bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network-Dependent Modulation of COMT and DRD2 Polymorphisms in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Zhao Fangshi , Zhang Xuejun , Qin Wen , Liu Feng , Wang Qiuhui , Xu Qiang , Wang Junping , Yu Chunshui
Published: December 2015

Nonlinear modulation of the dopamine signaling on brain functions can be estimated by the interaction effects of dopamine-related genetic variations. We aimed to explore the interaction effects of COMT rs4680 and DRD2 rs1076560 on intra-network connectivity using independent component analysis. In 250 young healthy adults, we identified 11 meaningful resting-state networks (RSNs), including the salience, visual, auditory, default-mode, sensorimotor, attention and frontoparietal networks. A two-way analysis of covariance was used to investigate COMT×DRD2 interactions on intra-network connectivity in each network, controlling for age, gender and education. Significant COMT×DRD2 interaction was found in intra-network connectivity in the left medial prefrontal cortex of the anterior default-mode network, in the right dorsolateral frontal cortex of the right dorsal attention network and in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex of the salience network. Post hoc tests revealed that these interactions were driven by the differential effects of DRD2 genotypes on intra-network connectivity in different COMT genotypic subgroups. Moreover, even in the same COMT subgroup, the modulation effects of DRD2 on intra-network connectivity were different across RSNs. These findings suggest a network-dependent modulation of the DA-related genetic variations on intra-network connectivity.
A 1 MDa protein complex containing critical components of the Escherichia coli divisome
Authors: Trip Erik N. , Scheffers Dirk-Jan
Published: December 2015

Cell division in bacteria is an essential process that is carried out at mid-cell by a group of cell division proteins referred to as the divisome. InEscherichia coli, over two dozen cell division proteins have been identified of which ten are essential. These division proteins localize sequentially and interdependently to the division site, after which constriction eventually produces two daughter cells. Various genetic and biochemical techniques have identified many interactions amongst cell division proteins, however the existence of the divisome as a large multi-protein complex has never been shown. Here, we identify a 1 MDa protein complex by native page that contains seven essential cell division proteins (FtsZ, ZipA, FtsK, FtsQ, FtsB, FtsL and FtsN). The 1 MDa complex is present in rapidly dividing cells, but absent when cultures enter the stationary growth phase. Slight overexpression of theftsQ D237Nmutation that blocks cell division prevents formation of this 1 MDa complex. In cells depleted of FtsN, the 1 MDa complex is not assembled. Combined, our findings indicate that a large protein complex containing many different cell division proteins indeed exists. We note that this complex is very fragile and sensitive to the expression of tagged versions of FtsQ.
Use of infrared microspectroscopy to elucidate a specific chemical signature associated with hypoxia levels found in glioblastoma
Authors: Sandt Christophe , Nadaradjane Céline , Richards Rosalie , Dumas Paul , Sée Violaine
Published: December 2015

Detection of the chemical signature associated with hypoxia in single glioblastoma cells by synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy.
Metabolic profiles of 11,13α-dihydroixerin Z in rats using high performance liquid chromatography-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry
Authors: Cai Wei , Zhang Jiayu , Liu Ying , Zhang Xiuping , Liu Siyi , Lu Jianqiu , Zhang Honggui
Published: December 2015

A highly sensitive and specific HPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap combined with a multiple mass defect filter (MMDF) method was used to profile and identify the metabolites of 11,13α-dihydroixerin Z (DIZ) in rats.
Electrochemical behavior and simultaneous determination of catechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone using thermally reduced carbon nano-fragment modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Liu Lingyu , Ma Zhen , Zhu Xiaohua , Zeng Ronghua , Tie Shaolong , Nan Junmin
Published: December 2015

The electrochemical behaviors and simultaneous determination of three dihydroxybenzene isomers are studied using a thermally reduced carbon nano-fragment modified glassy carbon electrode (CNF/GCE).
Bimetallic coordination polymer as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Chao , Hu Xiaoshi , Lou Xiaobing , Chen Qun , Hu Bingwen
Published: December 2015

Bimetallic coordination polymers (BiCPs) with Zn and Co were synthesized by a simple method and applied as anode materials for the first time. When used as anode materials in LIBs, the as-prepared BiCPs exhibit ultra-high capacity and impressive rate capability.
Azo⋯phenyl stacking: a persistent self-assembly motif guides the assembly of fluorinated cis-azobenzenes into photo-mechanical needle crystals
Authors: Bushuyev Oleksandr S. , Tomberg Anna , Vinden Joanna R. , Moitessier Nicolas , Barrett Christopher J. , Friščić Tomislav
Published: December 2015

We describe a novel, persistent motif of molecular assembly in photo-mechanical crystals and cocrystals of fluorinated cis-azobenzenes.
A naphthalimide-based fluorescent sensor for halogenated solvents
Authors: Dai Li , Wu Di , Qiao Qinglong , Yin Wenting , Yin Jun , Xu Zhaochao
Published: December 2015

AMNis the first sensor to have the ability to differentiate CCl4, CHCl3, CH2Cl2and CHBr3from halogenated solvents.
Evaluation of La1−xSrxMnO3 (0 ≤ x < 0.4) synthesised via a modified sol–gel method as mediators for magnetic fluid hyperthermia
Authors: McBride K. , Cook J. , Gray S. , Felton S. , Stella L. , Poulidi D.
Published: December 2015

A range of lanthanum strontium manganates (La1−xSrxMnO3) where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 were prepared using a modified peroxide sol–gel synthesis. The crystal structure of these materials was investigated and their potential as mediators for magnetic fluid hyperthermia was evaluated.
Influence of gold species (AuCl4−and AuCl2−) on self-assembly of PS-b-P2VP in solutions and morphology of composite thin films fabricated at the air/liquid interfaces
Authors: Zhao Xingjuan , Wang Qian , Zhang Xiaokai , Lee Yong-Ill , Liu Hong-Guo
Published: December 2015

A new and facile approach was developed to fabricate functional composite films of block copolymers at the air/liquid interface through a self-emulsification, self-assembly and adsorption process.
Exploration of nanoporous graphene membranes for the separation of N2 from CO2: a multi-scale computational study
Authors: Wang Yong , Yang Qingyuan , Li Jinping , Yang Jiangfeng , Zhong Chongli
Published: December 2015

The graphene membrane, H-pore-13, with its appropriate pore size of 4.06 Å, exhibits high N2 selectivity over CO2 with a N2 permeance of 105 GPU. It is further revealed that electrostatic sieving plays a crucial role in hindering the passage of CO2 molecules through H-pore-13.
Impact of the electron–phonon coupling symmetry on the polaron stability and mobility in organic molecular semiconductors
Authors: Ribeiro Luiz Antonio , Stafström Sven
Published: December 2015

Schematic representation of a pentacene stack with two inter-molecular degrees of freedom.
Self-deposition of Pt nanoparticles on graphene woven fabrics for enhanced hybrid Schottky junctions and photoelectrochemical solar cells
Authors: Kang Zhe , Tan Xinyu , Li Xiao , Xiao Ting , Zhang Li , Lao Junchao , Li Xinming , Cheng Shan , Xie Dan , Zhu Hongwei
Published: December 2015

A hybrid Schottky junction and solid state photoelectrochemical graphene-on-silicon solar cell is designed and evaluated, and it shows impressive power conversion efficiencies of >10%.
A highly-efficient blue-light excitable red phosphor: intramolecular π-stacking interactions in one dinuclear europium(iii) complex
Authors: Wang Zhengliang , Yang Hui , He Pei , He Yonghui , Zhao Jishou , Tang Huaijun
Published: December 2015

The europium(iii) complex [Eu2(2,7-BTFDBC)(DBM)4(Phen)2] with multiple T-shaped and parallel-displaced π-stacking interactions exhibits intense red emission under blue light excitation with high colour purity.
A serine protease extracted from Trichosanthes kirilowii induces apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT-mediated mitochondrial pathway in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Song Li , Chang Jiao , Li Zhuoyu
Published: December 2015

A novel protein TKP extracted fromT. kirilowiifruit exerted potential anti-colorectal cancer activity by inducing apoptosis, which was regulated by the PI3K/AKT-mediated mitochondria-dependent pathway.
Ru–B nanoparticles on metal–organic frameworks as excellent catalysts for hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane under mild reaction conditions
Authors: Bi Huizi , Tan Xiaohe , Dou Rongfei , Pei Yan , Qiao Minghua , Sun Bin , Zong Baoning
Published: December 2015

Ru–B/MIL-53(AlCr) affords an exceptionally high turnover frequency (TOF) of 6.4 s−1for hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane under mild reaction conditions.
CO2-blown microcellular non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foams: from bio- and CO2-sourced monomers to potentially thermal insulating materials
Authors: Grignard B. , Thomassin J.-M. , Gennen S. , Poussard L. , Bonnaud L. , Raquez J.-M. , Dubois P. , Tran M.-P. , Park C. B. , Jerome C. , Detrembleur C.
Published: December 2015

Bio- and CO2-sourced non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) microcellular foams were prepared using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) foaming technology.
Green synthesis of stable and biocompatible fluorescent carbon dots from peanut shells for multicolor living cell imaging
Authors: Xue Mingyue , Zhan Zhihua , Zou Mengbing , Zhang Liangliang , Zhao Shulin
Published: December 2015

Fluorescent carbon dots derived from peanut shells were prepared via a pyrolysis approach and used for living cell imaging.
A family of substituted hydrazonoisoxazolones with potential biological properties
Authors: Bustos Carlos , Molins Elies , Cárcamo Juan-Guillermo , Aguilar Marcelo N. , Sánchez Christian , Moreno-Villoslada Ignacio , Nishide Hiroyuki , Zarate Ximena , Schott Eduardo
Published: December 2015

The synthesis and characterization of a family of isoxazolones were performed. X-Ray diffraction over three structures was performed. All the compounds showed antineoplastic activity.
Design of an amphiphilic porphyrin exhibiting high in vitro photocytotoxicity
Authors: Topkaya Derya , Lafont Dominique , Poyer Florent , Garcia Guillaume , Albrieux Florian , Maillard Philippe , Bretonnière Yann , Dumoulin Fabienne
Published: December 2015

A promising photosensitiser, which exhibits extremely suitable properties for photodynamic applications is described.
How does dense phase CO2 influence the phase behaviour of block copolymers synthesised by dispersion polymerisation?
Authors: Jennings J. , Bassett S. P. , Hermida-Merino D. , Portale G. , Bras W. , Knight L. , Titman J. J. , Higuchi T. , Jinnai H. , Howdle S. M.
Published: December 2015

Using a CO2 continuous phase for dispersion synthesis of block copolymers can provide a useful handle to control phase behaviour.
Optimization of bamboo autohydrolysis for the production of xylo-oligosaccharides using response surface methodology
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Wang Chen-Zhou , Bian Jing , Sun Run-Cang
Published: December 2015

Bamboo was employed to generate xylo-oligosaccharides by using autohydrolysis, and the process was optimizedviaresponse surface methodology to achieve the highest yield.
Competitive cation binding to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate domains revealed by X-ray fluorescence
Authors: Graber Z. T. , Wang W. , Singh G. , Kuzmenko I. , Vaknin D. , Kooijman E. E.
Published: December 2015

Calcium ions bind strongly to PIP2at physiological concentrations, leading to condensation and decreased effective charge for PIP2. Calcium displaces the more numerous magnesium and potassium ions, but some potassium ions remain.
Folate appended chitosan nanoparticles augment the stability, bioavailability and efficacy of insulin in diabetic rats following oral administration
Authors: Agrawal Ashish Kumar , Urimi Dileep , Harde Harshad , Kushwah Varun , Jain Sanyog
Published: December 2015

The present study embarks upon the folic acid (FA) functionalization of chitosan nanoparticles and its implications on stability, oral bioavailability and hypoglycemic activity following oral administration.
Syntheses, structures and luminescence of a series of coordination polymers constructed with 4-substituted 1,2,4-triazole and biscarboxylate co-ligands
Authors: Han Shan-Shan , Shi Lu-Lu , Li Ke , Zhao Shan , Li Bao-Long , Wu Bing
Published: December 2015

Eight coordination polymers were hydrothermal synthesized based on semi-rigid 4-substituted 1,2,4-triazole btpm and biscarboxylate ligands. 1–8 show the structural diversity based on mono-metal, bi-, tri- and tetra-nuclear metal clusters.
Constructing nanosized CdTe nanocrystal clusters with thermo-responsive photoluminescence characteristics
Authors: Zhang Hucheng , Wang Huili , Du Kelu , Ma Xinxin , Wang Jianji
Published: December 2015

Photoluminescence clusters of CdTe nanocrystals self-assembled by PNAEAM-b-PNIPAM copolymers represent sensitive and reversible thermo-responsive properties in aqueous solutions.
Thermoresistive properties of p-type 3C–SiC nanoscale thin films for high-temperature MEMS thermal-based sensors
Authors: Dinh Toan , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Kozeki Takahiro , Qamar Afzaal , Namazu Takahiro , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Dao Dzung Viet
Published: December 2015

We report for the first time the thermoresistive property of p-type single crystalline 3C–SiC (p-3C–SiC), which was epitaxially grown on a silicon (Si) wafer, and then transferred to a glass substrate using a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) technique.
Adsorption of rare earth metals (Sr2+ and La3+) from aqueous solution by Mg-aminoclay–humic acid [MgAC–HA] complexes in batch mode
Authors: Lee Young-Chul , Rengaraj Arunkumar , Ryu Taegong , Lee Hyun Uk , An Ha-Rim , Lee Kug-Seung , Lee Go-Woon , Kim Jun Yeong , Ryu Jungho , Heo Nam Su , Kim Byoung-Gyu , Huh Yun Suk
Published: December 2015

The recoveries of Sr2+ and La3+ as rare earth metals (REMs) were studied using Mg-aminoclay–humic acid [MgAC–HA] complexes prepared by self-assembled precipitation, i.e., [HA] intercalation into layered [MgAC].
Crosslinked polyurea aerogels with controlled porosity
Authors: Shinko Andrew , Jana Sadhan C. , Meador Mary Ann
Published: December 2015

Mesoporous aerogels with narrow pore size distribution are synthesized in organic solvents and the effects of diamine structure on pore size evaluated.
Formation and chemistry of carboxylic anhydrides at the graphene edge
Authors: Rosillo-Lopez Martin , Lee Tai Jung , Bella Malika , Hart Martin , Salzmann Christoph G.
Published: December 2015

Carboxylic anhydrides exist in dynamic equilibrium with carboxylic acid groups at the graphene edge. These can be used for chemical functionalization with amine nucleophiles in a simple, straight-forward manner.
High-performance supercapacitors based on electrospun multichannel carbon nanofibers
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Han Linlin , Liu Shuai , Zhang Cui , Liu Shuangxi
Published: December 2015

Multichannel carbon nanofibers exhibit high capacitance performance and excellent rate capability.
High temperature ammonia modification of rice husk char to enhance CO2 adsorption: influence of pre-deashing
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Zhang Shihong , Yang Haiping , Shao Jingai , Chen Yingquan , Feng Ye , Wang Xianhua , Chen Hanping
Published: December 2015

To enhance the CO2 adsorption capacity of rice husk char, pre-deashing of raw materials and high temperature ammonia treatment were combined to prepare the nitrogen-enriched char in this work.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of dialkylphosphinic acids and a structure–reactivity study in rare earth metal extraction
Authors: Du Ruo-Bing , An Huaying , Zhang Suhui , Yu Donghai , Xiao Ji-Chang
Published: December 2015

Dialkylphosphinic acids were synthesized efficiently under microwave irradiation. The extractants with ethyl or propyl substituents at the β-position showed higher separation efficiency.
Optimization of cleaning conditions on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microfiltration membrane used in treatment of oil-field wastewater
Authors: Zhang Bing , Shi Wenxin , Yu Shuili , Zhu Youbing , Zhang Ruijun , Li Li
Published: December 2015

Membrane fouling is one of the main drawbacks of microfiltration technology during the treatment of oil-field wastewater.
Torularhodin, isolated from Sporidiobolus pararoseus, inhibits human prostate cancer LNCaP and PC-3 cell growth through Bcl-2/Bax mediated apoptosis and AR down-regulation
Authors: Du Chao , Li Yingchao , Guo Yahui , Han Mei , Zhang Weiguo , Qian He
Published: December 2015

Torularhodin is one of the principal carotenoids inSporidiobolus pararoseusand has a similar structure to that of lycopene.
Enantiopure synthesis of 7-(1-pyrindanyl)propargyl ethers as rasagiline analogues via chemical or enzymatic resolution of 1-pyrindan-7-ol
Authors: Sousa Carlos A. D. , Sampaio-Dias Ivo E. , Rizzo-Aguiar Fabio , Garcia-Mera Xerardo , Rodríguez-Borges José E.
Published: December 2015

Enantiopure 7-(1-pyrindanyl)propargyl ethers – rasagiline analogues – were efficiently obtainedviachemical and/or enzymatic resolution of the racemic precursor 1-pyrindan-7-ol.
Correction: Impact of aluminium addition on the corrosion behaviour of Sn–1.0Ag–0.5Cu lead-free solder
Authors: Nordin N. I. M. , Said S. M. , Ramli R. , Weide-Zaage K. , Sabri M. F. M. , Mamat A. , Ibrahim N. N. S. , Mainal A. , Datta R. S.
Published: December 2015

Correction for ‘Impact of aluminium addition on the corrosion behaviour of Sn–1.0Ag–0.5Cu lead-free solder’ by N. I. M. Nordin et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 99058–99064.
Role of Munc13-4 as a Ca2+-dependent tether during platelet secretion
Authors: Chicka Michael C. , Ren Qiansheng , Richards David , Hellman Lance M. , Zhang Jinchao , Fried Michael G. , Whiteheart Sidney W.
Published: December 2015

The Munc13 family of exocytosis regulators has multiple Ca2+-binding, C2 domains. Here, we probed the mechanism by which Munc13-4 regulates in vitro membrane fusion and platelet exocytosis. We show that Munc13-4 enhances in vitro soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE)-dependent, proteoliposome fusion in a Ca2+- and phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent manner that was independent of SNARE concentrations. Munc13-4–SNARE interactions, under the conditions used, were minimal in the absence or presence of Ca2+. However, Munc13-4 was able to bind and cluster liposomes harbouring PS in response to Ca2+. Interestingly, Ca2+-dependent liposome binding/clustering and enhancement of proteoliposome fusion required both Munc13-4 C2 domains, but only the Ca2+-liganding aspartate residues of the C2B domain. Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) measurements indicated that, in solution, Munc13-4 was a monomeric prolate ellipsoid with dimensions consistent with a molecule that could bridge two fusing membranes. To address the potential role of Munc13-4 as a tethering protein in platelets, we examined mepacrine-stained, dense granule mobility and secretion in platelets from wild-type and Munc13-4 null (Unc13dJinx) mice. In the absence of Munc13-4, dense granules were highly mobile in both resting and stimulated platelets, and stimulation-dependent granule release was absent. These observations suggest that dense granules are stably docked in resting platelets awaiting stimulation and that Munc13-4 plays a vesicle-stabilizing or tethering role in resting platelets and also in activated platelets in response to Ca2+. In summary, we show that Munc13-4 conveys Ca2+ sensitivity to platelet SNARE-mediated membrane fusion and reveal a potential mechanism by which Munc13-4 bridges and stabilizes apposing membranes destined for fusion.
The evolving perception of controversial movies
Authors: Amendola Luca , Marra Valerio , Quartin Miguel
Published: December 2015

Polarization of opinion is an important feature of public debate on political, social and cultural topics. The availability of large internet databases of users’ ratings has permitted quantitative analysis of polarization trends—for instance, previous studies have included analyses of controversial topics on Wikipedia, as well as the relationship between online reviews and a product’s perceived quality. Here, we study the dynamics of polarization in the movie ratings collected by the Internet Movie database (IMDb) website in relation to films produced over the period 1915–2015. We define two statistical indexes, dubbed hard and soft controversiality, which quantify polarized and uniform rating distributions, respectively. We find that controversy decreases with popularity and that hard controversy is relatively rare. Our findings also suggest that more recent movies are more controversial than older ones and we detect a trend of “convergence to the mainstream” with a time scale of roughly 40–50 years. This phenomenon appears qualitatively different from trends observed in both online reviews of commercial products and in political debate, and we speculate that it may be connected with the absence of long-lived “echo chambers” in the cultural domain. This hypothesis can and should be tested by extending our analysis to other forms of cultural expression and/or to databases with different demographic user bases.
Zeeman spectroscopy of the internal transition 4T1 to 6A1 of Fe3+ ions in wurtzite GaN
Authors: Neuschl B. , Gödecke M. L. , Thonke K. , Lipski F. , Klein M. , Scholz F. , Feneberg M.
Published: December 2015

Internal transitions of Fe3+ ions in wurtzite gallium nitride were analyzed by means of photoluminescence, Zeeman, and transmission spectroscopy in order to investigate the fine structure. Magnetic fields up to 14 T were applied perpendicular or parallel to the crystal c-axis, causing a characteristic splitting pattern of the luminescence related to the transition from the 4T1 excited state to the 6A1 ground state of Fe3+. The complete Hamiltonian matrix is constructed taking into account the crystal field in cubic and trigonal symmetry, spin-orbit interaction, and the influence of external magnetic fields. Numerical solution yields the exact energy level scheme of the excited state 4G of Fe3+ ions in GaN, which partly revises assumptions based on a qualitative treatment considering group theory only and invoking the influence of a Jahn-Teller effect. The coincidence of the calculated energy levels with the experimental data verifies the derived fine structure of the 3d metal ion.
A comparative numerical analysis of linear and nonlinear aerodynamic sound generation by vortex disturbances in homentropic constant shear flows
Authors: Hau Jan-Niklas , Chagelishvili George , Khujadze George , Oberlack Martin , Tevzadze Alexander
Published: December 2015

Aerodynamic sound generation in shear flows is investigated in the light of the breakthrough in hydrodynamics stability theory in the 1990s, where generic phenomena of non-normal shear flow systems were understood. By applying the thereby emerged short-time/non-modal approach, the sole linear mechanism of wave generation by vortices in shear flows was captured [G. D. Chagelishvili, A. Tevzadze, G. Bodo, and S. S. Moiseev, “Linear mechanism of wave emergence from vortices in smooth shear flows,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 3178-3181 (1997); B. F. Farrell and P. J. Ioannou, “Transient and asymptotic growth of two-dimensional perturbations in viscous compressible shear flow,” Phys. Fluids 12, 3021-3028 (2000); N. A. Bakas, “Mechanism underlying transient growth of planar perturbations in unbounded compressible shear flow,” J. Fluid Mech. 639, 479-507 (2009); and G. Favraud and V. Pagneux, “Superadiabatic evolution of acoustic and vorticity perturbations in Couette flow,” Phys. Rev. E 89, 033012 (2014)]. Its source is the non-normality induced linear mode-coupling, which becomes efficient at moderate Mach numbers that is defined for each perturbation harmonic as the ratio of the shear rate to its characteristic frequency. Based on the results by the non-modal approach, we investigate a two-dimensional homentropic constant shear flow and focus on the dynamical characteristics in the wavenumber plane. This allows to separate from each other the participants of the dynamical processes — vortex and wave modes — and to estimate the efficacy of the process of linear wave-generation. This process is analyzed and visualized on the example of a packet of vortex modes, localized in both, spectral and physical, planes. Further, by employing direct numerical simulations, the wave generation by chaotically distributed vortex modes is analyzed and the involved linear and nonlinear processes are identified. The generated acoustic field is anisotropic in the wavenumber plane, which results in highly directional linear sound radiation, whereas the nonlinearly generated waves are almost omni-directional. As part of this analysis, we compare the effectiveness of the linear and nonlinear mechanisms of wave generation within the range of validity of the rapid distortion theory and show the dominance of the linear aerodynamic sound generation. Finally, topological differences between the linear source term of the acoustic analogy equation and of the anisotropic non-normality induced linear mechanism of wave generation are found.
Metrological analysis of a virtual flowmeter-based transducer for cryogenic helium
Authors: Arpaia P. , Girone M. , Liccardo A. , Pezzetti M. , Piccinelli F.
Published: December 2015

The metrological performance of a virtual flowmeter-based transducer for monitoring helium under cryogenic conditions is assessed. At this aim, an uncertainty model of the transducer, mainly based on a valve model, exploiting finite-element approach, and a virtual flowmeter model, based on the Sereg-Schlumberger method, are presented. The models are validated experimentally on a case study for helium monitoring in cryogenic systems at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The impact of uncertainty sources on the transducer metrological performance is assessed by a sensitivity analysis, based on statistical experiment design and analysis of variance. In this way, the uncertainty sources most influencing metrological performance of the transducer are singled out over the input range as a whole, at varying operating and setting conditions. This analysis turns out to be important for CERN cryogenics operation because the metrological design of the transducer is validated, and its components and working conditions with critical specifications for future improvements are identified.
Isolation and enrichment of low abundant particles with insulator-based dielectrophoresis
Authors: LaLonde Alexandra , Romero-Creel Maria F. , Saucedo-Espinosa Mario A. , Lapizco-Encinas Blanca H.
Published: December 2015

Isolation and enrichment of low-abundant particles are essential steps in many bio-analytical and clinical applications. In this work, the capability of an insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) device for the detection and stable capture of low abundant polystyrene particles and yeast cells was evaluated. Binary and tertiary mixtures of particles and cells were tested, where the low-abundant particles had concentration ratios on the order of 1:10 000 000 compared to the other particles present in the mixture. The results demonstrated successful and stable capture and enrichment of rare particles and cells (trapping efficiencies over 99%), where particles remained trapped in a stable manner for up to 4 min. A device with four reservoirs was employed for the separation and enrichment of rare particles, where the particles of interest were first selectively concentrated and then effectively directed to a side port for future collection and analysis. The present study demonstrates that simple iDEP devices have appropriate screening capacity and can be used for handling samples containing rare particles; achieving both enrichment and isolation of low-abundant particles and cells.
Novel vertical silicon photodiodes based on salicided polysilicon trenched contacts
Authors: Kaminski Yelena , Shauly Eitan , Paz Yaron
Published: December 2015

The classical concept of silicon photodiodes comprises of a planar design characterized by heavily doped emitters. Such geometry has low collection efficiency of the photons absorbed close to the surface. An alternative, promising, approach is to use a vertical design. Nevertheless, realization of such design is technologically challenged, hence hardly explored. Herein, a novel type of silicon photodiodes, based on salicided polysilicon trenched contacts, is presented. These contacts can be prepared up to 10 μm in depth, without showing any leakage current associated with the increase in the contact area. Consequently, the trenched photodiodes revealed better performance than no-trench photodiodes. A simple two dimensional model was developed, allowing to estimate the conditions under which a vertical design has the potential to have better performance than that of a planar design. At large, the deeper the trench is, the better is the vertical design relative to the planar (up to 10 μm for silicon). The vertical design is more advantageous for materials characterized by short diffusion lengths of the carriers. Salicided polysilicon trenched contacts open new opportunities for the design of solar cells and image sensors. For example, these contacts may passivate high contact area buried contacts, by virtue of the conformity of polysilicon interlayer, thus lowering the via resistance induced recombination enhancement effect.
Thermal dynamics of bomb calorimeters
Authors: Lyon Richard E.
Published: December 2015

The thermal dynamics of bomb calorimeters are modeled using a lumped heat transfer analysis in which heat is released in a pressure vessel/bomb immersed in a stirred water bath that is surrounded by a static air space bounded by an insulated (static) jacket, a constant/controlled temperature jacket (isoperibol), or a changing temperature (adiabatic) jacket. The temperature history of the water bath for each of these boundary conditions (methods) is well described by the two-term solution for the calorimeter response to a heat impulse (combustion), allowing the heat transfer coefficients and thermal capacities of the bomb and water bath to be determined parametrically. The validated heat transfer model provides an expression for direct calculation of the heat released in an arbitrary process inside a bomb calorimeter using the temperature history of the water bath for each of the boundary conditions (methods). This result makes possible the direct calculation of the heat of combustion of a sample in an isoperibol calorimeter from the recorded temperature history without the need for semi-empirical temperature corrections to account for non-adiabatic behavior. Another useful result is that the maximum temperature rise of the water bath in the static jacket method is proportional to the total heat generated, and the empirical proportionality constant, which is determined by calibration, accounts for all of the heat losses and thermal lags of the calorimeter.
Degradation/oxidation susceptibility of organic photovoltaic cells in aqueous solutions
Authors: Habib K. , Husain A. , Al-Hazza A.
Published: December 2015

A criterion of the degradation/oxidation susceptibility of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells in aqueous solutions was proposed for the first time. The criterion was derived based on calculating the limit of the ratio value of the polarization resistance of an OPV cell in aqueous solution (Rps) to the polarization resistance of the OPV cell in air (Rpair). In other words, the criterion lim(Rps/Rpair) = 1 was applied to determine the degradation/oxidation of the OPV cell in the aqueous solution when Rpair became equal (increased) to Rps as a function of time of the exposure of the OPV cell to the aqueous solution. This criterion was not only used to determine the degradation/oxidation of different OPV cells in a simulated operational environment but also it was used to determine the electrochemical behavior of OPV cells in deionized water and a polluted water with fine particles of sand. The values of Rps were determined by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at low frequency. In addition, the criterion can be applied under diverse test conditions with a predetermined period of OPV operations.
Investigation to the deep center related properties of low temperature grown InPBi with Hall and photoluminescence
Authors: Wang Peng , Pan Wenwu , Wang Kai , Wu Xiaoyan , Yue Li , Gong Qian , Wang Shumin
Published: December 2015

InP1-xBix epilayers with bismuth (Bi) concentration x= 1.0% were grown on InP by gas source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE) at low temperature (LT). Bi incorporation decreased the intrinsic free electron concentration of low temperature grown InP indicated by hall analysis. It is concluded that deep level center was introduced by Bi. Influence of Si doping on the InP1-xBix films Photoluminescence (PL) was investigated. N-type doping in the InP1-xBix epilayers was found to be effective at PL enhancement. Blue shift of InPBi PL emission wavelength was observed as the Si doping concentration increasing. Two independent peaks were fitted and their temperature dependence behavior was observed to be distinct obviously. Two individual radiative recombination processes were expected to be involved.
Translating political ideology
Authors: Guangjun Wu , Huanyao Zhang
Published: December 2015

Ideology is a major issue in Translation Studies. With a case study of the Chinese translations of English news headlines concerning the South China Sea disputes on the website of www.ftchinese.com, this paper attempts to provide insights into the translation of ideologies in news in the Chinese context. In the theoretical framework of critical discourse analysis, the ideological factors underlying the disparity between the English news headlines and their Chinese translations are explored. The three-dimensional model of analysis put forward by Fairclough is modified and adopted in this paper as the basic steps of analysis: firstly, describe the differences between the original and their translations; secondly, associate them with the social reality; finally, account for those differences. In addition, to demonstrate how translators maneuvered to reach a compromise with the antagonistic ideologies which may set difficulties either for the news to win the acceptance of Chinese online readers or pass the Chinese government censorship, this paper offers an analysis of the translation strategies adopted in those Chinese translations, such as substitution, omission as well as the more subtle strategies, including changes of modality and actor. It is found that in the Chinese translations of the English news headlines, translators’ priority is on producing translations suitable to target readers and censors' ideology, rather than linguistic equivalents. Therefore, translating ideology-loaded texts adds a new way to understand translation and ideological explorations in Translation Studies have great potentials.
How universal is UN ‘peace’?
Authors: Krijtenburg Froukje , de Volder Eefje
Published: December 2015

It is now commonly accepted that, for the sake of international peace, the provisions of the UN Charter (originally devised to regulate interstate wars) should be interpreted so as to allow for intrastate interference as well. Yet the UN Charter does not explicitly state what the termpeacerefers to. It seems that the concept underpinning this term is so much the norm that only deviations from it are marked and therefore noteworthy or definable. Still, in view of the wide array of UN peacekeeping missions all over the world, a clear notion of ‘peace’ could make an important contribution to the success of these missions. In view of this, the paper addresses two questions:whatlies behind the concept of ‘peace’ embedded in UN discourse, and howinternationally salientis it? To provide the necessary perspective, we undertake a comparative analysis of the UN and Giryama (Kenya) ‘peace’ concepts. The analysis aims to highlight those aspects of Giryama and UN ‘peace’ that are characteristically ‘socially meaningful’ and concludes by highlighting convergences and divergences between them.
Sustaining internet usage in the emerging digital economy
Authors: Salman Ali , Abdullah Mohd Yusof Hj. , Mustaffa Normah , Wan Mahmud Wan Amizah
Published: December 2015

Malaysia is undergoing tremendous development programs towards a developed nation. ICT initiative is one of the strategies to facilitate the implementation of economic, social and cultural development in the society. The embrace (adoption) of ICT among the people depends on many factors which facilitate or inhibit the use of ICT. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that facilitate internet usage among urban dwellers living in the Klang Valley, an area comprising the capital city, Kuala Lumpur and parts of the state of Selangor. This is crucial in order to trace the impact of various public sector ICT initiatives like the High Speed Broadband (HSBB). The study distributed 303 questionnaires to respondents who were sampled from internet users. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyse the data. The descriptive statistics included frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation while the inferential statistics included reliability test, means and multiple regressions. The results of the study showed that factors such as interpersonal and social network, perceived and realized benefits and communication channels facilitate internet usage. Implication of this usage is expected to reflect on urban living with regard to the use of Internet.
Social media and the arab spring
Authors: Ahmad Fauziah , Samsudin Dafrizal , Ibrahim Faridah , Ahmad Abdul Latiff , Redzuan A.H. Badrul , Mustaffa Normah , Abdullah Mohd Yusof Hj. , Peng Kee Chang
Published: December 2015

The year 2010 has seen the rise of West Asia with the Arab Spring phenomena. The event has triggered the solidarity of at least 8 countries in the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and has seen the ousting of Hosni Mubarak’s regime. Malaysia is emotionally attached to Egypt through religion, economy and education which has led Malaysians to track the event. In the meantime, the media is seen as the catalyst towards the rise of the people there. The democratic system depends very much on free, accurate and responsible flow of credible information. The flow of information has brought huge changes in the communications aspect. This article will discuss about the impact of social media as the main source of information channel among Malaysians during the massive uprise in Egypt.
Unité et diversité des expressions figées en espagnol
Authors: Calvo Pérez Julio
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this paper is to establish practical ways of comparing complex structures of two different Spanish dialects, in this case the Peruvian and Peninsular dialects. Fixed locutions may have either common elements in the extension and / or the support element or be totally different. In this last case, the researcher resorts to content similarities as total or partial synonyms of their elements, etc. Finally, we would stress the general lexicographical difficulties arising from intralinguistic false friends or exclusive words of both dialects.
The practice of (re)formulating in classroom interaction
Authors: Kapellidi Charikleia
Published: December 2015

Although the practice of (re)formulating has been examined in a variety of institutional settings, its realization in the framework of school interaction has received no attention from a conversation analytic perspective. The present article aspires to fill this gap, offering some preliminary remarks about how reformulations, namely versions of what was previously said or implied, are accomplished in the classroom. More specifically, two types of the teacher’s reformulations are distinguished, on the basis of his/her epistemic access to what is reformulated. The research aims at demonstrating how a general practice adapts to the central activities of the setting in which it is employed.
A keratin scaffold regulates epidermal barrier formation, mitochondrial lipid composition, and activity
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Bouameur Jamal-Eddine , Bär Janina , Rice Robert H. , Hornig-Do Hue-Tran , Roop Dennis R. , Schwarz Nicole , Brodesser Susanne , Thiering Sören , Leube Rudolf E. , Wiesner Rudolf J. , Vijayaraj Preethi , Brazel Christina B. , Heller Sandra , Binder Hans , Löffler-Wirth Henry , Seibel Peter , Magin Thomas M.
Published: December 2015

Keratin intermediate filaments (KIFs) protect the epidermis against mechanical force, support strong adhesion, help barrier formation, and regulate growth. The mechanisms by which type I and II keratins contribute to these functions remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that mice lacking all type I or type II keratins display severe barrier defects and fragile skin, leading to perinatal mortality with full penetrance. Comparative proteomics of cornified envelopes (CEs) from prenatal KtyI−/− and KtyII−/−K8 mice demonstrates that absence of KIF causes dysregulation of many CE constituents, including downregulation of desmoglein 1. Despite persistence of loricrin expression and upregulation of many Nrf2 targets, including CE components Sprr2d and Sprr2h, extensive barrier defects persist, identifying keratins as essential CE scaffolds. Furthermore, we show that KIFs control mitochondrial lipid composition and activity in a cell-intrinsic manner. Therefore, our study explains the complexity of keratinopathies accompanied by barrier disorders by linking keratin scaffolds to mitochondria, adhesion, and CE formation.
How stressed cells triage mRNAs
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: December 2015

In 2005, Kedersha et al. demonstrated the dynamic interactions between cytoplasmic RNA granules.
How the spindle keeps its focus
Authors: Short Ben
Published: December 2015

The microcephaly-associated protein Asp works with calmodulin to cross-link the minus ends of spindle microtubules.
Marcos Sotomayor: Listening in on the cadherin family’s secrets
Authors: Blum Karen
Published: December 2015

Sotomayor studies how cadherin proteins mediate mechanotransduction and cell adhesion.
Hif-1α and Hif-2α synergize to suppress AML development but are dispensable for disease maintenance
Authors: Vukovic Milica , Guitart Amelie V. , Sepulveda Catarina , Villacreces Arnaud , O'Duibhir Eoghan , Panagopoulou Theano I. , Ivens Alasdair , Menendez-Gonzalez Juan , Iglesias Juan Manuel , Allen Lewis , Glykofrydis Fokion , Subramani Chithra , Armesilla-Diaz Alejandro , Post Annemarie E.M. , Schaak Katrin , Gezer Deniz , So Chi Wai Eric , Holyoake Tessa L. , Wood Andrew , O'Carroll Dónal , Ratcliffe Peter J. , Kranc Kamil R.
Published: December 2015

Leukemogenesis occurs under hypoxic conditions within the bone marrow (BM). Knockdown of key mediators of cellular responses to hypoxia with shRNA, namely hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) or HIF-2α, in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples results in their apoptosis and inability to engraft, implicating HIF-1α or HIF-2α as therapeutic targets. However, genetic deletion of Hif-1α has no effect on mouse AML maintenance and may accelerate disease development. Here, we report the impact of conditional genetic deletion of Hif-2α or both Hif-1α and Hif-2α at different stages of leukemogenesis in mice. Deletion of Hif-2α accelerates development of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and shortens AML latency initiated by Mll-AF9 and its downstream effectors Meis1 and Hoxa9. Notably, the accelerated initiation of AML caused by Hif-2α deletion is further potentiated by Hif-1α codeletion. However, established LSCs lacking Hif-2α or both Hif-1α and Hif-2α propagate AML with the same latency as wild-type LSCs. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of the HIF pathway or HIF-2α knockout using the lentiviral CRISPR-Cas9 system in human established leukemic cells with MLL-AF9 translocation have no impact on their functions. We therefore conclude that although Hif-1α and Hif-2α synergize to suppress the development of AML, they are not required for LSC maintenance.
An upper bound on the number of rational points of arbitrary projective varieties over finite fields
Authors: Couvreur Alain
Published: December 2015

We give an upper bound on the number of rational points of an arbitrary Zariski closed subset of a projective space over a finite field

F

q

\mathbf {F}_q

. This bound depends only on the dimensions and degrees of the irreducible components and holds for very general projective varieties, even reducible and nonequidimensional. As a consequence, we prove a conjecture of Ghorpade and Lachaud on the maximal number of rational points of an equidimensional projective variety.
Zippin’s embedding theorem and amalgamations of classes of Banach spaces
Authors: Kurka Ondřej
Published: December 2015

It was proved by Dodos and Ferenczi that the classes of Banach spaces with a separable dual and of separable reflexive Banach spaces are strongly bounded. In this paper, we provide an isometric version of this result.
Avoidance of stochastic RNA interactions can be harnessed to control protein expression levels in bacteria and archaea
Authors: Umu Sinan Uğur , Poole Anthony M. , Dobson Renwick C. J. , Gardner Paul P.
Published: December 2015

A critical assumption of gene expression analysis is that mRNA abundances broadly correlate with protein abundance, but these two are often imperfectly correlated. Some of the discrepancy can be accounted for by two important mRNA features: codon usage and mRNA secondary structure. We present a new global factor, called mRNA:ncRNA avoidance, and provide evidence that avoidance increases translational efficiency. We also demonstrate a strong selection for avoidance of stochastic mRNA:ncRNA interactions across prokaryotes, and that these have a greater impact on protein abundance than mRNA structure or codon usage. By generating synonymously variant green fluorescent protein (GFP) mRNAs with different potential for mRNA:ncRNA interactions, we demonstrate that GFP levels correlate well with interaction avoidance. Therefore, taking stochastic mRNA:ncRNA interactions into account enables precise modulation of protein abundance.
Actors and avatars: why learners prefer digital agents
Authors: Donovan Paul
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to compare learner experiences of recorded instructional videos (DVDs) with Machinima.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this exploratory study, sets of learning sequences in management skills training were delivered to 32 learners using both methods, and learner reactions were gathered using post-event interviews.

Findings

– Analysis of learner responses showed that participants prefer Machinima as a learning delivery mechanism. Participants also reported being better able to concentrate on the message of the Machinima learning sequences.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was not representative, being a convenience sample derived by open invitation from cohorts of two master’s degree programmes conducted at the School of Business, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The age range of the participants was significantly skewed toward a younger age grouping. No learning test was given to assess the teaching efficacy of the methods. Implications for practice include using Machinima to model desirable behaviours to trainees. Future research should extend the research to other settings.

Practical implications

– Research should be considered into the potential for Machinima to be considered as a replacement for DVD in management training. Sufficient encouragement arises from this study to suggest that Machinima contains none of the distractions of DVD that are recorded in this study. In addition, many organisations seek to utilise training materials with diverse audiences.

Originality/value

– Originality of the study stems from the potential replacement of DVD with Machinima in learning.