bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric cross- and self-aldol reactions of aldehydes in water with a polystyrene-supported triazolylproline organocatalyst
Authors: Llanes Patricia , Sayalero Sonia , Rodríguez-Escrich Carles , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: May 2016

A PS-immobilized triazolylproline prepared by co-polymerization with full regiocontrol swells in water and catalyzes the enantioselective cross-aldol reaction and the self-aldol reaction of aldehydes under essentially neat conditions with excellent stereocontrol.
Enantioselective polyene cyclizations
Authors: Ungarean Chad N. , Southgate Emma H. , Sarlah David
Published: May 2016

A comprehensive review covering the field of enantioselective polyene cyclizations.
Regioselective oxidation of unprotected 1,4 linked glucans
Authors: Eisink Niek N. H. M. , Lohse Jonas , Witte Martin D. , Minnaard Adriaan J.
Published: May 2016

Palladium-catalyzed alcohol oxidation allows the chemo- and regioselective modification of unprotected 1,4 linked glucans, shown here for 3-keto heptamaltoside azide.
Protein ubiquitination via dehydroalanine: development and insights into the diastereoselective 1,4-addition step
Authors: Meledin Roman , Mali Sachitanand M. , Singh Sumeet K. , Brik Ashraf
Published: May 2016

We report a strategy for site-specific protein ubiquitination using dehydroalanine (Dha) chemistry for the preparation of ubiquitin conjugates bearing a very close mimic of the native isopeptide bond.
2p–3d–4f hetero-tri-spin molecule-based magnetic compounds
Authors: Zhu Mei , Li Licun , Sutter Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2016

The most up-to-date advances in the design and synthesis of molecular magnetic materials by means of a 2p–3d–4f strategy are reviewed.
Synthesis and catalytic performance of ruthenium complexes ligated with rigid o-(diphenylphosphino)aniline for chemoselective hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate
Authors: Fang Xiaolong , Zhang Chunyan , Chen Jin , Zhu Hongping , Yuan Youzhu
Published: May 2016

New ruthenium complexes with rigid ligand o-(diphenylphosphino)aniline exhibit excellent performance in chemoselective hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to methyl glycolate.
The importance of covalent coupling in the synthesis of high performance composite anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zeb Gul , Gaskell Peter , Kim Young Nam , Jalani Ghulam , Xiao Xingcheng , Szkopek Thomas , Cerruti Marta
Published: May 2016

We present a direct comparison between identical electrostatically and covalently assembled Si–graphene composites for lithium ion battery anodes.
Identification of key umami-related compounds in Yangtze Coilia ectenes by combining electronic tongue analysis with sensory evaluation
Authors: Gong Jun , Shen Hui , Zheng Jin-yuan , Tao Ning-ping , Gu Sai-qi , Huang Yaowen , Wang Mingfu
Published: May 2016

The smaller the euclidean distance of two samples in PCA map, the more similar their tastes were. The closest in euclidean distance of the five basic tastes from the flesh samples were NaCl and MSG, which means that umami and saltiness are the primary sensory attributes.
Effect of RGO/ZnxCd1−xS crystalline phase on solar photoactivation processes
Authors: Moradlou Omran , Tedadi Neda , Banazadeh Alireza , Naseri Naimeh
Published: May 2016

Crystal phase transition from cubic phase in RGO/Zn0.9Cd0.1S to hexagonal wurtzite phase in RGO/Zn0.8Cd0.2S occurs and the crystalline phase is the main factor influencing the photoresponsivity of RGO/ZnxCd1−xS under visible light irradiation.
Bimetallic Ag–Cu alloy nanoparticles as a highly active catalyst for the enamination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Rout Lipeeka , Kumar Aniket , Dhaka Rajendra S. , Dash Priyabrat
Published: May 2016

Bimetallic Ag–Cu alloy nanoparticles were obtained via a simple co-reduction method, which exhibited significantly improved activity for the synthesis of β-enaminones and β-enaminoesters compared with their monometallic counterparts.
Ternary covalent conjugate (antibody–gold nanoparticle–peroxidase) for signal enhancement in enzyme immunoassay
Authors: Vdovenko M. M. , Byzova N. A. , Zherdev A. V. , Dzantiev B. B. , Sakharov I. Yu.
Published: May 2016

A synthesis of a new horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and antibody covalently bound with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with a high enzyme content was first developed.
Novel folate-targeted paclitaxel nanoparticles for tumor targeting: preparation, characterization, and efficacy
Authors: Han M. H. , Zheng H. , Guo Y. F. , Wang Y. H. , Qi X. Y. , Wang X. T.
Published: May 2016

To improve tumor targeting of anticancer drugs has recently been the focus of a great deal of research.
Sorbitol dehydration into isosorbide over a cellulose-derived solid acid catalyst
Authors: Zou Jie , Cao Dong , Tao Weitong , Zhang Shaoyin , Cui Li , Zeng Fanli , Cai Weijie
Published: May 2016

The dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide over an environmentally benign cellulose-derived solid acid catalyst (CCS) has been investigated in order to develop a sustainable process for isosorbide production.
Visible light triggered, catalyst free approach for the synthesis of thiazoles and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles in EtOH : H2O green medium
Authors: Mishra Anu , Srivastava Madhulika , Rai Pratibha , Yadav Snehlata , Tripathi Bhartendu Pati , Singh Jaya , Singh Jagdamba
Published: May 2016

A catalyst free visible light assisted synthesis of thiazoles and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles in EtOH : H2O green medium.
Facile fabrication of shape memory poly(ε-caprolactone) non-woven mat by combining electrospinning and sol–gel reaction
Authors: Merlettini Andrea , Pandini Stefano , Agnelli Silvia , Gualandi Chiara , Paderni Katia , Messori Massimo , Toselli Maurizio , Focarete Maria Letizia
Published: May 2016

A smart combination of electrospinning and sol–gel reaction enabled to develop crosslinked poly(ε-caprolactone) fibrous mats showing excellent shape memory properties.
Competition and compromise between discotic and calamitic mesogens in triphenylene and azobenzene based shape-amphiphilic liquid crystals
Authors: Pan Shi , Mu Bin , Zhou Yang , Li Qian , Wu Bin , Fang Jianglin , Chen Dongzhong
Published: May 2016

Nirvana Phoenix: a shot showing the transformation from dendritic to focal conic fan-shaped POM texture of different type of lamello-columnar mesophases of a typical disc-rod hybrid dimer TP6–AZO6 reminiscent of the sacred scene of nirvana phoenix.
HD DVD substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis: fabrication, theoretical predictions and practical performance
Authors: Radu A. I. , Ussembayev Ye. Ye. , Jahn M. , Schubert U. S. , Weber K. , Cialla-May D. , Hoeppener S. , Heisterkamp A. , Popp J.
Published: May 2016

Commercially available HD-DVD templates have been used to theoretically predict the occurrence of surface plasmons supermodes which improve the detection of surface enhanced Raman signals.
Dimeric binding of plant alkaloid ellipticine to human serum proteins
Authors: Zsila Ferenc , Beke-Somfai Tamás
Published: May 2016

Induced exciton circular dichroism signals reveal the accommodation of a pair of ellipticine molecules to the subdomain IB of human serum albumin and the β-barrel of α1-acid glycoprotein.
Stability studies of ionic liquid [EMIm][NTf2] under short-term thermal exposure
Authors: Neise Christin , Rautenberg Christine , Bentrup Ursula , Beck Martin , Ahrenberg Mathias , Schick Christoph , Keßler Olaf , Kragl Udo
Published: May 2016

Mass spectrometer coupled TG analysis was used to identify decomposition products of thermally highly stressed ionic liquids.
Large scale and cost effective generation of 3D self-supporting oxide nanowire architectures by a top-down and bottom-up combined approach
Authors: Fan Peixun , Zhong Minlin , Bai Benfeng , Jin Guofan , Zhang Hongjun
Published: May 2016

Large-scale and cost-effective generation of desired 3D self-supporting macro–micronano-nanowire architectures is realized by a top-down and bottom-up combined approach.
The influence of the carbohydrate anomeric linkage on the free radical scavenging activity of enzymatically-synthesized phenolic glycosides
Authors: González-Ríos Jorge A. , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Medina-Campos Omar N. , Reina Miguel , Romero Yanet , Martínez Ana , López-Munguía Agustín , Castillo Edmundo
Published: May 2016

Phenolic glycosides, widely recognized for their nutraceutical properties exist in nature as α- and β-glycosides.
Electrospinning of polymer-free cyclodextrin/geraniol–inclusion complex nanofibers: enhanced shelf-life of geraniol with antibacterial and antioxidant properties
Authors: Aytac Zeynep , Yildiz Zehra Irem , Kayaci-Senirmak Fatma , San Keskin Nalan Oya , Tekinay Turgay , Uyar Tamer
Published: May 2016

Free-standing nanofibrous webs of cyclodextrin/geraniol–inclusion complex (CD/geraniol–IC-NF) showing antibacterial, antioxidant activity and slow release of geraniol were developed as flavour/fragrance releasing materialsviaelectrospinning.
A diols-responsive triple-component supra-amphiphile constructed from pillar[5]arene-based recognition
Authors: Hua Bin , Shao Li , Zhou Jiong , Yu Guocan
Published: May 2016

A triple-component supra-amphiphile is constructed from dynamic covalent chemistry and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest recognition. The diol-responsive self-assembly of this ternary supra-amphiphile is investigated in aqueous solution.
Facile one-step and high-yield synthesis of few-layered and hierarchically porous boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Zheng Mingtao , Dong Hanwu , Xiao Yong , Liu Shuting , Hu Hang , Liang Yeru , Sun Luyi , Liu Yingliang
Published: May 2016

Few-layered and hierarchically porous BNNSs high and tuneable H2 uptakes were prepared via a facile simultaneous etching and in situ nitridation method, in which metallic hexaboride (e.g., CaB6) and ammonium chloride were employed as raw materials.
A green adsorbent derived from banana peel for highly effective removal of heavy metal ions from water
Authors: Li Yingchun , Liu Jiang , Yuan Qunhui , Tang Hui , Yu Feng , Lv Xin
Published: May 2016

A novel carbon foam (CF) was preparedviaphysically activating banana peel and applied for adsorbing various heavy metal ions including Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+and Cr6+in aqueous solution.
Improved performance of a MnO2@PANI nanocomposite synthesized on 3D graphene as a binder free electrode for supercapacitors
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Tan Yi , Pan Lujun , Li Jiayan , Rashad Muhammad , Fu Xin , Cui Ruixue , Usman Muhammad
Published: May 2016

The SC of the nanocomposite electrode increases from 809 to 1369 F g−1 at 3 A g−1 current density with CD cycles up to 1500. This could be due to penetration of electrolyte deep into electrode active material, resulting deep redox reactions.
Ultrafast dynamics of formation and autodetachment of a dipole-bound state in an open-shell π-stacked dimer anion
Authors: Bull James N. , West Christopher W. , Verlet Jan R. R.
Published: May 2016

Formation and mode-specific autodetachment from a dipole-bound state in a radical anion dimer is observed in the frequency and time-domains.
“Flash” preparation of strongly coupled metal nanoparticle clusters with sub-nm gaps by Ag+soldering: toward effective plasmonic tuning of solution-assembled nanomaterials
Authors: Liu Miao , Fang Lingling , Li Yulin , Gong Ming , Xu An , Deng Zhaoxiang
Published: May 2016

An Ag+soldering strategy is developed to achieve strongly coupled nanoparticle clusters for plasmonic and surface enhanced Raman scattering applications.
From solid to core@shell to hollow Pt–Ag nanocrystals: thermally controlled surface segregation to enhance catalytic activity and durability
Authors: Chen Shutang , Thota Sravan , Wang Xudong , Zhao Jing
Published: May 2016

Hollow bimetallic nanostructures exhibit increased durability and utilization efficiency compared to their solid counterparts, and therefore have become promising new candidates for catalytic applications.
Fabrication of nickel oxyhydroxide/palladium (NiOOH/Pd) thin films for gasochromic application
Authors: Hu Chih-Wei , Yamada Yasusei , Yoshimura Kazuki
Published: May 2016

NiOOH/Pd thin films were prepared by a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method, electrochemical CV treatment and sputtering. The novel gasochromic phenomenon of NiOOH/Pd thin films is presented in (a) UV-vis spectra before and after exposure to H2, and (b) the images of thin films before (left) and after (right) exposure to H2 are shown.
Physical and functional interactions between the serotonin transporter and the neutral amino acid transporter ASCT2
Authors: Seyer Pascal , Vandermoere Franck , Cassier Elisabeth , Bockaert Joël , Marin Philippe
Published: May 2016

The activity of serotonergic systems depends on the reuptake of extracellular serotonin via its plasma membrane serotonin [5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine)] transporter (SERT), a member of the Na+/Cl−-dependent solute carrier 6 family. SERT is finely regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms including its physical interaction with intracellular proteins. The majority of previously identified SERT partners that control its functional activity are soluble proteins, which bind to its intracellular domains. SERT also interacts with transmembrane proteins, but its association with other plasma membrane transporters remains to be established. Using a proteomics strategy, we show that SERT associates with ASCT2 (alanine–serine–cysteine–threonine 2), a member of the solute carrier 1 family co-expressed with SERT in serotonergic neurons and involved in the transport of small neutral amino acids across the plasma membrane. Co-expression of ASCT2 with SERT in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells affects glycosylation and cell-surface localization of SERT with a concomitant reduction in its 5-HT uptake activity. Conversely, depletion of cellular ASCT2 by RNAi enhances 5-HT uptake in both HEK-293 cells and primary cultured mesencephalon neurons. Mimicking the effect of ASCT2 down-regulation, treatment of HEK-293 cells and neurons with the ASCT2 inhibitor D-threonine also increases 5-HT uptake. Moreover, D-threonine does not enhance further the maximal velocity of 5-HT uptake in cells depleted of ASCT2. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for a complex assembly involving SERT and a member of another solute carrier family, which strongly influences the subcellular distribution of SERT and the reuptake of 5-HT.
Study of deep brain stimulation lead resonant length in 3.0 T MRI RF magnetic field
Authors: Mo Xiaolong , Jiang Changqing , Ding Jianqi , Zhang Feng , Li Luming
Published: May 2016

RF induced heating is a major concern when active implantable medical devices such as deep brain stimulation devices are present in MRI. The lead resonant length is an important factor as the heating would increase severely when the lead resonates with the RF field. Numerical simulations and in vitro tests were carried out to study the relationship between the lead design and the resonant length in 3.0 T MRI. It was found that the electrical conductivity of the conductor had little influence on lead resonant length, while the insulation thickness, the insulation relative electric permittivity, and the shape and structure of conductor had significant impact. A positive correlation between lead resonant length and heating magnitude were observed.
Linear X‐band GaN HEMT transformer‐based Doherty power amplifier
Authors: Lee S.‐Y. , Woo J. , Park S. , Kwon Y.
Published: May 2016

An X‐band gallium‐nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT) transformer‐based Doherty power amplifier (TBD PA) module with a phase lineariser has been developed. The TBD PA uses Cree's 6 W GaN HEMT bare die and realised in seven‐layer PCB. The proposed lineariser is employed before the TBD PA to compensate the phase distortion during the Doherty operation. The implemented TBD PA with 9.56 GHz continuous wave test shows a 38.5% power‐added efficiency at 39.6 dBm output power. Linearity characterisation is also performed using 40 MHz bandwidth, two carriers aggregated long‐term evolution‐advanced signal and shows −35.4 dBc carrier aggregation evolved‐universal terrestrial radio access adjacent channel leakage power ratio which is 7 dB enhanced after phase compensation.
Numerical synthesis of tri‐reflector CATR with high cross‐polarisation isolation
Authors: Yang Cheng , Yu Junsheng , Yao Yuan , Liu Xiaoming , Chen Xiaodong
Published: May 2016

In this Letter, a tri‐reflector compact antenna test range (CATR) with a paraboloidal main reflector and two shaped sub‐reflectors is synthesised by the kinematic and dynamic ray tracing method, while the high cross‐polarisation isolation is achieved through the proposed system geometry. Numerical simulations by general responsibility assignment software patterns demonstrate that a cross‐polarisation isolation >40 dB and a peak‐to‐peak amplitude (phase) ripple <1 dB (10°) can be achieved on the principal cuts of the designed quiet zone at 90–325 GHz. This clearly shows that the high cross‐polarisation isolation in such a tri‐reflector CATR can be achieved by the proposed antenna geometry without depolarisation control in the shaping procedure.
Electrical characterisation of epitaxial AlN/Nb2N heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Downey B.P. , Katzer D.S. , Nepal N. , Meyer D.J. , Storm D.F. , Wheeler V.D. , Hardy M.T.
Published: May 2016

Initial electrical characterisation of epitaxial AlN/Nb2N heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on 6H‐SiC substrates is presented. Metal–insulator–metal (MIM) devices of varying diameter were used for current–voltage and capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements at various temperatures. From C–V measurements, a dielectric constant of 10.1 was extracted along with a linear dependence of capacitance on temperature of 0.02 nF/cm2/°C. Leakage current was determined to be consistent with a Poole–Frenkel conduction mechanism at electric fields >1.25 MV/cm with an extracted trap ionisation energy of 0.82 eV. Electric field breakdown ranged between 3.4 and 5.6 MV/cm with some dependence on the diameter of the MIM device. These initial findings demonstrate the potential for high‐power devices based on AlN.
Design and optimisation method for ultra‐low‐power ZigBee receiver front‐end
Authors: Wang Zengqi , Li Zhiqun , Cheng Guoxiao , Luo Lei , Gao Yuwenyuan
Published: May 2016

An ultra‐low‐power (ULP) CMOS full‐band (780/868/915/2400 MHz) ZigBee receiver front‐end is presented. The front‐end consists of a wideband common‐gate LNA and an I/Q current‐commutating mixer. Current reuse and active trans‐conductance (gm) boosting techniques are utilised in this design. Details on design and optimisation method for the proposed ULP receiver front‐end are provided. Measurement results for 180 nm RF CMOS implementation show the front‐end has a conversion gain of 25.2 dB at sub‐GHz bands and 17.5 dB at 2.4 GHz band. The minimum noise figure at sub‐GHz bands is 7.3 dB. The receiver front‐end consumes only 0.826 mA from a 1.0 V DC supply and the size of the core circuit is 0.052 mm2.
21.5 dBm‐IIP3 22.5 MHz fourth‐order follow‐the‐leader‐feedback analogue filter
Authors: De Matteis M. , Pezzotta A. , Pipino A. , Baschirotto A. , D'Amico S.
Published: May 2016

A 4th‐order single‐loop follow‐the‐leader‐feedback (FLFB) low‐pass continuous‐time filter in CMOS 0.18 µm is hereby presented. The outstanding FLFB noise behaviour is exploited to allocate the power consumption to linearity performance. The low‐pass filter prototype features 22.5 MHz−3 dB frequency, 21.5 dBm‐IIP3 and 76 µVRMS input referred in‐band integrated noise. The overall power consumption is 7 mA from a 1.8 V supply voltage. The signal‐to‐noise ratio for a −40 dB‐total harmonic distortion is 69 dB.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Pediatric Critical Care
Authors: Amrein Karin , McNally J.
Published: May 2016

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a well-established cause of pediatric bone and muscle disease. In addition, a role has been recognized for vitamin D in the health and stress response of other organs, including the cardiovascular, immune, and respiratory systems. As these organs are central to the development of and recovery from critical illness, VDD has been hypothesized to be a modifiable risk factor for ICU outcome. Over the past 5 years, a growing number of adult and pediatric critical care studies have investigated the prevalence of VDD and its association with illness severity and outcome. The adult studies have recently been synthesized in systematic reviews, with results that convincingly suggest the need for trials to determine whether optimization of vitamin D status improves outcome. In contrast, the pediatric ICU and related literature has not been similarly synthesized. The goal of this review is to describe vitamin D metabolism, known biological mechanisms, potential role in pathophysiology, and summarize the available pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) studies reporting on prevalence of VDD deficiency and its association with outcome. The problems with currently approved supplementation approaches and alternative strategies are discussed, including evidence from available RCTs in adult ICU. Altogether the results suggest that critically ill children are at risk for VDD, and that VDD appears to be associated with a worse clinical course. Clinical trials evaluating novel approaches to testing for and supplementing vitamin D require exploration.
Rule of Rescue vs. Rettung statistischer Leben
Authors: Lübbe W.
Published: May 2016

Stand der Debatte: Das Stichwort „Rule of Rescue“ bezeichnet die Praxis, dass zur Rettung akut bedrohter Menschenleben hohe Kosten nicht gescheut werden – auch ungeachtet dessen, dass bei alternativem Einsatz der Mittel sehr viel mehr Leben gerettet werden könnten. Priorisierungstheoretiker haben sich diese Praxis schwer erklären können und sie vielfach kritisch kommentiert. Bei der Einführung des Stichworts in die gesundheitspolitische Diskussion stand im Blick auf die fehlende Opportunitätskostenorientierung der Vorwurf der Irrationalität im Vordergrund. Jüngere Beiträge tragen der inzwischen verbreiteten Gegnerschaft gegen rein effizienzorientierte Priorisierungsansätze Rechnung und stellen ein Gerechtigkeitsargument in den Vordergrund: Die Regel diskriminiere statistische Leben.

Absicht: Der vorliegende Beitrag bietet eine kritische Analyse beider Vorwürfe.

Ergebnis: Es werden folgende Thesen vertreten: 1. Der Diskriminierungsvorwurf ist unbegründet; 2. die Praxis ist, auf den gesundheitlichen Nutzen bezogen, ineffizient, aber sie ist nicht irrational; 3. die Vorwürfe beruhen auf Mängeln in der handlungstheoretischen Begrifflichkeit der am Diskurs beteiligten Autoren.
Grazing incidence off Rowland spectrometer with shifted slit
Authors: Antsiferov P. S. , Dorokhin L. A. , Krainov P. V.
Published: May 2016

The article presents the analysis of the scheme of grazing incidence spectrometer with the normal to the line of site registration of the spectrum. The scheme is intended for the usage of the micro channel plate assembly as a spectrum detector. The main feature is the displacement of the entrance slit from the Rowland circle. The results of the experimental test of the spectral resolution (λ/δλ around 200) are presented and compared with the theoretical estimations.
Experimental investigations of ablation stream interaction dynamics in tungsten wire arrays: Interpenetration, magnetic field advection, and ion deflection
Authors: Swadling G. F. , Lebedev S. V. , Hall G. N. , Suzuki-Vidal F. , Burdiak G. C. , Pickworth L. , De Grouchy P. , Skidmore J. , Khoory E. , Suttle L. , Bennett M. , Hare J. D. , Clayson T. , Bland S. N. , Smith R. A. , Stuart N. H. , Patankar S. , Robinson T. S. , Harvey-Thompson A. J. , Rozmus W. , Yuan J. , Sheng L.
Published: May 2016

Experiments have been carried out to investigate the collisional dynamics of ablation streams produced by cylindrical wire array z-pinches. A combination of laser interferometric imaging, Thomson scattering, and Faraday rotation imaging has been used to make a range of measurements of the temporal evolution of various plasma and flow parameters. This paper presents a summary of previously published data, drawing together a range of different measurements in order to give an overview of the key results. The paper focuses mainly on the results of experiments with tungsten wire arrays. Early interferometric imaging measurements are reviewed, then more recent Thomson scattering measurements are discussed; these measurements provided the first direct evidence of ablation stream interpenetration in a wire array experiment. Combining the data from these experiments gives a view of the temporal evolution of the tungsten stream collisional dynamics. In the final part of the paper, we present new experimental measurements made using an imaging Faraday rotation diagnostic. These experiments investigated the structure of magnetic fields near the array axis directly; the presence of a magnetic field has previously been inferred based on Thomson scattering measurements of ion deflection near the array axis. Although the Thomson and Faraday measurements are not in full quantitative agreement, the Faraday data do qualitatively supports the conjecture that the observed deflections are induced by a static toroidal magnetic field, which has been advected to the array axis by the ablation streams. It is likely that detailed modeling will be needed in order to fully understand the dynamics observed in the experiment.
Design of single-phase driven screw-thread-type ultrasonic motor
Authors: Chang Lien-Kai , Tsai Mi-Ching
Published: May 2016

Most screw-thread-type ultrasonic motors are designed to be two-phase driven. This paper aims to present a novel single phase driven design that generates the required wobble motion, thus significantly simplifying the driving circuit of the ultrasonic motor. The proposed single-phase driven screw-thread-type ultrasonic motor works with two orthogonal bending modes generated by an asymmetric stator design. The novel stator design can improve the vibration displacement and further enhance the performance of the single phase driven motor. The vibration characteristics of the asymmetric stator structure were analyzed by ANSYS finite element analysis software. Based on the design and analysis processes, a prototype of the desired screw-thread-type ultrasonic motor was fabricated and tested. When the operating voltage is 200 Vpp, the obtained main characteristics of the proposed motor are as follows: the working frequency is between 28.3 and 29.5 kHz; the maximum no-load velocity is approximately 4.1 mm s−1; and the thrust force is 1.6 N.
Reactive Monte Carlo sampling with an ab initio potential
Authors: Leiding Jeff , Coe Joshua D.
Published: May 2016

We present the first application of reactive Monte Carlo in a first-principles context. The algorithm samples in a modified NVT ensemble in which the volume, temperature, and total number of atoms of a given type are held fixed, but molecular composition is allowed to evolve through stochastic variation of chemical connectivity. We discuss general features of the method, as well as techniques needed to enhance the efficiency of Boltzmann sampling. Finally, we compare the results of simulation of NH3 to those of ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). We find that there are regions of state space for which RxMC sampling is much more efficient than AIMD due to the “rare-event” character of chemical reactions.
Measurements of fluid viscosity using a miniature ball drop device
Authors: Tang Jay X.
Published: May 2016

This paper describes measurement of fluid viscosity using a small ball drop device. It requires as little as 100 μl of fluid. Each measurement can be performed in seconds. The experiment is designed to yield reliable viscosity values by operating at properly chosen tilt angles and with calibration using well-characterized Newtonian fluids such as mixtures of glycerol and water. It also yields dynamical viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids at moderate shear rates. The device is easy to assemble and it allows for the measurement of viscosity even when the fluid samples are too small to measure using most commercial viscometers or rheometers. Therefore, the technique is particularly useful in characterizing biological fluids such as solutions of proteins, DNA, and polymers frequently used in biomaterial applications.
An X-band waveguide measurement technique for the accurate characterization of materials with low dielectric loss permittivity
Authors: Allen Kenneth W. , Scott Mark M. , Reid David R. , Bean Jeffrey A. , Ellis Jeremy D. , Morris Andrew P. , Marsh Jeramy M.
Published: May 2016

In this work, we present a new X-band waveguide (WR90) measurement method that permits the broadband characterization of the complex permittivity for low dielectric loss tangent material specimens with improved accuracy. An electrically long polypropylene specimen that partially fills the cross-section is inserted into the waveguide and the transmitted scattering parameter (S21) is measured. The extraction method relies on computational electromagnetic simulations, coupled with a genetic algorithm, to match the experimental S21 measurement. The sensitivity of the technique to sample length was explored by simulating specimen lengths from 2.54 to 15.24 cm, in 2.54 cm increments. Analysis of our simulated data predicts the technique will have the sensitivity to measure loss tangent values on the order of 10−3 for materials such as polymers with relatively low real permittivity values. The ability to accurately characterize low-loss dielectric material specimens of polypropylene is demonstrated experimentally. The method was validated by excellent agreement with a free-space focused-beam system measurement of a polypropylene sheet. This technique provides the material measurement community with the ability to accurately extract material properties of low-loss material specimen over the entire X-band range. This technique could easily be extended to other frequency bands.
Three-dimensional modeling of direct-drive cryogenic implosions on OMEGA
Authors: Igumenshchev I. V. , Goncharov V. N. , Marshall F. J. , Knauer J. P. , Campbell E. M. , Forrest C. J. , Froula D. H. , Glebov V. Yu. , McCrory R. L. , Regan S. P. , Sangster T. C. , Skupsky S. , Stoeckl C.
Published: May 2016

The effects of large-scale (with Legendre modes ≲10) laser-imposed nonuniformities in direct-drive cryogenic implosions on the OMEGA Laser System are investigated using three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations performed using the newly developed code ASTER. Sources of these nonuniformities include an illumination pattern produced by 60 OMEGA laser beams, capsule offsets (∼10–20 μm), and imperfect pointing, power balance, and timing of the beams (with typical σrms∼10 μm, 10%, and 5 ps, respectively). Two implosion designs using 26-kJ triple-picket laser pulses were studied: a nominal design, in which an 874-μm-diameter capsule is illuminated by about the same-diameter beams, and a more hydrodynamically efficient “R75” design using a 900-μm-diameter capsule and beams of 75% of this diameter. Simulations show that nonuniformities caused by capsule offsets and beam imbalance have the largest effect on implosion performance. These nonuniformities lead to significant distortions of implosion cores, resulting in an increased residual kinetic energy and incomplete stagnation. The shape of distorted cores can be well characterized using neutron images but is less represented by 4–8 keV x-ray images. Simulated neutron spectra from perturbed implosions show large directional variations because of bulk motion effects and up to an ∼2 keV variation of the hot-spot temperature inferred from these spectra. The R75 design suffers more from illumination nonuniformities. Simulations show an advantage of this design over the nominal design when the target offset and beam power imbalance σrms are reduced to less than 5 μm and 5%, respectively.
KLL dielectronic recombination resonant strengths of He-like up to O-like tungsten ions
Authors: Tu B. , Xiao J. , Shen Y. , Yang Y. , Lu D. , Xu T. H. , Li W. X. , Chen C. Y. , Fu Y. , Wei B. , Zheng C. , Huang L. Y. , Hutton R. , Wang X. , Yao K. , Zou Y. , Zhang B. H. , Tang Y. J.
Published: May 2016

Dielectronic recombination (DR) is an important process in hot plasma physics as well as in atomic structure and collision theory. This work reports the studies of the KLL DR resonance strengths of He-, Li-, Be-, B-, C-, N-, and O-like tungsten ions, through both experiment and calculation. The experimental resonance strengths were determined within uncertainty below 11% at the Shanghai electron beam ion trap by employing a fast electron beam-energy scanning technique. A fully relativistic configuration interaction method implemented in the flexible atomic code was employed to calculate DR process and also radiative recombination (RR). The consideration of the interference effect between DR and RR was revealed to be necessary to determine the resonance strength.
Tuning the charge carrier density in the thermoelectric colusite
Authors: Kim Fiseong S. , Suekuni Koichiro , Nishiate Hirotaka , Ohta Michihiro , Tanaka Hiromi I. , Takabatake Toshiro
Published: May 2016

The colusite Cu26V2Sn6S32 has high potential as a thermoelectric material at medium-high temperatures because of a large Seebeck coefficient (S ≃ 220 μV/K) and rather small electrical resistivity (ρ ≃ 100 μΩm) at 660 K. To improve the thermoelectric performance, we have tuned the hole carrier density p by substituting Zn for Cu in Cu26−xZnxV2Sn6S32 (x = 1–3) and starting with Cu and Sn deficient compositions in Cu26−yV2Sn6S32 (y = 1, 2) and Cu26V2Sn6−zS32 (z = 0.25–1), respectively. Powder x-ray diffraction and electron-probe microanalysis showed that the Zn-substituted samples and Sn-deficient (z ≥ 0.5) samples are formed in a single phase, whereas the Cu26−yV2Sn6S32 samples are composed of two phases with slightly different compositions. Within these samples, the value of p at 300 K varies in the range between 3.6 × 1020 and 2.8 × 1021 cm−3. The relation between p and S led to the effective mass m* of 4–7m0 for the hole carriers. The large S of the colusite is therefore ascribed to the heavy mass carriers of the valence band top. The decreases in p with x and y reduced the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT, whereas the increase in p with z raised ZT from 0.56 (z = 0) to 0.62 (z = 0.5) at 660 K.
Tracking the global maximum power point of a photovoltaic system under partial shading conditions using a modified firefly algorithm
Authors: Shi Ji-Ying , Xue Fei , Qin Zi-Jian , Ling Le-Tao , Yang Ting , Wang Yi , Wu Jun
Published: May 2016

Under partial shading conditions, the power–voltage (P-U) curve may exhibit multiple local maxima. This makes it challenging to track the global maximum power point (GMPP). Additionally, in such conditions, conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods cannot be used to extract the GMPP. This paper describes a modified firefly algorithm (MFA) that can rapidly and accurately extract the GMPP under partial shading conditions. The algorithm introduces the concepts of the global and local firefly densities during each iteration, and devises two elimination mechanisms to adaptively adjust the firefly population. The proposed method is compared with the traditional MPPT algorithms under four different partial shading conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the MFA can immediately and accurately track the global maximum under the partially shaded conditions, and that the proposed method outperforms conventional techniques in terms of tracking efficiency and speed.
Synthesis of single-crystalline anisotropic gold nano-crystals via chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Manna Sohini , Kim Jong Woo , Takahashi Yukiko , Shpyrko Oleg G. , Fullerton Eric E.
Published: May 2016

We report on a novel one-step catalyst-free, thermal chemical vapor deposition procedure to synthesize gold nanocrystals on silicon substrates. This approach yields single-crystal nanocrystals with various morphologies, such as prisms, icosahedrons, and five-fold twinned decahedrons. Our approach demonstrates that high-quality anisotropic crystals composed of fcc metals can be produced without the need for surfactants or templates. Compared with the traditional wet chemical synthesis processes, our method enables direct formation of highly pure and single crystalline nanocrystals on solid substrates which have applications in catalysis. We investigated the evolution of gold nanocrystals and established their formation mechanism.
Large piezoelectric properties in KNN-based lead-free single crystals grown by a seed-free solid-state crystal growth method
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhang Faqiang , Yang Qunbao , Liu Zhifu , Li Yongxiang , Liu Yun , Zhang Qiming
Published: May 2016

We report lead-free single crystals with a nominal formula of (K0.45Na0.55)0.96Li0.04NbO3 grown using a simple low-cost seed-free solid-state crystal growth method (SFSSCG). The crystals thus prepared can reach maximum dimensions of 6 mm × 5 mm × 2 mm and exhibit a large piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 689 pC/N. Moreover, the effective piezoelectric coefficient d33*, obtained under a unipolar electric field of 30 kV/cm, can reach 967 pm/V. The large piezoelectric response plus the high Curie temperature (TC) of 432 °C indicate that SFSSCG is an effective approach to synthesize high-performance lead-free piezoelectric single crystals.
Theoretical study on the top- and enclosed-contacted single-layer MoS2 piezotronic transistors
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhou Yongli , Zhang Aihua , Zhang Yan , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: May 2016

Recently, the piezotronic effect has been observed in two-dimensional single-layer MoS2 materials, which have potential applications in force and pressure triggered or controlled electronic devices, sensors, and human-machine interfaces. However, classical theory faces the difficulty in explaining the mechanism of the piezotronic effect for the top- and enclosed-contacted MoS2 transistors, since the piezoelectric charges are assumed to exist only at the edge of the MoS2 flake that is far from the electronic transport pathway. In the present study, we identify the piezoelectric charges at the MoS2/metal-MoS2 interface by employing both the density functional theory and finite element method simulations. This interface is on the transport pathway of both top- and enclosed-contacted MoS2 transistors, thus it is capable of controlling their transport properties. This study deepens the understanding of piezotronic effect and provides guidance for the design of two-dimensional piezotronic devices.
Two-dimensional photonic crystal bandedge laser with hybrid perovskite thin film for optical gain
Authors: Cha Hyungrae , Bae Seunghwan , Lee Myungjae , Jeon Heonsu
Published: May 2016

We report optically pumped room temperature single mode laser that contains a thin film of hybrid perovskite, an emerging photonic material, as gain medium. Two-dimensional square lattice photonic crystal (PhC) backbone structure enables single mode laser operation via a photonic bandedge mode, while a thin film of methyl-ammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) spin-coated atop provides optical gain for lasing. Two kinds of bandedge modes, Γ and M, are employed, and both devices laser in single mode at similar laser thresholds of ∼200 μJ/cm2 in pulse energy density. Polarization dependence measurements reveal a clear difference between the two kinds of bandedge lasers: isotropic for the Γ-point laser and highly anisotropic for the M-point laser. These observations are consistent with expected modal properties, confirming that the lasing actions indeed originate from the corresponding PhC bandedge modes.
The impact of feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on woody vegetation in arid Australia
Authors: Box Jayne Brim , Nano Catherine E. M. , McBurnie Glenis , Waller Donald M. , McConnell Kathy , Brock Chris , Paltridge Rachel , McGilvray Alison , Bubb Andrew , Edwards Glenn P.
Published: May 2016

Data on the extent of feral camel damage on trees and shrubs in inland Australia are scarce, and there is currently no universally accepted theoretical framework for predicting the impact of a novel large mammal browser on arid vegetation. In other (mainly mesic) grassy systems, large mammal browsers can strongly suppress woody biomass across landscapes by limiting the transition of saplings to adulthood and by significantly thinning adult tree canopies. The recent Australian Feral Camel Management Project provided an opportunity to assess the impacts of camel browsing on woody vegetation in inland Australia. We examined browsing intensity and severity (stunting and canopy loss) in 22 species of woody plants in camel-affected regions across inland Australia prior to camel removal operations. The severity of plant damage increased with camel density as both trees and shrub growth were strongly suppressed where camel densities exceeded 0.25 km–2. In most tree and shrub species tested, camel browsing significantly stunted plants, suggesting that camel browsing has long-term impacts on plant populations. Browsing also reduced canopy volume in several species, including the structurally important Acacia aneura F.Muell. ex Benth. Thus, in this dryland ecosystem, camels can curtail the regeneration and growth of woody species enough to threaten ecosystem health. To avoid adverse impacts on woody plant populations, camel densities should be maintained at 0.25 camels km–2 or less over as much of inland Australia as possible.
Corrigendum to: The long-term impact of low-intensity surface fires on litter decomposition and enzyme activities in boreal coniferous forests
Authors: Köster Kajar , Berninger Frank , Heinonsalo Jussi , Lindén Aki , Köster Egle , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Pumpanen Jukka
Published: May 2016

In boreal forest ecosystems fire, fungi and bacteria, and their interactions, have a pronounced effect on soil carbon dynamics. In this study we measured enzymatic activities, litter decomposition rates, carbon stocks and fungal and microbial biomasses in a boreal subarctic coniferous forest on a four age classes of non-stand replacing fire chronosequence (2, 42, 60 and 152 years after the fire). The results show that microbial activity recovered slowly after fire and the decomposition of new litter was affected by the disturbance. The percent mass loss of Scots pine litter increased with time from the last fire. Slow litter decomposition during the first post-fire years accelerates soil organic matter accumulation that is essential for the recovery of soil biological activities. Fire reduced the enzymatic activity across all the enzyme types measured. Carbon-degrading, chitin-degrading and phosphorus-dissolving enzymes showed different responses with the time elapsed since the fire disturbance. Microbial and enzymatic activity took decades before recovering to the levels observed in old forest stands. Our study demonstrates that slower post-fire litter decomposition has a pronounced impact on the recovery of soil organic matter following forest fires in northern boreal coniferous forests.
Site-specific genome editing for correction of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Shinkuma Satoru , Guo Zongyou , Christiano Angela M.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Some inherited autosomal dominant disorders are caused by dominant negative mutations whose gene product adversely affects the normal gene product expressed from the other allele. Gene editing with engineered site-specific endonucleases leads to a double-strand break, which promotes nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ). NHEJ is error-prone and conducive to the generation of frameshift mutations, leading to intentional knockout of a gene. Therefore, gene editing with engineered site-specific endonucleases is applicable to dominant negative disorders, to target only the mutant allele and leave the normal allele intact. This technique could provide a significant benefit for patients with dominant negative disorders in combination with induced pluripotent stem cell technology that acquires multipotential differentiation and unlimited self-renewal capacity.
Increased androgenic sensitivity in the hind limb muscular system marks the evolution of a derived gestural display
Authors: Mangiamele Lisa A. , Fuxjager Matthew J. , Schuppe Eric R. , Taylor Rebecca S. , Hödl Walter , Preininger Doris
Published: May 2016

Significance

Diverse species signal using limb gestures, but little is known about how selection incorporates such movements into display routines. We study this issue in a tropical frog that produces complex waving displays with its hind limbs. We find not only that androgenic hormones activate such signaling behavior, but also that the signal’s recent evolution is marked by a dramatic increase in androgenic sensitivity of the thigh muscles that control hind limb maneuvering. Moreover, we demonstrate that this muscular phenotype mirrors that which is found in the larynx of other frogs that primarily produce androgen-dependent vocalizations as social signals. We therefore uncover strong coevolution between the emergence of complex sexual gestural signals and enhanced androgenic signaling mechanisms in the muscular system.
Maximum likelihood degree of Fermat hypersurfaces via Euler characteristics
Authors: Wang Botong
Published: May 2016

Maximum likelihood degree of a projective variety is the number of critical points of a general likelihood function. In this note, we compute the maximum likelihood degree of Fermat hypersurfaces. We give a formula of the maximum likelihood degree in terms of the constants

β

μ
,
ν

\beta _{\mu , \nu }

, which is defined to be the number of complex solutions to the system of equations

z
1
ν

=

z
2
ν

=
⋯
=

z
μ
ν

=
1

z_1^\nu =z_2^\nu =\cdots =z_\mu ^\nu =1

and

z
1

+
⋯
+

z
μ

+
1
=
0

z_1+\cdots +z_\mu +1=0

.
Discrete approximations to the double-obstacle problem and optimal stopping of tug-of-war games
Authors: Codenotti Luca , Lewicka Marta , Manfredi Juan
Published: May 2016

We study the double-obstacle problem for the

p
p

-Laplace operator,

p
∈
[
2
,
∞
)

p\in [2, \infty )

. We prove that for Lipschitz boundary data and Lipschitz obstacles, viscosity solutions are unique and coincide with variational solutions. They are also uniform limits of solutions to discrete min-max problems that can be interpreted as the dynamic programming principle for appropriate tug-of-war games with noise. In these games, both players in addition to choosing their strategies, are also allowed to choose stopping times. The solutions to the double-obstacle problems are limits of values of these games, when the step-size controlling the single shift in the token’s position, converges to

0
0

. We propose a numerical scheme based on this observation and show how it works for some examples of obstacles and boundary data.
DyNet: visualization and analysis of dynamic molecular interaction networks
Authors: Goenawan Ivan H. , Bryan Kenneth , Lynn David J.
Published: May 2016

Summary : The ability to experimentally determine molecular interactions on an almost proteome-wide scale under different conditions is enabling researchers to move from static to dynamic network analysis, uncovering new insights into how interaction networks are physically rewired in response to different stimuli and in disease. Dynamic interaction data presents a special challenge in network biology. Here, we present DyNet, a Cytoscape application that provides a range of functionalities for the visualization, real-time synchronization and analysis of large multi-state dynamic molecular interaction networks enabling users to quickly identify and analyze the most ‘rewired’ nodes across many network states.

Availability and Implementation : DyNet is available at the Cytoscape (3.2+) App Store ( http://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/dynet ).

Contact : david.lynn@sahmri.com .

Supplementary Information : Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.