bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A statistical method for assessing network stability using the Chow test
Authors: Sotirakopoulos Kostas , Barham Richard , Piper Ben , Nencini Luca
Published: September 2015

A computationally inexpensive statistical method for the identification of drifts from calibration in noise monitoring wireless sensor networks.
Evaluation of antioxidative and antitumor activities of extracted flavonoids from Pink Lady apples in human colon and breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Yang Shufang , Zhang Haisheng , Yang Xingbin , Zhu Yilin , Zhang Min
Published: September 2015

Extracted flavonoids from Pink Lady apples were proved to be good food based medicines for anti-cancer effects through their ability to induce tumor cell apoptosis.
Hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects ofd-chiro-inositol-enriched tartary buckwheat extract in high fructose-fed mice
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Zhao Yan , Ren Daoyuan , Guo Jianjun , Luo Yiyang , Yang Xingbin
Published: September 2015

d-Chiro-Inositol-Enriched Tartary Buckwheat Extract (DTBE) prevents high fructose-induced hyperglycemia and hepatic injury in mice.
A rapid and efficient ion-exchange chromatography for Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd, and Rb–Sr geochronology and the routine isotope analysis of sub-ng amounts of Hf by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Bast R. , Scherer E. E. , Sprung P. , Fischer-Gödde M. , Stracke A. , Mezger K.
Published: September 2015

We present an effective chemical separation technique for Lu–Hf geochronology on small samples (sub-ng range Hf) and precise 176Hf/177Hf analysis.
Construction and analysis of correlation networks based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabonomics data for lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and intervention with volatile oil from Angelica sinensis in rats
Authors: Hua Yong-li , Ji Peng , Xue Zi-yu , Wei Yan-ming
Published: September 2015

Angelica sinensis (AS) is a well-known important traditional Chinese medicine that yields a volatile oil with anti-inflammatory effects.
Gene-specific regulation of hepatic selenoprotein expression by interleukin-6
Authors: Martitz J. , Becker N.-P. , Renko K. , Stoedter M. , Hybsier S. , Schomburg L.
Published: September 2015

The pro-inflammatory cytokine affects selenoprotein biosynthesis in hepatocytes directly, in favour of protective GPX2 and at the expense of Se transporter SePP and thyroid hormone deiodinase DIO1.
Silica–gold bilayer-based transfer of focused ion beam-fabricated nanostructures
Authors: Wu Xiaofei , Geisler Peter , Krauss Enno , Kullock René , Hecht Bert
Published: September 2015

Ex and in situ transfer of FIB-fabricated nanostructures are demonstrated by transferring plasmonic nano-antennas to silicon wafers and scanning probes.
Layer-dependent surface potential of phosphorene and anisotropic/layer-dependent charge transfer in phosphorene–gold hybrid systems
Authors: Xu Renjing , Yang Jiong , Zhu Yi , Yan Han , Pei Jiajie , Myint Ye Win , Zhang Shuang , Lu Yuerui
Published: September 2015

The surface potential and the efficiency of interfacial charge transfer are extremely important for designing future semiconductor devices based on the emerging two-dimensional (2D) phosphorene.
The rapid synthesis and dynamic behaviour of an isophthalamide [2]catenane
Authors: Marrs Calum N. , Evans Nicholas H.
Published: September 2015

A [2]catenane has been prepared in three steps from commerically available starting materials. In solution, the rings of the catenane are able to rotate relative to one another, in a process that varies depending on solvent and temperature.
Direct oxidative coupling of amidine hydrochlorides and methylarenes: TBHP-mediated synthesis of substituted 1,3,5-triazines under metal-free conditions
Authors: Guo Wei
Published: September 2015

Various 2,4,6-trisubstituted 1,3,5-triazines were smoothly formed via TBHP-mediated direct oxidative coupling of amidine and methylarenes.
Coordinating effect in ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone using aluminum complexes bearing bisphenolate as catalysts
Authors: Chen Hsing-Yin , Lee Ying-Hsien , Chiang Michael Y. , Lu Wei-Yi , Tseng Hsi-Ching , Tsai Hsin-Yi , Chen Yu-Hsieh , Lai Yi-Chun , Chen Hsuan-Ying
Published: September 2015

A series of Al complexes bearing diphenolate ligands was synthesized and their application for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was studied.
Upconverting/magnetic: Gd2O3:(Er3+,Yb3+,Zn2+) nanoparticles for biological applications: effect of Zn2+ doping
Authors: Kamińska I. , Fronc K. , Sikora B. , Mouawad M. , Siemiarczuk A. , Szewczyk M. , Sobczak K. , Wojciechowski T. , Zaleszczyk W. , Minikayev R. , Paszkowicz W. , Stępień P. , Dziawa P. , Ciszak K. , Piątkowski D. , Maćkowski S. , Kaliszewski M. , Włodarski M. , Młyńczak J. , Kopczyński K. , Łapiński M. , Elbaum D.
Published: September 2015

Upconverting/paramagnetic Gd2O3:1% Er3+, 18% Yb3+ with Zn2+ nanoparticles (NPs) permits one to perform optical imaging.
Folate-conjugated nanodiamond for tumor-targeted drug delivery
Authors: Dong Yu , Cao Ruixia , Li Yingqi , Wang Zhiqin , Li Lin , Tian Lu
Published: September 2015

Relying on the role of folate and folate receptors, NPFD nanoparticles tend to selectively discriminate tumor cells from normal cells and enter the cells by clathrin-dependent and receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Structure and asymmetric epoxidation reactivity of chiral Mn(iii) salen catalysts modified by different axial anions
Authors: Xi Xiuxing , Shao Jing , Hu Xingbang , Wu Youting
Published: September 2015

The axial anions influence the electronic structure, steric configuration, and enantioselectivity of the chiral Mn(iii) salen complexes.
Production of cluster complexes by cluster–cluster collisions—incorporation of a size-selected cobalt dimer ion into a neutral argon cluster
Authors: Odaka Hideho , Ichihashi Masahiko
Published: September 2015

Size-selected Co2+ is incorporated into ArN by using a merging-beam technique in a pulsed mode. In this process, the electrostatic and the hard-sphere interactions are dominant below and above the relative velocity of 200 m s−1, respectively.
Effect of temperature, salinity, heavy metals, ammonium concentration, pH and dissolved oxygen on ammonium removal by an aerobic nitrifier
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Hu , Liu Yu-Xiang , Ren Rui-Peng , Lv Yong-Kang
Published: September 2015

An aerobic nitrifier WY-01 was identified asAlcaligenes faecalisby its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It could remove ammonium effectively in varying physico-chemical conditions, such as low temperature, high salinity and high ammonium loads.
A family of ligand and anion dependent structurally diverse Cu(ii) Schiff-base complexes and their catalytic efficacy in an O-arylation reaction in ethanolic media
Authors: Maity Tanmoy , Saha Debraj , Bhunia Susmita , Brandão Paula , Das Soma , Koner Subratanath
Published: September 2015

Catalytic O-arylation reactions have been studied by employing a variety of copper(ii) Schiff-base complexes under environmentally benign conditions.
New thieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-based organic sensitizers containing π-extended thiophene spacers for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Eom Yu Kyung , Kang Sung Ho , Choi In Taek , Kim Eunji , Kim Jeongho , Ju Myung Jong , Kim Hwan Kyu
Published: September 2015

Thieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-based organic sensitizers with thiophene spacers are developed for dye-sensitized solar cells. By optimizing the performances, the sensitizer containing bithiophene π-spacer exhibited the best performance (9.69%).
Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of gold(iii) dialkyl/diaryldithiocarbamato complexes
Authors: Altaf Muhammad , Isab Anvarhusein A. , Vančo Ján , Dvořák Zdeněk , Trávníček Zdeněk , Stoeckli-Evans Helen
Published: September 2015

A series of six dialkyl/diaryldithiocarbamato (dtc) gold(iii) complexes [Au(R2dtc)2]Cl (1,3, and5), and [Au(R2dtc)Cl2] (2,4, and6), (R = methyl, ethyl, and benzyl) was synthesised and evaluated for anticancer activity with promising results (EC50≈ 9.5 μM).
Photoluminescent epoxy microspheres: preparation, surface functionalization via grafting polymerization and photophysical properties
Authors: Peng Wenjun , Li Lei , Zheng Sixun
Published: September 2015

Photoluminescent epoxy microspheres with the size of 1–3 μm were prepared. Their surfaces were functionalized with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) via RAFT polymerization.
Synthesis and photo- and electro-luminescent properties of Ir(iii) complexes attached to polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane materials
Authors: Yu Tianzhi , Wang Xin , Su Wenming , Zhang Chengcheng , Zhao Yuling , Zhang Hui , Xu Zixuan
Published: September 2015

Two new POSS materials with an emissive Ir(iii) complex and carbazole units were successfully synthesized. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties, thermal stabilities and solution processed light-emitting devices were investigated.
General interpretation and theory of apparent height in dynamic atomic force microscopy
Authors: Lai Chia-Yun , Santos Sergio , Chiesa Matteo
Published: September 2015

We provide a general theory and interpretation behind the ubiquitous loss of apparent height of nanostructures in dynamic atomic force microscopy that occurs in the attractive regime irrespective of stiffness.
Sustainable synthesis of highly efficient sunlight-driven Ag embedded AgCl photocatalysts
Authors: Shen Z. , Liu B. , Pareek V. , Wang S. , Li X. , Liu L. , Liu S.
Published: September 2015

Microbe-free broth synthesis was performed under solar light to give Ag nanoparticle embedded AgCl in 5 minutes with superior performance than P25 for organic pollutant degradation.
Highly emissive excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) inspired 2-(2′-hydroxy)benzothiazole–fluorene motifs: spectroscopic and photophysical properties investigation
Authors: Padalkar Vikas S. , Sakamaki Daisuke , Tohnai Norimitsu , Akutagawa Tomoyuki , Sakai Ken-ichi , Seki Shu
Published: September 2015

Efficient solid state emission of fluorene–benzothiazole motifs via ESIPT process have been discussed experimentally and theoretically.
Recent advances in clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels
Authors: Zhao Li Zhi , Zhou Chun Hui , Wang Jing , Tong Dong Shen , Yu Wei Hua , Wang Hao
Published: September 2015

Clay-containing nanocomposite hydrogels, madeviapolymerization, supramolecular assembly or freezing–thawing cycles, have exceptional formation mechanisms, properties and wide-ranging applications.
Complex coacervation of hyaluronic acid and chitosan: effects of pH, ionic strength, charge density, chain length and the charge ratio
Authors: Kayitmazer A. B. , Koksal A. F. , Kilic Iyilik E.
Published: September 2015

Hyaluronic acid/chitosan interpolyelectrolyte complexes form the first example of coacervates from semiflexible polyelectrolytes. Interestingly, these coacervates form at charge ratios different than 1 : 1 and zeta potentials far away from zero.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)–clay based hydrogels controlled by the initiating conditions: evolution of structure and gel formation
Authors: Strachota Beata , Matějka Libor , Zhigunov Alexander , Konefał Rafał , Spěváček Jiří , Dybal Jiří , Puffr Rudolf
Published: September 2015

The formation of the hydrogel poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)–clay (LAPONITE®) by redox polymerization was investigated, and the main factors governing the gel build-up were determined.
Chiral conglomerates observed for a binary mixture of a nematic liquid crystal trimer and 6OCB
Authors: Yoshizawa Atsushi , Kato Yusuke , Sasaki Haruna , Takanishi Yoichi , Yamamoto Jun
Published: September 2015

Interactions between a phenylpyrimidine unit of trimer1and a cyanobiphenyl unit of6OCBcan produce a twist conformation of the central biphenyl of the trimer, which induces chiral segregation and layer deformation to drive the chiral conglomerates.
Synergistic proton transfer through nanofibrous composite membranes by suitably combining proton carriers from the nanofiber mat and pore-filling matrix
Authors: He Yakun , Zhang Haoqin , Li Yifan , Wang Jingtao , Ma Lushan , Zhang Wei , Liu Jindun
Published: September 2015

A series of nanofibrous composite membranes are designed to explore the synergistic proton conduction among different carrier sites.
Nacre-inspired integrated nanocomposites with fire retardant properties by graphene oxide and montmorillonite
Authors: Ming Peng , Song Zhaofei , Gong Shanshan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Duan Jianli , Zhang Qi , Jiang Lei , Cheng Qunfeng
Published: September 2015

Bioinspired ternary rGO–MMT–PVA nanocomposites were successfully fabricatedviathe synergistic toughening effect from building blocks of GO and MMT nanosheets.
3D hydrogels with high resolution fabricated by two-photon polymerization with sensitive water soluble initiators
Authors: Xing Jinfeng , Liu Ling , Song Xiaoyan , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhang Ling , Dong Xianzi , Jin Feng , Zheng Meiling , Duan Xuanming
Published: September 2015

Hydrogels with precise 3D configuration are crucial for biomedical applications, which demand for the improvement of the spatial resolution on both the microscopic and the nanometric scale.
Reduced graphene oxide nanosheets decorated with AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles: a multifunctional material for photothermal therapy of cancer cells
Authors: Darabdhara Gitashree , Das Manash R. , Turcheniuk Volodymyr , Turcheniuk Kostiantyn , Zaitsev Vladimir , Boukherroub Rabah , Szunerits Sabine
Published: September 2015

An eco-friendly approach for fabrication of AuPd–rGO–PEG nanocomposites and their excellent activity towards in vitro photothermal ablation of HeLa cells.
Isomers of organic semiconductors based on dithienothiophenes: the effect of sulphur atoms positions on the intermolecular interactions and field-effect performances
Authors: Yi Wenjing , Zhao Shuai , Sun Huiliang , Kan Yuhe , Shi Jianwu , Wan Shisheng , Li Chunli , Wang Hua
Published: September 2015

The sulfur atoms positions in three isomers play an important role in the intermolecular interactions and OFET performances.
Auxin signal transduction
Authors: Hagen Gretchen
Published: September 2015

The plant hormone auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) controls growth and developmental responses throughout the life of a plant. A combination of molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches has identified several key components involved in auxin signal transduction. Rapid auxin responses in the nucleus include transcriptional activation of auxin-regulated genes and degradation of transcriptional repressor proteins. The nuclear auxin receptor is an integral component of the protein degradation machinery. Although auxin signalling in the nucleus appears to be short and simple, recent studies indicate that there is a high degree of diversity and complexity, largely due to the existence of multigene families for each of the major molecular components. Current studies are attempting to identify interacting partners among these families, and to define the molecular mechanisms involved in the interactions. Future goals are to determine the levels of regulation of the key components of the transcriptional complex, to identify higher-order complexes and to integrate this pathway with other auxin signal transduction pathways, such as the pathway that is activated by auxin binding to a different receptor at the outer surface of the plasma membrane. In this case, auxin binding triggers a signal cascade that affects a number of rapid cytoplasmic responses. Details of this pathway are currently under investigation.
Salicylic acid signalling: new insights and prospects at a quarter-century milestone
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Rockett Kristin S. , Kørner Camilla J. , Pajerowska-Mukhtar Karolina M.
Published: September 2015

The plant hormone salicylic acid (SA) plays an essential role in the regulation of diverse biological processes throughout the entire lifespan of the plant. Twenty-five years ago, SA first emerged as an endogenous signal capable of inducing plant defence responses both at the site of infection and in the systemic tissue of the plant. Since then, SA-mediated signalling pathways have been extensively characterized and dissected using genetic and biochemical approaches. Current research is largely focused on the identification of novel SA downstream signalling genes, in order to understand their precise contributions to the phytohormonal cross-talk and signalling network. This will subsequently help us to identify novel targets that are important for plant health, and contribute to advances in modern agriculture. In this chapter we highlight recent advances in the field of SA biosynthesis and the discovery of candidates for systemic mobile signals. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying SA perception. In addition, we review the novel SA signalling components that expand the scope of SA functions beyond plant immunity to include plant growth and development, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, DNA repair and homologous recombination. Finally, we shed light on the roles of SA in epigenetically controlled transgenerational immune memory that has long-term benefits for plants.
Hormone cross-talk during seed germination
Authors: Gazzarrini Sonia , Tsai Allen Yi-Lun
Published: September 2015

Hormones are chemical substances that can affect many cellular and developmental processes at low concentrations. Plant hormones co-ordinate growth and development at almost all stages of the plant's life cycle by integrating endogenous signals and environmental cues. Much debate in hormone biology revolves around specificity and redundancy of hormone signalling. Genetic and molecular studies have shown that these small molecules can affect a given process through a signalling pathway that is specific for each hormone. However, classical physiological and genetic studies have also demonstrated that the same biological process can be regulated by many hormones through independent pathways (co-regulation) or shared pathways (cross-talk or cross-regulation). Interactions between hormone pathways are spatiotemporally controlled and thus can vary depending on the stage of development or the organ being considered. In this chapter we discuss interactions between abscisic acid, gibberellic acid and ethylene in the regulation of seed germination as an example of hormone cross-talk. We also consider hormone interactions in response to environmental signals, in particular light and temperature. We focus our discussion on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
Effect of a low-protein diet supplemented with keto-acids on autophagy and inflammation in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Authors: Zhang Yue-yue , Huang Juan , Yang Man , Gu Li-jie , Ji Jia-yao , Wang Li-jun , Yuan Wei-jie
Published: September 2015

Ketoacids (KA) are known to preserve muscle mass among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on a low-protein diet (LPD). The present study was to compare the effects of KA supplemented diet therapy in autophagy and inflammation in CKD rats' skeletal muscle. Rats with 5/6 nephrectomy were randomly divided into three groups and fed with either 11 g/kg/day protein [normal-protein diet (NPD)], 3 g/kg/day protein (LPD) or 3 g/kg/day protein which including 5% protein plus 1% KA (LPD + KA) for 24 weeks. Sham-operated rats with NPD intake were used as control. LPD could improve body weight, gastrocnemius muscle mass, as well as gastrocnemius muscle cross-sectional area, with the effect being more obvious in the LPD + KA group. The autophagy marker LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), p62, Parkin and PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) were significantly attenuate in LPD + KA group than LPD group. LPD + KA group had the lower total mtDNA (mitochondiral DNA) and cytosol mtDNA, NACHT-PYD-containing protein 3 (NALP3) inflammasome than LPD group, but its reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) level was higher. Immunoblotting showed IL-1β (interleukin-1-beta) was lower in LPD and LPD + KA group than the NPD group, but IL-18 showed no significant difference among control and CKD group; toll-like receptor signalling-dependent IL-6 was higher in LPD + KA group than LPD group, but tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was not significantly changed between LPD + KA and LPD group. Systematic changes of the four cytokines were different from that of the tissue. Although LPD + KA could further ameliorate-activated autophagy than LPD, its effect on the activated inflammation state in CKD was not distinctly. Further study is still required to explore the method of ameliorating inflammation to provide new therapeutic approaches for CKD protein energy wasting (PEW).
Integrated chip of capacitive three‐axis accelerometer and sensing circuit
Authors: Lan Jian‐Cheng , Hsueh Ya‐Hsin , Hung Chung
Published: September 2015

A CMOS‐microelectromechanical system 0.18 µm process of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is used to design an integrated chip of a capacitive three‐axis accelerometer and a sensing circuit. The sensing architecture uses capacitive sensing principles, and the three axes are integrated on the same structure and share the same mass. The three‐axis design method can not only reduce the chip area but also has good sensing ability. The readout circuit architecture combines two capacitor voltage converters and a subtraction amplifier, which can change the sensing signal into voltage amplitude values. As a result, the total chip area is 1.6 × 2.0 mm2, and the sensing range is from 1 to 4 G. The simulated sensitivities of X, Y, and Z are 34.8, 20.0, and 13.7 mV/G, respectively.
Convexification of bad data and topology error detection and identification problems in AC electric power systems
Authors: Weng Yang , Ilić Marija D. , Li Qiao , Negi Rohit
Published: September 2015

This study is motivated by major needs for accurate bad data detection and topology identification in the emerging electric energy systems. Due to the non‐convex problem formulation, past methods usually reach a local optimum. This deficiency may lead to wrong bus/branch modelling and inappropriate noise assumption, causing significantly biased state estimate, incorrect system operation, and user cutoff. To overcome the local optimum issue, the authors propose in this study how to convexify bad data detection and topology identification problems to efficiently locate a global optimum result. To reduce relaxation error in the convexification procedure, a nuclear norm penalty is added to better approximate the original problems. Finally, they propose a new metric to evaluate the detection and identification results, which enables system operator to know how confidence one is for further system operations. Simulation results performed for several IEEE test systems show promising results for the future smart grid in improved accuracy.
Compressive sensing‐based inverse synthetic radar imaging imaging from incomplete data
Authors: Tomei Sonia , Bacci Alessio , Giusti Elisa , Martorella Marco , Berizzi Fabrizio
Published: September 2015

The applicability of compressive sensing (CS) to radar imaging has been recently proven and its capability to construct reliable radar images from a limited set of measurements demonstrated. In this study, a common framework for inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging via CS is provided and a CS‐based ISAR imaging method is proposed. The proposed method is tested for application such as image reconstruction from compressed data, resolution enhancement and image reconstruction from gapped data. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on real datasets and the performance evaluated by means of image contrast.
Prediction of radiated emissions from high‐speed printed circuit board traces using dipole antenna and imbalance difference model
Authors: Mohd Jenu Mohamad Zarar , Sayegh Ahmed Mohammed
Published: September 2015

The ever‐increasing clock speeds on printed circuit board (PCB) have enhanced PCB traces to become efficient radiators of electromagnetic energy. Conventionally, the radiated emissions (REs) of electrically short PCB traces are estimated using expressions developed based on electric/magnetic dipole antenna. In this study, a novel method was proposed to estimate RE from electrically long PCB traces. In this method, the differential‐mode (DM) RE was estimated using the transmission‐line theory and dipole antenna model, whereas the common‐mode (CM) RE was computed by a combination of imbalance difference model and a dipole antenna. Conceptually, the electrically long trace was chunked into multiple electrically short segments and the fields of each segment were superimposed to obtain the net radiated fields. Additionally, closed‐form expressions were derived to estimate the DM REs from electrically long PCB traces based on dipole antenna model. On the other hand, CM RE was predicted by line integration of CM current distribution which was approximated using imbalance difference model and asymmetrical dipole antenna model. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified using compact single‐sided PCB by comparing the computed results with the measured results taken in a semi‐anechoic chamber, and a good agreement with accuracy more than 90% was observed for upper bounds of the REs.
Competitive dynamics between criminals and law enforcement explains the super-linear scaling of crime in cities
Authors: Banerjee Soumya , Van Hentenryck Pascal , Cebrian Manuel
Published: September 2015

While cities have been the engine for innovation and growth for many millennia, they have also endured disproportionately more crime than smaller cities. Similarly to other urban sociological quantities, such as income, gross domestic product (GDP) and number of granted patents, it has been observed that crime scales super-linearly with city size. The default assumption is that super-linear scaling of crime, like other urban attributes, derives from agglomerative effects (that is, increasing returns from potentially more productive connections among criminals). However, crime initiation appears to be generated linearly with the population of a city, and the number of law enforcement officials scales sublinearly with city population. We hypothesize that the observed scaling exponent for net crime in a city is the result of competing dynamics between criminals and law enforcement, each with different scaling exponents, and where criminals win in the numbers game. We propose a simple dynamical model able to accommodate these empirical observations, as well as the potential multiple scaling regimes emerging from the competitive dynamics between crime and law enforcement. Our model is also general enough to be able to correctly account for crime in universities, where university crime does not scale super-linearly, but linearly with enrolment size.
Tunable nano-wrinkling of chiral surfaces: Structure and diffraction optics
Authors: Rofouie P. , Pasini D. , Rey A. D.
Published: September 2015

Periodic surface nano-wrinkling is found throughout biological liquid crystalline materials, such as collagen films, spider silk gland ducts, exoskeleton of beetles, and flower petals. These surface ultrastructures are responsible for structural colors observed in some beetles and plants that can dynamically respond to external conditions, such as humidity and temperature. In this paper, the formation of the surface undulations is investigated through the interaction of anisotropic interfacial tension, swelling through hydration, and capillarity at free surfaces. Focusing on the cellulosic cholesteric liquid crystal (CCLC) material model, the generalized shape equation for anisotropic interfaces using the Cahn-Hoffman capillarity vector and the Rapini-Papoular anchoring energy are applied to analyze periodic nano-wrinkling in plant-based plywood free surfaces with water-induced cholesteric pitch gradients. Scaling is used to derive the explicit relations between the undulations’ amplitude expressed as a function of the anchoring strength and the spatially varying pitch. The optical responses of the periodic nano-structured surfaces are studied through finite difference time domain simulations indicating that CCLC surfaces with spatially varying pitch reflect light in a wavelength higher than that of a CCLC’s surface with constant pitch. This structural color change is controlled by the pitch gradient through hydration. All these findings provide a foundation to understand structural color phenomena in nature and for the design of optical sensor devices.
Parametric representation of rank d tensorial group field theory: Abelian models with kinetic term ∑sps+μ
Authors: Ben Geloun Joseph , Toriumi Reiko
Published: September 2015

We consider the parametric representation of the amplitudes of Abelian models in the so-called framework of rank d tensorial group field theory. These models are called Abelian because their fields live on copies of U(1)D. We concentrate on the case when these models are endowed with particular kinetic terms involving a linear power in momenta. A new dimensional regularization is introduced for particular models in this class: a rank 3 tensor model, an infinite tower of matrix models ϕ2n over U(1), and a matrix model over U(1)2. We prove that all divergent amplitudes are meromorphic functions in the complexified group dimension D ∈ ℂ. From this point, a standard subtraction program yielding analytic renormalized integrals could be applied. Furthermore, we identify and study in depth the Symanzik polynomials provided by the parametric amplitudes of generic rank d Abelian models. We find that these polynomials do not satisfy the ordinary Tutte’s rules (contraction/deletion). By scrutinizing the “face”-structure of these polynomials, we find a generalized polynomial which turns out to be stable only under contraction.
Design of a simple, lightweight, passive-elastic ankle exoskeleton supporting ankle joint stiffness
Authors: Kim Seyoung , Son Youngsu , Choi Sangkyu , Ham Sangyong , Park Cheolhoon
Published: September 2015

In this study, a passive-elastic ankle exoskeleton (PEAX) with a one-way clutch mechanism was developed and then pilot-tested with vertical jumping to determine whether the PEAX is sufficiently lightweight and comfortable to be used in further biomechanical studies. The PEAX was designed to supplement the function of the Achilles tendon and ligaments as they passively support the ankle torque with their inherent stiffness. The main frame of the PEAX consists of upper and lower parts connected to each other by tension springs (N = 3) and lubricated hinge joints. The upper part has an offset angle of 5° with respect to the vertical line when the springs are in their resting state. Each spring has a slack length of 8 cm and connects the upper part to the tailrod of the lower part in the neutral position. The tailrod freely rotates with low friction but has a limited range of motion due to the stop pin working as a one-way clutch. Because of the one-way clutch system, the tension springs store the elastic energy only due to an ankle dorsiflexion when triggered by the stop pin. This clutch mechanism also has the advantage of preventing any inconvenience during ankle plantarflexion because it does not limit the ankle joint motion during the plantarflexion phase. In pilot jumping tests, all of the subjects reported that the PEAX was comfortable for jumping due to its lightweight (approximately 1 kg) and compact (firmly integrated with shoes) design, and subjects were able to nearly reach their maximum vertical jump heights while wearing the PEAX. During the countermovement jump, elastic energy was stored during dorsiflexion by spring extension and released during plantarflexion by spring restoration, indicating that the passive spring torque (i.e., supportive torque) generated by the ankle exoskeleton partially supported the ankle joint torque throughout the process.
Quasi-two-dimensional electron gas at the interface of γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Ngo Thong Q. , Goble Nicholas J. , Posadas Agham , Kormondy Kristy J. , Lu Sirong , McDaniel Martin D. , Jordan-Sweet Jean , Smith David J. , Gao Xuan P. A. , Demkov Alexander A. , Ekerdt John G.
Published: September 2015

We report the formation of a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) at the interface of γ-Al2O3/TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 (STO) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The ALD growth of Al2O3 on STO(001) single crystal substrates was performed at temperatures in the range of 200–345 °C. Trimethylaluminum and water were used as co-reactants. In situ reflection high energy electron diffraction, ex situ x-ray diffraction, and ex situ cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the crystallinity of the Al2O3 films. As-deposited Al2O3 films grown above 300 °C were crystalline with the γ-Al2O3 phase. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to characterize the Al2O3/STO interface, indicating that a Ti3+ feature in the Ti 2p spectrum of STO was formed after 2–3 ALD cycles of Al2O3 at 345 °C and even after the exposure to trimethylaluminum alone at 300 and 345 °C. The interface quasi-2-DEG is metallic and exhibits mobility values of ∼4 and 3000 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature and 15 K, respectively. The interfacial conductivity depended on the thickness of the Al2O3 layer. The Ti3+ signal originated from the near-interfacial region and vanished after annealing in an oxygen environment.
Magnetic behavioural change of silane exposed graphene nanoflakes
Authors: Ray Sekhar C. , Mishra D. K. , Strydom A. M. , Papakonstantinou P.
Published: September 2015

The electronic structures and magnetic properties of graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) exposed to an organo-silane precursor [tetra-methyl-silane, Si(CH3)4] were studied using atomic force microscopy, electron field emission (EFE), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and magnetization. The result of XPS indicates that silyl radical based strong covalent bonds were formed in GNFs, which induced local structural relaxations and enhanced sp3 hybridization. The EFE measurements show an increase in the turn-on electric field from 9.8 V/μm for pure GNFs to 26.3 V/μm for GNFs:Si having highest Si/(Si + C) ratio ( ≅ 0.35) that also suggests an enhancement of the non-metallic sp3 bonding in the GNFs matrix. Magnetic studies show that the saturation magnetization (Ms) is decreased from 172.53 × 10−6 emu/g for pure GNFs to 13.00 × 10−6 emu/g for GNFs:Si with the highest Si/(Si + C) ratio 0.35, but on the other side, the coercivity (Hc) increases from 66 to 149 Oe due to conversion of sp2 → sp3-hybridization along with the formation of SiC and Si-O bonding in GNFs. The decrease in saturation magnetization and increase in coercivity (Hc) in GNFs on Si-functionalization are another routes to tailor the magnetic properties of graphene materials for magnetic device applications.
Type I band alignment in GaAs81Sb19/GaAs core-shell nanowires
Authors: Xu T. , Wei M. J. , Capiod P. , Díaz Álvarez A. , Han X. L. , Troadec D. , Nys J. P. , Berthe M. , Lefebvre I. , Patriarche G. , Plissard S. R. , Caroff P. , Ebert Ph. , Grandidier B.
Published: September 2015

The composition and band gap of the shell that formed during the growth of axial GaAs/GaAs81Sb19/ GaAs heterostructure nanowires have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersion spectroscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. On the GaAs81Sb19 intermediate segment, the shell is found to be free of Sb (pure GaAs shell) and transparent to the tunneling electrons, despite the (110) biaxial strain that affects its band gap. As a result, a direct measurement of the core band gap allows the quantitative determination of the band offset between the GaAs81Sb19 core and the GaAs shell and identifies it as a type I band alignment.
Approaching the theoretical contact time of a bouncing droplet on the rational macrostructured superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Shen Y. , Tao J. , Tao H. , Chen S. , Pan L. , Wang T.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study is to reveal theoretically and experimentally a limited contact time of a bouncing droplet on superhydrophobic surfaces with the rationally designed macrostructures. During impacting, the water droplet hydrodynamics is properly altered under the assistance of the macrotextures. As a consequence, the retracting process of the impact water droplet can be completely integrated into the process of spreading out to the maximal deformation, resulting in a limited overall contact time of approximately 5.5 ms, i.e., the time required for spreading out to the maximal deformation.
Modulation of the electronic property of phosphorene by wrinkle and vertical electric field
Authors: Li Yan , Wei Zhongming , Li Jingbo
Published: September 2015

The electronic properties of wrinkled phosphorene and its response to charge injection and external vertical electric field have been studied using first-principles calculations. It is found that small-size wrinkle systems have lower energy than wrinkle-free monolayer, suggesting that free-standing phosphorene spontaneously forms small protrusion on its nanosheet. The ratio of wrinkle height to curvature radius increases with enlarging height, indicating a promotion of field enhancement factor. Furthermore, the injected charges mostly distribute at peak and valley. Direct-to-indirect band-gap transition has been found for zigzag wrinkle with height of 14.81 Å. The band gaps of wrinkled nanosheets decrease almost linearly with increasing field, which is caused by charge separation of valence band maximum and conduction band minimum.
Enhanced magnetic damping in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 capped by normal metal layer
Authors: Luo G. Y. , Belmeguenai M. , Roussigné Y. , Chang C. R. , Lin J. G. , Chérif S. M.
Published: September 2015

La0.7Sr0.3MnO3(LSMO) and Pt capped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 20 nm thick films have been grown on SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Microstrip line ferromagnetic resonance (MS-FMR) technique is then used to investigate their magnetic dynamic properties and to particularly measure the damping constant based on the frequency dependence of microwave absorption linewidth. The results show that the effective damping constant of LSMO(20nm)/Pt(5.5nm) is three times larger than that of LSMO(20nm) and the films present weak in-plane uniaxial anistropy. The enhancement of the magnetic damping constant due to the capping of Pt is the manifestaction of the generation of spin current in Pt layer. Furthermore, the spin current induces an inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) in LSMO(20nm)/Pt(5.5nm) system, measured using the FMR in cavity with 9.8 GHz excitation frequency. The linear dependence of ISHE on microwave power validates the mechenism of spin pumping in this bilayer system.
Determination of changes in bovine plasma and milk proteins during naturally occurring Escherichia coli mastitis by comparative proteomic analysis
Authors: Yang Yongxin , Cao Suizhong , Zhao Xiaowei , Huang Dongwei , Zhao Huiling , Cheng Guanglong
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in plasma and milk proteins in response to Escherichia coli infection in cows. Plasma and milk were collected from healthy cows, cows suffering from mild E. coli mastitis, and cows suffering from severe E. coli mastitis. Protein composition was examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. Plasma haptoglobin and α-1 acid glycoprotein demonstrated greater expression in mastitic cows compared with controls, but there were no difference between mildly and severely mastitic cows. Milk from mildly mastitic cows showed increased albumin and casein variants. Severely mastitic cows showed lower casein levels and increased anti-microbial and acute phase proteins. Milk α-1 acid glycoprotein and cathelicidins were associated with severe mastitis. A greater number of β-casein fragments that corresponded to β-casein isoforms were found in milk from mildly mastitic cows. These results suggest that caseins levels decreased and the concentrations of anti-microbial and acute phase proteins increased corresponding to the degree of E. coli mastitis. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine whether cathelicidin could serve as a diagnostic marker for mastitis.
Are humans exposed to increasing amounts of unidentified organofluorine?
Authors: Yeung Leo W. Y. , Mabury Scott A.
Published: September 2015

Environmental context Polyfluorinated substances are anthropogenic chemicals that have been widely used in several industrial and commercial applications. Analysis of human plasma samples collected from Münster in Germany revealed, since the year 2000, increasing amounts and proportion of unidentified organofluorines. The increasing trend of unidentified organofluorines in plasma samples suggests that humans are being exposed to new and unidentified fluorinated products. Abstract Samples of human plasma (n=122) from two German cities (collected in 1982–2009, excluding 1994) and whole blood (n=47) from seven Chinese cities (collected in 2004) were analysed for 52 polyfluoroalkyl/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) using LC-MS/MS. Quantifiable PFASs included some newly identified and commercially available chemicals PFPAs, PFPiAs, FTSAs, PAPs and di-SAmPAP, metabolites of fluorotelomer-based products (FTCAs/FTUCAs), PFCAs, PFSAs, FASAs and FOSAAs. The blood samples were also analysed for extractable organofluorine (EOF) using total organofluorine combustion ion chromatography (TOF-CIC). Seven more PFASs (C7 and C10 PFSAs, FOSAA, MeFOSAA, EtFOSAA, C13 PFCA and 8:2 FTSA) were detected in the Chinese samples than had been previously reported. For the German samples, PFHpS, FOSA, MeFOSA, EtFOSA, FTSAs (6:2, 8:2), PFPAs (C6, C8) and PFPiAs (C6/C6, C6/C8, C8/C8) were additional chemicals identified that were not measured in the earlier studies. Those newly identified and commercially available PFASs were either at trace levels (pg mL–1) or not detected. A mass balance of fluorine between quantifiable PFAS and EOF in the Chinese samples indicated quantifiable PFASs accounted for 31–86% of EOF. For the German samples, the quantifiable PFAS accounted for 52–100% and 57–100% of EOF in Münster and Halle samples respectively. After the year 2000, an increasing amount and proportion of unidentified organofluorine were observed in Münster samples. The increasing trend of unidentified organofluorine in plasma samples suggested humans are being exposed to new and unidentified fluorinated products.
Bantu expansion shows that habitat alters the route and pace of human dispersals
Authors: Grollemund Rebecca , Branford Simon , Bostoen Koen , Meade Andrew , Venditti Chris , Pagel Mark
Published: September 2015

Significance

Humans are uniquely capable of using cultural innovations to occupy a range of environments, raising the intriguing question of whether historical human migrations have followed familiar habitats or moved relatively independently of them. Beginning ∼5,000 y ago, savannah-dwelling populations of Bantu-speaking peoples swept out of West Central Africa, eventually occupying a vast geographical area. We show that this expansion avoided unfamiliar rainforest habitats by following savannah corridors that emerged from the Congo rainforest, probably from climate change. When Bantu speakers did move into the rainforest, migration rates were delayed by on average 300 y compared with similar movements on the savannah. Despite unmatched abilities to produce innovations culturally, unfamiliar habitats significantly alter the route and pace of human dispersals.
Bats initiate vital agroecological interactions in corn
Authors: Maine Josiah J. , Boyles Justin G.
Published: September 2015

Significance

Bats are thought to provide valuable services to agriculture by suppressing crop pests, but their ecological role in agricultural systems remains unclear. We implemented a unique field experiment to assess the ecological and economic effect of bats in corn agriculture and found that bats initiated strong and surprising ecological interactions in corn fields. Bats not only suppressed crop pest numbers and crop damage but also indirectly suppressed the presence of pest-associated fungus and a toxic compound produced by the fungus. As nocturnal flying insectivores, bats occupy unique ecological roles and provide valuable services to society, and it is therefore essential that we conserve this often-maligned group.
Genetic variation in CD38 and breastfeeding experience interact to impact infants’ attention to social eye cues
Authors: Krol Kathleen M. , Monakhov Mikhail , Lai Poh San , Ebstein Richard P. , Grossmann Tobias
Published: September 2015

Significance

Maternal care plays an important role in the development of the offspring’s social behaviors through the programming of relevant neural and hormonal systems. However, it is unclear how specific maternal behaviors, such as breastfeeding and genetic variation related to the oxytocin system, contribute to emerging social behaviors in human infants. We therefore examined infants’ attention to emotional eyes. Our results revealed that infants with the genotype previously associated with decreased availability of oxytocin and an increased rate of autism were most affected by extended durations of exclusive breastfeeding. Namely, these infants showed increased attention to happy eyes and decreased attention to angry eyes. This finding suggests that breastfeeding experience enhances prosocial tendencies in infants that are genetically at risk for autism.
Synthetic dosage lethality in the human metabolic network is highly predictive of tumor growth and cancer patient survival
Authors: Megchelenbrink Wout , Katzir Rotem , Lu Xiaowen , Ruppin Eytan , Notebaart Richard A.
Published: September 2015

Significance

Synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) denotes a genetic interaction whereby an underexpression of gene A combined with an overexpression of gene B kills the cell. Although many overexpressed oncogenes driving tumor growth are difficult to target directly, targeting their SDL partners may kill cancer cells. We present what is, to our knowledge, the first network-level modeling approach that is able to predict metabolic SDLs. As expected, we find that the predicted SDLs are less frequently active in tumors to avoid lethality. Cancer tumors with more and stronger SDLs have smaller tumor size and lead to increased patient survival. Beyond facilitating the development of novel anticancer therapies, model-based identification of metabolic SDLs can be used to model pathogenic bacteria and provide leads to new antibiotic targets.
On regreening and degradation in Sahelian watersheds
Authors: Kaptué Armel T. , Prihodko Lara , Hanan Niall P.
Published: September 2015

Significance

For decades, the science and policy narrative relating to the West African Sahel has focused on perceptions of overgrazing and human-induced desertification. More recent reports of regional-scale recovery (“regreening”) following the severe droughts of the 1970s and 1980s are sometimes ignored. This study provides a satellite-based evaluation of changes in watershed-scale vegetation conditions in four regions of the Sahel from 1983–2012. Though the results support earlier reports of a “greening” trend, our approach identified strong regional differences in the extent and direction of change, and in the apparent role of woody and herbaceous components in driving the temporal trend.