantized plateaus in the quantum Hall regime.
Efficient preconditioning of the electronic structure problem in large scale ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Schiffmann Florian , VandeVondele Joost
Published: June 2015

We present an improved preconditioning scheme for electronic structure calculations based on the orbital transformation method. First, a preconditioner is developed which includes information from the full Kohn-Sham matrix but avoids computationally demanding diagonalisation steps in its construction. This reduces the computational cost of its construction, eliminating a bottleneck in large scale simulations, while maintaining rapid convergence. In addition, a modified form of Hotelling’s iterative inversion is introduced to replace the exact inversion of the preconditioner matrix. This method is highly effective during molecular dynamics (MD), as the solution obtained in earlier MD steps is a suitable initial guess. Filtering small elements during sparse matrix multiplication leads to linear scaling inversion, while retaining robustness, already for relatively small systems. For system sizes ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand atoms, which are typical for many practical applications, the improvements to the algorithm lead to a 2-5 fold speedup per MD step.
Communication: Direct tests of single-parameter aging
Authors: Hecksher Tina , Olsen Niels Boye , Dyre Jeppe C.
Published: June 2015

This paper presents accurate data for the physical aging of organic glasses just below the glass transition probed by monitoring the following quantities after temperature up and down jumps: the shear-mechanical resonance frequency (∼360 kHz), the dielectric loss at 1 Hz, the real part of the dielectric constant at 10 kHz, and the loss-peak frequency of the dielectric beta process (∼10 kHz). The setup used allows for keeping temperature constant within 100 μK and for thermal equilibration within a few seconds after a temperature jump. The data conform to a new simplified version of the classical Tool-Narayanaswamy aging formalism, which makes it possible to calculate one relaxation curve directly from another without any fitting to analytical functions.
Structure, thermodynamic properties, and phase diagrams of few colloids confined in a spherical pore
Authors: Paganini Iván E. , Pastorino Claudio , Urrutia Ignacio
Published: June 2015

We study a system of few colloids confined in a small spherical cavity with event driven molecular dynamics simulations in the canonical ensemble. The colloidal particles interact through a short range square-well potential that takes into account the basic elements of attraction and excluded-volume repulsion of the interaction among colloids. We analyze the structural and thermodynamic properties of this few-body confined system in the framework of inhomogeneous fluids theory. Pair correlation function and density profile are used to determine the structure and the spatial characteristics of the system. Pressure on the walls, internal energy, and surface quantities such as surface tension and adsorption are also analyzed for a wide range of densities and temperatures. We have characterized systems from 2 to 6 confined particles, identifying distinctive qualitative behavior over the thermodynamic plane T − ρ, in a few-particle equivalent to phase diagrams of macroscopic systems. Applying the extended law of corresponding states, the square well interaction is mapped to the Asakura-Oosawa model for colloid-polymer mixtures. We link explicitly the temperature of the confined square-well fluid to the equivalent packing fraction of polymers in the Asakura-Oosawa model. Using this approach, we study the confined system of few colloids in a colloid-polymer mixture.
Polarization-insensitive wide-angle multiband metamaterial absorber with a double-layer modified electric ring resonator array
Authors: Li Wangchang , Zhou Xiang , Ying Yao , Qiao Xiaojing , Qin Faxiang , Li Qian , Che Shenglei
Published: June 2015

In this letter, we report the design, demonstration and discussion of a multi- and broad- band metamaterial absorber (MMA) with wide angle polarization insensitive at microwave region. The MMA consisting of double layered electric ring resonator (ERR) with four fold rotational symmetry structure is used to realize a desirable absorption. Strong triple absorption peaks in 2∼8 GHz and broadband microwave absorption in 10∼18 GHz are demonstrated. The absorption can be reached as high as 0.73, 0.73 and 0.94 at 4.41, 5.15, 6.37 GHz, respectively. The multiband absorbing features originate from the synergetic effects of dipole resonance and Fabry-Pérot interference between two or three metasurfaces. This design is of high practical for constructing broad band and multiband absorber for electromagnetic intereference/compatibility (EMI/EMC) applications.
Numerical studies of electron cyclotron wave current drive on HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Li J. C. , Gong X. Y. , Dong J. Q. , Zheng P. W. , Song S. D. , Gao Q. D. , Du D.
Published: June 2015

The electron cyclotron wave (ECW) current drive (CD) for the HL-2A tokamak is investigated numerically with a new ray-tracing and Fokker-Planck code. The code is benchmarked with other well-tested linear and quasilinear codes and is then used to study the electron cyclotron current drive on the HL-2A tokamak. The wave propagation, power deposition, and driven-current profiles are presented. The effect of electron trapping is also assessed. It is found that quasilinear effects are negligible at the present ECW power levels and that when both waves are injected at an angle of 20° on the plasma equatorial plane, the CD efficiency for the HL-2A saturates at ∼0.029 × 1020 A/W/m2 and ∼0.020 × 1020 A/W/m2 for the 0.5 MW/68 GHz first harmonic ordinary (O1) and 1 MW/140 GHz second harmonic extraordinary (X2) modes, respectively. The effects of the plasma density, temperature, and wave-launching position on the driven current are also investigated analytically and numerically.
Exact solutions for the static dewetting of two-dimensional charged conducting droplets on a substrate
Authors: Crowdy Darren
Published: June 2015

A one parameter family of analytical solutions for the equilibrium shapes of two-dimensional charged conducting droplets on a substrate with 90° contact angle is presented. The solutions exhibit the tendency to dewet at the droplet centre as the electrostatic stress increases. Such electrostatic deformations are believed to underlie the recently observed stick-slip dynamics of nanodroplets on substrates. Our theoretical results complement a number of other recent analytical and numerical studies of this phenomenon.
The role of water in resistive switching in graphene oxide
Authors: Rogala M. , Kowalczyk P. J. , Dabrowski P. , Wlasny I. , Kozlowski W. , Busiakiewicz A. , Pawlowski S. , Dobinski G. , Smolny M. , Karaduman I. , Lipinska L. , Kozinski R. , Librant K. , Jagiello J. , Grodecki K. , Baranowski J. M. , Szot K. , Klusek Z.
Published: June 2015

The resistive switching processes are investigated at the nano-scale in graphene oxide. The modification of the material resistivity is driven by the electrical stimulation with the tip of atomic force microscope. The presence of water in the atmosphere surrounding graphene oxide is found to be a necessary condition for the occurrence of the switching effect. In consequence, the switching is related to an electrochemical reduction. Presented results suggest that by changing the humidity level the in-plane resolution of data storage process can be controlled. These findings are essential when discussing the concept of graphene based resistive random access memories.
Hall transport of divalent metal ion modified DNA lattices
Authors: Dugasani Sreekantha Reddy , Lee Keun Woo , Kim Si Joon , Yoo Sanghyun , Gnapareddy Bramaramba , Jung Joohye , Jung Tae Soo , Bashar Saima , Kim Hyun Jae , Park Sung Ha
Published: June 2015

We investigate the Hall transport characteristics of double-crossover divalent metal ion (Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Co2+)-modified DNA (M-DNA) lattices grown on silica via substrate-assisted growth. The electronic characteristics of the M-DNA lattices are investigated by varying the concentration of the metal ions and then conducting Hall measurements, including resistivity, Hall mobility, carrier concentration, and magneto resistance. The tendency of the resistivity and Hall mobility was to initially decrease as the ion concentration increased, until reaching the saturation concentration (Cs) of each metal ion, and then to increase as the ion concentration increased further. On the other hand, the carrier concentration revealed the opposite tendency as the resistivity and Hall mobility. The specific binding (≤Cs) and the nonspecific aggregates (>Cs) of the ions into the DNA lattices were significantly affected by the Hall characteristics. The numerical ranges of the Hall parameters revealed that the M-DNA lattices with metal ions had semiconductor-like characteristics. Consequently, the distinct characteristics of the electrical transport through M-DNA lattices will provide useful information on the practical use of such structures in physical devices and chemical sensors.
Uncertainty analysis for the coefficient of band-to-band absorption of crystalline silicon
Authors: Schinke Carsten , Christian Peest P. , Schmidt Jan , Brendel Rolf , Bothe Karsten , Vogt Malte R. , Kröger Ingo , Winter Stefan , Schirmacher Alfred , Lim Siew , Nguyen Hieu T. , MacDonald Daniel
Published: June 2015

We analyze the uncertainty of the coefficient of band-to-band absorption of crystalline silicon. For this purpose, we determine the absorption coefficient at room temperature (295 K) in the wavelength range from 250 to 1450 nm using four different measurement methods. The data presented in this work derive from spectroscopic ellipsometry, measurements of reflectance and transmittance, spectrally resolved luminescence measurements and spectral responsivity measurements. A systematic measurement uncertainty analysis based on the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM) as well as an extensive characterization of the measurement setups are carried out for all methods. We determine relative uncertainties of the absorption coefficient of 0.4% at 250 nm, 11% at 600 nm, 1.4% at 1000 nm, 12% at 1200 nm and 180% at 1450 nm. The data are consolidated by intercomparison of results obtained at different institutions and using different measurement approaches.
Assessment of pseudo-bilayer structures in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor
Authors: Padilla J. L. , Alper C. , Medina-Bailón C. , Gámiz F. , Ionescu A. M.
Published: June 2015

We investigate the effect of pseudo-bilayer configurations at low operating voltages (≤0.5 V) in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor (HG-EHBTFET) compared to the traditional bilayer structures of EHBTFETs arising from semiclassical simulations where the inversion layers for electrons and holes featured very symmetric profiles with similar concentration levels at the ON-state. Pseudo-bilayer layouts are attained by inducing a certain asymmetry between the top and the bottom gates so that even though the hole inversion layer is formed at the bottom of the channel, the top gate voltage remains below the required value to trigger the formation of the inversion layer for electrons. Resulting benefits from this setup are improved electrostatic control on the channel, enhanced gate-to-gate efficiency, and higher ION levels. Furthermore, pseudo-bilayer configurations alleviate the difficulties derived from confining very high opposite carrier concentrations in very thin structures.
Decarboxylation versus Acetonitrile Loss in Silver Acetate and Silver Propiolate Complexes, [RCO2Ag2(CH3CN)n]+ (where R = CH3 and CH3C≡C; n = 1 and 2)
Authors: Li Jiawei , Khairallah George N. , O'Hair Richard A. J.
Published: June 2015

Gas-phase experiments using collision-induced dissociation in an ion trap mass spectrometer have been used in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations (at the B3LYP/SDD6–31+G(d) level of theory) to examine the competition between decarboxylation and loss of a coordinated acetonitrile in the unimolecular fragmentation reactions of the silver acetate and silver propiolate complexes, [RCO2Ag2(CH3CN)n]+ (where R = CH3 and CH3C≡C; n = 1 and 2), introduced into the gas-phase via electrospray ionisation. When R = CH3, loss of acetonitrile is the sole reaction channel observed for both complexes (n = 1 and 2), consistent with DFT calculations, which highlight that the barriers for decarboxylation 2.18 eV (n = 2) and 1.96 eV (n = 1) are greater than the binding energies of the coordinated acetonitriles (1.60 eV for n = 2; 1.64 eV for n = 1). In contrast, when R = CH3C≡C, decarboxylation is the main fragmentation pathway observed for both complexes (n = 1 and 2), with loss of acetonitrile only being a minor product channel. This is consistent with DFT calculations, which reveal that the barriers for decarboxylation are 1.17 eV (n = 2) and 1.16 eV (n = 1), which are both below the binding energies of the coordinated acetonitriles (1.55 eV for n = 2; 1.56 eV for n = 1). The barrier for decarboxylation of [CH3C≡CCO2Ag2]+ is 1.22 eV, which is less than the 2.06 eV reported for decarboxylation of [CH3CO2Ag2]+ (Al Sharif et al. Organometallics, 2013, 32, 5416). The observed ease of decarboxylation of silver propiolate complexes in the gas-phase is consistent with the recently reported use of silver salts in metal catalysed decarboxylative C–C and C–X bond forming reactions of propiolic acids.
Compact panicle architecture is detrimental for growth as well as sucrose synthase activity of developing rice kernels
Authors: Panda B. B. , Badoghar A. K. , Das K. , Panigrahi R. , Kariali E. , Das S. R. , Dash S. K. , Shaw B. P. , Mohapatra P. K.
Published: June 2015

The increase of spikelet number in the panicles of modern super rice has made the architecture compact, as the extra spikelets are accommodated mostly on secondary branches than on primary branches. However, the grain yield did not improve because of poor grain filling, which was more visible in the basal spikelets than apical spikelets. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the compactness and positional difference of spikelets in the panicle on grain filling by comparing the activity and genetic expression of starch synthesising enzymes in the developing kernels of lax-(Upahar and CR3856–45–11–2-7–2-5 (CR-45)) and compact-(Mahalaxmi and CR3856–29–14–2-1–1-1 (CR-29)) panicle cultivars. Upahar and Mahalaxmi are genetically related, whereas CR-45 and CR-29 are recombinant inbred lines. The grain carbohydrate concentration and activity of sucrose synthase (SUS) enzyme were estimated during the active period of grain filling. Further, expression of isoforms of SUS, ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (APL and APS for large and small units respectively) and starch synthase (SS and GBSS for soluble and granule bound starch synthases respectively) were also assayed through PCR studies. The genotype approach used revealed grain SUS activity and starch concentration high and sugar concentration low in the lax- compared with compact-panicle cultivars and in the apical spikelets compared with basal ones. The margin of variation between apical and basal spikelets was higher in the compact- than the lax-panicle cultivars. Genetic expression of most of the isoforms of the enzymes was higher in the lax- than the compact-panicle cultivars as seen in RT–PCR studies. A quantitative appraisal of transcript levels of isoforms in the qRT–PCR identified greater expression of SUS3 in the basal spikelets of Upahar than that in Mahalaxmi and in CR-45 over CR-29, most prominently during the active period of grain filling. We conclude that proximal location as well as increased density of spikelets on panicles affected SUS3 expression in the basal spikelets. The metabolic dominance of a spikelet in rice panicle is dependent on the expression of the genes for different isoforms of starch synthesising enzymes, but the expression of SUS3 could be more specific than the others. SUS3 expression is most active during grain filling of the lax-panicle cultivars, but its dominance is reduced significantly in the kernels of the compact-panicle cultivars.
Mitochondrial DNA allows the association of life stages to facilitate species recognition and delimitation in Australian stoneflies (Plecoptera : Gripopterygidae : Newmanoperla)
Authors: Mynott Julia H.
Published: June 2015

The larvae of stoneflies (Plecoptera) are important indicators for monitoring aquatic ecosystems, but the immature stages of some relevant species have not been described. Here, mitochondrial gene sequences are used to associate the adult and larval life stages for species of Newmanoperla McLellan. This study finds molecular and morphological support for five species, which include the four previously described species (N. exigua, N. hackeri, N. prona and N. thoreyi) and a newly recognised species, N. theischingeri, sp. nov., which is described herein. Molecular divergences between species for the COI fragment had minimum values of 15–18% while the maximum intraspecific divergence was 6–9%, and there was no overlap between species. Morphological characters for distinguishing the larvae of the five species were observed on the femora and included variations in the type of setation present and the area of occurrence. The combination of molecular and morphological methods enabled the larval morphology to be reassessed and has led to the following outcomes: the first formal generic larval description, a newly recognised species, updated descriptions for larvae of all species of Newmanoperla and a dichotomous key to larvae.
Mobility in soil and availability to triticale plants of copper fertilisers
Authors: Gonzalez Demetrio , Almendros Patricia , Alvarez Jose M.
Published: June 2015

The mobility and availability to plants of copper (Cu) applied through inorganic and organic fertilisers can be important for crop production and also in terms of its environmental impact. Column and greenhouse experiments were conducted on a Typic Xerorthent soil (pH 7.09, sandy clay loam texture with moderate permeability) to study the relative migration and extractability of Cu sources in a reconstructed soil profile and the response of a triticale crop (X Triticosecale Wittmack) to the Cu supplied. The soil Cu status and quantity of Cu in the leachates were established in the soil columns according to layer depth and experimental time. Most of the Cu applied though natural (Cu-lignosulfonate, Cu-gluconate, Cu-galacturonatemonogluconate, Cu-bis(ethoxydihydroxydiethylamino)sulfate) and inorganic (Cu-oxychloride) fertilisers remained in the top soil and Cu-HEDTA migrated to a soil depth of 20 cm. Only when Cu was applied as Cu-EDTA and Cu-DTPA-HEDTA-EDTA did a large percentage of Cu remain in the top soil, initially in the water soluble fraction. The Cu associated with this fraction migrated and became distributed throughout the soil column, producing significant Cu losses due to leaching. For a 2.120 pore volume of collected leachate and an experimental time of 200 days, the leaching rates were respectively 23% and 51% of the total amount of Cu applied. The high potential availability of Cu to plants from these two sources, and to a lesser extent for Cu-lignosulfonate (applied at 2 and 3 mg Cu kg–1 rate), were correlated with the higher concentrations and uptakes of Cu by triticale grain. The advantage of this last source is that it does not produce losses due to leaching.
Statistical universals reveal the structures and functions of human music
Authors: Savage Patrick E. , Brown Steven , Sakai Emi , Currie Thomas E.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Which features of music are universal and which are culture-specific? Why? These questions are important for understanding why humans make music but have rarely been scientifically tested. We used musical classification techniques and statistical tools to analyze a global set of 304 music recordings, finding no absolute universals but dozens of statistical universals. These include not only commonly cited features related to pitch and rhythm but also domains such as social context and interrelationships between musical features. We speculate that group coordination is the common aspect unifying the cross-cultural structural regularities of human music, with implications for the study of music evolution.
Probing the structural and molecular basis of nucleotide selectivity by human mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ
Authors: Sohl Christal D. , Szymanski Michal R. , Mislak Andrea C. , Shumate Christie K. , Amiralaei Sheida , Schinazi Raymond F. , Anderson Karen S. , Yin Y. Whitney
Published: June 2015

Significance

Nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are the cornerstones of treatment for fighting HIV infection. Unfortunately, they also cause drug toxicity by inhibiting human mitochondrial DNA polymerase (Pol γ). Identification of structural differences between the intended target (RT) and adverse reaction target (Pol γ) will provide critical information for designing more potent drugs with lower toxicity. Here, we reveal structural and mechanistic differences between Pol γ and RT by studying NRTIs that have comparable efficacy on RT but significantly different affinities for Pol γ. We identified critical discriminator residues in Pol γ that are fully responsible for its differential response to emtricitabine. More importantly, the topological equivalent residue in RT is essential for activity, thus identifying this region as a hot-spot for inhibitor design.
Redesigning photosynthesis to sustainably meet global food and bioenergy demand
Authors: Ort Donald R. , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Alric Jean , Barkan Alice , Blankenship Robert E. , Bock Ralph , Croce Roberta , Hanson Maureen R. , Hibberd Julian M. , Long Stephen P. , Moore Thomas A. , Moroney James , Niyogi Krishna K. , Parry Martin A. J. , Peralta-Yahya Pamela P. , Prince Roger C. , Redding Kevin E. , Spalding Martin H. , van Wijk Klaas J. , Vermaas Wim F. J. , von Caemmerer Susanne , Weber Andreas P. M. , Yeates Todd O. , Yuan Joshua S. , Zhu Xin Guang
Published: June 2015

The world’s crop productivity is stagnating whereas population growth, rising affluence, and mandates for biofuels put increasing demands on agriculture. Meanwhile, demand for increasing cropland competes with equally crucial global sustainability and environmental protection needs. Addressing this looming agricultural crisis will be one of our greatest scientific challenges in the coming decades, and success will require substantial improvements at many levels. We assert that increasing the efficiency and productivity of photosynthesis in crop plants will be essential if this grand challenge is to be met. Here, we explore an array of prospective redesigns of plant systems at various scales, all aimed at increasing crop yields through improved photosynthetic efficiency and performance. Prospects range from straightforward alterations, already supported by preliminary evidence of feasibility, to substantial redesigns that are currently only conceptual, but that may be enabled by new developments in synthetic biology. Although some proposed redesigns are certain to face obstacles that will require alternate routes, the efforts should lead to new discoveries and technical advances with important impacts on the global problem of crop productivity and bioenergy production.
MicroRNA-148a reduces tumorigenesis and increases TRAIL-induced apoptosis in NSCLC
Authors: Joshi Pooja , Jeon Young-Jun , Laganà Alessandro , Middleton Justin , Secchiero Paola , Garofalo Michela , Croce Carlo M.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Although a very small subset of NSCLC patients respond to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), resistance remains a major hindrance to successful treatment. miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs of ∼24 nt that negatively regulate gene expression. Here, we show that miR-148a is significantly down-regulated in cells with acquired TRAIL resistance. Furthermore, we have determined that miR-148a can sensitize cells to TRAIL and inhibit tumorigenesis by targeting matrix metalloproteinase 15 and Rho-associated kinase 1 protein expression. Thus, miR-148a could be a promising prognostic and therapeutic tool in NSCLC treatment.
The maize disease resistance gene
Htn1
against northern corn leaf blight encodes a wall-associated receptor-like kinase
Authors: Hurni Severine , Scheuermann Daniela , Krattinger Simon G. , Kessel Bettina , Wicker Thomas , Herren Gerhard , Fitze Mirjam N. , Breen James , Presterl Thomas , Ouzunova Milena , Keller Beat
Published: June 2015

Significance

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of maize. The
Htn1
disease resistance gene confers quantitative field resistance against most NCLB isolates. Here we show that
Htn1
encodes a putative wall-associated receptor-like kinase (RLK). RLKs act as important components of the first tier of the plant innate immune system by perceiving pathogen- or host-derived elicitors on the cell surface. RLKs are often associated with resistance to nonadapted pathogens and are a component of nonhost resistance. Our work demonstrates that the Htn1-RLK plays an important role in host resistance against adapted fungal pathogens.
The role of clade competition in the diversification of North American canids
Authors: Silvestro Daniele , Antonelli Alexandre , Salamin Nicolas , Quental Tiago B.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Extinction is a ubiquitous feature of biodiversity history, and although many lineages increase in diversity through time, most of them eventually decline and get replaced. Dinosaurs and mammals represent an extreme and iconic example of such replacement. Here we investigate the causes of the sequential wax and wane of three subfamilies in the dog family Canidae. Contrary to current expectation, we find that competition from phylogenetically distant, but ecologically similar, clades played a more substantial role in canid diversification than climate change and body size evolution. Our results provide novel quantitative evidence indicating that competition from multiple clades can actively drive the displacement and extinction of entire lineages.
Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-dependent membrane traffic is critical for fungal filamentous growth
Authors: Ghugtyal Vikram , Garcia-Rodas Rocio , Seminara Agnese , Schaub Sébastien , Bassilana Martine , Arkowitz Robert Alan
Published: June 2015

Significance

Cell morphology changes in response to external stimuli require both identification of a growth site and concomitant membrane traffic directed to this site. We have previously shown that plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol-bis-phosphate PI(4,5)P
2
is critical for fungal filamentous growth. Here we show that the Golgi phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate [PI(4)P] is essential for the yeast to filamentous growth transition, via its role in Golgi function and dynamics. Furthermore, we have modeled the steep gradient of this lipid at the plasma membrane and propose that local generation, as well as hydrolysis by phosphatases, is critical. Our results demonstrate that PI(4)P-regulated membrane dynamics are key for cell morphology changes.