bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental and genetic factors affecting milk yield and quality in three Italian sheep breeds
Authors: Selvaggi Maria , D'Alessandro Angela Gabriella , Dario Cataldo
Published: December 2016

The aims of the study described in the Research Communication were to determine the level of influence of some environmental factors on milk yield and quality traits, including lactose, and lactation length in ewes belonging to three different Italian breeds and to estimate the heritability for the same traits. A total of 2138 lactation records obtained from 535 ewes belonging to three different Italian breeds (Comisana, Leccese, and Sarda) were used. Breed significantly affected all of the considered traits. Moreover, year of lambing affected milk yield and lactation length without influence on milk quality traits. Parity affected significantly only the milk yield, whereas type of birth showed its effect on milk yield, fat, protein, and lactose yield. On the whole, the presently reported heritability estimates are within the range of those already obtained in other dairy breeds by other authors, with values for lactation length being very low in all the investigated populations. Considering the heritability estimates for lactose content and yield, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of information on these parameters in ovine species and this is the first report on heritability of lactose content and yield in dairy sheep breeds. Our results suggest that genetic variability for milk traits other than lactation length is adequate for selection indicating a good response to selection in these breeds.
Observation versus thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma in the elderly
Authors: Megwalu U C
Published: December 2016

Objective:

To compare the effectiveness of non-surgical versus surgical therapy in elderly patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Methods:

The study cohort included 2323 elderly patients (aged 65 years and over) diagnosed with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma between 1988 and 2009, identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database of the National Cancer Institute.

Results:

The five-year overall survival rate was 23 per cent for non-surgical patients compared with 91 per cent for surgical patients (p < 0.0001). Unadjusted analysis revealed significantly improved survival in surgical patients compared with non-surgical patients (hazard ratio = 0.06; p < 0.0001). Propensity score analysis also revealed significantly improved survival in surgical patients compared with non-surgical patients (hazard ratio = 0.11; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Thyroidectomy appears to provide a survival benefit for elderly patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. High-quality prospective studies are needed to better evaluate the comparative effectiveness of immediate thyroidectomy versus observation for elderly patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
CARTAN–EILENBERG FP-INJECTIVE COMPLEXES
Authors: LU BO , LIU ZHONGKUI
Published: December 2016

In this article, we extend the notion of FP-injective modules to that of Cartan–Eilenberg complexes. We show that a complex $C$ is Cartan–Eilenberg FP-injective if and only if $C$ and $\text{Z}(C)$ are complexes consisting of FP-injective modules over right coherent rings. As an application, coherent rings are characterized in various ways, using Cartan–Eilenberg FP-injective and Cartan–Eilenberg flat complexes.
SYMMETRIC CROSSCAP NUMBER OF GROUPS OF ORDER LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 63
Authors: BACELO ADRIÁN
Published: December 2016

Every finite group $G$ acts on some nonorientable unbordered surfaces. The minimal topological genus of those surfaces is called the symmetric crosscap number of $G$. It is known that 3 is not the symmetric crosscap number of any group but it remains unknown whether there are other such values, called gaps. In this paper we obtain group presentations which allow one to find the actions realizing the symmetric crosscap number of groups of each group of order less than or equal to 63.
LANDAU’S THEOREM, FIELDS OF VALUES FOR CHARACTERS, AND SOLVABLE GROUPS
Authors: LEWIS MARK L.
Published: December 2016

When $G$ is a finite solvable group, we prove that $|G|$ can be bounded by a function in the number of irreducible characters with values in fields where $\mathbb{Q}$ is extended by prime power roots of unity. This gives a character theory analog for solvable groups of a theorem of Héthelyi and Külshammer that bounds the order of a finite group in terms of the number of conjugacy classes of elements of prime power order. In particular, we obtain for solvable groups a generalization of Landau’s theorem.
It's Not Just Fracking: New Database of Human-Induced Quakes
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: December 2016

In the largest compilation of anthropogenically induced earthquakes, causes range from building water reservoirs to mining.
Rab17 mediates differential antigen sorting following efferocytosis and phagocytosis
Authors: Yin Charles , Kim Yohan , Argintaru Dean , Heit Bryan
Published: December 2016

Macrophages engulf and destroy pathogens (phagocytosis) and apoptotic cells (efferocytosis), and can subsequently initiate adaptive immune responses by presenting antigens derived from engulfed materials. Both phagocytosis and efferocytosis share a common degradative pathway in which the target is engulfed into a membrane-bound vesicle, respectively, termed the phagosome and efferosome, where they are degraded by sequential fusion with endosomes and lysosomes. Despite this shared maturation pathway, macrophages are immunogenic following phagocytosis but not efferocytosis, indicating that differential processing or trafficking of antigens must occur. Mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence microscopy of efferosomes and phagosomes in macrophages demonstrated that efferosomes lacked the proteins required for antigen presentation and instead recruited the recycling regulator Rab17. As a result, degraded materials from efferosomes bypassed the MHC class II loading compartment via the recycling endosome – a process not observed in phagosomes. Combined, these results indicate that macrophages prevent presentation of apoptotic cell-derived antigens by preferentially trafficking efferocytosed, but not phagocytosed, materials away from the MHC class II loading compartment via the recycling endosome pathway.
Enzyme-responsive reporter molecules for selective localization and fluorescence imaging of pathogenic biofilms
Authors: Aw Junxin , Widjaja Frances , Ding Yichen , Mu Jing , Liang Yang , Xing Bengang
Published: December 2016

A novel enzyme-responsive reporter molecule (ERM-1) for selective localization of AmpC in pathogenic biofilms.
Method to determine radiative and non-radiative defects applied to AgInS2–ZnS luminescent nanocrystals
Authors: Chevallier T. , Benayad A. , Le Blevennec G. , Chandezon F.
Published: December 2016

The systematic measurement of the photoluminescence quantum yield and the recombination lifetime of a given phosphor allows for the quantification of both radiative and non-radiative recombination rates.
Facile pentagon formation in the dissociation of polyaromatics
Authors: de Haas Arjen J. , Oomens Jos , Bouwman Jordy
Published: December 2016

Energetic processing of gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) plays a pivotal role in the chemistries of inter- and circumstellar environments, certain planetary atmospheres, and also in the chemistry of combustion and soot formation.
Photoactive meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin-tetrakis-[chloro(2,2′bipyridine)platinum(ii) derivatives recognize and cleave DNA upon irradiation
Authors: Oliveira Vanessa A. , Iglesias Bernardo A. , Auras Bruna L. , Neves Ademir , Terenzi Hernán
Published: December 2016

Photoactive platinum porphyrins may be interesting as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy and photochemotherapy, and we demonstrate their activity towards DNA cleavage under exposure to light.
Synthesis, antioxidant and antitumoral activities of 5′-arylchalcogeno-3-aminothymidine (ACAT) derivatives
Authors: da Rosa Raquel Mello , Piccoli Bruna Candia , da Silva Fernanda D'Avila , Dornelles Luciano , Rocha João B. T. , Sonego Mariana Souza , Begnini Karine Rech , Collares Tiago , Seixas Fabiana K. , Rodrigues Oscar E. D.
Published: December 2016

This article presents the preparation and in vitro biological activities of new 5′;-arylchalcogeno-3-aminothymidine derivatives as antioxidants as well as antitumoral agents against bladder carcinoma 5637.
Hydrophilic, hollow Fe3O4@PDA spheres with a storage cavity for efficient removal of polycyclic structured tetracycline
Authors: Mao Bing-Qi , An Qing-Da , Xiao Zuo-Yi , Zhai Shang-Ru
Published: December 2016

Biomimetic hydrophilic hollow polydopamine (PDA)-based composites of Fe3O4@PDA for the efficient removal of polycyclic structured tetracycline were facilely synthesized.
A microporous Cd-MOF based on a hexavalent silicon-centred connector and luminescence sensing of small molecules
Authors: Tian Hong-Rui , Gao Chao-Ying , Yang Yang , Ai Jing , Liu Chao , Xu Zhen-Guo , Sun Zhong-Ming
Published: December 2016

A microporous metal–organic framework, built from a silicon-centered linker that is among the never documented examples, exhibits a hollow tubular crystal morphology and displays turn-on and turn-off luminescence responses for n-butanol and acetone, respectively.
Sequential In-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using bromopropargyl aryl ethers and amines
Authors: Alonso-Marañón Lorena , Sarandeses Luis A. , Martínez M. Montserrat , Pérez Sestelo José
Published: December 2016

A sequential one-pot In-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction using bromopropargyl aryl ethers and amines has been developed.
One step construction of a taxane-like skeleton by a diendiyne metathesis cyclization reaction
Authors: Otero-Fraga J. , Granja J. R.
Published: December 2016

One-step cyclization for the formation of the characteristic tricyclic system of taxanes is described.
The effect of the nature of organic acids and the hydrodynamic conditions on the dissolution of Pb particles
Authors: Bendebane S. , Tifouti L. , Djerad S.
Published: December 2016

Rapid stabilization of pH values while Pb dissolution by three organic acids continues to progress.
CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalysts: enhanced photocatalytic performance and charge transfer mechanism
Authors: Li Di , Shi Fenfen , Jiang Deli , Chen Min , Shi Weidong
Published: December 2016

CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with excellent photocatalytic activities have been synthesized. The enhanced photocatalytic performance might be ascribed to the efficient photoinduced charge transfer derived from the heterojunction structure.
Study on the synthesis of bio-based epoxy curing agent derived from myrcene and castor oil and the properties of the cured products
Authors: Yang Xuejuan , Wang Chunpeng , Li Shouhai , Huang Kun , Li Mei , Mao Wei , Cao Shan , Xia Jianling
Published: December 2016

Two biobased curing agents derived from castor oil and myrcene were prepared and were used to cure epoxy E-51.
Biosynthesis of Ag/almond shell nanocomposite as a cost-effective and efficient catalyst for degradation of 4-nitrophenol and organic dyes
Authors: Bordbar Maryam
Published: December 2016

Silver nanoparticles have been immobilized on the surface of waste almond shell using Ruta graveolens sleeves extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the present work.
Cognitive Load in Voice Therapy Carry-Over Exercises
Authors: Iwarsson Jenny , Morris David Jackson , Balling Laura Winther
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The cognitive load generated by online speech production may vary with the nature of the speech task. This article examines 3 speech tasks used in voice therapy carry-over exercises, in which a patient is required to adopt and automatize new voice behaviors, ultimately in daily spontaneous communication.

Method

Twelve subjects produced speech in 3 conditions: rote speech (weekdays), sentences in a set form, and semispontaneous speech. Subjects simultaneously performed a secondary visual discrimination task for which response times were measured. On completion of each speech task, subjects rated their experience on a questionnaire.

Results

Response times from the secondary, visual task were found to be shortest for the rote speech, longer for the semispontaneous speech, and longest for the sentences within the set framework. Principal components derived from the subjective ratings were found to be linked to response times on the secondary visual task. Acoustic measures reflecting fundamental frequency distribution and vocal fold compression varied across the speech tasks.

Conclusions

The results indicate that consideration should be given to the selection of speech tasks during the process leading to automation of revised speech behavior and that self-reports may be a reliable index of cognitive load.
Congenital Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus in a Member of a Twin Pregnancy
Authors: Bou Ghannam Alaa , Chang Taeun , Jantausch Barbara A. , Vézina Gilbert , Miller Marijean
Published: December 2016

We report a male infant, twin A of a dichorionic pregnancy, with a fetal ultrasound and subsequent MRI at 29 weeks of gestation revealing a small cranium (26 cm, < 3rd percentile for gestation) and marked ex vacuo ventriculomegaly. Twin B had normal ultrasound and brain MRI. Newborn exam was unremarkable and his weight and head circumference were both at 5th percentile. Placental pathology findings included focal acute vasculitis and chronic villitis. Postnatal brain MRI showed significant cerebral volume loss with extensive large cystic parietal encephalomalacia and diffuse cerebral cortical dysplasia (polymicrogyria). Common congenital infectious diseases investigation on maternal serum was normal. Twin A was admitted for bronchiolitis and possible seizure at 3 months of age. At this time, he had microcephaly and was not tracking light. Ophthalmology exam showed markedly abnormal macula with diffuse pigment changes and scarring that extended between the full arcades bilaterally. Congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection was confirmed with negative IgM titer and highly positive IgG titer of greater than 1:256. Serologic tests for LCMV should be considered in infants who have central nervous system and retinal involvement but negative TORCH studies.
Depression in Women with Recurrent Miscarriages – an Exploratory Study
Authors: Carvalho Ariel , Silva Michele , Matos Bárbara , Bottino Cassio , Abrahão Anelise , Cohrs Frederico , Bottino Sara
Published: December 2016

Objective To assess depression, domestic violence and the use of substances in women with recurrent miscarriages.

Methods The Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were used to assess violence, depression and the use of substances among women with recurrent miscarriages. The population corresponded to patients receiving prenatal care from June to August 2014. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the multivariable relationship between depression and sociodemographic, psychosocial and medical characteristics (p < 0,10).

Results The prevalence of depression was of 41.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28.3–55.7%). One third of the pregnant women (32.6%) reported emotional or physical violence, and 13% were classified as abusing or addicted to tobacco according to ASSIST. History of psychiatric diseases was associated with depression (p = 0.005). Violence during life demonstrated a modest association (p = 0.073) with depression, as well as the number of miscarriages (p = 0.071).

Conclusion Depression is a frequent disease among pregnant women with recurrent miscarriages. The results of this investigation suggest that a systematic assessment of depression and its associated conditions, such as domestic violence and the use of substances, should be part of the prenatal follow-up visits for women with recurrent miscarriages.
Evodiamine Prevents Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis by Regulating Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Jiang Xiao-han , Wu Qing-qing , Xiao Yang , Yuan Yuan , Yang Zheng , Bian Zhou-yan , Chang Wei , Tang Qi-zhu
Published: December 2016

Evodiamine, a major component of Evodia rutaecarpa, can protect the myocardium against injury induced by atherosclerosis and ischemia-reperfusion. However, the effect of evodiamine against cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the possible effect and mechanism involved in the function of evodiamine on isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Isoproterenol was used to induce cardiac fibrosis in mice, and evodiamine was gavaged simultaneously. After 14 days, cardiac function was accessed by echocardiography. The extent of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy was evaluated by pathological and molecular analyses. The extent of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition was evaluated by the expression levels of CD31, CD34, α-smooth muscle actin, and vimentin by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. After 14 days, the heart weight/body weight ratio and heart weight/tibia length ratio revealed no significant difference between the isoproterenol group and the isoproterenol/evodiamine-treated groups, whereas the increased heart weight was reduced in the isoproterenol/evodiamine-treated groups. Echocardiography revealed that interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at the end diastole decreased in the evodiamine-treated groups. Evodiamine reduced isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis as accessed by normalization in collagen deposition and gene expression of hypertrophic and fibrotic markers. Evodiamine also prevented endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition as evidenced by the increased expression levels of CD31 and CD34, decreased expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and increased microvascular density in the isoproterenol/evodiamine-treated mice hearts. Furthermore, isoproterenol-induced activation of transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal was also blunted by evodiamine. Therefore, evodiamine may prevent isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is probably mediated by the blockage of the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad pathway.
Effective scheme for partitioning covalent bonds in density-functional embedding theory: From molecules to extended covalent systems
Authors: Huang Chen , Muñoz-García Ana Belén , Pavone Michele
Published: December 2016

Density-functional embedding theory provides a general way to perform multi-physics quantum mechanics simulations of large-scale materials by dividing the total system’s electron density into a cluster’s density and its environment’s density. It is then possible to compute the accurate local electronic structures and energetics of the embedded cluster with high-level methods, meanwhile retaining a low-level description of the environment. The prerequisite step in the density-functional embedding theory is the cluster definition. In covalent systems, cutting across the covalent bonds that connect the cluster and its environment leads to dangling bonds (unpaired electrons). These represent a major obstacle for the application of density-functional embedding theory to study extended covalent systems. In this work, we developed a simple scheme to define the cluster in covalent systems. Instead of cutting covalent bonds, we directly split the boundary atoms for maintaining the valency of the cluster. With this new covalent embedding scheme, we compute the dehydrogenation energies of several different molecules, as well as the binding energy of a cobalt atom on graphene. Well localized cluster densities are observed, which can facilitate the use of localized basis sets in high-level calculations. The results are found to converge faster with the embedding method than the other multi-physics approach ONIOM. This work paves the way to perform the density-functional embedding simulations of heterogeneous systems in which different types of chemical bonds are present.
Microfluidic cytometers with integrated on-chip optical systems for red blood cell and platelet counting
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Li Qin , Hu Xiaoming , Lo Yuhwa
Published: December 2016

A microfluidic cytometer with integrated on-chip optical systems was designed for red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counting. The design, fabrication, and characterization of the microfluidic cytometer with on-chip optical signal detection were described. With process using only a single mask, the device that integrates optical fibers and on-chip microlens with microfluidic channels on a polydimethylsiloxane layer by standard soft photolithography. This compact structure increased the sensitivity of the device and eliminated time-consuming free-space optical alignments. The microfluidic cytometer was used to count red blood cells and platelets. Forward scatter and extinction were collected simultaneously for each cell. Experimental results indicated that the microfluidic cytometer exhibited comparable performance with a conventional cytometer and demonstrated superior capacity to detect on-chip optical signals in a highly compact, simple, truly portable, and low-cost format that is well suitable for point-of-care clinical diagnostics.
System size dependence of the structure and rheology in a sheared lamellar liquid crystalline medium
Authors: Jaju S. J. , Kumaran V.
Published: December 2016

The structural and rheological evolution of an initially disordered lamellar phase system under a shear flow is examined using a mesoscale model based on a free energy functional for the concentration field, which is the scaled difference in the concentration between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. The dimensionless numbers which affect the shear evolution are the Reynolds number (γ˙¯L2/ν), the Schmidt number (ν/D), a dimensionless parameter Σ=(Aλ2/ρν2), a parameter μr which represents the viscosity contrast between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, and (L/λ), the ratio of system size and layer spacing. Here, ρ, ν, and D are the density, kinematic viscosity (ratio of viscosity and density), and the mass diffusivity, and A is the energy density in the free energy functional which is proportional to the compression modulus. Two distinct modes of structural evolution are observed for moderate values of the parameter Σ depending only on the combination ScΣ and independent of system size. For ScΣ less than about 10, the layers tend to form before they are deformed by the mean shear, and layered but misaligned domains are initially formed, and these are deformed and rotated by the flow. In this case, the excess viscosity (difference between the viscosity and that for an aligned state) does not decrease to zero even after 1000 strain units, but appears to plateau to a steady state value. For ScΣ greater than about 10, layers are deformed by the mean shear before they are fully formed, and a well aligned lamellar phase with edge dislocation orders completely due to the cancellation of dislocations. The excess viscosity scales as t−1 in the long time limit. The maximum macroscopic viscosity (ratio of total stress and average strain rate over the entire sample) during the alignment process increases with the system size proportional to (L/λ)3/2. For large values of Σ, there is localisation of shear at the walls, and the bulk of the sample moves as a block. The thickness of the shearing region appears to be invariant with the system size, leading to an increase of viscosity proportional to L. The time for structural evolution is found to be the inverse of the strain rate γ˙−1. In the case of a significant viscosity contrast between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts, the average viscosity increases by 1-2 orders of magnitude due to the defect pinning mechanism, where the regions between defects move as a block, and shear localisation at the wall.
Interrelationship between flexoelectricity and strain gradient elasticity in ferroelectric nanofilms: A phase field study
Authors: Jiang Limei , Xu Xiaofei , Zhou Yichun
Published: December 2016

With the development of the integrated circuit technology and decreasing of the device size, ferroelectric films used in nano ferroelectric devices become thinner and thinner. Along with the downscaling of the ferroelectric film, there is an increasing influence of two strain gradient related terms. One is the strain gradient elasticity and the other one is flexoelectricity. To investigate the interrelationship between flexoelectricity and strain gradient elasticity and their combined effect on the domain structure in ferroelectric nanofilms, a phase field model of flexoelectricity and strain gradient elasticity on the ferroelectric domain evolution is developed based on Mindlin's theory of strain-gradient elasticity. Weak form is derived and implemented in finite element formulations for numerically solving the model equations. The simulation results show that upper bounds for flexoelectric coefficients can be enhanced by increasing strain gradient elasticity coefficients. While a large flexoelectricity that exceeds the upper bound can induce a transition from a ferroelectric state to a modulated/incommensurate state, a large enough strain gradient elasticity may lead to a conversion from an incommensurate state to a ferroelectric state. Strain gradient elasticity and the flexoelectricity have entirely opposite effects on polarization. The observed interrelationship between the strain gradient elasticity and flexoelectricity is rationalized by an analytical solution of the proposed theoretical model. The model proposed in this paper could help us understand the mechanism of phenomena observed in ferroelectric nanofilms under complex electromechanical loads and provide some guides on the practical application of ferroelectric nanofilms.
Non-linear aspects of Görtler instability in boundary layers with pressure gradient
Authors: Rogenski J. K. , de Souza L. F. , Floryan J. M.
Published: December 2016

The laminar flow over a concave surface may undergo transition to a turbulent state driven by secondary instabilities initiated by the longitudinal vortices known as Görtler vortices. These vortices distort the boundary layer structure by modifying the streamwise velocity component in both spanwise and wall-normal directions. Numerical simulations have been conducted to identify the role of the external pressure gradients in the development and saturation of the vortices. The results show that flows with adverse pressure gradients reach saturation upstream from the saturation location for neutral and favorable pressure gradients. In the transition region, the mean spanwise shear stress is about three times larger than in the flow without the vortices.
Thermodynamics of a real fluid near the critical point in numerical simulations of isotropic turbulence
Authors: Albernaz Daniel L. , Do-Quang Minh , Hermanson James C. , Amberg Gustav
Published: December 2016

We investigate the behavior of a fluid near the critical point by using numerical simulations of weakly compressible three-dimensional isotropic turbulence. Much has been done for a turbulent flow with an ideal gas. The primary focus of this work is to analyze fluctuations of thermodynamic variables (pressure, density, and temperature) when a non-ideal Equation Of State (EOS) is considered. In order to do so, a hybrid lattice Boltzmann scheme is applied to solve the momentum and energy equations. Previously unreported phenomena are revealed as the temperature approaches the critical point. Fluctuations in pressure, density, and temperature increase, followed by changes in their respective probability density functions. Due to the non-linearity of the EOS, it is seen that variances of density and temperature and their respective covariance are equally important close to the critical point. Unlike the ideal EOS case, significant differences in the thermodynamic properties are also observed when the Reynolds number is increased. We also address issues related to the spectral behavior and scaling of density, pressure, temperature, and kinetic energy.
Positive charge trapping phenomenon in n-channel thin-film transistors with amorphous alumina gate insulators
Authors: Daus Alwin , Vogt Christian , Münzenrieder Niko , Petti Luisa , Knobelspies Stefan , Cantarella Giuseppe , Luisier Mathieu , Salvatore Giovanni A. , Tröster Gerhard
Published: December 2016

In this work, we investigate the charge trapping behavior in InGaZnO4 (IGZO) thin-film transistors with amorphous Al2O3 (alumina) gate insulators. For thicknesses ≤10 nm, we observe a positive charge generation at intrinsic defects inside the Al2O3, which is initiated by quantum-mechanical tunneling of electrons from the semiconductor through the Al2O3 layer. Consequently, the drain current shows a counter-clockwise hysteresis. Furthermore, the de-trapping through resonant tunneling causes a drastic subthreshold swing reduction. We report a minimum value of 19 mV/dec at room temperature, which is far below the fundamental limit of standard field-effect transistors. Additionally, we study the thickness dependence for Al2O3 layers with thicknesses of 5, 10, and 20 nm. The comparison of two different gate metals shows an enhanced tunneling current and an enhanced positive charge generation for Cu compared to Cr.
Impact of the Eulerian chaos of magnetic field lines in magnetic reconnection
Authors: Firpo M.-C. , Ettoumi W. , Lifschitz A. F. , Retinò A. , Farengo R. , Ferrari H. E. , García-Martínez P. L.
Published: December 2016

Stochasticity is an ingredient that may allow the breaking of the frozen-in law in the reconnection process. It will first be argued that the non-ideal effects may be considered as an implicit way to introduce stochasticity. Yet there also exists an explicit stochasticity that does not require the invocation of non-ideal effects. This comes from the spatial (or Eulerian) chaos of magnetic field lines that can show up only in a truly three-dimensional description of magnetic reconnection since the two-dimensional models impose the integrability of the magnetic field lines. Some implications of this magnetic braiding, such as the increased particle finite-time Lyapunov exponents and increased acceleration of charged particles, are discussed in the frame of tokamak sawteeth that forms a laboratory prototype of spontaneous magnetic reconnection. A justification for an increased reconnection rate with chaotic vs. the integrable magnetic field lines is proposed. Moreover, in 3D, the Eulerian chaos of the magnetic field lines may coexist with the Eulerian chaos of velocity field lines, that is more commonly named the turbulence.
Quantitative probing of tip-induced local cooling with a resistive nanoheater/thermometer
Authors: Hamian Sina , Yun Jeonghoon , Park Inkyu , Park Keunhan
Published: December 2016

This article reports the investigation of tip-induced local cooling when an atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever tip scans over a joule-heated Pt nanowire. We fabricated four-point-probe Pt resistive nanothermometers having a sensing area of 250 nm × 350 nm by combining electron-beam lithography and photolithography. The electrical resistance of a fabricated nanothermometer is ∼27.8 Ω at room temperature and is linearly proportional to the temperature increase up to 350 K. The equivalent temperature coefficient of resistance is estimated to be (7.0±0.1)×10−4 K−1. We also joule-heated a nanothermometer to increase its sensing area temperature up to 338.5 ± 0.2 K, demonstrating that the same device can be used as a nanoheater. An AFM probe tip scanning over a heated nanoheater/thermometer's sensing area induces local cooling due to heat conduction through solid-solid contact, water meniscus, and surrounding air. The effective contact thermal conductance is 32.5 ± 0.8 nW/K. These results contribute to the better understanding of tip-substrate thermal interactions, which is the fundamental subject in tip-based thermal engineering applications.
Selective LPCVD growth of graphene on patterned copper and its growth mechanism
Authors: Zhang M. , Huang B.-C. , Wang Y. , Woo J. C. S.
Published: December 2016

Copper-catalyzed graphene low-pressure chemical-vapor deposition (LPCVD) growth has been regarded as a viable solution towards its integration to CMOS technology, and the wafer-bonding method provides a reliable alternative for transferring the selective graphene grown on a patterned metal film for IC manufacturing. In this paper, selective LPCVD graphene growth using patterned copper dots has been studied. The Raman spectra of grown films have demonstrated large dependence on the growth conditions. To explain the results, the growth mechanisms based on surface adsorption and copper-vapor-assisted growth are investigated by the comparison between the blanket copper films with/without the additional copper source. The copper vapor density is found to be critical for high-quality graphene growth. In addition, the copper-vapor-assisted growth is also evidenced by the carbon deposition on the SiO2 substrate of the patterned-copper-dot sample and chamber wall during graphene growth. This growth mechanism explains the correlation between the growth condition and Raman spectrum for films on copper dots. The study on the copper-catalyzed selective graphene growth on the hard substrate paves the way for the synthesis and integration of the 2D material in VLSI.
High repetition rate ultrashort laser cuts a path through fog
Authors: de la Cruz Lorena , Schubert Elise , Mongin Denis , Klingebiel Sandro , Schultze Marcel , Metzger Thomas , Michel Knut , Kasparian Jérôme , Wolf Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2016

We experimentally demonstrate that the transmission of a 1030 nm, 1.3 ps laser beam of 100 mJ energy through fog increases when its repetition rate increases to the kHz range. Due to the efficient energy deposition by the laser filaments in the air, a shockwave ejects the fog droplets from a substantial volume of the beam, at a moderate energy cost. This process opens prospects for applications requiring the transmission of laser beams through fogs and clouds.
Note: Improving distributed strain sensing sensitivity in OFDR by reduced-cladding single mode fiber
Authors: Ding Zhenyang , Yang Di , Du Yang , Zhou Yonghan , Xu Zhexi , Liu Kun , Jiang Junfeng , Liu Tiegen
Published: December 2016

We present a method to improve distributed strain sensing sensitivity by a reduced-cladding single mode fiber (RC SMF) using a Rayleigh backscattering spectra shift in optical frequency domain reflectometry. Comparing with a standard SMF with 250 μm diameter, a commercial low attenuation RC SMF with 165 μm diameter is shown to enhance the strain sensing sensitivity by about four-fold. Using this property, the system using the RC SMF can achieve smaller minimal measurable strain (MMS) in the same sensing spatial resolution (SSR) or smaller SSR in the same MMS than using the standard SMF. In our experiment, the system using RC SMF can achieve the MMS of 15 μstrain with a SSR of 4.5 cm or the MMS of 3 μstrain with a SSR of 18 cm.
Dimensionless factors for an alternating-current non-thermal arc plasma
Authors: Zhang Si-Yuan , Li Xiao-Song , Liu Jin-Bao , Liu Jing-Lin , Li He-Ping , Zhu Ai-Min
Published: December 2016

A gliding arc discharge, as a source of warm plasma combining advantages of both thermal and cold plasmas, would have promising application prospects in the fields of fuel conversion, combustion enhancement, material synthesis, surface modifications, pollution control, etc. In order to gain insight into the features of an alternating-current gliding arc discharge plasma, three dimensionless factors, i.e., the extinction span (ψ), current lag (δ), and heating lag (χ) factors are proposed in this letter based on the measured waveforms of the discharge voltage and current in an AC gliding arc discharge plasma. The influences of the driving frequency of the power supply (f) on these three dimensionless parameters are investigated experimentally with the explanations on the physical meanings of these factors. The experimental results show that a higher value of f would lead to the lower values of ψ and δ, as well as a higher value of χ. These experimental phenomena indicate a lower threshold ignition voltage of the discharges, a lower current-growth inertia of the gliding arcs and a larger relative thermal inertia of the plasmas with increase the driving frequency of the power supply in the operating parameter range studied in this letter.
A genetic, demographic and habitat evaluation of an endangered ephemeral species Xerothamnella herbacea from Australia’s Brigalow belt
Authors: Shapcott Alison , Lamont Robert W. , Conroy Gabriel , James Heather E. , Shimizu-Kimura Yoko
Published: December 2016

Little remains of the Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla F.Muell. ex Benth.) woodlands of Australia, primarily due to land clearing for grazing and agriculture. Many threatened species in this region are poorly studied, and the life history traits of some herbaceous species such as ephemeral shoot systems, mean that conservation assessments are difficult. Recent gas pipeline developments have led to an increased need to understand the ecology and genetics of such taxa, in order to advise offset and translocation activities. Xerothamnella herbacea R.Baker is an endangered ephemeral herbaceous species from the Brigalow Belt region, which dies back during prolonged dry conditions. The aim of this study was to map the extent of potentially suitable habitat of this species, including determination of population extent within existing protected area estate. The species population sizes, reproductive activity and evidence of clonal spread, as well as the levels of genetic diversity and inbreeding, across the species range were also assessed to provide guidance for potential translocation and offsetting programs. The genetic results were related to the species suitable habitat distribution to test whether historic or recent habitat fragmentation most explains genetic patterns in this species. Most of the populations of this species were found to be small with less than 100 plants. The species appears not to be limited by its reproductive output, suggesting other factors may limit its abundance. The species populations have moderate to low genetic diversity suggesting the species is genetically viable in the medium term but are inbred which may be partially due to vegetative spread. Geographic proximity does not predict genetic similarity of populations and diversity is not correlated with population size. The results indicate potential translocation or offsetting programs need to account for genetic relationships in their planning. Resprouting ability has potentially assisted the species to slow the pace of genetic diversity loss due to anthropogenic fragmentation.
Microbial competition in porous environments can select against rapid biofilm growth
Authors: Coyte Katharine Z. , Tabuteau Hervé , Gaffney Eamonn A. , Foster Kevin R. , Durham William M.
Published: December 2016

Significance

The overwhelming majority of bacteria live in porous environments, like soil, aquifers, and sediments, where they facilitate many important processes. Despite their importance, we understand little about how these complex environments shape the composition of the microbial communities that live within them. Here, we combine two diverse bodies of theory—fluid dynamics and game theory—to shed light on how bacteria evolve in these habitats. We show that bacteria in porous environments face a fundamental dilemma: they rely on flow for nutrients and dispersal; however, as cells grow, they tend to reduce their access to flow. A fast growing strain can, therefore, choke off its own nutrient supply, diverting it instead to competitors. In contrast with classical theory, our results suggest that cells within a biofilm can obtain a competitive advantage by growing more slowly.
Generalization of prior information for rapid Bayesian time estimation
Authors: Roach Neil W. , McGraw Paul V. , Whitaker David J. , Heron James
Published: December 2016

Significance

When sensory information is uncertain, humans rely on prior knowledge of the environment when making perceptual judgments and planning actions. Humans can rapidly learn new priors, but the rules governing how recent experiences are grouped together are unknown. Here, we show that observers initially form single priors by generalizing across distinct sensory signals but form multiple priors when they are coupled with different motor outputs. Thus, our results reveal that internal models of temporal statistics are initially organized not according to the nature of the sensory input but according to the way on which it is acted.
Structure of phosphorylated UBL domain and insights into PINK1-orchestrated parkin activation
Authors: Aguirre Jacob D. , Dunkerley Karen M. , Mercier Pascal , Shaw Gary S.
Published: December 2016

Significance

Parkinson’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that can be inherited through mutations in genes encoding the kinase PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) or the ubiquitin ligase parkin. Parkin exhibits neuroprotective properties by ubiquitinating proteins on damaged mitochondria, leading to their turnover. However, parkin exists in an inactive state that must be alleviated by PINK1 phosphorylation. Therefore, the molecular interpretation of the phosphorylation signal is immensely valuable to our understanding of parkin’s role in mitochondrial maintenance and neuronal fidelity. We present the 3D structure of the phosphorylated inhibitory domain of parkin and describe the structural changes that lead to activation of the enzyme. Alongside the available phosphoubiquitin structure, this study completes a structural picture of PINK1-orchestrated parkin activation in impaired mitochondria.
Liana
Authors: Batoni I. , Henning R. , Lehmann H. , Schirmer B. , Zoeppritz M.
Published: December 2016

LIANA is a question answering system in PL/1. The program takes German natural language input and, by morphological, syntactic and semantic analysis, creates a representation of the text, which is stored and can be accessed for retrieval purposes.

All individuals (objects) mentioned in the sentence are found and stored. In continuous text, therefore, information about individuals can be piled up successively.

LIANA uses the programming concept of the Boston Syntax Analyzer. Therefore, the output of syntactic analysis is a tree structure, simulated through pointers which connect the nodes in the tree. Each node is associated with a feature table which is operated on by the semantic interpretation. Node and feature handling is facilitated by a set of macros for adding, erasing, and checking features and copying, deleting, and inserting nodes.
Subjectivite Dans L'Evaluation Analytique De L'Expression Orale Libre
Authors: Knibbeler Wil
Published: December 2016

Pour évaluer les résultats d'épreuves d'expression orale libre, on peut procéder selon deux méthodes différentes : la méthode globale impressioniste ou la méthode analytique. La méthode globale est le plus souvent utilisée pour des raisons d'ordre pratique. En revanche, la méthode analytique, qui est fondée sur une analyse détaillée des performances, nous permet non seulement d'avoir des données plus concrètes concernant la compétence de nos étudiants, mais aussi de définir plus précisément la zone de la subjectivité des correcteurs. Cette subjectivité s'avère être toujours un des problèmes pri-mordiaux dans l'évaluation de l'expression linguistique. Pour que les avantages de la méthode analytique soient pleinement réalisés, il faut que les performances orales soient trans-crites et que cette transcription soit faite d'après un système nettement défini, où les problèmes de l'interprétation des performances, de la reconstruction et de l'identification des fautes soient formellement explicités. Pour satisfaire à ces exigences, il vaut mieux avoir recours à un algorithme de correction. Cet algorithme nous permet en même temps de mieux préciser les points où la subjectivité joue un rôle dans l'ap-préciation des correcteurs.

L'auteur se propose de présenter un algorithme de correction qui a été élaboré à l'Université Catholique de Nimègue (Hollande) et d'analyser de quelle façon 5 correcteurs ont utilisé cet algorithme.
Creolizing translation
Authors: Sofo Giuseppe
Published: December 2016

This article is a study of the proximity between the processes of creolization and translation, which share the opportunity of bringing our languages, our cultures and our literatures to a creative encounter. After a discussion of all the meanings these terms carry, the article will focus on two works by Derek Walcott: his rewriting of Tirso De Molina’sEl burlador de Sevilla, and his unpublished translation of Aimé Césaire’sCahier d’un retour au pays natal, to understand what directions these works have taken through Walcott’s intervention. Looking at these two different kinds of adaptation, I will try to reach a new understanding of creolized and creolizing translation. This kind of translations could in fact serve as maps to allow readers to orientate in the original text, and to bring it further, to unpredictable destinations, rather than simply reproducing a copy of the original in another language.
Introduction to Healthcare for Japanese-speaking Interpreters and Translators
Authors: Crezee Ineke H.M. , Asano Teruko
Published: December 2016

This book is based on the very popular international publication (Crezee, 2013) and has been supplemented with Japanese glossaries. Just like the 2013 textbook, this practical resource will allow interpreters and translators to quickly read up on healthcare settings, familiarizing themselves with anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and frequently encountered conditions, diagnostic tests and treatment options.

This is an exceptionally useful and easily accessible handbook, in particular for English-speaking patients, Japanese-speaking doctors, first-language Japanese-speaking students in healthcare related programs.

This book includes a special chapter on Japan’s shifting social structure and the hierarchies which exist within its medical system and gives concrete examples of patient expectations for hospital stays and physician visits. A further special chapter describes the Japanese insurance system and related regulations in a comprehensive fashion, also discussing standards of third party accreditation. Also included is information regarding the establishment of the Aichi Medical Interpretation System, the first of its kind in Japan, which was launched thanks to the combined efforts of local municipal communities, healthcare organizations and universities in the Aichi Prefecture.
Introduction.
Authors: Hall S. , Dolling L. , Bristow K. , Fuller T. , Mills D.
Published: December 2016

This chapter introduces the report, which describes the animal and human health costs and benefits impact of pets in the UK.
Key features of the Council for Science and Society (CSS) report 1988.
Authors: Hall S. , Dolling L. , Bristow K. , Fuller T. , Mills D.
Published: December 2016

This chapter describes the extent and economic significance of the pet-keeping phenomenon, benefits of pet ownership and associated problems of pet ownership in the UK based on the Council for Science and Society (CSS) report 1988.
Indirect costs: extending the scope of economic value.
Authors: Hall S. , Dolling L. , Bristow K. , Fuller T. , Mills D.
Published: December 2016

This chapter describes two areas that show the significance of indirect costs associated with companion animals: (i) the effect of companion animal ownership on human health (considering examples relating to the physical, mental and social health of people) and its economic implications and (ii) the additional health benefits of economic value provided by animal-assisted interventions and the wider support of individuals with increased need in UK society.