bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood as a predictor of non-aggressive, but not aggressive, antisocial behaviors in adulthood
Authors: Burt S. A. , Klump K. L. , Kashy D. A. , Gorman-Smith D. , Neiderhiser J. M.
Published: June 2015

Background

Prior meta-analytic work has highlighted important etiological distinctions between aggressive (AGG) and non-aggressive rule-breaking (RB) dimensions of antisocial behavior. Among these is the finding that RB is influenced by the environment more than is AGG. Relatively little research, however, has sought to identify the specific environmental experiences that contribute to this effect. The current study sought to do just this.

Method

We examined whether unrelated adults residing in the same neighborhood (n = 1915 participants in 501 neighborhoods) were more similar in their AGG and RB than would be expected by chance. Analyses focused on simple multi-level models, with the participant as the lower-level unit and the neighborhood as the upper-level unit.

Results

Results revealed little to no evidence of neighborhood-level variance in AGG. By contrast, 11+% of the variance in RB could be predicted from participant neighborhood, results that persisted even when considering the possibility of genetic relatedness across participants and neighborhood selection effects. Moreover, 17% of this neighborhood-level variance in RB was accounted for by neighborhood structural characteristics and social processes.

Conclusions

Findings bolster prior suggestions that broader contextual experiences, like the structural and social characteristics of one's neighborhood, contribute in a meaningful way to RB in particular. Our results also tentatively imply that this association may be environmental in origin. Future work should seek to develop additional, stronger designs capable of more clearly leveraging genetic un-relatedness to improve causal inferences regarding the environment.
New issues and science in broiler chicken intestinal health: intestinal microbial composition, shifts, and impacts
Authors: ROBERTS T. , WILSON J. , GUTHRIE A. , COOKSON K. , VANCRAEYNEST D. , SCHAEFFER J. , MOODY R. , CLARK S.
Published: June 2015

Intestinal health is important for maximising the health, welfare, and performance of poultry. In addition, intestinal health issues in poultry can have devastating financial impacts for producers, and food safety concerns for consumers. Until recently, intestinal health issues were seen as a handful of known infectious agents leading to a set of severe and identifiable named diseases. There is however an emerging area which depicts intestinal health as a more complex and multifaceted system than previously known. Recent progress in technology suitable for microbial community analysis has evolved our understanding of the chicken intestinal microbiome. It is now understood that shifts in the composition of microbial communities can occur. These shifts can result in a series of implications, including: disease, welfare, environmental, and food safety concerns. Minor shifts in intestinal microbial balance can result in a wide continuum of disease presentations ranging from severe to mild clinical, subclinical or asymptotic. Differential diagnosis of poultry intestinal health issues may be challenging and is important for applying appropriate treatment options. This review discusses new and emerging topics in broiler chicken intestinal health, with a focus on microbial composition, newly discovered microbial shifts in classical poultry diseases, range in severity of enteric diseases, newly identified organisms in normal intestinal flora, implications of shifts in intestinal microbial communities and diagnosis of emerging intestinal health issues in poultry.
Two Rare Late Samian Vessels from Southern England
Authors: Bird Joanna
Published: June 2015

This paper considers two vessels, one found at Silchester in Hampshire, the other at Flexford, near Guildford in Surrey. Both are products of the samian workshops at Rheinzabern and both owe their design to metal prototypes. Neither has any apparent known parallel for its combination of form and decoration and both are a valuable reminder that even in such a large enterprise as the samian potteries individual forms could be made, perhaps in response to a specific request or as experiments by the potters. They also form an important contribution to our knowledge of late samian ware in Britain and add to previous evidence for the use of samian in ritual contexts.
Income, cumulative risk, and longitudinal profiles of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in preschool-age children
Authors: Zalewski Maureen , Lengua Liliana J. , Thompson Stephanie F. , Kiff Cara J.
Published: June 2015

Environmental risk predicts disrupted basal cortisol levels in preschool children. However, little is known about the stability or variability of diurnal cortisol morning levels or slope patterns over time in young children. This study used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity during the preschool period. Using a community sample (N= 306), this study measured income, cumulative risk, and children's diurnal cortisol (morning level and slope) four times across 2.5 years, starting when children were 36 months old. Latent profile analysis profiles indicated that there were predominantly stable patterns of diurnal cortisol level and slope over time and that these patterns were predicted by income and cumulative risk. In addition, there were curvilinear relations of income and cumulative risk to profiles of low morning cortisol level and flattened diurnal slope across time, suggesting that both lower and higher levels of income and cumulative risk were associated with a stress-sensitive physiological system. Overall, this study provides initial evidence for the role of environmental risk in predicting lower, flattened basal cortisol patterns that remain stable over time.
On convergence of the penalty method for a static unilateral contact problem with nonlocal friction in electro-elasticity
Authors: BENKHIRA El-H. , ESSOUFI El-H. , FAKHAR R.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we consider the penalty method to solve the unilateral contact with friction between an electro-elastic body and a conductive foundation. Mathematical properties, such as the existence of a solution to the penalty problem and its convergence to the solution of the original problem, are reported. Then, we present a finite elements approximation for the penalised problem and prove its convergence. Finally, we propose an iterative method to solve the resulting finite element system and establish its convergence.
Tracing CD34+ Stromal Fibroblasts in Palatal Mucosa and Periodontal Granulation Tissue as a Possible Cell Reservoir for Periodontal Regeneration
Authors: Roman Alexandra , Páll Emőke , Mihu Carmen M. , Petruţiu Adrian S. , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Câmpian Radu S. , Florea Adrian , Georgiu Carmen
Published: June 2015

The aim of the present research was to trace CD34+ stromal fibroblastic cells (CD34+ SFCs) in the palatal connective tissue harvested for muco-gingival surgical procedures and in granulation tissues from periodontal pockets using immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis targeted the presence of three antigens: CD31,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and CD34. In the palate, CD31 staining revealed a colored inner ring of the vessels representing the endothelium,α-SMA+ was located in the medial layer of the vasculature, and CD34 was intensely expressed by endothelial cells and artery adventitial cells (considered to be CD34+ SFCs). Granulation tissue showed the same pattern for CD31+ andα-SMA, but a different staining pattern for CD34. Ultrastructural examination of the palatal tissue highlighted perivascular cells with fibroblast-like characteristics and pericytes in close spatial relationship to endothelial cells. The ultrastructural evaluation of granulation tissue sections confirmed the presence of neovasculature and the inflammatory nature of this tissue. The present study traced the presence of CD34+ SFCs and of pericytes in the palatal connective tissue thus highlighting once more its intrinsic regenerative capabilities. The clinical and systemic factors triggering mobilization and influencing the fate of local CD34+SCFs and other progenitors are issues to be further investigated.
Climate Ride: Are You up for the Challenge?
Authors: Ambrogio Olivia
Published: June 2015

A Q&A with AGU's president-elect, Eric Davidson, about the upcoming 2015 Northeast Climate Ride and his experience riding last year.
Evolutionary analysis of the female-specific avian W chromosome
Authors: Smeds Linnéa , Warmuth Vera , Bolivar Paulina , Uebbing Severin , Burri Reto , Suh Alexander , Nater Alexander , Bureš Stanislav , Garamszegi Laszlo Z. , Hogner Silje , Moreno Juan , Qvarnström Anna , Ružić Milan , Sæther Stein-Are , Sætre Glenn-Peter , Török Janos , Ellegren Hans
Published: June 2015

The typically repetitive nature of the sex-limited chromosome means that it is often excluded from or poorly covered in genome assemblies, hindering studies of evolutionary and population genomic processes in non-recombining chromosomes. Here, we present a draft assembly of the non-recombining region of the collared flycatcher W chromosome, containing 46 genes without evidence of female-specific functional differentiation. Survival of genes during W chromosome degeneration has been highly non-random and expression data suggest that this can be attributed to selection for maintaining gene dose and ancestral expression levels of essential genes. Re-sequencing of large population samples revealed dramatically reduced levels of within-species diversity and elevated rates of between-species differentiation (lineage sorting), consistent with low effective population size. Concordance between W chromosome and mitochondrial DNA phylogenetic trees demonstrates evolutionary stable matrilineal inheritance of this nuclear–cytonuclear pair of chromosomes. Our results show both commonalities and differences between W chromosome and Y chromosome evolution.
Bicarbonate transporters in corals point towards a key step in the evolution of cnidarian calcification
Authors: Zoccola Didier , Ganot Philippe , Bertucci Anthony , Caminiti-Segonds Natacha , Techer Nathalie , Voolstra Christian R , Aranda Manuel , Tambutté Eric , Allemand Denis , Casey Joseph R , Tambutté Sylvie
Published: June 2015

The bicarbonate ion (HCO3−) is involved in two major physiological processes in corals, biomineralization and photosynthesis, yet no molecular data on bicarbonate transporters are available. Here, we characterized plasma membrane-type HCO3− transporters in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. Eight solute carrier (SLC) genes were found in the genome: five homologs of mammalian-type SLC4 family members and three of mammalian-type SLC26 family members. Using relative expression analysis and immunostaining, we analyzed the cellular distribution of these transporters and conducted phylogenetic analyses to determine the extent of conservation among cnidarian model organisms. Our data suggest that the SLC4γ isoform is specific to scleractinian corals and responsible for supplying HCO3− to the site of calcification. Taken together, SLC4γ appears to be one of the key genes for skeleton building in corals, which bears profound implications for our understanding of coral biomineralization and the evolution of scleractinian corals within cnidarians.
Heralded Quantum Entanglement between Distant Matter Qubits
Authors: Yang Wen-Juan , Wang Xiang-Bin
Published: June 2015

We propose a scheme to realize heralded quantum entanglement between two distant matter qubits using two Λ atom systems. Our proposal does not need any photon interference. We also present a general theory of outcome state of non-monochromatic incident light and finite interaction time.
Internally architectured materials with directionally asymmetric friction
Authors: Bafekrpour Ehsan , Dyskin Arcady , Pasternak Elena , Molotnikov Andrey , Estrin Yuri
Published: June 2015

Internally Architectured Materials (IAMs) that exhibit different friction forces for sliding in the opposite directions are proposed. This is achieved by translating deformation normal to the sliding plane into a tangential force in a manner that is akin to a toothbrush with inclined bristles. Friction asymmetry is attained by employing a layered material or a structure with parallel ‘ribs’ inclined to the direction of sliding. A theory of directionally asymmetric friction is presented, along with prototype IAMs designed, fabricated and tested. The friction anisotropy (the ξ-coefficient) is characterised by the ratio of the friction forces for two opposite directions of sliding. It is further demonstrated that IAM can possess very high levels of friction anisotropy, with ξ of the order of 10. Further increase in ξ is attained by modifying the shape of the ribs to provide them with directionally dependent bending stiffness. Prototype IAMs produced by 3D printing exhibit truly giant friction asymmetry, with ξ in excess of 20. A novel mechanical rectifier, which can convert oscillatory movement into unidirectional movement by virtue of directionally asymmetric friction, is proposed. Possible applications include locomotion in a constrained environment and energy harvesting from oscillatory noise and vibrations.
Mid-infrared passively switched pulsed dual wavelength Ho3+-doped fluoride fiber laser at 3 μm and 2 μm
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Luo Hongyu , Wang Lele , Liu Yong , Yan Zhijun , Zhou Kaiming , Zhang Lin , Turistsyn Sergei K.
Published: June 2015

Cascade transitions of rare earth ions involved in infrared host fiber provide the potential to generate dual or multiple wavelength lasing at mid-infrared region. In addition, the fast development of saturable absorber (SA) towards the long wavelengths motivates the realization of passively switched mid-infrared pulsed lasers. In this work, by combing the above two techniques, a new phenomenon of passively Q-switched ~3 μm and gain-switched ~2 μm pulses in a shared cavity was demonstrated with a Ho3+-doped fluoride fiber and a specifically designed semiconductor saturable absorber (SESAM) as the SA. The repetition rate of ~2 μm pulses can be tuned between half and same as that of ~3 μm pulses by changing the pump power. The proposed method here will add new capabilities and more flexibility for generating mid-infrared multiple wavelength pulses simultaneously that has important potential applications for laser surgery, material processing, laser radar and free-space communications and other areas.
Transcriptional responses of invasive and indigenous whiteflies to different host plants reveal their disparate capacity of adaptation
Authors: Xu Hong-Xing , Hong Yue , Zhang Min-Zhu , Wang Yong-Liang , Liu Shu-Sheng , Wang Xiao-Wei
Published: June 2015

The whiteflyBemisia tabacicontains more than 35 cryptic species. The higher adaptability of Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) cryptic species has been recognized as one important factor for its invasion and displacement of other indigenous species worldwide. Here we compared the performance of the invasive MEAM1 and the indigenous Asia II 3 whitefly species following host plant transfer from a suitable host (cotton) to an unsuitable host (tobacco) and analyzed their transcriptional responses. After transfer to tobacco for 24 h, MEAM1 performed much better than Asia II 3. Transcriptional analysis showed that the patterns of gene regulation were very different with most of the genes up-regulated in MEAM1 but down-regulated in Asia II 3. Whereas carbohydrate and energy metabolisms were repressed in Asia II 3, the gene expression and protein metabolisms were activated in MEAM1. Compared to the constitutive high expression of detoxification genes in MEAM1, most of the detoxification genes were down-regulated in Asia II 3. Enzymatic activities of P450, GST and esterase further verified that the detoxification of MEAM1 was much higher than that of Asia II 3. These results reveal obvious differences in responses of MEAM1 and Asia II 3 to host transfer.
Induction chemotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Jiang Nan , Shi Yuexian , Li Shipeng , Wang Peiguo , Zhao Yue
Published: June 2015

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been considered to be the standard of care for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (LA-SCCHN). Whether induction chemotherapy (IC) with CCRT will further improve the clinical outcomes or not is still unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the two regimens for LA-SCCHN. Literature searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Chinese Biology Medicine from inception to November 2014. Five prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 922 patients were included in meta-analysis. Results were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) or relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared with CCRT, IC with CCRT showed no statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) or locoregional recurrence rate (LRR), but could increase risks of grade 3–4 febrile neutropenia (P = 0.0009) and leukopenia (P = 0.04). In contrast, distant metastasis rate (DMR) decreased (P = 0.006) and complete response rate (CR) improved (P = 0.010) for IC with CCRT. In conclusion, the current studies do not support the use of IC with CCRT over CCRT and the further positioning of IC with CCRT as standard treatment for LA-SCCHN will come from more RCTs directly comparing IC followed by CCRT with CCRT.
Inferring the connectivity of coupled oscillators from time-series statistical similarity analysis
Authors: Tirabassi Giulio , Sevilla-Escoboza Ricardo , Buldú Javier M. , Masoller Cristina
Published: June 2015

A system composed by interacting dynamical elements can be represented by a network, where the nodes represent the elements that constitute the system and the links account for their interactions, which arise due to a variety of mechanisms and which are often unknown. A popular method for inferring the system connectivity (i.e., the set of links among pairs of nodes) is by performing a statistical similarity analysis of the time-series collected from the dynamics of the nodes. Here, by considering two systems of coupled oscillators (Kuramoto phase oscillators and Rössler chaotic electronic oscillators) with known and controllable coupling conditions, we aim at testing the performance of this inference method, by using linear and non linear statistical similarity measures. We find that, under adequate conditions, the network links can be perfectly inferred, i.e., no mistakes are made regarding the presence or absence of links. These conditions for perfect inference require: i) an appropriated choice of the observed variable to be analysed, ii) an appropriated interaction strength and iii) an adequate thresholding of the similarity matrix. For the dynamical units considered here we find that the linear statistical similarity measure performs, in general, better than the non-linear ones.
Pattern formation in multiplex networks
Authors: Kouvaris Nikos E. , Hata Shigefumi , Guilera Albert Díaz-
Published: June 2015

The advances in understanding complex networks have generated increasing interest in dynamical processes occurring on them. Pattern formation in activator-inhibitor systems has been studied in networks, revealing differences from the classical continuous media. Here we study pattern formation in a new framework, namely multiplex networks. These are systems where activator and inhibitor species occupy separate nodes in different layers. Species react across layers but diffuse only within their own layer of distinct network topology. This multiplicity generates heterogeneous patterns with significant differences from those observed in single-layer networks. Remarkably, diffusion-induced instability can occur even if the two species have the same mobility rates; condition which can never destabilize single-layer networks. The instability condition is revealed using perturbation theory and expressed by a combination of degrees in the different layers. Our theory demonstrates that the existence of such topology-driven instabilities is generic in multiplex networks, providing a new mechanism of pattern formation.
Superior electro-optic response in multiferroic bismuth ferrite nanoparticle doped nematic liquid crystal device
Authors: Nayek Prasenjit , Li Guoqiang
Published: June 2015

A superior electro-optic (E-O) response has been achieved when multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3/BFO) nanoparticles (NPs) were doped in nematic liquid crystal (NLC) host E7 and the LC device was addressed in the large signal regime by an amplitude modulated square wave signal at the frequency of 100 Hz. The optimized concentration of BFO is 0.15 wt% and the corresponding total optical response time (rise time + decay time) for a 5 μm-thick cell is 2.5 ms for ~7 Vrms. This might be exploited for the construction of adaptive lenses, modulators, displays and other E-O devices. The possible reason behind the fast response time could be the visco-elastic constant and restoring force imparted by the locally ordered LCs induced by the multiferroic nanoparticles (MNPs). Polarized optical microscopic textural observation shows that the macroscopic dislocation-free excellent contrast have significant impact on improving the image quality and performance of the devices.
Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Graphene-Based Single Yarn for Use in Wearable Gas Sensor
Authors: Ju Yun Yong , Hong Won G. , Choi Nak-Jin , Hoon Kim Byung , Jun Yongseok , Lee Hyung-Kun
Published: June 2015

Electric components based on fibers or textiles have been investigated owing to their potential applications in wearable devices. High performance on response to gas, drape-ability and washing durability are of important for gas sensors based on fiber substrates. In this report, we demonstrate the bendable and washable electronic textile (e-textile) gas sensors composed of reduced graphene oxides (RGOs) using commercially available yarn and molecular glue through an electrostatic self-assembly. The e-textile gas sensor possesses chemical durability to several detergent washing treatments and mechanical stability under 1,000 bending tests at an extreme bending radius of 1 mm as well as a high response to NO2 gas at room temperature with selectivity to other gases such as acetone, ethanol, ethylene and CO2.
Non-contact intracellular binding of chloroplasts in vivo
Authors: Li Yuchao , Xin Hongbao , Liu Xiaoshuai , Li Baojun
Published: June 2015

Non-contact intracellular binding and controllable manipulation of chloroplasts in vivo was demonstrated using an optical fiber probe. Launching a 980-nm laser beam into a fiber, which was placed about 3 μm above the surface of a living plant (Hydrilla verticillata) leaf, enabled stable binding of different numbers of chloroplasts, as well as their arrangement into one-dimensional chains and two-dimensional arrays inside the leaf without damaging the chloroplasts. Additionally, the formed chloroplast chains were controllably transported inside the living cells. The optical force exerted on the chloroplasts was calculated to explain the experimental results. This method provides a flexible method for studying intracellular organelle interaction with highly organized organelle-organelle contact in vivo in a non-contact manner.
SUMOylation of xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein regulates DNA damage recognition during nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Akita Masaki , Tak Yon-Soo , Shimura Tsutomu , Matsumoto Syota , Okuda-Shimizu Yuki , Shimizu Yuichiro , Nishi Ryotaro , Saitoh Hisato , Iwai Shigenori , Mori Toshio , Ikura Tsuyoshi , Sakai Wataru , Hanaoka Fumio , Sugasawa Kaoru
Published: June 2015

The xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) protein complex is a key factor that detects DNA damage and initiates nucleotide excision repair (NER) in mammalian cells. Although biochemical and structural studies have elucidated the interaction of XPC with damaged DNA, the mechanism of its regulation in vivo remains to be understood in more details. Here, we show that the XPC protein undergoes modification by small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) proteins and the lack of this modification compromises the repair of UV-induced DNA photolesions. In the absence of SUMOylation, XPC is normally recruited to the sites with photolesions, but then immobilized profoundly by the UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) complex. Since the absence of UV-DDB alleviates the NER defect caused by impaired SUMOylation of XPC, we propose that this modification is critical for functional interactions of XPC with UV-DDB, which facilitate the efficient damage handover between the two damage recognition factors and subsequent initiation of NER.
3D silicon neural probe with integrated optical fibers for optogenetic modulation
Authors: Kim Eric G. R. , Tu Hongen , Luo Hao , Liu Bin , Bao Shaowen , Zhang Jinsheng , Xu Yong
Published: June 2015

Optogenetics is a powerful modality for neural modulation that can be useful for a wide array of biomedical studies.
Targeted quantitative analysis of anthraquinone derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to discriminate between crude and processed rhubarb samples
Authors: Wang Min , Tian Yuan , Lv Mengying , Xu Fengguo , Zhang Zunjian , Song Rui
Published: June 2015

A targeted plant metabolomic method has been developed to discriminate crude and processed rhubarb samples based on contents of 13 anthraquinone derivatives.
Method validation for the analysis of licorice acid in the blending process by near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Xue Zhong , Xu Bing , Yang Chan , Cui Xianglong , Li Jianyu , Shi Xinyuan , Qiao Yanjiang
Published: June 2015

The present work describes the validation of the near infrared (NIR) method for the quantification of the concentration of licorice acid in the blending process of licorice and talcum powder mixtures.
Mesoscale modeling of phase transition dynamics of thermoresponsive polymers
Authors: Li Zhen , Tang Yu-Hang , Li Xuejin , Karniadakis George Em
Published: June 2015

A non-isothermal mesoscopic model is developed to investigate the thermally induced phase transition dynamics of thermoresponsive polymers.
Organocatalytic routes toward substituted 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: John Jubi , Thomas Joice , Dehaen Wim
Published: June 2015

The present feature article describes the different organocatalytic routes for the synthesis of substituted 1,2,3-triazoles.
Room temperature freezing and orientational control of surface-immobilized peptides in air
Authors: Li Yaoxin , Zhang Xiaoxian , Myers John , Abbott Nicholas L. , Chen Zhan
Published: June 2015

The “native” structure and orientation of a surface immobilized peptide was successfully controlled in air with a sugar layer. The robust peptide structure could also be retained at high temperatures.
Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkynylsilylation of alkynes
Authors: Shintani Ryo , Kurata Hiroki , Nozaki Kyoko
Published: June 2015

Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkynylsilylation of alkynes is described, including its enantioselective variant for the creation of a silicon stereogenic center.
Syntheses, crystal structures and density functional theory investigations of copper(ii) complexes bearing tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from 8-aminoquinoline
Authors: Bhaumik Prasanta Kumar , Bauzá Antonio , Drew Michael G. B. , Frontera Antonio , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: June 2015

Three copper(ii) Schiff base complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Supramolecular assemblies in the solid state are analyzed by DFT calculations.
X-ray spectroscopy characterization of azobenzene-functionalized triazatriangulenium adlayers on Au(111) surfaces
Authors: Ulrich Sandra , Jung Ulrich , Strunskus Thomas , Schütt Christian , Bloedorn Andreas , Lemke Sonja , Ludwig Eric , Kipp Lutz , Faupel Franz , Magnussen Olaf , Herges Rainer
Published: June 2015

NEXAFS spectroscopy analysis confirms perpendicular standing azobenzene functionalities connected to flat-lying platform molecules adsorbed on Au(111) single crystals.
Elucidating low-frequency vibrational dynamics in calcite and water with time-resolved third-harmonic generation spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Liang , Liu Weimin , Fang Chong
Published: June 2015

Coherent low-frequency vibrational dynamics in condensed phase from crystal, water, to aqueous electrolyte are elucidated by time-resolved third-harmonic-generation (TRTHG) spectroscopy.
Formation of Au and tetrapyridyl porphyrin complexes in superfluid helium
Authors: Feng Cheng , Latimer Elspeth , Spence Daniel , Al Hindawi Aula M. A. A. , Bullen Shem , Boatwright Adrian , Ellis Andrew M. , Yang Shengfu
Published: June 2015

Binary clusters have been formed by co-addition of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (H2TPyP) and gold atoms to helium nanodroplets, and the resulting complexes are found to have different structures at different pickup orders.
Singularities in the physicochemical properties of spontaneous AOT-BHD unilamellar vesicles in comparison with DOPC vesicles
Authors: Villa Cristian C. , Correa N. Mariano , Silber Juana J. , Moyano Fernando , Falcone R. Darío
Published: June 2015

AOT-BHD vesicles present a bilayer completely different to the traditional DOPC vesicles, with low polarity, high viscosity and more electron donor capacity.
First copper(ii) phase M′0.2Mn0.8PS3·0.25H2O and analogous M′ = CoII, NiII and ZnII materials obtained by microwave assisted synthesis
Authors: Fuentealba Pablo , Cortés Catalina , Audebrand Nathalie , Le Fur Eric , Paredes-García Verónica , Venegas-Yazigi Diego , Manzur Jorge , Spodine Evgenia
Published: June 2015

Synthesis assisted by microwave radiation, together with the magnetic and optical properties of a novel family of M′0.2Mn0.8PS3·0.25H2O (M′ = CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII) phases are reported.
Glycine catalyzed diastereoselective domino-synthesis of 6-imino-2,7-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-4,4,5-tricarbonitriles in water
Authors: Ershov O. V. , Ievlev M. Yu. , Tafeenko V. A. , Nasakin O. E.
Published: June 2015

The first example of glycine catalyzed directly synthesis of 6-imino-2,7-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-4,4,5-tricarbonitriles in aqueous medium was described, giving products in excellent yields and up to excellent diastereoselectivities.
Complexation of some alkali and alkaline earth metal cations by macrocyclic compounds containing four pyridine subunits – a DFT study
Authors: Despotović Ines
Published: June 2015

Tetradentate pyridine-based macrocyclic compounds offer useful ligands capable of efficient and selective complexation of M = Li+, Na+, K+, Be2+, Mg2+and Ca2+.
Strengthening the acceptor properties of thiadiazoloquinoxalines via planarization
Authors: Zhou Shoufa , An Cunbin , Stelzig Timea , Puniredd Sreenivasa Reddy , Guo Xin , Pisula Wojciech , Baumgarten Martin
Published: June 2015

Fused aromatic ring extension strongly enhances the acceptor strength.
Synthesis and characterization of flower-like NiCoP/ZnO composites
Authors: Liu Shuling , Ma Chenlu
Published: June 2015

ZnO nanosheets were successfully coated on the surface of a NiCoP microstructure via a solvothermal route.
Facile synthesis of unsymmetrical and π-extended furan-diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives through C–H direct (hetero)arylation using a heterogeneous catalyst system
Authors: Areephong Jetsuda , Hendsbee Arthur D. , Welch Gregory C.
Published: June 2015

We report a synthetic method that enables efficient and rapid access to a family of narrow band gap DPP materials.
Simultaneous electricity generation and tetracycline removal in continuous flow electrosorption driven by microbial fuel cells
Authors: Yang Weilu , Han Hexing , Zhou Minghua , Yang Jie
Published: June 2015

A novel continuous flow electrosorption driven by microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was developed for the first time to remove tetracycline, the second most commonly used antibiotic, from synthetic wastewater.
IR 820 stabilized multifunctional polycaprolactone glycol chitosan composite nanoparticles for cancer therapy
Authors: Kumar Piyush , Srivastava Rohit
Published: June 2015

Photothermal therapy has gained worldwide attention for its less painful, non invasive/minimally invasive, effective thermal ablation based therapy for cancer.
Enhanced ultra-stable n-propylamine sensing behavior of V2O5/In2O3 core–shell nanorods
Authors: Shah Abdul Hakim , Liu Yueli , Nguyen Van Tu , Zakharova Galina S. , Mehmood Ikhtisham , Chen Wen
Published: June 2015

V2O5/In2O3 core–shell nanorod and corresponding gas sensing mechanism in (a) air and (b) exposed to test gas.
Ammonium iodide-promoted cyclization of ketones with DMSO and ammonium acetate for synthesis of substituted pyridines
Authors: Pan Xiaojun , Liu Qiao , Chang Liming , Yuan Gaoqing
Published: June 2015

A convenient and efficient method has been developed for the construction of substituted pyridines via ammonium iodide-promoted cyclization of ketones with DMSO and ammonium acetate, employing DMSO as the source of C4 or C6.
Sonication-induced instant fibrillation and fluorescent labeling of tripeptide fibers
Authors: Pramanik Apurba , Paikar Arpita , Haldar Debasish
Published: June 2015

A sonication-induced instant fibril formation technique has been used for the co-assembly and fluorescent labeling of peptide nanofibers with organic dyes.
Preparation and performance studies of polysulfone-sulfated nano-titania (S-TiO2) nanofiltration membranes for dye removal
Authors: Pereira Valeen Rashmi , Isloor Arun M. , Bhat Udaya K. , Ismail A. F. , Obaid Abdulrahman , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: June 2015

Polysulfone nanofiltration membranes containing sulfated nano-titania (S-TiO2) were fabricated, with the aim to enhance the membrane properties along with the possible rejection of Methylene Blue (MB) dye by membranes.
Rhodium complex with unsymmetrical vicinal diamine ligand: excellent catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones
Authors: Deshpande Sudhindra H. , Shende Vaishali S. , Shingote Savita K. , Chakravarty Debamitra , Puranik Vedavati G. , Chaudhari Raghunath V. , Kelkar Ashutosh A.
Published: June 2015

New unsymmetrical vicinal diamine ligands with systematic variation in the regio and stereo positions in the amine and sulphonamide groups were synthesized from cheap starting material such as norephedrine.
A facile one-step spray-coating process for the fabrication of a superhydrophobic attapulgite coated mesh for use in oil/water separation
Authors: Li Jian , Yan Long , Li Haoyu , Li Jianping , Zha Fei , Lei Ziqiang
Published: June 2015

Superhydrophobic attapulgite coated mesh was used to separate oil/water mixtures efficiently. Besides, the separation mechanism was elaborated by interpreting the different states of water droplet on the surface before and during separation.
An electrochemical sensing platform based on a reduced graphene oxide–cobalt oxide nanocube@platinum nanocomposite for nitric oxide detection
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Mehmood , Rameshkumar Perumal , Pandikumar Alagarsamy , Lim Hong Ngee , Ng Yun Hau , Huang Nay Ming
Published: June 2015

An electrochemical sensing platform based on a hydrothermally synthesized rGO–Co3O4@Pt nanocomposite was developed for the detection of in situ generated NO.
High capacity reversible image watermarking using error expansion and context‐dependent embedding
Authors: Siddiqa A. , Khan A.
Published: June 2015

A novel prediction error expansion‐based reversible image watermarking technique is proposed. The proposed approach exploits the variance of neighbouring pixels in a way that the embedding of information bits in each pixel of an image depends on the scale of variation present in its eight neighbouring pixel values. A rhombus predictor is employed in the proposed scheme for its efficacy. In contrast to existing prediction‐error expansion based reversible watermarking techniques, the embedding phase of the proposed approach depends only on the context of the pixel to be watermarked. Exploiting the neighbourhood information of each pixel in this way, avoids the need of a location map (LM) or histogram shifting (HS) to distinguish marked pixels from unmarked pixels. Consequently, the proposed approach does not require a large amount of auxiliary information in the form of a LM or HS of unmarked pixels, and thus introduces less distortion, yielding good embedding performance, especially at high capacity.
Optimisation algorithms for OSNR measurement based on polarisation nulling
Authors: Feres M.M. , Floridia C. , Romero M.A.
Published: June 2015

Optimisation algorithms are demonstrated as a nulling finder for an in‐band optical signal‐to‐noise ratio (OSNR) monitoring method based on polarisation extinction. The method was tested and validated in the Brazilian GIGA optical fibre testbed. When three optimisation techniques (genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimisation (PSO) and downhill simplex) were compared, PSO provided the best results regarding convergence time and nulling efficiency.
Multiplicative composition of clock‐skew components for improving time synchronisation
Authors: Castillo‐Secilla J.M. , León F. , Olivares J. , Palomares J.M.
Published: June 2015

Time synchronisation is essential to ensure the reliability of distributed computation. Oscillators included in low‐cost nodes are highly influenced by temperature variations. Experimental results demonstrate that the clock skew of two nodes (the ratio of the real frequencies of the oscillators) is composed of a multiplicative combination of, at least, two main components: the clock skew due to the variations between the cut of the crystal of each oscillator and the clock skew due to the different temperatures affecting the nodes. By applying a nonlinear filtering, homomorphic filtering, both components are separated in an effective way. Applying a correction factor to the clock skew due to the cut of the crystals, the temperature variations are compensated very accurately. The proposed new approach is called HF2 (homomorphic improved filtering) and can be easily applied to any clock‐skew‐based time synchronisation protocol. The correction factor has been applied to flooding time synchronisation protocol (FTSP) resulting in HF2‐FTSP. An experiment with temperature variation, comparing FTSP, A2T‐FTSP and HF2‐FTSP is shown. The proposed technique allows the use of cheap and simple oscillators for achieving a quite similar accurate synchronisation level than much more expensive and precise oscillators.
Investigation and simulation of photonic crystal directional coupler switch
Authors: Maktoobi Sh. , Bahadori‐Haghighi Sh.
Published: June 2015

The photonic crystal optical switch is one of the most important applications of photonic crystals in telecommunication networks. Switching is a main process in digital computers and signal processing systems. The growth of optical signal processing systems draws particular attention to the design of ultra‐fast optical switches. In this reported work, first a directional coupler switch based on photonic crystals is designed and the linear state has been analysed and simulated. Then, the principles of nonlinear optics are used to perform optical switching at a wavelength of 1550 nm by COMSOL Multiphysics in micron dimension. The dielectric rods of this photonic crystal lattice are made of AlGaAs. The central row is an important factor for attaining the required power in nonlinear switching performance. Finally, the radius of rods in the central nonlinear row is changed several times and the results are compared with each other. In this switch, the output power ratio, called the extinction ratio, and the required refractive index change for the nonlinear status are taken into account. The former is for the evaluation of directional coupler efficiency and the latter is generally an important factor in optical nonlinear switches.
Low‐loss differential bandpass filter using TE01δ‐mode dielectric resonators
Authors: Zhan Yang , Li Jiang , Qin Wei , Chen Jian‐Xin
Published: June 2015

A novel differential bandpass filter (BPF) based on a TE01δ‐mode dielectric resonator (DR) is proposed. By utilising the inherent electromagnetic properties of the TE01δ‐mode ring‐shaped DR, the TE01δ mode, as a dominate mode of the DR, can be differentially excited for constructing the fundamental differential passband of the BPF. To validate the proposed idea, a second‐order differential BPF is designed, fabricated and measured. Good agreement is obtained between simulated and measured results, showcasing good performance such as low insertion loss and high common‐mode suppression in the differential passband.
Single‐stage fully recycling folded cascode OTA for switched‐capacitor circuits
Authors: Akbari M.
Published: June 2015

A single‐stage multi‐path operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is presented. The proposed amplifier uses the transconductance enhancing technique in an upgraded folded cascode (FC) amplifier. It significantly improves the DC gain, unity‐gain bandwidth and slew rate compared with previous FC amplifiers with the same power consumption. Simulation results in 90 nm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology show that the proposed OTA achieves a 59.1 dB DC gain and a gain bandwidth of 650 MHz, which makes it suitable for fast‐settling switched‐capacitor circuits.
Design and analysis of a dual‐mode flux‐switching doubly salient DC‐field magnetless machine for wind power harvesting
Authors: Lee Christopher H.T. , Chau Kwok Tong , Liu Chunhua
Published: June 2015

This study proposes a new dual‐mode flux‐switching doubly salient DC‐field (FS‐DSDC) machine for the wind power harvesting applications. The key distinction of the proposed machine is to artfully incorporate the design concepts of two machines, namely, the flux‐switching DC‐field (FSDC) and the DSDC machines together. By regulating the winding configurations, the proposed machine can behave similarly as the corresponding machines do and hence achieving the dual‐mode operations, namely, the FSDC mode and DSDC mode, to offer higher flexibility and stability for different wind situations. The proposed machine can utilise its external DC‐field winding to tune its flux density effectively, hence providing the constant‐voltage charging function at various wind speeds and loads. The corresponding performances of the proposed machine are analysed by using the finite element method and verified by experimental results.
Some new surprises in chaos
Authors: Bunimovich Leonid A. , Vela-Arevalo Luz V.
Published: June 2015

“Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized” Terry Pratchett

A brief review is presented of some recent findings in the theory of chaotic dynamics. We also prove a statement that could be naturally considered as a dual one to the Poincaré theorem on recurrences. Numerical results demonstrate that some parts of the phase space of chaotic systems are more likely to be visited earlier than other parts. A new class of chaotic focusing billiards is discussed that clearly violates the main condition considered to be necessary for chaos in focusing billiards.
Theory of competitive solvation of polymers by two solvents and entropy-enthalpy compensation in the solvation free energy upon dilution with the second solvent
Authors: Dudowicz Jacek , Freed Karl F. , Douglas Jack F.
Published: June 2015

We develop a statistical mechanical lattice theory for polymer solvation by a pair of relatively low molar mass solvents that compete for binding to the polymer backbone. A theory for the equilibrium mixture of solvated polymer clusters {AiBCj} and free unassociated molecules A, B, and C is formulated in the spirit of Flory-Huggins mean-field approximation. This theoretical framework enables us to derive expressions for the boundaries for phase stability (spinodals) and other basic properties of these polymer solutions: the internal energy U, entropy S, specific heat CV, extent of solvation Φsolv, average degree of solvation 〈Nsolv〉, and second osmotic virial coefficient B2 as functions of temperature and the composition of the mixture. Our theory predicts many new phenomena, but the current paper applies the theory to describe the entropy-enthalpy compensation in the free energy of polymer solvation, a phenomenon observed for many years without theoretical explanation and with significant relevance to liquid chromatography and other polymer separation methods.
Electron backscatter diffraction analysis of gold nanoparticles on Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ
Authors: Bochmann A. , Katzer C. , Schmidl F. , Teichert S.
Published: June 2015

It has been shown recently that the incorporation of gold nanoparticles into Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ enhances the superconducting properties of this material in a significant way. Previous XRD and TEM investigations suggest different crystallographic relations of the gold nanoparticles with respect to the epitaxial Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ. Here, detailed investigations of the crystal orientations for a large ensemble of gold nanoparticles with electron backscatter diffraction are reported. The average size of the gold nanoparticles is in the range of 60 nm–80 nm. We identified five different types of heteroepitaxial relationships between the gold nanoparticles and the superconductor film, resulting in complex pole figures. The observed different types of crystallographic orientations are discussed based on good lattice matching and the formation of low energy interfaces.
Towards a global model of spin-orbit coupling in the halocarbenes
Authors: Nyambo Silver , Karshenas Cyrus , Reid Scott A. , Lolur Phalgun , Dawes Richard
Published: June 2015

We report a global analysis of spin-orbit coupling in the mono-halocarbenes, CH(D)X, where X = Cl, Br, and I. These are model systems for examining carbene singlet-triplet energy gaps and spin-orbit coupling. Over the past decade, rich data sets collected using single vibronic level emission spectroscopy and stimulated emission pumping spectroscopy have yielded much information on the ground vibrational level structure and clearly demonstrated the presence of perturbations involving the low-lying triplet state. To model these interactions globally, we compare two approaches. First, we employ a diabatic treatment of the spin-orbit coupling, where the coupling matrix elements are written in terms of a purely electronic spin-orbit matrix element which is independent of nuclear coordinates, and an integral representing the overlap of the singlet and triplet vibrational wavefunctions. In this way, the structures, harmonic frequencies, and normal mode displacements from ab initio calculations were used to calculate the vibrational overlaps of the singlet and triplet state levels, including the full effects of Duschinsky mixing. These calculations have allowed many new assignments to be made, particularly for CHI, and provided spin-orbit coupling parameters and values for the singlet-triplet gaps. In a second approach, we have computed and fit full geometry dependent spin-orbit coupling surfaces and used them to compute matrix elements without the product form approximation. Those matrix elements were used in similar fits varying the anharmonic constants and singlet-triplet gap to reproduce the experimental levels. The derived spin-orbit parameters for carbenes CHX (X = Cl, Br, and I) show an excellent linear correlation with the atomic spin-orbit constant of the corresponding halogen, indicating that the spin-orbit coupling in the carbenes is consistently around 14% of the atomic value.