bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pore‐scale simulation of carbonate dissolution in micro‐CT images
Authors: Pereira Nunes J. P. , Blunt M. J. , Bijeljic B.
Published: January 2016

We present a particle‐based method to simulate carbonate dissolution at the pore scale directly on the voxels of three‐dimensional micro‐CT images. The flow field is computed on the images by solving the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations. Rock‐fluid interaction is modeled using a three‐step approach: solute advection, diffusion, and reaction. Advection is simulated with a semianalytical pore‐scale streamline tracing algorithm, diffusion by random walk is superimposed, while the reaction rate is defined by the flux of particles through the pore‐solid interface. We derive a relationship between the local particle flux and the independently measured batch calcite dissolution rate. We validate our method against a dynamic imaging experiment where a Ketton oolite is imaged during CO2‐saturated brine injection at reservoir conditions. The image‐calculated increases in porosity and permeability are predicted accurately, and the spatial distribution of the dissolution front is correctly replicated. The experiments and simulations are performed at a high flow rate, in the uniform dissolution regime – Pe ≫ 1 and PeDa ≪ 1—thus extending the reaction throughout the sample. Transport is advection dominated, and dissolution is limited to regions with significant inflow of solute. We show that the sample‐averaged reaction rate is 1 order of magnitude lower than that measured in batch reactors. This decrease is the result of restrictions imposed on the flux of solute to the solid surface by the heterogeneous flow field, at the millimeter scale.
Observations of grain size sensitive power law creep of olivine aggregates over a large range of lattice‐preferred orientation strength
Authors: Tielke Jacob A. , Hansen Lars N. , Tasaka Miki , Meyers Cameron , Zimmerman Mark E. , Kohlstedt David L.
Published: January 2016

Grain size sensitive (GSS) power law creep of San Carlos olivine aggregates was investigated by comparing strain rates measured in laboratory deformation experiments to strain rates determined from a micromechanical model of intragranular dislocation processes. The plastic flow behavior of olivine aggregates due solely to intragranular slip was determined using flow laws for olivine single crystals in combination with grain orientations measured by electron backscatter diffraction. Measured strain rates were compared to results from the micromechanical model for samples deformed in compression to an axial strain of <0.2 and in torsion to a shear strain of up to 7.4. Olivine aggregates deform up to a factor of 4.6 times faster than the maximum possible rates determined from the micromechanical model of intragranular slip. Comparison of our data to published flow laws indicates that diffusion creep cannot account for this difference. The ratio of experimentally determined strain rates to those from the micromechanical model is strongly dependent upon grain size but is independent of stress and strength of lattice‐preferred orientation. These observations indicate that GSS power law creep, consistent with dislocation‐accommodated grain boundary sliding, occurs in both weakly and strongly textured olivine aggregates at the studied conditions.
Muenke syndrome: An international multicenter natural history study
Authors: Kruszka Paul , Addissie Yonit A. , Yarnell Colin M. P. , Hadley Donald W. , Guillen Sacoto Maria J. , Platte Petra , Paelecke Yvonne , Collmann Hartmut , Snow Nicole , Schweitzer Tilmann , Boyadjiev Simeon A. , Aravidis Christos , Hall Samantha E. , Mulliken John B. , Roscioli Tony , Muenke Maximilian
Published: January 2016

Muenke syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by coronal suture craniosynostosis, hearing loss, developmental delay, carpal, and calcaneal fusions, and behavioral differences. Reduced penetrance and variable expressivity contribute to the wide spectrum of clinical findings. Muenke syndrome constitutes the most common syndromic form of craniosynostosis, with an incidence of 1 in 30,000 births and is defined by the presence of the p.Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3. Participants were recruited from international craniofacial surgery and genetic clinics. Affected individuals, parents, and their siblings, if available, were enrolled in the study if they had a p.Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3. One hundred and six patients from 71 families participated in this study. In 51 informative probands, 33 cases (64.7%) were inherited. Eighty‐five percent of the participants had craniosynostosis (16 of 103 did not have craniosynostosis), with 47.5% having bilateral and 28.2% with unilateral synostosis. Females and males were similarly affected with bicoronal craniosynostosis, 50% versus 44.4% (P = 0.84), respectively. Clefting was rare (1.1%). Hearing loss was identified in 70.8%, developmental delay in 66.3%, intellectual disability in 35.6%, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 23.7%, and seizures in 20.2%. In patients with complete skeletal surveys (upper and lower extremity x‐rays), 75% of individuals were found to have at least a single abnormal radiographical finding in addition to skull findings. This is the largest study of the natural history of Muenke syndrome, adding valuable clinical information to the care of these individuals including behavioral and cognitive impairment data, vision changes, and hearing loss. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Memorable Tourist Experiences and Place Attachment When Consuming Local Food
Authors: Tsai Chen‐Tsang (Simon)
Published: January 2016

The purpose of the study was to model the memorable travel experiences, place attachment and behavioral intentions for consuming local food. Data were collected by self‐administered surveys of 378 tourists visiting Tainan, Taiwan. The survey results show that the experiences of consuming local cuisines enable tourists to create positive and unforgettable memories, and such positive memories further enhance their identification with or strong attachment to local attractions and behavioral intention. Place identity under place attachment also revealed mediating effects between memorable travel experiences and behavioral intention. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case of Human Bone Chalcolithic Technology from the Perdigões site (Alentejo, Portugal)
Authors: Cunha C. , Almeida N. J. , Santander B. , Tomé T. , Saladié P. , Valera A. , Cabaço N. , Silva A. M.
Published: January 2016

A human femur diaphysis in the form of a burin was excavated from a secondary burial context containing osteological remains and industry in the Archaeological Complex of Perdigões (Portugal). The majority of these evidences are thermo‐altered and highly fragmented. Radiocarbon dates for this context place it in the middle 3rd millennium BC. Typological analyses indicate that the human femur fragment is a burin, and use‐wear comparisons suggest that it was used to drill hide. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can stochastic discount factor models explain the cross‐section of equity returns?
Authors: Abhakorn Pongrapeeporn , Smith Peter N. , Wickens Michael R.
Published: January 2016

We propose a multivariate test of the capital asset pricing model (C‐CAPM) of the cross‐sectional variation in equity returns in which we compare cross‐sectional variation in equity returns to the cross‐sectional variation in their conditional covariance with stochastic discount factors. We use a multivariate generalized heteroskedasticity in mean model to estimate 25 portfolios that are formed on size and the book‐to‐market ratio. Each portfolio is allowed to have its own no‐arbitrage condition. We find that although the conditional covariances of returns with consumption exhibit negative variation across size, they do not vary across the book‐to‐market ratio. Thus, C‐CAPM can capture the size effect, but not the value effect. The fit is, however, improved by allowing the coefficients on the consumption covariances to be different. The value effect appears to be associated with the book‐to‐market ratio as well as size. On its own the book‐to‐market ratio does not generate additional information about average returns to C‐CAPM. A possible explanation for these findings is that both small and low book‐to‐market ratio firms are expected to have higher rates of growth.
Heat transport modification by finitely extensible polymers in laminar boundary layer flow
Authors: Benzi Roberto , Ching Emily S. C. , Yu Wilson C. K. , Wang Yiqu
Published: January 2016

We study how heat transport is affected by finitely extensible polymers in a laminar boundary layer flow within the framework of the Prandtl–Blasius–Pohlhausen theory. The polymers are described by the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic-Peterlin model with a parameter $b^{2}$, which is the ratio of the maximum to the equilibrium value of the trace of the polymer conformation tensor. For very large $b^{2}$, heat transport is reduced. When $b^{2}$ is small, heat transport is enhanced. We investigate the transition from heat reduction to heat enhancement as a function of the polymer relaxation time and concentration, and show that the transition can be explained in terms of the functional shape of the space-dependent effective viscosity due to the polymers.
THE PIRAEUS FROM 86 BC TO LATE ANTIQUITY: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE LANDSCAPE, FUNCTION AND ECONOMY OF THE PORT OF ROMAN ATHENS
Authors: Grigoropoulos Dimitris
Published: January 2016

Modern perceptions of the ancient Piraeus have been monopolised by the urban image and function of the port as the naval stronghold of Classical Athens. Existing scholarship so far has tended to consider the post-Classical centuries, especially the era following the sack of the port in 86bcby the Romans, as a period of decline. Such preconceptions, based on largely superficial readings of a few ancient literary texts and a near-total disregard of the material evidence, have created a distorted image of the Piraeus and its significance in the Roman period. Drawing upon textual sources as well as archaeological evidence, this paper explores the changing nature of urban settlement, maritime functions and the economy of the port from the time of its destruction in 86bcto around the sixth centuryad. Particular emphasis is placed on a re-examination of the existing evidence from rescue excavations conducted by the Greek Archaeological Service as they relate to the topography of the Roman port and its long-term evolution. This combined study offers a more complex picture of the infrastructure, urban image and operational capability of the port during the Roman period than was hitherto possible. It also permits a more balanced understanding of the port's function at local, regional and provincial levels, and thus enables comparisons with other Roman ports in the Aegean and the rest of the Mediterranean.
Beyond the Gender Divide: Looking for Shakespeare in Han Tae-Sook’s Lady Macbeth
Authors: Im Yeeyon
Published: January 2016

Han Tae-Sook’s Lady Macbeth, a theatre adaptation by a leading woman director in Korea, has been interpreted largely from a feminist and intercultural perspective. In this article Yeeyon Im examines a body of criticism on Han’s production to raise awareness of the danger of totalization in current critical geography in Korea, which may marginalize non-ideological views. The humanist issues of evil, desire, and guilt, which are explicit themes of Lady Macbeth, have been neglected by critics in favour of discourses of difference. Yeeyon Im asks if ‘the subaltern can speak’ of universality, and calls for a new literary humanism that allows reflection on how to live through the help of literature. Yeeyon Im is Associate Professor of English at Yeungnam University in South Korea, where she teaches Shakespeare and drama. She has published widely on Shakespeare and modern drama. Her articles on intercultural Shakespeare productions of Lee Yountaek and Ninagawa Yukio have appeared in Theatre Journal, Shakespeare, and Shakespeare Bulletin. She has also translated into Korean plays by Ben Jonson (Volpone and The Alchemist) and Christopher Marlowe (Dido, Queen of Carthage).
LANGUAGE APTITUDE AND GRAMMATICAL DIFFICULTY
Authors: Yalçın Şebnem , Spada Nina
Published: January 2016

This study investigates the relationship between foreign language aptitude and the learning of two English structures defined as easy or difficult to learn. Using a quasiexperimental design, 66 secondary-level learners of English as a foreign language from three intact classes were provided with four hours of instruction on thepassive(a difficult structure) and thepast progressive(an easy structure). Language aptitude was measured using the LLAMA Aptitude Test (Meara, 2005). Language outcomes were measured with a written grammaticality judgment and an oral production task. The results revealed that one of the aptitude components, grammatical inferencing, contributed to learners’ gains on thepassivebut not thepast progressiveon the written measure. Another component of aptitude, associative memory, contributed to learners’ gains on thepast progressiveon the oral measure. The results provide support for the claim that different components of aptitude contribute to the learning of difficult and easy L2 structures in different ways. There is also support for the proposal that different components of aptitude may be involved at different stages of language acquisition (Skehan, 2002).
The regularity and stability of solutions to semilinear fourth-order elliptic problems with negative exponents
Authors: Lai Baishun
Published: January 2016

We examine the regularity of the extremal solution of the nonlinear eigenvalue problem

on a general bounded domainΩin ℝN, with Navier boundary conditionu= Δuon ∂Ω. Firstly, we prove the extremal solution is smooth for anyp> 1 andN⩽ 4, which improves the result of Guo and Wei (Discrete Contin. Dynam. Syst.A34(2014), 2561–2580). Secondly, ifp= 3,N= 3, we prove that any radial weak solution of this nonlinear eigenvalue problem is smooth in the caseΩ= 𝔹, which completes the result of Dávilaet al. (Math. Annalen348(2009), 143–193). Finally, we also consider the stability of the entire solution of Δ2u= –l/upin ℝNwithu> 0.
Arsenic exposure and the seroprevalence of total hepatitis A antibodies in the US population: NHANES, 2003–2012
Authors: CARDENAS A. , SMIT E. , BETHEL J. W. , HOUSEMAN E. A. , KILE M. L.
Published: January 2016

We evaluated the association between urinary arsenic and the seroprevalence of total hepatitis A antibodies (total anti-HAV: IgG and IgM) in 11 092 participants aged ⩾6 years using information collected in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2012). Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated associations between total anti-HAV and total urinary arsenic defined as the sum of arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate (TUA1). Effect modification by self-reported HAV immunization status was evaluated. Total anti-HAV seroprevalence was 35·1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 33·3–36·9]. Seropositive status was associated with higher arsenic levels and this association was modified by immunization status (P= 0·03). For participants that received ⩾2 vaccine doses or did not know if they had received any doses, a positive dose-response association was observed between increasing TUA1 and odds of total anti-HAV [odds ratio (OR) 1·42, 95% CI 1·11–1·81; and OR 1·75, 95% CI 1·22–2·52], respectively. A positive but not statistically significant association was observed in those who received <2 doses (OR 1·46, 95% CI 0·83–2·59) or no dose (OR 1·12, 95% CI 0·98–1·30). Our analysis indicates that prevalent arsenic exposure was associated with positive total anti-HAV seroprevalence. Further studies are needed to determine if arsenic increases the risk for incident hepatitis A infection or HAV seroconversion.
Genomic architecture of inflammatory bowel disease in five families with multiple affected individuals
Authors: Stittrich Anna B , Ashworth Justin , Shi Mude , Robinson Max , Mauldin Denise , Brunkow Mary E , Biswas Shameek , Kim Jin-Man , Kwon Ki-Sun , Jung Jae U , Galas David , Serikawa Kyle , Duerr Richard H , Guthery Stephen L , Peschon Jacques , Hood Leroy , Roach Jared C , Glusman Gustavo
Published: January 2016

Currently, the best clinical predictor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is family history. Over 163 sequence variants have been associated with IBD in genome-wide association studies, but they have weak effects and explain only a fraction of the observed heritability. It is expected that additional variants contribute to the genomic architecture of IBD, possibly including rare variants with effect sizes larger than the identified common variants. Here we applied a family study design and sequenced 38 individuals from five families, under the hypothesis that families with multiple IBD-affected individuals harbor one or more risk variants that (i) are shared among affected family members, (ii) are rare and (iii) have substantial effect on disease development. Our analysis revealed not only novel candidate risk variants but also high polygenic risk scores for common known risk variants in four out of the five families. Functional analysis of our top novel variant in the remaining family, a rare missense mutation in the ubiquitin ligase TRIM11, suggests that it leads to increased nuclear factor of kappa light chain enhancer in B-cells (NF-κB) signaling. We conclude that an accumulation of common weak-effect variants accounts for the high incidence of IBD in most, but not all families we analyzed and that a family study design can identify novel rare variants conferring risk for IBD with potentially large effect size, such as the TRIM11 p.H414Y mutation.
Molar tooth carbonates and benthic methane fluxes in Proterozoic oceans
Authors: Shen Bing , Dong Lin , Xiao Shuhai , Lang Xianguo , Huang Kangjun , Peng Yongbo , Zhou Chuanming , Ke Shan , Liu Pengju
Published: January 2016

Molar tooth structures are ptygmatically folded and microspar-filled structures common in early- and mid-Proterozoic (∼2,500–750 million years ago, Ma) subtidal successions, but extremely rare in rocks <750 Ma. Here, on the basis of Mg and S isotopes, we show that molar tooth structures may have formed within sediments where microbial sulphate reduction and methanogenesis converged. The convergence was driven by the abundant production of methyl sulphides (dimethyl sulphide and methanethiol) in euxinic or H2S-rich seawaters that were widespread in Proterozoic continental margins. In this convergence zone, methyl sulphides served as a non-competitive substrate supporting methane generation and methanethiol inhibited anaerobic oxidation of methane, resulting in the buildup of CH4, formation of degassing cracks in sediments and an increase in the benthic methane flux from sediments. Precipitation of crack-filling microspar was driven by methanogenesis-related alkalinity accumulation. Deep ocean ventilation and oxygenation around 750 Ma brought molar tooth structures to an end.
Computational multiqubit tunnelling in programmable quantum annealers
Authors: Boixo Sergio , Smelyanskiy Vadim N. , Shabani Alireza , Isakov Sergei V. , Dykman Mark , Denchev Vasil S. , Amin Mohammad H. , Smirnov Anatoly Yu , Mohseni Masoud , Neven Hartmut
Published: January 2016

Quantum tunnelling is a phenomenon in which a quantum state traverses energy barriers higher than the energy of the state itself. Quantum tunnelling has been hypothesized as an advantageous physical resource for optimization in quantum annealing. However, computational multiqubit tunnelling has not yet been observed, and a theory of co-tunnelling under high- and low-frequency noises is lacking. Here we show that 8-qubit tunnelling plays a computational role in a currently available programmable quantum annealer. We devise a probe for tunnelling, a computational primitive where classical paths are trapped in a false minimum. In support of the design of quantum annealers we develop a nonperturbative theory of open quantum dynamics under realistic noise characteristics. This theory accurately predicts the rate of many-body dissipative quantum tunnelling subject to the polaron effect. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate that quantum tunnelling outperforms thermal hopping along classical paths for problems with up to 200 qubits containing the computational primitive.
Lessons learnt from a primary care asthma improvement project
Authors: Lenney Warren , Clayton Sadie , Gilchrist Francis J , Price David , Small Iain , Smith Judy , Sutton Emma J
Published: January 2016

Asthma is a very common disease that can occur at any age. In the UK and in many other countries it is mainly managed in primary care. The published evidence suggests that the key to improving diagnosis and management lies in better training and education rather than in the discovery of new medications. An asthma improvement project managed through the British Lung Foundation is attempting to do this. The project has three pilot sites: two in England supported by the Department of Health and one in Scotland supported by the Scottish Government. If the project is successful it will be rolled out to other health areas within the UK. The results of this project are not yet available. This article highlights the challenges encountered in setting up the project and may well be applicable to other areas in the UK and to other countries where similar healthcare systems exist. The encountered challenges reflect the complex nature of healthcare systems and electronic data capture in primary care. We discuss the differences between general practices in their ability and willingness to support the project, the training and education of their staff on asthma management, governance issues in relation to information technology systems, and the quality of data capture. Virtually all the challenges have now been overcome, but discussing them should ensure that others become aware of them at an early stage should they wish to undertake similar projects in the future.
Correction: Corrigendum: Migraine and possible etiologic heterogeneity for hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer
Authors: Shi Min , DeRoo Lisa A. , Sandler Dale P. , Weinberg Clarice R.
Published: January 2016

Migraine headache is often timed with the menstrual cycle. Some studies have reported reduced risk of breast cancer in migraineurs but most of those did not distinguish menstrually-related from non-menstrually-related migraine. To examine the possible associations between breast cancer and migraine overall and between cancer subcategories and the two migraine subtypes, we used a cohort study of 50,884 women whose sister had breast cancer and a sister-matched case-control study including 1,418 young-onset (<50 years) breast cancer cases. We analyzed the two studies individually and also in tandem via a hybrid Cox model, examining subcategories of breast cancer in relation to menstrually-related and non-menstrually-related migraine. History of migraine was not associated with breast cancer overall. Migraine showed an inverse association with ductal carcinoma in situ (HR = 0.77; 95% CI (0.62,0.96)). Also, women with non-menstrually-related migraine had increased risk (HR = 1.30, 95% CI (0.93,1.81)) while women with menstrually-related migraine had decreased risk (HR = 0.63, 95% CI (0.42,0.96)) of hormone-receptor-negative (ER−/PR−) cancer, with a significant contrast in estimated effects (P = 0.005). While replication of these subset-based findings will be needed, effect specificity could suggest that while migraine has little overall association with breast cancer, menstrual migraine may be associated with reduced risk of ER−/PR− breast cancer.
Correction: Corrigendum: Rapid alteration of protein phosphorylation during postmortem: implication in the study of protein phosphorylation
Authors: Wang Yifan , Zhang Yanchong , Hu Wen , Xie Shutao , Gong Cheng-Xin , Iqbal Khalid , Liu Fei
Published: January 2016

Protein phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification of proteins. Postmortem tissues are widely being utilized in the biomedical studies, but the effects of postmortem on protein phosphorylation have not been received enough attention. In the present study, we found here that most proteins in mouse brain, heart, liver, and kidney were rapidly dephosphorylated to various degrees during 20 sec to 10 min postmortem. Phosphorylation of tau at Thr212 and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) at Ser9 was reduced by 50% in the brain with 40 sec postmortem, a regular time for tissue processing. During postmortem, phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and AMP activated kinase (AMPK) was increased in the brain, but not in other organs. Perfusion of the brain with cold or room temperature phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) also caused significant alteration of protein phosphorylation. Cooling down and maintaining mouse brains in the ice-cold buffer prevented the alteration effectively. This study suggests that phosphorylation of proteins is rapidly changed during postmortem. Thus, immediate processing of tissues followed by cooling down in ice-cold buffer is vitally important and perfusion has to be avoided when protein phosphorylation is to be studied.
Elderly male smokers with right lung tumors are viable candidates for KRAS mutation screening
Authors: Yang Yang , Shi Chun , Sun Hui , Yin Wei , Zhou Xiao , Zhang Lei , Jiang Gening
Published: January 2016

Genetic aberrations in tumor driver genes provide specific molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, which can greatly improve therapeutic outcomes. Here, we analyzed the mutational frequency of EGFR and KRAS gene, as well as EML4-ALK rearrangement and summarized the clinicopathological characters of Chinese lung cancer patients. We detected the mutation spectrum of 1033 primary lung cancer patients. The analyzed clinicopathological parameters included gender, age at diagnosis, smoking status, pathological TNM stage, tumor morphology and location, visceral pleural invasion and histological type. A total of 618 patients had mutations in EGFR or KRAS gene as well as rearrangement of EML4-ALK. Exon 19 deletions and L858R in the EGFR gene were the most frequent mutations. Left-side lung cancer was more common in female patients carrying the KRAS mutation. Rearrangement of EML4-ALK was more common in non-tobacco-using male patients, who also exhibited a higher likelihood of visceral pleura invasion. Elderly females who never smoked and possessed 1–20 mm stage I adenocarcinomas in the right side exhibited a higher frequency of EGFR mutations. Elderly male smokers with right lung tumors were viable candidates for KRAS mutation screening.
Synthesis and DFT investigation of new bismuth-containing MAX phases
Authors: Horlait Denis , Middleburgh Simon C. , Chroneos Alexander , Lee William E.
Published: January 2016

The Mn + 1AXn phases (M = early transition metal; A = group A element and X = C and N) are materials exhibiting many important metallic and ceramic properties. In the present study powder processing experiments and density functional theory calculations are employed in parallel to examine formation of Zr2(Al1−xBix)C (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). Here we show that Zr2(Al1−xBix)C and particularly with x ≈ 0.58, can be formed from powders even though the end members Zr2BiC and Zr2AlC seemingly cannot. This represents a significant extension of the MAX phase family, as this is the first report of a bismuth-based MAX phase.
Water Dynamics in Shewanella oneidensis at Ambient and High Pressure using Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering
Authors: Foglia Fabrizia , Hazael Rachael , Simeoni Giovanna G. , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Moulin Martine , Haertlein Michael , Trevor Forsyth V. , Seydel Tilo , Daniel Isabelle , Meersman Filip , McMillan Paul F.
Published: January 2016

Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is an ideal technique for studying water transport and relaxation dynamics at pico- to nanosecond timescales and at length scales relevant to cellular dimensions. Studies of high pressure dynamic effects in live organisms are needed to understand Earth’s deep biosphere and biotechnology applications. Here we applied QENS to study water transport inShewanella oneidensisat ambient (0.1 MPa) and high (200 MPa) pressure using H/D isotopic contrast experiments for normal and perdeuterated bacteria and buffer solutions to distinguish intracellular and transmembrane processes. The results indicate that intracellular water dynamics are comparable with bulk diffusion rates in aqueous fluids at ambient conditions but a significant reduction occurs in high pressure mobility. We interpret this as due to enhanced interactions with macromolecules in the nanoconfined environment. Overall diffusion rates across the cell envelope also occur at similar rates but unexpected narrowing of the QENS signal appears between momentum transfer valuesQ = 0.7–1.1 Å−1corresponding to real space dimensions of 6–9 Å. The relaxation time increase can be explained by correlated dynamics of molecules passing through Aquaporin water transport complexes located within the inner or outer membrane structures.
Compact Nonlinear Yagi-Uda Nanoantennas
Authors: Xiong Xiaoyan Y. Z. , Jiang Li Jun , Sha Wei E. I. , Lo Yat Hei , Chew Weng Cho
Published: January 2016

Nanoantennas have demonstrated unprecedented capabilities for manipulating the intensity and direction of light emission over a broad frequency range. The directional beam steering offered by nanoantennas has important applications in areas including microscopy, spectroscopy, quantum computing and on-chip optical communication. Although both the physical principles and experimental realizations of directional linear nanoantennas has become increasingly mature, angular control of nonlinear radiation using nanoantennas has not been explored yet. Here we propose a novel concept of nonlinear Yagi-Uda nanoantenna to direct second harmonic radiation from a metallic nanosphere. By carefully tuning the spacing and dimensions of two lossless dielectric elements, which function respectively as a compact director and reflector, the second harmonic radiation is deflected 90 degrees with reference to the incident light (pump) direction. This abnormal light-bending phenomenon is due to the constructive and destructive interference between the second harmonic radiation governed by a special selection rule and the induced electric dipolar and magnetic quadrupolar radiation from the two dielectric antenna elements. Simultaneous spectral and spatial isolation of scattered second harmonic waves from incident fundamental waves pave a new way towards nonlinear signal detection and sensing.
Change Point Detection in Correlation Networks
Authors: Barnett Ian , Onnela Jukka-Pekka
Published: January 2016

Many systems of interacting elements can be conceptualized as networks, where network nodes represent the elements and network ties represent interactions between the elements. In systems where the underlying network evolves, it is useful to determine the points in time where the network structure changes significantly as these may correspond to functional change points. We propose a method for detecting change points in correlation networks that, unlike previous change point detection methods designed for time series data, requires minimal distributional assumptions. We investigate the difficulty of change point detection near the boundaries of the time series in correlation networks and study the power of our method and competing methods through simulation. We also show the generalizable nature of the method by applying it to stock price data as well as fMRI data.
Experimental demonstration of plasmon enhanced energy transfer rate in NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Lu Dawei , Mao Chenchen , Cho Suehyun K. , Ahn Sungmo , Park Wounjhang
Published: January 2016

Energy transfer upconversion (ETU) is known to be the most efficient frequency upconversion mechanism. Surface plasmon can further enhance the upconversion process, opening doors to many applications. However, ETU is a complex process involving competing transitions between multiple energy levels and it has been difficult to precisely determine the enhancement mechanisms. In this paper, we report a systematic study on the dynamics of the ETU process in NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticles deposited on plasmonic nanograting structure. From the transient near-infrared photoluminescence under various excitation power densities, we observed faster energy transfer rates under stronger excitation conditions until it reached saturation where the highest internal upconversion efficiency was achieved. The experimental data were analyzed using the complete set of rate equations. The internal upconversion efficiency was found to be 56% and 36%, respectively, with and without the plasmonic nanograting. We also analyzed the transient green emission and found that it is determined by the infrared transition rate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of experimentally measured internal upconversion efficiency in plasmon enhanced upconversion material. Our work decouples the internal upconversion efficiency from the overall upconverted luminescence efficiency, allowing more targeted engineering for efficiency improvement.
Unique Static Magnetic and Dynamic Electromagnetic Behaviors in Titanium Nitride/Carbon Composites Driven by Defect Engineering
Authors: Gong Chunhong , Meng Hongjie , Zhao Xiaowei , Zhang Xuefeng , Yu Laigui , Zhang Jingwei , Zhang Zhijun
Published: January 2016

Recently, the defect-induced static magnetic behaviours of nanomaterials have been a cutting-edge issue in diluted magnetic semiconductor materials. However, the dynamic magnetic properties of nanomaterials are commonly ignored if their bulk counterparts are non-magnetic. In the present research, titanium nitride-carbon (TiN/C) nanocomposites were found to exhibit both static and dynamic magnetic properties that vary in the opposite trend. Moreover, novel unconventional electromagnetic resonance behaviour was demonstrated in TiN/C systems and their permeability and permittivity show similar trend. This is challenging for the traditional understanding of electromagnetism and makes it possible to achieve an appropriate balance between the permeability and permittivity simultaneously in a simple system. Hopefully, the results could provide some valuable clues to revealing the magnetism and electromagnetism of nanostructures.
TGF-β1 Upregulates the Expression of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1 in Murine Lungs
Authors: Peng Li , Zhou Yong , Dong Liang , Chen Rui-Qi , Sun Guo-Ying , Liu Tian , Ran Wen-Zhuo , Fang Xiang , Jiang Jian-Xin , Guan Cha-Xiang
Published: January 2016

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) increases the expression of TGF-β family genes, which are known as profibrogenic cytokines in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we determined whether TGF-β1 regulated the expression of TREM-1 in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. The expression of TGF-β1 and TREM-1 was increased on day 7, 14 and 21 after single intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM). And there was positive correlation between the expression of TGF-β1 and TREM-1. TGF-β1 increased expression of TREM-1 mRNA and protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner in mouse macrophages. The expression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) was increased in lung tissues from mouse after BLM injection and in mouse macrophages after TGF-β1 treatment, respectively. TGF-β1 significantly increased the relative activity of luciferase in the cells transfected with plasmid contenting wild type-promoter of TREM-1. But TGF-β1 had no effect on the activity of luciferase in the cells transfected with a mutant-TREM1 plasmid carrying mutations in the AP-1 promoter binding site. In conclusion, we found the expression of TREM-1 was increased in lung tissues from mice with pulmonary fibrosis. TGF-β1 increased the expression of TREM-1 in mouse macrophages partly via the transcription factor AP-1.
Earliest tea as evidence for one branch of the Silk Road across the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Lu Houyuan , Zhang Jianping , Yang Yimin , Yang Xiaoyan , Xu Baiqing , Yang Wuzhan , Tong Tao , Jin Shubo , Shen Caiming , Rao Huiyun , Li Xingguo , Lu Hongliang , Fuller Dorian Q. , Wang Luo , Wang Can , Xu Deke , Wu Naiqin
Published: January 2016

Phytoliths and biomolecular components extracted from ancient plant remains from Chang’an (Xi’an, the city where the Silk Road begins) and Ngari (Ali) in western Tibet, China, show that the tea was grown 2100 years ago to cater for the drinking habits of the Western Han Dynasty (207BCE-9CE) and then carried toward central Asia by ca.200CE, several hundred years earlier than previously recorded. The earliest physical evidence of tea from both the Chang’an and Ngari regions suggests that a branch of the Silk Road across the Tibetan Plateau, was established by the second to third century CE.
Self-assembled nanostructured resistive switching memory devices fabricated by templated bottom-up growth
Authors: Song Ji-Min , Lee Jang-Sik
Published: January 2016

Metal-oxide-based resistive switching memory device has been studied intensively due to its potential to satisfy the requirements of next-generation memory devices. Active research has been done on the materials and device structures of resistive switching memory devices that meet the requirements of high density, fast switching speed and reliable data storage. In this study, resistive switching memory devices were fabricated with nano-template-assisted bottom up growth. The electrochemical deposition was adopted to achieve the bottom-up growth of nickel nanodot electrodes. Nickel oxide layer was formed by oxygen plasma treatment of nickel nanodots at low temperature. The structures of fabricated nanoscale memory devices were analyzed with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope (AFM). The electrical characteristics of the devices were directly measured using conductive AFM. This work demonstrates the fabrication of resistive switching memory devices using self-assembled nanoscale masks and nanomateirals growth from bottom-up electrochemical deposition.
Transverse electron momentum distribution in tunneling and over the barrier ionization by laser pulses with varying ellipticity
Authors: Ivanov I. A. , Kheifets A. S. , Calvert J. E. , Goodall S. , Wang X. , Xu Han , Palmer A. J. , Kielpinski D. , Litvinyuk I. V. , Sang R. T.
Published: January 2016

We study transverse electron momentum distribution in strong field atomic ionization driven by laser pulses with varying ellipticity. We show, both experimentally and theoretically, that the transverse electron momentum distribution in the tunneling and over the barrier ionization regimes evolves in a qualitatively different way when the ellipticity parameter describing polarization state of the driving laser pulse increases.
Effect of calcium cyanamide, ammonium bicarbonate and lime mixture and ammonia water on survival of Ralstonia solanacearum and microbial community
Authors: Liu Lijuan , Sun Chengliang , Liu Xingxing , He Xiaolin , Liu Miao , Wu Hao , Tang Caixian , Jin Chongwei , Zhang Yongsong
Published: January 2016

The inorganic nitrogenous amendments calcium cyanamide (CC), ammonia water (AW) and a mixture of ammonium bicarbonate with lime (A+L) are popularly used as fumigants to control soil-borne disease in China. However, it is unclear which of these fumigants is more effective in controlling R. solanacearum. This present study compared the efficiencies of the three nitrogenous amendments listed above at four nitrogen levels in suppressing the survival of R. solanacearum in soil. The CC showed the best ability to suppress R. solanacearum due to its highest capacity to increase soil "Equation missing" and NO2− contents and pH. However, AW was more suitable to controlling bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum because it had a lower cost and its application rate of 0.25 g N kg−1 soil could effectively suppress the survival of R. solanacearum. Additionally, soil microbial activity and community populations were restored to their initial state four weeks after the application of each fumigant, indicating that the three fumigants had few detrimental impacts on soil microbial activity and community structure with an exception of the suppression of R. solanacearum. The present study provides guidance for the selection of a suitable alkaline nitrogenous amendment and its application rate in controlling bacterial wilt.
Clinical features, Outcomes and Molecular Profiles of Drug Resistance in Tuberculous Meningitis in non-HIV Patients
Authors: Zhang Jingya , Hu Xuejiao , Hu Xin , Ye Yuanxin , Shang Mengqiao , An Yunfei , Gou Haimei , Zhao Zhenzhen , Peng Wu , Song Xingbo , Zhou Yanhong , Kang Mei , Xie Yi , Chen Xuerong , Lu Xiaojun , Ying Binwu , Wang Lanlan
Published: January 2016

Tuberculous meningitis continues to be a serious problem for physicians because it is difficult to make an early diagnosis and the consequences of delaying treatment are severe. The objective of this study is to provide data for the optimization of diagnostic and timely treatment of tuberculous meningitis. Of the 401 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative tuberculous meningitis patients in our study, 332 were found to have an impaired blood brain barrier (82.8%). Nearly 17.0% of patients failed to be timely diagnosed. Headache (53.6%) and fever (48.6%) were the most common features and Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) detected 96 patients (23.9%) with abnormal meningeal imaging. Cerebrospinal fluid real-time polymerase chain reaction was positive in 73.8% of the tuberculous meningitis patients, whereas, smears and cultures detected only 6.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Further analysis identified striking differences between drug-resistant and drug-susceptible tuberculous meningitis. Patients with drug resistance correlated with grave prognosis. Tuberculous meningitis diagnosis should overall embody clinical symptoms, laboratory and cerebral imaging findings and more sensitive diagnostic approaches are still warranted. Our data suggest cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction for mycobacterial DNA and molecular drug susceptibility testing as routine assays for suspected tuberculous meningitis patients and observation of the blood brain barrier function could be performed for individual management.
Extracellular ATP mediates inflammatory responses in colitis via P2 × 7 receptor signaling
Authors: Wan Ping , Liu Xiaopeng , Xiong Yan , Ren Yuping , Chen Jiang , Lu Nonghua , Guo Yuan , Bai Aiping
Published: January 2016

Extracellular purinergic products, particularly ATP, have recently been implicated to regulate immune cell functions and contribute to aberrant inflammatory responses of immune diseases. However, regulation of immune responses of colitis by extracellular ATP and its main receptor, P2 × 7, remains to be elucidated. In the study, we induced murine colitis by feeding mice with 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and noted dramatically heightened extracellular ATP levels in colon tissues during the progression of experimental colitis. Blockade of ATP release by carbenoxolone (CBX) treatment, or promoting ATP degradation by ATP diphosphohydrolase (apyrase), decreased extracellular ATP levels in colon tissues, attenuated DSS-induced colitis, whereas inhibition of extracellular ATP degradation by sodium metatungstate (POM-1) exacerbated tissue damage in the mice with colitis. Moreover, treatment with inhibitor of P2 × 7 receptor, A438079, decreased NFκB activation and active caspase-1 expression in lamina propria immune cells, downregulated proinflammatory cytokine production in colon tissues and attenuated murine colitis. Collectively, these data suggest extracellular ATP participates in regulation of inflammatory responses of experimental colitis, through P2 × 7 receptor and inflammasome and NFκB signaling, which provides potential alternatives to the current clinical approaches to suppress extracellular ATP-mediated immune responsiveness.
Fullerenes in asphaltenes and other carbonaceous materials: natural constituents or laser artifacts
Authors: Santos Vanessa G. , Fasciotti Maíra , Pudenzi Marcos A. , Klitzke Clécio F. , Nascimento Heliara L. , Pereira Rosana C. L. , Bastos Wagner L. , Eberlin Marcos N.
Published: January 2016

A comprehensive investigation of the formation of fullerenes from carbonaceous materials using laser-based mass spectrometry techniques.
Computational investigation of structure, dynamics and nucleation kinetics of a family of modified Stillinger–Weber model fluids in bulk and free-standing thin films
Authors: Gianetti Melisa M. , Haji-Akbari Amir , Paula Longinotti M. , Debenedetti Pablo G.
Published: January 2016

Critical nuclei for bulk homogeneous nucleation atζ= 0.845 for different values ofλ.
Analytic calculations of anharmonic infrared and Raman vibrational spectra
Authors: Cornaton Yann , Ringholm Magnus , Louant Orian , Ruud Kenneth
Published: January 2016

Using a recent recursive scheme for the calculation of high-order geometric derivatives of molecular properties, we present the first analytic calculations of infrared and Raman spectra including anharmonicity both in the vibrational frequencies and in the IR and Raman intensities.
Well-aligned Nd-doped SnO2 nanorod layered arrays: preparation, characterization and enhanced alcohol-gas sensing performance
Authors: Qin Guohui , Gao Fan , Jiang Qiuping , Li Yuehua , Liu Yongjun , Luo Li , Zhao Kang , Zhao Heyun
Published: January 2016

Nd-doped SnO2 nanoarrays with novel nanostructures of double nanorod layers prepared by a facile hydrothermal route greatly improve alcohol-sensing performance.
Nanoporous PdCr alloys as highly active electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Duan Huimei , Xu Caixia
Published: January 2016

The NP–Pd75Cr25 alloy exhibits superior ORR activities with enhanced specific and mass activities as well as higher structural stability.
A two-oxide nanodiode system made of double-layered p-type Ag2O@n-type TiO2 for rapid reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Ahmed Zelekew Osman , Kuo Dong-Hau
Published: January 2016

The mechanism for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of a SiO2/Ag2O@TiO2 composite catalyst.
Temperature-resolved optical spectroscopy of pentacene polymorphs: variation of herringbone angles in single-crystals and interface-controlled thin films
Authors: Meyenburg Ingo , Breuer Tobias , Karthäuser Andrea , Chatterjee Sangam , Witte Gregor , Heimbrodt Wolfram
Published: January 2016

An interrelation between the Davydov splitted singlet-exciton and the temperature dependent herringbone angle in crystalline pentacene films is shown.
One-pot 1,1-dimethoxymethane synthesis from methanol: a promising pathway over bifunctional catalysts
Authors: Thavornprasert Kaew-arpha , Capron Mickaël , Jalowiecki-Duhamel Louise , Dumeignil Franck
Published: January 2016

Dimethoxymethane or DMM is a versatile chemical with applications in many industries such as paints, perfume, pharmacy, and fuel additives.