bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photon management in silicon thin film solar cells with different front and back interface texture
Authors: Tamang Asman , Hongsingthong Aswin , Jovanov Vladislav , Sichanugrist Porponth , Khan Bakhtiar A. , Dewan Rahul , Konagai Makoto , Knipp Dietmar
Published: August 2016

Light trapping and photon management of silicon thin film solar cells can be improved by a separate optimization of the front and back contact textures. A separate optimization of the front and back contact textures is investigated by optical simulations taking realistic device geometries into consideration. The optical simulations are confirmed by experimentally realized 1 μm thick microcrystalline silicon solar cells. The different front and back contact textures lead to an enhancement of the short circuit current by 1.2 mA/cm2 resulting in a total short circuit current of 23.65 mA/cm2 and an energy conversion efficiency of 8.35%.
Synthesis of Arbitrary Quantum Circuits to Topological Assembly
Authors: Paler Alexandru , Devitt Simon J. , Fowler Austin G.
Published: August 2016

Given a quantum algorithm, it is highly nontrivial to devise an efficient sequence of physical gates implementing the algorithm on real hardware and incorporating topological quantum error correction. In this paper, we present a first step towards this goal, focusing on generating correct and simple arrangements of topological structures that correspond to a given quantum circuit and largely neglecting their efficiency. We detail the many challenges that will need to be tackled in the pursuit of efficiency. The software source code can be consulted at https://github.com/alexandrupaler/tqec.
Energetics and Electronic Structure of h-BN Nanoflakes
Authors: Yamanaka Ayaka , Okada Susumu
Published: August 2016

We studied the energetics and electronic structure of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoribbons with hydrogenated and clean edges with respect to the detailed edge shapes using density functional theory. Our calculations showed that the stability of h-BN edges strongly depends on the edge termination. In the case of hydrogenated edges, the formation energy is constant for all edge angles ranging from armchair to zigzag, indicating that h-BN may exhibit rich variation in their edge atomic arrangements under static conditions. The hydrogenated h-BN nanoribbons are insulators with an energy gap of 4 eV irrespective of edge shape, in which the lowest branch of the conduction band exhibits nearly free electron states nature distributed in the vacuum region outside the ribbons. In contrast, the formation energy of h-BN nanoribbons with clean edges monotonically increases as the edge angle is changed from armchair to zigzag. Our analysis reveals that the increase of density of states at the Fermi level arising from dangling bond states leads to this monotonic increase of edge formation energy in h-BN nanoribbons with clean edges.
Cell-cycle-controlled radiation therapy was effective for treating a murine malignant melanoma cell line in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Otani Keisuke , Naito Yoko , Sakaguchi Yukako , Seo Yuji , Takahashi Yutaka , Kikuta Junichi , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Ishii Masaru
Published: August 2016

Radiotherapy is a commonly used regimen for treating various types of intractable cancers, although the effects depend on the cell cycle of the targeted cancer cell lines, and for irradiation purposes it is therefore critical to establish a protocol for controlling the cell cycle. Here, we showed that a common murine melanoma cell line B16BL6 was more vulnerable to irradiation during the early S phase, and that synchronisation of the cell cycle greatly increased the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy. Cell-sorting experiments, according to cell-cycle phase, using B16BL6 cells demonstrated that cells in the early S phase were the most susceptible to radiotherapy. Gemcitabine, a clinically utilised anti-cancer drug, induced cell-cycle arrest during the early S phase in B16BL6 cells, and thus a synergistic therapeutic effect was observed when irradiation was administered at the right time. Human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 exhibited similar properties to B16BL6 in terms of its radiosensitivity during the S/G2/M phase and also demonstrated a synergistic effect of cell cycle synchronisation. These results show the importance of cell-cycle control in the application of irradiation and suggest a suitable time interval between chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as providing useful information for treating intractable cancer.
Serum metabonomics of acute leukemia using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Musharraf Syed Ghulam , Siddiqui Amna Jabbar , Shamsi Tahir , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Rahman Atta-ur
Published: August 2016

Acute leukemia is a critical neoplasm of white blood cells. In order to differentiate between the metabolic alterations associated with two subtypes of acute leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we investigated the serum of ALL and AML patients and compared with two controls (healthy and aplastic anemia) using 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy. Thirty-seven putative metabolites were identified using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence. The use of PLS-DA and OPLS-DA models gave results with 84.38% and 90.63% classification rate, respectively. The metabolites responsible for classification are mainly lipids, lactate and glucose. Compared with controls, ALL and AML patients showed serum metabonomic differences involving aberrant metabolism pathways including glycolysis, TCA cycle, lipoprotein changes, choline and fatty acid metabolisms.
Essential role of the nuclear isoform of RBFOX1, a candidate gene for autism spectrum disorders, in the brain development
Authors: Hamada Nanako , Ito Hidenori , Nishijo Takuma , Iwamoto Ikuko , Morishita Rika , Tabata Hidenori , Momiyama Toshihiko , Nagata Koh-Ichi
Published: August 2016

Gene abnormalities in RBFOX1, encoding an mRNA-splicing factor, have been shown to cause autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Since pathophysiological significance of the dominant nuclear isoform in neurons, RBFOX1-isoform1 (iso1), remains to be elucidated, we performed comprehensive analyses of Rbfox1-iso1 during mouse corticogenesis. Knockdown of Rbfox1-iso1 by in utero electroporation caused abnormal neuronal positioning during corticogenesis, which was attributed to impaired migration. The defects were found to occur during radial migration and terminal translocation, perhaps due to impaired nucleokinesis. Axon extension and dendritic arborization were also suppressed in vivo in Rbfox1-iso1-deficient cortical neurons. In addition, electrophysiology experiments revealed significant defects in the membrane and synaptic properties of the deficient neurons. Aberrant morphology was further confirmed by in vitro analyses; Rbfox1-iso1-konckdown in hippocampal neurons resulted in the reduction of primary axon length, total length of dendrites, spine density and mature spine number. Taken together, this study shows that Rbfox1-iso1 plays an important role in neuronal migration and synapse network formation during corticogenesis. Defects in these critical processes may induce structural and functional defects in cortical neurons, and consequently contribute to the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders with RBFOX1 abnormalities.
Silver nanoparticle functionalized glass fibers for combined surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS)/surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry via plasmonic/thermal hot spots
Authors: Kurita Masahiro , Arakawa Ryuichi , Kawasaki Hideya
Published: August 2016

Closely-packed silver nanoparticles with a size of 20–50 nm and an inter-particle nanoscale gap of less than 10 nm were effective for a simultaneously enhanced SERS/SALDI substrate via plasmonic/thermal “hot spots”.
Ultra-sensitive measurement of peroxy radicals by chemical amplification broadband cavity-enhanced spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Yang , Yang Chengqiang , Zhao Weixiong , Fang Bo , Xu Xuezhe , Gai Yanbo , Lin Xiaoxiao , Chen Weidong , Zhang Weijun
Published: August 2016

The chemical amplification method is combined with the incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for peroxy radical measurements.
Copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of propargylamide-substituted indoles: synthesis of mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives
Authors: Hua Hui-Liang , Zhang Bo-Sheng , He Yu-Tao , Qiu Yi-Feng , Hu Jing-Yuan , Yang Yu-Chen , Liang Yong-Min
Published: August 2016

A copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of 2- or 3-propargylamide-substituted indoles with ICF2CO2Et to synthesize mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives is described.
Testing the limits of NMR crystallography: the case of caffeine–citric acid hydrate
Authors: Kerr Hannah E. , Mason Helen E. , Sparkes Hazel A. , Hodgkinson Paul
Published: August 2016

The effects of geometry optimisation on the ability to predict linewidths due to disorder and crystal packing energies is investigated on a previously unreported caffeine citric acid cocrystal system.
Room temperature differential conductance measurements of triethylamine molecules adsorbed on Si(001)
Authors: Naitabdi Ahmed , Rochet François , Carniato Stéphane , Bournel Fabrice , Gallet Jean-Jacques
Published: August 2016

We have measured the differential conductance of the triethylamine molecule (N(CH2CH3)3) adsorbed on Si(001)-2 × 1 at room temperature using scanning tunneling spectroscopy.
Nickel-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of ketones using ethanol as a solvent and a hydrogen donor
Authors: Castellanos-Blanco Nahury , Arévalo Alma , García Juventino J.
Published: August 2016

We report a nickel(0)-catalyzed direct transfer hydrogenation (TH) of a variety of alkyl–aryl, diaryl, and aliphatic ketones with ethanol.
Direct conversion of methanol to n-C4H10 and H2 in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor
Authors: Wang L. , Liu S. Y. , Xu C. , Tu X.
Published: August 2016

A direct conversion of methanol to n-C4H10 and H2 by limiting CO and CO2 formation was achieved in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor without a catalyst.
Magnetic force-assisted self-locking metallic bead array for fabrication of diverse concave microwell geometries
Authors: Lee Gi-Hun , Park Ye Eun , Cho Minhaeng , Park Hansoo , Park Joong Yull
Published: August 2016

We propose a robust method for fabricating concave microwells utilizing metal beads, a through-hole array, and an assembly of small magnets. The spherical metal beads were used as a mold for the microwell, naturally creating the desired 3D concave microwell geometry.
Synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated pyridinones through the copper-mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of iodopyridinones
Authors: Luo Beibei , Zhang Yunxiao , You Yi , Weng Zhiqiang
Published: August 2016

A simple method for the synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated pyridinones through the copper-mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of iodopyridinones was developed.
Visible light-mediated intramolecular C–H arylation of diazonium salts of N-(2-aminoaryl)benzoimines: a facile synthesis of 6-arylphenanthridines
Authors: Natarajan Palani , Kumar Naveen , Sharma Manjeet
Published: August 2016

6-Arylphenanthridines were synthesized in good to excellent yields from inexpensive and environmentally benign N-(2-aminoaryl)-diphenylmethanimine as a starting material under visible light-photocatalyzed conditions.
Recent advances in non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors based on non-precious transition metal materials: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Niu Xiangheng , Li Xin , Pan Jianming , He Yanfang , Qiu Fengxian , Yan Yongsheng
Published: August 2016

We summarize the latest advances of non-enzymatic glucose detection using non-noble transition metal materials, highlighting their opportunities and challenges.
The closed-environment CVD method for preparing three-dimensional defect controllable graphene foam with a conductive interconnected network for lithium-ion battery applications
Authors: Wang W. X. , Zhang S. C. , Xing Y. L. , Wang S. B. , Ren Y. B.
Published: August 2016

A 3D defect controllable graphene foam (GF) with a conductive interconnected network is prepared by a CVD process in a closed environment, which we refer to as the closed-environment CVD method.
Study and optimization of adsorption of sulfur compounds present in fuel
Authors: Saha Biswajit , Singh Anshu , Sengupta Sonali
Published: August 2016

The present work investigates the performance of fly ash, coal dust, bentonite, laterite and sodium zeolite as adsorbents for desulfurization of synthetic fuel by batch adsorption experiments at 50 °C and under atmospheric pressure.
Correction: Mesoporous strontium doped nano sized sulphate hydroxyapatite as a novel biomaterial for bone tissue applications
Authors: Alshemary Ammar Z. , Pazarceviren Ahmet Engin , Tezcaner Aysen , Evis Zafer
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Mesoporous strontium doped nano sized sulphate hydroxyapatite as a novel biomaterial for bone tissue applications’ by Ammar Z. Alshemary et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 68058–68071.
Synthesis of malhamensilipin A exploiting iterative epoxidation/chlorination: experimental and computational analysis of epoxide-derived chloronium ions
Authors: Saska J. , Lewis W. , Paton R. S. , Denton R. M.
Published: August 2016

We report a 12-step catalytic enantioselective formal synthesis of malhamensilipin A (3) based upon an iterative epoxidation/chlorination strategy.
Class of repeated‐single‐root cyclic codes for power‐line communications
Authors: da Rocha V.C.
Published: August 2016

A class of p‐ary (n, k, d) cyclic codes with block length n = p, dimension k = 2 and minimum Hamming distance d = n − k + 1 = p − 1 is introduced, where p denotes a prime. These codes are maximum distance separable repeated‐single‐root cyclic codes with generator polynomial g(x) = (x‒1)p‒2. The codebook has size p2 and contains a subset 𝕊 of p(p ‒ 1)codewords having p distinct symbols each. The size of 𝕊 is maximum for the given parameters and its codewords are useful for applications of coded modulation in power‐line communications.
Sidelobe‐level suppression for linear and circular antenna arrays via the cuckoo search–chicken swarm optimisation algorithm
Authors: Liang Shuang , Feng Tie , Sun Geng
Published: August 2016

An antenna array application with high directivity and low sidelobe level (SLL) is an important technology that can enhance the reliability and validity of a communication system. In recent years, swarm intelligence optimisation algorithms have been widely used in the design of antenna arrays. In this study, a hybrid heuristic swarm intelligence optimisation algorithm called cuckoo search–chicken swarm optimisation (CSCSO) is proposed to optimise the excitation amplitude of a linear antenna array (LAA) and the excitation amplitude and spacing between the array elements of a circular antenna array (CAA). The maximum SLL will be obtained while the mainlobe width is fixed. CSCSO combines cuckoo search (CS) and chicken swarm optimisation (CSO) and thus, it will have the excellent global search capability of CS as well as introduce the hierarchy mechanism of CSO to improve algorithm precision. Chaos theory is utilised to determine the initial solution of the algorithm, while Levy flight weight coefficient is used to improve the convergence rate in CSCSO. Simulation results show that CSCSO has a better performance in terms of solution accuracy and convergence rate in the radiation pattern optimisation of LAA and CAA compared with the standard CSO, CS, and particle swarm optimisation algorithms.
Silver photo-diffusion and photo-induced macroscopic surface deformation of Ge33S67/Ag/Si substrate
Authors: Sakaguchi Y. , Asaoka H. , Uozumi Y. , Kondo K. , Yamazaki D. , Soyama K. , Ailavajhala M. , Mitkova M.
Published: August 2016

Ge-chalcogenide films show various photo-induced changes, and silver photo-diffusion is one of them which attracts lots of interest. In this paper, we report how silver and Ge-chalcogenide layers in Ge33S67/Ag/Si substrate stacks change under light exposure in the depth by measuring time-resolved neutron reflectivity. It was found from the measurement that Ag ions diffuse all over the matrix Ge33S67 layer once Ag dissolves into the layer. We also found that the surface was macroscopically deformed by the extended light exposure. Its structural origin was investigated by a scanning electron microscopy.
Thermal-solutal capillary-buoyancy flow of a low Prandtl number binary mixture with a −1 capillary ratio in an annular pool
Authors: Yu Jia-Jia , Wu Chun-Mei , Li You-Rong , Chen Jie-Chao
Published: August 2016

A series of three-dimensional numerical simulations on thermal-solutal capillary-buoyancy flow in an annular pool were carried out. The pool was filled with silicon-germanium melt with an initial silicon mass fraction of 1.99%. The Prandtl number and the Lewis number of the working fluid are 6.37 × 10−3 and 2197.8, respectively. Both the radial temperature gradient and the solute concentration gradient were applied to the annular pool. The capillary ratio was assumed to be −1, which means that the solutal and thermal capillary effects were equal and opposite. Results show that the thermal-solutal capillary-buoyancy flow always occurs at this special case with the capillary ratio of −1, and even in a shallow annular pool with an aspect ratio of 0.05. With the increase of the thermal Marangoni number, four kinds of flow patterns appear orderly, including concentric rolls, petal-like, spoke, and rosebud-like patterns. These flow patterns are strongly influenced by the local interaction between the solutal and thermal capillary effects and the vertical solute concentration gradient near the outer cylinder. A small vortex driven by the dominant solutal capillary effect emerges near the inner cylinder, which is different from the flow pattern in a pure fluid. In addition, the critical thermal Marangoni number of the initial three-dimensional flow decreases with the increase of the aspect ratio of the annular pool.
Variational method for liquids moving on a substrate
Authors: Xu Xianmin , Di Yana , Doi Masao
Published: August 2016

A new variational method is proposed to calculate the evolution of liquid film and liquid droplet moving on a solid substrate. A simple time evolution equation is obtained for the contact angle of a liquid film that starts to move on a horizontal substrate. The equation indicates the dynamical transition at the receding side and the ridge formation at the advancing side. The same method is applied for the evolution of a droplet that starts to move on an inclined solid surface, and again the characteristic shape change of the droplet is obtained by solving a simple ordinary differential system. We will show that this method has a potential application to a wide class of problems of droplets moving on a substrate.
Plasma electron hole kinematics. II. Hole tracking Particle-In-Cell simulation
Authors: Zhou C. , Hutchinson I. H.
Published: August 2016

The kinematics of a 1-D electron hole is studied using a novel Particle-In-Cell simulation code. A hole tracking technique enables us to follow the trajectory of a fast-moving solitary hole and study quantitatively hole acceleration and coupling to ions. We observe a transient at the initial stage of hole formation when the hole accelerates to several times the cold-ion sound speed. Artificially imposing slow ion speed changes on a fully formed hole causes its velocity to change even when the ion stream speed in the hole frame greatly exceeds the ion thermal speed, so there are no reflected ions. The behavior that we observe in numerical simulations agrees very well with our analytic theory of hole momentum conservation and the effects of “jetting.”
A reciprocating optical in situ tribometer with high-speed data acquisition
Authors: Becker S. , Popp U. , Greiner C.
Published: August 2016

Tribology is the science of interacting surfaces in relative motion. Processes like the transition from static to dynamic friction are fast and complex, especially as the contacting interface is buried. A direct view at the interface, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between the materials, is therefore of great interest. The reciprocating optical in situ tribometer introduced here observes the interface of two contacting materials (one of them being optical transparent) with a high-speed camera, taking up to 230 000 frames per second. The camera is attached to an optical microscope with a magnification of up to 2500 times. Friction forces are measured by an analog laser detection setup, with a maximum sampling rate of 500 kHz. The sliding motion of the materials is realized by two displacement units. A linear positioning stage allows velocities between 500 nm/s and 100 mm/s for a maximum distance of 200 mm. For smaller velocities, and to exclude breakaway torque, a piezo actuator can be used. The maximum displacement distance of the piezo actuator is 120 μm. The smallest applicable normal load on the samples is 0.5 N which is applied by the dead weights. Tribological experiments to investigate the transition from static to dynamic friction have been performed with morphologically textured brass hemispheres in contact with the sapphire discs. Sapphire was chosen for its high hardness and optical transparency. These experiments revealed, due to the high data acquisition possible with the new setup, a so far unobserved effect during the transition from static to dynamic friction.
Vibrational spectroscopic evidence for (NO)3 formation on Cu(111)
Authors: Koshida H. , Okuyama H. , Hatta S. , Aruga T.
Published: August 2016

The formation of (NO)3 on Cu(111) was recently reported based on scanning tunneling microscopy observations [A. Shiotari et al., J. Chem. Phys. 141, 134705 (2014)]. We herein report studies into this system using electron energy loss spectroscopy and verify the above findings through vibrational analysis. For the surface covered with mixed isotopes of N16O and N18O, we observed four peaks corresponding to N-O stretching vibrations, which were ascribed to the four isotopic combinations of the trimer. Dynamic coupling within the trimer was evaluated from model calculations of the coupled oscillators. Furthermore, we observed hindered rotation and translation modes in the dipole scattering regime, suggesting that the molecular axis is tilted from the surface normal. These results provide spectroscopic support for the formation of (NO)3 on Cu(111).
A separation of antiferromagnetic spin motion modes in the training effect of exchange biased Co/CoO film with in-plane anisotropy
Authors: Wu R. , Yun C. , Ding S. L. , Wen X. , Liu S. Q. , Wang C. S. , Han J. Z. , Du H. L. , Yang J. B.
Published: August 2016

The motion of antiferromagnetic interfacial spins is investigated through the temperature evolution of training effect in a Co/CoO film with in-plane biaxial anisotropy. Significant differences in the training effect and its temperature dependence are observed in the magnetic easy axis and hard axis (HA) and ascribed to the different motion modes of antiferromagnetic interfacial spins, the collective spin cluster rotation (CSR) and the single spin reversal (SSR), caused by different magnetization reversal modes of ferromagnetic layer. These motion modes of antiferromagnetic spins are successfully separated using a combination of an exponential function and a classic n−1/2 function. A larger CSR to SSR ratio and a shorter lifetime of CSR found in the HA indicates that the domain rotation in the ferromagnetic layer tends to activate and accelerate a CSR mode in the antiferromagnetic spins.
Weighing graphene with QCM to monitor interfacial mass changes
Authors: Kakenov Nurbek , Balci Osman , Salihoglu Omer , Hur Seung Hyun , Balci Sinan , Kocabas Coskun
Published: August 2016

In this Letter, we experimentally determined the mass density of graphene using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a mechanical resonator. We developed a transfer printing technique to integrate large area single-layer graphene on QCM. By monitoring the resonant frequency of an oscillating quartz crystal loaded with graphene, we were able to measure the mass density of graphene as ∼118 ng/cm2, which is significantly larger than the ideal graphene (∼76 ng/cm2) mainly due to the presence of wrinkles and organic/inorganic residues on graphene sheets. High sensitivity of the quartz crystal resonator allowed us to determine the number of graphene layers in a particular sample. Additionally, we extended our technique to probe interfacial mass variation during adsorption of biomolecules on graphene surface and plasma-assisted oxidation of graphene.
Cancelation of thermally induced frequency shifts in bimaterial cantilevers by nonlinear optomechanical interactions
Authors: Vy Nguyen Duy , Tri Dat Le , Iida Takuya
Published: August 2016

Bimaterial cantilevers have recently been used in, for example, the calorimetric analysis with picowatt resolution in microscopic space based on state-of-the-art atomic force microscopes. However, thermally induced effects usually change physical properties of the cantilevers, such as the resonance frequency, which reduce the accuracy of the measurements. Here, we propose an approach to circumvent this problem that uses an optical microcavity formed between a metallic layer coated on the back of the cantilever and one coated at the end of an optical fiber irradiating the cantilever. In addition to increasing the sensitivity, the optical rigidity of this system diminishes the thermally induced frequency shift. For a coating thickness of several tens of nanometers, the input power is 5–10 μW. These values can be evaluated from parameters derived by directly irradiating the cantilever in the absence of the microcavity. The system has the potential of using the cantilever both as a thermometer without frequency shifting and as a sensor with nanometer-controlled accuracy.
Flexible germanium nanomembrane metal-semiconductor-metal photodiodes
Authors: Kim Munho , Seo Jung-Hun , Yu Zongfu , Zhou Weidong , Ma Zhenqiang
Published: August 2016

We demonstrate flexible Ge nanomembrane (Ge NM) based metal-semiconductor-metal photodiodes. The effect of uniaxial tensile strain on Ge NM based photodiodes was investigated using bending fixtures. Dark current density is decreased from 21.5 to 4.8 mA/cm2 at 3 V by a tensile strain of 0.42% while photon responsivity is increased from 0.2 to 0.45 A/W at the wavelength of 1.5 μm. Enhanced responsivity is also observed at longer wavelengths up to 1.64 μm. The uniaxial tensile strain effectively reduces the direct bandgap energy of the Ge NM, leading to a shift of the absorption edge toward a longer wavelength.
Acceptability of general practice services for Afghan refugees in south-eastern Melbourne
Authors: Manchikanti Prashanti , Cheng I-Hao , Advocat Jenny , Russell Grant
Published: August 2016

Over 750000 refugees have resettled in Australia since 1945. Despite complex health needs related to prior traumatic experiences and the challenges of resettlement in a foreign country, refugees experience poor access to primary care. Health and settlement service providers describe numerous cultural, communication, financial and health literacy barriers. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability of general practitioner (GP) services and understand what aspects of acceptability are relevant for Afghan refugees in south-eastern Melbourne. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two Afghan community leaders and 16 Dari- or English-speaking Afghan refugees who accessed GP services. Two distinct narratives emerged – those of recently arrived refugees and established refugees (living in Australia for 3 years or longer). Transecting these narratives, participants indicated the importance of: (1) a preference for detailed clinical assessments, diagnostic investigations and the provision of prescriptions at the first consultation; (2) ‘refugee-friendly’ staff; and (3) integrated, ‘one-stop-shop’ GP clinic features. The value of acceptable personal characteristics evolved over time – GP acceptability was less a consideration for recently arrived, compared with more, established refugees. The findings reinforce the importance of tailoring healthcare delivery to the evolving needs and healthcare expectations of newly arrived and established refugees respectively.
Site-specific phosphorylation and microtubule dynamics control Pyrin inflammasome activation
Authors: Gao Wenqing , Yang Jieling , Liu Wang , Wang Yupeng , Shao Feng
Published: August 2016

Significance

Pyrin, encoded by the
MEFV
gene, is causative for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), an autoinflammatory disease. Pyrin responds to bacterial modifications/inactivation of Rho GTPases by assembling an inflammasome complex for activating caspase-1. Pyrin is a unique immune sensor because it senses bacterial virulence rather than recognizing microbial products. We found that Pyrin is phosphorylated on two serine sites which keep Pyrin inactive through binding by 14-3-3 proteins. Toxin stimulation and bacterial infection trigger Pyrin dephosphorylation and 14-3-3 dissociation, allowing Pyrin inflammasome activation. Colchicine, a microtubule-disrupting drug used to treat FMF, inhibits Pyrin activation downstream of dephosphorylation and 14-3-3 dissociation. These findings not only help us understand FMF pathogenesis/treatment but also shed mechanistic insights into cytosolic immunity.
Slow motion increases perceived intent
Authors: Caruso Eugene M. , Burns Zachary C. , Converse Benjamin A.
Published: August 2016

Significance

When determining responsibility for harmful actions, people often consider whether the actor behaved intentionally. The spread of surveillance cameras, “on-officer” recording devices, and smart-phone video makes it increasingly likely that such judgments are aided by video replay. Yet, little is known about how different qualities of the video, such as replay speed, affect human judgment. We demonstrate that slow motion replay can systematically increase judgments of intent because it gives viewers the false impression that the actor had more time to premeditate before acting. In legal proceedings, these judgments of intent can mean the difference between life and death. Thus, any benefits of video replay should be weighed against its potentially biasing effects.
Engagement of SLAMF3 enhances CD4
+
T-cell sensitivity to IL-2 and favors regulatory T-cell polarization in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Comte Denis , Karampetsou Maria P. , Kis-Toth Katalin , Yoshida Nobuya , Bradley Sean J. , Mizui Masayuki , Kono Michihito , Solomon Julie R. , Kyttaris Vasileios C. , Tsokos George C.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by compromised IL-2 production and regulatory T-cell function. Studies in human SLE and in murine lupus models report that IL-2 replenishment ameliorates clinical lupus manifestations. Here we show that engagement of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 3 (SLAMF3), a coregulatory receptor of T cells, restores the sensitivity of SLE CD4
+
T cells to IL-2, increasing their response to exogenous IL-2 via up-regulation of the IL-2Rα subunit. Moreover, activation of naïve CD4
+
T cells with a monoclonal antibody directed against SLAMF3 promotes T helper cell differentiation toward a suppressive phenotype. These data suggest that the SLAMF3 receptor may be a promising therapeutic target in SLE.
Physical coupling of activation and derepression activities to maintain an active transcriptional state at
FLC
Authors: Yang Hongchun , Howard Martin , Dean Caroline
Published: August 2016

Significance

How chromatin influences transcription is a major question in biology. Chromatin states and transcriptional activity are correlated, but the interconnections and feedbacks in chromatin regulation that lead to quantitative transcriptional regulation are poorly understood. Previous mathematical modeling has shown the importance of dynamic, opposing histone modifications to enable maintenance of one chromatin state through many cell divisions, yet retain the ability to switch from one state to the other. Here, we validate a prediction of that modeling—physical association between the histone modifiers: the methyltransferase specific for the active state with the demethylase specific for the silent state. Such physical coupling of activities regulating opposing chromatin states is likely to be a general feature in chromatin-based transcriptional regulation.
On the solution of the Helmholtz equation on regions with corners
Authors: Serkh Kirill , Rokhlin Vladimir
Published: August 2016

Significance

The solution of elliptic partial differential equations on regions with corners is a famously refractory problem. The solutions are known to be singular at corners, and one of the major difficulties has been finding a precise description of their behavior. In this paper, we observe that when the Helmholtz equation is solved using integral equations, the solutions are explicitly representable by certain series of known singular functions (in particular, Bessel functions of noninteger order). These explicit representations lead to highly accurate and efficient numerical algorithms for the solution of the Helmholtz equation on domains with corners.
Be(com)ing a Conference Interpreter
Authors: Duflou Veerle
Published: August 2016

This study offers a novel view of Conference Interpreting by looking at EU interpreters as a professional community of practice. In particular, Duflou’s work focuses on the nature of the competence conference interpreters working for the European Parliament and the European Commission need to acquire in order to cope with their professional tasks. Making use of observation as a member of the community, in-depth interviews and institutional documents, she explores the link between the specificity of the EU setting and the knowledge and skills required. Her analysis of the learning experiences of newcomers in the professional community shows that EU interpreters’ competence is to a large extent context-dependent and acquired through situated learning. In addition, it highlights the various factors which have an impact on this learning process.

Using the way Dutch booth EU interpreters share the workload in the booth as a case, Duflou demonstrates the importance of mastering collaborative and embodied skills for EU interpreters. She thereby challenges the idea of interpreting competence from an individual, cognitive accomplishment and redefines it as the ability to apply the practical and setting-determined know-how required to function as a full member of the professional community.
Effect of Habitat Size, Quality, and Isolation on Functional Groups of Beetles in Hollow Oaks
Authors: Pilskog Hanne Eik , Birkemoe Tone , Framstad Erik , Sverdrup-Thygeson Anne
Published: August 2016

One of the largest threats to biodiversity is land use change and habitat loss. Hollow oaks (Quercus spp. L.) are well-defined patches that are hotspots for biodiversity and red-listed species, but they are often rare and fragmented in the landscape. We investigated the effect of patch size, habitat quality, and isolation on functional groups and red-listed saproxylic beetles in hollow oaks (n = 40) in Norway. The groups were defined by host tree association, trophic grouping, and red-listed status. Habitat quality, represented by tree form was most important in explaining species richness for most groups. Patch size, represented by circumference and amount of dead branches, was most important in explaining abundance. Isolation, that is single oaks compared with oaks in groups, had a negative effect on the abundance of beetles feeding both on wood and fungi (xylomycethopagous), as well as on species associated with broadleaved trees (oak semi-specialists), but did not affect species richness. This indicates that at this scale and in this landscape, isolated oaks are as species rich and valuable for conservation as other oaks, although some functional groups may be more vulnerable to isolation than others. The red-listed species only responded to patch size, indicating that oaks with large circumference and many dead branches are especially important for red-listed species and for conservation.
Molecular cloning of the tomato Hairless gene implicates actin dynamics in trichome-mediated defense and mechanical properties of stem tissue
Authors: Kang Jin-Ho , Campos Marcelo L , Zemelis-Durfee Starla , Al-Haddad Jameel M , Jones A Daniel , Telewski Frank W , Brandizzi Federica , Howe Gregg A
Published: August 2016

Trichomes are epidermal structures that provide a first line of defense against arthropod herbivores. The recessive hairless (hl) mutation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) causes severe distortion of trichomes on all aerial tissues, impairs the accumulation of sesquiterpene and polyphenolic compounds in glandular trichomes, and compromises resistance to the specialist herbivore Manduca sexta. Here, we demonstrate that the tomato Hl gene encodes a subunit (SRA1) of the highly conserved WAVE regulatory complex that controls nucleation of actin filaments in a wide range of eukaryotic cells. The tomato SRA1 gene spans a 42-kb region containing both Solyc11g013280 and Solyc11g013290. The hl mutation corresponds to a complex 3-kb deletion that removes the last exon of the gene. Expression of a wild-type SRA1 cDNA in the hl mutant background restored normal trichome development, accumulation of glandular trichome-derived metabolites, and resistance to insect herbivory. These findings establish a role for SRA1 in the development of tomato trichomes and also implicate the actin-cytoskeleton network in cytosolic control of specialized metabolism for plant defense. We also show that the brittleness of hl mutant stems is associated with altered mechanical and cell morphological properties of stem tissue, and demonstrate that this defect is directly linked to the mutation in SRA1.
Effect of Complexation Temperature on Thermal Properties and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Starch–Oleic Acid Complexes
Authors: Chen HaiHua , Qin FuMin , Wang YuSheng , Yu Zhen
Published: August 2016

The effect of complexation temperature (30, 60, and 90°C) on the gelatinization properties, glass transition, enzymatic hydrolysis, and crystalline structure of high‐amylose corn starch–oleic acid (HACS‐OA) complexes created by a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)‐based complexation method and of normal corn starch–oleic acid (NCS‐OA) complexes created by an alkaline‐based complexation method were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray diffractometry. The results indicated that the highest complex indices were found in the complexes created at 30 and 60°C with the DMSO‐based complexation method and alkaline‐based complexation method, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of both HACS‐OA complexes and NCS‐OA complexes created at different complexation temperatures were the V‐type pattern. For the complexes created by the two methods, both the melting temperature and the glass transition temperature increased obviously with increasing complexation temperature. Complexation temperature also influenced the enzymatic hydrolysis rate of starch‐OA complexes.
Spatiotemporal Patterns in the Airborne Dispersal of Spinach Downy Mildew
Authors: Choudhury R. A. , Koike S. T. , Fox A. D. , Anchieta A. , Subbarao K. V. , Klosterman S. J. , McRoberts N.
Published: August 2016

Downy mildew is the most devastating disease threatening sustainable spinach production, particularly in the organic sector. The disease is caused by the biotrophic oomycete pathogen Peronospora effusa, and the disease results in yellow lesions that render the crop unmarketable. In this study, the levels of DNA from airborne spores of P. effusa were assessed near a field of susceptible plants in Salinas, CA during the winter months of 2013–14 and 2014/15 using rotating-arm impaction spore-trap samplers that were assessed with a species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Low levels of P. effusa DNA were detectable from December through February in both winters but increased during January in both years, in correlation with observed disease incidence; sharp peaks in P. effusa DNA detection were associated with the onset of disease incidence. The incidence of downy mildew in the susceptible field displayed logistic-like dynamics but with considerable interseason variation. Analysis of the area under the disease progress curves suggested that the 2013–14 epidemic was significantly more severe than the 2014–15 epidemic. Spatial analyses indicated that disease incidence was dependent within an average range of 5.6 m, approximately equivalent to the width of three planted beds in a typical production field. The spatial distribution of spores captured during an active epidemic most closely fit a power-law distribution but could also be fit with an exponential distribution. These studies revealed two important results in the epidemiology of spinach downy mildew in California. First, they demonstrated the potential of impaction spore-trap samplers linked with a qPCR assay for indicating periods of high disease risk, as well as the detection of long-distance dispersal of P. effusa spores. Second, at the scale of individual crops, a high degree of spatial aggregation in disease incidence was revealed.
Dissecting host-associated communities with DNA barcodes
Authors: Baker Christopher C. M. , Bittleston Leonora S. , Sanders Jon G. , Pierce Naomi E.
Published: August 2016

DNA barcoding and metabarcoding methods have been invaluable in the study of interactions between host organisms and their symbiotic communities. Barcodes can help identify individual symbionts that are difficult to distinguish using morphological characters, and provide a way to classify undescribed species. Entire symbiont communities can be characterized rapidly using barcoding and especially metabarcoding methods, which is often crucial for isolating ecological signal from the substantial variation among individual hosts. Furthermore, barcodes allow the evolutionary histories of symbionts and their hosts to be assessed simultaneously and in reference to one another. Here, we describe three projects illustrating the utility of barcodes for studying symbiotic interactions: first, we consider communities of arthropods found in the ant-occupied domatia of the East African ant-plant
Vachellia
(
Acacia
)
drepanolobium
; second, we examine communities of arthropod and protozoan inquilines in three species of
Nepenthes
pitcher plant in South East Asia; third, we investigate communities of gut bacteria of South American ants in the genus
Cephalotes
. Advances in sequencing and computation, and greater database connectivity, will continue to expand the utility of barcoding methods for the study of species interactions, especially if barcoding can be approached flexibly by making use of alternative genetic loci, metagenomes and whole-genome data.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.
Imagining Sisyphus happy: DNA barcoding and the unnamed majority
Authors: Blaxter Mark
Published: August 2016

The vast majority of life on the Earth is physically small, and is classifiable as micro- or meiobiota. These organisms are numerically dominant and it is likely that they are also abundantly speciose. By contrast, the vast majority of taxonomic effort has been expended on ‘charismatic megabionts’: larger organisms where a wealth of morphology has facilitated Linnaean species definition. The hugely successful Linnaean project is unlikely to be extensible to the totality of approximately 10 million species in a reasonable time frame and thus alternative toolkits and methodologies need to be developed. One such toolkit is DNA barcoding, particularly in its metabarcoding or metagenetics mode, where organisms are identified purely by the presence of a diagnostic DNA sequence in samples that are not processed for morphological identification. Building on secure Linnaean foundations, classification of unknown (and unseen) organisms to molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) and deployment of these MOTUs in biodiversity science promises a rewarding resolution to the Sisyphean task of naming all the world's species.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.
A new way to contemplate Darwin's tangled bank: how DNA barcodes are reconnecting biodiversity science and biomonitoring
Authors: Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Baird Donald J. , Fahner Nicole A. , Beiko Robert , Golding G. Brian
Published: August 2016

Encompassing the breadth of biodiversity in biomonitoring programmes has been frustrated by an inability to simultaneously identify large numbers of species accurately and in a timely fashion. Biomonitoring infers the state of an ecosystem from samples collected and identified using the best available taxonomic knowledge. The advent of DNA barcoding has now given way to the extraction of bulk DNA from mixed samples of organisms in environmental samples through the development of high-throughput sequencing (HTS). This DNA metabarcoding approach allows an unprecedented view of the true breadth and depth of biodiversity, but its adoption poses two important challenges. First, bioinformatics techniques must simultaneously perform complex analyses of large datasets and translate the results of these analyses to a range of users. Second, the insights gained from HTS need to be amalgamated with concepts such as Linnaean taxonomy and indicator species, which are less comprehensive but more intuitive. It is clear that we are moving beyond proof-of-concept studies to address the challenge of implementation of this new approach for environmental monitoring and regulation. Interpreting Darwin's ‘tangled bank’ through a DNA lens is now a reality, but the question remains: how can this information be generated and used reliably, and how does it relate to accepted norms in ecosystem study?

This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.
Barcoding the largest animals on Earth: ongoing challenges and molecular solutions in the taxonomic identification of ancient cetaceans
Authors: Speller Camilla , van den Hurk Youri , Charpentier Anne , Rodrigues Ana , Gardeisen Armelle , Wilkens Barbara , McGrath Krista , Rowsell Keri , Spindler Luke , Collins Matthew , Hofreiter Michael
Published: August 2016

Over the last few centuries, many cetacean species have witnessed dramatic global declines due to industrial overharvesting and other anthropogenic influences, and thus are key targets for conservation. Whale bones recovered from archaeological and palaeontological contexts can provide essential baseline information on the past geographical distribution and abundance of species required for developing informed conservation policies. Here we review the challenges with identifying whale bones through traditional anatomical methods, as well as the opportunities provided by new molecular analyses. Through a case study focused on the North Sea, we demonstrate how the utility of this (pre)historic data is currently limited by a lack of accurate taxonomic information for the majority of ancient cetacean remains. We then discuss current opportunities presented by molecular identification methods such as DNA barcoding and collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry), and highlight the importance of molecular identifications in assessing ancient species’ distributions through a case study focused on the Mediterranean. We conclude by considering high-throughput molecular approaches such as hybridization capture followed by next-generation sequencing as cost-effective approaches for enhancing the ecological informativeness of these ancient sample sets.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.