bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generating daily high spatial land surface temperatures by combining ASTER and MODIS land surface temperature products for environmental process monitoring
Authors: Wu Mingquan , Li Hua , Huang Wenjiang , Niu Zheng , Wang Changyao
Published: June 2015

Daily high spatial land surface temperatures for environmental process monitoring were generated by fusion of ASTER and MODIS LST products.
Single molecular force across single integrins dictates cell spreading
Authors: Chowdhury Farhan , Li Isaac T. S. , Leslie Benjamin J. , Doğanay Sultan , Singh Rishi , Wang Xuefeng , Seong Jihye , Lee Sang-Hak , Park Seongjin , Wang Ning , Ha Taekjip
Published: June 2015

Molecular forcesviasingle integrins at the cell-substrate interface control the degree of cell spreading.
Mechanisms of integrin and filamin binding and their interplay with talin during early focal adhesion formation
Authors: Truong Tiffany , Shams Hengameh , Mofrad Mohammad R. K.
Published: June 2015

Mechanisms of the interplay among filamin, integrin and talin during early focal adhesion formation were explored using molecular dynamics simulations.
Printing cancer cells into intact microvascular networks: a model for investigating cancer cell dynamics during angiogenesis
Authors: Phamduy Theresa B. , Sweat Richard S. , Azimi Mohammad S. , Burow Matthew E. , Murfee Walter L. , Chrisey Douglas B.
Published: June 2015

A novel ex vivo model combining cell printing and tissue culture to investigate cancer cell dynamics during angiogenesis in intact microvascular networks.
Droplet-based microfluidic platform for measurement of rapid erythrocyte water transport
Authors: Jin Byung-Ju , Esteva-Font Cristina , Verkman A. S.
Published: June 2015

Osmotic water permeability was measured from a single, time-integrated fluorescence image using droplet microfluidics.
Theoretical studies on the desulfurization of benzothiophene (thianaphthene) and thienothiophene (thiophthene) by carbon–sulfur bond cleavage: binuclear iron carbonyl intermediates
Authors: Jin Rong , Chen Xiaohong , Du Quan , Feng Hao , Xie Yaoming , Bruce King R. , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: June 2015

The lowest energy (C8H6S)Fe2(CO)nand (C6H4S2)Fe2(CO)nstructures (n= 6, 5) derived from benzothiophene and thienothiophene, respectively, have an iron atom inserted into C–S bond of the ligand thiophene ring.
Novel stable dendrimersome formulation for safe bioimaging applications
Authors: Filippi M. , Patrucco D. , Martinelli J. , Botta M. , Castro-Hartmann P. , Tei L. , Terreno E.
Published: June 2015

Novel low-generation Janus dendrimers were studied to assess their ability to self-assemble into dendrimersomes and to load the magnetic resonance imaging agent Gadoteridol. Stability and biocompatibility of the nanovesicles were investigated in biological fluids, on cell cultures and in healthy mice.
Enzymatically degradable hybrid organic–inorganic bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles for in vitro imaging
Authors: Fatieiev Y. , Croissant J. G. , Julfakyan K. , Deng L. , Anjum D. H. , Gurinov A. , Khashab N. M.
Published: June 2015

We describe biodegradable bridged silsesquioxane (BS) composite nanomaterials with an unusually high organic content (ca. 50%) based on oxamide components mimicking amino acid biocleavable groups.
A quantum chemical study of the ω-transaminase reaction mechanism
Authors: Cassimjee Karim Engelmark , Manta Bianca , Himo Fahmi
Published: June 2015

The detailed half-transamination mechanism of Chromobacterium violaceum ω-transaminase is investigated by means of density functional theory calculations.
A “rolling ball method” to make glass fiber reinforced hollow epoxy macrospheres used for a three phase epoxy syntactic foam
Authors: Wu X. F. , Wang Y. , Yang X. R. , Yu J. H. , Wang L. C. , Hou S. J. , Jiang P. K.
Published: June 2015

Glass fiber reinforced hollow epoxy macrospheres (GFR-HEMS) were prepared by a “rolling ball method” and embedded into a mixture of epoxy–hardener and 33.3 wt% HGMS to make a three phase epoxy syntactic foam.
Blocking the heat shock response and depleting HSF-1 levels through heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) inhibition: a significant advance on current hsp90 chemotherapies
Authors: Koay Yen Chin , McConnell Jeanette R. , Wang Yao , McAlpine Shelli R.
Published: June 2015

C-terminal inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) modulate the C-terminus and do not elicit a heat shock response.
Experimental study of dielectric property changes in DMSO–primary alcohol mixtures under low-intensity microwaves
Authors: Sun Haoran , Huang Kama
Published: June 2015

By applying a low-intensity microwave to DMSO–primary alcohol mixtures, distinct dielectric property changes have been observed.
Facile one pot synthesis and Li-cycling properties of MnO2
Authors: Nithyadharseni P. , Reddy M. V. , Fanny Ho , Adams S. , Chowdari B. V. R.
Published: June 2015

MnO2 compounds prepared by a molten salt method (MSM) using three different Mn-salts and studied for its electrochemical properties.
Enhancement of light emission in GaAs epilayers with graphene quantum dots
Authors: Lin T. N. , Chih K. H. , Cheng M. C. , Yuan C. T. , Hsu C. L. , Shen J. L. , Hou J. L. , Wu C. H. , Chou W. C. , Lin T. Y.
Published: June 2015

The effect of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on the enhancement of PL in GaAs epilayers has been demonstrated and interpreted by carrier transfer due to the work function difference.
Axial ligand modified high valent tin(iv) porphyrins: synthesis, structure, photophysical studies and photodynamic antimicrobial activities on Candida albicans
Authors: Soman Rahul , Raghav Darpan , Sujatha Subramaniam , Rathinasamy Krishnan , Arunkumar Chellaiah
Published: June 2015

Photophysical studies, fluorescence imaging, single crystal X-ray structure analysis and DFT calculations revealed that compounds2and3show enhanced phototoxicity towardsCandida albicanscompared to compound1.
Adsorption of the Ir4 cluster on single-wall carbon nanotubes: the zigzag types are more suitable
Authors: Du Jiguang , Sun Xiyuan , Jiang Gang
Published: June 2015

The zigzag-type SWNTs not only stabilize the Ir clusters, but also enhance their catalytic performance.
Utilising ionic liquids for the in situ swelling of Avicel towards enhanced enzymatic saccharification
Authors: Bong S. M. , Vongsanga K. , Byrne N.
Published: June 2015

In this study, choline carboxylate ionic liquids were explored as solvents to enhance the hydrolysis of cellulose by enzymes.
Semi-carbonized nanostructures of carbohydrate for highly efficient photocatalysts
Authors: Han Yuzhi , Zhang Hengchao , Yang Yanmei , Li Chuanxi , Huang Hui , Liu Yang , Kang Zhenhui
Published: June 2015

We demonstrate that the semi-carbonized nanostructures of carbohydrate (cellulose and glucose as precursors) show high performance as photocatalysts directly for selective oxidation of cis-cyclooctene with air as an oxidant.
Atom efficient synthesis of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides by ball milling
Authors: Crossey K. , Cunningham R. N. , Redpath P. , Migaud M. E.
Published: June 2015

A range of nucleosides have been synthesised utilising a solventless approach to Vorbrüggen glycosylations aided by mechanochemistry.
A polyion complex sensor array for markerless and noninvasive identification of differentiated mesenchymal stem cells from human adipose tissue
Authors: Tomita Shunsuke , Sakao Miho , Kurita Ryoji , Niwa Osamu , Yoshimoto Keitaro
Published: June 2015

A sensor array of cross-reactive polyion complexes enabled markerless and noninvasive identification of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.
Mixed valence mono- and hetero-metallic grid catenanes
Authors: Giri Chandan , Topić Filip , Cametti Massimo , Rissanen Kari
Published: June 2015

Multicomponent self-assembly was employed to obtain, in the solid state, a series of mixed valence mono- and hetero-metallic grid catenanes, which were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Incorporated oxygen in MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets for efficient ORR catalysis
Authors: Huang Hao , Feng Xun , Du Cuicui , Wu Siyuan , Song Wenbo
Published: June 2015

Controllable engineering of high-electronegativity oxygen (O)-heteroatoms into MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets is realized via a facile post-modification process.
Fabrication of hybrid membranes by incorporating acid–base pair functionalized hollow mesoporous silica for enhanced proton conductivity
Authors: Yin Yongheng , Deng Wanyu , Wang Hongyan , Li Anping , Wang Chongbin , Jiang Zhongyi , Wu Hong
Published: June 2015

Hollow mesoporous silica microspheres are synthesized, functionalized by three different acid–base pairs, and then incorporated into a Nafion matrix to prepare novel hybrid membranes. Hydrophilic ionic channels are adjusted by inorganic fillers, as a result, the membranes display greatly improved proton conductivity, especially under low humidity.
Development and use of in vitro alternatives to animal testing by the pharmaceutical industry 1980–2013
Authors: Goh Jen-Yin , Weaver Richard J. , Dixon Libby , Platt Nicola J. , Roberts Ruth A.
Published: June 2015

An analysis of the use ofin vitrotechniques in preclinical safety testing revealed a marked increase to >180 000 tests/year by 2012. Step changes in uptake were notable in the three main areas of ADME, safety pharmacology and genetic toxicology, correlated with relevant ICH guidelines.
Tier 2 Language Intervention for Diverse Preschoolers: An Early-Stage Randomized Control Group Study Following an Analysis of Response to Intervention
Authors: Spencer Trina D. , Petersen Douglas B. , Adams John L.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The first purpose of this study was to explore the use of a whole class, test–teach–test, dynamic assessment of narratives for identifying participants. The second purpose was to examine the efficacy of a Tier 2 narrative language intervention for culturally and linguistically diverse preschoolers.

Method

A dynamic assessment was conducted with students from 3 Head Start classrooms. On the basis of the results of the dynamic assessment, 22 children were randomly assigned to treatment (
n
= 12) and control (
n
= 10) groups for intervention. Participants received a small-group (4:1), differentiated, narrative intervention for 15–20 min, twice a week, for 9 weeks. Interventionists used weekly progress monitoring data to explicitly focus on individualized narrative and linguistic targets.

Results

The treatment group showed significant improvement over the control group on proximal and distal measures of narrative retells, with large effect sizes. Group differences on a measure of children's language in the context of personal stories were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This early-stage study provides evidence that narrative language intervention is an effective approach to improving the language skills of preschoolers with diverse language needs. Furthermore, the evidence supports the use of dynamic assessment for reducing overidentification and identifying candidates for small-group language intervention.
Context is king! Considering particularism in research design and reporting
Authors: Davison Robert M , Martinsons Maris G
Published: June 2015

We aim to raise awareness of context by examining its role in empirical research. We apply the dichotomy of universalism and particularism, and discuss the interaction of theory and culture in order to consider the scope of validity for research findings and conclusions. We illustrate our arguments by referencing three cases, each of which has contextual inadequacies. We aim to discourage the conduct of research, and acceptance of papers, that falsely implies universalism, relies on convenient samples or ignores indigenous constructs. We offer specific prescriptions for authors, editors and reviewers to help ensure that both the research context and scope of validity are adequately communicated and understood.
Tests of cosmic ray radiography for power industry applications
Authors: Durham J. M. , Guardincerri E. , Morris C. L. , Bacon J. , Fabritius J. , Fellows S. , Poulson D. , Plaud-Ramos K. , Renshaw J.
Published: June 2015

In this report, we assess muon multiple scattering tomography as a non-destructive inspection technique in several typical areas of interest to the nuclear power industry, including monitoring concrete degradation, gate valve conditions, and pipe wall thickness. This work is motivated by the need for imaging methods that do not require the licensing, training, and safety controls of x-rays, and by the need to be able to penetrate considerable overburden to examine internal details of components that are otherwise inaccessible, with minimum impact on industrial operations. In some scenarios, we find that muon tomography may be an attractive alternative to more typical measurements.
A new class of ensemble conserving algorithms for approximate quantum dynamics: Theoretical formulation and model problems
Authors: Smith Kyle K. G. , Poulsen Jens Aage , Nyman Gunnar , Rossky Peter J.
Published: June 2015

We develop two classes of quasi-classical dynamics that are shown to conserve the initial quantum ensemble when used in combination with the Feynman-Kleinert approximation of the density operator. These dynamics are used to improve the Feynman-Kleinert implementation of the classical Wigner approximation for the evaluation of quantum time correlation functions known as Feynman-Kleinert linearized path-integral. As shown, both classes of dynamics are able to recover the exact classical and high temperature limits of the quantum time correlation function, while a subset is able to recover the exact harmonic limit. A comparison of the approximate quantum time correlation functions obtained from both classes of dynamics is made with the exact results for the challenging model problems of the quartic and double-well potentials. It is found that these dynamics provide a great improvement over the classical Wigner approximation, in which purely classical dynamics are used. In a special case, our first method becomes identical to centroid molecular dynamics.
Application of a new ensemble conserving quantum dynamics simulation algorithm to liquid para-hydrogen and ortho-deuterium
Authors: Smith Kyle K. G. , Poulsen Jens Aage , Nyman Gunnar , Cunsolo Alessandro , Rossky Peter J.
Published: June 2015

We apply the Feynman-Kleinert Quasi-Classical Wigner (FK-QCW) method developed in our previous work [Smith et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 244112 (2015)] for the determination of the dynamic structure factor of liquid para-hydrogen and ortho-deuterium at state points of (T = 20.0 K, n = 21.24 nm−3) and (T = 23.0 K, n = 24.61 nm−3), respectively. When applied to this challenging system, it is shown that this new FK-QCW method consistently reproduces the experimental dynamic structure factor reported by Smith et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 140, 034501 (2014)] for all momentum transfers considered. This shows that FK-QCW provides a substantial improvement over the Feynman-Kleinert linearized path-integral method, in which purely classical dynamics are used. Furthermore, for small momentum transfers, it is shown that FK-QCW provides nearly the same results as ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD), thus suggesting that FK-QCW provides a potentially more appealing algorithm than RPMD since it is not formally limited to correlation functions involving linear operators.
The interplay between dynamic heterogeneities and structure of bulk liquid water: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Demontis Pierfranco , Gulín-González Jorge , Masia Marco , Sant Marco , Suffritti Giuseppe B.
Published: June 2015

In order to study the interplay between dynamical heterogeneities and structural properties of bulk liquid water in the temperature range 130–350 K, thus including the supercooled regime, we use the explicit trend of the distribution functions of some molecular properties, namely, the rotational relaxation constants, the atomic mean-square displacements, the relaxation of the cross correlation functions between the linear and squared displacements of H and O atoms of each molecule, the tetrahedral order parameter q and, finally, the number of nearest neighbors (NNs) and of hydrogen bonds (HBs) per molecule. Two different potentials are considered: TIP4P-Ew and a model developed in this laboratory for the study of nanoconfined water. The results are similar for the dynamical properties, but are markedly different for the structural characteristics. In particular, for temperatures higher than that of the dynamic crossover between “fragile” (at higher temperatures) and “strong” (at lower temperatures) liquid behaviors detected around 207 K, the rotational relaxation of supercooled water appears to be remarkably homogeneous. However, the structural parameters (number of NNs and of HBs, as well as q) do not show homogeneous distributions, and these distributions are different for the two water models. Another dynamic crossover between “fragile” (at lower temperatures) and “strong” (at higher temperatures) liquid behaviors, corresponding to the one found experimentally at T∗ ∼ 315 ± 5 K, was spotted at T∗ ∼ 283 K and T∗ ∼ 276 K for the TIP4P-Ew and the model developed in this laboratory, respectively. It was detected from the trend of Arrhenius plots of dynamic quantities and from the onset of a further heterogeneity in the rotational relaxation. To our best knowledge, it is the first time that this dynamical crossover is detected in computer simulations of bulk water. On the basis of the simulation results, the possible mechanisms of the two crossovers at molecular level are discussed.
Finite-element simulations of hysteretic alternating current losses in a magnetically coated superconducting tubular wire subject to an oscillating transverse magnetic field
Authors: Genenko Y. A. , Rauh H. , Kurdi S.
Published: June 2015

Numerical simulations of hysteretic ac losses in a tubular superconductor/paramagnet heterostructure subject to an oscillating transverse magnetic field are performed within the quasistatic approach, calling upon the COMSOL finite-element software package and exploiting magnetostatic-electrostatic analogues. It is shown that one-sided magnetic shielding of a thin, type-II superconducting tube by a coaxial paramagnetic support results in a slight increase of hysteretic ac losses as compared to those for a vacuum environment, when the support is placed inside; a spectacular shielding effect with a possible reduction of hysteretic ac losses by orders of magnitude, however, ensues, depending on the magnetic permeability and the amplitude of the applied magnetic field, when the support is placed outside.
Non-radiative recombination in Ge1−ySny light emitting diodes: The role of strain relaxation in tuned heterostructure designs
Authors: Gallagher J. D. , Senaratne C. L. , Xu C. , Sims P. , Aoki T. , Smith D. J. , Menéndez J. , Kouvetakis J.
Published: June 2015

This paper describes the properties of Ge1−ySny light emitting diodes with a broad range of Sn concentrations (y = 0.0–0.11). The devices are grown upon Si(100) platforms using ultra-low temperature deposition of highly reactive Ge and Sn hydrides. The device fabrication adopts two new photodiode designs which lead to optimized performance and enables a systematic study of the effects of strain relaxation on emission efficiency. In contrast with n-Ge/i-Ge1−ySny/p-Ge analogs, which in most cases contain two defected interfaces, our designs include a p-layer with composition Ge1−zSnz chosen to be z < y to facilitate light extraction, but with z close enough to y to guarantee no strain relaxation at the i/p interface. In addition, a Ge1−xSnx alloy is also used for the n layer, with compositions in the 0 ≤ x ≤ y range, so that defected and non-defected n/i interfaces can be studied. The electroluminescence spectra vs the Sn content y in the intrinsic layer of the diodes exhibit a monotonic shift in the emission wavelength from 1550 nm to 2500 nm. On the other hand, the emission intensities show a complex dependence that cannot be explained solely on the basis of Sn concentrations. Detailed theoretical modeling of these intensities makes it possible to extract recombination lifetimes that are found to be more than three times longer in samples in which strain relaxation has not occurred at the n-i interface, demonstrating the existence of a large non-radiative contribution from the relaxation defects. This finding is particularly significant for direct gap diodes with y > 0.09, for which it is practically impossible to avoid strain relaxation in n-Ge/i-Ge1−ySny/p-Ge analogs. The new designs introduced here open the door to the fabrication of highly efficient electrically pumped systems for applications in future generations of integrated photonics.
The boiling Twente Taylor-Couette (BTTC) facility: Temperature controlled turbulent flow between independently rotating, coaxial cylinders
Authors: Huisman Sander G. , van der Veen Roeland C. A. , Bruggert Gert-Wim H. , Lohse Detlef , Sun Chao
Published: June 2015

A new Taylor-Couette system has been designed and constructed with precise temperature control. Two concentric independently rotating cylinders are able to rotate at maximum rates of fi = ± 20 Hz for the inner cylinder and fo = ± 10 Hz for the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder has an outside radius of ri = 75 mm, and the outer cylinder has an inside radius of ro = 105 mm, resulting in a gap of d = 30 mm. The height of the gap is L = 549 mm, giving a volume of V = 9.3 L. The geometric parameters are η = ri/ro = 0.714 and Γ = L/d = 18.3. With water as working fluid at room temperature, the Reynolds numbers that can be achieved are Rei = ωiri(ro − ri)/ν = 2.8 × 105 and Reo = ωoro(ro − ri)/ν = 2 × 105 or a combined Reynolds number of up to Re = (ωiri − ωoro)(ro − ri)/ν = 4.8 × 105. If the working fluid is changed to the fluorinated liquid FC-3284 with kinematic viscosity 0.42 cSt, the combined Reynolds number can reach Re = 1.1 × 106. The apparatus features precise temperature control of the outer and inner cylinders separately and is fully optically accessible from the side and top. The new facility offers the possibility to accurately study the process of boiling inside a turbulent flow and its effect on the flow.
A cable-driven wrist robotic rehabilitator using a novel torque-field controller for human motion training
Authors: Chen Weihai , Cui Xiang , Zhang Jianbin , Wang Jianhua
Published: June 2015

Rehabilitation technologies have great potentials in assisted motion training for stroke patients. Considering that wrist motion plays an important role in arm dexterous manipulation of activities of daily living, this paper focuses on developing a cable-driven wrist robotic rehabilitator (CDWRR) for motion training or assistance to subjects with motor disabilities. The CDWRR utilizes the wrist skeletal joints and arm segments as the supporting structure and takes advantage of cable-driven parallel design to build the system, which brings the properties of flexibility, low-cost, and low-weight. The controller of the CDWRR is designed typically based on a virtual torque-field, which is to plan “assist-as-needed” torques for the spherical motion of wrist responding to the orientation deviation in wrist motion training. The torque-field controller can be customized to different levels of rehabilitation training requirements by tuning the field parameters. Additionally, a rapidly convergent parameter self-identification algorithm is developed to obtain the uncertain parameters automatically for the floating wearable structure of the CDWRR. Finally, experiments on a healthy subject are carried out to demonstrate the performance of the controller and the feasibility of the CDWRR on wrist motion training or assistance.
Computing intramolecular charge and energy transfer rates using optimal modes
Authors: Yang Xunmo , Bittner Eric R.
Published: June 2015

In our recent work [X. Yang and E. R. Bittner, J. Phys. Chem. A 118, 5196 (2014)], we showed how to construct a reduced set of nuclear motions that capture the coupling between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom over the course of an electronic transition. We construct these modes, referred to as “Lanczos modes,” by applying a search algorithm to find linear combinations of vibrational normal modes that optimize the electronic/nuclear coupling operator. Here, we analyze the irreducible representations of the dominant contributions of these modes and find that for the cases considered here, these belong to totally symmetric irreducible representations of the donor and acceptor moieties. Upon investigating the molecular geometry changes following the transition, we propose that the electronic transition process can be broken into two steps, in the agreement of Born-Oppenheimer approximation: a fast excitation transfer occurs, facilitated by the “primary Lanczos mode,” followed by slow nuclear relaxation on the final electronic diabatic surface.
Enhancement of piezoelectric response in Ga doped BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films
Authors: Jaber N. , Wolfman J. , Daumont C. , Négulescu B. , Ruyter A. , Feuillard G. , Bavencoffe M. , Fortineau J. , Sauvage T. , Courtois B. , Bouyanfif H. , Longuet J. L. , Autret-Lambert C. , Gervais F.
Published: June 2015

The piezoelectric properties of compositional spread (1 − x)BiFeO3-xGaFeO3 epitaxial thin films are investigated where Ga3+ substitution for Bi3+ is attempted in Bi1−xGaxFeO3 compounds. Ga content x was varied from 0 to 12% (atomic). Ferroelectric characterizations are reported at various length scales. Around 6.5% of Ga content, an enhancement of the effective piezoelectric coefficient d33eff is observed together with a change of symmetry of the film. Measured d33eff values in 135 nm thick films increased from 25 pm/V for undoped BiFeO3 to 55 pm/V for 6.5% Ga with no extrinsic contribution from ferroelastic domain rearrangement.
Space-and-time-resolved spectroscopy of single GaN nanowires
Authors: Upadhya Prashanth C. , Martinez Julio A. , Li Qiming , Wang George T. , Swartzentruber Brian S. , Taylor Antoinette J. , Prasankumar Rohit P.
Published: June 2015

Gallium nitride nanowires have garnered much attention in recent years due to their attractive optical and electrical properties. An understanding of carrier transport, relaxation, and recombination in these quasi-one-dimensional nanosystems is therefore important in optimizing them for various applications. Here, we present ultrafast optical microscopic measurements on single GaN nanowires. Our experiments, performed while varying the light polarization, excitation fluence, and position, give insight into the mechanisms governing carrier dynamics in these nanosystems.
Effect of dynamical non-neutrality on the modulational instability of laser propagating through hot magnetoplasma
Authors: Sepehri Javan N. , Rouhi Erdi F.
Published: June 2015

In this work, modulational instability of a laser pulse in a hot magnetized plasma is investigated. Nonlinear relativistic equation, describing the amplitude evolution of a laser with finite longitudinal and transversal structure, is obtained. Taking into account the plasma dynamical non-neutrality caused by the ponderomotive force, the growth rate of the modulational instability is derived. Effect of the pulse length on the instability growth rate is investigated.
Stability versus maneuverability in hovering flight
Authors: Huang Yangyang , Nitsche Monika , Kanso Eva
Published: June 2015

Insects and birds are often faced by opposing requirements for agile and stable flight. Here, we explore the interplay between aerodynamic effort, maneuverability, and stability in a model system that consists of a Λ-shaped flyer hovering in a vertically oscillating airflow. We determine effective conditions that lead to periodic hovering in terms of two parameters: the flyer’s shape (opening angle) and the effort (flow acceleration) needed to keep the flyer aloft. We find optimal shapes that minimize effort. We then examine hovering stability and observe a transition from unstable, yet maneuverable, to stable hovering. Interestingly, this transition occurs at post-optimal shapes, that is, at increased aerodynamic effort. These results have profound implications on the interplay between stability and maneuverability in live organisms as well as on the design of man-made air vehicles.
Solution-processed yellow-white light-emitting diodes based on mixed-solvent dispersed luminescent ZnO nanocrystals
Authors: Huang Huihui , Dun Chaochao , Huang Wenxiao , Cui Yue , Xu Junwei , Jiang Qike , Xu Changwen , Zhang Han , Wen Shuangchun , Carroll David L.
Published: June 2015

Yellow-white light emitting diodes (LEDs) using ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) as the active materials have been fabricated based on a solution-processed technology. By utilizing a polar-nonpolar mixed-solvent dispersion strategy, uniform dispersion of ZnO NCs with enhanced emission properties has been achieved. The ZnO NCs based LED devices prepared from the mixed-solvent strategy show much improved electroluminescence properties that exhibit a broad yellow-white emission peaks at ∼555 nm with a maximum brightness of 100 cd/m2 and a color rendering index of 77.25. The device mechanism of the LED device was discussed in terms of energy band diagram and current-voltage characteristics.
Soil texture controls vegetation biomass and organic carbon storage in arid desert grassland in the middle of Hexi Corridor region in Northwest China
Authors: Su Yongzhong , Wang Jiuqiang , Yang Rong , Yang Xiao , Fan Guiping
Published: June 2015

Soil texture plays an important role in controlling vegetation production and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration in arid desert grassland ecosystems. However, little is known about the occurrence and extent of these textural effects in the arid desert grasslands of Northwest China. This study used 160 soil profiles taken from 32 desert grassland sites in similar topographical units (alluvial–diluvial fans) in the middle of Hexi Corridor region of Northwest China to investigate vegetation biomass, SOC storage, and soil texture of seven layers in the top 100 cm of soil. The mean aboveground biomass, below-ground biomass, and total biomass in arid desert grassland were 155.3, 95.3, and 256.3 g m–2, respectively. More than 95% of the below-ground biomass was distributed in the top 30 cm of soil. Spatially, vegetation biomass was positively related to soil clay content and silt + clay content. The mean SOC density in the top 100 cm was 2.94 kg m–2 and ~46.8% of the storage was concentrated in the top 30 cm. SOC concentrations and stocks were positively and significantly related to clay content and silt + clay content in the seven soil layers sampled from the top 100 cm. The soil silt + clay content explained 42–79% of the variation in SOC stocks in the different soil depths. In conclusion, soil texture appears to be an important control on vegetation productivity and SOC capacity in arid Hexi Corridor desert grassland soils.
Longitudinal study of fingerprint recognition
Authors: Yoon Soweon , Jain Anil K.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Fingerprint recognition, which is considered to be a reliable means for human identification, has been used in many applications ranging from law enforcement and forensics to unlocking mobile phones. Despite its successful deployment, the fundamental premise of fingerprint-based identification—persistence and uniqueness of fingerprints—has not yet been well studied, resulting in challenges to the admissibility of friction ridge evidence in courts of law. This study investigates the tendency of fingerprint similarity scores and recognition accuracy with respect to covariates characterizing properties of fingerprint impressions and demographics of subjects, including time interval between two fingerprints being compared in regard to the persistence of fingerprints. A multilevel statistical analysis is conducted with a longitudinal dataset of fingerprint records from 15,597 subjects.
Circadian clock gene
LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL
directly regulates the timing of floral scent emission in
Petunia
Authors: Fenske Myles P. , Hewett Hazelton Kristen D. , Hempton Andrew K. , Shim Jae Sung , Yamamoto Breanne M. , Riffell Jeffrey A. , Imaizumi Takato
Published: June 2015

Significance

Flowering plants attract pollinators in part by emitting volatile scents from their petals. This emission of scent is highly regulated, and is often restricted to a specific portion of the day. Although the biochemical pathways of scent production are well characterized, little is known of their transcriptional regulation. Here we describe a direct molecular link between the circadian clock and floral volatile emissions. We find that a clock transcription factor regulates the timing of multiple genes involved in the production of floral volatiles in
Petunia
. This work provides key insights into the complex yet relatively unexplored transcriptional regulation of scent production, and also sheds light on how the circadian clock can regulate the timing of large metabolic pathways.
Mapping the binding interface of ERK and transcriptional repressor Capicua using photocrosslinking
Authors: Futran Alan S. , Kyin Saw , Shvartsman Stanislav Y. , Link A. James
Published: June 2015

Significance

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a critical enzyme that interacts with a wide range of regulators and substrates to control cellular functions. ERK interactions have been studied using a number of biophysical and biochemical techniques, which identified two docking domains on ERK used by almost all of its substrates and regulators. However, mapping the binding interface of a new ERK interactor with little prior knowledge of the binding mechanism remains a challenge. Here we show that the introduction of a photocrosslinking amino acid into the heterodimerization interface of ERK and its substrate, Capicua, allows for precise, amino-acid–level determination of the substrate binding site using tandem mass spectrometry. This study demonstrates the utility of photocrosslinking approaches for the determination of binding sites on kinases.
Structural insights into the assembly of the histone deacetylase-associated Sin3L/Rpd3L corepressor complex
Authors: Clark Michael D. , Marcum Ryan , Graveline Richard , Chan Clarence W. , Xie Tao , Chen Zhonglei , Ding Yujia , Zhang Yongbo , Mondragón Alfonso , David Gregory , Radhakrishnan Ishwar
Published: June 2015

Significance

Gene transcription in eukaryotes is regulated by enzymes that posttranslationally add or remove acetyl groups from histones and render the underlying DNA more or less accessible to the transcription machinery. How histone deacetylases (HDACs), the enzymes responsible for deacetylation that are commonly found in multiprotein complexes, are assembled and targeted to their sites of action to affect transcription repression is largely unknown. We show biochemically and structurally how two key subunits of a conserved HDAC complex recruit multiple copies of HDACs into the complex in a manner that allows the enzymes to explore a large conformational space when the complex is targeted to specific genomic loci. This complex seems to be tailored for efficient deacetylation of nucleosomes that are situated far apart.
Drosophila
circadian rhythms in seminatural environments: Summer afternoon component is not an artifact and requires TrpA1 channels
Authors: Green Edward W. , O’Callaghan Emma K. , Hansen Celia N. , Bastianello Stefano , Bhutani Supriya , Vanin Stefano , Armstrong James Douglas , Costa Rodolfo , Kyriacou Charalambos P.
Published: June 2015

Significance

The study of laboratory-generated circadian locomotor activity patterns of
Drosophila
played a critical role in determining how fruitfly (and mammalian) clocks function. However, recent observations of fly activity in the wild challenged many assumptions about how the clock might work. A new prominent summer locomotor component emerged called “A” (afternoon), which replaced the laboratory “siesta.” The A component has been criticized by others to be an artifact, but our study here shows that it is genuine and is observed under a variety of simulated natural conditions. The A component is temperature- and clock-dependent and is generated by expression of the internal transient receptor potential A1 thermosensor (TrpA1), revealing a pathway for environmental input to the clock.
A circadian oscillator in the fungus
Botrytis cinerea
regulates virulence when infecting
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hevia Montserrat A. , Canessa Paulo , Müller-Esparza Hanna , Larrondo Luis F.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Circadian clocks are molecular machineries that allow organisms to anticipate daily cyclic challenges and to temporally modulate different processes. Thus, plant defense mechanisms against pathogens have been reported to vary daily in
Arabidopsis thaliana
. Although the plant–pathogen interaction is a two-sided story, nothing is known regarding circadian regulation of pathogenic traits. Herein we characterize a functional circadian clock in the necrotrophic fungal plant pathogen
Botrytis cinerea
, postulating additional roles for BcFRQ1, the
Botrytis
ortholog of the core clock component FREQUENCY of
Neurospora crassa
. By using different plant and
Botrytis
clock-null mutants, we demonstrate that the interaction between this pathogen and its host varies with the time of day, being the
B. cinerea
circadian clock key in regulating this outcome.
Archaeal actin from a hyperthermophile forms a single-stranded filament
Authors: Braun Tatjana , Orlova Albina , Valegård Karin , Lindås Ann-Christin , Schröder Gunnar F. , Egelman Edward H.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Actin is one of the most abundant and highly conserved eukaryotic proteins, but the basis for the exquisite sequence conservation in actin is not known. In contrast, bacterial actin-like proteins display almost no sequence conservation and form very different filaments. We have examined the filaments formed by an actin-like protein in the third kingdom of life, Archaea, and although they only have a single strand, the strand is very similar to each of the two strands in actin. This gives previously unidentified insights into the divergence of archaea and eukaryotes.
Magnetic levitation of single cells
Authors: Durmus Naside Gozde , Tekin H. Cumhur , Guven Sinan , Sridhar Kaushik , Arslan Yildiz Ahu , Calibasi Gizem , Ghiran Ionita , Davis Ronald W. , Steinmetz Lars M. , Demirci Utkan
Published: June 2015

Significance

Cells consist of micro- and nanoscale components and materials that contribute to their fundamental magnetic and density signatures. Previous studies have claimed that magnetic levitation can only be used to measure density signatures of nonliving materials. Here, we demonstrate that both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells can be levitated and that each cell has a unique levitation profile. Furthermore, our levitation platform uniquely enables ultrasensitive density measurements, imaging, and profiling of cells in real-time at single-cell resolution. This method has broad applications, such as the label-free identification and monitoring of heterogeneous biological changes under various physiological conditions, including drug screening in personalized medicine.
Intrinsic unfoldase/foldase activity of the chaperonin GroEL directly demonstrated using multinuclear relaxation-based NMR
Authors: Libich David S. , Tugarinov Vitali , Clore G. Marius
Published: June 2015

Significance

Chaperones are integral components of the cellular machinery that assist protein folding and protect against misfolding and aggregation. A bottleneck in understanding how chaperones work is that the relevant functional states are too sparsely populated and dynamic to be observed using conventional biophysical methods. NMR is uniquely suited to detect and provide atomic resolution functional information on such “invisible” states. Here we quantitate the kinetics of the chaperone GroEL binding to a protein substrate that exists in a metastable equilibrium between the native state and a sparsely populated folding intermediate, under conditions where the GroEL-bound states are not directly observable. We show that in the absence of cofactors, GroEL possesses substantial intrinsic un/foldase activity that is mediated by hydrophobic interactions.
Integrated reactive nitrogen budgets and future trends in China
Authors: Gu Baojing , Ju Xiaotang , Chang Jie , Ge Ying , Vitousek Peter M.
Published: June 2015

Significance

China is the world’s largest producer of reactive nitrogen (Nr), and Nr in the form of synthetic fertilizer has contributed substantially to increased food production there. However, Nr losses from overuse and misuse of fertilizer, combined with industrial emissions, represent a serious and growing cause of air and water pollution. This paper presents a substantially complete and coherent Nr budget for China and for 14 subsystems within China from 1980 to 2010, evaluates human health/longevity and environmental consequences of excess Nr, and explores several scenarios for Nr in China in 2050. These scenarios suggest that reasonable pathways exist whereby excess Nr could be reduced substantially, while at the same time benefitting human well-being and environmental health.
External Attachment of Acoustic Tags to Deepwater Reef Fishes: an Alternate Approach When Internal Implantation Affects Experimental Design
Authors: Johnson Matthew W. , Diamond Sandra L. , Stunz Gregory W.
Published: June 2015

Implanting internal acoustic tags is often a preferred method for tracking fish; however, this procedure can present issues with respect to surgical incision that affect experimental design. This is particularly the case when testing for the effects of barotrauma, where the incision for an internal tag would inadvertently “vent” the fish, precluding an “unvented” or control treatment. The rise of barotrauma experimentation has increased the need for methods facilitating this design. Here, we develop and test a novel technique to externally attach acoustic tags, without causing the release of gasses from the fish's body cavity. In addition, this method does not require anesthetics, thereby allowing researchers to eliminate artifacts associated with sedation when trying to more accurately replicate “real‐world” fishery conditions. We used accelerometer/depth tags to provide information on how long an externally tagged fish would retain its tag in situ. Changes in acceleration or changes in depth were used as a proxy to determine whether the fish was alive or dead or had shed its tag. Results showed that 80% of the fish (n = 20) detected retained their tags for at least 48 h. Seventy‐five percent of the fish tagged retained their tags for at least 23 d. After 23 d, tags were shed periodically until day 49. Thirty‐three percent of fish tagged retained their tags until day 57, when the experiment was ended. The ability of these modified tags to stay attached for at least 23 d suggests that the technique would be successful for maintaining a balanced experimental design for measuring postrelease mortality or changes in behavior in deepwater fishes while eliminating artifacts typically associated with internal tag implantation.
Mio depletion links mTOR regulation to Aurora A and Plk1 activation at mitotic centrosomes
Authors: Platani Melpomeni , Trinkle-Mulcahy Laura , Porter Michael , Jeyaprakash A. Arockia , Earnshaw William C.
Published: June 2015

Coordination of cell growth and proliferation in response to nutrient supply is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In this study, we report that Mio, a highly conserved member of the SEACAT/GATOR2 complex necessary for the activation of mTORC1 kinase, plays a critical role in mitotic spindle formation and subsequent chromosome segregation by regulating the proper concentration of active key mitotic kinases Plk1 and Aurora A at centrosomes and spindle poles. Mio-depleted cells showed reduced activation of Plk1 and Aurora A kinase at spindle poles and an impaired localization of MCAK and HURP, two key regulators of mitotic spindle formation and known substrates of Aurora A kinase, resulting in spindle assembly and cytokinesis defects. Our results indicate that a major function of Mio in mitosis is to regulate the activation/deactivation of Plk1 and Aurora A, possibly by linking them to mTOR signaling in a pathway to promote faithful mitotic progression.
VAMP8-dependent fusion of recycling endosomes with the plasma membrane facilitates T lymphocyte cytotoxicity
Authors: Marshall Misty R. , Pattu Varsha , Halimani Mahantappa , Maier-Peuschel Monika , Müller Martha-Lena , Becherer Ute , Hong Wanjin , Hoth Markus , Tschernig Thomas , Bryceson Yenan T. , Rettig Jens
Published: June 2015

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) eliminate infected and neoplastic cells through directed release of cytotoxic granule contents. Although multiple SNARE proteins have been implicated in cytotoxic granule exocytosis, the role of vesicular SNARE proteins, i.e., vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs), remains enigmatic. VAMP8 was posited to represent the cytotoxic granule vesicular SNARE protein mediating exocytosis in mice. In primary human CTLs, however, VAMP8 colocalized with Rab11a-positive recycling endosomes. Upon stimulation, these endosomes rapidly trafficked to and fused with the plasma membrane, preceding fusion of cytotoxic granules. Knockdown of VAMP8 blocked both recycling endosome and cytotoxic granule fusion at immune synapses, without affecting activating signaling. Mechanistically, VAMP8-dependent recycling endosomes deposited syntaxin-11 at immune synapses, facilitating assembly of plasma membrane SNARE complexes for cytotoxic granule fusion. Hence, cytotoxic granule exocytosis is a sequential, multivesicle fusion process requiring VAMP8-mediated recycling endosome fusion before cytotoxic granule fusion. Our findings imply that secretory granule exocytosis pathways in other cell types may also be more complex than previously appreciated.
Impact of Buckwheat Flavonoids on In Vitro Starch Digestibility and Noodle‐Making Properties
Authors: Bae In Young , Choi Ah Sah , Lee Hyeon Gyu
Published: June 2015

The effects of various buckwheat materials (buckwheat flour [BF], dietary fiber extract [DE], flavonoids extract [FE], and rutin‐enhanced flavonoids extract [REFE]) on starch digestibility and noodle‐making properties were evaluated. When FE and REFE were incorporated into noodles, the amount of rapidly digestible starch and the predicted glycemic index (pGI) were reduced. However, BF and DE did not significantly decrease the pGI value of noodles. When assessing noodle properties, hardness was increased with increasing content of buckwheat materials, whereas other texture parameters were not significantly affected by buckwheat addition. All noodles were similar in regard to water absorption and swelling index, but cooking loss was slightly increased in FE and REFE noodles. FE and REFE demonstrated higher flavonoid stability during noodle making and, additionally, were more effective at reducing starch digestibility than BF and DE. REFE, specifically, does not generate quercetin (the cause of a bitter taste), and, therefore, REFE was effective in suppressing the hydrolysis of starch in the noodles, lowering the pGI.