bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASPECTOS NUTRICIONAIS DE SEMENTES E PLÂNTULAS DE GUAPURUVU DESENVOLVIDAS EM DOIS SUBSTRATOS
Authors: SEREDA Fernanda , REISSMANN Carlos Bruno , MARQUES Renato , BRITEZ Ricardo Miranda de
Published: January 2015

Este trabalho teve como objetivos caracterizar nutricionalmente plântulas de guapuruvu (Schizolobium parahyba (Vellozo) Blake), bem como avaliar as relações entre a composição química das reservas contidas em suas sementes, macronutrientes e micronutrientes, com a sua distribuição na fase de plântulas quando desenvolvidas em dois substratos. O experimento foi conduzido em 2004, em casa de vegetação da UFPR (Curitiba - PR), em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições, com os seguintes tratamentos: areia fina e solo do horizonte A do Cambissolo Háplico, da região de origem das sementes. Após o período de sete semanas, procedeu-se a coleta do material separando-os em parte aérea, cotilédone e raiz. Para obter um valor de referência das reservas totais das sementes, partindo do princípio de que essa seja a principal fonte nutricional utilizada durante a germinação e fase de plântula, fez-se a análise química dos cotilédones. Esses valores foram comparados com o somatório dos compartimentos obtidos no experimento em casa de vegetação. Em ambos os casos o material, após seco e moído, foi analisado quimicamente para as variáveis N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu e Zn. Os resultados indicaram que plântulas desenvolvidas em solo apresentaram maior produção de massa seca nos compartimentos raiz e parte aérea. Teores de nutrientes de plântulas de guapuruvu em areia fina apresentaram a ordem de N>K>P>Ca>Mg>Fe>Cu>Mn>Zn e em relação ao solo, N>K>Ca>P>Mg>Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn. Com relação às reservas das sementes de guapuruvu o conteúdo de N foi o de maior expressão.
The internal plumbing of algal chloroplasts
Authors: Meyer Moritz , Griffiths Howard
Published: January 2015

High-resolution images of chloroplast structure in the alga Chlamydomonas offer new insights into photosynthesis.
Underwater acoustic signatures of glacier calving
Authors: Glowacki O. , Deane G. B. , Moskalik M. , Blondel Ph. , Tegowski J. , Blaszczyk M.
Published: January 2015

Climate‐driven ice‐water interactions in the contact zone between marine‐terminating glaciers and the ocean surface show a dynamic and complex nature. Tidewater glaciers lose volume through the poorly understood process of calving. A detailed description of the mechanisms controlling the course of calving is essential for the reliable estimation and prediction of mass loss from glaciers. Here we present the potential of hydroacoustic methods to investigate different modes of ice detachments. High‐frequency underwater ambient noise recordings are combined with synchronized, high‐resolution, time‐lapse photography of the Hans Glacier cliff in Hornsund Fjord, Spitsbergen, to identify three types of calving events: typical subaerial, sliding subaerial, and submarine. A quantitative analysis of the data reveals a robust correlation between ice impact energy and acoustic emission at frequencies below 200 Hz for subaerial calving. We suggest that relatively inexpensive acoustic methods can be successfully used to provide quantitative descriptions of the various calving types.
Untangling the effects of urban development on subsurface storage in Baltimore
Authors: Bhaskar Aditi S. , Welty Claire , Maxwell Reed M. , Miller Andrew J.
Published: January 2015

The impact of urban development on surface flow has been studied extensively over the last half century, but effects on groundwater systems are still poorly understood. Previous studies of the influence of urban development on subsurface storage have not revealed any consistent pattern, with results showing increases, decreases, and negligible change in groundwater levels. In this paper, we investigated the effects of four key features that impact subsurface storage in urban landscapes. These include reduced vegetative cover, impervious surface cover, infiltration and inflow (I&I) of groundwater and storm water into wastewater pipes, and other anthropogenic recharge and discharge fluxes including water supply pipe leakage and well and reservoir withdrawals. We applied the integrated groundwater‐surface water‐land surface model ParFlow.CLM to the Baltimore metropolitan area. We compared the base case (all four features) to simulations in which an individual urban feature was removed. For the Baltimore region, the effect of infiltration of groundwater into wastewater pipes had the greatest effect on subsurface storage (I&I decreased subsurface storage 11.1% relative to precipitation minus evapotranspiration after 1 year), followed by the impact of water supply pipe leakage and lawn irrigation (combined anthropogenic discharges and recharges led to a 7.4% decrease) and reduced vegetation (1.9% increase). Impervious surface cover led to a small increase in subsurface storage (0.56% increase) associated with decreased groundwater discharge as base flow. The change in subsurface storage due to infiltration of groundwater into wastewater pipes was largest despite the smaller spatial extent of surface flux modifications, compared to other features.
Lichtinduzierte Proteindimerisierung in lebenden Zellen durch Ein‐ und Zweiphotonenaktivierung von Gibberellinsäurederivaten
Authors: Schelkle Korwin M. , Griesbaum Tristan , Ollech Dirk , Becht Steffy , Buckup Tiago , Hamburger Manuel , Wombacher Richard
Published: January 2015

Wir stellen hier ein hocheffizientes Konzept zur lichtinduzierten Proteindimerisierung unter Verwendung photoaktivierbarer Derivate des Phytohormons Gibberellinsäure (GA3) vor. Die entwickelten photoaktivierbaren chemischen Dimerisierungsreagenzien (CIDs) ermöglichen eine präzise räumliche und zeitliche Steuerung intrazellulärer Proteindimerisierungen unter Verwendung von Licht als externem Stimulus. Des Weiteren präsentieren wir eine neue Zweiphotonen(2P)‐sensitive Photoschutzgruppe mit außergewöhnlich hohem Zweiphotonen‐Wirkungsquerschnitt, welche eine effiziente Freisetzung aktiver GA3 in lebenden Zellen durch infrarotes Licht erlaubt.
Quantifying spatial dependencies, trade‐offs and uncertainty in bioenergy costs: An Australian case study (1) – least cost production scale
Authors: Brinsmead Thomas S. , Herr Alexander , O'Connell Deborah A.
Published: January 2015

This paper analyzes costs of several biofuel production pathways in Australia from crop residues (stubble), a lignocellulosic feedstock. As well as land (and sea) transport suitable biofuels, we also consider electricity, and aviation biofuels. Some biofuel cost calculations assume a minimum processing plant scale, often based on contemporary fossil fuels production scales. The more theoretical approach here minimizes production cost by trading off processing and transport costs. Optimal scales and process component costs depend on feedstock spatial concentration; however total costs are less strongly dependent. Lower concentrations correspond to smaller processing plant and greater collection areas and costs. Processing costs are added to feedstock production and transport costs to derive biofuel supply cost ranges as a function of feedstock concentration in an Australian context. Sensitivity analysis then identifies significant parameters and confidence interval estimates. A companion paper generates Australian nationally aggregated supply cost curves. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Lactobacillus plantarum: Microfiltration experiments for the production of probiotic biomass to be used in food and nutraceutical preparations
Authors: Alfano Alberto , Donnarumma Giovanna , Cimini Donatella , Fusco Alessandra , Marzaioli Iolanda , De Rosa Mario , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: January 2015

Several studies have focused their attention on increasing the production of lactobacillus ssp. (LAB) biomass via‐fermentation, in particular exploiting novel in situ product removal bioreactors that prevent accumulation of lactic acid, and therefore growth inhibition. Lactobacillus plantarum is one of the most studied species, used in nutritional supplements and in food processing. This research aimed to obtain high cell densities of L. plantarum, through fed‐batch and microfiltration experiments. The latter achieved a 5‐fold higher biomass density compared with batch experiments. Furthermore, the L. plantarum strain, isolated from Portoguese chorizo, was characterized for its ability to survive simulated digestion in vitro and competition potential toward certain common pathogens. Finally, the possibility of exploiting dairy liquid wastes (whey) as medium components was also explored demonstrating the strain's capability of metabolizing bovine‐ovine whey. This finding might be relevant in liquid waste treatments of diary industries that are well distributed in our region. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:325–333, 2015
High‐yield recombinant expression of the chicken antimicrobial peptide fowlicidin‐2 in Escherichia coli
Authors: Feng Xingjun , Xu Wenshan , Qu Pei , Li Xiaochong , Xing Liwei , Liu Di , Jiao Jian , Wang Jue , Li Zhongqiu , Liu Chunlong
Published: January 2015

The antimicrobial peptide fowlicidin‐2 identified in chicken is a member of the cathelicidins family. The mature fowlicidin‐2 possesses high antibacterial efficacy and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) neutralizing activity, and also represents an excellent candidate as an antimicrobial agent. In the present study, the recombinant fowlicidin‐2 was successfully produced by Escherichia coli (E. coli) recombinant expression system. The gene encoding fowlicidin‐2 with the codon preference of E. coli was designed through codon optimization and synthesized in vitro. The gene was then ligated into the plasmid pET‐32a(+), which features fusion protein thioredoxin at the N‐terminal. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) and cultured in Luria‐Bertani (LB) medium. After isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction, the fowlicidin‐2 fusion protein was successfully expressed as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were dissolved and successfully released the peptide in 70% formic acid solution containing cyanogen bromide (CNBr) in a single step. After purification by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), ∼6.0 mg of fowlicidin‐2 with purity more than 97% was obtained from 1 litre of bacteria culture. The recombinant peptide exhibited high antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, and even drug‐resistant strains. This system could be used to rapidly and efficiently produce milligram quantities of a battery of recombinant antimicrobial peptides as well as for large‐scale production. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:369–374, 2015
Psychological Distress and Problem Drinking
Authors: Mentzakis Emmanouil , Roberts Bayard , Suhrcke Marc , McKee Martin
Published: January 2015

We examine the influence of harmful alcohol use on mental health using a flexible two‐step instrumental variables approach and household survey data from nine countries of the former Soviet Union. Using alcohol advertisements to instrument for alcohol, we show that problem drinking has a large detrimental effect on psychological distress, with problem drinkers exhibiting a 42% increase in the number of mental health problems reported and a 15% higher chance of reporting very poor mental health. Ignoring endogeneity leads to an underestimation of the damaging effect of excessive drinking. Findings suggest that more effective alcohol polices and treatment services in the former Soviet Union may have added benefits in terms of reducing poor mental health. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of novel polyesters for potential applications in skin tissue engineering
Authors: Kanitkar Akanksha , Smoak Mollie , Chen Cong , Aita Giovanna , Scherr Thomas , Madsen Lee , Hayes Daniel
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

In this study, polyesters of glycerol, aconitic acid and cinnamic acid were synthesized and studied for their potential application as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Aconitic acid can be recovered from molasses, while glycerol and cinnamic acid can be recovered from pretreated sugarcane bagasse used for bio‐ethanol production. Polyester synthesis was carried out at different molar ratios of reactants at a temperature of 120 °C for 5 h. Synthesized polyesters were characterized chemically and mechanically, and evaluated for their cytotoxicity and chemical stability towards human adipose derived mesenchymal pluripotent stem cells (hASC).

RESULTS

Several cytocompatibility tests such as mass loss over a period of time, alamar blue to analyze growth and viability ofhASCon polyester scaffolds, picogreen for totalDNAcontent synthesized, indicated that these polyesters hold promise as tissue engineering scaffolds. For skin tissue engineering, especially for wound repair, thin film polyester scaffolds laden withhASCwere grown in stromal medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). For all the scaffolds, the amount of collagen synthesized inbFGFsupplemented medium was significantly higher than the scaffolds withhASCin control (stromal) medium (P<0.05)

CONCLUSION

Based on the amount of collagen synthesized andDNAquantification data, it was concluded that the polyesters are cytocompatible and support fibroblastic differentiation by the addition ofbFGF. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A scalable seamless full color PMOLED
Authors: Yan Xiaojian , Tian Chaoyong , Jiang Wei , Xia Weigao , Wei Xinying
Published: January 2015

Passive matrix organic light emitting display is restricted to its passive driving method, so it is hard to make the screen size and resolution larger because the brightness is reduced with the row numbers and it needs a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) with high current supply. In order to make high resolution and large size Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED), companies invest much money to produce Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Display (AMOLED). But compared with AMOLED, Passive Matrix Organic Light Emitting Display (PMOLED) has simple fabrication process, which does not need very complex Thin Film Transistor (TFT) backplane and also has less material cost.

In this paper, we research the ordinary design of PMOLED panel, and finally, we found a novel design to diminish the dead space of PMOLED on the left and right sides. With that, we can stitch pairs of PMOLED unit together to make the PMOLED panel larger and have higher resolution. We also developed the manufacture process for this new type of PMOLED panel.

Using our novel method, we finally made a 3.5 inch PMOLED panel with a resolution of 160 (RGB) × 240 and developed the driving method for this sample using two commercialized PMOLED driver chip and Microprogrammed Control Unit (MCU) chip. So with the novel method, we can make many PMOLED panel stitched together to make larger PMOLED with higher resolution.
Current trends in surgical approach and outcomes following pituitary tumor resection
Authors: Villwock Jennifer A. , Villwock Mark R. , Goyal Parul , Deshaies Eric M.
Published: January 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

The goals of pituitary tumor resection include normalizing endocrine function, relieving mass effect, and minimizing risk of recurrence. This study investigated current trends in costs and complications for transfrontal and transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective review of the 2008–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample for patients undergoing pituitary lesion resection.

Methods

Demographics and outcomes were compared between transfrontal and transsphenoidal surgical approaches using χ2 tests. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate outcomes while controlling for confounders.

Results

There were 8,543 admissions for resection of pituitary lesions that met our inclusion criteria. Most (>90%) were treated transsphenoidally. The transfrontal approach was most frequent in the young (<35 years) and in the South. Rates of mortality and complications were higher in patients undergoing transfrontal surgery. Multivariate analysis found transsphenoidal resection was associated with a reduction in hospital costs and length of stay by over 50%; low‐volume hospitals had increased cost and length of stay. There was an increased rate of transfrontal approaches at low‐volume centers.

Conclusions

Multiple factors influence outcomes of pituitary tumor resection. Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is associated with a shorter length of stay, lower cost, and lower complication rates when compared to transfrontal surgery. Case specifics, including tumor location and size, influence approach and lead to a selection bias that cannot be controlled for in the present study. The prevalence of transfrontal resections at low‐volume centers may indicate an area of further investigation. Additionally, when controlling for surgical approach, low‐volume centers were found to adversely affect economic outcomes and also warrants investigation.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 125:1307–1312, 2015
Inhibition of miR-15a Promotes BDNF Expression and Rescues Dendritic Maturation Deficits in MeCP2-Deficient Neurons
Authors: Gao Yu , Su Juan , Guo Weixiang , Polich Eric D. , Magyar Daniel P. , Xing Yina , Li Hongda , Smrt Richard D. , Chang Qiang , Zhao Xinyu
Published: January 2015

In both the embryonic and adult brain, a critical step in neurogenesis is neuronal maturation. Deficiency of MeCP2 leads to Rett syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. We have previously shown that MeCP2 plays critical roles in the maturation step of new neurons during neurogenesis. MeCP2 is known to regulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a potent neurotrophic factor for neuronal maturation. Nevertheless, how MeCP2 regulates BDNF expression and how MeCP2 deficiency leads to reduced BDNF expression remain unclear. Here, we show that MeCP2 regulates the expression of a microRNA, miR-15a. We find that miR-15a plays a significant role in the regulation of neuronal maturation. Overexpression of miR-15a inhibits dendritic morphogenesis in immature neurons. Conversely, a reduction in miR-15a has the opposite effect. We further show that miR-15a regulates expression levels of BDNF, and exogenous BDNF could partially rescue the neuronal maturation deficits resulting from miR-15a overexpression. Finally, inhibition of miR-15a could rescue neuronal maturation deficits in MeCP2-deficient adult-born new neurons. These results demonstrate a novel role for miR-15a in neuronal development and provide a missing link in the regulation of BDNF by MeCP2. Stem Cells  2015;33:1618–1629
Reversible Lineage-Specific Priming of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Can Be Exploited to Optimize the Yield of Differentiated Cells
Authors: Lee Jung Bok , Graham Monica , Collins Tony J. , Lee Jong-Hee , Hong Seok-Ho , Mcnicol Amie Jamie , Shapovalova Zoya , Bhatia Mickie
Published: January 2015

The clinical use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) requires efficient cellular expansion that must be paired with an ability to generate specialized progeny through differentiation. Self-renewal and differentiation are deemed inherent hallmarks of hESCs and a growing body of evidence suggests that initial culture conditions dictate these two aspects of hESC behavior. Here, we reveal that defined culture conditions using commercial mTeSR1 media augment the expansion of hESCs and enhance their capacity for neural differentiation at the expense of hematopoietic lineage competency without affecting pluripotency. This culture-induced modification was shown to be reversible, as culture in mouse embryonic fibroblast-conditioned media (MEF-CM) in subsequent passages allowed mTeSR1-expanded hESCs to re-establish hematopoietic differentiation potential. Optimal yield of hematopoietic cells can be achieved by expansion in mTeSR1 followed by a recovery period in MEF-CM. Furthermore, the lineage propensity to hematopoietic and neural cell types could be predicted via analysis of surrogate markers expressed by hESCs cultured in mTeSR1 versus MEF-CM, thereby circumventing laborious in vitro differentiation assays. Our study reveals that hESCs exist in a range of functional states and balance expansion with differentiation potential, which can be modulated by culture conditions in a predictive and quantitative manner. Stem Cells  2015;33:1142–1152
X‐ray spectrometry and imaging for ancient administrative handwritten documents
Authors: Albertin Fauzia , Astolfo Alberto , Stampanoni Marco , Peccenini Eva , Hwu Yeukuang , Kaplan Frédé́ric , Margaritondo Giorgio
Published: January 2015

‘Venice Time Machine’ is an international program whose objective is transforming the ‘Archivio di Stato’ – 80 km of archival records documenting every aspect of 1000 years of Venetian history – into an open‐access digital information bank. Our study is part of this project: We are exploring new, faster, and safer ways to digitalize manuscripts, without opening them, using X‐ray tomography. A fundamental issue is the chemistry of the inks used for administrative documents: Contrary to pieces of high artistic or historical value, for such items, the composition is scarcely documented. We used X‐ray fluorescence to investigate the inks of four Italian ordinary handwritten documents from the 15th to the 17th century. The results were correlated to X‐ray images acquired with different techniques. In most cases, iron detected in the ‘iron gall’ inks produces image absorption contrast suitable for tomography reconstruction, allowing computer extraction of handwriting information from sets of projections. When absorption is too low, differential phase contrast imaging can reveal the characters from the substrate morphology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1∞[Pr(BSB)3(py)2]: A Lanthanide Bis(salicylato)borate at the Junction between Solvothermal and Ionothermal Conditions
Authors: Zottnick Sven H. , Sorg Jens R. , Sprenger Jan A. P. , Finze Maik , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: January 2015

A coordination polymer of the formula 1∞[Pr(BSB)3(py)2] constituted of bis(salicylato)borate anions ([BSB]–) and Pr3+ was synthesized as single crystals from the sodium salt under solvothermal conditions in pyridine. The formation of sodium chloride is a driving force valid for a reaction under solvothermal and ionothermal conditions using the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐bis(salicylato)borate [EMIM][BSB]. For the formation of isoconstitutional compounds the latter reaction also requires a certain amount of pyridine, which is beneficial for crystallization. In addition, a different precursor has to be employed: whilst the solvothermal reaction can be carried out with the anhydrous halide LnCl3, the IL‐based reaction is only successful with the complex [LnCl3(py)4] as precursor.
How to Rule the World: An Introduction to Xenophon'sThe Education of Cyrus
Authors: BARTLETT ROBERT C.
Published: January 2015

As a contribution to the study of empire and imperial ambition, the present study considers the greatest analysis—Xenophon'sThe Education of Cyrus—of one of the greatest empires of antiquity—the Persian. Xenophon's lively and engaging account permits us to watch Cyrus as he builds a transnational empire, at once vast and stable. Yet Xenophon is ultimately highly critical of Cyrus, because he lacks the self-knowledge requisite to happiness, and of the empire, whose stability is purchased at the price of freedom. Cyrus finally appears as a kind of divinity who strives to supply the reward for moral excellence that the gods evidently do not. Xenophon implies that any truly global empire would have to present itself as a universal providential power capable of bestowing on human beings a blessed happiness that as such transcends our very mortality.
OCCUPY MoMA: The (Risks and) Potentials of a Musée de la danse!
Authors: Nicifero Alessandra
Published: January 2015

By renaming the Choreographic National Center in Rennes and Bretagne as the Musée de la danse in 2009, the French choreographer Boris Charmatz has indirectly raised new questions on both museum and dance ontologies, opening up the possibility of an enriched interdisciplinary discourse on the relationship between movement-based arts and museums/art institutions. This essay explores the changing museum and dance landscape over the past few decades, considers how museums have been theorized, and their relationship to, and engagement with, audiences; and asks what role choreography and dance can play in this new institutional context.
Understanding the complexity and malleability of T‐cell recognition
Authors: Miles John J , McCluskey James , Rossjohn Jamie , Gras Stephanie
Published: January 2015

T cells are the master regulators of immune system function, continually walking the biological tightrope between adequate host defence and accidental host pathology. Tolerance is maintained or broken through an intricate structural interplay between the T‐cell receptor (TCR) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule cradling peptide antigens (p). Recent advances in structural biology have shown that the TCR/pMHC interface is surprising precise and extraordinarily malleable. We have seen that seemingly minor changes in the TCR/pMHC interface can abrogate function, as well as substantial conformational changes before and after TCR docking. Our understanding of T‐cell biology has also been altered with the knowledge that MHC molecules can bind not only peptides, but also an array of natural and synthetic compounds. Here, we review some examples of the precision and flexibility intrinsic to the TCR/p/MHCI axis.
Hemoglobin-mediated synthesis of PEDOT:PSS: enhancing conductivity through biological oxidants
Authors: Morris J. D. , Khanal D. , Richey J. A. , Payne C. K.
Published: January 2015

Hemoglobin is used as an oxidant to generate highly conductive PEDOT:PSS with bipolarons, while catalase generates a less conductive polymer that possesses polarons.
Non-hazardous Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of levulinic acid derivatives: alternative renewable access to 3-hydroxypropionates
Authors: Fink Michael J. , Mihovilovic Marko D.
Published: January 2015

Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases catalyze the energetically challenging oxidation of levulinates (4-oxopentanoates) to 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA) derivates under ambient conditions, replacing propellant-grade H2O2 with aerial oxygen as the oxidant.
Cucurbit[8]uril templated supramolecular ring structure formation and protein assembly modulation
Authors: Ramaekers Mellany , Wijnands Sjors P. W. , van Dongen Joost L. J. , Brunsveld Luc , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: January 2015

A multicomponent host–guest system composed of synthetic small molecules as guests in a supramolecular host shows efficient protein dimerization inhibition.
Pd-catalyzed α-selective C(sp3)–H acetoxylation of amides through an unusual cyclopalladation mechanism
Authors: Wang Meining , Yang Yang , Fan Zhoulong , Cheng Zhen , Zhu Weiliang , Zhang Ao
Published: January 2015

A novel Pd-catalyzed site-selective α-C(sp3)–H oxidation/acetoxylation of amides through an unusual [4,6]-bicyclic metallacycle intermediate was reported with 1-aminoanthraquinone as a new BDG.
Expedient synthesis of 3-phenylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentan-1-amine via metal-free homolytic aromatic alkylation of benzene
Authors: Thirumoorthi Navanita T. , Jia Shen Chew , Adsool Vikrant A.
Published: January 2015

The inquisitiveness on the use of the BCP motif as a modern lead optimization tactic entails reliable synthetic access. In that direction, we disclose a new and versatile approach to 3-phenylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentan-1-amine, via metal-free homolytic alkylation of benzene.
One-step synthesis of highly aligned SnO2 nanorods on a self-produced Na2Sn(OH)6 substrate for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Han Xiguang , Han Xiao , Sun Linqiang , Liu Qianqian , Xu Wei , Li Liang , Wang Po , Wang Chao
Published: January 2015

Highly aligned SnO2 nanorods on a self-produced Na2Sn(OH)6 substrate have been synthesized and exhibit high-performance for a Li-ion battery.
The self assembly of proteins; probing patchy protein interactions
Authors: James Susan , Quinn Michelle K. , McManus Jennifer J.
Published: January 2015

Anisotropy is central to protein self-assembly. The kinetic and thermodynamic properties of proteins in which competing interactions exist due to the anisotropic or patchy nature of the protein surface have been explored using a phase diagram approach.
Quantitative characterization of silica nanoparticles by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled with online multiangle light scattering and ICP-MS/MS detection
Authors: Aureli Federica , D'Amato Marilena , Raggi Andrea , Cubadda Francesco
Published: January 2015

A reliable and sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous determination of size and mass concentration of silica nanoparticles sized 20–200 nm.
Novel pure Pnma–P212121 ferroelastic phase transition of 1,4-diisopropyl-1,4-diazonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane tetra-chlorobromo-M(ii) (M = Mn and Co)
Authors: Chen Li-Zhuang , Huang Deng-Deng , Pan Qi-Jian , Ge Jia-Zhen
Published: January 2015

Two novel Pnma–P212121 ferroelastic phase transition Dip-DABCO tetra-chlorobromo-M(ii) (M = Mn and Co) were synthesized and their structures have been determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Malachite green adsorption onto Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2: isotherms, kinetic and process optimization
Authors: Sun Ling , Hu Shuchao , Sun Hongmei , Guo Huiling , Zhu Hongda , Liu Mingxing , Sun Honghao
Published: January 2015

A novel magnetic adsorbent with an amino-modified SiO2-coated Fe3O4 magnetite was prepared. Under the optimal conditions, the removal efficiency of malachite green is over 90% by Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2.
Calcination conditions and stability of supported Ni4La oxide for catalytic decomposition of N2O
Authors: Shen Yuesong , Li Chengliang , Tang Yilong , Zhu Shemin
Published: January 2015

A novel catalyst of supported Ni4La oxide calcined at 400 °C in nitrogen completely decomposes N2O at 375 °C.
Ultrasound-modulated microstructure of PbS film in ammonia-free chemical bath deposition
Authors: Fan Libo , Wang Peng , Guo Qiuquan , Han Hongpei , Li Ming , Chen Zifa , Zhao Haifeng , Zhang Dongxing , Zheng Zhi , Yang Jun
Published: January 2015

Ultrasound effectively modulated PbS-film uniformity and microstructures associated with growth mechanism and photoelectrochemical property in ammonia-free chemical bath deposition.
NMR-based metabolomics reveals distinct pathways mediated by curcumin in cachexia mice bearing CT26 tumor
Authors: Quan-Jun Yang , Jun Bian , Li-Li Wan , Yong-Long Han , Bin Li , Qi Yu , Yan Li , Cheng Guo , Gen-Jin Yang
Published: January 2015

Cachexia is common in cancer patients, with profound metabolic abnormalities in response to malignant growth of cancer and progressive catabolism of host.
Kinetic investigation on the highly efficient and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones with t-BuOOH catalyzed by La2O3
Authors: Mandal Mrinmay , Chakraborty Debashis
Published: January 2015

An efficient and highly selective methodology for the oxidation of various sulfides with 70% t-BuOOH as oxidant in the presence of catalytic amounts of La2O3 is described.
Atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 process emissions
Authors: Ma Lulu , Pan Dongqing , Xie Yuanyuan , Yuan Chris
Published: January 2015

The ALD process emissions and the associated chemical reaction mechanism inside the ALD of Al2O3 system are studied and reported.
Hierarchically structured WO3–CNT@TiO2NS composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Li Shixiong , Zhao Zhefei , Huang Yicao , Di Jing , Jia Yi (Alec) , Zheng Huajun
Published: January 2015

A novel hierarchically structured WO3–CNT@TiO2NS composite was prepared by the combination of solvothermal and liquid-phase chemistry deposition techniques.
Developing chemoselective and biodegradable polyester elastomers for bioscaffold application
Authors: Barrett Devin G. , Luo Wei , Yousaf Muhammad N.
Published: January 2015

Chemoselective biodegradable polyketoester elastomer scaffold.
Post‐disturbance transient stability assessment of power systems by a self‐adaptive intelligent system
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xu Yan , Dong Zhao Yang , Wong Kit Po
Published: January 2015

Intelligent system (IS) using synchronous phasor measurements for transient stability assessment (TSA) has received continuous interests recently. For post‐disturbance TSA, one pivotal concern is the response time, which was reported in the literature as a fixed value ranging from 4 cycles to 3 s after fault clearance. Since transient instability can develop very fast, there is a pressing need for faster response speed. This paper develops a novel IS to balance the response speed and accuracy requirements. A set of classifiers are sequentially organised, each is an ensemble of extreme learning machines (ELMs), whose inputs are post‐disturbance generator voltage trajectories and outputs are the classification on the stable/unstable status of the post‐disturbance system and an evaluation of the credibility of the classification. A self‐adaptive TSA decision‐making mechanism is designed to progressively adjust the response time, such that the IS can do the classification faster, thereby allowing more time for emergency controls. The ELM ensemble classifiers can also be updated by on‐line pre‐disturbance TSA results due to its very fast learning speed. Case studies on the New England system and IEEE 50‐machine system have validated the high efficiency and accuracy of the IS.
Fast and accurate analysis of broadband RCS using method of moments with loop‐tree basis functions
Authors: Dong Hai‐Lin , Gong Shu‐Xi , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Ma Ji , Zhao Bo
Published: January 2015

An efficient method for wide‐band electromagnetic (EM) scattering properties analysis of three‐dimensional arbitrarily shaped perfectly electric conductor (PEC) objects is proposed in this study. The electric field integral equation (EFIE) is solved by the method of moments (MoM) base on the loop‐tree basis functions. The EM properties not only can be achieved accurately in high frequency band, but also in low frequency band within the desired bandwidth using loop‐tree basis functions. To improve the computation efficiency, the Maehly approximation method is utilised. Compared with the direct solution method and asymptotic waveform evaluation technique, the proposed technique is found to be efficient in a broadband and wide angular domain with the lower central processing unit time required and without loss of accuracy.
Radar‐based fall detection based on Doppler time–frequency signatures for assisted living
Authors: Wu Qisong , Zhang Yimin D. , Tao Wenbing , Amin Moeness G.
Published: January 2015

Falls are a major public health concern and main causes of accidental death in the senior U.S. population. Timely and accurate detection permit immediate assistance after a fall and, thereby, reduces complications of fall risk. Radar technology provides an effective means for this purpose because it is non‐invasive, insensitive to lighting conditions as well as obstructions, and has less privacy concerns. In this study, the authors develop an effective fall detection scheme for the application in continuous‐wave radar systems. The proposed scheme exploits time–frequency characteristics of the radar Doppler signatures, and the motion events are classified using the joint statistics of three different features, including the extreme frequency, extreme frequency ratio, and the length of event period. Sparse Bayesian classifier based on the relevance vector machine is used to perform the classification. Laboratory experiments are performed to collect radar data corresponding to different motion patterns to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Down-conversion photoluminescence sensitizing plasmonic silver nanoparticles on ZnO nanorods to generate hydrogen by water splitting photochemistry
Authors: Kung Po-Yen , Huang Li-Wen , Shen Tin-Wei , Wang Wen-Lin , Su Yen-Hsun , Lin Melody I.
Published: January 2015

Silver nanoparticles fabricated onto the surface of the ZnO nanorods form the photoanode and generate photoelectric current due to surface plasmon resonance, which serves as anode electrodes in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. In order to increase the absorption spectrum of photoanode, organic pigments were utilized as photo-sensitizers to generate down-conversion photoluminescence to excite surface plasmon resonances of silver nanoparticles. The way of using light to carry the energy in electronic scattering regime runs the system for the enhancement of solar water splitting efficiency. It was significantly tuned in environmentally sustainable applications for power generation and development of alternative energy.
High-throughput on-the-fly scanning ultraviolet-visible dual-sphere spectrometer
Authors: Mitrovic Slobodan , Cornell Earl W. , Marcin Martin R. , Jones Ryan J. R. , Newhouse Paul F. , Suram Santosh K. , Jin Jian , Gregoire John M.
Published: January 2015

We have developed an on-the-fly scanning spectrometer operating in the UV-visible and near-infrared that can simultaneously perform transmission and total reflectance measurements at the rate better than 1 sample per second. High throughput optical characterization is important for screening functional materials for a variety of new applications. We demonstrate the utility of the instrument for screening new light absorber materials by measuring the spectral absorbance, which is subsequently used for deriving band gap information through Tauc plot analysis.
Development of an S-band cavity-type beam position monitor for a high power THz free-electron laser
Authors: Noh Seon Yeong , Kim Eun-San , Hwang Ji-Gwang , Heo A. , won Jang Si , Vinokurov Nikolay A. , Jeong Young UK , Hee Park Seong , Jang Kyu-Ha
Published: January 2015

A cavity-type beam position monitor (BPM) has been developed for a compact terahertz (THz) free-electron laser (FEL) system and ultra-short pulsed electron Linac system at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Compared with other types of BPMs, the cavity-type BPM has higher sensitivity and faster response time even at low charge levels. When electron beam passes through the cavity-type BPM, it excites the dipole mode of the cavity of which amplitude depends linearly on the beam offset from the center of the cavity. Signals from the BPM were measured as a function of the beam offset by using an oscilloscope. The microtron accelerator for the KAERI THz FEL produces the electron beam with an energy of 6.5 MeV and pulse length of 5 μs with a micropulse of 10-20 ps at the frequency of 2.801 GHz. The macropulse beam current is 40 mA. Because the microtron provides multi-bunch system, output signal would be the superposition of each single bunch. So high output signal can be obtained from superposition of each single bunch. The designed position resolution of the cavity-type BPM in multi-bunch is submicron. Our cavity-type BPM is made of aluminum and vacuum can be maintained by indium sealing without brazing process, resulting in easy modification and cost saving. The resonance frequency of the cavity-type BPM is 2.803 GHz and the cavity-type BPM dimensions are 200 × 220 mm (length × height) with a pipe diameter of 38 mm. The measured position sensitivity was 6.19 (mV/mm)/mA and the measured isolation between the X and Y axis was −39 dB. By measuring the thermal noise of system, position resolution of the cavity-type BPM was estimated to be less than 1 μm. In this article, we present the test results of the S-band cavity-type BPM and prove the feasibility of the beam position measurement with high resolution using this device.
Fourier transform two-dimensional fluorescence excitation spectrometer by using tandem Fabry-Pérot interferometer
Authors: Anzai Hiroshi , Joshi Neeraj Kumar , Fuyuki Masanori , Wada Akihide
Published: January 2015

A Fourier transform two-dimensional fluorescence excitation spectrometer (FT-2DFES) was developed based on the multiplex technique using a tandem Fabry-Pérot interferometer (tandem FPI). In addition to the advantage of the multiplex technique, the main advantage of the tandem FPI is applicable to the modulation of transition with a large absorption bandwidth (larger than 100 nm) and is thus applicable to the modulation of the excitation of molecules in the condensed phase. As a demonstration of the effectiveness of FT-2DFES, we succeeded in separately observing the fluorescence excitation peaks from a mixed methanol solution of laser dyes (coumarin 480, rhodamine 6G, DCM (4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-(p-(dimethylamino)styryl)-4H-pyran), and LDS750). Furthermore, the energy transfer from rhodamine 6G to LDS750 was observed.
Note: Inter-satellite laser range-rate measurement by using digital phase locked loop
Authors: Liang Yu-Rong , Duan Hui-Zong , Xiao Xin-Long , Wei Bing-Bing , Yeh Hsien-Chi
Published: January 2015

This note presents an improved high-resolution frequency measurement system dedicated for the inter-satellite range-rate monitoring that could be used in the future’s gravity recovery mission. We set up a simplified common signal test instead of the three frequencies test. The experimental results show that the dominant noises are the sampling time jitter and the thermal drift of electronic components, which can be reduced by using the pilot-tone correction and passive thermal control. The improved noise level is about 10−8 Hz/Hz1/2@0.01Hz, limited by the signal-to-noise ratio of the sampling circuit.
A pure-sampling quantum Monte Carlo algorithm
Authors: Ospadov Egor , Rothstein Stuart M.
Published: January 2015

The objective of pure-sampling quantum Monte Carlo is to calculate physical properties that are independent of the importance sampling function being employed in the calculation, save for the mismatch of its nodal hypersurface with that of the exact wave function. To achieve this objective, we report a pure-sampling algorithm that combines features of forward walking methods of pure-sampling and reptation quantum Monte Carlo (RQMC). The new algorithm accurately samples properties from the mixed and pure distributions simultaneously in runs performed at a single set of time-steps, over which extrapolation to zero time-step is performed. In a detailed comparison, we found RQMC to be less efficient. It requires different sets of time-steps to accurately determine the energy and other properties, such as the dipole moment. We implement our algorithm by systematically increasing an algorithmic parameter until the properties converge to statistically equivalent values. As a proof in principle, we calculated the fixed-node energy, static α polarizability, and other one-electron expectation values for the ground-states of LiH and water molecules. These quantities are free from importance sampling bias, population control bias, time-step bias, extrapolation-model bias, and the finite-field approximation. We found excellent agreement with the accepted values for the energy and a variety of other properties for those systems.
Phase multistability in a dynamical small world network
Authors: Shabunin A. V.
Published: January 2015

The effect of phase multistability is explored in a small world network of periodic oscillators with diffusive couplings. The structure of the network represents a ring with additional non-local links, which spontaneously arise and vanish between arbitrary nodes. The dynamics of random couplings is modeled by “birth” and “death” stochastic processes by means of the cellular automate approach. The evolution of the network under gradual increasing of the number of random couplings goes through stages of phases fluctuations and spatial cluster formation. Finally, in the presence of non-local couplings the phase multistability “dies” and only the in-phase regime survives.
Experiments on Maxwell's fish-eye dynamics in elastic plates
Authors: Lefebvre Gautier , Dubois Marc , Beauvais Romain , Achaoui Younes , Ing Ros Kiri , Guenneau Sébastien , Sebbah Patrick
Published: January 2015

We experimentally demonstrate that a Duraluminium thin plate with a thickness profile varying radially in a piecewise constant fashion as h(r)=h(0)(1+(r/Rmax)2)2, with h(0) = 0.5 mm, h(Rmax) = 2 mm, and Rmax = 10 cm, behaves in many ways as Maxwell's fish-eye lens in optics. Its imaging properties for a Gaussian pulse with central frequencies 30 kHz and 60 kHz are very similar to those predicted by ray trajectories (great circles) on a virtual sphere (rays emanating from the North pole meet at the South pole). However, the refocusing time depends on the carrier frequency as a direct consequence of the dispersive nature of flexural waves in thin plates. Importantly, experimental results are in good agreement with finite-difference-time-domain simulations.
Low-threshold stimulated emission from lysozyme amyloid fibrils doped with a blue laser dye
Authors: Sznitko L. , Hanczyc P. , Mysliwiec J. , Samoc M.
Published: January 2015

Amyloid fibrils are excellent self-assembling nanotemplates for organic molecules such as dyes. Here, we demonstrate that laser dye-doped lysozyme type fibrils exhibit significantly reduced threshold for stimulated emission compared to that observed in usual matrices. Laser action was studied in slab planar waveguides of the amyloids doped with Stilbene 420 laser dye prepared using a film casting technique. The lowering of the threshold of stimulated emission is analyzed in the context of intrinsic structure of the amyloid nanotemplates, electrostatic interaction of different microstructures with dye molecules, as well as material properties of the cast layers. All these factors are considered to be of importance for introducing gain for random laser operation.
Enhanced quantum coherence in graphene caused by Pd cluster deposition
Authors: Qin Yuyuan , Han Junhao , Guo Guoping , Du Yongping , Li Zhaoguo , Song You , Pi Li , Wang Xuefeng , Wan Xiangang , Han Min , Song Fengqi
Published: January 2015

We report on the unexpected increase in the dephasing lengths of a graphene sheet caused by the deposition of Pd nanoclusters, as demonstrated by weak localization measurements. The dephasing lengths reached saturated values at low temperatures. Theoretical calculations indicate the p-type charge transfer from the Pd clusters, which contributes more carriers. The saturated values of dephasing lengths often depend on both the carrier concentration and mean free path. Although some impurities are increased as revealed by decreased mobilities, the intense charge transfer leads to the improved saturated values and subsequent improved dephasing lengths.
Use of external magnetic fields in hohlraum plasmas to improve laser-coupling
Authors: Montgomery D. S. , Albright B. J. , Barnak D. H. , Chang P. Y. , Davies J. R. , Fiksel G. , Froula D. H. , Kline J. L. , MacDonald M. J. , Sefkow A. B. , Yin L. , Betti R.
Published: January 2015

Efficient coupling of laser energy into hohlraum targets is important for indirect drive ignition. Laser-plasma instabilities can reduce coupling, reduce symmetry, and cause preheat. We consider the effects of an external magnetic field on laser-energy coupling in hohlraum targets. Experiments were performed at the Omega Laser Facility using low-Z gas-filled hohlraum targets which were placed in a magnetic coil with Bz ≤ 7.5-T. We found that an external field Bz = 7.5-T aligned along the hohlraum axis results in up to a 50% increase in plasma temperature as measured by Thomson scattering. The experiments were modeled using the 2-D magnetohydrodynamics package in HYDRA and were found to be in good agreement.
One-dimensional memristive device based on MoO3 nanobelt
Authors: Tan Zheng-Hua , Yin Xue-Bing , Guo Xin
Published: January 2015

Single crystalline MoO3 nanobelts were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and one-dimensional nano-devices, Au/MoO3/Au, were fabricated with the MoO3 nanobelts. After electroforming under a bipolar voltage sweeping, stable unipolar switching with robust retention appeared, and the ON/OFF states of the unipolar switching differed by a resistance ratio of ∼103. The electroforming could be accounted for by the phase transformation between MoO3 and MoO2, and the unipolar switching by the formation/rupture of MoO2 filaments formed at dislocations or stacking faults.