bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NOTE ON NONLINEAR FISCAL REGIMES AND INTEREST RATE POLICY
Authors: Piergallini Alessandro
Published: October 2014

Much empirical evidence finds that governments react to fiscal imbalances in a nonlinear way, through an increasing marginal response of primary surpluses to changes in debt. This paper shows that nonlinear fiscal regimes alter equilibria under active and passive monetary–fiscal policies. The Fisher equation combined with nonlinear fiscal policies leads to multiple steady states. Under passive interest rate rules, even if the steady state in which fiscal policy is active is locally saddlepath stable, there exist infinite equilibrium paths originating in the neighborhood of that steady state that converge into a high-debt trap. Under active interest rate rules, even if the steady state at which fiscal policy is active is locally unstable, there exists a saddle connection with the high-debt equilibrium along which inflation is uniquely determined.
The stability of seeds in external beam prostate radiotherapy and implications of migration in current practice: a systematic review
Authors: Soprun K. , Sale C. , Knight K.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

To determine and summarise the literature on prostatic seed stability by investigating seed marker migration and loss in prostate cancer patients. In addition, documenting the implications of significant seed migration and loss in clinical practise.

Methods

PubMed and Sciencedirect databases were used to locate papers on the stability of gold seed markers in prostate patients treated with external beam radiation therapy. The search found 3,238 articles and ten articles were selected and reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria for the scope of this literature review.

Results

Minimal migration and loss of seeds was observed in the literature reviewed, with the majority of authors reporting <2·0 mm migration within the prostate; however, there were individual cases reported outside of the 2·0 mm threshold. It was also found that significant migration had an impact on image matching, as well as, planning treatment volume margins.

Conclusion

Seed stability within the prostate has been proven, with most authors reporting minimal migration within a 2·0 mm threshold and minimal loss of seeds. Although individual cases can have significant migration and loss, if marker migration exceeds the 2·0 mm threshold, a protocol is required to deal with both non-significant and significant migration.
College-Age Twins: University Admission Policies / Twin Research: Birth Weight and Neuromotor Performance; Transfusion Syndrome Markers; Vanishing Twins and Fetal Sex Determination; MZ Twin Discordance for Wilson's Disease / Media: Big at Birth; Planned Separation of Conjoined Twins; X Factor Twins; Cinema: The Identical
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: October 2014

There is a lack of research findings addressing the unique college admissions issues faced by twins and other multiples. The advantages and disadvantage twins face, as reported by college administrators, twins and families are reviewed. Next, recent research addressing twins’ birth weight and neuromotor performance, transfusion syndrome markers, the vanishing twin syndrome and monozygotic (MZ) twin discordance for Wilson's disease is described. News items concerning the birth of unusually large twins, the planned separation of conjoined twins, twin participants in the X Factor games and a film, The Identical, are also summarized.
Erratum: Microorganisms persist at record depths in the subseafloor of the Canterbury Basin
Authors: Ciobanu Maria-Cristina , Burgaud Gaëtan , Dufresne Alexis , Breuker Anja , Rédou Vanessa , Ben Maamar Sarah , Gaboyer Frédéric , Vandenabeele-Trambouze Odile , Lipp Julius Sebastian , Schippers Axel , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Barbier Georges , Jebbar Mohamed , Godfroy Anne , Alain Karine
Published: October 2014

Correction to: The ISME Journal (2014) 8, 1370–1380; doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.250; published online 16 January 2014 Since the publication of this article, it has come to the authors’ attention that the study accession number deposited in the Sequence Read Archive was omitted from the article. The study accession number is ERP002102.
Broad host range plasmids can invade an unexpectedly diverse fraction of a soil bacterial community
Authors: Klümper Uli , Riber Leise , Dechesne Arnaud , Sannazzarro Analia , Hansen Lars H , Sørensen Søren J , Smets Barth F
Published: October 2014

Conjugal plasmids can provide microbes with full complements of new genes and constitute potent vehicles for horizontal gene transfer. Conjugal plasmid transfer is deemed responsible for the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among microbes. While broad host range plasmids are known to transfer to diverse hosts in pure culture, the extent of their ability to transfer in the complex bacterial communities present in most habitats has not been comprehensively studied. Here, we isolated and characterized transconjugants with a degree of sensitivity not previously realized to investigate the transfer range of IncP- and IncPromA-type broad host range plasmids from three proteobacterial donors to a soil bacterial community. We identified transfer to many different recipients belonging to 11 different bacterial phyla. The prevalence of transconjugants belonging to diverse Gram-positive Firmicutes and Actinobacteria suggests that inter-Gram plasmid transfer of IncP-1 and IncPromA-type plasmids is a frequent phenomenon. While the plasmid receiving fractions of the community were both plasmid- and donor- dependent, we identified a core super-permissive fraction that could take up different plasmids from diverse donor strains. This fraction, comprising 80% of the identified transconjugants, thus has the potential to dominate IncP- and IncPromA-type plasmid transfer in soil. Our results demonstrate that these broad host range plasmids have a hitherto unrecognized potential to transfer readily to very diverse bacteria and can, therefore, directly connect large proportions of the soil bacterial gene pool. This finding reinforces the evolutionary and medical significances of these plasmids.
RNaseH1 regulates TERRA-telomeric DNA hybrids and telomere maintenance in ALT tumour cells
Authors: Arora Rajika , Lee Yongwoo , Wischnewski Harry , Brun Catherine M. , Schwarz Tobias , Azzalin Claus M.
Published: October 2014

A fraction of cancer cells maintain telomeres through the telomerase-independent, ‘Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres’ (ALT) pathway. ALT relies on homologous recombination (HR) between telomeric sequences; yet, what makes ALT telomeres recombinogenic remains unclear. Here we show that the RNA endonuclease RNaseH1 regulates the levels of RNA–DNA hybrids between telomeric DNA and the long noncoding RNA TERRA, and is a key mediator of telomere maintenance in ALT cells. RNaseH1 associated to telomeres specifically in ALT cells and its depletion led to telomeric hybrid accumulation, exposure of single-stranded telomeric DNA, activation of replication protein A at telomeres and abrupt telomere excision. Conversely, overexpression of RNaseH1 weakened the recombinogenic nature of ALT telomeres and led to telomere shortening. Altering cellular RNaseH1 levels did not perturb telomere homoeostasis in telomerase-positive cells. RNaseH1 maintains regulated levels of telomeric RNA–DNA hybrids at ALT telomeres to trigger HR without compromising telomere integrity too severely.
The Concept of Multicatalysis in Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Davi Michael , Lebel Hélène
Published: October 2014

The transition metal-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols is an amazing example of an environmentally friendly and efficient process using dioxygen (or air) as a simple and inexpensive oxidant, producing water as by-product. In some cases, cooperative catalysis introduces and provides large benefits for these transformations. This chapter highlights recent developments in multicatalytic systems for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols including biomimetic oxidation and synergistic bimetallic systems. The importance of catalytic aerobic oxidation in multistep reactions for the rapid and efficient construction of highly functionalized structures is discussed.
Fluorescence polarization immunoassays for monitoring nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) activity
Authors: Fiene Amelie , Baqi Younis , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Müller Christa E.
Published: October 2014

Novel and very sensitive fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIA) for the screening of NTPDases have been successfully established and validated.
An electrochemical and computational study for discrimination ofd- andl-cystine by reduced graphene oxide/β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Zor Erhan , Bingol Haluk , Ramanaviciene Almira , Ramanavicius Arunas , Ersoz Mustafa
Published: October 2014

This study indicates the applicability of two different techniques (electrochemical and computational study) for the discrimination of cystine enantiomers (d- andl-cystine) by reduced graphene oxide/β-cyclodextrin (rGO/β-CD) hybrid material.
Formal [4+2] annulation of enaminones and cyanomethyl sulfur ylide: one-pot access to polysubstituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones
Authors: Zhang Qian , Liu Xu , Xin Xiaoqing , Zhang Rui , Liang Yongjiu , Dong Dewen
Published: October 2014

One-pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones by formal [4+2] annulation of enaminones and cyanomethyl sulfur ylide is described involving sequential nucleophilic vinylic substitution, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization and dealkylation reactions.
Self-assembly of NIR luminescent 30-metal drum-like and 12-metal rectangular d–f nanoclusters with long-chain Schiff base ligands
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Li Zongping , Wang Shiqing , Huang Shaoming , Schipper Desmond , Jones Richard A.
Published: October 2014

Two classes of NIR luminescent heterobimetallic d–f nanoclusters [Ln6Cd24(L1)11(OAc)43(OH)] and [Ln4Zn8(L2)2(OAc)20(OH)4] (Ln = Nd and Yb) were prepared using flexible long-chain Schiff base ligands which have (CH2)6 backbones.
Azobenzene-based chloride transporters with light-controllable activities
Authors: Choi Ye Rin , Kim Gyu Chan , Jeon Hae-Geun , Park Jinhong , Namkung Wan , Jeong Kyu-Sung
Published: October 2014

Azobenzene-based chloride transporters exhibit photoresponsive transport activities across lipid and plasma membranes.
Convective dynamics of traveling autocatalytic fronts in a modulated gravity field
Authors: Horváth Dezső , Budroni Marcello A. , Bába Péter , Rongy Laurence , De Wit Anne , Eckert Kerstin , Hauser Marcus J. B. , Tóth Ágota
Published: October 2014

Modulation of the gravity field, spanning from the hyper-gravity to micro-gravity of a parabolic flight, reveals the contribution of Marangoni flow in a propagating reaction front with an open air–liquid interface.
The electrodeposition of FeCrNi stainless steel: microstructural changes induced by anode reactions
Authors: Hasegawa Madoka , Yoon Songhak , Guillonneau Gaylord , Zhang Yucheng , Frantz Cédric , Niederberger Christoph , Weidenkaff Anke , Michler Johann , Philippe Laetitia
Published: October 2014

The anode reactions were found to cause the microstructural changes of stainless steel electrodeposits from nanocrystalline to amorphous.
Suppression of sub-surface freezing in free-standing thin films of a coarse-grained model of water
Authors: Haji-Akbari Amir , DeFever Ryan S. , Sarupria Sapna , Debenedetti Pablo G.
Published: October 2014

An 850-molecule crystalline nucleus identified in simulations of a 5 nm film at 235 K showing liquid-like and solid-like molecules in blue and fuchsia, respectively.
Design and cost considerations for practical solar-hydrogen generators
Authors: Rodriguez Claudia A. , Modestino Miguel A. , Psaltis Demetri , Moser Christophe
Published: October 2014

Optimizing the design of solar-hydrogen generators can lead to economically viable devices.
A study of ad-proline peptidomimetic inhibitor of melanoma and endothelial cell invasion through activity towards MMP-2 and MMP-9
Authors: Bianchini Francesca , Calugi Chiara , Ruzzolini Jessica , Menchi Gloria , Calorini Lido , Guarna Antonio , Trabocchi Andrea
Published: October 2014

Ad-proline peptidomimetic targeting MMP-2 and MMP-9 was identified from a pool of compounds following enzyme inhibition kinetics and Matrigel sponge assays, showing the capacity of blocking capillary network formationin vivo.
A novel set of symmetric methylene blue derivatives exhibits effective bacteria photokilling — a structure — response study
Authors: Gollmer Anita , Felgenträger Ariane , Bäumler Wolfgang , Maisch Tim , Späth Andreas
Published: October 2014

This study focuses on the structure—response relationship of symmetrically substituted phenothiazinium dyes. Four hydrophilic derivatives with the ability of additional hydrogen bonding (5, 6) or additional electrostatic interaction (3, 4) were synthesized, photophysically characterized and compared to the parent compound methylene blue (MB, 1) and a lipophilic derivative (2) without additional coordination sites. Derivative 5 was most effective against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli reaching a maximum photodynamic efficacy of >5log10 steps (≥99.999%) of bacteria killing in 10 minutes (5 µM, 30 J cm−2) without inherent dark toxicity after one single treatment with the incoherent light source PDT1200 (λmax = 660 nm, 50 mW cm−2). Interestingly, one derivative with two additional primary positive charges (3) showed selective killing of Escherichia coli (5 µM, 30 J cm−2, 4log10 steps inactivation (≥99.99%)) and no antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus. This might allow the development of a new generation of photosensitizers with higher antimicrobial efficacy and selectivity for future applications.
Formation of dispersed palladium–nickel bimetallic nanoparticles in microemulsions: synthesis, characterization, and their use as efficient heterogeneous recyclable catalysts for the amination reactions of aryl chlorides under mild conditions
Authors: Heshmatpour Felora , Abazari Reza
Published: October 2014

The amination cross-coupling reaction by Pd–Ni (1 : 1) bimetallic nanoparticles in water solvent.
Generation of uniform and small particle size of palladium onto the SH-decorated SBA-15 pore-walls: SBA-15/(SH)XPd–NPY as a recoverable nanocatalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction in air and water
Authors: Rostamnia Sadegh , Lamei Kamran , Pourhassan Fatemeh
Published: October 2014

Uniform and small particle size of palladium was generated onto the SH-decorated SBA-15 pore-walls.
Tryptophan: antioxidant or target of oxidative stress? A quantum chemistry elucidation
Authors: Perez-Gonzalez A. , Muñoz-Rugeles L. , Alvarez-Idaboy J. R.
Published: October 2014

Not a good antioxidant as a free molecule. Not a particularly easy target of common ROS in biological systems.
Large-scale synthesis of Si@C three-dimensional porous structures as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xiao Chengmao , Du Ning , Shi Xianxing , Zhang Hui , Yang Deren
Published: October 2014

We demonstrate the synthesis of Si@C three-dimensional porous structures derived from commercial magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) powder via simple annealing and acid pickling processes.
Free-standing cobalt hydroxide nanoplatelet array formed by growth of preferential-orientation on graphene nanosheets as anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Jisheng , Li Jingming , Liu Kunhong , Lan Ling , Song Huaihe , Chen Xiaohong
Published: October 2014

Co(OH)2 arrays/GNSs composites, which are constructed by preferentially oriented growth, exhibit a high-performance when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Interface-spawned NiSe quantum dots: preparation, photoluminescence properties and applications
Authors: Ling Luting , Zhu Lin , Zhang Qiang , Wang Cai-Feng , Chen Su
Published: October 2014

We report the interfacial synthesis of photoluminescent NiSe quantum dots and their evolution towards excitation-dependent multicolor hybrid quantum dots.
Cyano substituted benzothiadiazole: a novel acceptor inducing n-type behaviour in conjugated polymers
Authors: Casey Abby , Han Yang , Fei Zhuping , White Andrew J. P. , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Heeney Martin
Published: October 2014

The displacement of fluoride by cyanide offers a simple route to strongly electron accepting cyano substituted benzothiadiazole monomers. Copolymerisation with electron rich donors leads to low band gap polymers which exhibit electron transporting behaviour.
Dibutyl phthalate induced oxidative stress does not lead to a significant adjuvant effect on a mouse asthma model
Authors: Chen Shaohui , You Huihui , Mao Lin , Yang Xu
Published: October 2014

The prevalence of allergic diseases around the world has been increasing dramatically in recent years.
Label-free monitoring of the nanoparticle surface modification effects on cellular uptake, trafficking and toxicity
Authors: Bartczak D. , Baradez M.-O. , Goenaga-Infante H. , Marshall D.
Published: October 2014

Real-time label-free techniques combining cell electric sensing supported by inorganic analysis are employed to determine the biological impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the selected cell model.
Cytoglobin ligand binding regulated by changing haem-co-ordination in response to intramolecular disulfide bond formation and lipid interaction
Authors: Beckerson Penny , Wilson Michael T. , Svistunenko Dimitri A. , Reeder Brandon J.
Published: October 2014

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a hexa-co-ordinate haem protein from the globin superfamily with a physiological function that is unclear. We have previously reported that the haem co-ordination is changed in the presence of lipids, potentially transforming the redox properties of the protein and hence the function of Cygb in vivo. Recent research suggests that the protein can exist in a number of states depending on the integrity and position of disulfide bonds. In the present study, we show that the monomeric protein with an internal disulfide bond between the two cysteine residues Cys38 and Cys83, interacts with lipids to induce a change in haem co-ordination. The dimeric protein with intermolecular disulfide bonds and monomeric protein without an intramolecular disulfide bond does not exhibit these changes in haem co-ordination. Furthermore, monomeric Cygb with an intramolecular disulfide bond has significantly different properties, oxidizing lipid membranes and binding ligands more rapidly as compared with the other forms of the protein. The redox state of these cysteine residues in vivo is therefore highly significant and may be a mechanism to modulate the biochemical properties of the haem under conditions of stress.
Robust synchronisation of second‐order multi‐agent system via pinning control
Authors: Zhou Yingjiang , Yu Xinghuo , Sun Changyin , Yu Wenwu
Published: October 2014

This study studies the protocol of robust synchronisation of second‐order multi‐agent systems via pinning control. First, it is shown that, for the second‐order multi‐agent system with disturbances, by pinning one node with small coupling strength, the whole system can reach synchronisation. Then, these results are applied to the cooperative control of multiple 3‐degree of freedom helicopters systems with disturbances. Finally, simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Global adaptive stabilisation of high‐order uncertain non‐linear systems with double control input channels
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liu Yungang , Mu Xiaowu
Published: October 2014

This study considers the global adaptive control design for a class of high‐order uncertain non‐linear systems. Different from the existing results, the systems under investigation have serious unknowns which cannot be bounded by any known constants, and particularly have double control input channels, that is, the scalar control input directly affects two one‐dimensional subsystems. Inspired by the author's recent results, by skillfully combing the method of adding a power integrator and some adaptive techniques, an adaptive controller is successfully constructed which can guarantee the asymptotical convergence of the system states for any given initial conditions. A simulation example is given to demonstrate the validity of the obtained theoretical results.
Synchronised output regulation of heterogeneous networks with delayed and sampled‐data communications
Authors: Xiang Ji , Li Yanjun , Ma Jin
Published: October 2014

This article studies a synchronised output regulation (SOR) problem exchanging information at sampled time. Each node has a continuous‐time internal model controller and a local exosystem providing a reference output signal. At sampled time, each node sends the exosystem state to its neighbouring nodes, as well as updates the exosystem dynamics by the received sampled data. A necessary and sufficient condition that the sampled period should satisfy for SOR with fixed digraph and time delay is presented. A numerical simulation shows an efficacy of analytic results.
Beamforming properties and design of the phased arrays in terms of irregular subarrays
Authors: Xiong Zi‐Yuan , Xu Zhen‐Hai , Xiao Shun‐Ping
Published: October 2014

Large phased arrays are often organised by subarrays given the current state of technology. The irregular subarray architecture, which can effectively mitigate the quantisation lobes, has received a renewed interest in recent years. Recent researches present some innovative particular irregular subarrays to provide practical means to eliminate the quantisation lobes using several (even only one) kinds of subarray. However, there is no single, neat theory of the irregularly partitioned array antennas in the literature. This study presents some derivations of the beamforming properties for arrays with arbitrary subarray partition to fill this gap. Derivations have led us to introduce a novel approach to assess the radiation properties which is useful for the systematic design of phased arrays. Numerical experiments are carried out to validate the authors’ derivations. Additionally, an elaborate example illustrates a design discipline for a limited‐field‐of‐view array with polyomino‐shaped subarrays.
Two‐section asymmetric coupled‐line impedance transforming directional couplers
Authors: Wincza Krzysztof , Piekarz Ilona , Gruszczynski Slawomir
Published: October 2014

Two‐section impedance transforming directional couplers have been proposed. It has been shown that such asymmetric coupled‐line directional couplers can provide equal power split between the coupled and transmission ports as well as impedance transformation in the same broad frequency range, as classic two‐section coupled‐line couplers. The theoretical analysis has been presented and appropriate formulas allowing for calculation the required per‐unit‐length parameters of broadband two‐section impedance transforming couplers have been derived. Moreover, it has been shown that the impedance transformation ratio of the presented coupler can be increased by the appropriate modification of the two‐section coupled‐line directional coupler in a way that the directly fed and coupled‐line transformation ratios are different. The proposed modification allows for the design of broadband impedance transforming directional couplers with increased transformation ratio over the limit fixed by the coupling coefficient of the tightly coupled section and having at the same time acceptable impedance match and isolation between the respective ports. The presented theory has been confirmed by the measurements of a two‐section 3 dB impedance transforming directional coupler having bandwidth fu/fl = 3:1 and impedance transformation ratio R = 2.
Coherence in a family of tree networks with an application of Laplacian spectrum
Authors: Sun Weigang , Ding Qingyan , Zhang Jingyuan , Chen Fangyue
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we study consensus problems in a family of tree networks and investigate first and second order consensus denoted as network coherence characterized by Laplacian spectrum. According to the tree structures, we obtain the recursive relationships of Laplacian matrix and its Laplacian eigenvalues at two successive generations. We then obtain the analytical expressions for the sum of the reciprocals and the square reciprocals of all nonzero Laplacian eigenvalues. Finally, we calculate first and second order network coherence and see that the scalings of first and second order coherence with network size N are lnN and N, which are smaller than some studied tree graphs, such as Peano basin fractal, T-graph, and generalized Vicsek fractal.
The negative of regular cosmological time function is a viscosity solution
Authors: Cui Xiaojun , Jin Liang
Published: October 2014

In this paper we show that for a spacetime (M, g) with regular cosmological time function τ, −τ is a viscosity solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation g(∇u, ∇u) = −1 and shares some analogous properties with the so-called weak KAM solutions.
Electric-field-induced paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transformation in prototypical polycrystalline BaTiO3
Authors: Wang Zhiyang , Webber Kyle G. , Hudspeth Jessica M. , Hinterstein Manuel , Daniels John E.
Published: October 2014

An electric-field-induced paraelectric cubic to ferroelectric tetragonal phase transformation has been directly observed in prototypical polycrystalline BaTiO3 at temperatures above the Curie point (TC) using in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The transformation persisted to a maximum temperature of 4 °C above TC. The nature of the observed field-induced transformation and the resulting development of domain texture within the induced phase were dependent on the proximity to the transition temperature, corresponding well to previous macroscopic measurements. The transition electric field increased with increasing temperature above TC, while the magnitude of the resultant tetragonal domain texture at the maximum electric field (4 kV mm−1) decreased at higher temperatures. These results provide insights into the phase transformation behavior of a prototypical ferroelectric and have important implications for the development of future large-strain phase-change actuator materials.
Bismuth-induced phase control of GaAs nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Lu Zhenyu , Zhang Zhi , Chen Pingping , Shi Suixing , Yao Luchi , Zhou Chen , Zhou Xiaohao , Zou Jin , Lu Wei
Published: October 2014

In this work, the crystal structure of GaAs nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy has been tailored only by bismuth without changing the growth temperature and V/III flux ratio. The introduction of bismuth can lead to the formation of zinc-blende GaAs nanowires, while the removal of bismuth changes the structure into a 4H polytypism before it turns back to the wurtzite phase eventually. The theoretical calculation shows that it is the steadiest for bismuth to adsorb on the GaAs(111)B surface compared to the liquid gold catalyst surface and the interface between the gold catalyst droplet and the nanowire, and these adsorbed bismuth could decrease the diffusion length of adsorbed Ga and hence the supersaturation of Ga in the gold catalyst droplet.
Mineralization and optical characterization of copper oxide nanoparticles using a high aspect ratio bio-template
Authors: Zaman Mohammed Shahriar , Haberer Elaine D.
Published: October 2014

Organized chains of copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized, without palladium (Pd) activation, using the M13 filamentous virus as a biological template. The interaction of Cu precursor ions with the negatively charged viral coat proteins were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Discrete nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.5 nm and narrow size distribution were closely spaced along the length of the high aspect ratio templates. The synthesized material was identified as a mixture of cubic Cu2O and monoclinic CuO. UV/Vis absorption measurements were completed and a direct optical band gap of 2.87 eV was determined using Tauc's method. This value was slightly larger than bulk, signaling quantum confinement effects within the templated materials.
Organic field-effect transistor nonvolatile memories utilizing sputtered C nanoparticles as nano-floating-gate
Authors: Liu Jie , Liu Chang-Hai , She Xiao-Jian , Sun Qi-Jun , Gao Xu , Wang Sui-Dong
Published: October 2014

High-performance organic field-effect transistor nonvolatile memories have been achieved using sputtered C nanoparticles as the nano-floating-gate. The sputtered C nano-floating-gate is prepared with low-cost material and simple process, forming uniform and discrete charge trapping sites covered by a smooth and complete polystyrene layer. The devices show large memory window, excellent retention capability, and programming/reading/erasing/reading endurance. The sputtered C nano-floating-gate can effectively trap both holes and electrons, and it is demonstrated to be suitable for not only p-type but also n-type organic field-effect transistor nonvolatile memories.
An electrocaloric refrigerator without external regenerator
Authors: Gu Haiming , Qian Xiao-Shi , Ye Hui-Jian , Zhang Q. M.
Published: October 2014

Regeneration processes are commonly used in cooling devices to improve the device performance. However, irreversible heat loss within the regenerators in many earlier designs of magnetocaloric and electrocaloric (EC) based cooling devices reduces the device performance. In this paper, an electrocaloric based refrigerator without external regenerators is proposed and studied. The regeneration process in this device is realized by direct heat exchange between contacting EC elements which are moving in opposite directions with different applied fields. Simulation results show that a 37 W/cm3 cooling power density is obtained for a Tspan of 20 K while the refrigerator still maintains 57% of Carnot efficiency for a cooling device made of an EC polymer.
Near-surface density profiling of Fe ion irradiated Si (100) using extremely asymmetric x-ray diffraction by variation of the wavelength
Authors: Khanbabaee B. , Facsko S. , Doyle S. , Pietsch U.
Published: October 2014

In this work, we report on correlations between surface density variations and ion parameters during ion beam-induced surface patterning process. The near-surface density variations of irradiated Si(100) surfaces were investigated after off-normal irradiation with 5 keV Fe ions at different fluences. In order to reduce the x-ray probing depth to a thickness below 5 nm, the extremely asymmetrical x-ray diffraction by variation of wavelength was applied, exploiting x-ray refraction at the air-sample interface. Depth profiling was achieved by measuring x-ray rocking curves as function of varying wavelengths providing incidence angles down to 0°. The density variation was extracted from the deviations from kinematical Bragg angle at grazing incidence angles due to refraction of the x-ray beam at the air-sample interface. The simulations based on the dynamical theory of x-ray diffraction revealed that while a net near-surface density decreases with increasing ion fluence which is accompanied by surface patterning, there is a certain threshold of ion fluence to surface density modulation. Our finding suggests that the surface density variation can be relevant with the mechanism of pattern formation.
Ferroelectric/ferrimagnetic composite ceramics with depressed interfacial reaction and low dielectric loss
Authors: Zheng Hui , Weng Wenjian , Han Gaorong , Du Piyi
Published: October 2014

(1−x)BaTiO3/xNi0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (NZFO) ferroelectric/ferrimagnetic composite ceramics with restricted interfacial reaction were prepared by adopting fine NZFO precursors synthesized by combustion method. The dielectric dispersion, loss, and conductivity are significantly reduced at most compositions, particularly at concentrations below the percolation threshold. At x = 0.3, a frequency-stable permittivity of 2300 and a low loss of 0.04 at 1 kHz is realized. The recovery of the dielectric/electric properties is attributed to the interfacial amorphous phase introduced by the fine NZFO precursors, which can act as barrier for ionic inter-diffusion between the two phases and hopping conduction among ferrites.
A study on dynamic heat assisted magnetization reversal mechanisms under insufficient reversal field conditions
Authors: Chen Y. J. , Yang H. Z. , Leong S. H. , Wu B. L. , Asbahi M. , Yu Ko Hnin Yu , Yang J. K. W. , Ng V.
Published: October 2014

We report an experimental study on the dynamic thermomagnetic (TM) reversal mechanisms at around Curie temperature (Tc) for isolated 60 nm pitch single-domain [Co/Pd] islands heated by a 1.5 μm spot size laser pulse under an applied magnetic reversal field (Hr). Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) observations with high resolution MFM tips clearly showed randomly trapped non-switched islands within the laser irradiated spot after dynamic TM reversal process with insufficient Hr strength. This observation provides direct experimental evidence by MFM of a large magnetization switching variation due to increased thermal fluctuation/agitation over magnetization energy at the elevated temperature of around Tc. The average percentage of non-switched islands/magnetization was further found to be inversely proportional to the applied reversal field Hr for incomplete magnetization reversal when Hr is less than 13% of the island coercivity (Hc), showing an increased switching field distribution (SFD) at elevated temperature of around Tc (where main contributions to SFD broadening are from Tc distribution and stronger thermal fluctuations). Our experimental study and results provide better understanding and insight on practical heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) process and recording performance, including HAMR writing magnetization dynamics induced SFD as well as associated DC saturation noise that limits areal density, as were previously observed and investigated by theoretical simulations.
CDK5 activator protein p25 preferentially binds and activates GSK3β
Authors: Chow Hei-Man , Guo Dong , Zhou Jie-Chao , Zhang Guan-Yun , Li Hui-Fang , Herrup Karl , Zhang Jie
Published: October 2014

Significance

CDK5 and GSK3β are recognized as interrelated kinases; they share a strong structural resemblance, and both are known tau kinases that contribute to the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. We report here that p25 but not p35, the normal cyclin-like activator of CDK5, unexpectedly binds to GSK3β in the AXIN-binding region. The binding of p25 increases GSK3β activity and alters its substrate specificity. Results, both in vivo and in vitro, suggest that many of the effects of p25 previously assumed to be due to hyperactivation of CDK5 must now be reexamined for the potential role of altered GSK3β activity. This result carries important implications for how we approach disease-modifying strategies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
VEGF-induced neoangiogenesis is mediated by NAADP and two-pore channel-2–dependent Ca
2+
signaling
Authors: Favia Annarita , Desideri Marianna , Gambara Guido , D’Alessio Alessio , Ruas Margarida , Esposito Bianca , Del Bufalo Donatella , Parrington John , Ziparo Elio , Palombi Fioretta , Galione Antony , Filippini Antonio
Published: October 2014

Significance

The formation of new blood vessels (neoangiogenesis) accompanies tissue regeneration and healing, but is also crucial for tumor growth, hence understanding how capillaries are stimulated to grow in response to local cues is essential for the much sought-after aim of controlling this process. We have elucidated a Ca
2+
signaling pathway involving NAADP, TPCs, and lysosomal Ca
2+
release activated in vascular endothelial cells by VEGF, the main angiogenic growth factor, and we show that the angiogenic response can be abolished, in cultured cells and in vivo, by inhibiting components of this signaling cascade. The specificity of this pathway in terms of VEGF receptor subtype, intracellular messengers, target channels and Ca
2+
storage organelles, offers new targets for novel antiangiogenic therapeutic strategies.
Trait-based diversification shifts reflect differential extinction among fossil taxa
Authors: Wagner Peter J. , Estabrook George F.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Shifts in biological diversity often are associated with particular anatomical traits. Anatomical data from over 300 clades of brachiopods, molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms, and chordates show that trait-based diversification shifts are common at even fairly low (genus and species) taxonomic levels. Cambrian taxa present the lone major exception. Among post-Cambrian taxa, diversification shifts correlate strongly with elevated net extinction of primitive taxa rather than elevated net speciation of derived taxa or increased morphological disparity among derived taxa. This finding emphasizes the importance of extinction in shaping morphological and phylogenetic diversity among closely related species and genera as well as suggests another way in which Cambrian evolution was unique.
Role of disease-associated tolerance in infectious superspreaders
Authors: Gopinath Smita , Lichtman Joshua S. , Bouley Donna M. , Elias Joshua E. , Monack Denise M.
Published: October 2014

Significance

A minority of infected hosts is thought to be responsible for the majority of pathogen transmission events. Surprisingly little is known about what distinguishes superspreader hosts from the rest of the infected population. Using a mouse model of
Salmonella
infection, we show that levels of
Salmonella
are equivalent between antibiotic-treated superspreader and nonsuperspreader hosts; however, superspreader hosts are uniquely able to tolerate antibiotic treatment, unlike nonsuperspreader hosts. We find that nonsuperspreaders have a hyperinflammatory response to antibiotic treatment, resulting in increased inflammatory myeloid cells that contribute to the morbidity observed. Superspreaders display neither an increased frequency of inflammatory myeloid cells nor morbidity upon antibiotic treatment. Our data describe tolerance mechanisms unique to superspreader hosts that enable sustained pathogen transmission.
Motive attribution asymmetry for love vs. hate drives intractable conflict
Authors: Waytz Adam , Young Liane L. , Ginges Jeremy
Published: October 2014

Significance

Political conflict between American Democrats and Republicans and ethnoreligious conflict between Israelis and Palestinians seem intractable, despite the availability of reasonable compromise solutions in both cases. This research demonstrates a fundamental cognitive bias driving such conflict intractability: Adversaries attribute their ingroup’s actions to ingroup love more than outgroup hate and attribute their outgroup’s actions to outgroup hate more than ingroup love. This biased attributional pattern increases beliefs and intentions associated with conflict intractability, including unwillingness to negotiate and unwillingness to vote for compromise solutions. In addition, offering financial incentives for accuracy in evaluating one’s outgroup mitigates this biased attributional pattern and its consequences. Understanding this bias and how to alleviate it can contribute to conflict resolution on a global scale.
Learning regulatory programs by threshold SVD regression
Authors: Ma Xin , Xiao Luo , Wong Wing Hung
Published: October 2014

Significance

With the increase in high-throughput data in genomic studies, the study of regulatory relationships between multidimensional predictors and responses is becoming a common task. Although high-dimensional data hold promise for revealing rich and complex regulations, it remains challenging to infer the relations between tens of thousands of responses and thousands of predictors, as the desired signal must be searched among an overwhelming number of irrelevant responses. Here we show that by formulating the regulatory programs as hidden-intermediate nodes in a linear network, a sparsity-inducing modeling and inference approach is effective in extracting the regulatory relations among very high-dimensional responses and predictors, even when the sample size is much lower.
Guidance and Belief
Authors: Hunter David
Published: October 2014

There is a difference between those things one does that manifest agency and those things that merely happen to one or that are the effects of one's agency. My typing these words manifests my agency – is an action of mine – whereas growing older is merely happening to me and making sounds as I type is but an effect of my action. Actions are sometimes but not always done for reasons and are characteristically but perhaps not invariably known by the agent without observation or inference. I'm typing in order to get my paper done on time, and I don't need to look to know that this is what I am doing, though I wouldn't know without hearing it that I am making noises as I type. In this paper I will offer an account of these facts about action. The account starts from the idea that an agent performing an action guides what she is doing.
The Laws of Thought and the Power of Thinking
Authors: Haase Matthias
Published: October 2014

Frege taught us to strictly distinguish between the logical and the psychological. This doctrine has deeply influenced the analytic tradition in the philosophy of mind, language and logic. And it was praised, of course, by Wittgenstein, early and late. On closer inspection, however, the way in which Frege frames his anti-psychologism opens a crack in his system that appears in several places. I want to suggest that Wittgenstein's so called ‘rule-following considerations” address this difficulty and are intended to show that the ‘crack’ eventually brings down the whole edifice and with it this way of framing the celebrated distinction between the logical and the psychological. The investigation of how the rule-following paradox arises within Frege sheds, I think, light on the systematic difficulty and brings out the fact that the solutions that have been proposed in the literature don't get to the root of the problem.
Beasts, Beliefs, Intentions, Norms
Authors: Checkland David
Published: October 2014

“Terms that have histories cannot be defined.” – Nietzsche

“[T]he reality to which we were attending seemed to resist our thinking it.” – Cora Diamond

[1] Much has been learned in recent decades about the behaviour and abilities of many species of non-human animals. Increasingly many who reflect on the abilities of languageless animals are uncomfortable with a once prevalent dichotomy of either assigning these abilities to the realm of mere (usually “associative”) mechanism or granting such creatures full rationality and more or less the entire range of abilities that involves. This has lead to no little reflection and debate regarding how to proceed in studying animal “cognition,” and about what counts as adequately or accurately explaining animal behaviour. I cautiously hope herein to contribute to the clarity of what is already a discussion too rich and complex to do any justice to here. Little of what I say will be original, but the particular way of approaching the issues herein may shed some light on why certain issues have endured.
Resist, scientist! Countering degradation rituals in science
Authors: Thérèse Sandrine , Martin Brian
Published: October 2014

When the work and reputation of scientists suffer ritual degradation, a range of tactics can be deployed to resist and rework the psychological and social impacts. Five key resistance tactics to degradation in science are revealing degradation rituals, redeeming the reputation of the targeted scientist, reframing the degradation as unfair, redirecting attention to other domains, and refusing to cooperate with the rituals. These tactics are illustrated through three case studies of scientists targeted for conducting research threatening to the interests of powerful groups.
Curcumin enhances the production of major structural components of elastic fibers, elastin, and fibrillin-1, in normal human fibroblast cells
Authors: Lee Shu-Mei , Chiang Shu-Hua , Wang Hsun-Yen , Wu Pey-Shiuan , Lin Chih-Chien
Published: October 2014

Curcumin is the major component of the yellow extract derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa, which is also a main bioactive polyphenol and has been generally used as a spice, food additive, and herbal medicine. In this presented study, we found that curcumin can enhance the production of major structural components of elastic fibers, elastin, and fibrillin-1, in normal human fibroblast cells via increasing ELN and FBN1 promoters’ activities. With 2 μM curcumin treatment, the enhanced tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 protein amounts in Detroit 551 cells were approximately 134 and 130% of control, respectively. Therefore, our results demonstrated that curcumin may be used as a functional compound and applied to drugs, foods, and cosmetics in the future.
TGF-β gets primed for action
Authors: Short Ben
Published: October 2014

Study reveals that extracellular matrix remodeling by myofibroblasts enhances the activation of TGF-β.
Implementation of an Enhanced Safety-Engineered Sharp Device Oversight and Bloodborne Pathogen Protection Program at a Large Academic Medical Center
Authors: Talbot Thomas R. , Wang Deede , Swift Melanie , St. Jacques Paul , Johnson Susan , Brinsko Vicki , Thayer Valerie , Dail Teresa , Feistritzer Nancye , Polancich Shea
Published: October 2014

Objective.

Exposure of healthcare personnel to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) can be prevented in part by using safety-engineered sharp devices (SESDs) and other safe practices, such as double gloving. In some instances, however, safer devices and practices cannot be utilized because of procedural factors or the lack of a manufactured safety device for the specific clinical use. In these situations, a standardized system to examine requests for waiver from expected practices is necessary

Design.

Before-after program analysis.

Setting.

Large academic medical center.

Interventions.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center developed a formalized system for an improved waiver process, including an online submission and tracking site, and standards surrounding implementation of core safe practices. The program’s impact on sharp device injuries and utilization of double gloving and blunt sutures was examined.

Results.

Following implementation of the enhanced program, there was an increase in the amount of undergloves and blunt sutures purchased for surgical procedures, suggesting larger utilization of these practices. The rate of sharp device injuries of all at-risk employees decreased from 2.32% to 2.12%, but this decline was not statistically significant (P = .14). The proportion of reported injuries that were deemed preventable significantly decreased from 72.7% (386/531) before implementation to 63.9% (334/523; P = .002) after implementation of the enhanced program.

Conclusions.

An enhanced BBP protection program was successful at providing guidance to increase safe practices and at improving the management of SESD waiver requests and was associated with a reduction in preventable sharp device injuries.
Hispanic American Opinions toward Immigration and Immigration Policy Reform Proposals
Authors: Melo Grace , Colson Gregory , Ramirez Octavio A.
Published: October 2014

This study presents evidence from a survey and choice experiment on the preferences of Hispanic immigrants who entered the United States illegally for different immigration reform proposal attributes. Key components of the current competing US Senate and House immigration reform bills are considered including pathways to legal permanent residence, temporary work visas, family visitation rights, and access to medical care. The results quantify the value Hispanic immigrants place on different policy attributes and suggest that longer‐term work visas are highly valued. Ability to legally work in the United States and a pathway to citizenship are substantially more valued than social services such as medical care and social security benefits.