bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, structure, and properties of high‐impact polystyrene/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites
Authors: Hu Kun , Cui Zhong‐Kai , Yuan Yongliang , Zhuang Qixin , Wang Tongxin , Liu Xiaoyun , Han Zhewen
Published: September 2014

The organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites from high‐impact polystyrene/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (HIPS/POSS) containing various percentages of POSS were prepared by free radical polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H‐NMR, thermal gravity analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The octavinyl POSS has formed covalent bond connected PS‐POSS hybrid with polystyrene. POSS can well disperse in the composites at the composition of 0.5 and 1 wt%. The mechanical properties and thermostability of HIPS/POSS nanocomposites were significantly improved. The tensile strength, the izod impact strength, and the elongation at break of the nanocomposite containing 1 wt% of POSS was increased, respectively, by 15.73%, 75.62%, and 72.71% in comparison with pristine HIPS. The thermal decomposition temperature of HIPS/POSS (1 wt% of POSS) was 33°C higher than that of pristine HIPS. The HIPS/POSS nanocomposites showed great potential for applications in many fields, such as electric appliance and automotive trim. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1049–1055, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Array‐based proteomic approaches to study signal transduction pathways: Prospects, merits and challenges
Authors: Gahoi Nikita , Ray Sandipan , Srivastava Sanjeeva
Published: September 2014

Very often dysfunctional aspects of various signalling networks are found to be associated with human diseases and disorders. The major characteristics of signal transduction pathways are specificity, amplification of the signal, desensitisation and integration, which is accomplished not solely, but majorly by proteins. Array‐based profiling of protein–protein and other biomolecular interactions is a versatile approach, which holds immense potential for multiplex interactome mapping and provides an inclusive representation of the signal transduction pathways and networks. Protein microarrays such as analytical protein microarrays (antigen–antibody interactions, autoantibody screening), RP microarrays (interaction of a particular ligand with all the possible targets in cell), functional protein microarrays (protein–protein or protein–ligand interactions) are implemented for various applications, including analysis of protein interactions and their significance in signalling cascades. Additionally, successful amalgamation of the array‐based approaches with different label‐free detection techniques allows real‐time analysis of interaction kinetics of multiple interaction events simultaneously. This review discusses the prospects, merits and limitations of different variants of array‐based techniques and their promising applications for studying the modifications and interactions of biomolecules, and highlights the studies associated with signal transduction pathways and their impact on disease pathobiology.
Patterned growth of oriented 2D covalent organic framework thin films on single‐layer graphene
Authors: Colson John W. , Mann Jason A. , DeBlase Catherine R. , Dichtel William R.
Published: September 2014

Two‐dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are polymer networks that organize molecular building blocks into porous, layered structures of interest for organic optoelectronic and energy storage devices. Current synthetic methods produce these materials as either insoluble, microcrystalline powders or as oriented thin films on various substrates, including single‐layer graphene (SLG). Under these conditions, COF thin films form on both the graphene‐coated and bare regions of the substrate, suggesting uncontrolled nucleation processes that occur either in solution or nonselectively on different surfaces. Here, we describe modified polymerization conditions that provide COF films selectively on SLG. This finding enables COF films to be grown on lithographically patterned SLG substrates, which provide insight into the uniformity of film growth across the substrate and factors relevant to their nucleation and growth. The ability to grow COF films selectively on lithographically patterned SLG will facilitate their integration into devices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 378–384
A comparative study of jet formation in nozzle‐ and nozzle‐less centrifugal spinning systems
Authors: Xu Huaizhong , Chen Huanhuan , Li Xianglong , Liu Chen , Yang Bin
Published: September 2014

Centrifugal spinning, a recently developed approach for ultra‐fine fiber production, has attracted much attention as compared with the electrospinning, due to its high yield, no solution polarity and high‐voltage electrostatic field requirements, etc. In this study, the jet formation process and spinning parameters on jet path are explored and compared in nozzle‐ and nozzle‐less centrifugal spinning systems. For nozzle‐less centrifugal spinning, fingers are formed at the front of thin liquid film due to the theory of Rayleigh–Taylor instability. We find that the lower solution concentration and higher rotational speed favor the formation of thinner and longer fingers. Then, the critical angular velocity and initial jet velocity for nozzle‐/nozzle‐less centrifugal spinning are obtained in accordance with the balance of centrifugal force, viscous force, and surface tension. When jet leaves the spinneret, it will undergo a series of motions including necking and whipping processes, and then, a steady spiral jet path is formed with its radius getting tighter. Finally, we experimentally study the effect of rotational speed and solution concentration on jet path, which shows that the higher rotational speed results in a larger radius of jet path while the solution concentration has little effect on it. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1547–1559
Properties of electrodeposited germanium thin films
Authors: Uchida Yasutaka , Funayama Tomoko , Kogure Yoshiaki , Ueno Kazuyoshi
Published: September 2014

In this paper, the results of Ge film deposited by electroplating method was studied and showed the possibility of making a NIRS sensor by the Ge film. Cu/Ti double layer structure could use the cathode electrode on the glass substrate during the GeCl4 electroplating. The deposition rate of electroplating Ge film was 100 nm/h, however, that rate was improved to 570 nm/h by introducing a spacer between Cu thin film and extraction electrode and Ar gas bubbling. The oxygen content of as‐deposited film was about 10%, however, this value reduced to lower than 1% by using the Ar bubbling. The deposited film was amorphous and its optical band gap was 0.73 eV. 200 nm‐thick Ge film was formed on flexible substrate by electroplating method. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Representation errors and retrievals in linear and nonlinear data assimilation
Authors: van Leeuwen Peter Jan
Published: September 2014

This article shows how one can formulate the representation problem starting from Bayes' theorem. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the formal solutions, so that approximations can be placed in a proper context. The representation errors appear in the likelihood, and the different possibilities for the representation of reality in model and observations are discussed, including nonlinear representation probability density functions. Specifically, the assumptions needed in the usual procedure to add a representation error covariance to the error covariance of the observations are discussed, and it is shown that, when several sub‐grid observations are present, their mean still has a representation error; so‐called ‘superobbing’ does not resolve the issue. Connection is made to the off‐line or on‐line retrieval problem, providing a new simple proof of the equivalence of assimilating linear retrievals and original observations. Furthermore, it is shown how nonlinear retrievals can be assimilated without loss of information. Finally we discuss how errors in the observation operator model can be treated consistently in the Bayesian framework, connecting to previous work in this area.
ToF‐SIMS as a tool for mapping reaction products of coupled dissolution–precipitation processes at mineral grain surfaces
Authors: Rinnen S. , Gröger‐Trampe J. , Ostertag‐Henning C. , Arlinghaus H. F.
Published: September 2014

In this paper, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was investigated as a tool for analyzing changes on mineral grains (siderite and ankerite) caused by dissolution and precipitation processes. Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a technique investigated for its possible employment in the reduction of the amount of anthropogenic CO2 gas emitted into the atmosphere. Deep saline aquifers are one option for storing CO2 gas streams produced, e.g. by the combustion of fossil fuels at power plants. These gas streams contain different impurities depending on their origin, among them O2, NOx, SOx in addition to CO2. Geochemical experiments under in‐situ pressure and temperature conditions of possible geological storage sites were performed, and preparation techniques for the solid products were developed for 3D analysis. The results show that it is possible to analyze the alterations that occur on the surface of siderite grains during CO2 or CO2/O2 exposures under CO2 storage site conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
WNT signaling in bone development and homeostasis
Authors: Zhong Zhendong , Ethen Nicole J. , Williams Bart O.
Published: September 2014

The balance between bone formation and bone resorption controls postnatal bone homeostasis. Research over the last decade has provided a vast amount of evidence that WNT signaling plays a pivotal role in regulating this balance. Therefore, understanding how the WNT signaling pathway regulates skeletal development and homeostasis is of great value for human skeletal health and disease. WIREs Dev Biol 2014, 3:489–500. doi: 10.1002/wdev.159

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular
Temporal and spatial patterns of defecation in wild boar
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Storer Kate , Coats Julia , Massei Giovanna
Published: September 2014

Worldwide, wild boar (Sus scrofa) and feral pigs are involved in environmental damage and disease transmission. These impacts are often associated with relatively high local densities of pigs, so the monitoring of population trends is important. Dung counts can be used to estimate population trends, but knowledge of daily defecation rates (DDRs) is needed to estimate absolute numbers. To address this issue, we calculated the DDRs of 18 captive, adult wild boar in July 2005 and November 2007. The mean DDR was 3.8–4.3 dung/boar/day, depending on the trial. We discuss the results by comparing the DDR of wild boar to that of other ungulates and omnivores, and we consider the implications of these results for estimating feral pig and wild boar density through dung counts. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Der Wiederaufbau des Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes in der Bundesrepublik
Authors: Gostomzyk Johannes G.
Published: September 2014

Einleitung

In den frühen Jahren der Bundesrepublik blieb der Öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGD) auf der Rechtsgrundlage eines NS-Gesetzes erhalten, allerdings mit anhaltendem Aufgaben- und Personalabbau. Die wohlfahrtsstaatlich orientierte Gesundheitspolitik stärkte die GKV. Dementsprechend wurden Aufgaben der Gesundheitsfürsorge und der Prävention in die Kompetenz frei praktizierender Ärzte verlagert. Mitte der 1970er Jahre gewann der ÖGD wieder an Bedeutung durch neue Aufgaben und Gesundheitsdienstgesetze der Länder. New Public Health und Gesundheitsförderung waren kreative Impulse für den ÖGD und seine Akademien. Trotz Aufgaben- und Strukturentwicklung sind die Arztzahlen im ÖGD rückläufig. Für die Aufrechterhaltung des ÖGD sind weitere Maßnahmen erforderlich.
INCORPORATING ALL FOR ONE: THE FIRST EMPEROR'S TOMB MOUND
Authors: Shi Jie
Published: September 2014

The towering earthen mound standing at the center of the First Emperor of Qin, Qin Shihuangdi's (259–210 b.c.e.) Lishan necropolis at present-day Lintong in Xi'an, Shaanxi province was arguably the single greatest burial marker in ancient China. For centuries, this gigantic unopened monument has sparked curiosity and aroused interest among people regarding its nature. Without physically damaging the target, in 2001–2003 Chinese archaeologists used a new geophysical remote sensor to scan the surface of the mound, digitally probed into its inner structure, and detected a nine-stepped wall that bounds an aboveground burial shaft stretching down deep into the ground. This novel structure begs the following questions: what are the basic elements of this tomb mound, how do they work together within a coherent plan, and why was it made?

Based on previous scholarship, this article conducts a more thorough analysis of the tomb mound and compares it with the excavated Eastern Zhou royal tombs of the Qin, Wei, Zhao, Qi, Chu, Han, Yan, and Zhongshan states. The results demonstrate that rather than following a single model of a single state, the Lishan tomb mound incorporated almost all the major features of its Eastern Zhou predecessors, including but not limited to the external tumulus, the internal stepped wall or terrace, simulated galleries, and the freestanding ritual halls. This article argues that by creatively incorporating all the provincial ingredients into one imperial unity, the complex tomb mound unified multiple funerary practices of China. What's more, the tomb mound, most likely constructed after Qin's political unification of China in 221 b.c.e., perfectly embodies the new notion of empire and the political ambition of the First Emperor who strove throughout his life for becoming the “first” in Chinese history by merging all the past traditions.
Oat agriculture, cultivation and breeding targets: implications for human nutrition and health
Authors: Stewart Derek , McDougall Gordon
Published: September 2014

Oats are undervalued in comparison with wheat, rice and barley, despite their unique composition that includes many of the nutrients required for health and a reduced risk of degenerative disease incidence. Furthermore, oats as whole grain and some of their associated products also contain β-glucan, a complex polysaccharide that has an approved health claim to reduce blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of CHD incidence if consumed at ≥ 3 g/d. At the agronomic level, oats exhibit optimal growth in regions of moderate temperature and long day length. In addition, they can tolerate wet weather and acidic soils more effectively than other cereals, such as wheat. Studies have shown that there is diversity in the content and composition of nutrients and health-beneficial components within the available wild and cultivated germplasm and that these are amenable to be enhanced by different agronomic practices as well as are susceptible to climatic variation. The advances in modern plant genetics, developed in sister cereals such as wheat, rice and barley, mean that oat development and exploitation should see an acceleration in the coming decade as they are adopted and applied. These advances include approaches such as genome sequencing, genotyping by sequencing and the allied next-level analytical approaches of RNA sequencing, transcriptome profiling and metabolomics. The collation and coordination of these approaches should lead to the generation of new, tailored oat varieties that are nutritionally enhanced and contain a greater proportion of health-beneficial components that can be translated through into a wide(r) range of consumer products with the ultimate hope of associated benefits to human health and nutrition.
The predictive value of structured ultrasonographic staging for thyroid nodules
Authors: Gray S L , O'Neill G , McGarry G
Published: September 2014

Background:

‘R staging’ is a new ultrasonographic scoring system developed and used by our specialist head and neck radiologist for reporting sonographic risk of malignancy to those at our thyroid multidisciplinary team meeting. This study aimed to: classify the R staging system, examine its relationship with the eventual histopathological diagnosis and define its clinical utility.

Methods:

The pre-operative ultrasound scans of 78 patients were assigned an R status by our specialist head and neck radiologist. The final histopathology report for each thyroid nodule was used as the ‘gold standard’ for analysis.

Results:

When thyroid nodules were classified as low risk (R stages 1–3) or high risk (R stages 4–5) for malignancy, the sensitivity of R staging was 74.2 per cent and specificity was 80.9 per cent. An R5 status was 100 per cent predictive of malignancy.

Conclusion:

Our results compare favourably with other suggested ultrasonographic staging systems for thyroid nodules.
REFINED TESTS FOR SPATIAL CORRELATION
Authors: Robinson Peter M. , Rossi Francesca
Published: September 2014

We consider testing the null hypothesis of no spatial correlation against the alternative of pure first order spatial autoregression. A test statistic based on the least squares estimate has good first-order asymptotic properties, but these may not be relevant in small- or moderate-sized samples, especially as (depending on properties of the spatial weight matrix) the usual parametric rate of convergence may not be attained. We thus develop tests with more accurate size properties, by means of Edgeworth expansions and the bootstrap. Although the least squares estimate is inconsistent for the correlation parameter, we show that under quite general conditions its probability limit has the correct sign, and that least squares testing is consistent; we also establish asymptotic local power properties. The finite-sample performance of our tests is compared with others in Monte Carlo simulations.
Spanning the complexity chasm: A research approach to move from simple to complex engineering systems
Authors: Viswanathan Vimal , Linsey Julie
Published: September 2014

A multistudy approach is presented that allows design thinking of complex systems to be studied by triangulating causal controlled lab findings with coded data from more complex products. A case study illustration of this approach is provided. During the conceptual design of engineering systems, designers face many cognitive challenges, including design fixation, errors in their mental models, and the sunk cost effect. These factors need to be mitigated for the generation of effective ideas. Understanding the effects of these challenges in a realistic and complex engineering system is especially difficult due to a variety of factors influencing the results. Studying the design of such systems in a controlled environment is extremely challenging because of the scale and complexity of such systems and the time needed to design the systems. Considering these challenges, a mixed-method approach is presented for studying the design thinking of complex engineering systems. This approach includes a controlled experiment with a simple system and a qualitative cognitive-artifacts study on more complex engineering systems followed by the triangulation of results. The triangulated results provide more generalizable information for complex system design thinking. This method combines the advantages of quantitative and qualitative study methods, making them more powerful while studying complex engineering systems. The proposed method is illustrated further using an illustrative study on the cognitive effects of physical models during the design of engineering systems.
Influenza surveillance in animals: what is our capacity to detect emerging influenza viruses with zoonotic potential?
Authors: VON DOBSCHUETZ S. , DE NARDI M. , HARRIS K. A. , MUNOZ O. , BREED A. C. , WIELAND B. , DAUPHIN G. , LUBROTH J. , STÄRK K. D. C. ,   the FLURISK Consortium
Published: September 2014

A survey of national animal influenza surveillance programmes was conducted to assess the current capacity to detect influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals (i.e. those influenza viruses that can be naturally transmitted between animals and humans) at regional and global levels. Information on 587 animal influenza surveillance system components was collected for 99 countries from Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) (n = 94) and published literature. Less than 1% (n = 4) of these components were specifically aimed at detecting influenza viruses with pandemic potential in animals (i.e. those influenza viruses that are capable of causing epidemic spread in human populations over large geographical regions or worldwide), which would have zoonotic potential as a prerequisite. Those countries that sought to detect influenza viruses with pandemic potential searched for such viruses exclusively in domestic pigs. This work shows the global need for increasing surveillance that targets potentially zoonotic influenza viruses in relevant animal species.
The status of tularemia in Europe in a one-health context: a review
Authors: HESTVIK G. , WARNS-PETIT E. , SMITH L. A. , FOX N. J. , UHLHORN H. , ARTOIS M. , HANNANT D. , HUTCHINGS M. R. , MATTSSON R. , YON L. , GAVIER-WIDEN D.
Published: September 2014

The bacteriumFrancisella tularensiscauses the vector-borne zoonotic disease tularemia, and may infect a wide range of hosts including invertebrates, mammals and birds. Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments, or through arthropod vectors. Tularemia has a broad geographical distribution, and there is evidence which suggests local emergence or re-emergence of this disease in Europe. This review was developed to provide an update on the geographical distribution ofF. tularensisin humans, wildlife, domestic animals and vector species, to identify potential public health hazards, and to characterize the epidemiology of tularemia in Europe. Information was collated on cases in humans, domestic animals and wildlife, and on reports of detection of the bacterium in arthropod vectors, from 38 European countries for the period 1992–2012. Multiple international databases on human and animal health were consulted, as well as published reports in the literature. Tularemia is a disease of complex epidemiology that is challenging to understand and therefore to control. Many aspects of this disease remain poorly understood. Better understanding is needed of the epidemiological role of animal hosts, potential vectors, mechanisms of maintenance in the different ecosystems, and routes of transmission of the disease.
Symptomatic and asymptomatic secondary transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum following two related outbreaks in schoolchildren
Authors: JOHANSEN Ø. H. , HANEVIK K. , THRANA F. , CARLSON A. , STACHURSKA-HAGEN T. , SKAARE D. , ROBERTSON L. J.
Published: September 2014

Two related outbreaks (in 2009 and 2012) of cryptosporidiosis in Norwegian schoolchildren during a stay at a remote holiday farm provided us with a natural experiment to investigate possible secondary transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum IIa A19G1R1. After the children had returned home, clinical data and stool samples were obtained from their household contacts. Samples were investigated for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts by immunofluorescence antibody test. We found both asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, which are likely to have been secondary transmission. Laboratory-confirmed transmission rate was 17% [4/23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7·0–37·1] in the 2009 outbreak, and 0% (95% CI 0–16·8) in the 2012 outbreak. Using a clinical definition, the probable secondary transmission rate in the 2012 outbreak was 8% (7/83, 95% CI 4·1–16·4). These findings highlight the importance of hygienic and public health measures during outbreaks or individual cases of cryptosporidiosis. We discuss our findings in light of previous studies reporting varying secondary transmission rates of Cryptosporidium spp.
Kant on the Logical Form of Singular Judgements
Authors: Lu-Adler Huaping
Published: September 2014

At A71/B96–7 Kant explains that singular judgements are ‘special’ because they stand to the general ones asEinheittoUnendlichkeit. The reference toEinheitbrings to mind the category of unity and hence raises a spectre of circularity in Kant’s explanation. I aim to remove this spectre by interpreting theEinheit-Unendlichkeitcontrast in light of the logical distinctions among universal, particular and singular judgments shared by Kant and his logician predecessors. This interpretation has a further implication for resolving a controversy over the correlation between the logical moments of quantity (universal, particular, singular) and the categorial ones (unity, plurality, totality).
Kant on Chemistry and the Application of Mathematics in Natural Science
Authors: McNulty Michael Bennett
Published: September 2014

In hisMetaphysische Anfangsgründe der Naturwissenschaft, Kant claims that chemistry is a science, but not aproperscience (like physics), because it does not adequately allow for the application of mathematics to its objects. This paper argues that the application of mathematics to a proper science is best thought of as depending upon a coordination between mathematically constructible concepts and those of the science. In physics, the proper science that exhausts thea prioriknowledge of objects of the outer sense, only motions and concepts reducible to motions can be legitimately coordinated with mathematical constructions. Since chemistry can neither achieve its owna prioriprinciples of coordination nor be reduced to the coordinated doctrine of motion, it is a merely improper science.
Simultaneous Quantification of Indium and Nitrogen Concentration in InGaNAs Using HAADF-STEM
Authors: Grieb Tim , Müller Knut , Cadel Emmanuel , Beyer Andreas , Schowalter Marco , Talbot Etienne , Volz Kerstin , Rosenauer Andreas
Published: September 2014

To unambiguously evaluate the indium and nitrogen concentrations in InxGa1−xNyAs1−y, two independent sources of information must be obtained experimentally. Based on high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images taken with a high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) detector the strain state of the InGaNAs quantum well is determined as well as its characteristic HAADF-scattering intensity. The strain state is evaluated by applying elasticity theory and the HAADF intensity is used for a comparison with multislice simulations. The combination of both allows for determination of the chemical composition where the results are in accordance with X-ray diffraction measurements, three-dimensional atom probe tomography, and further transmission electron microscopy analysis. The HAADF-STEM evaluation was used to investigate the influence of As-stabilized annealing on the InGaNAs/GaAs sample. Photoluminescence measurements show an annealing-induced blue shift of the emission wavelength. The chemical analysis precludes an elemental diffusion as origin of the energy shift—instead the results are in agreement with a model based on an annealing-induced redistribution of the atomic next-neighbor configuration.
LIVING WELL
Authors: Cahn Steven M. , Vitrano Christine
Published: September 2014

What is living well? We describe two contrasting lives and ask whether one is better lived than the other. Many philosophers, among them Susan Wolf, Richard Kraut and Stephen Darwall would say so. We criticize their position, which views certain activities as intrinsically more worthy than others. Instead, we conclude that persons are living well if they act morally and find long-term satisfaction, regardless of the pursuits they choose.
USING HUMOROUS VIDEO CLIPS TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING, ENGAGEMENT AND CRITICAL THINKING
Authors: Gordon Mordechai
Published: September 2014

This essay examines the results of my attempt to use humorous video clips in a ‘Philosophy of Humor and Laughter’ course taught in the Fall of 2010 and 2011. The regular display of these clips was designed to enhance my students' understanding of the central concepts of the course, participation in class discussions and to encourage them to think more critically and creatively. The results of a survey I administered at the end of the semester suggest that there is a positive correlation between the use of the humorous clips and my students' understanding of the content, engagement in the lessons and ability to think critically. Both the quantitative and qualitative results of the survey as well as other methods of data collection indicate that watching and analyzing the humorous clips provided the students with a very valuable perspective that illuminated the ideas that we read. The results of this study also suggest that a course on the philosophy of humor and laughter can be very effective in getting students to think philosophically and appreciate the value of philosophy for their lives.
TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA AND KANTIAN PERCEPTION
Authors: Hetherington Stephen
Published: September 2014

Kant's monumental Critique of Pure Reason (1781/1787) begins with his account of perception. Look around you. An experience is the result. You seem to see a chair and a person, say – your spouse at rest. A welcome sight. A gift from the world, in more than one sense. Yet not all aspects of the experience – even perhaps of its content – are coming to you from the world, according to Kant. What else is involved?
Comparative study of methanogens in one- and two-stage anaerobic digester treating food waste
Authors: Kinnunen Marta , Hilderbrandt Daniel , Grimberg Stefan , Rogers Shane , Mondal Sumona
Published: September 2014

Changes in methanogenic archaea were investigated in pilot-scale experiments during one- and two-stage mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste. Methane yields were 379.7±75.3 liters of methane per kg of volatile solids [L-CH4(kg-VS)−1] added to the system, during one-stage operation, and 446±922 L-CH4(kg-VS)−1added during two-stage operation. Populations of methanogenic archaea were monitored quantitatively by targeting the functional gene for methyl-coenzyme-M reductase (mcrA) using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques. During one-stage operation, meanmcrAgene concentrations were 2.48×109±2.7×109copies ml−1. Two-stage operation yielded meanmcrAgene concentrations of 9.85×108±8.2×108copies ml−1in the fermentation and 1.76×1010±8.5×109copies ml−1in the methanogenesis reactors, respectively. Diversity of archaea in the methanogenic reactors was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis targeting the V3 region of 16S rRNA of archaea. The Shannon index (H) was 2.98 for one-stage operation and 7.29 for two-stage operation, suggesting greater archaeal diversity in the two-stage AD. The fivefold increase in methanogenic archaea populations during the two-stage operation, as indicated bymcrAgene concentration, corresponded to an increase in methane production rates. While the diversity may also be related to the stability of the microbial bioprocesses and improved methane production rates, the correlation between diversity and production rates should be studied further.
Individual Differences and Hemispheric Asymmetry While Processing Emotional Words
Authors: Niccolai Lindsay M. , Holtgraves Thomas
Published: September 2014

This research examined differences in the perception of emotion words as a function of individual differences in subclinical levels of depression and anxiety. Participants completed measures of depression and anxiety and performed a lexical decision task for words varying in affective valence (but equated for arousal) that were presented briefly to the right or left visual field. Participants with a lower level of depression demonstrated hemispheric asymmetry with a bias toward words presented to the left hemisphere, but participants with a higher level of depression displayed no hemispheric differences. Participants with a lower level of depression also demonstrated a bias toward positive words, a pattern that did not occur for participants with a higher level of depression. A similar pattern occurred for anxiety. Overall, this study demonstrates how variability in levels of depression and anxiety can influence the perception of emotion words, with patterns that are consistent with past research.
Lytic phages obscure the cost of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Tazzyman Samuel J , Hall Alex R
Published: September 2014

The long-term persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria depends on their fitness relative to other genotypes in the absence of drugs. Outside the laboratory, viruses that parasitize bacteria (phages) are ubiquitous, but costs of antibiotic resistance are typically studied in phage-free experimental conditions. We used a mathematical model and experiments with Escherichia coli to show that lytic phages strongly affect the incidence of antibiotic resistance in drug-free conditions. Under phage parasitism, the likelihood that antibiotic-resistant genetic backgrounds spread depends on their initial frequency, mutation rate and intrinsic growth rate relative to drug-susceptible genotypes, because these parameters determine relative rates of phage-resistance evolution on different genetic backgrounds. Moreover, the average cost of antibiotic resistance in terms of intrinsic growth in the antibiotic-free experimental environment was small relative to the benefits of an increased mutation rate in the presence of phages. This is consistent with our theoretical work indicating that, under phage selection, typical costs of antibiotic resistance can be outweighed by realistic increases in mutability if drug resistance and hypermutability are genetically linked, as is frequently observed in clinical isolates. This suggests the long-term distribution of antibiotic resistance depends on the relative rates at which different lineages adapt to other types of selection, which in the case of phage parasitism is probably extremely common, as well as costs of resistance inferred by classical in vitro methods.
Emissions of methane from offshore oil and gas platforms in Southeast Asia
Authors: Nara Hideki , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Tohjima Yasunori , Mukai Hitoshi , Nojiri Yukihiro , Machida Toshinobu
Published: September 2014

Methane is a substantial contributor to climate change. It also contributes to maintaining the background levels of tropospheric ozone. Among a variety of CH4 sources, current estimates suggest that CH4 emissions from oil and gas processes account for approximately 20% of worldwide anthropogenic emissions. Here, we report on observational evidence of CH4 emissions from offshore oil and gas platforms in Southeast Asia, detected by a highly time-resolved spectroscopic monitoring technique deployed onboard cargo ships of opportunity. We often encountered CH4 plumes originating from operational flaring/venting and fugitive emissions off the coast of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. Using night-light imagery from satellites, we discovered more offshore platforms in this region than are accounted for in the emission inventory. Our results demonstrate that current knowledge regarding CH4 emissions from offshore platforms in Southeast Asia has considerable uncertainty and therefore, emission inventories used for modeling and assessment need to be re-examined.
Preparation of hexagonal GeO2particles with particle size and crystallinity controlled by peptides, silk and silk-peptide chimeras
Authors: Boix Estefania , Puddu Valeria , Perry Carole C.
Published: September 2014

Synthesis of α-quartz like (hexagonal) GeO2by a biomimetic approach using peptides, silk and silk-peptide chimeras to control precipitation yield, particle morphology, size and crystallinity of the mineral.
Sea cucumber and blue mussel: new sources of phospholipid enriched omega-3 fatty acids with a potential role in 3T3-L1 adipocyte metabolism
Authors: Vaidya Hitesh , Cheema Sukhinder K.
Published: September 2014

Sea cucumber and blue mussel methanolic extracts are enriched inn-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids structured in the phospholipid form, which increases adipogenesis and decreases lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Gene module based regulator inference identifying miR-139 as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer
Authors: Gu Jin , Chen Yang , Huang Huiya , Yin Lingyun , Xie Zhen , Zhang Michael Q.
Published: September 2014

The gene module based approach found that miR-139 can inhibit cancer cell proliferation by directly targeting ETS1.
Discovery of mitochondria-targeting berberine derivatives as the inhibitors of proliferation, invasion and migration against rat C6 and human U87 glioma cells
Authors: Fu Shengnan , Xie Yanqi , Tuo Jue , Wang Yalong , Zhu Wenbo , Wu Sihan , Yan Guangmei , Hu Haiyan
Published: September 2014

This research aims to synthesize lipophilic berberine derivatives and evaluate their antiglioma effects on C6 and U87 cells.
Ostwald-ripening and particle size focussing of sub-10 nm NaYF4 upconversion nanocrystals
Authors: Rinkel Thorben , Nordmann Jörg , Raj Athira Naduviledathu , Haase Markus
Published: September 2014

The size of nearly monodisperse β-NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion particles can be varied from 60 nm down to only 5 nm using small α-phase Na1−xYF4−x:Yb,Er particles with different sodium contents as single-source precursors.
Smart conducting polymer composites having zero temperature coefficient of resistance
Authors: Chu Kunmo , Lee Sung-Chul , Lee Sangeui , Kim Dongearn , Moon Changyoul , Park Sung-Hoon
Published: September 2014

We developed a hybrid conducting composite having zero temperature coefficient of resistance. A major feature of the composite is the availability of heating units that show no change in resistance, and this study is one of the first of its kind to attempt to realize zero-TCR polymer-based composites.
Carbohydrate-based N-heterocyclic carbenes for enantioselective catalysis
Authors: Henderson Alexander S. , Bower John F. , Galan M. Carmen
Published: September 2014

Versatile syntheses of C2-linked and C2-symmetric carbohydrate-based NHC·HCls from functionalised amino-carbohydrate derivatives are reported. The corresponding Rh complexes were evaluated in asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones.
Surfactant-free synthesis of Zn2SnO4 octahedron decorated with nanoplates and its application in rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Authors: Fan Hongmin , Liu Zhifang , Yang Jiaqin , Wei Caiying , Zhang Jing , Wu Liyan , Zheng Wenjun
Published: September 2014

We demonstrate the fabrication of a Zn2SnO4 octahedron decorated with nanoplates via a facile surfactant-free hydrothermal method.
Syntheses of indolizinones from an intramolecular one-pot process of gem-dibromoolefins
Authors: Tang Fei , Chen Chaonan , Zhou Yiqian , Lin Cai , Zhang Jiancun
Published: September 2014

A rare type of indolizinone is constructed from an Intramolecular one-pot process from gem-dibromoolefins.
Stand‐alone excitation synchronous wind power generators with power flow management strategy
Authors: Chern Tzuen‐Lih , Pan Ping‐Lung , Chern Yu‐Hsiang , Huang Ji‐Xian , Chou Jyh‐Horng , Lin Whei‐Min , Cheng Chih‐Chiang
Published: September 2014

This study presents a stand‐alone excitation synchronous wind power generator (SESWPG) with power flow management strategy (PFMS). The rotor speed of the excitation synchronous generator tracks the utility grid frequency by using servo motor tracking technologies. The automatic voltage regulator governs the exciting current of generator to achieve the control goals of stable voltage. When wind power is less than the needs of the consumptive loading, the proposed PFMS increases motor torque to provide a positive power output for the loads, while keeping the generator speed constant. Conversely, during the periods of wind power greater than output loads, the redundant power of generator production is charged to the battery pack and the motor speed remains constant with very low power consumption. The advantage of the proposed SESWPG is that the generator can directly output stable alternating current (AC) electricity without using additional DC–AC converters. The operation principles with software simulation for the system are described in detail. Experimental results of a laboratory prototype are shown to verify the feasibility of the system.
Methanol synthesis on ZnO($000\overline{1}$0001¯). IV. Reaction mechanisms and electronic structure
Authors: Frenzel Johannes , Marx Dominik
Published: September 2014

Methanol synthesis from CO and H2 over ZnO, which requires high temperatures and high pressures giving rise to a complex interplay of physical and chemical processes over this heterogeneous catalyst surface, is investigated using ab initio simulations. The redox properties of the surrounding gas phase are known to directly impact on the catalyst properties and thus, set the overall catalytic reactivity of this easily reducible oxide material. In Paper III of our series [J. Kiss, J. Frenzel, N. N. Nair, B. Meyer, and D. Marx, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 064710 (2011)] we have qualitatively shown that for the partially hydroxylated and defective ZnO(000\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\overline{\text{1}}$\end{document}1¯) surface there exists an intricate network of surface chemical reactions. In the present study, we employ advanced molecular dynamics techniques to resolve in detail this reaction network in terms of elementary steps on the defective surface, which is in stepwise equilibrium with the gas phase. The two individual reduction steps were investigated by ab initio metadynamics sampling of free energy landscapes in three-dimensional reaction subspaces. By also sampling adsorption and desorption processes and thus molecular species that are in the gas phase but close to the surface, our approach successfully generated several alternative pathways of methanol synthesis. The obtained results suggest an Eley-Rideal mechanism for both reduction steps, thus involving “near-surface” molecules from the gas phase, to give methanol preferentially over a strongly reduced catalyst surface, while important side reactions are of Langmuir-Hinshelwood type. Catalyst re-reduction by H2 stemming from the gas phase is a crucial process after each reduction step in order to maintain the catalyst's activity toward methanol formation and to close the catalytic cycle in some reaction channels. Furthermore, the role of oxygen vacancies, side reactions, and spectator species is investigated and mechanistic details are discussed based on extensive electronic structure analysis.
Surface plasmon modes of a nanoegg above a substrate
Authors: Moradi Afshin
Published: September 2014

An analytical approach describing the surface plasmon modes of a nanoegg (a nanoshell with a nonconcentric core) above a substrate is presented. The bispherical coordinate system is used for mathematical convenience. A general dispersion relation for the coupled modes as function of geometrical characteristics of the system is obtained. In the special case (in the limit of a very large separation between the nanoegg and substrate) dispersion relation of the plasmon modes of an isolated nanoegg is derived. It is shown that the coupled plasmon modes exhibit excellent numerical convergence.
Mode-hopping mechanism generating colored noise in a magnetic tunnel junction based spin torque oscillator
Authors: Sharma Raghav , Dürrenfeld P. , Iacocca E. , Heinonen O. G. , Åkerman J. , Muduli P. K.
Published: September 2014

The frequency noise spectrum of a magnetic tunnel junction based spin torque oscillator is examined where multiple modes and mode-hopping events are observed. The frequency noise spectrum is found to consist of both white noise and 1/f frequency noise. We find a systematic and similar dependence of both white noise and 1/f frequency noise on bias current and the relative angle between the reference and free layers, which changes the effective damping and hence the mode-hopping behavior in this system. The frequency at which the 1/f frequency noise changes to white noise increases as the free layer is aligned away from the anti-parallel orientation w.r.t the reference layer. These results indicate that the origin of 1/f frequency noise is related to mode-hopping, which produces both white noise as well as 1/f frequency noise similar to the case of ring lasers.
Heat transfer and material flow during laser assisted multi-layer additive manufacturing
Authors: Manvatkar V. , De A. , DebRoy T.
Published: September 2014

A three-dimensional, transient, heat transfer, and fluid flow model is developed for the laser assisted multilayer additive manufacturing process with coaxially fed austenitic stainless steel powder. Heat transfer between the laser beam and the powder particles is considered both during their flight between the nozzle and the growth surface and after they deposit on the surface. The geometry of the build layer obtained from independent experiments is compared with that obtained from the model. The spatial variation of melt geometry, cooling rate, and peak temperatures is examined in various layers. The computed cooling rates and solidification parameters are used to estimate the cell spacings and hardness in various layers of the structure. Good agreement is achieved between the computed geometry, cell spacings, and hardness with the corresponding independent experimental results.
Layer disordering and doping compensation of an intersubband AlGaN/AlN superlattice by silicon implantation
Authors: Wierer J. J. , Allerman A. A. , Skogen E. J. , Tauke-Pedretti A. , Alford C. , Vawter G. A. , Montaño I.
Published: September 2014

Layer disordering and doping compensation of an Al0.028Ga0.972N/AlN superlattice by implantation are demonstrated. The as-grown sample exhibits intersubband absorption at ∼1.56 μm which is modified when subject to a silicon implantation. After implantation, the intersubband absorption decreases and shifts to longer wavelengths. Also, with increasing implant dose, the intersubband absorption decreases. It is shown that both layer disordering of the heterointerfaces and doping compensation from the vacancies produced during the implantation cause the changes in the intersubband absorption. Such a method is useful for removing absorption in spatially defined areas of III-nitride optoelectronic devices by, for example, creating low-loss optical waveguides monolithically that can be integrated with as-grown areas operating as electro-absorption intersubband modulators.
Enhancement of pyroelectric signal by continuous ultraviolet illumination of epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 films
Authors: Pintilie L. , Botea M. , Iuga A.
Published: September 2014

The pyroelectric signal generated by an epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 film can be enhanced by continuous illumination with ultraviolet (UV) light. The measured signal increases more than 2 times at low modulation frequencies of the incident infrared (IR) radiation (∼10 Hz) and at wavelengths where the short-circuit photocurrent presents the maximum value (∼280–300 nm). The tentative explanation is that the changes in polarization induced by the temperature variation under modulated IR illumination are generating a variable internal electric field, able to collect the photogenerated carriers produced under continuous UV illumination leading to an additional signal in phase with the pyroelectric one. This finding could be exploited for designing pyroelectric detectors with enhanced characteristics by combining both UV and IR responses.