bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced guest transformation promotes translocation of guest from hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Fedorov Yuri V. , Tkachenko Sergey V. , Chernikova Ekaterina Yu. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Fedorova Olga A. , Isaacs Lyle
Published: December 2014

Photolysis of HP-β-CD-1 triggers trans-to-cis isomerization, cyclization, aromatization of 1 to 3, and finally translocation to form CB[7]-3.
Cation–π interactions in iminium ion activation: correlating quadrupole moment & enantioselectivity
Authors: Holland M. C. , Metternich J. B. , Mück-Lichtenfeld C. , Gilmour R.
Published: December 2014

A cation–π interaction is operational in the addition of uncharged nucleophiles to iminium salts derived from MacMillan's 1st generation catalyst.
A conceptual magnesium battery with ultrahigh rate capability
Authors: Zhang Ruigang , Ling Chen , Mizuno Fuminori
Published: December 2014

A new type of rechargeable Mg battery is demonstrated, which achieves charge transfer through simultaneous transport of Mg2+ cations and halogen anions during electrochemical cycling.
Pyrene-based mechanically interlocked SWNTs
Authors: López-Moreno Alejandro , Pérez Emilio M.
Published: December 2014

Pyrene serves as a recognition motif to template the synthesis of mechanically interlocked derivatives of SWNTs.
Pool-BCGA: a parallelised generation-free genetic algorithm for the ab initio global optimisation of nanoalloy clusters
Authors: Shayeghi A. , Götz D. , Davis J. B. A. , Schäfer R. , Johnston R. L.
Published: December 2014

A new parallelised generation free implementation of the Birmingham cluster genetic algorithm is presented for the efficient global optimisation of nanoalloy clusters.
Origin of magnetocapacitance in chemically homogeneous and inhomogeneous ferrites
Authors: Mondal R. A. , Murty B. S. , Murthy V. R. K.
Published: December 2014

Lattice distortion and combined negative magnetoresistance with MW polarization contribute to magnetocapacitance in chemically homogeneous and inhomogeneous ferrites, respectively.
Electronic delocalization in small water rings
Authors: Wang Bo , Xin Minsi , Dai Xing , Song Ruixia , Meng Yan , Han Jie , Jiang Wanrun , Wang Zhigang , Zhang Ruiqin
Published: December 2014

Delocalized molecular orbitals of water rings (n = 3–6).
Correction: Green metrics evaluation of isoprene production by microalgae and bacteria
Authors: Matos Cristina T. , Gouveia Luisa , Morais Ana Rita C. , Reis Alberto , Bogel-Łukasik Rafał
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Green metrics evaluation of isoprene production by microalgae and bacteria’ by Cristina T. Matos et al., Green Chem., 2013, 15, 2854–2864.
Water soluble well-defined acidic graft copolymers based on a poly(propylene glycol) macromonomer
Authors: Maksym-Bębenek Paulina , Biela Tadeusz , Neugebauer Dorota
Published: December 2014

A copolymers based on poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGMA) extended with a polymethacrylate segment containing methacrylic acid units was synthesized combining controlled radical polymerization, esterification, grafting from, and acidolysis.
Highly dispersed Au, Ag and Cu nanoparticles in mesoporous SBA-15 for highly selective catalytic reduction of nitroaromatics
Authors: Sareen Shweta , Mutreja Vishal , Singh Satnam , Pal Bonamali
Published: December 2014

This paper demonstrates homogeneous dispersion of Au, Ag and Cu nanoparticles (size ∼ 5, 11 and 13 nm) into the mesopores of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified SBA-15 for improved catalytic reduction of m-dinitrobenzene to m-phenylenediamine.
Origin of photoluminescence from colloidal gallium phosphide nanocrystals synthesized via a hot-injection method
Authors: Kim Sungwoo , Lee Kangha , Kim Sejin , Kwon O.-Pil , Heo Jin Hyuk , Im Sang Hyuk , Jeong Sohee , Lee Doh C. , Kim Sang-Wook
Published: December 2014

The emission and excitation spectra of the GaP NCs indicate that two transitions, near the direct and indirect bandgaps of bulk GaP, are responsible for the luminescence.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 123I-labeled pyridyl benzoxazole derivatives: novel β-amyloid imaging probes for single-photon emission computed tomography
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Ono Masahiro , Iikuni Shimpei , Kimura Hiroyuki , Okamoto Yoko , Ihara Masafumi , Saji Hideo
Published: December 2014

The result in the present study suggested that [123I]9 may be a potential SPECT probe for imaging β-amyloid plaques in the brains of patient with Alzheimer's disease.
Gold nanoparticle-doped silk film as biocompatible SERS substrate
Authors: Guo Chengchen , Hall Genevieve N. , Addison John B. , Yarger Jeffery L.
Published: December 2014

In this work, we present a novel rapid method for fabricating biocompatible, biodegradable gold nanoparticle-embedded silk films (AuNP–silk films) that have potential applications in bioengineering and biomedical research.
Recycling of waste printed circuit boards into ion exchange resin
Authors: Zhang Jianqiu , Tian Tao , Chen Jinyang , Zu Jianhua , Wang Yangjun
Published: December 2014

Ion exchange resins with high IEC and stability are obtained from WPCBs by treatment with sulphuric acid.
Preparation of large micron-sized monodisperse polystyrene/silver core–shell microspheres with compact shell structure and their electrical conductive and catalytic properties
Authors: Hu Yougen , Zhao Tao , Zhu Pengli , Liang Xianwen , Sun Rong , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: December 2014

Large micron-sized monodisperse PS/Ag core–shell microspheres and their corresponding hollow Ag spheres were synthesized via an improved mild electroless plating strategy.
Aerobic flow oxidation of alcohols in water catalyzed by platinum nanoparticles dispersed in an amphiphilic polymer
Authors: Osako Takao , Torii Kaoru , Uozumi Yasuhiro
Published: December 2014

Various alcohols were aerobically oxidized in an aqueous solution in a continuous-flow reactor containing a platinum nanoparticles dispersed in a polystyrene–poly(ethylene glycol) resin to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in up to 99% yield.
Concentration dependent ratiometric turn-on selective fluorescence detection of picric acid in aqueous and non-aqueous media
Authors: Yadav Ashok , Boomishankar Ramamoorthy
Published: December 2014

A phosphorictriamide scaffold, [(NHAQ)3PO] (TAQP), which has an electron-rich aminoquinoline (AQ) chromophore, is shown to exhibit a ratiometric turn-on response for picric acid (PA) at low concentration via a proton-transfer pathway.
Correction: 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: December 2014

Correction for ‘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’ by Sadegh Rostamnia et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 59626–59631.
Effect of Ru substitution on the first charge–discharge cycle of lithium-rich layered oxides
Authors: Knight James C. , Nandakumar Pat , Kan Wang Hay , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: December 2014

Doping the Li-rich layered oxides with electroactive Ru causes an increase in the sloping-region capacity but a decrease in oxygen loss, which may be caused by the formation of Ru–Ru dimers.
A facile, low-cost synthesis of high-performance silicon-based composite anodes with high tap density for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kim Sang-Ok , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: December 2014

Micro-sized carbon-coated Si-based composite synthesized by a low-cost and scalable synthetic process exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance with a high tap density of ∼1.34 g cm−3.
Improving the mechanical stability of zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks by incorporation of acidic modulators
Authors: Van de Voorde Ben , Stassen Ivo , Bueken Bart , Vermoortele Frederik , De Vos Dirk , Ameloot Rob , Tan Jin-Chong , Bennett Thomas D.
Published: December 2014

Acidic modulating ligands have been shown to stabilize UiO metal-organic frameworks against structural collapse under ball-milling.
Novel injectable porous poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) microspheres for cartilage tissue engineering: preparation and evaluation
Authors: Fang Jianjun , Yong Qi , Zhang Kunxi , Sun Wentao , Yan Shifeng , Cui Lei , Yin Jingbo
Published: December 2014

A novel injectable synthetic polypeptide of a poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) macroporous microcarrier was developed for cartilage tissue engineering.
An injectable hydrogel formed by in situ cross-linking of glycol chitosan and multi-benzaldehyde functionalized PEG analogues for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Cao Luping , Cao Bin , Lu Chengjiao , Wang Guowei , Yu Lin , Ding Jiandong
Published: December 2014

A novel PEG analogue, poly(EO-co-Gly)-CHO, that possesses multiple aldehyde groups is designed and synthesized, and then is used as a cross-linker to react with glycol chitosan to create injectable hydrogels.
Raptor ablation in skeletal muscle decreases Cav1.1 expression and affects the function of the excitation–contraction coupling supramolecular complex
Authors: Lopez Rubén J. , Mosca Barbara , Treves Susan , Maj Marcin , Bergamelli Leda , Calderon Juan C. , Bentzinger C. Florian , Romanino Klaas , Hall Michael N. , Rüegg Markus A. , Delbono Osvaldo , Caputo Carlo , Zorzato Francesco
Published: December 2014

The protein mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase regulating a number of biochemical pathways controlling cell growth. mTOR exists in two complexes termed mTORC1 and mTORC2. Regulatory associated protein of mTOR (raptor) is associated with mTORC1 and is essential for its function. Ablation of raptor in skeletal muscle results in several phenotypic changes including decreased life expectancy, increased glycogen deposits and alterations of the twitch kinetics of slow fibres. In the present paper, we show that in muscle-specific raptor knockout (RamKO), the bulk of glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is mainly associated in its cAMP-non-stimulated form with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes. In addition, 3[H]–ryanodine and 3[H]–PN200-110 equilibrium binding show a ryanodine to dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) ratio of 0.79 and 1.35 for wild-type (WT) and raptor KO skeletal muscle membranes respectively. Peak amplitude and time to peak of the global calcium transients evoked by supramaximal field stimulation were not different between WT and raptor KO. However, the increase in the voltage sensor-uncoupled RyRs leads to an increase of both frequency and mass of elementary calcium release events (ECRE) induced by hyper-osmotic shock in flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) fibres from raptor KO. The present study shows that the protein composition and function of the molecular machinery involved in skeletal muscle excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling is affected by mTORC1 signalling.
Deinterlacing algorithm using gradient‐guided interpolation and weighted average of directional estimation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Rong Mengtian
Published: December 2014

This study presents a novel intra‐field deinterlacing algorithm using gradient‐guided interpolation (GGI) and weighted average of directional estimation (WADE). In this method, the authors classify each missing pixel into two categories according to different local region gradient features. After the classification of the local region, one of the two different interpolation methods is chosen for the corresponding region. The two interpolation methods are GGI method and the interpolation method using WADE. The average weighted method is used for smooth or texture regions because of its high interpolation performance by adopting the directional detail information among the neighbouring pixels. On the other hand, the GGI method is used for complex regions with strong or weak edges since it has high edge‐preserving ability because of considering not only the similarity of pixel intensities, but also the pixel gradient features. The WADE and GGI methods are the main contributions of this study. Compared with the traditional deinterlacing methods, the proposed method improves both the objective and subjective qualities of the interpolated images. In addition, the proposed method possesses a very low computational burden compared with most intra‐field deinterlacing methods.
Imaging surface charge distribution near carbon nanotube device in aqueous environments
Authors: Park J. K. , Son B. H. , Park Ji-Yong , Lee Soonil , Ahn Y. H.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we demonstrate the scanning photocurrent imaging on carbon nanotube devices in high-purity water environments. We found a streak of photocurrent signals along the nanotube devices; these streaks help in locating individual nanotubes. The photocurrent signals appearing in the middle of the nanotubes are due to the presence of additional ions in the electrical double layer, and as a result, a nanotube device can be used to sense the charge distribution at water-substrate interfaces with nanometer resolution. The gate-dependent photocurrent signals allow us to enumerate the effective charge density influencing nanotube electric potentials. We monitored the dynamical change in the charge distribution, which originates from the dissolution of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the solutions.
Colossal thermoelectric power in charge ordered lanthanum calcium manganites (La0.5Ca0.5MnO3)
Authors: Joy Lija K. , Shanmukharao Samatham S. , Thomas Senoy , Ganesan V. , Al-Harthi Salim , Liebig A. , Albrecht M. , Anantharaman M. R.
Published: December 2014

Lanthanum calcium manganites (La0.5Ca0.5MnO3) with a composition close to charge ordering, synthesized by high energy ball milling, was found to exhibit colossal thermoelectric power. Thermoelectric power (TEP) data was systematically analyzed by dividing the entire temperature range (5 K–300 K) into three different regimes to explore different scattering mechanisms involved. Mandal's model has been applied to explain TEP data in the region below the Curie temperature (TC). It has been found that the variation of thermoelectric power with temperature is pronounced when the system enters the charge ordered region at T < 200 K. For temperatures lower than 120 K, due to the co-existence of charge ordered state with a spin-glass state, the variation of thermoelectric power is maximum and exhibited a peak value of −80 mV/K at 58 K. This has been explained by incorporating Kondo properties of the spin-glass along with magnon scattering. FC-ZFC magnetization measurements indicate the existence of a glassy state in the region corresponding to a maximum value of thermoelectric power. Phonon drag contribution instead of spin-glass contribution is taken into account to explain TEP in the region 120 K < T < TC. Mott's polaronic contribution of charge carriers are considered to interpret TEP in the high temperature region (T > TC). The optimal Mn4+-Mn3+ concentration in charge ordered La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 was examined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analysis which confirms the charge ordered nature of this compound.
Communication: Orientational self-ordering of spin-labeled cholesterol analogs in lipid bilayers in diluted conditions
Authors: Kardash Maria E. , Dzuba Sergei A.
Published: December 2014

Lipid-cholesterol interactions are responsible for different properties of biological membranes including those determining formation in the membrane of spatial inhomogeneities (lipid rafts). To get new information on these interactions, electron spin echo (ESE) spectroscopy, which is a pulsed version of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), was applied to study 3β-doxyl-5α-cholestane (DCh), a spin-labeled analog of cholesterol, in phospholipid bilayer consisted of equimolecular mixture of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. DCh concentration in the bilayer was between 0.1 mol.% and 4 mol.%. For comparison, a reference system containing a spin-labeled 5-doxyl-stearic acid (5-DSA) instead of DCh was studied as well. The effects of “instantaneous diffusion” in ESE decay and in echo-detected (ED) EPR spectra were explored for both systems. The reference system showed good agreement with the theoretical prediction for the model of spin labels of randomly distributed orientations, but the DCh system demonstrated remarkably smaller effects. The results were explained by assuming that neighboring DCh molecules are oriented in a correlative way. However, this correlation does not imply the formation of clusters of cholesterol molecules, because conventional continuous wave EPR spectra did not show the typical broadening due to aggregation of spin labels and the observed ESE decay was not faster than in the reference system. So the obtained data evidence that cholesterol molecules at low concentrations in biological membranes can interact via large distances of several nanometers which results in their orientational self-ordering.
An improved multi-exposure approach for high quality holographic femtosecond laser patterning
Authors: Zhang Chenchu , Hu Yanlei , Li Jiawen , Lao Zhaoxin , Ni Jincheng , Chu Jiaru , Huang Wenhao , Wu Dong
Published: December 2014

High efficiency two photon polymerization through single exposure via spatial light modulator (SLM) has been used to decrease the fabrication time and rapidly realize various micro/nanostructures, but the surface quality remains a big problem due to the speckle noise of optical intensity distribution at the defocused plane. Here, a multi-exposure approach which used tens of computer generate holograms successively loaded on SLM is presented to significantly improve the optical uniformity without losing efficiency. By applying multi-exposure, we found that the uniformity at the defocused plane was increased from ∼0.02 to ∼0.6 according to our simulation. The fabricated two series of letters “HELLO” and “USTC” under single-and multi-exposure in our experiment also verified that the surface quality was greatly improved. Moreover, by this method, several kinds of beam splitters with high quality, e.g., 2 × 2, 5 × 5 Daman, and complex nonseperate 5 × 5, gratings were fabricated with both of high quality and short time (<1 min, 95% time-saving). This multi-exposure SLM-two-photon polymerization method showed the promising prospect in rapidly fabricating and integrating various binary optical devices and their systems.
Atomic and electronic structure of the SrNbO3/SrNbO3.4 interface
Authors: Chen Chunlin , Lv Shuhui , Wang Zhongchang , Akagi Kazuto , Lichtenberg Frank , Ikuhara Yuichi , Bednorz Johannes Georg
Published: December 2014

We have determined the atomic-scale structure of the SrNbO3/SrNbO3.4 interface and related it to the electronic structure. Experimentally, transmission electron microscopy observations reveal that SrNbO3 and SrNbO3.4 show orientation relationships [1¯10]SrNbO3 // [010]SrNbO3.4 and (110)SrNbO3 // (001)SrNbO3.4, and that their interface is coherent and atomically abrupt. Theoretically, this interface is found to be strongly anisotropic in electronic structure, and takes on quasi-one-dimensional nature. We also find that the interface impacts greatly the electron occupation of Nb d orbitals, particularly dz2 orbital. The combined study represents a relevant advance in atomically bridging structures to properties of heterointerfaces.
Correlation between morphology and transport properties of quasi-free-standing monolayer graphene
Authors: Murata Yuya , Mashoff Torge , Takamura Makoto , Tanabe Shinichi , Hibino Hiroki , Beltram Fabio , Heun Stefan
Published: December 2014

We investigate the morphology of quasi-free-standing monolayer graphene (QFMLG) formed at several temperatures by hydrogen intercalation and discuss its relationship with transport properties. Features corresponding to incomplete hydrogen intercalation at the graphene-substrate interface are observed by scanning tunneling microscopy on QFMLG formed at 600 and 800 °C. They contribute to carrier scattering as charged impurities. Voids in the SiC substrate and wrinkling of graphene appear at 1000 °C, and they decrease the carrier mobility significantly.
Controlled bipolar doping in Cu3N (100) thin films
Authors: Matsuzaki Kosuke , Okazaki Tetsushi , Lee Yih-Shu , Hosono Hideo , Susaki Tomofumi
Published: December 2014

We have fabricated insulating, p- and n-type Cu3N(100) films on SrTiO3(100) by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. By controlling the Cu/N flux rate, p-type doping with 1018–1020 cm−3 in Cu-poor condition and n-type doping with 1019–1020 cm−3 in N-poor condition were obtained without introducing foreign species. Together with formation of insulating Cu3N films with an optical absorption coefficient of ∼105 cm−1 in the photon energy above ∼2.2 eV and an estimated indirect bandgap of ∼1.3 eV, the bipolar doping in Cu3N films would be promising for solar energy conversion applications.
Optomechanic interactions in phoxonic cavities
Authors: Djafari-Rouhani Bahram , El-Jallal Said , Oudich Mourad , Pennec Yan
Published: December 2014

Phoxonic crystals are periodic structures exhibiting simultaneous phononic and photonic band gaps, thus allowing the confinement of both excitations in the same cavity. The phonon-photon interaction can be enhanced due to the overlap of both waves in the cavity. In this paper, we discuss some of our recent theoretical works on the strength of the optomechanic coupling, based on both photoelastic and moving interfaces mechanisms, in different (2D, slabs, strips) phoxonic crystals cavities. The cases of two-dimensional infinite and slab structures will enable us to mention the important role of the symmetry and degeneracy of the modes, as well as the role of the materials whose photoelastic constants can be wavelength dependent. Depending on the phonon-photon pair, the photoelastic and moving interface mechanisms can contribute in phase or out-of-phase. Then, the main part of the paper will be devoted to the optomechanic interaction in a corrugated nanobeam waveguide exhibiting dual phononic/photonic band gaps. Such structures can provide photonic modes with very high quality factor, high frequency phononic modes of a few GHz inside a gap and optomechanical coupling rate reaching a few MHz.
Multicharacterization approach for studying InAl(Ga)N/Al(Ga)N/GaN heterostructures for high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Naresh-Kumar G. , Vilalta-Clemente A. , Pandey S. , Skuridina D. , Behmenburg H. , Gamarra P. , Patriarche G. , Vickridge I. , di Forte-Poisson M. A. , Vogt P. , Kneissl M. , Morales M. , Ruterana P. , Cavallini A. , Cavalcoli D. , Giesen C. , Heuken M. , Trager-Cowan C.
Published: December 2014

We report on our multi–pronged approach to understand the structural and electrical properties of an InAl(Ga)N(33nm barrier)/Al(Ga)N(1nm interlayer)/GaN(3μm)/ AlN(100nm)/Al2O3 high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) heterostructure grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). In particular we reveal and discuss the role of unintentional Ga incorporation in the barrier and also in the interlayer. The observation of unintentional Ga incorporation by using energy dispersive X–ray spectroscopy analysis in a scanning transmission electron microscope is supported with results obtained for samples with a range of AlN interlayer thicknesses grown under both the showerhead as well as the horizontal type MOVPE reactors. Poisson–Schrödinger simulations show that for high Ga incorporation in the Al(Ga)N interlayer, an additional triangular well with very small depth may be exhibited in parallel to the main 2–DEG channel. The presence of this additional channel may cause parasitic conduction and severe issues in device characteristics and processing. Producing a HEMT structure with InAlGaN as the barrier and AlGaN as the interlayer with appropriate alloy composition may be a possible route to optimization, as it might be difficult to avoid Ga incorporation while continuously depositing the layers using the MOVPE growth method. Our present work shows the necessity of a multicharacterization approach to correlate structural and electrical properties to understand device structures and their performance.
Enacting Logistical Geographies
Authors: Hepworth Kate
Published: December 2014

This paper outlines how logistics enacts geographies of rationalisation and optimisation. It begins with the messiness and tensions embodied in the encounter between the ideal, logistical city and the lived spaces of a particular no longer industrial city. The logistical city is not understood as a material space; it is an assemblage of practices and interventions that have as their aim the efficient and productive flow of commodities into, out of, and through urban space. As an assemblage, the logistical city embeds particular localities in material, discursive, and symbolic relations that link them to more or less distant sites and jurisdictions. In moving between the material and imagined geographies of logistics, the paper considers how these imaginaries legitimise particular interventions and practices in those sites, rendering others invisible or illegitimate. These interventions into lived space are considered relative to a single city—Sydney—with a focus on the Port Botany container terminals.
The Visual Light Field in Real Scenes
Authors: Xia Ling , Pont Sylvia C. , Heynderickx Ingrid
Published: December 2014

Human observers' ability to infer the light field in empty space is known as the “visual light field.” While most relevant studies were performed using images on computer screens, we investigate the visual light field in a real scene by using a novel experimental setup. A “probe” and a scene were mixed optically using a semitransparent mirror. Twenty participants were asked to judge whether the probe fitted the scene with regard to the illumination intensity, direction, and diffuseness. Both smooth and rough probes were used to test whether observers use the additional cues for the illumination direction and diffuseness provided by the 3D texture over the rough probe. The results confirmed that observers are sensitive to the intensity, direction, and diffuseness of the illumination also in real scenes. For some lighting combinations on scene and probe, the awareness of a mismatch between the probe and scene was found to depend on which lighting condition was on the scene and which on the probe, which we called the “swap effect.” For these cases, the observers judged the fit to be better if the average luminance of the visible parts of the probe was closer to the average luminance of the visible parts of the scene objects. The use of a rough instead of smooth probe was found to significantly improve observers' abilities to detect mismatches in lighting diffuseness and directions.
Is This a “Fettecke” or Just a “Greasy Corner”? About the Capability of Laypersons to Differentiate between Art and Non-Art via Object's Originality
Authors: Haertel Manuela , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: December 2014

Which components are needed to identify an object as an artwork, particularly if it is contemporary art? A variety of factors determining aesthetic judgements have been identified, among them stimulus-related properties such as symmetry, complexity and style, but also person-centred as well as context-dependent variables. We were particularly interested in finding out whether laypersons are at all able to distinguish between pieces of fine art endorsed by museums and works not displayed by galleries and museums. We were also interested in analysing the variables responsible for distinguishing between different levels of artistic quality. We ask untrained (Exp.1) as well as art-trained (Exp.2) people to rate a pool of images comprising contemporary art plus unaccredited objects with regard to preference, originality, ambiguity, understanding and artistic quality. Originality and ambiguity proved to be the best predictor for artistic quality. As the concept of originality is tightly linked with innovativeness, a property known to be appreciated only by further, and deep, elaboration (Carbon, 2011 i-Perception, 2, 708–719), it makes sense that modern artworks might be cognitively qualified as being of high artistic quality but are meanwhile affectively devaluated or even rejected by typical laypersons—at least at first glance.
Descriptive statistics and the pattern of horse racing in New Zealand. 1. Thoroughbred racing
Authors: Bolwell Charlotte F. , Rogers Chris W. , Gee Erica K. , Rosanowski Sarah M.
Published: December 2014

The aim of the present study was to describe the pattern of flat and jump races and starts, including temporal trends, in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. Data on all race starts between 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2011 were supplied by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data at both race and start level, stratified by flat and jumps races. In total, 96% of races run were flat races and most races and starts occurred in the Northern region. There was an even distribution of flat races across season of the year, whereas most (60%; 514/863) jumps races were run in winter followed by autumn (21%; 183/863), with no races run in summer. Irrespective of region or season, most flat races were run on Good (37%; 7505/20 091) tracks and most (45%; 384/863) jumps races were run on Heavy tracks. There was no change in the number of horses per race or starts per horse across the years studied, and the median number of starts per trainer was 14 (interquartile range 6–38) for flat races and 3 (interquartile range 2–6) for jumps races. The results showed there is a relatively consistent product offered for Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, which is primarily focussed on flat racing. The study provided baseline data on the pattern of Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, which can be used as background for future industry-related studies.
Descriptive statistics and the pattern of horse racing in New Zealand. 2. Harness racing
Authors: Bolwell Charlotte F. , Rogers Chris W. , Gee Erica K. , Rosanowski Sarah M.
Published: December 2014

The aim of the present study was to describe the pattern of pacing and trotting races and starts, including temporal trends, in Harness racing in New Zealand. Data on all race starts between 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2010 were supplied by Harness Racing New Zealand. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data at both race and starts level, stratified by pacing and trotting races. In total, 78% of races run were pacing races and most races occurred in the Southern region. The start type varied by race, with most pacing races run with mobile starts and trotting races with standing starts. Regardless of race type most races were run on all-weather tracks and were run in the summer or autumn. There was little change in the median number of starts per horse over time and the median number of starters per trainer per year was 16 (interquartile range 7–35, max. 612) and 12 (interquartile range 5–24, max. 235) for pacing and trotting races, respectively. Differences in track surfaces, gait, region and drivers between the Standardbred and the Thoroughbred industry suggests a need for data specific to the Harness racing industry in New Zealand. This study provided baseline data on the pattern of Standardbred racing and highlighted factors unique to the Harness racing industry in New Zealand.
Hydrogen peroxide promotes programmed cell death and salicylic acid accumulation during the induced production of sesquiterpenes in cultured cell suspensions of Aquilaria sinensis
Authors: Liu Juan , Xu Yanhong , Zhang Zheng , Wei Jianhe
Published: December 2014

Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg produces a highly valuable agarwood characterised by a diverse array of sesquiterpenes and chromone derivatives that can protect wounded trees against potential herbivores and pathogens. A defensive reaction on the part of the plant has been proposed as the key reason for agarwood formation, but the issue of whether programmed cell death (PCD), an important process of plant immune responding, is involved in agarwood formation, still needs to be clarified. In this study, treatment of cultured cell suspensions with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced the production of sesquiterpenes due to endogenous accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and elevations in the expression of sesquiterpene biosynthetic genes. Moreover, PCD was stimulated by H2O2 in cultured cell suspensions of A. sinensis due to the induction of caspase activity, upregulated expression of metacaspases and cytochrome c, and SA accumulation. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that H2O2 stimulates PCD, SA accumulation and sesquiterpene production in cultured cell suspensions of A. sinensis. Furthermore, results from this study provide a valuable insight into investigations of the potential interactions between sesquiterpene synthesis and PCD during agarwood formation.
Incidental physical activity in Melbourne, Australia: health and economic impacts of mode of transport and suburban location
Authors: Beavis Margaret J. , Moodie Marj
Published: December 2014

Issue addressed

Using the known health impacts of physical activity (PA), levels of incidental PA in Melbourne were analysed, and after determining key behavioural associations, economic modelling estimated potential long‐term health and economic benefits of changes in active transport (AT) patterns.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey (VISTA07–08) obtained daily travel data from 29 840 individuals of all ages in Melbourne evenly spread over 364 days of the year. Correlates of adequate PA were analysed. The health and economic impact of changes in AT from postulated changes in (1) mode of transport, and (2) transport use by urban sub‐region, were modelled.

Results

15.1% of individuals had adequate incidental PA. Private vehicle users averaged 10.0 min PA, public transport users 35.2 min and walkers/cyclists 38.3 min daily. Distance from city centre was strongly inversely correlated with adequate PA. Conservative modelling of postulated changes in AT patterns found annual savings of 34–272 deaths, 114–903 new cases of disease and 442–3511 DALYs. Lifetime savings accounted for 17 300–70 100 days of home‐based/leisure time production, and savings of $1.5–12.2 million in the health sector and $2.9–22.9 million in production.

Conclusions

Public transport users, walkers, cyclists and those living closer to the city centre were more likely to gain travel‐related PA sufficient for health benefits. Both transport mode and urban location were associated with levels of travel‐related PA that have significant health and financial impacts.

So what?

Improving population levels of incidental PA may improve health and economic outcomes. This may require changes in urban and transport infrastructure.
Genesis of cohesive soil horizons from north-east Brazil: role of argilluviation and sorting of sand
Authors: Bezerra C. E. E. , Ferreira T. O. , Romero R. E. , Mota J. C. A. , Vieira J. M. , Duarte L. R. S. , Cooper M.
Published: December 2014

Cohesive horizons are widespread along the Brazilian coastal tablelands and, despite their importance to soil management under intensive cultivation, their genesis remains, in many aspects, controversial. Studies diverge and indicate the participation of different mechanisms in the formation of these soil horizons. Although clay illuviation has been considered as one of the processes determining the formation of this soil attribute, recent studies suggest a limited participation of this soil process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative contribution of argilluviation and sorting of sand to the genesis of cohesive horizons in an Ultisol toposequence from a toposequence from north-east Brazil. Soil samples were collected from cohesive and non-cohesive horizons from four soil profiles. We determined bulk soil density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), particle size distribution and the percentage of different sand fractions. The sand fractionation data were treated statistically to obtain different grain size parameters, such as mean grain size, sorting and kurtosis. An additional micromorphological study was performed on cohesive and non-cohesive horizons. The lowest BD and PR were recorded in non-cohesive horizons (1.53 Mg m–3 and 0.74 MPa, respectively), whereas significantly higher values of BD (1.66–1.80 Mg m–3) and PR (2.61–7.71 MPa) were observed in cohesive horizons. Thin sections of cohesive soil horizons showed a significant reduction in void sizes and interconnecting pores compared with non-cohesive soil horizons. The higher values of BD and PR observed in the cohesive horizons are apparently related to this poorly interconnected void network. Textural pedofeatures observable with optical microscopy, which indicate argilluviation, were only found in one cohesive horizon. Sand fractionation showed a predominance of medium and fine sand fractions and indicated the dominance of poorly selected sand in cohesive horizons, probably causing the higher BD and PR values. However, the presence of textural pedofeatures (clay coatings) in one of the cohesive horizons studied may indicate a combined contribution of sand heterogeneity and argilluviation in the genesis of these horizons. Overall, the results of the present study showed that subtle variations in the distribution of basic soil components (i.e. particle size fractions) may determine the formation of cohesive horizons and thus must be taken into account in future studies aiming to predict their spatial distribution and to establish more efficient management strategies.
Does Google shape what we know?
Authors: Schroeder Ralph
Published: December 2014

While much has been written about the technological, economic and regulatory aspects of search engines, their impact on everyday life has been largely overlooked. This essay argues that this is mainly because the role of information and knowledge has been poorly theorized in the social sciences in terms of how search engines are actually used. One way to make a start on this topic is to bring to bear two theoretical frameworks from the social study of technology – large technological systems and the domestication of technology. These allow us to see how search engines have become an infrastructure at a time when, on the one hand, the uses of the Internet as a system have become pervasive and, on the other, information seeking in the home has become a routine activity in everyday life. Several studies of search behaviour have identified the main patterns of search. What emerges is the dominant role played by Google, and that the vast majority of searches are related to leisure. The paper asks whether Google plays a gatekeeping function, and how it shapes the information we use in everyday life.
GenePainter v. 2.0 resolves the taxonomic distribution of intron positions
Authors: Mühlhausen Stefanie , Hellkamp Marcel , Kollmar Martin
Published: December 2014

Summary: Conserved intron positions in eukaryotic genes can be used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees, to resolve ambiguous subfamily relationships in protein families and to infer the history of gene families. This version of GenePainter facilitates working with large datasets through options to select specific subsets for analysis and visualization, and through providing exhaustive statistics. GenePainter’s application in phylogenetic analyses is considerably extended by the newly implemented integration of the exon–intron pattern conservation with phylogenetic trees.

Availability and implementation: The software along with detailed documentation is available at http://www.motorprotein.de/genepainter and as Supplementary Material.

Contact:  mako@nmr.mpibpc.mpg.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mapping RNA–Protein Interactions Using Hydroxyl-Radical Footprinting
Authors: Nilsen Timothy W.
Published: December 2014

The binding of a protein to an RNA sequence protects the region of the RNA from cleavage by chemicals or RNases; this protected region is known as the protein's “footprint.” In the footprinting protocol presented here, end-labeled RNAs with and without bound protein are cleaved using chemical methods. Fe(II)–EDTA is used to generate hydroxyl radicals in the presence of a reducing agent. These hydroxyl radicals indiscriminately cleave ribose groups in regions of the ribose–phosphate backbone that are exposed to solvent. After termination of cleavage, the resulting RNA fragments are analyzed by gel electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Because hydroxyl radicals are smaller and cleave less specifically than RNases, this approach, if feasible, is often the method of choice for monitoring sites of RNA–protein interactions.
X-ray diffraction strain analysis of a single axial InAs1–xPxnanowire segment
Authors: Keplinger Mario , Mandl Bernhard , Kriegner Dominik , Holý Václav , Samuelsson Lars , Bauer Günther , Deppert Knut , Stangl Julian
Published: December 2014

The spatial strain distribution in and around a single axial InAs1–xPxhetero-segment in an InAs nanowire was analyzed using nano-focused X-ray diffraction. In connection with finite-element-method simulations a detailed quantitative picture of the nanowire's inhomogeneous strain state was achieved. This allows for a detailed understanding of how the variation of the nanowire's and hetero-segment's dimensions affect the strain in its core region and in the region close to the nanowire's side facets. Moreover, ensemble-averaging high-resolution diffraction experiments were used to determine statistical information on the distribution of wurtzite and zinc-blende crystal polytypes in the nanowires.
Unusual crystal structure ofN-substituted maleamic acid – very strong effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonds
Authors: Francis Raju , Raghavaiah Pallepogu , Pius Kuruvilla
Published: December 2014

N-Carbamylmaleamic acid (malur) undergoes cyclodehydration under favourable conditions, as expected, to giveN-carbamyl maleimide.N-(Carboxymethyl) maleamic acid (malgly), however, does not undergo a similar cyclization reaction. Strong π bonding between the C and N of the amide group as well as two intramolecular hydrogen bonds makesmalglya planar molecule, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray studies.
Validation of molecular crystal structures from powder diffraction data with dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D)
Authors: van de Streek Jacco , Neumann Marcus A.
Published: December 2014

In 2010 we energy-minimized 225 high-quality single-crystal (SX) structures with dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) to establish a quantitative benchmark. For the current paper, 215 organic crystal structures determined from X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data and published in an IUCr journal were energy-minimized with DFT-D and compared to the SX benchmark. The on average slightly less accurate atomic coordinates of XRPD structures do lead to systematically higher root mean square Cartesian displacement (RMSCD) values upon energy minimization than for SX structures, but the RMSCD value is still a good indicator for the detection of structures that deserve a closer look. The upper RMSCD limit for a correct structure must be increased from 0.25 Å for SX structures to 0.35 Å for XRPD structures; the grey area must be extended from 0.30 to 0.40 Å. Based on the energy minimizations, three structures are re-refined to give more precise atomic coordinates. For six structures our calculations provide the missing positions for the H atoms, for five structures they provide corrected positions for some H atoms. Seven crystal structures showed a minor error for a non-H atom. For five structures the energy minimizations suggest a higher space-group symmetry. For the 225 SX structures, the only deviations observed upon energy minimization were three minor H-atom related issues. Preferred orientation is the most important cause of problems. A preferred-orientation correction is the only correction where the experimental data are modified to fit the model. We conclude that molecular crystal structures determined from powder diffraction data that are published in IUCr journals are of high quality, with less than 4% containing an error in a non-H atom.
Immune escape phenomenon in molluscum contagiosum and the induction of apoptosis
Authors: Yamauchi‐Yamada Akiko , Yamamoto Takenobu , Nakayama Yumi , Ikeda Kazuko , Miyake Tomoko , Yamaguchi Mari , Hirai Yoji , Shirafuji Yoshinori , Morizane Shin , Aoyama Yumi , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: December 2014

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) may persist for many weeks, evading host immunity. We studied the mechanism of immune escape phenomenon in MC, and the possible inducer of apoptosis. Using tissue samples of MC, we examined the numbers of epidermal Langerhans cells (LC), the expression levels of macrophage inflammatory protein‐3α (MIP‐3α) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and the apoptotic signals. After molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) genotyping, we studied the expression of MCV‐encoded MC148 mRNA and MC159 mRNA which correspond to viral antagonist for CCR8 and viral Fas‐linked interleukin (IL)‐1β converting enzyme (FLICE)‐like inhibitor protein (vFLIP), respectively. The nutlin‐3‐induced apoptosis in MC was observed ex vivo. The numbers of CD1a+ or Langerin+ epidermal LC and the expression levels of MIP‐3α were markedly decreased in MC. The expression of TSLP was enhanced in the lesional epidermis of atopic dermatitis and human papillomavirus‐induced warts, whereas the expression was observed locally in MC. All 14 MC samples examined harbored MCV type 1. The MC148 mRNA was detected in all 14 samples and the MC159 mRNA was detected in 13 samples. Apoptotic cells were absent or at a background level in the living layers of MC, but their numbers were increased in the molluscum bodies by overnight incubation with 5 μmol/L nutlin‐3 in culture medium. In conclusion, molluscum bodies are protected from host immune responses and apoptotic signals by being surrounded by LC‐depleted epidermal walls and viral immunosuppressive molecules, but could be eradicated by reagents inducing p53‐dependent apoptosis.