bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and functional characterisation of 5-HT4 receptor in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)
Authors: Wang Tianming , Yang Zhen , Zhou Naiming , Sun Lina , Lv Zhenming , Wu Changwen
Published: January 2017

Serotonin (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and neuromodulator that controls a variety of sensory and motor functions through 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs). The 5-HT4R subfamily is linked to Gs proteins, which activate adenylyl cyclases (ACs), and is involved in many responses in peripheral organs. In this study, the 5-HT4R fromApostichopus japonicus (Aj5-HT4R) was identified and characterised. The cloned full-lengthAj5-HT4R cDNA is 1,544 bp long and contains an open reading frame 1,011 bp in length encoding 336 amino acid proteins. Bioinformatics analysis of theAj5-HT4R protein indicated this receptor was a member of class A G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Further experiments usingAj5-HT4R-transfected HEK293 cells demonstrated that treatment with 5-HT triggered a significant increase in intracellular cAMP level in a dose-dependent manner and induced a rapid internalisation ofAj5-HT4R fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (Aj5-HT4R-EGFP) from the cell surface into the cytoplasm. In addition, the transcriptional profiles ofAj5-HT4Rin aestivatingA. japonicasand phosphofructokinase (AjPFK) in 5-HT administratedA. japonicushave been analysed by real-time PCR assays. Results have led to a basic understanding ofAj5-HT4R inA. japonicus, and provide a foundation for further exploration of the cell signaling and regulatory functions of this receptor.
Influenza virus exploits tunneling nanotubes for cell-to-cell spread
Authors: Kumar Amrita , Kim Jin Hyang , Ranjan Priya , Metcalfe Maureen G. , Cao Weiping , Mishina Margarita , Gangappa Shivaprakash , Guo Zhu , Boyden Edward S. , Zaki Sherif , York Ian , García-Sastre Adolfo , Shaw Michael , Sambhara Suryaprakash
Published: January 2017

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) represent a novel route of intercellular communication. While previous work has shown that TNTs facilitate the exchange of viral or prion proteins from infected to naïve cells, it is not clear whether the viral genome is also transferred via this mechanism and further, whether transfer via this route can result in productive replication of the infectious agents in the recipient cell. Here we present evidence that lung epithelial cells are connected by TNTs, and in spite of the presence of neutralizing antibodies and an antiviral agent, Oseltamivir, influenza virus can exploit these networks to transfer viral proteins and genome from the infected to naïve cell, resulting in productive viral replication in the naïve cells. These observations indicate that influenza viruses can spread using these intercellular networks that connect epithelial cells, evading immune and antiviral defenses and provide an explanation for the incidence of influenza infections even in influenza-immune individuals and vaccine failures.
Influence of functional groups on water splitting in carbon nanodot and graphitic carbon nitride composites: a theoretical mechanism study
Authors: Feng Jin , Liu Guokui , Yuan Shiling , Ma Yuchen
Published: January 2017

Charge transfer and separation mechanism in C–CHO/g-C3N4under light irradiation through a two-step process (Route I) and direct excitation (Route II).
Self-healing SEI enables full-cell cycling of a silicon-majority anode with a coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.9%
Authors: Jin Yang , Li Sa , Kushima Akihiro , Zheng Xiaoquan , Sun Yongming , Xie Jin , Sun Jie , Xue Weijiang , Zhou Guangmin , Wu Jiang , Shi Feifei , Zhang Rufan , Zhu Zhi , So Kangpyo , Cui Yi , Li Ju
Published: January 2017

Full-cell cycling of a high density silicon-majority anode with 2× volumetric capacity of graphite and a stabilized coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.9%.
Carbon quantum dots as a visible light sensitizer to significantly increase the solar water splitting performance of bismuth vanadate photoanodes
Authors: Ye Kai-Hang , Wang Zilong , Gu Jiuwang , Xiao Shuang , Yuan Yufei , Zhu Yi , Zhang Yuanming , Mai Wenjie , Yang Shihe
Published: January 2017

Our photoanode has achieved a record high photocurrent density and applied bias photon-to-current efficiency for BiVO4-based photoanodes.
An alternative approach towards poly-ε-caprolactone through a chemoenzymatic synthesis: combined hydrogenation, bio-oxidations and polymerization without the isolation of intermediates
Authors: Wedde Severin , Rommelmann Philipp , Scherkus Christian , Schmidt Sandy , Bornscheuer Uwe T. , Liese Andreas , Gröger Harald
Published: January 2017

A novel synthetic route towards the polymer poly-ε-caprolactone based on a chemoenzymatic reaction sequence was developed.
Ultrasmall cobalt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanowires for hydrogen evolution from ammonia borane
Authors: Zhou Limin , Meng Jing , Li Pan , Tao Zhanliang , Mai Liqiang , Chen Jun
Published: January 2017

Design and fabrication of stable and coordinated composite nanoarchitectures seem particularly essential for enhancing the catalytic activity and reusability of catalysts.
A theoretical study on the thermal cis–trans isomerization of azoheteroarene photoswitches
Authors: Yin Ting-Ting , Zhao Zeng-Xia , Zhang Hong-Xing
Published: January 2017

Azoheteroarene photoswitches exhibit superior properties and the thermal cis–trans isomerization processes are sensitive to the different substitution patterns.
Synthesis of polymeric microcapsules by interfacial-suspension cationic photopolymerisation of divinyl ether monomer in aqueous suspension
Authors: Benedetti M. , Congdon T. R. , Bassett S. P. , Alauhdin M. , Howdle S. M. , Haddleton D. M. , Pisano R. , Sangermano M. , Schiller T. L.
Published: January 2017

Polymeric microcapusles have been synthesised with a markedly more hydrophillic monomer than previously reported, triethylene glycol divinyl ether, using cationic photopolymerisation in an aqueous environment.
Direct light-induced (co-)grafting of photoactive polymers to graphitic nanodiamonds
Authors: Wuest Kilian N. R. , Trouillet Vanessa , Köppe Ralf , Roesky Peter W. , Goldmann Anja S. , Stenzel Martina H. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: January 2017

We report the light-driven grafting and controlled simultaneous co-grafting of various functional polymers to graphitic nanodiamonds (grNDs).
Spin-crossover and high-spin iron(ii) complexes as chemical shift19F magnetic resonance thermometers
Authors: Thorarinsdottir Agnes E. , Gaudette Alexandra I. , Harris T. David
Published: January 2017

The potential utility of paramagnetic transition metal complexes as chemical shift19F magnetic resonance (MR) thermometers is demonstrated.
Hierarchical carbon coated molybdenum dioxide nanotubes as a highly active and durable electrocatalytic support for methanol oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jing-Jia , Sui Xu-Lei , Huang Guo-Sheng , Gu Da-Ming , Wang Zhen-Bo
Published: January 2017

Hierarchical nanotubes of Pt/MoO2@C catalyst demonstrated good catalytic activity and ultrahigh stability towards methanol electrooxidation due to the large surface area and good corrosion resistance.
pH-Responsive magnetic nanospheres for the reversibly selective capture and release of glycoproteins
Authors: Yang Qi , Zhu Yue , Luo Bin , Lan Fang , Wu Yao , Gu Zhongwei
Published: January 2017

We present a pH-stimuli-responsive strategy to reversibly capture and release glycoproteins with high selectivity from a pure protein, model protein mixture and even a real biological sample.
Band alignment and enhancement of the interface properties for heterojunction solar cells by employing amorphous–nanocrystalline hierarchical emitter layers
Authors: Wang Fengyou , Du Rongchi , Ren Qianshang , Wei Changchun , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: January 2017

Band alignment and interface passivation of heterojunction devices have been enhanced by employing nanocrystalline/amorphous silicon hierarchical emitter layers.
Fabrication of high coverage MASnI3 perovskite films for stable, planar heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Fujihara T. , Terakawa S. , Matsushima T. , Qin C. , Yahiro M. , Adachi C.
Published: January 2017

A high coverage MASnI3 perovskite film was obtained employing a modified solvent bathing method to realize stable photovoltaic properties.
Enzymes as modular catalysts for redox half-reactions in H2-powered chemical synthesis: from biology to technology
Authors: Reeve Holly A. , Ash Philip A. , Park HyunSeo , Huang Ailun , Posidias Michalis , Tomlinson Chloe , Lenz Oliver , Vincent Kylie A.
Published: January 2017

The present study considers the ways in which redox enzyme modules are coupled in living cells for linking reductive and oxidative half-reactions, and then reviews examples in which this concept can be exploited technologically in applications of coupled enzyme pairs. We discuss many examples in which enzymes are interfaced with electronically conductive particles to build up heterogeneous catalytic systems in an approach which could be termed synthetic biochemistry. We focus on reactions involving the H+/H2 redox couple catalysed by NiFe hydrogenase moieties in conjunction with other biocatalysed reactions to assemble systems directed towards synthesis of specialised chemicals, chemical building blocks or bio-derived fuel molecules. We review our work in which this approach is applied in designing enzyme-modified particles for H2-driven recycling of the nicotinamide cofactor NADH to provide a clean cofactor source for applications of NADH-dependent enzymes in chemical synthesis, presenting a combination of published and new work on these systems. We also consider related photobiocatalytic approaches for light-driven production of chemicals or H2 as a fuel. We emphasise the techniques available for understanding detailed catalytic properties of the enzymes responsible for individual redox half-reactions, and the importance of a fundamental understanding of the enzyme characteristics in enabling effective applications of redox biocatalysis.
Sector determination for SVPWM based four‐switch three‐phase VSI
Authors: Kivanc O.C. , Ozturk S.B.
Published: January 2017

Sector determination for a normalised space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) scheme is proposed for four‐switch three‐phase (FSTP) voltage source inverter (VSI) by using already available stationary reference frame stator voltages without requiring complex trigonometric calculations. The proposed method has been simulated by using MATLAB/Simulink and implemented using a VSI with a TMS320F28335 floating‐point digital signal processing. Simulation and experimental results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed SVPWM algorithm for FSTP inverter.
Single‐ended 2 ch. × 3.4 Gbit/s dual‐mode near‐ground transmitter IO driver in 45 nm CMOS process
Authors: Kim E. , Oh T.
Published: January 2017

A smart dual‐mode IO driver and termination scheme is proposed and power is efficiently consumed for both low‐speed data transmission under 500 Mbit/s and high‐speed data transmission up to 3.4 Gbit/s. During high speed data transmission, the driver uses near‐ground signalling and pre‐emphasis weight can be controlled for inter symbol interference (ISI) mitigation. The measured eye shows 17.8% vertically and 19.5% horizontally with finite impulse response (FIR) tap control for 15.75″ FR4 channel. The proto‐type 2 channel single‐ended driver has been implemented in 45 nm CMOS process and occupies 0.022 mm2 chip area.
Tunable microstrip filter element using magnetically‐repositioned ferrofluid load
Authors: Horton A.S. , Chilton S.L. , Sigmarsson H.H. , Ruyle J.E.
Published: January 2017

A microstrip filter element that is tunable through magnetic repositioning of a ferrofluid load is presented. A channel beneath the microstrip stub is partially filled with ferrofluid which moves in response to a DC bias field placed beneath the ground plane, resulting in a changing impedance and propagation constant for the stub section and tuning of the filter element. Benefits of this tuning method include electrical isolation between the tuning system and the filter element, retention of the device's operating mode without the need for a power source, and microfluidic reconfiguration without a pumping system.
Fast bilateral filtering using exponential functions
Authors: Wang Lei , Sheng Yingui
Published: January 2017

It has been demonstrated that the bilateral filter can be computed using a series of fast convolutions by approximating its Gaussian range kernel using trigonometric functions. A novel approximation that can be applied to any range kernel is proposed. Specifically speaking, an exponential sum is exploited to approximate the range kernel of the bilateral filter, where the coefficients of the exponential basis are computed by solving a set of linear equations. The major advantage of the method is that the tradeoff between the run‐time and the filtering accuracy can be controlled by the cardinality of the exponential basis. Experiments show that the method achieves state‐of‐the‐art results in terms of accuracy and speed.
fuzzy filter for non‐linear sampled‐data systems under imperfect premise matching
Authors: Kim Ho Jun , Park Jin Bae , Joo Young Hoon
Published: January 2017

This study proposes an fuzzy filtering technique for non‐linear sampled‐data systems that are represented on the basis of the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model. To improve the performance of the fuzzy filter, an imperfect premise matching condition is considered. An error system between the non‐linear system and the fuzzy filter is constructed. In addition, sufficient conditions for showing asymptotic stability and guaranteeing disturbance attenuation performance are proposed in a Lyapunov sense and derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed technique is demonstrated using two simulation examples.
Calculation of mutual inductance and magnetic force between two thick coaxial Bitter coils of rectangular cross section
Authors: Babic Slobodan , Akyel Cevdet
Published: January 2017

The mutual inductance and magnetic force between coaxial Bitter coils with rectangular cross section were recently calculated by some authors using semi‐analytical expressions based on two integrations (Ren et al.) and by using the Bessel function approach (Conway). In this study, these important electrical quantities are calculated using the analytical and semi‐analytical expressions based on elliptical integrals of the first and second kinds, Heuman's Lambda function, and two simple integrals with their kernel functions continuous on the whole integration interval. Simple Gaussian numerical integration is used. This method can be applied to calculate the mutual inductance and magnetic force between two thin Bitter disk coils (pancakes) as well as between two Bitter coils, where one has a rectangular cross section and the other is a thin disk (pancake). The calculations of the mutual inductances and magnetic forces are validated by comparison with values already published in the literature. The presented approach has advantages of high accuracy and low computational time.
Loss allocation and loss minimisation for radial distribution system including DGs
Authors: Kashyap Shashank Shekhar , De Mala
Published: January 2017

The rise in electrical power demand and corresponding transmission or distribution loss is affecting the efficiency of power delivery. A new method for loss allocation in radial distribution system based on proportional sharing is proposed. Based on allocated loss, optimal location of distribution generation (DG) is selected. After selecting the location, optimal size of DG is obtained for that location. Loss allocation to DGs is based on formation of two matrices, power contribution matrix and power sharing matrix. Loss share of DGs and loads are decided based on both power injection by DGs and loss minimisation due to presence of DGs. Results of the proposed method are shown on 69 bus radial distribution system.
Peak power detection of PS solar PV panel by using WPSCO
Authors: Kumar Nishant , Hussain Ikhlaq , Singh Bhim , Panigrahi Bijay Ketan
Published: January 2017

This study introduces a mathematical trajectory based ‘Weibull Pareto sine–cosine optimisation (WPSCO)’ algorithm for the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the dynamics as well as in steady‐state conditions of a partially shaded (PS) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This ‘WPSCO’ technique is used for quick and oscillation‐free tracking of the global best peak position in a very less number of steps, which is necessary to work in real‐time atmospheric conditions. The unique advantage of this algorithm for MPPT problem in PS condition is as it is free from common and generalised problem of the other evolutionary techniques such as longer convergence duration, a large number of search particles, steady‐state oscillation, unnecessary computational burden etc., which create power loss and oscillations in output. This hybrid algorithm is tested on different types of PV characteristics of the PS solar PV array by using MATLAB simulator and verified on a developed hardware of the solar PV system. Moreover, the tracking ability is compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods. The satisfactory steady‐state and dynamic performances of the WPSCO algorithm under variable irradiance and temperature levels show the superiority over the state‐of‐the‐art control methods.
Quality of Life after Surgical Treatment for Esophageal Atresia: Long-Term Outcome of 154 Patients
Authors: Laschat Michael , Choinitzki Vera , Zwink Nadine , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Münsterer Oliver , Kurz Ralf , Pauly Marcus , Brokmeier Ulrike , Leutner Andreas , Ure Benno , Lacher Martin , Schumacher Johannes , Reutter Heiko , Boemers Thomas , Hölscher Alice
Published: January 2017

Background The short- and long-term surgical results in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) have been described in depth from a physician's perspective. Contrarily, the perception and coping strategies of affected patients and their parents have rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to generate data on this matter.

Patients and Methods A total of 154 patients who had operative reconstruction for EA between 1971 and 2012 were evaluated for demographic data, surgical technique, affection of daily life, and coping strategies.

Results Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms were reported in 59% of cases with 33% requiring fundoplication. Regular bougienages of anastomotic strictures were necessary in 68% with 36% requiring repeated dilatations in the first postoperative year. Enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube was performed in 66% after surgery. In 40%, the tube was needed until their sixth week of life. In 25%, nutritional support was necessary more than 1 year out of surgery. Quality of life in general was felt to be impaired according to the patients' parents in 50%. Regarding medical advice about long-term morbidities, more than 50% of the parents felt insufficiently advised. There were no statistical differences between the EA/TEF subtypes regarding GER symptoms, frequency of esophageal dilatations, eating behaviors, or support of the parents in feeding management.

Conclusion Our observations indicate that a high percentage of EA/TEF patients and families require more intensive aftercare and support during the first year following primary reconstruction than previously thought. We observed a higher need for adequate parental information on long-term complications of their children compared with current practice.
A cylindrically symmetric magnetic trap for compact Bose-Einstein condensate atom interferometer gyroscopes
Authors: Horne R. A. , Sackett C. A.
Published: January 2017

We present a variant of the time-orbiting potential trap suitable for Bose-Einstein condensate atom interferometers, which provides weak, cylindrically symmetric confinement as well as support for the atoms against gravity. This trapping configuration is well-suited for the implementation of a compact atom interferometer based gyroscope. The trap is made up of six coils, which were produced using photolithographic techniques and take up a modest volume of approximately 1 cubic inch inside a vacuum chamber. The trapping frequencies and thermal characteristics of the trap are presented, showing cylindrical symmetry and scalability of the trapping frequencies from 1 Hz to 8 Hz in the symmetry plane.
Scalar transport in inline mixers with spatially periodic flows
Authors: Baskan Ozge , Rajaei Hadi , Speetjens Michel F. M. , Clercx Herman J. H.
Published: January 2017

Spatially persisting patterns form during the downstream evolution of passive scalars in three-dimensional (3D) spatially periodic flows due to the coupled effect of stretching and folding mechanisms of the flow field. This has been investigated in many computational and theoretical studies of 2D time-periodic and 3D spatially periodic flow fields. However, experimental studies, to date, have mainly focused on flow visualization with streaks of dye rather than fully 3D scalar field measurements. Our study employs 3D particle tracking velocimetry and 3D laser-induced fluorescence to analyze the evolution of 3D flow and scalar fields and the correlation between the coherent flow/scalar field structures in a representative inline mixer, the Quatro static mixer. For this purpose an experimental setup that consists of an optically accessible test section with transparent internal elements accommodating a pressure-driven pipe flow has been built. The flow and scalar fields clearly underline the complementarity of the experimental results with numerical simulations and provide validation of the periodicity assumption needed in numerical studies. The experimental procedure employed in this investigation, which allows studying the scalar transport in the advective limit, demonstrates the suitability of the present method for exploratory mixing studies of a variety of mixing devices, beyond the Quatro static mixer.
Local structure of percolating gels at very low volume fractions
Authors: Griffiths Samuel , Turci Francesco , Royall C. Patrick
Published: January 2017

The formation of colloidal gels is strongly dependent on the volume fraction of the system and the strength of the interactions between the colloids. Here we explore very dilute solutions by the means of numerical simulations and show that, in the absence of hydrodynamic interactions and for sufficiently strong interactions, percolating colloidal gels can be realised at very low values of the volume fraction. Characterising the structure of the network of the arrested material we find that, when reducing the volume fraction, the gels are dominated by low-energy local structures, analogous to the isolated clusters of the interaction potential. Changing the strength of the interaction allows us to tune the compactness of the gel as characterised by the fractal dimension, with low interaction strength favouring more chain-like structures.
Prime ideals of the enveloping algebra of the Euclidean algebra and a classification of its simple weight modules
Authors: Bavula V. V. , Lu T.
Published: January 2017

A classification of the simple weight modules is given for the (6-dimensional) Euclidean Lie algebra 𝔢(3) = 𝔰𝔩2⋉V3. As an intermediate step, a classification of all simple modules is given for the centralizer C of the Cartan element H (in the universal enveloping algebra 𝒰 = U(𝔢(3))). Generators and defining relations for the algebra C are found (there are three quadratic relations and one cubic relation). The algebra C is a Noetherian domain of Gelfand-Kirillov dimension 5. Classifications of prime, primitive, completely prime, and maximal ideals are given for the algebra U.
Stability analysis of the interface between two weak viscoelastic liquids under periodic oscillations
Authors: Garcia-Gonzalez Sergio , Fernandez-Feria Ramon
Published: January 2017

We consider the motion and the linear hydrodynamic instabilities of two immiscible viscoelastic liquids above a horizontal solid surface induced by the periodic oscillations of the horizontal plate along its plane. A planar interface, parallel to the oscillating plate, separates the lower layer from the other viscoelastic fluid that extends vertically to infinity. The two-dimensional motion of these fluids is studied together with the conditions under which the flow becomes unstable, deforming the planar interface and promoting the mixing of both liquids. The study extends the previous work by Isakova et al. [“A model for the linear stability of the interface between aqueous humor and vitreous substitutes after vitreoretinal surgery,” Phys. Fluids 26, 124101 (2014)] by considering non-Newtonian fluids, particularly liquids with weak viscoelasticity (neglecting normal stress differences), which may model more accurately the physical behavior of the aqueous humor and, especially, the vitreous humour substitute in the vitreous chamber of the eye after vitrectomy. A novel approach to the quasi-steady stability analysis of unsteady flows of Maxwell liquids is developed in the present paper. We focus on the effect of the small Deborah numbers on the motion and on the hydrodynamic instability of the two fluids as the other non-dimensional parameters are varied within the range of interest for the biofluiddynamics of the eye. The special case in which the lower layer modelling the aqueous humor is a Newtonian liquid and the upper vitreous substitute is a Maxwell liquid is considered with detail. We find that, even for a very small Deborah number of the vitreous substitute, the dynamics and the hydrodynamic stability of the two fluids can be qualitatively very different to the Newtonian case, especially as the viscosity ratio is varied, showing that weak viscoelasticity may change dramatically the dynamics of the eye. An exhaustive characterization of the influence of the different parameters on the hydrodynamic stability is given, which may be useful also for the study of the dynamics of other systems where two viscoelastic liquids in contact are subjected to periodic oscillations.
Spin texture on top of flux avalanches in Nb/Al2O3/Co thin film heterostructures
Authors: Lopes R. F. , Carmo D. , Colauto F. , Ortiz W. A. , de Andrade A. M. H. , Johansen T. H. , Baggio-Saitovitch E. , Pureur P.
Published: January 2017

We report on magneto-optical imaging, magnetization, Hall effect, and magneto-resistance experiments in Nb/Al2O3/Co thin film heterostructures. The magneto-transport measurements were performed in samples where electrical contacts were placed on the Co layer. The magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the plane of the film and gives rise to abrupt flux penetration of dendritic form. A magnetization texture is imprinted in the Co layer in perfect coincidence with these ramifications. The spin domains that mimic the vortex dendrites are stable upon the field removal. Moreover, the imprinted spin structure remains visible up to room temperature. In the region of the field-temperature diagram where flux instabilities are known to occur in bare Nb films, irregular jumps are observed in the magnetic hysteresis and large amplitude noise is detected in the magneto-resistance and Hall resistivity data when measured as a function of the field.
On invariants for the Poincaré equations and applications
Authors: Imaykin Valeriy , Komech Alexander , Spohn Herbert
Published: January 2017

A special version of the Noether theory of invariants is developed for the Poincaré equations. This theory is applied to the Maxwell equations coupled to the Abraham rotating extended electron with the configuration space SO(3).
Strongly emissive plasma-facing material under space-charge limited regime: Application to emissive probes
Authors: Cavalier Jordan , Lemoine Nicolas , Bousselin Guillaume , Plihon Nicolas , Ledig Jordan
Published: January 2017

A quasi-static theoretical 1D model is developed to describe the sheath structure of a strongly emissive plasma-facing material and is subsequently applied to emissive probes' experimental data—which are usually supposed to be an efficient tool to directly measure plasma potential fluctuations. The model is derived following the space-charge limited emission current model developed in Takamura et al., [Contrib. Plasma Phys. 44(1–3), 126–137 (2004)], adding the contribution of secondary emission due to back-diffusion of plasma electrons at the emitting surface. From this theory, current-voltage characteristics of emissive probes are derived. A theoretical relation between the floating potential of an emissive probe and plasma parameters is obtained and a criterion is derived to determine the threshold between the thermoemission limited current regime and space-charge limited current regime. In the space-charge limited regime, a first order expansion is then applied to the quasi-static relation to study the effect of plasma fluctuations on emissive probe measurements. Both the mean values and the fluctuations of the floating potential of an emissive probe predicted by the model, as well as the potential value at which the transition between emission current regimes occurs, are compared to three sets of experimental data obtained in two different plasma devices.
In situ TEM study of electron-beam radiation induced boron diffusion and effects on phase and microstructure evolution in nanostructured CoFeB/SiO2 thin film
Authors: Liu B. H. , Teo H. W. , Mo Z. H. , Mai Z. H. , Lam J. , Xue J. M. , Zhao Y. Z. , Tan P. K.
Published: January 2017

Using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we studied boron diffusion and segregation in CoFeB/SiO2 nanostructured thin film stacks. We also investigated how these phenomena affected the phase and microstructure of CoFeB thin films under electron beam irradiation at 300 kV. A unique phase transformation was observed in CoFeB thin films under high-dose electron irradiation, from a polycrystalline Co3Fe to a unilateral amorphous phase of Co3Fe and nanocrystalline FexCo23−xB6. The unilateral amorphization of the Co3Fe film showed an electron-dose-rate sensitivity with a threshold dose rate. Detailed in situ TEM studies revealed that the unilateral amorphization of the Co3Fe film arose from boron segregation at the bottom of the Co3Fe thin film induced by radiation-enhanced diffusion of boron atoms that were displaced by electron knock-on effects. The radiation-induced nanocrystallization of FexCo23−xB6 was also found to be dose-rate sensitive with a higher electron beam current leading to earlier nucleation and more rapid grain growth. The nanocrystallization of FexCo23−xB6 occurred preferentially at the CoFeB/SiO2 interface. Kinetic studies by in situ TEM revealed the surface crystallization and diffusion-controlled nucleation and grain growth mechanisms. The radiation-enhanced atomic diffusivity and high-concentration of radiation-induced point defects at the Co3Fe/SiO2 interface enhanced the local short-range ordering of Fe, Co, and B atoms, favoring nucleation and grain growth of FexCo23−xB6 at the interface.
Self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in weakly relativistic and ponderomotive cold quantum plasma
Authors: Aggarwal Munish , Kumar Harish , Richa  , Gill Tarsem Singh
Published: January 2017

The paper presents investigation on self-focusing and self-phase modulation of Gaussian laser beam in a weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime by taking into account the quantum effects. We have reported additional self-focusing for reduced value of beam width parameter on account of nonlinear dielectric contribution of relativistic ponderomotive plasma. Moreover, the significant contribution of the quantum effects to enhance the self-focusing and minimize the longitudinal phase shift has been noticed. A comparison has also been attempted with relativistic and ponderomotive, relativistic cold quantum and classical relativistic regimes. In the present investigation, we have observed that for the case of relativistic ponderomotive cold quantum plasma, the focusing is found to be earlier and strongest. Also, the minimum amount of phase shift is obtained. We have setup the nonlinear differential equations for the beam-width parameter and self-phase modulation by using variational approach and solved them numerically by the Runge-Kutta method.
A 3D lateral electrode structure for diamond based microdosimetry
Authors: Davis Jeremy A. , Ganesan Kumaravelu , Prokopovich Dale A. , Petasecca Marco , Lerch Michael L. F. , Jamieson David N. , Rosenfeld Anatoly B.
Published: January 2017

A diamond based microdosimeter prototype featuring a 3D lateral electrode structure was created using laser ablation and active brazing alloys and characterised by means of ion beam induced charge collection measurements and finite element analysis, using Synopsys TCAD simulation package.
Optical quenching and recovery of photoconductivity in single-crystal diamond
Authors: Chen J. , Lourette S. , Rezai K. , Hoelzer T. , Lake M. , Nesladek M. , Bouchard L.-S. , Hemmer P. , Budker D.
Published: January 2017

We study the photocurrent induced by pulsed-light illumination (pulse duration is several nanoseconds) of single-crystal diamond containing nitrogen impurities. Application of additional continuous-wave light of the same wavelength quenches pulsed photocurrent. Characterization of the optically quenched photocurrent and its recovery is important for the development of diamond based electronics and sensing.
Long GMI sensors for the detection of repetitive deformation of a surface
Authors: Corodeanu Sorin , Chiriac Horia , Óvári Tibor-Adrian , Lupu Nicoleta
Published: January 2017

Results on development and testing of a long giant magneto-impedance sensor for deformation detection is reported. The effect of the external magnetic field and tensile forces on the sensitivity to bending has been studied with the aim to optimize and tune the sensor response as needed for various applications. A novel device was designed to create a deformation easy to define, measure and reproduce as a curved surface with adjustable curvature radius. The dependence of the sensor output voltage on the inverse of the bending radius in different conditions was analyzed and explained by taking into account the magnetic properties and magnetic domain structure of the Co68.18Fe4.32Si12.5B15 amorphous magnetic wire which was used as the sensitive element. The obtained results show that long giant magneto-impedance sensors can be reliably used in order to detect the curvature of a large surface and can even operate independent of the presence of low external magnetic fields.
Copper-free nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials with high saturation magnetization comparable to that of Si steel
Authors: Suzuki K. , Parsons R. , Zang B. , Onodera K. , Kishimoto H. , Kato A.
Published: January 2017

The effect of rapid annealing on the structural and magnetic properties of melt-spun Fe-B based alloys has been investigated. The grain size of a Fe85B13Ni2 alloy after primary crystallization is reduced significantly by rapid annealing, and a low coercivity of 4.6 A/m and a high saturation magnetization of 1.90 T are obtained. This saturation magnetization is comparable to those of Si steels (1.8–2 T). The core losses of nanocrystalline Fe85B13Ni2 are lower by 60%–80% as compared with those of commercial Si steels. Rapid annealing is found to be effective in realizing a magnetically soft nanostructure without Cu addition, leading to an exceptionally low content of nonmagnetic additives (2.8 wt. %) and thus a high saturation magnetization in the nanostructure.
Formate: A Possible Replacement for Formic Acid in Fuel Cells
Authors: Yang Zhaoyi , Wang Yaner , Dong Ting , Yuan Xiufang , Lv Liulin , Wei Xubing , Wang Jun
Published: January 2017

We present a facile thermodynamic strategy for identifying formate electrooxidation at a Pt electrode in a fuel cell. Mixtures of formate and sulfuric acid are used as fuel solutions for maintaining formic acid at a low concentration and reducing CO poisoning of the Pt electrode. Pt is modified by a polyaniline porous film to improve the electrocatalytic activity towards formate oxidation. The result indicates that formate can bypass the poisoning path to form CO2 at a low potential. Additionally, we propose a new mechanism of formate electrooxidation and investigate the possibility of an independent oxidation path starting from free formate in solution.
Antiinflammatory actions of inorganic nitrate stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: Khambata Rayomand S. , Ghosh Suborno M. , Rathod Krishnaraj S. , Thevathasan Tharssana , Filomena Federica , Xiao Qingzhong , Ahluwalia Amrita
Published: January 2017

Significance

Reduced bioavailable nitric oxide generated within the vascular wall is a key pathogenic mechanism involved in the formation and rupture of an atheromatous plaque, the latter leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. We show that inorganic nitrate supplementation through delivery of nitric oxide reduces systemic leukocyte rolling and adherence, circulating neutrophil numbers, and monocyte activation through direct repression of neutrophil activation and up-regulation of interleukin-10–dependent antiinflammatory pathways in athero-prone mice. These antiinflammatory effects of inorganic nitrate result in reduced macrophage content of atherosclerotic plaques coupled with an elevation of smooth muscle content, resulting in a stable plaque phenotype. Our data suggest that inorganic nitrate supplementation has antiinflammatory effects, which may have clinical utility in the prophylaxis of atheroma development.
Mutational landscape of antibody variable domains reveals a switch modulating the interdomain conformational dynamics and antigen binding
Authors: Koenig Patrick , Lee Chingwei V. , Walters Benjamin T. , Janakiraman Vasantharajan , Stinson Jeremy , Patapoff Thomas W. , Fuh Germaine
Published: January 2017

Significance

On encountering antigens, antibody’s variable domains evolve and mature through multiple rounds of somatic mutation. By surveying the effects of all possible single mutations of an antibody’s variable domains on folding stability and antigen binding, we showed that even for a high-affinity antibody such as the one used in our study, beneficial mutations can be found both near and far from the antigen-binding site. Furthermore, our mutational scan revealed an antigen-distal framework position working as a structural switch whereby a mutation can allow the variable domains to sample different conformational spaces and thus potentially different binding functions. This understanding of the mechanism of somatic mutation in human antibodies illustrates how antibodies efficiently use somatic mutation for evolving diversity in immune recognition.
Impact of climate change on medically important ticks in Europe and their control.
Authors: Gliniewicz A. , Karbowiak G. , Mikulak E. , Supergan-Marwicz M. , Królasik A. , Myślewicz J.
Published: January 2017

This chapter reviews the occurrence and distribution of medically important ticks (such as Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis punctata) in Europe, and discusses how these have been affected by climate change. It presents evidence of the impact of climate change on tick behaviour and biology, and on the incidence of tickborne diseases in Europe such as Lyme disease and tickborne encephalitis. Challenges and potential strategies for the management of tick populations are also discussed.
Climate change and vectorborne diseases in the urban ecosystem in India.
Authors: Dhiman R. C. , Poonam Singh Poonam Singh
Published: January 2017

This chapter explores the impact of climate change on the ecology and breeding behaviour of mosquito vectors and on the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) in urban areas of India. These MBDs include malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis. The different climatic zones in India, and trends in temperature and relative humidity are described.
Rhetoric versus the realities of sustainable tourism: the case of Cyprus.
Authors: Farmaki A. , Altinay L. , Yascedilla˜arata M.
Published: January 2017

This chapter offers insights into the paradigm of sustainable tourism by drawing on empirical evidence from the island of Cyprus. Discussion centres on the interplay of destination competitiveness, seasonality and quality of life. The chapter begins by presenting the theoretical background necessary in framing discussion into the relevant context. Further on, a synopsis of empirical research on the sustainability of island tourism is provided before the chapter introduces the case of Cyprus. Conclusions from selected examples of sustainable tourism practices on Cyprus are given and the chapter ends with recommendations on how sustainable tourism in Cyprus can be better implemented to serve the goals of improved destination competitiveness, seasonality and quality of life.
Island tourism competitiveness and sustainability in the Maldives.
Authors: Carlsen J. , Zulfa M.
Published: January 2017

This chapter investigates the evolution of destination competitiveness factors in the Maldives tourism sector in an era when market sensitivity and volatility have increased in response to economic, political, social and environmental changes and new sources of competition are emerging. It first reviews previous studies and synthesizes that literature into a matrix of variables, survey instruments and units of analysis previously employed to measure competitiveness. From this synthesis, six groups comprising 48 competitiveness factors were tested on a range of tourism experts in the Maldives to assess both the importance and performance of each variable. Importance-performance analysis (IPA) grids provide a summary of findings and a means of identifying and assessing the factors that make the Maldives competitive and that therefore should provide the focus of sustainable competitive advantage. IPA also identifies areas where the Maldives could improve its competitive performance and these should be priority areas that are addressed in future policy, planning and management activities.
Quality of life, the tourism area life cycle and sustainability: a case of Cuba.
Authors: Beardsley M.
Published: January 2017

This chapter intends to use the case of Cuba and its tourism status to provide preliminary support for the contention that the constructs of quality of life (QOL), the tourism area life cycle (TALC) and sustainability are intertwined. After briefly exploring the background of each construct and any past linkages identified by researchers in the field, a case study of Cuba is utilized to substantiate the notion that these constructs are interrelated. The case starts by first establishing the historical, political, economic and tourism setting of the nation. Following this, the positive and negative attributes of past efforts, present environment and future intentions for inbound Cuban tourism are explored. Applying Cuba's compounded background and tourism environment, warning signs are derived that could impact the three aforementioned constructs in the future.
A portable defense of the Procreation Asymmetry
Authors: Earl Jake
Published: January 2017

The Procreation Asymmetry holds that we have strong moral reasons not to create miserable people for their own sakes, but no moral reasons to create happy people for their own sakes. To defend this conjunction against an argument that it leads to inconsistency, I show how recognizing ‘creation’ as a temporally extended process allows us to revise the conjuncts in a way that preserves their intuitive force. This defense of the Procreation Asymmetry is preferable to others because it does not require us to take on controversial metaphysical or metaethical commitments – in other words, it has the theoretical virtue of portability.
Isolation and spectral characterization of thermally generated multi-Z-isomers of lycopene and the theoretically preferred pathway to di-Z-isomers
Authors: Honda Masaki , Kudo Tatsuya , Kuwa Takahiro , Higashiura Takuma , Fukaya Tetsuya , Inoue Yoshinori , Kitamura Chitoshi , Takehara Munenori
Published: January 2017

Lycopene has a large number of geometric isomers caused by E/Z isomerization at arbitrary sites within the 11 conjugated double bonds, offering varying characteristics related to features such as antioxidant capacity and bioavailability. However, the geometric structures of only a few lycopene Z-isomers have been thoroughly identified from natural sources. In this study, seven multi-Z-isomers of lycopene, (9Z,13′Z)-, (5Z,13Z,9′Z)-, (9Z,9′Z)-, (5Z,13′Z)-, (5Z,9′Z)-, (5Z,9Z,5′Z)-, and (5Z,9Z)-lycopene, were obtained from tomato samples by thermal isomerization, and then isolated by elaborate chromatography, and fully assigned using proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, the theoretically preferred pathway from (all-E)-lycopene to di-Z-isomers was examined with a computational approach using a Gaussian program. Fine-tuning of the HPLC separation conditions led to the discovery of novel multi-Z-isomers, and whose formation was supported by advanced theoretical calculations.
Nano Random Forests to mine protein complexes and their relationships in quantitative proteomics data
Authors: Montaño-Gutierrez Luis F. , Ohta Shinya , Kustatscher Georg , Earnshaw William C. , Rappsilber Juri
Published: January 2017

Ever-increasing numbers of quantitative proteomics data sets constitute an underexploited resource for investigating protein function. Multiprotein complexes often follow consistent trends in these experiments, which could provide insights about their biology. Yet, as more experiments are considered, a complex’s signature may become conditional and less identifiable. Previously we successfully distinguished the general proteomic signature of genuine chromosomal proteins from hitchhikers using the Random Forests (RF) machine learning algorithm. Here we test whether small protein complexes can define distinguishable signatures of their own, despite the assumption that machine learning needs large training sets. We show, with simulated and real proteomics data, that RF can detect small protein complexes and relationships between them. We identify several complexes in quantitative proteomics results of wild-type and knockout mitotic chromosomes. Other proteins covary strongly with these complexes, suggesting novel functional links for later study. Integrating the RF analysis for several complexes reveals known interdependences among kinetochore subunits and a novel dependence between the inner kinetochore and condensin. Ribosomal proteins, although identified, remained independent of kinetochore subcomplexes. Together these results show that this complex-oriented RF (NanoRF) approach can integrate proteomics data to uncover subtle protein relationships. Our NanoRF pipeline is available online.
Rapid degradation of mutant SLC25A46 by the ubiquitin-proteasome system results in MFN1/2-mediated hyperfusion of mitochondria
Authors: Steffen Janos , Vashisht Ajay A. , Wan Jijun , Jen Joanna C. , Claypool Steven M. , Wohlschlegel James A. , Koehler Carla M.
Published: January 2017

SCL25A46 is a mitochondrial carrier protein that surprisingly localizes to the outer membrane and is distantly related to Ugo1. Here we show that a subset of SLC25A46 interacts with mitochondrial dynamics components and the MICOS complex. Decreased expression of SLC25A46 results in increased stability and oligomerization of MFN1 and MFN2 on mitochondria, promoting mitochondrial hyperfusion. A mutation at L341P causes rapid degradation of SLC25A46, which manifests as a rare disease, pontocerebellar hypoplasia. The E3 ubiquitin ligases MULAN and MARCH5 coordinate ubiquitylation of SLC25A46 L341P, leading to degradation by organized activities of P97 and the proteasome. Whereas outer mitochondrial membrane–associated degradation is typically associated with apoptosis or a specialized type of autophagy termed mitophagy, SLC25A46 degradation operates independently of activation of outer membrane stress pathways. Thus SLC25A46 is a new component in mitochondrial dynamics that serves as a regulator for MFN1/2 oligomerization. Moreover, SLC25A46 is selectively degraded from the outer membrane independently of mitophagy and apoptosis, providing a framework for mechanistic studies in the proteolysis of outer membrane proteins.