bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism research of calcined copper slag catalytic steam reforming jatropha oil
Authors: Jin Lifu , Wang Hua , Liu Huili , Hu Jianhang
Published: November 2016

Calcined copper slag (CCS) catalytic steam reforming of jatropha oil was investigated in a fixed bed tubular reactor for hydrogen. The pyrolysis mechanism of jatropha oil was characterized by high performance liquid chromatograph, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. At 300–400 °C the fatty acid glycerides cracked into fatty acid, ketene, and acrolein. However, carboxyl, aldehyde, and ketone groups completely became broken bonds when the reactive temperature was 400–500 °C. Dynamic analysis of jatropha oil's thermogravimetric curves was researched by Coats-Redfern equation, where the jatropha oil pyrolysis process accorded with the Z-L-T equation. The activation energy E was 294.14–349.47 kJ/mol, and the pre-exponential factor A was 7.38 × 1020–3.53 × 1025 min−1. Four catalysts were used for catalytic steam reforming of jatropha oil, the active components of CCS were ferric oxide and other metal oxides, and ferric oxide had a good effect on C=C double bond fracture of jatropha oil.
Perspective: Machine learning potentials for atomistic simulations
Authors: Behler Jörg
Published: November 2016

Nowadays, computer simulations have become a standard tool in essentially all fields of chemistry, condensed matter physics, and materials science. In order to keep up with state-of-the-art experiments and the ever growing complexity of the investigated problems, there is a constantly increasing need for simulations of more realistic, i.e., larger, model systems with improved accuracy. In many cases, the availability of sufficiently efficient interatomic potentials providing reliable energies and forces has become a serious bottleneck for performing these simulations. To address this problem, currently a paradigm change is taking place in the development of interatomic potentials. Since the early days of computer simulations simplified potentials have been derived using physical approximations whenever the direct application of electronic structure methods has been too demanding. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) now offer an alternative approach for the representation of potential-energy surfaces by fitting large data sets from electronic structure calculations. In this perspective, the central ideas underlying these ML potentials, solved problems and remaining challenges are reviewed along with a discussion of their current applicability and limitations.
Infrared spectroscopy and theory of the formaldehyde cation and its hydroxymethylene isomer
Authors: Mauney D. T. , Mosley J. D. , Madison L. R. , McCoy A. B. , Duncan M. A.
Published: November 2016

Pulsed discharges in supersonic expansions containing the vapor of different precursors (formaldehyde, methanol) produce the m/z = 30 cations with formula [H2,C,O]+. The corresponding [H2,C,O]+ Ar complexes are produced under similar conditions with argon added to the expansion gas. These ions are mass selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. Spectra in the 2300-3000 cm−1 region produce very different vibrational patterns for the ions made from different precursors. Computational studies with harmonic methods and various forms of anharmonic theory allow detailed assignment of these spectra to two isomeric species. Discharges containing formaldehyde produce primarily the corresponding formaldehyde radical cation, CH2O+, whereas those with methanol produce exclusively the cis- and trans-hydroxymethylene cations, HCOH+. The implications for the interstellar chemistry of these cations are discussed.
Magneto-optical imaging and analysis of magnetic field micro-distributions with the aid of biased indicator films
Authors: Grechishkin R. , Kustov M. , Ilyashenko S. , Gasanov O. , Dumas-Bouchiat F. , Dempsey N. M.
Published: November 2016

Magneto-optical imaging films (MOIFs) were used for the study of magnetic stray field distributions above topographically and thermomagnetically patterned permanent magnet films and other miniature elements that could be used in magnetic micro-systems. Calibrated external bias fields were applied to the samples in situ to simplify the graduation procedure, to expand the measurement range and to minimize the measurement errors. Both uniaxial and planar MOIF were used to make quantitative measurements. A scheme for the fast reconstruction of magnetic serial sections of non-uniform field profiles is proposed. The usefulness of biased MOIF imaging is illustrated by a number of specific examples, such as mechanical hole-drilling adapted to the case of magnetic analysis, dynamic range expansion beyond the limits set by MOIF saturation, rendering surface magnetic flux variations at the microscale and in the presence of strong background.
Full-time kinetics of self-assembly and disassembly in micellar solution via the generalized Smoluchowski equation with fusion and fission of surfactant aggregates
Authors: Shchekin Alexander K. , Babintsev Ilya A. , Adzhemyan Loran Ts.
Published: November 2016

Full-time kinetics of self-assembly and disassembly of spherical micelles with their fusion and fission in non-ionic micellar solutions has been considered in detail on the basis of direct numerical solutions of the generalized Smoluchowski equations describing the evolution of the time-dependent concentrations of molecular aggregates for every aggregation number. The cases of instant increase of the monomer concentration up or dilution of a surfactant solution below the critical micelle concentration at large initial deviations from the final equilibrium state have been studied. Different stages in assembly or disassembly of micelles have been described and compared with the results of the stepwise mechanism of monomer attachment-detachment described by the Becker–Döring kinetic equations. A relation of the full-time kinetics to micellar relaxation at small deviations from the equilibrium state has been checked.
Structure dependent spin selectivity in electron transport through oligopeptides
Authors: Kiran Vankayala , Cohen Sidney R. , Naaman Ron
Published: November 2016

The chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect entails spin-selective electron transmission through chiral molecules. In the present study, the spin filtering ability of chiral, helical oligopeptide monolayers of two different lengths is demonstrated using magnetic conductive probe atomic force microscopy. Spin-specific nanoscale electron transport studies elucidate that the spin polarization is higher for 14-mer oligopeptides than that of the 10-mer. We also show that the spin filtering ability can be tuned by changing the tip-loading force applied on the molecules. The spin selectivity decreases with increasing applied force, an effect attributed to the increased ratio of radius to pitch of the helix upon compression and increased tilt angles between the molecular axis and the surface normal. The method applied here provides new insights into the parameters controlling the CISS effect.
Optical spectroscopy study on the photo-response in multiferroic BiFeO3
Authors: Burkert F. , Kreisel J. , Kuntscher C. A.
Published: November 2016

We investigate the underlying mechanism of the photostriction effect in single-crystalline BiFeO3 by transmission measurements in the infrared and visible frequency range under continuous illumination with a green laser (λ = 532 nm). The small photo-induced changes in the transmission spectrum reveal three well-defined absorption features at 1.22 eV, 1.66 eV, and 2.14 eV, which we assign to charge-transfer excitons and in-gap defect states probably related to oxygen vacancies. The intensity of the three absorption features follows a linear dependence on the illumination intensity for an irradiance above 90 W/m2.
Isotopic dependence of impurity transport driven by ion temperature gradient turbulence
Authors: Guo Weixin , Wang Lu , Zhuang Ge
Published: November 2016

Hydrogenic ion mass effects, namely, the isotopic effects on impurity transport driven by ion temperature gradient (ITG) turbulence are investigated using gyrokinetic theory. For non-trace impurities, changing from hydrogen (H) to deuterium (D), and to tritium (T) plasmas, the outward flux for lower (higher) ionized impurities or for lighter (heavier) impurities is found to decrease (increase), although isotopic dependence of the ITG linear growth rate is weak. This is mainly due to the decrease of outward (inward) convection, while the isotopic dependence of diffusion is relatively weak. In addition, the isotopic effects reduce (enhance) the impurity flux of fully ionized carbon (C6+) for weaker (stronger) magnetic shear. In the trace impurity limit, the isotopic effects are found to reduce the accumulation of high-Z tungsten (W). Moreover, the isotopic effects on the peaking factor of trace high-Z W get stronger with stronger magnetic shear.
Self-induced longitudinal current in the perpendicular ion cyclotron heating in a tokamak
Authors: Gott Yu. V. , Yurchenko E. I.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we give an estimation of the longitudinal current in a tokamak due to high-energy minority ions obtained by perpendicular ICR heating. To illustrate this current, which is known as the banana-drift current, we give an estimation of this effect in an ITER-like tokamak. It is shown that by changing the number of accelerated minority ions, by selecting the position and energy of the resonant layer in which they are accelerated, it is possible to completely replace the noninductive current driven by other methods (for example, with RF power and high-energy neutrals beams). Thus, it is shown that the self-induced currents (bootstrap, asymmetry, and banana-drift currents) driving by continuous HF sources can provide steady-state operation of a fusion reactor.
Hot plasma dielectric response to radio-frequency fields in inhomogeneous magnetic field
Authors: Svidzinski V. A. , Kim J. S. , Spencer J. A. , Zhao L. , Galkin S. A. , Evstatiev E. G.
Published: November 2016

Hot plasma dielectric response models, which are now used in most linear full wave codes, are formulated in Fourier space assuming that particle's Larmor radius is much smaller than the scale of spatial nonuniformity of magnetic field. Such approximation assumes that the spatial scale of plasma dielectric response to the RF field is limited to a few Larmor radii, which is accurate for a limited range of wave frequencies ω. The scale of plasma dielectric response along the magnetic field line could be comparable to the scale of the magnetic field nonuniformity when ω is close to the particle's cyclotron frequency ωc or when ω is much smaller than ωc, which requires the use of a more accurate model. In the present approach, the hot plasma dielectric response is formulated in configuration space without limiting approximations by numerically calculating the plasma conductivity kernel based on the solution of the linearized Vlasov equation in nonuniform magnetic field. Results of the conductivity kernel calculation in hot collisionless plasma are presented for 1-D mirror and 2-D tokamak magnetic field configurations for ω∼ωc. Self-consistent simulation of RF fields using the calculated conductivity kernel of 1-D mirror magnetic field is made. A new parallel full wave RF code, based on the presented approach of accurate self-consistent modeling of plasma dielectric response in configuration space, is under development.
Orthorhombic boron oxide under pressure: In situ study by X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering
Authors: Cherednichenko Kirill A. , Le Godec Yann , Kalinko Aleksandr , Mezouar Mohamed , Solozhenko Vladimir L.
Published: November 2016

High-pressure phase of boron oxide, orthorhombic β-B2O3, has been studied in situ by synchrotron X-ray diffraction to 22 GPa and Raman scattering to 46 GPa at room temperature. The bulk modulus of β-B2O3 has been found to be 169(3) GPa that is in good agreement with our ab initio calculations. Raman and IR spectra of β-B2O3 have been measured at ambient pressure; all experimentally observed bands have been attributed to the theoretically calculated ones, and the mode assignment has been performed. Based on the data on Raman shift as a function of pressure, combined with equation-of-state data, the Grüneisen parameters of all experimentally observed Raman bands have been calculated. β-B2O3 enriched by 10B isotope has been synthesized, and the effect of boron isotopic substitution on Raman spectra has been studied.
A new setup for localized implantation and live-characterization of keV energy multiply charged ions at the nanoscale
Authors: Guillous S. , Bourin C. , Ban D’Etat B. , Benyagoub A. , Cassimi A. , Feierstein C. , Gardés E. , Giglio E. , Girard S. , Grygiel C. , Houel A. , Lebius H. , Méry A. , Monnet I. , Ramillon J.-M. , Rangama J. , Ropars F. , Verzeroli E. , Viteau M. , Delobbe A.
Published: November 2016

An innovative experimental setup, PELIICAEN, allowing the modification of materials and the study of the effects induced by multiply charged ion beams at the nanoscale is presented. This ultra-high vacuum (below 5 × 10−10 mbar) apparatus is equipped with a focused ion beam column using multiply charged ions and a scanning electron microscope developed by Orsay Physics, as well as a scanning probe microscope. The dual beam approach coupled to the scanning probe microscope achieves nanometer scale in situ topological analysis of the surface modifications induced by the ion beams. Preliminary results using the different on-line characterization techniques to study the formation of nano-hillocks on silicon and mica substrates are presented to illustrate the performances of the setup.
Investigation on quench initiation and propagation characteristics of GdBCO coil co-wound with a stainless steel tape as turn-to-turn metallic insulation
Authors: Kim Y. G. , Song J. B. , Choi Y. H. , Yang D. G. , Kim S. G. , Lee H. G.
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates the quench initiation and propagation characteristics of a metallic insulation (MI) coil by conducting thermal quench tests for a GdBCO single-pancake coil co-wound with a stainless steel tape as the turn-to-turn MI. The test results confirmed that the MI coil exhibited superior thermal and electrical stabilities compared to the conventional coils co-wound with organic insulation material because the operating current could flow along the radial direction due to the existence of a turn-to-turn contact when a local hot spot was generated. The results of the quench test at a heater current (Ih) of 12, 13, and 14 A indicate that the MI coil possesses a self-protecting characteristic resulting from the “current bypass” through the turn-to-turn contact. However, the test coil was not self-protecting at Ih = 15 A because the Joule heat energy generated by the radial current flow was not completely dissipated due to the characteristic resistance of the metallic insulation tape and the non-superconducting materials, including the substrate, stabilizer, and buffer layers within the high-temperature superconductor (HTS) tape. Even though the MI coil possesses superior thermal and electrical stability relative to those of conventional HTS coils co-wound with an organic material as turn-to-turn insulation, it is essential to consider the critical role of the Joule heat energy resulting from the operating current and stored magnetic energy as well as the characteristic resistances in order to further develop self-protective 2G HTS magnets.
Experiments of a monolithic radial transmission line
Authors: Mao C. , Wang X. , Zou X. , Lehr J.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the experimental results of a monolithic radial transmission line (MRTL) that may be used in pulsed power generators and microwave devices. The MRTL with a hyperbolic impedance profile is 508 mm in radius, corresponding to a one-way transit time of 15 ns for the electromagnetic wave. In the experiments, up to twenty identical voltage pulses, 10 ns in FWHM and 2 ns in rise-time, were fed into the MRTL through 20 input BNC connectors that are uniformly distributed along the outer circumference of the MRTL. It was found that the amplitude of the voltage from the output BNC connector located in the center of the MRTL is nearly proportional to the total number of the input branches. The effect of the failure modes on the output voltage was investigated. For the MRTL driven by 20 input branches, while the open-circuit or short-circuit even in one input branch considerably decreases the amplitude of the output voltage, the jitter shorter than 2 ns in 3 input branches makes no obvious effect on the output voltage.
Existence of polar switching in the nematic and orthogonal smectic phases in novel four-ring bent-core compounds
Authors: Turlapati Srikanth , Khan Raj Kumar , Ghosh Sharmistha , Tadapatri Pramod , Pratibha R. , Rao Nandiraju V. S.
Published: November 2016

Bent-core liquid crystals have set the first example of forming polar superstructures from achiral molecules. Polar switching studies in smectic phases have revealed several exciting sub-phases which have never been observed in rod-like liquid crystals. In this study, mesomorphic and polar switching properties of three bent-core compounds belonging to a homologous series have been investigated using polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry, XRD studies, electro-optics, and dielectric spectroscopy. These achiral, unsymmetrical four-ring bent-core liquid crystals with a polar fluoro substituent at one end and n-alkoxy chain at the other terminal end possess azo, ester, and imine linkages between the four phenyl rings and different lateral substituents. The compounds 16-F and 18-F exhibit orthogonal smectic phase with antiferroelectric polar order, and additionally, the compound 16-F exhibits a short range nematic phase with a polar order. The compound 7-F exhibits broad enantiotropic nematic mesomorphism without appearance of any smectic ordering at low temperature. The smectic and nematic phases were identified by their optical textures observed by POM. Distinct polarization current peaks under triangular wave voltage are observed for all the compounds in the entire mesophase range. Relaxation phenomena corresponding to polar associations of the molecules are observed in dielectric spectroscopy. The cybotactic nature of the nematic phase is established by the XRD and electro-optic studies of 16-F. Although it is rather difficult to form mesophase when the number of aromatic rings is reduced from five, we have successfully demonstrated the bent-core compounds with four-ring which exhibit orthogonal smectic phases as well as nematic mesomorphism with unusual cybotactic signature.
Stabilized 14.0%-efficient triple-junction thin-film silicon solar cell
Authors: Sai Hitoshi , Matsui Takuya , Matsubara Koji
Published: November 2016

We report on a high-efficiency triple-junction thin-film silicon solar cell fabricated using the substrate configuration. An undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cell grown using triode plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, which is more stable against light soaking, was applied to the a-Si:H/μc-Si:H/μc-Si:H triple-junction cells with honeycomb-textured substrates. To find the best balance in short circuit density and fill factor, we quantitatively investigated the effect of current mismatch on triple-junction cells. Accordingly, a stabilized efficiency of 14.04% was achieved in an a-Si:H/μc-Si:H/μc-Si:H triple-junction solar cell with a minimum light-induced degradation of 4%, setting a new record in this type of solar cells.
Electron emission properties of gated silicon field emitter arrays driven by laser pulses
Authors: Shimawaki Hidetaka , Nagao Masayoshi , Neo Yoichiro , Mimura Hidenori , Wakaya Fujio , Takai Mikio
Published: November 2016

We report optically modulated electron emission from gated p-type silicon field emitter arrays (Si-FEAs). The device's “volcano” structure is designed to control the photoexcitation of electrons by transmitting light through the small gate aperture, thereby minimizing the photogeneration of slow diffusion carriers outside the depletion region in the tip. Compared to that in the dark, the emission current was enhanced by more than three orders of magnitude in the high field region when irradiated with blue laser pulses. Results from the time-resolved measurements of photoassisted electron emission showed that these possess the same response as the laser pulse with no discernible delay. These results indicate that the volcano device structure is effective at eliminating the generation of diffusion carriers and that a fully optimized FEA is promising as a photocathode for producing high-speed modulated electron beams.
Cycling and floating performance of symmetric supercapacitor derived from coconut shell biomass
Authors: Barzegar Farshad , Khaleed Abubakar A. , Ugbo Faith U. , Oyeniran Kabir O. , Momodu Damilola Y. , Bello Abdulhakeem , Dangbegnon Julien K. , Manyala Ncholu
Published: November 2016

This work present two-step synthesizes route to low-cost mesoporous carbon from coconut shell. The electrochemical characterization of the coconut shell based activated carbon (CSAC) material as electrode for supercapacitor showed a specific capacitance of 186 F g-1, energy density of ∼11 Wh kg-1 and power density of 325 W kg-1 at a 0.5 A g-1 with an excellent stability after floating for 100 h and cycling for 10000 cycles in polymer gel electrolyte. The CSAC showed very good potential as a stable material for supercapacitors desirable for high power applications.
Anisotropic Sm2Fe17N3 sintered magnets without coercivity deterioration
Authors: Soda Rikio , Takagi Kenta , Jinno Miho , Yamaguchi Wataru , Ozaki Kimihiro
Published: November 2016

In order to solve the problem of coercivity decrease during sintering, we developed a low-oxygen process capable of producing sintered compacts while avoiding oxidization. This study proved that Sm2Fe17N3 sintered compacts produced by the low-oxygen process maintained the coercivity of the raw powder. Scanning transmission electron microscopy observation found no obvious formation of an oxide layer at the sintered interfaces. Magnetic measurements revealed that the coercivity of the sintered magnets decreased as the oxygen concentration increased. In summary, this study demonstrated that Sm2Fe17N3 sintered magnets having the same coercivity as the raw powder can be produced by avoiding oxidization.
Spatiotemporal order and emergent edge currents in active spinner materials
Authors: van Zuiden Benjamin C. , Paulose Jayson , Irvine William T. M. , Bartolo Denis , Vitelli Vincenzo
Published: November 2016

Significance

Active materials are composed of building blocks individually powered by internal energy or external fields. Here, we explore the collective behavior of interacting particles with active rotations but no self-propulsion (i.e., active spinning without walking). When many such spinners are brought together, they form unique nonequilibrium steady states reminiscent of crystals, liquids, and glasses. Unlike equilibrium phases of matter, which stem from the balance between entropy and internal energy, the spinner states arise from the competition between active torques and interactions. Active spinner crystals have distinctive features: they vary periodically in time as well as space and melt under increasing pressure. Emergent unidirectional edge currents are the nonequilibrium probes of the transition between crystalline and liquid-like states in active spinner materials.
Genetic architecture of nonadditive inheritance inArabidopsis thalianahybrids
Authors: Seymour Danelle K. , Chae Eunyoung , Grimm Dominik G. , Martín Pizarro Carmen , Habring-Müller Anette , Vasseur François , Rakitsch Barbara , Borgwardt Karsten M. , Koenig Daniel , Weigel Detlef
Published: November 2016

Significance

Hybrid progeny of inbred parents are often more fit than their parents. Such hybrid vigor, or heterosis, is the focus of many plant breeding programs, and the rewards are evident. Hybrid maize has for many decades accounted for the majority of seed planted each year in North America and Europe. Despite the prevalence of this phenomenon and its agricultural importance, the genetic basis of heterotic traits is still unclear. We have used a large collection of first-generation hybrids inArabidopsis thalianato characterize the genetics of heterosis in this model plant. We have identified loci that contribute substantially to hybrid vigor and show that a subset of these exhibits classical dominance, an important finding with direct implications for crop improvement.
A well-scaling natural orbital theory
Authors: Gebauer Ralph , Cohen Morrel H. , Car Roberto
Published: November 2016

Significance

Computations of locations of nuclei and movement of electrons within molecules and materials are widely used in science and technology. Direct computation of a system’s wave function for that purpose becomes impractical as system size grows. Current alternative methods can have difficulty with strongly correlated electron motion or spurious electron self-interaction. By using “natural spin-orbitals” to describe the motion of individual electrons, solving for them together with their joint and individual probabilities of occurrence within the system, we are able to account better for electron correlation when strong while avoiding self-interaction and maintaining the growth of computation cost with system size at the level of Hartree–Fock theory. Our numerical results for some small test molecules are very good.
“Consuming” national identity in Western Ukraine
Authors: Seliverstova Oleksandra
Published: November 2016

This paper represents an attempt to study national identity in the post-Soviet context through the lens of everyday life practices. Building on ideas of banal nationalism and consumer citizenship, and with support of empirical evidence collected in l'viv, Ukraine, this paper demonstrates how national identity becomes materialized in everyday life through consumption practices and objects of consumption. While exploring objects and practices that are not originally national in scope but infused with national meanings by ordinary people, it will be shown how consumption becomes an arena for the expression and renegotiation of national self-portraits. Differences in national meanings among residents of l'viv belonging to two different language groups will highlight the diversity of ways and means by which people express their national sensibilities. By exploring national meanings in everyday consumption practices of Ukrainian citizens, this study aims to provide an alternative perspective on post-Soviet nation-building and contribute to the current debate on the position and identity of the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine.
Managingfuria latina:the making of a Romanian football system and style of play
Authors: Faje Florin
Published: November 2016

This article investigates the creation of a Romanian football style and system of play, best espoused by the Romanian national teams of the 1990s. It does so by engaging the works of Virgil Economu (1896–1978), undoubtedly the leading Romanian practitioner in the field. The analysis develops around the notions offuria latina– Latin fury – and “élan” and traces their elaboration and implication at two different historical periods, the interwar and the postwar. Premised on these notions, Economu sought to develop a distinctly Romanian style of football play, one emphasizing speed and individual technique. The successes of Romanian football in the 1980s and early 1990s, the rise of the midfielder Gheorghe Hagi, and the popular meanings attached to them are all intimately connected with Economu's contributions. Overall, my arguments document football's crucial role for modern Romanian nationalism.
Heavy-ion beam mutagenesis identified an essential gene for chloroplast development under cold stress conditions during both early growth and tillering stages in rice
Authors: Morita Ryouhei , Nakagawa Mayu , Takehisa Hinako , Hayashi Yoriko , Ichida Hiroyuki , Usuda Sachiko , Ichinose Katsunori , Abe Hiroshi , Shirakawa Yuki , Sato Tadashi , Fujiwara Makoto T , Itoh Ryuuichi D , Abe Tomoko
Published: November 2016

We isolated a cold sensitive virescent1 (csv1) mutant from a rice (Oryza sativa L.) population mutagenized by carbon ion irradiation. The mutant exhibited chlorotic leaves during the early growth stages, and produced normal green leaves as it grew. The growth of csv1 plants displayed sensitivity to low temperatures. In addition, the mutant plants that were transferred to low temperatures at the fifth leaf stage produced chlorotic leaves subsequently. Genetic and molecular analyses revealed translocation of a 13-kb genomic fragment that disrupted the causative gene (CSV1; LOC_Os05g34040). CSV1 encodes a plastid-targeted oxidoreductase-like protein conserved among land plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria. Furthermore, CSV1 transcripts were more abundant in immature than in mature leaves, and they did not markedly increase or decrease with temperature. Taken together, our results indicate that CSV1 supports chloroplast development under cold stress conditions, in both the early growth and tillering stages in rice.
The Gulf Cooperation Council countries and countering ISIS: threats, policies and challenges
Authors: Ragab Eman
Published: November 2016

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are being affected by the rise of terrorism and radicalism which in turn has been driven by the creation of ISIS’ state in Iraq and Syria in mid-2014. The group’s presence in Iraq and Syria is inciting many Gulf civilians to travel to Syria to take part in the conflict against al-Assad or to act as local fundraisers for the organization. Furthermore, after a while, the Gulf fighters are either moving back to their home countries or to other conflict zones such as Libya and Yemen, and vice versa. This paper examines how GCC countries are countering the threats posed by ISIS to their national security by focusing on the counter-ISIS policies developed on the national level. The paper identifies three patterns of threats that include the recruitment of their citizens to join the conflict in Syria, the local replica of ISIS that has recently targeted Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and private donations channelled to the armed groups in Syria. These threats are examined in detail in the first section of this paper as they represent different aspects of ISIS’ influence and appeal in the Gulf societies. In order to avoid generalizations, the analysis and discussion in this paper are based on the examination of the profiles of a sample of 15 Gulf fighters recruited by ISIS during 2014–2015 originating from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The paper also examines the policies adopted at the national level in the GCC countries to curb ISIS’ influence and appeal, and identifies the main challenges encountered by these countries in countering ISIS.
Sensitivity via the complex-step method for delay differential equations with non-smooth initial data
Authors: Banks H. , Bekele-Maxwell Kidist , Bociu Lorena , Wang Chuyue
Published: November 2016

In this report, we use the complex-step derivative approximation technique to compute sensitivities for delay differential equations (DDEs) with non-smooth (discontinuous and even distributional) history functions. We compare the results with exact derivatives and with those computed using the classical sensitivity equations whenever possible. Our results demonstrate that the implementation of the complex-step method using the method of steps and the Matlab solver dde23 provides a very good approximation of sensitivities as long as discontinuities in the initial data do not cause loss of smoothness in the solution: that is, even when the underlying smoothness with respect to the initial data for the Cauchy-Riemann derivation of the method does not hold. We conclude with remarks on our findings regarding the complex-step method for computing sensitivities for simpler ordinary differential equation systems in the event of lack of smoothness with respect to parameters.
HJURP interaction with the condensin II complex during G1 promotes CENP-A deposition
Authors: Barnhart-Dailey Meghan C. , Trivedi Prasad , Stukenberg P. Todd , Foltz Daniel R.
Published: November 2016

Centromeric chromatin is required for kinetochore assembly during mitosis and accurate chromosome segregation. A unique nucleosome containing the histone H3–specific variant CENP-A is the defining feature of centromeric chromatin. In humans, CENP-A nucleosome deposition occurs in early G1 just after mitotic exit at the time when the CENP-A deposition machinery localizes to centromeres. The mechanism by which CENP-A is deposited onto an existing, condensed chromatin template is not understood. Here we identify the selective association of the CENP-A chaperone HJURP with the condensin II complex and not condensin I. We show CAPH2 is present at centromeres during early G1 at the time when CENP-A deposition is occurring. CAPH2 localization to early G1 centromeres is dependent on HJURP. The CENP-A chaperone and assembly factor HJURP induces decondensation of a noncentromeric LacO array, and this decondensation is modulated by the condensin II complex. We show that condensin II function at the centromere is required for new CENP-A deposition in human cells. These data demonstrate that HJURP selectively recruits the condensin II chromatin-remodeling complex to facilitate CENP-A deposition in human cells.
Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged Finnish men
Authors: Laukkanen Tanjaniina , Kunutsor Setor , Kauhanen Jussi , Laukkanen Jari Antero
Published: November 2016

Background

there are no previous studies linking repeated heat exposure of sauna and the risk of memory diseases. We aimed to investigate whether frequency of sauna bathing is associated with risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Setting

prospective population-based study.

Methods

the frequency of sauna bathing was assessed at baseline in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease population-based prospective cohort study of 2,315 apparently healthy men aged 42–60 years at baseline, with baseline examinations conducted between 1984 and 1989. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dementia and Alzheimer's disease were ascertained using Cox-regression modelling with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

during a median follow-up of 20.7 (interquartile range 18.1–22.6) years, a total of 204 and 123 diagnosed cases of dementia and Alzheimer's disease were respectively recorded. In analysis adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, Type 2 diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, resting heart rate and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with men with only 1 sauna bathing session per week, the HR for dementia was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.57–1.06) for 2–3 sauna bathing sessions per week and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16–0.71) for 4–7 sauna bathing sessions per week. The corresponding HRs for Alzheimer's disease were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.53–1.20) and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.14–0.90).

Conclusion

in this male population, moderate to high frequency of sauna bathing was associated with lowered risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Further studies are warranted to establish the potential mechanisms linking sauna bathing and memory diseases.
geneAttribution: trait agnostic identification of candidate genes associated with noncoding variation
Authors: Wuster Arthur , Chang Diana , Behrens Timothy W , Bhangale Tushar R
Published: November 2016

Motivation

We have developed geneAttribution, an R package that assigns candidate causal gene(s) to a risk variant identified by a genetic association study such as a GWAS. The method combines user-supplied functional annotation such as expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) or Hi-C genome conformation data and reports the most likely candidate genes. In the absence of annotation data, geneAttribution relies on the distances between the genes and the input variant.

Availability and Implementation

The package is freely available from http://www.bioconductor.org/. A quick-start vignette is included with the package.
Smoldyn: particle-based simulation with rule-based modeling, improved molecular interaction and a library interface
Authors: Andrews Steven S
Published: November 2016

Motivation

Smoldyn is a spatial and stochastic biochemical simulator. It treats each molecule of interest as an individual particle in continuous space, simulating molecular diffusion, molecule-membrane interactions and chemical reactions, all with good accuracy. This article presents several new features.

Results

Smoldyn now supports two types of rule-based modeling. These are a wildcard method, which is very convenient, and the BioNetGen package with extensions for spatial simulation, which is better for complicated models. Smoldyn also includes new algorithms for simulating the diffusion of surface-bound molecules and molecules with excluded volume. Both are exact in the limit of short time steps and reasonably good with longer steps. In addition, Smoldyn supports single-molecule tracking simulations. Finally, the Smoldyn source code can be accessed through a C/C ++ language library interface.

Availability and Implementation

Smoldyn software, documentation, code, and examples are at http://www.smoldyn.org.
High Rates of Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in HIV-Infected Women Who Do Not Meet Screening Guidelines
Authors: Gaisa Michael , Ita-Nagy Fanny , Sigel Keith , Arens Yotam , Hennessy Mary Ann , Rodriguez-Caprio Gabriela , Mullen Michael , Aberg Judith A , Cespedes Michelle
Published: November 2016

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected women have a higher burden of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and anal cancer (AC) compared with HIV-uninfected women. Guidelines for AC screening in this population are heterogeneous. Here we report outcomes and risk factors for anal HSIL following implementation of universal AC screening offered to all HIV-infected women.

Methods

Data from women who underwent AC screening with anal cytology from April 2009 to July 2014 were analyzed. Routine clinical data included anal and cervical cytology, demographic/behavioral data, and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) results. We evaluated the association of cytology with HRA results, and predictors of HSIL pathology, and compared rates of HSIL pathology among women meeting screening guidelines to those who did not.

Results

Seven hundred forty-five HIV-infected women were screened with anal cytology. Thirty-nine percent had abnormal anal cytology on initial screen and 15% on secondary screen; 208 women underwent HRA following abnormal anal cytology. HSIL was found in 26% and 18% of anal biopsies following initial and secondary screening, respectively. One woman had AC. Cigarette smoking more than doubled HSIL risk. Among women who underwent AC screening despite not meeting existing guideline criteria, 21% and 10%, respectively, were found to have HSIL on biopsy. Neither meeting criteria for screening nor history of receptive anal sex was significantly associated with HSIL.

Conclusions

Anal HSIL is common in HIV-infected women. Substantial numbers of HSIL would have been missed by strictly adhering to existing AC screening guidelines. These results support routine screening of all HIV-infected women regardless of human papillomavirus history or sexual practices.
Missing Fe: hydrogenated iron nanoparticles
Authors: Bilalbegović G. , Maksimović A. , Mohaček-Grošev V.
Published: November 2016

Although it was found that the FeH lines exist in the spectra of some stars, none of the spectral features in the interstellar medium (ISM) have been assigned to this molecule. We suggest that iron atoms interact with hydrogen and produce Fe-H nanoparticles which sometimes contain many H atoms. We calculate infrared spectra of hydrogenated iron nanoparticles using density functional theory methods and find broad, overlapping bands. Desorption of H2 could induce spinning of these small Fe-H dust grains. Some of hydrogenated iron nanoparticles possess magnetic and electric moments and should interact with electromagnetic fields in the ISM. FenHm nanoparticles could contribute to the polarization of the ISM and the anomalous microwave emission. We discuss the conditions required to form FeH and FenHm in the ISM.
From Infancy to Adolescence: The Kansas University School of Medicine–Salina: A Rural Medical Campus Story
Authors: Cathcart-Rake William , Robinson Michael , Paolo Anthony
Published: November 2016

The University of Kansas School of Medicine established a rural regional campus in Salina, Kansas, in 2011. The creation of a four-year medical campus of only 32 total students in a town of less than 50,000 inhabitants appeared to contradict all previous practices where medical schools have been situated in large metropolitan cities with student bodies frequently in the hundreds. The rationale to open the Salina campus was to attract medical students with a desire to train in a rural environment, hoping that many would eventually elect to practice primary care in rural Kansas. The authors evaluated the admission demographics, academic performance, campus satisfaction, and graduate medical education choices of students at Kansas University School of Medicine–Salina (KUSM-S) during its first four years of existence. To date, the Salina campus has succeeded in its mission to train students from rural communities in a rural environment to eventually become rural-based physicians. KUSM-S students have adjusted well to the rigors of medical school, have shown steady improvement in academic performance as measured by United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, and have been overwhelmingly positive about the Salina medical education program. The initial cohort of students has now successfully graduated and secured residency training positions, and most KUSM-S graduates are either continuing their training in primary care in Kansas or intend to return to Kansas to practice following residency training.
Mask Ventilation during Induction of General Anesthesia
Authors: Sato Shin , Hasegawa Makoto , Okuyama Megumi , Okazaki Junko , Kitamura Yuji , Sato Yumi , Ishikawa Teruhiko , Sato Yasunori , Isono Shiroh
Published: November 2016

Background

Depending on upper airway patency during anesthesia induction, tidal volume achieved by mask ventilation may vary. In 80 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia, the authors tested a hypothesis that tidal volume during mask ventilation is smaller in patients with sleep-disordered breathing priorly defined as apnea hypopnea index greater than 5 per hour.

Methods

One-hand mask ventilation with a constant ventilator setting (pressure-controlled ventilation) was started 20 s after injection of rocuronium and maintained for 1 min during anesthesia induction. Mask ventilation efficiency was assessed by the breath number needed to initially exceed 5 ml/kg ideal body weight of expiratory tidal volume (primary outcome) and tidal volumes (secondary outcomes) during initial 15 breaths (UMIN000012494).

Results

Tidal volume progressively increased by more than 70% in 1 min and did not differ between sleep-disordered breathing (n = 42) and non–sleep-disordered breathing (n = 38) patients. In post hoc subgroup analyses, the primary outcome breath number (mean [95% CI], 5.7 [4.1 to 7.3] vs. 1.7 [0.2 to 3.2] breath; P = 0.001) and mean tidal volume (6.5 [4.6 to 8.3] vs. 9.6 [7.7 to 11.4] ml/kg ideal body weight; P = 0.032) were significantly smaller in 20 sleep-disordered breathing patients with higher apnea hypopnea index (median [25th to 75th percentile]: 21.7 [17.6 to 31] per hour) than in 20 non–sleep disordered breathing subjects with lower apnea hypopnea index (1.0 [0.3 to 1.5] per hour). Obesity and occurrence of expiratory flow limitation during one-hand mask ventilation independently explained the reduction of efficiency of mask ventilation, while the use of two hands effectively normalized inefficient mask ventilation during one-hand mask ventilation.

Conclusions

One-hand mask ventilation is difficult in patients with obesity and severe sleep-disordered breathing particularly when expiratory flow limitation occurs during mask ventilation.
Agomelatine for the Treatment of Major Depressive Episodes in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Englisch Susanne , Jung Hanna Sophie , Lewien Antje , Becker Anna , Nowak Ulrike , Braun Hanna , Thiem Jascha , Eisenacher Sarah , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Zink Mathias
Published: November 2016

Background

Depressive episodes in schizophrenia constitute a major clinical problem, and treatment success is often limited by treatment-emergent side effects. Agomelatine, an agonist at melatonergic MT1/MT2 receptors and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, is a new antidepressant with a novel mode of action which constitutes a potential therapeutic option for depression in schizophrenia.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients with lifetime diagnoses within the schizophrenia spectrum and comorbid depression were treated with agomelatine in addition to stable doses of antipsychotic agents. Severity of depression and other psychopathological domains (positive/negative symptoms, general psychopathology, psychosocial performance) was assessed regularly by means of standardized rating scales during a 6-week acute treatment phase as well as after a 6-week extension phase. Moreover, safety measures (electrocardiograms, laboratory counts, neurological and non-neurological side effects, sleep quality, sexual functioning) were monitored on a regular basis.

Results

Depressive symptoms improved significantly during the 6-week acute treatment phase. In parallel, a significant improvement of negative symptoms, global psychopathology, and psychosocial performance was observed, whereas positive symptoms remained stable. Agomelatine was mostly well tolerated with predominantly mild and self-limiting side effects. However, pharmacokinetic interactions with antipsychotic agents were observed. Interestingly, the quality of sleep did not improve significantly, pointing toward mechanisms that do not depend on resynchronization of circadian rhythms.

Conclusions

Agomelatine appears to be safe and efficacious in treating depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The risk of pharmacokinetic interactions with antipsychotic agents warrants the need of therapeutic drug monitoring, and regular recording of vital signs seems necessary. Further randomized trials will have to confirm these findings.