bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperativas de pescadores artesanales y habitantes ribereños del Paraná: una experiencia de economía solidaria
Authors: Petean Julieta , Capatto Jorge
Published: July 2014

Los pescadores artesanales y de subsistencia que integran las cooperativas de la costa del Paraná, objeto del presente trabajo, forman parte de un sector de muy bajos ingresos económicos que vive en zonas ribereñas marginales de los centros urbanos costeros o en comunidades dispersas y aisladas ubicadas en áreas casi siempre expuestas a riesgos de inundación. La formación de estas cooperativas forma parte del trabajo desarrollado en torno a la conservación de la diversidad biológica y cultural en el litoral fluvial, en el contexto de la región NEA —considerada como la que registra los mayores indicadores de pobreza e indigencia de Argentina— Luego de impulsar la Ley Provincial de Pesca 12212, el Consejo Provincial Pesquero y la protección de los humedales como grandes criaderos naturales de peces y fuentes de agua dulce, se avanzó en un programa de diagnósticos participativos, construcción de capacidades, trabajo en red, monitoreo comunitario de la pesca y agregado de valor, con asociaciones y grupos de pescadores artesanales de Santa Fe, Chaco, Entre Ríos, Corrientes y Formosa. Gran parte de los esfuerzos institucionales están puestos actualmente en la promoción y fortalecimiento —a través de capacitación, equipamiento y tecnología socialmente apropiada—, de cooperativas en comunidades pesqueras. Se describen seguidamente algunos de los emprendimientos impulsados en el marco de una concepción de economía solidaria, producción sustentable y comercio justo, tendiente a apoyar experiencias exitosas —demostrativas— de desarrollo local con equidad, base comunitaria, amplia participación de actores y enfoque regional.
Programa de Género, Sociedad y Universidad: un laboratorio de igualdad que cumple una década
Authors: Fiol Ana
Published: July 2014

El Programa Género, Sociedad y Universidad, que fuera creado en el 2002 en el marco de la Secretaría de Extensión de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, cumple diez años de labor política y epistemológica articulando docencia, extensión e investigación en las fronteras disciplinarias e institucionales de las grandes transformaciones, luchas e interrogaciones de nuestra época. La creación del Programa responde a la preocupación de la Universidad por las deficiencias democráticas que el sistema de sexo–género asegura y reproduce dentro y fuera de nuestra casa de estudios. De este modo, la tradición reformista e ilustrada de nuestra Universidad se reactualiza y se compromete con la lucha de las mujeres por el ejercicio pleno de sus derechos y, de esta manera, con la efectiva universalización de la ciudadanía.
La enseñanza de la extensión agropecuaria en el cuarto nivel. El desafío de acorralar lo complejo.
Authors: Erbetta Hugo , Elz Rubén , Sandoval Patricia , Sánchez Sonia
Published: July 2014

Los cambios en las últimas décadas han implicado profundas transformaciones estructurales en el sector agropecuario y en las relaciones de poder entre actores sociales. Los cambios tanto en la economía mundial como en las políticas nacionales han puesto en el centro de la escena viejas tensiones con nuevos paradigmas: crecimiento versus desarrollo por un lado, y eficientismo versus sustentabilidad por el otro.La extensión, en tanto mediadora de procesos —productivos, tecnológicos, económicos y sociales— ha quedado en el centro de la escena agraria. Superar el persistente reduccionismo de presentarla como una puerta entre el conocimiento científico y los saberes “vulgares” constituye un desafío permanente.
Thermodynamic signatures in macromolecular interactions involving conformational flexibility
Authors: Menzel Anja , Neumann Piotr , Schwieger Christian , Stubbs Milton T.
Published: July 2014

The energetics of macromolecular interactions are complex, particularly where protein flexibility is involved. Exploiting serendipitous differences in the plasticity of a series of closely related trypsin variants, we analyzed the enthalpic and entropic contributions accompanying interaction with L45K-eglin C. Binding of the four variants show significant differences in released heat, although the affinities vary little, in accordance with the principle of enthalpy-entropy compensation. Binding of the most disordered variant is almost entirely enthalpically driven, with practically no entropy change. As structures of the complexes reveal negligible differences in protein-inhibitor contacts, we conclude that solvent effects contribute significantly to binding affinities.
The Surface Morphology and Optical Properties of Refined Glasses with Inorganic Nano-molecules
Authors: Drajewicz Marcin , Pytel Maciej , Rokicki Paweł , Góral Marek
Published: July 2014

New refining technology of soda-calcium-silicon glass surfaces with inorganic compounds nano-molecules has been presented in the study. In order to determine modification of the glass surface SEM observation and EDX analysis have been carried out. The UV-VIS, photo-elasticity and ellipsometry examinations were carried out on glass samples. The results of investigations that have been conducted show that refining process of the glass surface by use of nanopowder inorganic compounds deposited electrostatically on glass surface provides forming of very thin (about 50 nm) surface layers [1]. This method of surface modification improves physical and chemical glass properties. In this paper results of microhardness test of refined glass were also presented.
Fruit-Induced FPIES Masquerading as Hereditary Fructose Intolerance
Authors: Fiocchi Alessandro , Dionisi-Vici Carlo , Cotugno Giovanna , Koch Pierluigi , Dahdah Lamia
Published: July 2014

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) symptoms develop at first introduction of fruit during weaning. We report on an infant with suspected HFI who presented with repeated episodes of vomiting and hypotension after ingestion of fruit-containing meals. The first episode occurred at age 4 months. Despite negative genetic testing for HFI, strict avoidance of fruit ingestion resulted in lack of recurrence of symptoms. Oral-fructose-tolerance testing conducted with an apple mousse did not determine hypoglycemia or fructosuria but caused severe hypotension. Allergy evaluations were negative, and the history was diagnostic for fruit-induced food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome. Because this non-immunoglobulin E–mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity manifests as profuse, repetitive vomiting, often with diarrhea, leading to acute dehydration and lethargy, it may be misinterpreted as HFI. We advise pediatricians to consider food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome in the differential diagnosis when there is a suspicion of HFI.
The Association of Generation Status and Health Insurance Among US Children
Authors: BeLue Rhonda , Miranda Patricia Y. , Elewonibi Bilikisu Reni , Hillemeier Marianne M.
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has the potential to reduce the number of uninsured children in the United States by as much as 40%. The extent to which immigrant families are aware of and interested in obtaining insurance for their children is unclear.

METHODS:

Data from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children’s Health were analyzed to examine differences by immigrant generational status in awareness of children’s health insurance options. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated for each outcome variable that showed statistical significance by generation status.

RESULTS:

Barriers to obtaining insurance for children in immigrant (first- and second-generation) families include awareness of and experience with various health insurance options, perceived costs and benefits of insurance, structural/policy restrictions on eligibility, and lower likelihood of working in large organizations that offer employee insurance coverage. Although noncitizen immigrants are not covered by ACA insurance expansions, only 38% of first-generation families report being uninsured because of the inability to meet citizenship requirements. Most families in this sample also worked for employers with <50 employees, making them less likely to benefit from expansions in employer-based insurance. In multivariate analyses, third-generation families have increased odds of knowing how to enroll in health insurance (AOR 7.1 [3.6–13.0]) and knowing where to find insurance information (AOR 7.7 [3.8–15.4]) compared with first-generation families.

CONCLUSIONS:

ACA navigators and health services professionals should be aware of potential unique challenges to helping immigrant families negotiate Medicaid expansions and state and federal exchanges.
Sand grain mineralogy and morphology under forest and grassland/arable fields in Eastern Hungary
Authors: Balog Kitti , Kuti L. , Szabó A. , Tóth T.
Published: July 2014

Related to ongoing (re)forestation in the Great Hungarian Plain the short-term influence of changing land cover was studied on the grains of skeletal sandy soils. In three sampling areas with forest and grassy/arable control plots, the 0.1–0.2 mm grain size fraction of samples taken every 20 cm from the 0–100 cm sandy soil layer (totalling 22,509 grains) were separated and described with optical mineralogical microscope. In order to distinguish sand grains of forest-covered and control areas (grassland/arable land), the results of mineralogical and morphological observations were compared. It was revealed that the amount of feldspar grains is 8–9 times less than the amount of the quartz ones. The increase in the quartz/feldspar (q/fp) ratio is tied to the “consumption” of feldspars: the intense consumption of potassium by trees. Under the forest-covered fields, the number of in-situ crushed grains increased. Grains with etch pits are frequent in samples from the grasslands (except in Hajdúsámson). In samples of forest-covered areas a greatly increased number of brown grains with limonite and/or humus films were observed. The gained results can be useful in proving earlier land use in forested fields.
Broadband Absorptance High Efficiency Silicon Nanowire Fractal Arrays for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Alzoubi Omar H. , Abu-Safe Husam , Alshurman Khalid , Naseem Hameed A.
Published: July 2014

Nanowire arrays have been proposed to enhance light trapping, increase efficiencies, and reduced material cost in photovoltaic solar cells. In this work we present a new crystalline silicon nanowire array structure, inspired by fractal geometry. The array structure is assumed to be an infinite 2D array in the x and y directions, and composed of vertically aligned SiNW suspended in air. Hexagonal fractal-like geometry is adapted in arranging cylindrical SiNW in these arrays. Full-wave finite element method 3D simulation is used to compute reflectance, transmittance and absorptance of the array for a normal incidence plane wave. The proposed fractal-like distribution of SiNW arrays yield broad absorption spectrum and enhanced efficiency while using less material. The efficiency of the proposed fractal-like SiNW arrays achieve ∼100% enhancement over that of the equivalent thickness flat c-Si film, and ∼18% enhancement over an equivalent height hexagonal array. The proposed optimized structures achieved a filling ratio ∼25%, which is ∼33% less than the corresponding hexagonal array.
The Effect of Halo- and Hydro-Priming on Germination Characteristics of Millet Seeds Under Salinity Stress
Authors: Aghbolaghi M.A. , Sedghi M.
Published: July 2014

Low seed germination and seedling emergence is one of the main problems in saline areas. Seed priming technique has been known as a challenge to improve germination and seedling emergence under different environmental stresses. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of seed priming with NaCl and water on growth and seed reserve utilization of millet seeds under salinity stress. Treatments were combinations of four levels of salinity stress (0, ⊟4, ⊟8 and ⊟12 bar) and three levels of seed priming and control with three replicates. Results showed that with increase in salinity stress, germination components such as germination percentage, germination index, mean time to germination, normal seedling percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight of utilized (mobilized) seed and seed reserve utilization efficiency decreased, but seed priming showed lower reduction. The highest germination characteristics and seed reserve utilization was obtained by halo-priming in control conditions. It is concluded that priming results in improvement in germination components of millet in salinity stress conditions.
Analysis of The Essential Oils of Thymus Kotschyanus L. (10 POPULATIONS) FROM IRAN
Authors: Khoshsokhan F. , Poormeidani A. , Babalar M. , Moghadam M.R. Fatahi
Published: July 2014

Thymus species are well known as medicinal plants because of their biological and pharmacological properties. Thymus kotschyanus seeds (10 populations) were collected from various provinces of Iran and transferred into a new uniform environment. This study was carried out at Badiei Research Station (Qom Province, Iran) in 2008, under field conditions. The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The content of essential oils of this species was assessed during the flowering stage, and the chemical composition of the essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). According to populations, 17 components representing 84.57-97.08% of the total components, were identified. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the main group of constituents in all samples (87.14-98.93%). thymol (2.45-78.65%), carvacrol (1.84-49.38%), α-terpineol (1.79-17.1%), borneol (.68-3.8%), linalool (.5-39.05%), 1,8cineole (.53- 8.39%), p-cymene (.38 ⊟7.74%) represented the mager compounds.

The highest oil yields were obtained from Mazandaran 2 (2.5%) and Rudbar (2.3%) populations and lowest oil yields were obtained from Avan (1.1%) and Alamut (1.09%) populations. The highest level of thymol was obtained from Piranshahr (78.65%) and Semnan (60.80%) populations and lowest level of it obtained from Mazandaran 2 (2.45%), Siahkal (3.95%) populations. The highest level of carvacrol was exist in Mazandaran 2 (49.38%) and Rudbar (39.68%) populations. In this study, the linalool and α-terpineol were found as the main constituents of essential oil.
Challenges to Professional Football Companies and their Answers with Particular Regard to Organisational Changes
Authors: Bács Éva Bába Ms
Published: July 2014

Professional football has been going through a period of unprecedented economic growth since the ’90s. Football ventures are increasingly becoming medium-sized companies. There have also been organizational changes, reflected in changes in the legal forms of professional football clubs, and in the use of modern controlling, planning, risk and financial management. Important questions remain unanswered with regard to the financing of football clubs, such as the impact of risks or the market value of capital costs. In addition to liquidity and the above, the acceptance of the determinational dependence of certain capital funds on sports results and the development of a strategy suitable for the optimal target system are also important requirements. In this article, we would like to present the answers football companies have given to the challenges they have been facing which affect their organisational system. In the light of international comparison, we examine the status of Hungarian football, which was once world famous and enjoyed better times in the past.
Changes of Isotopic Composition in Gases Emitted from Wastewater Treatment Plant - Preliminary Study
Authors: Stelmach Wioleta , Szarlip Paweł , Trembaczowski Andrzej
Published: July 2014

Investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment have progressed beyond the stage of technology. Currently, great numbers of representatives of diverse specialist research apply increasingly sophisticated measurement methods that have not been employed in this field of science. One of the methods is IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry). Tracking changes in the ratios of biogenic element isotopes is useful in eg identification and monitoring of investigated processes. Since the IRMS technique has hardly been used for investigations of the wastewater treatment process, pilot research should be instigated to determine the isotope ratios occurring naturally in the process. The aim of the study was to determine changes in carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios at the successive stages of the technological line in wastewater treatment plants. The study material comprised: i) suspensions of raw sewage and mixtures of wastewater and activated sludge; ii) gases sampled from the volume of the suspensions; iii) gases sampled from the air above the suspension surface. The research material originated from the facilities of “Hajdow” municipal wastewater treatment plant in Lublin (SE Poland). The samples were analysed for the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and the concentrations of the gases as well as total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC), Kjeldahl nitrogen (KN), dry weight, pH, and Eh were determined. The results obtained suggest that: i) the IRMS technique can be successfully applied in investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment; ii) isotope ratios in the carbon and nitrogen compounds (CO2 and N2) both in the suspensions and gases contained therein and in the air above them differ from each other and change at the different stages of the treatment process; iii) further research is indispensable in order to identify processes responsible for fractionation of carbon and nitrogen isotopes.
A Profile of Romanian Highly Educated Eco-Consumers Interested in Product Recycling A Statistical Approach
Authors: Simionescu Mihaela
Published: July 2014

The objective of this research is to create a profile of the Romanian eco-consumer with university education. The profile is not limited to the information regarding environmental and economic benefits of recycling, but focuses on ecological behaviour. A detailed statistical analysis was made based on a large representative sample of respondents with secondary and university education. Indeed, the tendency of practical ecobehaviour becomes more pronounced for the people with university education. For people that are more than 30 years old the chance of being aware of the significance of the recycling symbols on the packages decreases, the lowest chance being given to people aged more than 50. The respondents that are interested in environment protection buy products with ecological symbols. However, those people who already know the meaning of these symbols do not buy this type of products for ecological reasons, even if they are interested in the environment protection. This research also offers an extensive description of its results, being an opportunity for the respondents to know more about the meaning of the recycling symbols. The results of this research also provide information being a guideline for consumers. This study achieves two main goals: the ecological component (the eco-consumers were identified and ordinary consumers were attracted through the ecological behaviour) and the economic aspect (the resources allocation will be more efficient and the marketers will be able to address ecoconsumers who have specific characteristics).
Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During a Women's Overhand Lacrosse Shot
Authors: Millard Brianna M. , Mercer John A.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to describe lower extremity muscle activity during the lacrosse shot. Participants (n=5 females, age 22±2 years, body height 162.6±15.2 cm, body mass 63.7±23.6 kg) were free from injury and had at least one year of lacrosse experience. The lead leg was instrumented with electromyography (EMG) leads to measure muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (GA). Participants completed five trials of a warm-up speed shot (Slow) and a game speed shot (Fast). Video analysis was used to identify the discrete events defining specific movement phases. Full-wave rectified data were averaged per muscle per phase (Crank Back Minor, Crank Back Major, Stick Acceleration, Stick Deceleration). Average EMG per muscle was analyzed using a 4 (Phase) x 2 (Speed) ANOVA. BF was greater during Fast vs. Slow for all phases (p<0.05), while TA was not influenced by either Phase or Speed (p>0.05). RF and GA were each influenced by the interaction of Phase and Speed (p<0.05) with GA being greater during Fast vs. Slow shots during all phases and RF greater during Crank Back Minor and Major as well as Stick Deceleration (p<0.05) but only tended to be greater during Stick Acceleration (p=0.076) for Fast vs. Slow. The greater muscle activity (BF, RF, GA) during Fast vs. Slow shots may have been related to a faster approach speed and/or need to create a stiff lower extremity to allow for faster upper extremity movements.
Characterization of phytoplasmas related to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' subgroup rpI-L in Iran
Authors: Vali-Sichani Fereshteh , Bahar Masoud , Zirak Leila
Published: July 2014

In two of Iran's central provinces, several herbaceous plants showing phytoplasma disease symptoms were collected to detect 'Canididatus Phytoplasma asteris'-related phytoplasmas. Confirmation of an association of phytoplasmas with diseased plants was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays having the phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/ R16R2 in nested PCR. Then, for detection of 'Ca. P. asteris', DNA samples were subjected to amplification of rp and tuf genes using specific primer pairs rp(I)F1A/rp(I)R1A and fTufAy/rTufAy, respectively. Restriction fragment length polymorphism or RFLP analyses of rp gene fragments using Tsp509I restriction enzyme as well as sequence analyses indicated that 'Ca. P. asteris'-related phytoplasmas associated with carrot, niger seed and scallion plants in these regions, belong to the rpI-L subgroup. This research is the first report of carrot, niger seed, and scallion infection with phytoplasmas belonging to the rpI-L subgroup.
Defining and Analyzing Disability in Human Enhancement
Authors: Bose Dev
Published: July 2014

Human Enhancement Technologies (HET) offer valuable assistance for individuals with disabilities. Alongside these opportunities, it is important to consider the ethics that inevitably emerge. The field of disability studies recognizes that disability is a key aspect of human experience and that the study of disability has important political, social, and economic implications for society as a whole, including both disabled and nondisabled people. This chapter raises ethical questions about HET for disability through review of the literature surrounding this topic. To evaluate the ethical implications of regulating enhancement technologies for disability, medical and social models of disability are applied towards select cases. This chapter responds to the work of select disability scholars (see Dolmage; Kerschbaum & Price; Meloncon & Oswal; Vidali) by characterizing ethical perspectives from medical and social lenses. While a medical interpretation of disability offers a stark and impersonal approach, a social interpretation offers a detailed and individualistic one. The majority of scholarship noted here favors the social model. The framework presented herein seeks to abide by the social model of disability. Since HET have become an ethically contested field of discourse today, this chapter divides the literature into the following sections: 1) definitions, distinctions, and challenges of medical and social models of disability; 2) ambiguity, authenticity, and the ab/normality construct; 3) forced privacy and the privilege to hide; and 4) recent trends in regulation and the ethics of development.
Quick test for qualitative detection of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.)
Authors: Pratchler Jessica , Shirriff Scott W. , Beckie Hugh J.
Published: July 2014

Pratchler, J., Shirriff, S. W. and Beckie, H. J. 2014. Quick test for qualitative detection of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1413–1417. A growth chamber study was conducted to determine the feasibility of developing a quick, yet reliable assay to detect glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia. Seeds of six kochia populations, three GR and three non-GR (susceptible), were placed on filter paper in dishes treated with varying doses of glyphosate. After 7-d incubation, seedlings with a true leaf (i.e., not cotyledons) at 25 mg L−1 glyphosate accurately distinguished GR from susceptible kochia seed lots. This bioassay can facilitate more timely confirmation of GR kochia, thereby aiding resistant weed management.
Endomyocardial Fibrosis (EMF) in a Ugandan Child with Advanced Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: Coincidence or Connection?
Authors: Bustinduy Amaya L. , Luzinda Kenneth , Mpoya Simon , Gothard Philip , Stone Neil , Wright Stephen , Stothard J. Russell
Published: July 2014

An association between late-stage hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) has been suggested but not proven. We present the case of a 12-year-old Ugandan boy with striking comorbidities, including advanced periportal fibrosis caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection and right ventricular EMF, and discuss the possible correlation between both diseases.
Changing the core of transcription
Authors: Jones Katherine A
Published: July 2014

Different members of the TAF family of proteins work in differentiated cells, such as motor neurons or brown fat cells, to control the expression of genes that are specific to each cell type.
Hard Rules and Soft Rules for XBRL
Authors: Fang Jianing
Published: July 2014

In January 2009, the SEC issued its final mandate for conversion to XBRL standards for financial statement reporting. However, the implementation has been painfully slow in the United States. In this article, I will investigate the factors impeding the XBRL conversion progress. I will recommend some available XBRL software for the “bolt-on,” “built-in,” and “deeply embedded” implementations. I will also try to help the readers understand all the major components of the XBRL taxonomy.
Experimental determination of the kinetics of formation of the benzene‐ethane co‐crystal and implications for Titan
Authors: Cable Morgan L. , Vu Tuan H. , Hodyss Robert , Choukroun Mathieu , Malaska Michael J. , Beauchamp Patricia
Published: July 2014

Benzene is found on Titan and is a likely constituent of the putative evaporite deposits formed around the hydrocarbon lakes. We have recently demonstrated the formation of a benzene‐ethane co‐crystal under Titan‐like surface conditions. Here we investigate the kinetics of formation of this new structure as a function of temperature. We show that the formation process would reach completion under Titan surface conditions in ~18 h and that benzene precipitates from liquid ethane as the co‐crystal. This suggests that benzene‐rich evaporite basins around ethane/methane lakes and seas may not contain pure crystalline benzene, but instead benzene‐ethane co‐crystals. This co‐crystalline form of benzene with ethane represents a new class of materials for Titan's surface, analogous to hydrated minerals on Earth. This new structure may also influence evaporite characteristics such as particle size, dissolution rate, and infrared spectral properties.
Multifunctional Inorganic Nanocontainers for DNA and Drug Delivery into Living Cells
Authors: Lülf Henning , Bertucci Alessandro , Septiadi Dedy , Corradini Roberto , De Cola Luisa
Published: July 2014

The design and synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials could lead to applications relevant for biomedicine. Manufacturing porous particles to make them able to carry bioactive molecules into living cells represents a substantial goal towards the development of powerful tools for nanomedicine. This work describes a first example of using zeolite‐L crystals as multifunctional nanocontainers to simultaneously deliver DNA oligonucleotides and organic molecules into living cells. Multifunctional zeolite‐L was prepared by filling the pore system with guest molecules, whilst DNA was adsorbed electrostatically on their surface. The release kinetics of DNA and of the guest molecules into living cells was studied to prove the multiple‐drug‐delivery ability of the system. The localization of all the components in different cellular compartments was followed. The presented system may be a prototype for the development of novel nanoparticles for drug delivery and gene therapy.
Dephasing and Dissipation in a Source–Drain Model of Light‐Harvesting Systems
Authors: Xiong Shi‐Jie , Chen Lipeng , Zhao Yang
Published: July 2014

The energy transport process in natural‐light‐harvesting systems is investigated by solving the time‐dependent Schrödinger equation for a source–network–drain model incorporating the effects of dephasing and dissipation, owing to coupling with the environment. In this model, the network consists of electronically coupled chromophores, which can host energy excitations (excitons) and are connected to source channels, from which the excitons are generated, thereby simulating exciton creation from sunlight. After passing through the network, excitons are captured by the reaction centers and converted into chemical energy. In addition, excitons can reradiate in green plants as photoluminescent light or be destroyed by nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). These annihilation processes are described in the model by outgoing channels, which allow the excitons to spread to infinity. Besides the photoluminescent reflection, the NPQ processes are the main outgoing channels accompanied by energy dissipation and dephasing. From the simulation of wave‐packet dynamics in a one‐dimensional chain, it is found that, without dephasing, the motion remains superdiffusive or ballistic, despite the strong energy dissipation. At an increased dephasing rate, the wave‐packet motion is found to switch from superdiffusive to diffusive in nature. When a steady energy flow is injected into a site of a linear chain, exciton dissipation along the chain, owing to photoluminescence and NPQ processes, is examined by using a model with coherent and incoherent outgoing channels. It is found that channel coherence leads to suppression of dissipation and multiexciton super‐radiance. With this method, the effects of NPQ and dephasing on energy transfer in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex are investigated. The NPQ process and the photochemical reflection are found to significantly reduce the energy‐transfer efficiency in the complex, whereas the dephasing process slightly enhances the efficiency. The calculated absorption spectrum reproduces the main features of the measured counterpart. As a comparison, the exciton dynamics are also studied in a linear chain of pigments and in a multiple‐ring system of light‐harvesting complexes II (LH2) from purple bacteria by using the Davydov D1 ansatz. It is found that the exciton transport shows superdiffusion characteristics in both the chain and the LH2 rings.
Adsorption of Large Hydrocarbons on Coinage Metals: A van der Waals Density Functional Study
Authors: Björk Jonas , Stafström Sven
Published: July 2014

The adsorption of organic molecules onto the close‐packed facets of coinage metals is studied, and how accurately adsorption heights can be described by using recent advances of the van der Waals density functional (vdWDF), with optPBE/vdWDF, optB86b/vdWDF, vdWDF2, and rev/vdWDF2 functionals is illustrated. The adsorption of two prototypical aromatic hydrocarbons is investigated, and the calculated adsorption heights are compared to experimental literature values from normal incident X‐ray standing wave absorption and a state‐of‐the‐art semi‐empirical method. It is shown that both the optB86b/vdWDF and rev/vdWDF2 functionals describe adsorption heights with an accuracy of 0.1 Å, compared to experimental values, and are concluded as reliable methods of choice for related systems.
A nonmonotonic modal authorization logic for pervasive computing
Authors: Noorollahi Ali , Fallah Mehran S.
Published: July 2014

Modal logics have proven invaluable for authorization in distributed systems. The logics devised so far, however, are inadequate to meet the requirements of pervasive environments. Such environments are, in general, characterized as open systems in which computing and communication facilities are provided to human users in a dynamic manner. These features suggest the need for the modification of existing logics in two directions. First, users’ capabilities being intrinsic to pervasive computing should be incorporated into the underlying modal logic. Second, the logic should be equipped with appropriate machinery so that it can deal with the imperfection in the information required for authorization. This paper has contributions in both directions. We present a logic that reflects how the capabilities of users change in different contexts. Nonmonotonicity is then added to the logic so that earlier decisions based on imperfect information can be retracted. The usefulness of our formulation is demonstrated through the added capacity it provides for specifying and enforcing access control policies in real‐life environments. We also present a minimal model semantics that reflects nonmonotonicity through the way it gives meaning to the formulas of the logic. Finally, we propose a sound and complete decision procedure based on semantic tableaux. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of Malcolm Clarke (1930–2013) in the Azores as a scientist and educationist
Authors: Gomes-Pereira J.N. , Prieto R. , Neves V. , Xavier J. , Pham C. , Gonçalves J. , Porteiro F. , Santos R. , Martins H.
Published: July 2014

Malcolm Roy Clarke (1930–2013) was a British teuthologist who made an important contribution to marine science in the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Malcolm started doing research in the Azores from 1980s onward, settling for residency in 2000 after retirement (in 1987). He kept publishing on Azorean cephalopods collaborating in 20% of the peer reviewed works focusing on two main areas: dietary studies; and the ecology of cephalopods on seamounts. Since his first visit in 1981, he was involved in the description of the dietary ecology of several cetaceans, seabirds, and large pelagic and deep-water fish. Using his own data, Malcolm revised the association of cephalopods with seamounts, updating and enlarging the different cephalopod groups according to species behaviour and ecology. Malcolm taught several students working in the Azores on cephalopods and beak identification, lecturing the Third International Workshop in Faial (2007). He empowered the recently established research community, by providing important contacts with foreign institutes and informal advice. He collaborated in the regional cetacean stranding network (RACA) and was an active member of the advisory board of the journal Arquipelago—Life and Marine Sciences. But the scientific role of Malcolm Clarke in the Azores went beyond his academic activities. In the last 10 years Malcolm and Dot Clarke dedicated themselves to building and running a museum on Pico Island, showing the biology of the sperm whale and its interaction with squid; a cultural and touristic legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Rapid determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water based on magnetite nanoparticles/polypyrrole magnetic solid-phase extraction
Authors: Xu Sheng-Nan , Zhao Qin , He Hai-Bo , Yuan Bi-Feng , Feng Yu-Qi , Yu Qiong-Wei
Published: July 2014

A sensitive and less time-consuming method was established by coupling MSPE with GC-MS for the analysis of PAHs in environmental water samples.
Structural elucidation of foldamers with no long range conformational order
Authors: Kudo Mayumi , Maurizot Victor , Masu Hyuma , Tanatani Aya , Huc Ivan
Published: July 2014

How do partly folded foldamers look like?
Tuning the underwater oleophobicity of graphene oxide coatings via UV irradiation
Authors: Li Hang , Huang Yi , Mao Yating , Xu Weiwei L. , Ploehn Harry J. , Yu Miao
Published: July 2014

UV-irradiation has been utilized as an effective and facile approach to tune the underwater oleophobicity of GO coatings/membranes by gradually modifying GO flake composition and surface morphology.
Ligand-controlled divergent formation of alkenyl- or allylboronates catalyzed by Pd, and synthetic applications
Authors: Martos-Redruejo Alicia , López-Durán Ruth , Buñuel Elena , Cárdenas Diego J.
Published: July 2014

Pd-catalysed reactions of allyl carbonates containing alkynes with B2(pin)2 afford either alkenylboronates by cascade borylative cyclisation, or allylboronates. The reaction outcome is controlled by a suitable choice of ligands. Boronates have been applied to a number of synthetic applications.
An efficient regioselective hydrodifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes with TMSCF2CO2Et at ambient temperature
Authors: Ma Guobin , Wan Wen , Li Jialiang , Hu Qingyang , Jiang Haizhen , Zhu Shizheng , Wang Jing , Hao Jian
Published: July 2014

An efficient regioselective hydrodifluoromethylation of diverse unactivated vicinal alkenes is described. The primary mechanistic investigations indicate that a CF2COOEt radical species is involved.
Highly efficient organocatalytic synthesis of diverse and densely functionalized 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans under mechanochemical ball milling
Authors: Dekamin Mohammad G. , Eslami Mohammad
Published: July 2014

An improved, one-pot, three-component and environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of a wide range of densely functionalized 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran annulated derivatives has been described under mechanochemical ball-milling conditions at ambient temperature.
Integrated conversion of agroindustrial residue with high pressure CO2within the biorefinery concept
Authors: Morais Ana R. C. , Mata Ana C. , Bogel-Lukasik Rafal
Published: July 2014

Xylo-oligosaccharide production together with glucose formation during the enzymatic hydrolysis is the best approach for waste biomass CO2-accompanied valorisation.
Multicomponent reactions for facile access to coumarin-fused dihydroquinolines and quinolines: synthesis and photophysical studies
Authors: Khan Md. Nasim , Pal Suman , Karamthulla Shaik , Choudhury Lokman H.
Published: July 2014

A three-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin, aldehydes and aromatic amines in the presence of catalytic amounts of Bi(OTf)3 is reported. Photophysical studies of these molecules showed that coumarin-fused dihydroquinolines exhibit significant quantum yields.
Sensing probe for 3–6 GHz microwave imaging systems
Authors: Lee Kwang‐Jae , Kim Jang‐Yeol , Son Seong‐Ho , Lee Jongmoon , Jeon Soonik
Published: July 2014

A sensing probe for medical imaging diagnostic systems is presented. The proposed probe consists of a double‐ridged waveguide (DRWG) filled with dielectric ceramic and an aperture with a tapered ridge. The DRWG is used to suppress higher‐order mode radiations in the rectangular waveguide. The proposed probe is designed for broadband sensing in an immersion liquid with a complex dielectric constant. The performance of the fabricated probe successfully covers the frequency band of 3–6 GHz. The probe suppresses higher‐order modes and provides symmetric and similar radiation patterns within the operating frequency range.
Wang-Landau density of states based study of the folding-unfolding transition in the mini-protein Trp-cage (TC5b)
Authors: Singh Priya , Sarkar Subir K. , Bandyopadhyay Pradipta
Published: July 2014

We present the results of a high-statistics equilibrium study of the folding/unfolding transition for the 20-residue mini-protein Trp-cage (TC5b) in water. The ECEPP/3 force field is used and the interaction with water is treated by a solvent-accessible surface area method. A Wang-Landau type simulation is used to calculate the density of states and the conditional probabilities for the various values of the radius of gyration and the number of native contacts at fixed values of energy—along with a systematic check on their convergence. All thermodynamic quantities of interest are calculated from this information. The folding-unfolding transition corresponds to a peak in the temperature dependence of the computed specific heat. This is corroborated further by the structural signatures of folding in the distributions for radius of gyration and the number of native contacts as a function of temperature. The potentials of mean force are also calculated for these variables, both separately and jointly. A local free energy minimum, in addition to the global minimum, is found in a temperature range substantially below the folding temperature. The free energy at this second minimum is approximately 5 kBT higher than the value at the global minimum.
A time-dependent density-functional theory and complete active space self-consistent field method study of vibronic absorption and emission spectra of coumarin
Authors: Li Junfeng , Rinkevicius Zilvinas , Cao Zexing
Published: July 2014

Time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) and complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations have been used to determine equilibrium structures and vibrational frequencies of the ground state and several singlet low-lying excited states of coumarin. Vertical and adiabatic transition energies of S1, S2, and S3 have been estimated by TD-B3LYP and CASSCF/PT2. Calculations predict that the dipole-allowed S1 and S3 states have a character of 1(ππ*), while the dipole-forbidden 1(nπ*) state is responsible for S2. The vibronic absorption and emission spectra of coumarin have been simulated by TD-B3LYP and CASSCF calculations within the Franck-Condon approximation, respectively. The simulated vibronic spectra show good agreement with the experimental observations available, which allow us to reasonably interpret vibronic features in the S0→S1 and S0→S3 absorption and the S0←S1 emission spectra. Based on the calculated results, activity, intensity, and density of the vibronic transitions and their contribution to the experimental spectrum profile have been discussed.
Thermal resistance at an interface between a crystal and its melt
Authors: Liang Zhi , Evans William J. , Keblinski Pawel
Published: July 2014

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to determine interfacial thermal resistance (Kapitza resistance) between a crystal and its melt for three materials including Ar, H2O, and C8H18 (octane). The simulation results show that the Kapitza resistance at a crystal-melt interface is very small and thus has a negligible effect on thermal transport across the crystal-melt interface. The underlying origins of this behavior are the very good vibrational property match between the two materials forming the interface and good interfacial bonding. The result also indicates that the commonly-used assumption that temperature profile is continuous at the crystal-melt interface is valid even in the case of very rapid crystal melting or growth.
Tuning the band structure, magnetic and transport properties of the zigzag graphene nanoribbons/hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures by transverse electric field
Authors: Ilyasov V. V. , Meshi B. C. , Nguyen V. C. , Ershov I. V. , Nguyen D. C.
Published: July 2014

The paper presents the results of ab initio study of the opportunities for tuning the band structure, magnetic and transport properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbon (8-ZGNR) on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN(0001)) semiconductor heterostructure by transverse electric field (Eext). This study was performed within the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) using Grimme's (DFT-D2) scheme. We established the critical values of Eext for the 8-ZGNR/h-BN(0001) heterostructure, thereby providing for semiconductor-halfmetal transition in one of electron spin configurations. This study also showed that the degeneration in energy of the localized edge states is removed when Eext is applied. In ZGNR/h-BN (0001) heterostructure, value of the splitting energy was higher than one in ZGNRs without substrate. We determined the effect of low Eext applied to the 8-ZGNR/h-BN (0001) semiconductor heterostructure on the preserved local magnetic moment (LMM) (0.3μB) of edge carbon atoms. The transport properties of the 8-ZGNR/h-BN(0001) semiconductor heterostructure can be controlled using Eext. In particular, at a critical value of the positive potential, the electron mobility can increase to 7× 105 cm2/V s or remain at zero in the spin-up and spin-down electron subsystems, respectively. We established that magnetic moments (MMs), band gaps, and carrier mobility can be altered using Eext. These abilities enable the use of 8-ZGNR/h-BN(0001) semiconductor heterostructure in spintronics.
The effect of plasma background on the instability of two non-parallel quantum plasma shells in whole K space
Authors: Mehdian H. , Hajisharifi K. , Hasanbeigi A.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, quantum fluid equations together with Maxwell's equations are used to study the stability problem of non-parallel and non-relativistic plasma shells colliding over a “background plasma” at arbitrary angle, as a first step towards a microscopic understanding of the collision shocks. The calculations have been performed for all magnitude and directions of wave vectors. The colliding plasma shells in the vacuum region have been investigated in the previous works as a counter-streaming model. While, in the presence of background plasma (more realistic system), the colliding shells are mainly non-paralleled. The obtained results show that the presence of background plasma often suppresses the maximum growth rate of instabilities (in particular case, this behavior is contrary). It is also found that the largest maximum growth rate occurs for the two-stream instability of the configuration consisting of counter-streaming currents in a very dilute plasma background. The results derived in this study can be used to analyze the systems of three colliding plasma slabs, provided that the used coordinate system is stationary relative to the one of the particle slabs. The present analytical investigations can be applied to describe the quantum violent astrophysical phenomena such as white dwarf stars collision with other dense astrophysical bodies or supernova remnants. Moreover, at the limit of ℏ→0, the obtained results described the classical (sufficiently dilute) events of colliding plasma shells such as gamma-ray bursts and flares in the solar winds.
Measuring low loss dielectric substrates with scanning probe microscopes
Authors: Hoffmann Johannes , Gramse Georg , Niegemann Jens , Zeier Markus , Kienberger Ferry
Published: July 2014

This letter presents an algorithm for measuring the relative permittivity of thick dielectric substrates with scanning probe microscopy. Our technique does not rely on a specific type of microscopy setup and does not require expensive numerical field simulations. To demonstrate the versatility of our method, we perform measurements at high frequencies (18 GHz) with a scanning microwave microscope and at low frequencies (2 kHz) with electrostatic force microscopy. In our experiments, we study dielectric materials with epsilon values ranging from 4 (SiO2) to 300 (SrTiO3). For low epsilon values, the accuracy of the algorithm is better than 2% for tips with less than 80 nm tip radius.
In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and capacitance voltage characterization of plasma treatments for Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN stacks
Authors: Qin Xiaoye , Lucero Antonio , Azcatl Angelica , Kim Jiyoung , Wallace Robert M.
Published: July 2014

We investigate the Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor structure pretreated by O2 anneals, N2 remote plasma, and forming gas remote plasma prior to atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and capacitance- voltage measurements. Plasma pretreatments reduce the Ga-oxide/oxynitride formation and the interface state density, while inducing a threshold voltage instability.