bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra-cage dynamics of molecular hydrogen confined in cages of two different dimensions of clathrate hydrates
Authors: Russina Margarita , Kemner Ewout , Mezei Ferenc
Published: June 2016

In porous materials the molecular confinement is often realized by means of weak Van der Waals interactions between the molecule and the pore surface. The understanding of the mechanism of such interactions is important for a number of applications. In order to establish the role of the confinement size we have studied the microscopic dynamics of molecular hydrogen stored in the nanocages of clathrate hydrates of two different dimensions. We have found that by varying the size of the pore the diffusive mobility of confined hydrogen can be modified in both directions, i.e. reduced or enhanced compared to that in the bulk solid at the same temperatures. In the small cages with a mean crystallographic radius of 3.95 Å the confinement reduces diffusive mobility by orders of magnitude. In contrast, in large cages with a mean radius of 4.75 Å hydrogen molecules displays diffusive jump motion between different equilibrium sites inside the cages, visible at temperatures where bulk H2 is solid. The localization of H2 molecules observed in small cages can promote improved functional properties valuable for hydrogen storage applications.
A 2-Cys peroxiredoxin in response to oxidative stress in the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Li Zhen , Zhang Qingwen , Zhou Xuguo
Published: June 2016

The pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease that has devastated pine forests in Asia. Parasitic nematodes are known to have evolved antioxidant stress responses that defend against host plant defenses. In this study, the infestation of whitebark pine,Pinus bungean, withB. xylophilusled to a significant increase in plant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and salicylic acid levels. Correspondingly, the expression of an antioxidative enzyme, 2-Cysteine peroxiredoxin (BxPrx), was elevated inB. xylophilusfollowing the H2O2treatments. Recombinant BxPrx, a thermal stabile and pH tolerant enzyme, exhibited high level of antioxidant activity against H2O2, suggesting that it is capable of protecting cells from free radical attacks. Immunohistochemical localization study showed that BxPrx was broadly expressed across different tissues and could be secreted outside the nematode. Finally, the number of BxPrx homologs in both dauer-like and fungi-feedingB. xylophiluswere comparable based on bioinformatics analysis of existing EST libraries, indicating a potential role of BxPrx in both propagative and dispersal nematodes. These combined results suggest that BxPrx is a key genetic factor facilitating the infestation and distribution ofB. xylophiluswithin pine hosts and consequently the spread of pine wilt disease.
Tumour Suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) localisation is regulated by both Kinesin-1 and Kinesin-2
Authors: Ruane Peter T. , Gumy Laura F. , Bola Becky , Anderson Beverley , Wozniak Marcin J. , Hoogenraad Casper C. , Allan Victoria J.
Published: June 2016

Microtubules and their associated proteins (MAPs) underpin the polarity of specialised cells. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is one such MAP with a multifunctional agenda that requires precise intracellular localisations. Although APC has been found to associate with kinesin-2 subfamily members, the exact mechanism for the peripheral localization of APC remains unclear. Here we show that the heavy chain of kinesin-1 directly interacts with the APC C-terminus, contributing to the peripheral localisation of APC in fibroblasts. In rat hippocampal neurons the kinesin-1 binding domain of APC is required for its axon tip enrichment. Moreover, we demonstrate that APC requires interactions with both kinesin-2 and kinesin-1 for this localisation. Underlining the importance of the kinesin-1 association, neurons expressing APC lacking kinesin-1-binding domain have shorter axons. The identification of this novel kinesin-1-APC interaction highlights the complexity and significance of APC localisation in neurons.
Significant decrease in peripheral regulatory B cells is an immunopathogenic feature of dermatomyositis
Authors: Li Wenli , Tian Xiaolan , Lu Xin , Peng Qinglin , Shu Xiaoming , Yang Hanbo , Li Yuanli , Wang Yan , Zhang Xuezhi , Liu Qingyan , Wang Guochun
Published: June 2016

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are critical in maintaining self-tolerance. Their role in dermatomyositis (DM), an autoimmune disease characterized by inappropriate regulation of hyperactivated B and T cells, has not been clearly defined. In the current study, we performed flow cytometry analysis of studied CD19+ CD24highCD38high Breg subpopulations in blood samples from 30 patients with DM, 37 diseased controls and 23 healthy controls. A significant decrease was observed in the frequency of Bregs in DM patients compared to that in diseased controls (p < 0.0001) and in healthy controls (p < 0.0001). And the prevalence of Bregs deficiency (defined as Bregs/B cells < 0.50% in this study) in DM patients went as high as 73.3%. Furthermore, DM patients with positive myositis specific autoantibody often had lower Bregs levels than negative patients (p = 0.036) and lower level of Bregs was also found in DM patients with interstitial lung disease than in DM patients without (p = 0.041). In a follow-up study, seven DM patients were considered to be in remission stage and their Breg levels were found to have significantly increased after treatment (p = 0.022). Our research revealed that Breg deficiency is an immunopathogenic feature of DM and provided insights into the design of new immunotherapy target for DM clinical interventions.
Novel TetR family transcriptional factor regulates expression of multiple transport-related genes and affects rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Liu Huicong , Yang Min , He Zheng-Guo
Published: June 2016

Transport-related genes significantly affect bacterial antibiotic resistance. However, the effects of these genes and their regulation of bacterial drug resistance in several mycobacterial species, including the fast-growing Mycobacterium smegmatis, the pathogen M. tuberculosis and M. avium have not been clearly characterized. We identified Ms4022 (MSMEG_4022) as a novel TetR family regulator that activates the expression of seven transport-related genes and affects drug resistance in M. smegmatis. Overexpression of Ms4022 inhibited M. smegmatis growth and enhanced mycobacterial resistance to the anti-tuberculosis drug rifampicin (RIF). By contrast, the Ms4022-deleted mycobacterial strain has shown sensitive to RIF. Ms4022 recognized three 19 bp non-palindromic motifs containing a 9 bp conserved region at their 5′ end and it directly regulated seven transport-related genes, which affects mycobacterial resistance to RIF. Overexpression of three of seven transport-related genes (Ms1448, Ms1613 and Ms5278) inhibited the growth of M. smegmatis. This study improves our understanding of the function of mycobacterial transport-related genes and their regulation of bacterial drug resistance.
An Atomic Force Microscope with Dual Actuation Capability for Biomolecular Experiments
Authors: Sevim Semih , Shamsudhin Naveen , Ozer Sevil , Feng Luying , Fakhraee Arielle , Ergeneman Olgaç , Pané Salvador , Nelson Bradley J. , Torun Hamdi
Published: June 2016

We report a modular atomic force microscope (AFM) design for biomolecular experiments. The AFM head uses readily available components and incorporates deflection-based optics and a piezotube-based cantilever actuator. Jetted-polymers have been used in the mechanical assembly, which allows rapid manufacturing. In addition, a FeCo-tipped electromagnet provides high-force cantilever actuation with vertical magnetic fields up to 0.55 T. Magnetic field calibration has been performed with a micro-hall sensor, which corresponds well with results from finite element magnetostatics simulations. An integrated force resolution of 1.82 and 2.98 pN, in air and in DI water, respectively was achieved in 1 kHz bandwidth with commercially available cantilevers made of Silicon Nitride. The controller and user interface are implemented on modular hardware to ensure scalability. The AFM can be operated in different modes, such as molecular pulling or force-clamp, by actuating the cantilever with the available actuators. The electromagnetic and piezoelectric actuation capabilities have been demonstrated in unbinding experiments of the biotin-streptavidin complex.
CACNA1C hypermethylation is associated with bipolar disorder
Authors: Starnawska A , Demontis D , Pen A , Hedemand A , Nielsen A L , Staunstrup N H , Grove J , Als T D , Jarram A , O'Brien N L , Mors O , McQuillin A , Børglum A D , Nyegaard M
Published: June 2016

The CACNA1C gene, encoding a subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel is one of the best-supported susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder (BD). Genome-wide association studies have identified a cluster of non-coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 3 to be highly associated with BD and schizophrenia. The mechanism by which these SNPs confer risk of BD appears to be through an altered regulation of CACNA1C expression. The role of CACNA1C DNA methylation in BD has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate if CACNA1C DNA methylation is altered in BD. First, the methylation status of five CpG islands (CGIs) across CACNA1C in blood from BD subjects (n=40) and healthy controls (n=38) was determined. Four islands were almost completely methylated or completely unmethylated, while one island (CGI 3) in intron 3 displayed intermediate methylation levels. In the main analysis, the methylation status of CGI 3 was analyzed in a larger sample of BD subjects (n=582) and control individuals (n=319). Out of six CpG sites that were investigated, five sites showed significant hypermethylation in cases (lowest P=1.16 × 10−7 for CpG35). Nearby SNPs were found to influence the methylation level, and we identified rs2238056 in intron 3 as the strongest methylation quantitative trait locus (P=2.6 × 10−7) for CpG35. In addition, we found an increased methylation in females, and no difference between bipolar I and II. In conclusion, we find that CACNA1C methylation is associated with BD and suggest that the regulatory effect of the non-coding risk variants involves a shift in DNA methylation.
Density, refractive index and viscosity as content monitoring tool of acylglycerols and fatty acid methyl esters in the transesterification of soybean oil
Authors: Kanda Luis R. S. , Yamamoto Carlos I. , Lopes André R. , Voll Fernando A. P. , Corazza Marcos L. , Wypych Fernando
Published: June 2016

A chemometric analysis was developed to correlate physical properties with the composition of four-compound systems.
Sequence-specific detection of cytosine methylation in DNA via the FRET mechanism between upconversion nanoparticles and gold nanorods
Authors: Wu Mingmin , Wang Xiaoyong , Wang Kun , Guo Zijian
Published: June 2016

A universal method based on the FRET mechanism is highly selective and sensitive for detecting cytosine methylation in DNA with a known sequence.
Enhanced adsorptive desulfurization with flexible metal–organic frameworks in the presence of diethyl ether and water
Authors: Khan Nazmul Abedin , Yoon Ji Woong , Chang Jong-San , Jhung Sung Hwa
Published: June 2016

Flexible metal–organic frameworks with MIL-53 topology showed enhanced performances for adsorptive desulfurization in the presence of oxygen-containing compounds, very contrary to various MOFs and activated carbons.
Dithienogermole-based solution-processed molecular solar cells with efficiency over 9%
Authors: Gupta Vinay , Lai Lai Fan , Datt Ram , Chand Suresh , Heeger Alan J. , Bazan Guillermo C. , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: June 2016

A molecular donor of intermediate dimensions based on dithienogermole (DTG) as the central electron rich unit, coded as DTG(FBT2Th2)2, was designed and synthesized for use in bulk heterojunction, solution-processed organic solar cells.
High hydroxide conductivity in a chemically stable crystalline metal–organic framework containing a water-hydroxide supramolecular chain
Authors: Nagarkar Sanjog S. , Anothumakkool Bihag , Desai Aamod V. , Shirolkar Mandar M. , Kurungot Sreekumar , Ghosh Sujit K.
Published: June 2016

A rationally designed cationic MOF containing an in-situ formed hydrogen bonded water-hydroxide anionic supramolecular chain exhibiting solid state hydroxide (OH−) ion conductivity is reported.
Transient binding accounts for apparent violation of the generalized Stokes–Einstein relation in crowded protein solutions
Authors: Rothe M. , Gruber T. , Gröger S. , Balbach J. , Saalwächter K. , Roos M.
Published: June 2016

We assess the validity of the Stokes–Einstein relationship for concentrated protein solutions, considering different proteins and solvent diffusion.
Tunneling spectra of graphene on copper unraveled
Authors: Zhang Xin , Stradi Daniele , Liu Lei , Luo Hong , Brandbyge Mads , Gu Gong
Published: June 2016

The root cause of the variability in tunneling spectra of graphene on copper is found to be the variation in graphene–substrate coupling under various experimental conditions. This work provides a salutary perspective on the important role of 2D material–substrate interactions.
Ultrafast differential flexibility of Cro-protein binding domains of two operator DNAs with different sequences
Authors: Choudhury Susobhan , Ghosh Basusree , Singh Priya , Ghosh Raka , Roy Siddhartha , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: June 2016

The crucial ultrafast domain fluctuation of the operator DNA OR3 over OR2 upon complexation with the repressor Cro-protein dimer has been investigated.
Flexibility unleashed in acyclic monoterpenes: conformational space of citronellal revealed by broadband rotational spectroscopy
Authors: Domingos Sérgio R. , Pérez Cristóbal , Medcraft Chris , Pinacho Pablo , Schnell Melanie
Published: June 2016

High resolution rotational spectroscopy is used to map the conformational landscape and derive conformational relaxation pathways of citronellal.
Rate constant calculations of the GeH4 + OH/OD → GeH3 + H2O/HOD reactions using an ab initio based full-dimensional potential energy surface
Authors: Espinosa-Garcia J. , Rangel C. , Corchado J. C.
Published: June 2016

2D representation of the analytical potential energy surface. The saddle point and the complexes in the entry and exit channels are included.
Near infrared electroluminescence of ZnMgO/InN core–shell nanorod heterostructures grown on Si substrate
Authors: Wu Guoguang , Zheng Weitao , Gao Fubin , Yang Hang , Zhao Yang , Yin Jingzhi , Zheng Wei , Li Wancheng , Zhang Baolin , Du Guotong
Published: June 2016

The near-infrared electroluminescence of InN was effectively realized by the ZnMgO/InN core–shell nanorods heterostructure on a p-Si substrate at room temperature.
Extending the essential dynamics analysis to investigate molecular properties: application to the redox potential of proteins
Authors: Zanetti-Polzi Laura , Corni Stefano , Daidone Isabella , Amadei Andrea
Published: June 2016

An extension of the essential dynamics analysis is applied to investigate the collective fluctuation modes of the single-residue electrostatic potentials that determine the redox potential of azurin.
Synthesis and characterization of five-coordinate, 16-electron RuII complexes supported by tridentate bis(phosphino)silyl ligation
Authors: MacInnis Morgan C. , Ruddy Adam J. , McDonald Robert , Ferguson Michael J. , Turculet Laura
Published: June 2016

New electronically and coordinatively unsaturated complexes of the type (Cy-PSiP)RuX(L) (Cy-PSiP = κ3-(2-Cy2PC6H4)2SiMe) are reported, including examples of 16-electron allyl and azido Ru species.
Pomegranate peel polyphenols inhibit lipid accumulation and enhance cholesterol efflux in raw264.7 macrophages
Authors: Zhao Shengjuan , Li Jianke , Wang Lifang , Wu Xiaoxia
Published: June 2016

Pomegranate peel polyphenols hindered ox-LDL-induced raw264.7 foam cell formation, by decreasing CD36 and promoting ABCA1 and LXRα expression.
Selective conversion of castor oil derived ricinoleic acid methyl ester into jet fuel
Authors: Zhou Yuping , Huang Yong , Fang Yunming , Tan Tianwei
Published: June 2016

The selective conversion of ricinoleic acid methyl ester into jet fuel without carbon loss from fatty acid chains.
Analyzing ERK 1/2 signalling and targets
Authors: Brietz Alexandra , Schuch Kristin Verena , Wangorsch Gaby , Lorenz Kristina , Dandekar Thomas
Published: June 2016

The ERK cascade (e.g.Raf-1) protects the heart from cell death and ischemic injury but can also turn maladaptive.
Solvent and anion facilitated conformational changes in benzylamine substituted thiazolamine
Authors: Phukan Nithi , Baruah Jubaraj B.
Published: June 2016

Solvent and anion guided conformational adjustments in the syn–anti–syn form of N,N′-(1,4-phenylene-bis(methylene))-bis(5-methylthiazol-2-amine) and the utility of nitrate ions in stabilizing the anti–anti–anti form are established.
Construction of two novel borotungstates modified by different ligands connected with single/double bridges
Authors: Wang Shuo , Yu Kai , Wang Bo , Wang Lu , Wang Chun-Xiao , Zhang He , Wang Chun-Mei , Zhou Baibin
Published: June 2016

Unusual copper complex units modified by two types of ligands are introduced into the {BW12} systems, leading to the assembly of intricate borotungstate networks, which exhibit good photo-/electro-catalytic activities.
Earth abundant metal complexes of donor functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: synthesis, characterisation and application as amination catalysts
Authors: Ibrahim Halliru , Bala Muhammad Dabai
Published: June 2016

A detailed study on Co and Ni complexes of N-functionalised chelating NHC ligands applied for the mono-arylation of aniline and substituted aryl amines is presented.
Intramolecular hydroarylation of aryl propargyl ethers catalyzed by indium: the mechanism of the reaction and identifying the catalytic species
Authors: Menkir Mengistu Gemech , Lee Shyi-Long
Published: June 2016

The mechanism and regioselectivity of the intramolecular hydroarylation of phenyl propargyl ether catalyzed by indium were investigated by means of the DFT method.
Synthesis and evaluation of influenza A viral neuraminidase candidate inhibitors based on a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane scaffold
Authors: Colombo Cinzia , Pinto B. Mario , Bernardi Anna , Bennet Andrew J.
Published: June 2016

We describe the synthesis of constrained oseltamivir analogues designed to mimic the proposed boat conformation of the enzymatic transition state.
Well-defined polymers containing a single mid-chain viologen group: synthesis, environment-sensitive fluorescence, and redox activity
Authors: Wang Zhaoxu , Tsarevsky Nicolay V.
Published: June 2016

A difunctional viologen-based alkyl halide initiator was employed in the atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate, which afforded well-defined polymers with a single mid-chain viologen functionality. The materials were fluorescent and also served as redox catalysts.
Solvent-dependent chain conformation for ring closure of metal carbonyl oligomers via migration insertion polymerization (MIP) of CpFe(CO)2(CH2)6PPh2
Authors: Liu Jin , Guan Zhou , Tian Xiaohui , Lin Jiaping , Wang Xiaosong
Published: June 2016

Solvent-induced chain conformation of cyclic PFpC6P via the migration insertion polymerization of CpFe(CO)2(CH2)6PPh2 (FpC6P) in THF/hexane mixed solvents.
Structural, electronic, optical, vibrational and transport properties of CuBX2 (X = S, Se, Te) chalcopyrites
Authors: Bagci S. , Yalcin Battal G. , Aliabad H. A. Rahnamaye , Duman S. , Salmankurt B.
Published: June 2016

The structural, electronic and optical properties of CuBX2 (X = S, Se, Te) compounds have been studied using the full-potential (linearized) augmented plane-wave (FP(L)APW) method.
Electrical characterization of amorphous LiAlO2 thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Hu Yang , Ruud Amund , Miikkulainen Ville , Norby Truls , Nilsen Ola , Fjellvåg Helmer
Published: June 2016

Comparison of in-plane and cross-plane conductivity on ALD-deposited LiAlO2 thin films.
Oscillatory regimes of capillary imbibition of viscoelastic fluids through concentric annulus
Authors: Dhar Jayabrata , Jaggi Parth , Chakraborty Suman
Published: June 2016

Here we report the capillary filling dynamics of a viscoelastic fluid through a concentric annulus, which offers a distinct disparity in the dynamical characteristics as compared to the classical cylindrical capillary based paradigm.
Magnetic domains in H-mediated Zn0.9Co0.1O microdisk arrays
Authors: Kim Won-Kyung , Cheon Miyeon , Lee Seunghun , Lee Tae-Woo , Park Jung Jin , Cho Chae Ryong , Park Chul Hong , Takeuchi Ichiro , Jeong Se-Young
Published: June 2016

We have fabricated and studied magnetic domains in the periodic ZnCoO microdisk structures at room temperature with MFM technique. The z-component of the remanent magnetic moment is uniform even though the value is much smaller than the saturation magnetic moment.
Aerosol-assisted in situ synthesis of iron–carbon composites for the synergistic adsorption and reduction of Cr(vi)
Authors: Ai Ling , He Jiawei , Wang Yiyan , Wei Chaoliang , Zhan Jingjing
Published: June 2016

A facile method to synthesize iron–carbon composites, which exhibit synergistic adsorption and reaction towards a more efficient removal of Cr(vi).
High-rate hydrogen production from galactose in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBr)
Authors: Sivagurunathan Periyasamy , Anburajan Parthiban , Kumar Gopalakrishnan , Kobayashi Takuro , Xu Kai Qin , Lee Chae-Young , Kim Sang-Hyoun
Published: June 2016

High-rate hydrogen production from galactose and rapid granule formation were achieved in a mesophilic (37 °C) upflow anaerobic sludge blank reactor (UASBr).
Synthesis and characterization of Ni(ii)–Vanillin–Schiff base–MCM-41 composite as an efficient and reusable nanocatalyst for multicomponent reactions
Authors: Nikoorazm Mohsen , Ghorbani-Choghamarani Arash , Khanmoradi Maryam
Published: June 2016

Ni(ii)–Vanillin–Schiff base–MCM-41 has been synthesized and characterized by XRD, TGA, BET, EDS, SEM, ICP-OES, TEM and FT-IR spectroscopy. This nanostructural catalyst has been applied for multicomponent reactions.
Synthesis, characterization, and hole-transporting properties of pyrenyl N-substituted triazatruxenes
Authors: Techajaroonjit Thanachart , Namuangruk Supawadee , Prachumrak Narid , Promarak Vinich , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Rashatasakhon Paitoon
Published: June 2016

Two new pyrenyl triazatruxene derivatives (TAT1 and TAT2) were successfully synthesized via Br2-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of indole and Suzuki cross-coupling with pyrene-1-boronic acid.
β-NaGdF4:Eu3+ nanocrystal markers for melanoma tumor imaging
Authors: Sojka B. , Podhorodecki A. , Banski M. , Misiewicz J. , Drobczynski S. , Dumych T. , Lutsyk M. M. , Lutsyk A. , Bilyy R.
Published: June 2016

Europium doped nanocrystals can be optimized to be successfully used as visualization markers for i.e. melanoma tumor.
Primaquine-based ionic liquids as a novel class of antimalarial hits
Authors: Ferraz Ricardo , Noronha Joana , Murtinheira Fernanda , Nogueira Fátima , Machado Marta , Prudêncio Miguel , Parapini Silvia , D'Alessandro Sarah , Teixeira Cátia , Gomes Ana , Prudêncio Cristina , Gomes Paula
Published: June 2016

Ionic liquids derived from active pharmaceutical ingredients may open new perspectives towards low-cost rescuing of classical antimalarial drugs.
Benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]fluorene: an isomeric motif for pentacene containing linearly fused five-, six- and seven-membered rings
Authors: Yang Xuejin , Shi Xueliang , Aratani Naoki , Gonçalves Théo P. , Huang Kuo-Wei , Yamada Hiroko , Chi Chunyan , Miao Qian
Published: June 2016

A new class of conjugated polycyclic molecules containing a C6–C5–C6–C7–C6 polycylic framework was synthesized. Both experiments and calculations show different electron structures in comparison to their pentacene isomers.
Anti-hepatoma activity of the stiff branched β-d-glucan and effects of molecular weight
Authors: Ping Zhaohua , Xu Hui , Liu Ting , Huang Junchao , Meng Yan , Xu Xiaojuan , Li Wenhua , Zhang Lina
Published: June 2016

The water soluble β-d-glucan AF1 with short branches isolated from Auricularia auricula-judae exhibited significant anti-hepatoma activities, and it was confirmed that AF1 had stiff chains and could induce cancer cell apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis through activating immune responses.
Antireduction: an ancient strategy fit for future
Authors: Becker Petra Maria
Published: June 2016

While antioxidants are on everyone's lips, antireductants are their much less-known counterparts. Following an antioxidant's definition, an antireductant prevents the chemical reduction of another compound by undergoing reduction itself. Antireductants have been traced back as far as the origin of life, which they facilitated by removal of atmospheric dihydrogen, H2. Moreover, as electron acceptors, antireductants equipped the first metabolic pathways, enabling lithoautotrophic microbial growth. When the Earth's atmosphere became more oxidizing, certain antireductants revealed their Janus-face by acting as antioxidants. Both capacities, united in one compound, were detected in primary as well as plant secondary metabolites. Substantiated by product identification, such antireductants comprise antiradicals (e.g. carotenoids) up to diminishers of ruminal methane emission (e.g. fumarate, catechin or resveratrol). Beyond these Janus-faced, multifunctional compounds, the spectrum of antireductants extends to pure electron-attractors (e.g. atmospheric triplet oxygen, O2, for plant root and gut protection). Current and prospective fields of antireductant application range from health promotion over industrial production to environmental sustainability.
Tunable triangular pulse‐generator for ISM band radar
Authors: Won Y.‐S. , Kim C.‐H. , Lee H.‐I. , Lee S.‐G.
Published: June 2016

A simple tunable triangular pulse‐generator for 24 GHz ISM band pulse radar is reported, which consists of V–I converters and charge pumps where the control signals are produced by a resistive ladder, digital logic, and switches. In the proposed pulse‐generator, by applying tunable input signals to the V–I converters, the amount of currents flowing through the charge pumps can be controlled without requiring the current source switching, and thus the switching noise can be avoided. Implemented in a 0.13 μm CMOS technology, measured tuning ranges of pulse‐width and ‐amplitude are 12.7–28.5 ns and 15.0–216.1 mVpp, respectively, while dissipating 4.5 mW from a 1.5 V supply.
Calculation of the inductance and AC resistance of planar rectangular coils
Authors: Kim D.‐H. , Park Y.‐J.
Published: June 2016

An effective calculation method for AC resistance and the inductance of planar rectangular spiral coils is proposed. For the calculation, a volume filament model and its equivalent circuit are provided. By using the method, AC resistance and inductance are calculated accurately in megahertz frequency range by including both skin and proximity effects. The method is verified with experiments and used to optimise rectangular spiral coils for the maximum quality factor (Q‐factor) at 6.78 MHz. A small planar rectangular coil is shown to have the maximum Q‐factor when the width of the innermost coil loop is about a half of that of the outermost coil loop.
Simultaneous enhancement and noise reduction of a single low‐light image
Authors: Zhang Liang , Shen Peiyi , Peng Xilu , Zhu Guangming , Song Juan , Wei Wei , Song Houbing
Published: June 2016

Images obtained under low‐light conditions tend to have the characteristics of low‐grey levels, high‐noise levels, and indistinguishable details. Image degradation not only affects the recognition of images, but also influences the performance of the computer vision system. The low‐light image enhancement algorithm based on the dark channel prior de‐hazing technique can enhance the contrast of images effectively and can highlight the details of images. However, the dark channel prior de‐hazing technique ignores the effects of noise, which leads to significant noise amplification after the enhancement process. In this study, a de‐hazing‐based simultaneous enhancement and noise reduction algorithm of are proposed by analysing the essence of the dark channel prior de‐hazing technique and bilateral filter. First, the authors estimate the values of the initial parameters of the hazy image model by de‐hazing technique. Then, they correct the parameters of the hazy image model alternately with the iterative joint bilateral filter. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can simultaneously enhance the low‐light images and reduce noise effectively. The proposed algorithm could also perform quite well compared with the current common image enhancement and noise reduction algorithms in terms of the subjective visual effects and objective quality assessments.
Effects of fibre impairments in variable weight optical code division multiple access system
Authors: Seyedzadeh Saleh , Moghaddasi Majid , Anas Siti Barirah Ahmad
Published: June 2016

Variable weight optical code division multiple access system (VW‐OCDMA) is developed to provide service differentiation in optical metro networks where different applications demand for different quality of services. In VW‐OCDMA, different number of wavelengths carries the data for different services. Hence, the fibre impairment effects vary for different services. In this study, the performance of a VW‐OCDMA is analysed under the impact of fibre impairments including chromatic dispersion, self‐phase modulation, four wave mixing and stimulated Brillouin scattering. It is shown that how higher weights which are supposed to deliver higher quality are more affected by fibre impairments. At last, the experimental results of three users with different weights are demonstrated.
Wümek 2016: Aus der Praxis für die Praxis
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: June 2016

Der Wümek-Kongress bietet Technischen Leitern am 8. und 9. Juni wieder ein umfangreiches Fachprogramm mit Vorträgen und Möglichkeiten zum Austausch. Zudem lockt das Branchentreffen am Main mit einer Premiere, die noch mehr Praxiswissen verspricht.
Klimamanager für Kliniken: Und es hat KLIK gemacht
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: June 2016

Mit wenig Aufwand Energie einsparen und Kosten senken, das ist ganz nach dem Geschmack vieler Klinikchefs. Die im Projekt KLIK ausgebildeten Klimamanager machen genau das und haben dabei schon einiges bewegt – wie vier Teilnehmer in dieser Geschichte beweisen.
Revealing a paradox in scientific advice to governments: the struggle between modernist and reflexive logics within the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
Authors: Kunseler Eva-Maria
Published: June 2016

While governmental scientific advisers attempt to innovate their practices to become more reflexive and interactive, they cannot escape the modernist fundaments that constitute these practices. How do governmental scientific advisers make sense of this paradoxical situation? Using the transition process in the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency as a paradigmatic case, this article explores how four actor groups—the PBL management team, clients, PBL practitioners and external peers—involved in PBL’s transition process disclose their views on institutional redesign and, while doing that, express their beliefs on what they think scientific advice “is” and “should do”. Frame analysis identifies three coexisting frames of PBL’s (future) role and identity—PBL as integrated assessment specialist, PBL as think tank and PBL as trustworthy expert. Implicated in these frames are reflexive beliefs in a “professional culture of humility” that seem to replace the modernist “science speaking truth to power” mode of advising in the PBL organization. At the same time modernist beliefs in the science/politics demarcation, objectivity and scientific privilege persist, in part by revisiting them in view of the newly found reflexive principles of humility, transparency and deliberation. In conclusion, this empirical work illustrates how questioning and deliberating about the role and identity of one’s own organization is the first step to advance institutional redesign in scientific advice to governments. The challenge for governmental science advisers is to “translate” processes of institutional redesign into concrete social and cultural changes, bringing about a transformation in conceptions of what scientific advice is and should do all along. This article is published as part of a thematic collection on scientific advice to governments.
Effects of the substitution of Al for Mn on structure, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties in MnCoGe
Authors: Si Xiaodong , Liu Yongsheng , Lu Xiaofei , Wang Wenli , Lei Wei , Lin Jia , Zhou Tao , Xu Yan
Published: June 2016

The magnetic transition can be controlled by partial substitution of Al for Mn in Mn1−xAlxCoGe, leading to a wide transition temperature range around the room temperature. A well-defined linear relationship between the magnetic entropy change (|ΔSM|) and H2/3 demonstrates the second-order character of magnetic transition. In the case of x = 0.02, the relative cooling power of 242.3 J·kg−1 is achieved for Δμ0H = 5 T at 270.5 K. Interestingly, a corresponding monotonical decline in |ΔSM| is in relation to magnetic moment per formula unit. The observed large relative cooling power with wide phase transition temperatures makes these materials promising for room-temperature magnetic cooling applications.
ωB97M-V: A combinatorially optimized, range-separated hybrid, meta-GGA density functional with VV10 nonlocal correlation
Authors: Mardirossian Narbe , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: June 2016

A combinatorially optimized, range-separated hybrid, meta-GGA density functional with VV10 nonlocal correlation is presented. The final 12-parameter functional form is selected from approximately 10 × 109 candidate fits that are trained on a training set of 870 data points and tested on a primary test set of 2964 data points. The resulting density functional, ωB97M-V, is further tested for transferability on a secondary test set of 1152 data points. For comparison, ωB97M-V is benchmarked against 11 leading density functionals including M06-2X, ωB97X-D, M08-HX, M11, ωM05-D, ωB97X-V, and MN15. Encouragingly, the overall performance of ωB97M-V on nearly 5000 data points clearly surpasses that of all of the tested density functionals. In order to facilitate the use of ωB97M-V, its basis set dependence and integration grid sensitivity are thoroughly assessed, and recommendations that take into account both efficiency and accuracy are provided.
Enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of Co layer in exchange-biased Au/Co/NiO/Au polycrystalline system
Authors: Kuświk P. , Szymański B. , Anastaziak B. , Matczak M. , Urbaniak M. , Ehresmann A. , Stobiecki F.
Published: June 2016

The perpendicular exchange bias in NiO(antiferromagnet)/Co(ferromagnet) polycrystalline layer films is studied. It is found that the NiO layer forces the Co layer magnetization to be oriented perpendicular to the film plane in a greater thickness range than is found in the Au/Co/Au system. Simultaneously, a large coercivity and a significant perpendicular exchange bias field were observed that are owing to the interlayer exchange bias coupling between NiO and Co, which supports the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the Co layer. These findings are confirmed by magnetometry and magnetoresistance measurements.
New portable instrument for the measurement of thermal conductivity in gas process conditions
Authors: Queirós C. S. G. P. , Lourenço M. J. V. , Vieira S. I. , Serra J. M. , Nieto de Castro C. A.
Published: June 2016

The development of high temperature gas sensors for the monitoring and determination of thermophysical properties of complex process mixtures at high temperatures faces several problems, related with the materials compatibility, active sensing parts sensitivity, and lifetime. Ceramic/thin metal films based sensors, previously developed for the determination of thermal conductivity of molten materials up to 1200 °C, were redesigned, constructed, and applied for thermal conductivity measuring sensors. Platinum resistance thermometers were also developed using the same technology, to be used in the temperature measurement, which were also constructed and tested. A new data acquisition system for the thermal conductivity sensors, based on a linearization of the transient hot-strip model, including a portable electronic bridge for the measurement of the thermal conductivity in gas process conditions was also developed. The equipment is capable of measuring the thermal conductivity of gaseous phases with an accuracy of 2%-5% up to 840 °C (95% confidence level). The development of sensors up to 1200 °C, present at the core of the combustion chambers, will be done in a near future.
Agricultural activity shapes the communication and migration patterns in Senegal
Authors: Martin-Gutierrez S. , Borondo J. , Morales A. J. , Losada J. C. , Tarquis A. M. , Benito R. M.
Published: June 2016

The communication and migration patterns of a country are shaped by its socioeconomic processes. The economy of Senegal is predominantly rural, as agriculture employs over 70% of the labor force. In this paper, we use mobile phone records to explore the impact of agricultural activity on the communication and mobility patterns of the inhabitants of Senegal. We find two peaks of phone calls activity emerging during the growing season. Moreover, during the harvest period, we detect an increase in the migration flows throughout the country. However, religious holidays also shape the mobility patterns of the Senegalese people. Hence, in the light of our results, agricultural activity and religious holidays are the primary drivers of mobility inside the country.
The influence of torsion on excimer formation in bipolar host materials for blue phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Rudnick Alexander A. , Bagnich Sergey , Wagner Daniel , Athanasopoulos Stavros , Strohriegl Peter , Köhler Anna
Published: June 2016

We present a combined detailed spectroscopic and quantum chemical study on the bipolar host materials BPTRZ and MBPTRZ in solution and in neat film. In the two compounds, the hole transporting carbazole is separated from the electron transporting triazine moiety by a fully aromatic but non-conjugated meta-linked biphenyl unit. The two materials differ by an additional steric twist at the biphenyl in MBPTRZ, which is achieved by methyl-substitution in 2- and 2′-position of the biphenyl. We find that while the twist shifts the triplet state in MBPTRZ to higher energies (3.0 eV in solution) compared to BPTRZ (2.8 eV in solution), this also localizes electron density on the carbazole moiety, leading to excimer formation in neat films.
Influence of relaxation processes on the evaluation of the metastable defect density in Cu(In,Ga)Se2
Authors: Maciaszek M. , Zabierowski P.
Published: June 2016

In this contribution, we investigated by means of numerical simulations the influence of relaxation processes related to metastable defects on electrical characteristics of Cu(In,Ga)Se2. In particular, we analyzed the relaxation of a metastable state induced by illumination at a fixed temperature as well as the dependence of the hole concentration on the temperature during cooling. The knowledge of these two relaxation processes is crucial in the evaluation of the hole concentration in the relaxed state and after light soaking. We have shown that the distribution of the metastable defects can be considered frozen below 200 K. The hole capture cross section was estimated as ∼3 × 10−15 cm2. It was shown that the usually used cooling rates may lead to relevant changes of the hole concentration. We calculated the lower limit of the hole concentration after cooling, and we presented how it depends on densities of shallow acceptors and metastable defects. Moreover, we proposed a method which allows for the evaluation of shallow acceptor and metastable defect densities from two capacitance-voltage profiles measured in the relaxed and light soaking states. Finally, we indicated experimental conditions in which the influence of relaxation processes on the accuracy of this method is the smallest.
Particle trapping and transport achieved via an adjustable acoustic field above a phononic crystal plate
Authors: Wang T. , Ke M. , Qiu C. , Liu Z.
Published: June 2016

We present the design for an acoustic system that can achieve particle trapping and transport using the acoustic force field above a phononic crystal plate. The phononic crystal plate comprised a thin brass plate with periodic slits alternately embedded with two kinds of elastic inclusions. Enhanced acoustic transmission and localized acoustic fields were achieved when the structure was excited by external acoustic waves. Because of the different resonant frequencies of the two elastic inclusions, the acoustic field could be controlled via the working frequency. Particles were transported between adjacent traps under the influence of the adjustable acoustic field. This device provides a new and versatile avenue for particle manipulation that would complement other means of particle manipulation.
Photoexcited carrier trapping and recombination at Fe centers in GaN
Authors: Uždavinys T. K. , Marcinkevičius S. , Leach J. H. , Evans K. R. , Look D. C.
Published: June 2016

Fe doped GaN was studied by time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The shape of PL transients at different temperatures and excitation powers allowed discrimination between electron and hole capture to Fe3+ and Fe2+ centers, respectively. Analysis of the internal structure of Fe ions and intra-ion relaxation rates suggests that for high repetition rates of photoexciting laser pulses the electron and hole trapping takes place in the excited state rather than the ground state of Fe ions. Hence, the estimated electron and hole capture coefficients of 5.5 × 10−8 cm3/s and 1.8 × 10−8 cm3/s should be attributed to excited Fe3+ and Fe2+ states. The difference in electron capture rates determined for high (MHz) and low (Hz) (Fang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 107, 051901 (2015)) pulse repetition rates may be assigned to the different Fe states participating in the carrier capture. A weak temperature dependence of the electron trapping rate shows that the potential barrier for the multiphonon electron capture is small. A spectral feature observed at ∼420 nm is assigned to the radiative recombination of an electron in the ground Fe2+ state and a bound hole.
Giant electric field control of magnetism and narrow ferromagnetic resonance linewidth in FeCoSiB/Si/SiO2/PMN-PT multiferroic heterostructures
Authors: Gao Y. , Wang X. , Xie L. , Hu Z. , Lin H. , Zhou Z. , Nan T. , Yang X. , Howe B. M. , Jones J. G. , Brown G. J. , Sun N. X.
Published: June 2016

It has been challenging to achieve combined strong magnetoelectric coupling and narrow ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidth in multiferroic heterostructures. Electric field induced large effective field of 175 Oe and narrow FMR linewidth of 40 Oe were observed in FeCoSiB/Si/SiO2/PMN-PT heterostructures with substrate clamping effect minimized through removing the Si substrate. As a comparison, FeCoSiB/PMN-PT heterostructures with FeCoSiB film directly deposited on PMN-PT showed a comparable voltage induced effective magnetic field but a significantly larger FMR linewidth of 283 Oe. These multiferroic heterostructures exhibiting combined giant magnetoelectric coupling and narrow ferromagnetic resonance linewidth offer great opportunities for integrated voltage tunable RF magnetic devices.
Transmission of spin waves in ordered FeRh epitaxial thin films
Authors: Usami Takamasa , Suzuki Ippei , Itoh Mitsuru , Taniyama Tomoyasu
Published: June 2016

We report on B2-ordering dependence of magnetostatic surface spin waves in ferromagnetic FeRh at room temperature. Spin waves transmit over a distance longer than 21 μm in highly ordered FeRh alloys even with relatively large spin-orbit interaction. The long-range transmission likely arises from the induced Rh moments of the ordered FeRh due to ferromagnetic exchange interaction between Fe and Rh. The results indicate a potential of using FeRh in spintronic and magnonic applications by integrating with other fascinating magnetic characteristics of FeRh such as electric field induced magnetic phase transition.
HgNO3 sensitivity of AlGaN/GaN field effect transistors functionalized with phytochelating peptides
Authors: Rohrbaugh Nathaniel , Hernandez-Balderrama Luis , Kaess Felix , Kirste Ronny , Collazo Ramon , Ivanisevic Albena
Published: June 2016

This study examined the conductance sensitivity of AlGaN/GaN field effect transistors in response to varying Hg/HNO3 solutions. FET surfaces were covalently functionalized with phytochelatin-5 peptides in order to detect Hg in solution. Results showed a resilience of peptide-AlGaN/GaN bonds in the presence of strong HNO3 aliquots, with significant degradation in FET ID signal. However, devices showed strong and varied response to Hg concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ppm. The gathered statistically significant results indicate that peptide terminated AlGaN/GaN devices are capable of differentiating between Hg solutions and demonstrate device sensitivity.
Sufficient sample size to study seed germination
Authors: Ribeiro-Oliveira João Paulo , Ranal Marli A. , Garcia de Santana Denise , Pereira Leandro Alves
Published: June 2016

Determining the required sample size is still a challenge in biological studies, including work on seed germination estimation. In this context, we studied a mathematical model to calculate sufficient sample size, using seeds of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth. as a biological model. Coefficients of variation of the germinability (CVG) were calculated to determine the sufficient sample size (nc) to test the germination process. These CVG were subjected to the mathematical model (modified maximum curvature method – MMCM) and sufficient sample size was determined algebraically by the mathematical expression nc = [a2b2(2b + 1)/(b + 2)]1/(2b + 2) where a is the parameter of the model and b is here called the germinability heterogeneity index. Coefficients presented significant adjustment to this model, regardless of the physiological quality of the sample (99.94% ≤ R2 ≤ 99.99%). The nc is the maximum point of inflection of the CVG curve and depends on the physiological quality of the sample. Samples with higher germinability required fewer seeds to reach the nc than those with lower germinability. Thus, considering the variability of the studied material (measured by the CVG), the MMCM allows us to calculate the nc of the germination process. Our results demonstrate that is possible to prepare protocols to test the germination process for any species, with a reduced number of seeds.