bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolving the taxonomic status of Frankliniella schultzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) colour forms in Kenya – a morphological-, biological-, molecular- and ecological-based approach
Authors: Gikonyo M. W. , Niassy S. , Moritz G. B. , Khamis F. M. , Magiri E. , Subramanian S.
Published: June 2016

Frankliniella schultzeiTrybom is a polyphagous pest and vector of tospoviruses worldwide. It occurs in dark and pale colour forms that are morphologically similar but differ in vector competency and geographic spread. In Kenya and other tropical regions, mixed populations of both colour forms are observed in similar habitats, so are considered as one species. To ascertain the taxonomic status of the two colour forms, they were characterized using morphological, molecular, biological and ecological approaches. Morphological characterization revealed differences between the colour forms on eight features and they separated into distinct clusters through principal component analysis. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-RFLP) analysis revealed differences between the two colour forms and was confirmed by differences in ITS2 sequences. Virgin pale females had female offspring (thelytoky), while virgin dark females had male offspring (arrhenotoky). Interbreeding of dark males with pale females resulted in pale females, indicating absence of interbreeding between the two colour forms. Laboratory colonies of pale forms lacked males and further analysis ofF. schultzeimales fromIpomoea setosaflowers in the field indicated the presence of dark males and the absence of pale males. Field surveys in Kenya indicated differences in distribution and host plant preferences among the colour forms. Lack of interbreeding, distinct host preferences and distribution, and morphological and molecular differences indicate that the two colour forms ofF. schultzeicould be different species. The results highlight the need for combining morphological, biological, molecular and ecological characteristics for resolving taxonomic status of closely related insects.
Individual application to the Turkish Constitutional Court as a case of constitutional transfer
Authors: YILDIRIM ENGIN , GÜLENER SERDAR
Published: June 2016

The article has sought to clarify the phenomenon of constitutional transfer through an analysis of the introduction and implementation of the individual complaint procedure in Turkey. Individual access to constitutional courts has recently attained prominence as an effective tool of human rights protection and it is viewed as an example of the broader phenomenon of transfer of constitutional ideas from a point of origin to a new host environment. Critically applying the IKEA theory of constitutional transfer to the Turkish experience of the individual application to the Constitutional Court, we argue that the transfer process involves more than a simple interaction between the promoter and the importer, both of whom have converging as well as diverging expectations. The Turkish experience has proved a useful case to demonstrate the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the process of constitutional transfers. The Venice Commission, the European Court of Human Rights, the Turkish Constitutional Court and the Turkish Government all have important stakes in the success of the transfer to realise their own policy objectives.
Harmonising Global Constitutionalism
Authors: MAC AMHLAIGH CORMAC
Published: June 2016

The explosion in the literature on global constitutionalism in recent times has come at the cost of ever more, and more diverse, definitions of the concept of constitutionalism. The state of the current debate can therefore be characterised, conceptually speaking, as a ‘constitutional cacophony’. This cacophony is the inevitable result of the ‘problems of translation’ in importing the state-based concept of constitutionalism to the global level. This article attempts to counter suprastate constitutional scepticism borne of these problems of translation and resulting cacophony by revisiting the concept of constitutionalism itself through the lens of legitimacy. Arguing that legitimacy provides both a key element of the concept of constitutionalism as well as a common denominator for the application of constitutionalism both at the state and suprastate levels, it develops a conception of ‘constitutionalism as legitimacy’ as a way of vindicating the role of constitutionalism in the context of global governance. It presents constitutionalism as a discursive ‘mixed’ form of legitimacy entailing both factual and normative components involving a blend of liberalism and republicanism. These theories are then reworked into a framework of reasons for the legitimacy of an authority centring around its origins, its aims and its methods. Tracing the relationship between constitutionalism and legitimacy in this way brings harmony to the global constitutional cacophony and allows for a plausible ‘translation’ of the concept of constitutionalism between the state and suprastate levels allowing for an effective ‘mapping’ and ‘shaping’ of legitimacy in global governance which is illustrated by reference to the legitimacy crisis surrounding the United Nations Security Council’s ‘war on terror’.
Seeing More Than Others
Authors: Teige-Mocigemba Sarah , Hölzenbein Fabian , Christoph Klauer Karl
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Researchers have long argued that aggressive individuals automatically tend to perceive hostile intent in others, even when it is in fact absent (hostile attribution bias). Wilkowski and Robinson (2012) recently showed, however, that aggressive individuals were particularly accurate in the identification of subtle cues of facial anger, indicating greater perceptual sensitivity to anger information rather than a biased perception or interpretation. We tested the generality of this finding in four paradigms with different stimuli. As predicted by Wilkowski and Robinson, the more aggressive participants were, the more accurately they identified subtle aggressive information, whereas accuracy in the identification of nonaggressive emotional information was not a function of self-reported aggressiveness. The discussion focuses on the generality and limitations of the findings.
Patches of Low Electron Density Help to Heat the Ionosphere
Authors: Higginson Aleida
Published: June 2016

Simulations show how changes in electron density can trap electromagnetic waves and heat electrons in the ionosphere.
Critical role of astrocytic interleukin-17 A in post-stroke survival and neuronal differentiation of neural precursor cells in adult mice
Authors: Lin Y , Zhang J-C , Yao C-Y , Wu Y , Abdelgawad A F , Yao S-L , Yuan S-Y
Published: June 2016

The brain and the immune system interact in complex ways after ischemic stroke, and the long-term effects of immune response associated with stroke remain controversial. As a linkage between innate and adaptive immunity, interleukin-17 A (IL-17 A) secreted from gamma delta (γδ) T cells has detrimental roles in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. However, to date, the long-term actions of IL-17 A after stroke have not been investigated. Here, we found that IL-17 A showed two distinct peaks of expression in the ischemic hemisphere: the first occurring within 3 days and the second on day 28 after stroke. Our data also showed that astrocyte was the major cellular source of IL-17 A that maintained and augmented subventricular zone (SVZ) neural precursor cells (NPCs) survival, neuronal differentiation, and subsequent synaptogenesis and functional recovery after stroke. IL-17 A also promoted neuronal differentiation in cultured NPCs from the ischemic SVZ. Furthermore, our in vitro data revealed that in primary astrocyte cultures activated astrocytes released IL-17 A via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Culture media from reactive astrocytes increased neuronal differentiation of NSCs in vitro. Blockade of IL-17 A with neutralizing antibody prevented this effect. In addition, after screening for multiple signaling pathways, we revealed that the p38 MAPK/calpain 1 signaling pathway was involved in IL-17 A-mediated neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Thus, our results reveal a previously uncharacterized property of astrocytic IL-17 A in the maintenance and augment of survival and neuronal differentiation of NPCs, and subsequent synaptogenesis and spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke.
Engineered adenovirus fiber shaft fusion homotrimer of soluble TRAIL with enhanced stability and antitumor activity
Authors: Yan J , Wang L , Wang Z , Wang Z , Wang B , Zhu R , Bi J , Wu J , Zhang H , Wu H , Yu B , Kong W , Yu X
Published: June 2016

Successful cancer therapies aim to induce selective apoptosis in neoplastic cells. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered an attractive anticancer agent due to its tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity. However, earlier studies with recombinant TRAIL revealed many shortcomings, including a short half-life, off-target toxicity and existence of TRAIL-resistant tumor cells. In this study, we developed a novel engineering strategy for recombinant soluble TRAIL by redesigning its structure with the adenovirus knobless fiber motif to form a stable homotrimer with improved antitumor activity. The result is a highly stable fiber-TRAIL fusion protein that could form homotrimers similar to natural TRAIL. The recombinant fusion TRAIL developed here displayed high specific activity in both cell-based assays in vitro and animal tests in vivo. This construct will serve as a foundation for a new generation of recombinant proteins suitable for use in preclinical and clinical studies and for effective combination therapies to overcome tumor resistance to TRAIL.
Effectiveness of ecological rescue for altered soil microbial communities and functions
Authors: Calderón Kadiya , Spor Aymé , Breuil Marie-Christine , Bru David , Bizouard Florian , Violle Cyrille , Barnard Romain L , Philippot Laurent
Published: June 2016

Soil ecosystems worldwide are subjected to marked modifications caused by anthropogenic disturbances and global climate change, resulting in microbial diversity loss and alteration of ecosystem functions. Despite the paucity of studies, restoration ecology provides an appropriate framework for testing the potential of manipulating soil microbial communities for the recovery of ecosystem functioning. We used a reciprocal transplant design in experimentally altered microbial communities to investigate the effectiveness of introducing microbial communities in degraded soil ecosystems to restore N-cycle functioning. Microbial diversity loss resulted in alternative compositional states associated with impaired N-cycle functioning. Here, the addition of complex microbial communities to these altered communities revealed a pivotal role of deterministic community assembly processes. The diversity of some alternative compositional states was successfully increased but without significant restoration of soil N-cycle functioning. However, in the most degraded alternative state, the introduction of new microbial communities caused an overall decrease in phylogenetic diversity and richness. The successful soil colonization by newly introduced species for some compositional states indicates that priority effects could be overridden when attempting to manipulate microbial communities for soil restoration. Altogether, our result showed consistent patterns within restoration treatments with minor idiosyncratic effects. This suggests the predominance of deterministic processes and the predictability of restoration trajectories, which could be used to guide the effective management of microbial community assemblages for ecological restoration of soils.
MAIT cells are activated during human viral infections
Authors: van Wilgenburg Bonnie , Scherwitzl Iris , Hutchinson Edward C. , Leng Tianqi , Kurioka Ayako , Kulicke Corinna , de Lara Catherine , Cole Suzanne , Vasanawathana Sirijitt , Limpitikul Wannee , Malasit Prida , Young Duncan , Denney Laura ,   STOP-HCV consortium, Barnes Eleanor , Ball Jonathan , Burgess Gary , Cooke Graham , Dillon John , Gore Charles , Foster Graham , Guha Neil , Halford Rachel , Herath Cham , Holmes Chris , Howe Anita , Hudson Emma , Irving William , Khakoo Salim , Koletzki Diana , Martin Natasha , Mbisa Tamyo , McKeating Jane , McLauchlan John , Miners Alec , Murray Andrea , Shaw Peter , Simmonds Peter , Spencer Chris , Targett-Adams Paul , Thomson Emma , Vickerman Peter , Zitzmann Nicole , Moore Michael D. , Fabris Paolo , Giordani Maria Teresa , Oo Ye Htun , Laidlaw Stephen M. , Dustin Lynn B. , Ho Ling-Pei , Thompson Fiona M. , Ramamurthy Narayan , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Willberg Christian B. , Screaton Gavin R. , Klenerman Paul
Published: June 2016

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are abundant in humans and recognize bacterial ligands. Here, we demonstrate that MAIT cells are also activated during human viral infections in vivo. MAIT cells activation was observed during infection with dengue virus, hepatitis C virus and influenza virus. This activation—driving cytokine release and Granzyme B upregulation—is TCR-independent but dependent on IL-18 in synergy with IL-12, IL-15 and/or interferon-α/β. IL-18 levels and MAIT cell activation correlate with disease severity in acute dengue infection. Furthermore, HCV treatment with interferon-α leads to specific MAIT cell activation in vivo in parallel with an enhanced therapeutic response. Moreover, TCR-independent activation of MAIT cells leads to a reduction of HCV replication in vitro mediated by IFN-γ. Together these data demonstrate MAIT cells are activated following viral infections, and suggest a potential role in both host defence and immunopathology.
Sub-micrometre accurate free-form optics by three-dimensional printing on single-mode fibres
Authors: Gissibl Timo , Thiele Simon , Herkommer Alois , Giessen Harald
Published: June 2016

Micro-optics are widely used in numerous applications, such as beam shaping, collimation, focusing and imaging. We use femtosecond 3D printing to manufacture free-form micro-optical elements. Our method gives sub-micrometre accuracy so that direct manufacturing even on single-mode fibres is possible. We demonstrate the potential of our method by writing different collimation optics, toric lenses, free-form surfaces with polynomials of up to 10th order for intensity beam shaping, as well as chiral photonic crystals for circular polarization filtering, all aligned onto the core of the single-mode fibres. We determine the accuracy of our optics by analysing the output patterns as well as interferometrically characterizing the surfaces. We find excellent agreement with numerical calculations. 3D printing of microoptics can achieve sufficient performance that will allow for rapid prototyping and production of beam-shaping and imaging devices.
Divergent viral presentation among human tumors and adjacent normal tissues
Authors: Cao Song , Wendl Michael C. , Wyczalkowski Matthew A. , Wylie Kristine , Ye Kai , Jayasinghe Reyka , Xie Mingchao , Wu Song , Niu Beifang , Grubb Robert , Johnson Kimberly J. , Gay Hiram , Chen Ken , Rader Janet S. , Dipersio John F. , Chen Feng , Ding Li
Published: June 2016

We applied a newly developed bioinformatics system called VirusScan to investigate the viral basis of 6,813 human tumors and 559 adjacent normal samples across 23 cancer types and identified 505 virus positive samples with distinctive, organ system- and cancer type-specific distributions. We found that herpes viruses (e.g., subtypes HHV4, HHV5 and HHV6) that are highly prevalent across cancers of the digestive tract showed significantly higher abundances in tumor versus adjacent normal samples, supporting their association with these cancers. We also found three HPV16-positive samples in brain lower grade glioma (LGG). Further, recurrent HBV integration at the KMT2B locus is present in three liver tumors, but absent in their matched adjacent normal samples, indicating that viral integration induced host driver genetic alterations are required on top of viral oncogene expression for initiation and progression of liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Notably, viral integrations were found in many genes, including novel recurrent HPV integrations at PTPN13 in cervical cancer. Finally, we observed a set of HHV4 and HBV variants strongly associated with ethnic groups, likely due to viral sequence evolution under environmental influences. These findings provide important new insights into viral roles of tumor initiation and progression and potential new therapeutic targets.
Biogas generation in anaerobic wastewater treatment under tetracycline antibiotic pressure
Authors: Lu Meiqing , Niu Xiaojun , Liu Wei , Zhang Jun , Wang Jie , Yang Jia , Wang Wenqi , Yang Zhiquan
Published: June 2016

The effect of tetracycline (TC) antibiotic on biogas generation in anaerobic wastewater treatment was studied. A lab-scale Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) with three compartments was used. The reactor was operated with synthetic wastewater in the absence of TC and in the presence of 250 μg/L TC for 90 days, respectively. The removal rate of TC, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biogas compositions (hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2)), and total biogas production in each compartment were monitored in the two operational conditions. Results showed that the removal rate of TC was 14.97–67.97% in the reactor. The presence of TC had a large negative effect on CH4 and CO2 generation, but appeared to have a positive effect on H2 production and VFAs accumulation. This response indicated that the methanogenesis process was sensitive to TC presence, but the acidogenesis process was insensitive. This suggested that the presence of TC had less influence on the degradation of organic matter but had a strong influence on biogas generation. Additionally, the decrease of CH4 and CO2 generation and the increase of H2 and VFAs accumulation suggest a promising strategy to help alleviate global warming and improve resource recovery in an environmentally friendly approach.
Assessing quality of Medicago sativa silage by monitoring bacterial composition with single molecule, real-time sequencing technology and various physiological parameters
Authors: Bao Weichen , Mi Zhihui , Xu Haiyan , Zheng Yi , Kwok Lai Yu , Zhang Heping , Zhang Wenyi
Published: June 2016

The present study applied the PacBio single molecule, real-time sequencing technology (SMRT) in evaluating the quality of silage production. Specifically, we produced four types of Medicago sativa silages by using four different lactic acid bacteria-based additives (AD-I, AD-II, AD-III and AD-IV). We monitored the changes in pH, organic acids (including butyric acid, the ratio of acetic acid/lactic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, 4-hyroxy benzoic acid and phenyl lactic acid), mycotoxins, and bacterial microbiota during silage fermentation. Our results showed that the use of the additives was beneficial to the silage fermentation by enhancing a general pH and mycotoxin reduction, while increasing the organic acids content. By SMRT analysis of the microbial composition in eight silage samples, we found that the bacterial species number and relative abundances shifted apparently after fermentation. Such changes were specific to the LAB species in the additives. Particularly, Bacillus megaterium was the initial dominant species in the raw materials; and after the fermentation process, Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus plantarum became the most prevalent species, both of which were intrinsically present in the LAB additives. Our data have demonstrated that the SMRT sequencing platform is applicable in assessing the quality of silage.
Resonance Raman Probes for Organelle-Specific Labeling in Live Cells
Authors: Kuzmin Andrey N. , Pliss Artem , Lim Chang-Keun , Heo Jeongyun , Kim Sehoon , Rzhevskii Alexander , Gu Bobo , Yong Ken-Tye , Wen Shuangchun , Prasad Paras N.
Published: June 2016

Raman microspectroscopy provides for high-resolution non-invasive molecular analysis of biological samples and has a breakthrough potential for dissection of cellular molecular composition at a single organelle level. However, the potential of Raman microspectroscopy can be fully realized only when novel types of molecular probes distinguishable in the Raman spectroscopy modality are developed for labeling of specific cellular domains to guide spectrochemical spatial imaging. Here we report on the design of a next generation Raman probe, based on BlackBerry Quencher 650 compound, which provides unprecedentedly high signal intensity through the Resonance Raman (RR) enhancement mechanism. Remarkably, RR enhancement occurs with low-toxic red light, which is close to maximum transparency in the biological optical window. The utility of proposed RR probes was validated for targeting lysosomes in live cultured cells, which enabled identification and subsequent monitoring of dynamic changes in this organelle by Raman imaging.
Identification of a 5-Methylcytosine Site that may Regulate C/EBPβ Binding and Determine Tissue-Specific Expression of the BPI Gene in Piglets
Authors: Sun Li , Wang Jing , Yin Xuemei , Sun Shouyong , Zi Chen , Zhu Guoqiang , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: June 2016

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) plays an important role in innate immune defense in mammals. A previous study showed that BPI gene expression correlates to gram-negative bacteria resistance. However, this gene showed tissue-specific expression in piglets and strongly expressed only in the digestive tract. To investigate the mechanisms governing the tissue-specificity, bisulfite sequencing PCR and next generation sequencing were used for high accuracy methylation quantitation of CpG islands of BPI gene upstream in 11 different tissues from weaned Yorkshire piglets. Additionally, qPCR was used to examine mRNA levels of BPI gene as well as transcription factor. We additionally analyzed transcriptional regulation by studying key 5-methylcytosine sites and transcription factors. Results showed that BPI mRNA levels significantly correlated with the overall methylation as well as methylation at mC-15 which was non-CpG site, no significant correlation could be found between the BPI and transcription factor mRNA levels, EMSA test showed that C/EBPβ could interact with BPI wild-type promoter DNA, but not methylated DNA. So we confirmed that methylation of mC-15 residue could inhibit the ability of C/EBPβ binding to the BPI promoter and affect the expression, and this mechanism probably plays a role in the tissue specificity of BPI gene expression in weaned piglets.
Spatiotemporal Co-existence of Female Thyroid and Breast Cancers in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Fei Xufeng , Christakos George , Lou Zhaohan , Ren Yanjun , Liu Qingmin , Wu Jiaping
Published: June 2016

Thyroid and breast cancers (TC, BC) are common female malignant tumors worldwide. Studies suggest that TC patients have a higher BC risk, and vice versa. However, it has not been investigated quantitatively if there is an association between the space-time TC and BC incidence distributions at the population level. This work aims to answer this question. 5358 TC and 8784 BC (female) cases were diagnosed in Hangzhou (China, 2008–2012). Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients of the TC and BC incidences were high, and their patterns were geographically similar. The spatiotemporal co-existence of TC and BC distributions was investigated using the integrative disease predictability (IDP) criterion: if TC-BC association is part of the disease mapping knowledge bases, it should yield improved space-time incidence predictions. Improved TC (BC) incidence predictions were generated when integrating both TC and BC data than when using only TC (BC) data. IDP consistently demonstrated the spatiotemporal co-existence of TC and BC distributions throughout Hangzhou (2008–2012), which means that when the population experiences high incidences of one kind of cancer attention should be paid to the other kind of cancer too. The strength of TC-BC association was measured by the IDP coefficients and incidence prediction accuracy.
Unified selective sorting approach to analyse multi-electrode extracellular data
Authors: Veerabhadrappa R. , Lim C. P. , Nguyen T. T. , Berk M. , Tye S. J. , Monaghan P. , Nahavandi S. , Bhatti A.
Published: June 2016

Extracellular data analysis has become a quintessential method for understanding the neurophysiological responses to stimuli. This demands stringent techniques owing to the complicated nature of the recording environment. In this paper, we highlight the challenges in extracellular multi-electrode recording and data analysis as well as the limitations pertaining to some of the currently employed methodologies. To address some of the challenges, we present a unified algorithm in the form of selective sorting. Selective sorting is modelled around hypothesized generative model, which addresses the natural phenomena of spikes triggered by an intricate neuronal population. The algorithm incorporates Cepstrum of Bispectrum, ad hoc clustering algorithms, wavelet transforms, least square and correlation concepts which strategically tailors a sequence to characterize and form distinctive clusters. Additionally, we demonstrate the influence of noise modelled wavelets to sort overlapping spikes. The algorithm is evaluated using both raw and synthesized data sets with different levels of complexity and the performances are tabulated for comparison using widely accepted qualitative and quantitative indicators.
The odor of a plant metabolite affects life history traits in dietary restricted adult olive flies
Authors: Gerofotis Christos D. , Ioannou Charalampos S. , Nakas Christos T. , Papadopoulos Nikos T.
Published: June 2016

Food quality shapes life history traits either directly or through response of individuals to additional environmental factors, such as chemical cues. Plant extracts used as food additives modulate key life history traits; however little is known regarding such effects for olfactory chemical cues. Exploiting an interesting experimental system that involves the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) and the plant metabolite α-pinene we asked whether exposure of adults to this compound modulates adult longevity and female reproduction in similar manner in a stressful – dietary (protein) restricted (DR) and in a relaxed- full diet (FD) feeding environment. Accordingly, we exposed males and females to the aroma of α-pinene and measured lifespan and age-specific fecundity in the above two dietary contexts. Our results demonstrate that exposure to α-pinene increased longevity in males and fecundity in females only under dietary restricted conditions. In relaxed food conditions, females exposed to α-pinene shifted high egg-laying towards younger ages compared to non-exposed ones. This is the first report demonstrating that a plant compound affects key life history traits of adult olive flies through olfaction. These effects are sex-specific and more pronounced in dietary restricted adults. Possible underlying mechanisms and the ecological significance are discussed.
Self-Propelled Hovercraft Based on Cold Leidenfrost Phenomenon
Authors: Shi Meng , Ji Xing , Feng Shangsheng , Yang Qingzhen , Lu Tian Jian , Xu Feng
Published: June 2016

The Leidenfrost phenomenon of liquid droplets levitating and dancing when placed upon a hot plate due to propulsion of evaporative vapor has been extended to many self-propelled circumstances. However, such self-propelled Leidenfrost devices commonly need a high temperature for evaporation and a structured solid substrate for directional movements. Here we observed a “cold Leidenfrost phenomenon” when placing a dry ice device on the surface of room temperature water, based on which we developed a controllable self-propelled dry ice hovercraft. Due to the sublimated vapor, the hovercraft could float on water and move in a programmable manner through designed structures. As demonstrations, we showed that the hovercraft could be used as a cargo ship or a petroleum contamination collector without consuming external power. This phenomenon enables a novel way to utilize programmable self-propelled devices on top of room temperature water, holding great potential for applications in energy, chemical engineering and biology.
Effective-mass model and magneto-optical properties in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Yu Z. G.
Published: June 2016

Hybrid inorganic-organic perovskites have proven to be a revolutionary material for low-cost photovoltaic applications. They also exhibit many other interesting properties, including giant Rashba splitting, large-radius Wannier excitons and novel magneto-optical effects. Understanding these properties as well as the detailed mechanism of photovoltaics requires a reliable and accessible electronic structure, on which models of transport, excitonic and magneto-optical properties can be efficiently developed. Here we construct an effective-mass model for the hybrid perovskites based on the group theory, experiment and first-principles calculations. Using this model, we relate the Rashba splitting with the inversion-asymmetry parameter in the tetragonal perovskites, evaluate anisotropic g-factors for both conduction and valence bands and elucidate the magnetic-field effect on photoluminescence and its dependence on the intensity of photoexcitation. The diamagnetic effect of exciton is calculated for an arbitrarily strong magnetic field. The pronounced excitonic peak emerged at intermediate magnetic fields in cyclotron resonance is assigned to the 3D±2 states, whose splitting can be used to estimate the difference in the effective masses of electron and hole.
Bacillus cereus strain S2 shows high nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita by producing sphingosine
Authors: Gao Huijuan , Qi Gaofu , Yin Rong , Zhang Hongchun , Li Chenggang , Zhao Xiuyun
Published: June 2016

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause serious crop losses worldwidely. This study intended to discover the antagonistic mechanism of Bacillus cereus strain S2 against Meloidogyne incognita. Treatment with B. cereus strain S2 resulted in a mortality of 77.89% to Caenorhabditis elegans (a model organism) and 90.96% to M. incognita. In pot experiment, control efficiency of B. cereus S2 culture or supernatants were 81.36% and 67.42% towards M. incognita, respectively. In field experiment, control efficiency was 58.97% towards M. incognita. Nematicidal substances were isolated from culture supernatant of B. cereus S2 by polarity gradient extraction, silica gel column chromatography and HPLC. Two nematicidal compounds were identified as C16 sphingosine and phytosphingosine by LC-MS. The median lethal concentration of sphingosine was determined as 0.64 μg/ml. Sphingosine could obviously inhibit reproduction of C. elegans, with an inhibition rate of 42.72% for 24 h. After treatment with sphingosine, ROS was induced in intestinal tract, and genital area disappeared in nematode. Furthermore, B. cereus S2 could induce systemic resistance in tomato, and enhance activity of defense-related enzymes for biocontrol of M. incognita. This study demonstrates the nematicidal activity of B. cereus and its product sphingosine, as well provides a possibility for biocontrol of M. incognita.
Correction: Electrochromic sensing platform based on steric hindrance effects for CEA detection
Authors: Zhai Qingfeng , Zhang Xiaowei , Xia Yong , Li Jing , Wang Erkang
Published: June 2016

Correction for ‘Electrochromic sensing platform based on steric hindrance effects for CEA detection’ by Qingfeng Zhai et al., Analyst, 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6an00675b.
Branched and crosslinked supracolloidal chains with diblock copolymer micelles having three well-defined patches
Authors: Lee Sanghwa , Jang Sukwoo , Kim Kyungtae , Jeon Jonghyuk , Kim Sung-Soo , Sohn Byeong-Hyeok
Published: June 2016

We report controlled branching and eventual crosslinking in supracolloidal chains by introducing well-defined trifunctional patchy micelles.
The critical size of hydrogen-bonded alcohol clusters as effective Brønsted bases in solutions
Authors: Park Sun-Young , Kim Taeg Gyum , Ajitha Manjaly J. , Kwac Kijeong , Lee Young Min , Kim Heesu , Jung Yousung , Kwon Oh-Hoon
Published: June 2016

Hydrogen-bonded clustering of alcohol molecules increases their basicity (proton affinity) significantly, so that alcohol dimers can accept a proton which otherwise is impossible due to insufficient basicity as a monomer.
Femtosecond insights into direct electron injection in dye anchored ZnO QDs following charge transfer excitation
Authors: Kumar Pushpendra , Kumar Sunil , Ghosh Subrata , Pal Suman Kalyan
Published: June 2016

The role of the charge transfer (CT) state in interfacial electron transfer in dye-sensitized quantum dots (QDs) has been addressed.
The use of multiple pseudo-physiological solutions to simulate the degradation behavior of pure iron as a metallic resorbable implant: a surface-characterization study
Authors: Tolouei Ranna , Harrison Jerome , Paternoster Carlo , Turgeon Stephane , Chevallier Pascale , Mantovani Diego
Published: June 2016

Understanding the interactions of a pure iron surface with biological elements, such as ions and proteins in an aqueous medium, is essential for an accuratein vitroassessment of corrosion patterns.
Understanding the electron transfer process in ZnO–naphthol azobenzoic acid composites from photophysical characterisation
Authors: George Leena , Kunhikannan Athira K. , Illathvalappil Rajith , Ottoor Divya , Kurungot Sreekumar , Devi R. Nandini
Published: June 2016

Semiconductor nanoparticles surface modified with organic molecules capable of visible light absorption and effectively transferring the electrons to the catalytic sites have the potential to be good photocatalysts.
Photoionization access to cyclodextrin-encapsulated resveratrol phenoxy radicals and their repair by ascorbate across the phase boundary
Authors: Kerzig Christoph , Goez Martin
Published: June 2016

Photoionization with UV-A generates phenoxy radical ResO˙ of the famous red-wine antioxidant resveratrol inside cyclodextrin cavities without the participation of auxiliary reactants. This permits the isolated exploration of the ResO˙ repair by ascorbate at the water–cyclodextrin interface.
Directed synthesis of well dispersed and highly active AuCu and AuNi nanoparticle catalysts
Authors: Wang Hanfei , Liu Dan , Xu Chunli
Published: June 2016

Supported bimetallic AuCu and AuNi catalysts were prepared via a controlled synthesis by controlling the dispersion of both the first metal and second metal.
Thermal and near-infrared light induced spin crossover in a mononuclear iron(ii) complex with a tetrathiafulvalene-fused dipyridophenazine ligand
Authors: Pointillart F. , Liu X. , Kepenekian M. , Le Guennic B. , Golhen S. , Dorcet V. , Roisnel T. , Cador O. , You Z. , Hauser J. , Decurtins S. , Ouahab L. , Liu S.-X.
Published: June 2016

A thermal and photo-induced spin transition in a tetrathiafulvalene-based Fe(ii) complex.
Emission properties and Cu(i)–Cu(i) interaction in 2-coordinate dicopper(i)-bis(N-heterocyclic)carbene complexes
Authors: Nishikawa Michihiro , Sano Taichi , Washimi Masaya , Takao Koichiro , Tsubomura Taro
Published: June 2016

The 8-shaped dinuclear copper(i) complexes bearing two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands exhibit strong photoluminescence both in solution and the solid states. Copper(i)–copper(i) interactions play a key role in the photophysical properties.
An efficient strategy to enhance binding affinity and specificity of a known isozyme inhibitor
Authors: Jee Joo-Eun , Lim Jaehong , Ong Yong Siang , Oon Jessica , Gao Liqian , Choi Hak Soo , Lee Su Seong
Published: June 2016

The binding profile of a known inhibitor, benzenesulfonamide, against a family of carbonic anhydrase isozymes was efficiently enhanced via high-throughput screening of customized combinatorial one-bead-one-compound peptide libraries.
Rhodium(i)-catalysed skeletal reorganisation of benzofused spiro[3.3]heptanes via consecutive carbon–carbon bond cleavage
Authors: Matsuda Takanori , Yuihara Itaru , Kondo Kazuki
Published: June 2016

Benzofused spiro[3.3]heptane derivatives undergo skeletal reorganisations involving two consecutive carbon–carbon bond cleavages in the presence of rhodium(i) catalysts to afford substituted naphthalenes.
Salicylaldehyde-functionalized block copolymer nano-objects: one-pot synthesis via polymerization-induced self-assembly and their simultaneous cross-linking and fluorescence modification
Authors: Huang Jianbing , Zhu Hanjun , Liang Hui , Lu Jiang
Published: June 2016

Salicylaldehyde-functionalized nano-objects are prepared via RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly. Their simultaneous stabilization and fluorescence modification can be achieved by one-step reaction.
Lactobacillus plantarum X1 with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity ameliorates type 2 diabetes in mice
Authors: Li Xiangfei , Wang Na , Yin Boxing , Fang Dongsheng , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Wang Gang , Chen Wei
Published: June 2016

Lactobacillus plantarum X1 is of potential beneficial utility to counter diabetes via five potential pathways, which including dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, α-glucosidase, gut microbiota, and inflammatory.
Synthesis, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of novel asiatic acid derivatives containing α-aminophosphonates
Authors: Huang Ri-Zhen , Wang Cai-Yi , Li Jian-Fei , Yao Gui-Yang , Pan Ying-Ming , Ye Man-Yi , Wang Heng-Shan , Zhang Ye
Published: June 2016

Novel asiatic acid derivatives containing α-aminophosphonates was designed and synthesized as antitumor agents. Compound 3d blocked the T24 cell cycle at G1/S phase by the p53-dependent pathway and induced apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.
Surface modification of Nafion membranes by ion implantation to reduce methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Lee Jung-Soo , Hwang In-Tae , Jung Chan-Hee , Choi Jae-Hak
Published: June 2016

The surface of Nafion membranes was modified by light ion implantation to reduce methanol crossover without affecting bulk membrane properties.
Influence of nitrogen precursors on the structure, composition, and oxygen reduction reaction performance of dual heteroatom doped carbon nanohorns
Authors: Xiaohui Wu , Lu Liu , Pei Tang , Meixian Li , Zujin Shi
Published: June 2016

The different N-sources used in the synthesis would cause different ways the doped N atoms interact with B or P dopants, and result in the enhanced or declined electrocatalytic activity of dual-doped carbon nanohorns in oxygen reduction reaction.
Fabrication of porous nanoflake BiMOx (M = W, V, and Mo) photoanodes via hydrothermal anion exchange
Authors: Zhang Jijie , Wang Tuo , Chang Xiaoxia , Li Ang , Gong Jinlong
Published: June 2016

This paper describes a simple hydrothermal anion exchange method to synthesize Bi-based binary metal oxides (BiMOx (M = W, V, and Mo)) with controlled morphologies used as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
Wrinkles on a textile-embedded elastomer surface with highly variable friction
Authors: Suzuki K. , Ohzono T.
Published: June 2016

For reversible wrinkling to induce substantial tunability of friction force, this study proposes a new structural design with a biaxial textile sheet embedded on an elastomer surface.
Hydrophilic swellable metal–organic framework encapsulated Pd nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for Cr(vi) reduction
Authors: Li Hong-Chao , Liu Wu-Jun , Han He-Xing , Yu Han-Qing
Published: June 2016

An emerging type of core–shell nanostructure, in which metallic Pd nanoparticle cores were encapsulated by MOF (ZIF-67) shells, was facilely synthesized through an impregnation–reduction process.
Dissipative particle dynamics of diffusion-NMR requires high Schmidt-numbers
Authors: Azhar Mueed , Greiner Andreas , Korvink Jan G. , Kauzlarić David
Published: June 2016

We present an efficient mesoscale model to simulate the diffusion measurement with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). On the level of mesoscopic thermal motion of fluid particles, we couple the Bloch equations with dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). Thereby we establish a physically consistent scaling relation between the diffusion constant measured for DPD-particles and the diffusion constant of a real fluid. The latter is based on a splitting into a centre-of-mass contribution represented by DPD, and an internal contribution which is not resolved in the DPD-level of description. As a consequence, simulating the centre-of-mass contribution with DPD requires high Schmidt numbers. After a verification for fundamental pulse sequences, we apply the NMR-DPD method to NMR diffusion measurements of anisotropic fluids, and of fluids restricted by walls of microfluidic channels. For the latter, the free diffusion and the localisation regime are considered.
Vacancy-type defects in Mg-doped GaN grown by ammonia-based molecular beam epitaxy probed using a monoenergetic positron beam
Authors: Uedono Akira , Malinverni Marco , Martin Denis , Okumura Hironori , Ishibashi Shoji , Grandjean Nicolas
Published: June 2016

Vacancy-type defects in Mg-doped GaN were probed using a monoenergetic positron beam. GaN films with a thickness of 0.5–0.7 μm were grown on GaN/sapphire templates using ammonia-based molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by measuring Doppler broadening spectra. Although no vacancies were detected in samples with a Mg concentration [Mg] below 7 × 1019 cm−3, vacancy-type defects were introduced starting at above [Mg] = 1 × 1020 cm−3. The major defect species was identified as a complex between Ga vacancy (VGa) and multiple nitrogen vacancies (VNs). The introduction of vacancy complexes was found to correlate with a decrease in the net acceptor concentration, suggesting that the defect introduction is closely related to the carrier compensation. We also investigated Mg-doped GaN layers grown using In as the surfactant. The formation of vacancy complexes was suppressed in the subsurface region (≤80 nm). The observed depth distribution of defects was attributed to the thermal instability of the defects, which resulted in the introduction of vacancy complexes during the deposition process.
Stringent limitations on reductive perturbation studies of nonplanar acoustic solitons in plasmas
Authors: Verheest Frank , Hellberg Manfred A.
Published: June 2016

More than fifty years ago, the Korteweg-de Vries equation was shown to describe not only solitary surface waves on shallow water, but also nonlinear ion-acoustic waves. Because of the algorithmic ease of using reductive perturbation theory, intensive research followed on a wide range of wave types. Soon, the formalism was extended to nonplanar modes by introducing a stretching designed to accommodate spherically and cylindrically symmetric ion-acoustic waves. Over the last two decades many authors followed this approach, but almost all have ignored the severe restrictions in parameter space imposed by the Ansatz. In addition, for other steps in the formalism, the justification is often not spelled out, leading to effects that are physically undesirable or ambiguous. Hence, there is a need to critically assess this approach to nonplanar modes and to use it with the utmost care, respecting the restrictions on its validity. Only inward propagation may be meaningfully studied and respect for weak nonlinearities of at most 1/10 implies that one cannot get closer to the axis or centre of symmetry than about 30 Debye lengths. Thus, one is in a regime where the modes are quasi-planar and not particularly interesting. Most papers disregard these constraints and hence reach questionable conclusions.
Low-frequency dielectric properties of intrinsic and Al-doped rutile TiO2 thin films grown by the atomic layer deposition technique
Authors: Kassmi M. , Pointet J. , Gonon P. , Bsiesy A. , Vallée C. , Jomni F.
Published: June 2016

Dielectric spectroscopy is carried out for intrinsic and aluminum-doped TiO2 rutile films which are deposited on RuO2 by the atomic layer deposition technique. Capacitance and conductance are measured in the 0.1 Hz–100 kHz range, for ac electric fields up to 1 MVrms/cm. Intrinsic films have a much lower dielectric constant than rutile crystals. This is ascribed to the presence of oxygen vacancies which depress polarizability. When Al is substituted for Ti, the dielectric constant further decreases. By considering Al-induced modification of polarizability, a theoretical relationship between the dielectric constant and the Al concentration is proposed. Al doping drastically decreases the loss in the very low frequency part of the spectrum. However, Al doping has almost no effect on the loss at high frequencies. The effect of Al doping on loss is discussed through models of hopping transport implying intrinsic oxygen vacancies and Al related centers. When increasing the ac electric field in the MVrms/cm range, strong voltage non-linearities are evidenced in undoped films. The conductance increases exponentially with the ac field and the capacitance displays negative values (inductive behavior). Hopping barrier lowering is proposed to explain high-field effects. Finally, it is shown that Al doping strongly improves the high-field dielectric behavior.
Non-Condon equilibrium Fermi’s golden rule electronic transition rate constants via the linearized semiclassical method
Authors: Sun Xiang , Geva Eitan
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we test the accuracy of the linearized semiclassical (LSC) expression for the equilibrium Fermi’s golden rule rate constant for electronic transitions in the presence of non-Condon effects. We do so by performing a comparison with the exact quantum-mechanical result for a model where the donor and acceptor potential energy surfaces are parabolic and identical except for shifts in the equilibrium energy and geometry, and the coupling between them is linear in the nuclear coordinates. Since non-Condon effects may or may not give rise to conical intersections, both possibilities are examined by considering: (1) A modified Garg-Onuchic-Ambegaokar model for charge transfer in the condensed phase, where the donor-acceptor coupling is linear in the primary mode coordinate, and for which non-Condon effects do not give rise to a conical intersection; (2) the linear vibronic coupling model for electronic transitions in gas phase molecules, where non-Condon effects give rise to conical intersections. We also present a comprehensive comparison between the linearized semiclassical expression and a progression of more approximate expressions. The comparison is performed over a wide range of frictions and temperatures for model (1) and over a wide range of temperatures for model (2). The linearized semiclassical method is found to reproduce the exact quantum-mechanical result remarkably well for both models over the entire range of parameters under consideration. In contrast, more approximate expressions are observed to deviate considerably from the exact result in some regions of parameter space.
Projection of phase singularities in moiré fringe onto a light field
Authors: Ohno Seigo
Published: June 2016

A moiré pattern, which is a kind of spatial interference between two periodic patterns, is regarded as a spatial modulation of a “field.” By defining the displacement field, we reveal that moiré patterns can have a topological phase singularity, similar to a disclination in liquid crystal and, more generally, a vector field treated in the singular optics. We propose that topological singularities in the moiré displacement field can be projected by passing an electromagnetic field through a metasurface. We designed a metasurface constructed from two layers of a metal disk array operating in the terahertz band; then we numerically estimated the spatial distribution of its transmission properties. The phase singularities in the electromagnetic fields coincided with the singularities appearing in the moiré pattern. We found two kinds of singularities, and the phase of the electromagnetic field changed by 2π or 4π around them. These phase changes were independent of the light frequency, implying that the topological properties of the moiré fields were projected onto the electromagnetic field. This feature of moiré metasurfaces can potentially be exploited in spiral phase plate arrays with no frequency dispersion of the phase change.