bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An AuNPs-functionalized AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor sensor for ultrasensitive detection of TNT
Authors: Guo Yahui , Wang Xiongtao , Miao Bin , Li Ying , Yao Weirong , Xie Yunfei , Li Jiadong , Wu Dongmin , Pei Renjun
Published: November 2015

In this work, we developed a gold nanoparticle functionalized AlGaN/GaN HEMT sensor for fast and ultrasensitive detection of TNT. This HEMT sensor showed attractive properties for TNT detection in terms of speed, sensitivity and miniaturization.
Highly efficient one-pot four-component Kabachnik–Fields synthesis of novel α-amino phosphonates under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions
Authors: Rashid Zahra , Naeimi Hossein , Ghahremanzadeh Ramin
Published: November 2015

A simple and safe one-pot four component synthesis of Kabachnik–Fields synthesis of novel α-amino phosphonates under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions is reported.
Synthesis of bentonite clay based hydroxyapatite nanocomposites cross-linked by glutaraldehyde and optimization by response surface methodology for lead removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Choudhury Piyali Roy , Mondal Priyanka , Majumdar Swachchha
Published: November 2015

The synthesis and characterization of novel BT–HAp nanocomposites is described and their adsorption of lead from aqueous solution followed by RSM optimization is demonstrated.
Influence of hydrophilic dyes on the phase transition of a thermoresponsive hyperbranched polymer
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Liu Hua-Ji , Chen Yu
Published: November 2015

The influences of hydrophilic dyes on the phase transition behaviors of HPEI-IBAm in the neutral and charged state were different.
Tuning the physical properties of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,3-dione-based highly efficient large band gap polymers via the chemical modification on the polymer backbone for polymer solar cells
Authors: Tamilavan Vellaiappillai , Lee Dal Yong , Agneeswari Rajalingam , Cho Shinuk , Jin Youngeup , Park Sung Heum , Hyun Myung Ho
Published: November 2015

The property modulation of DPPD-based high energy converting large band gap polymer (PBDT–DPPD) was studied via the incorporation of strong electron accepting TPD, TT or DPP units on the polymer backbone.
A catalytic route to dibenzodiazepines involving Buchwald–Hartwig coupling: reaction scope and mechanistic consideration
Authors: Peixoto Daniela , Locati Abel , Marques Carolina S. , Goth Albertino , Ramalho J. P. Prates , Burke Anthony J.
Published: November 2015

We report a new synthetic method for the synthesis of a family of dibenzodiazepines (DBDAs), employing Pd-catalyzed C–N coupling of o-bromoaldimine, with o-bromoaniline as the key step.
Rectangular ZnO porous nano-plate assembly with excellent acetone sensing performance and catalytic activity
Authors: Giri Arnab Kanti , Saha Arka , Mondal Aniruddha , Chandra Ghosh Subhash , Kundu Susmita , Panda Asit Baran
Published: November 2015

An assembled porous rectangular single crystalline ZnO plate with superior acetone sensing performance and catalytic activity is presented.
Preparation of a silica nanospheres/graphene oxide hybrid and its application in phenolic foams with improved mechanical strengths, friability and flame retardancy
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Wang Zhengzhou , Wu Lixin
Published: November 2015

A silica nanospheres/graphene oxide hybrid (SGO) was synthesized, and it is found that SGO can greatly improve the mechanical strengths, thermal stability and flame retardancy of phenolic foams.
Overexpression of div8 increases the production and diversity of divergolides in Streptomyces sp. W112
Authors: Zhao Guishi , Li Shanren , Guo Zhixing , Sun Mingwei , Lu Chunhua
Published: November 2015

Isolation and structure elucidation of divergolides from Streptomyces sp. HKI0576 revealed unusual ansamycin diversification reactions and the biosynthetic flexibility of the divergolide family.
Structural analysis of metal-doped calcium oxalate
Authors: Weber Eva , Levy Davide , Ben Sasson Matanya , Fitch Andy N. , Pokroy Boaz
Published: November 2015

Calcium oxalate is a promising candidate towards the purification of environmental metal contaminants by adsorption and incorporation processes.
Enhancement in membrane performances of a commercial polyamide reverse osmosis membrane via surface coating of polydopamine followed by the grafting of polyethylenimine
Authors: Li Hao , Peng Lei , Luo Yunbai , Yu Ping
Published: November 2015

A commercial aromatic polyamide RO membrane was modified via surface coating of polydopamine followed by the grafting of polyethylenimine. The modification enhanced the chlorine resistance, anti-fouling and antibacterial properties of the membrane.
Magnetic Fe3O4@MOFs decorated graphene nanocomposites as novel electrochemical sensor for ultrasensitive detection of dopamine
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Yun , Hou Chen , Liu Mingzhu
Published: November 2015

A novel hybrid nanocomposite of magnetic Fe3O4@ZIF-8 decorated reduced graphite was prepared and used to determination of dopamine.
Mechanistic and stereoselectivity study for the reaction of trifluoropyruvates with arylpropenes catalyzed by a cationic Lewis acid rhodium complex
Authors: Wang Yang , Guo Xiaokang , Wu Bohua , Wei Donghui , Tang Mingsheng
Published: November 2015

The mechanism and stereoselectivity of a Lewis acid catalyzed carbonyl–ene reaction of trifluoropyruvates with arylpropenes have been investigated using a DFT method.
Hydroconversion of carboxylic acids using mesoporous SBA-15 supported NiMo sulfide catalysts under microwaves
Authors: Meechai Titiya , Leclerc Emmanuel , Laurenti Dorothée , Somsook Ekasith , Geantet Christophe
Published: November 2015

Hydrogenation of octanoic acid was performed in a continuous manner, using microwaves (MW), and a supported metal sulfide catalyst.
Self-assembled metallic nanoparticle superlattices on large-area graphene thin films: growth and evanescent waveguiding properties
Authors: Ouyang Tianhao , Akbari-Sharbaf Arash , Park Jaewoo , Bauld Reg , Cottam Michael G. , Fanchini Giovanni
Published: November 2015

Self-assembly of copper nanoparticle (Cu-np) superlattices on graphene thin films is demonstrated. These superlattices show visible light evanescent waveguiding properties.
Visible light-mediated gold-catalysed carbon(sp2)–carbon(sp) cross-coupling
Authors: Kim Suhong , Rojas-Martin Jaime , Toste F. Dean
Published: November 2015

A new method for the alkynylation of aryldiazonium salts with TMS-alkynes via dual gold and photoredox catalysis is described.
Diffusion and reactivity in ultraviscous aerosol and the correlation with particle viscosity
Authors: Marshall Frances H. , Miles Rachael E. H. , Song Young-Chul , Ohm Peter B. , Power Rory M. , Reid Jonathan P. , Dutcher Cari S.
Published: November 2015

Direct comparison of diffusion coefficients and viscosities of ternary component single aerosol particles levitated using optical tweezers.
Activating peptides for cellular uptake via polymerization into high density brushes
Authors: Blum Angela P. , Kammeyer Jacquelin K. , Gianneschi Nathan C.
Published: November 2015

The utility of peptide therapeutics is thwarted by an inability to enter cells, preventing access to crucial intracellular targets.
Solid state lithiation–delithiation of sulphur in sub-nano confinement: a new concept for designing lithium–sulphur batteries
Authors: Fu Chengyin , Wong Bryan M. , Bozhilov Krassimir N. , Guo Juchen
Published: November 2015

Sub-nano confinement of sulphur enables a solid-state lithium–sulfur electrochemical reaction mechanism in liquid electrolytes.
Base pairing involving artificial bases in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Bande Omprakash , Braddick Darren , Agnello Stefano , Jang Miyeon , Pezo Valérie , Schepers Guy , Rozenski Jef , Lescrinier Eveline , Marlière Philippe , Herdewijn Piet
Published: November 2015

Herein we report the synthesis, base pairing properties andin vivotransliteration ofN8-glycosylated 8-aza-deoxyguanosine and 8-aza-9-deaza-deoxyguanosine nucleotides with 8-amino-deoxyinosine, 1-N-methyl-8-amino-deoxyinosine and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-deoxy-inosine/adenosine/guanosine as pairing partners.
Fusing N-heteroacene analogues into one “kinked” molecule with slipped two-dimensional ladder-like packing
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Chengyuan , Long Guankui , Aratani Naoki , Yamada Hiroko , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2015

An unexpected N-heteroacene with a slipped two-dimensional ladder-like packing feature shows a hole mobility up to 0.3 cm2 V−1 s−1, while theoretical calculations suggest that this compound possesses potential well-balanced ambipolar charge-transport characteristics.
Dual-sized NiFe layered double hydroxides in situ grown on oxygen-decorated self-dispersal nanocarbon as enhanced water oxidation catalysts
Authors: Zhu Xiaolin , Tang Cheng , Wang Hao-Fan , Zhang Qiang , Yang Chaohe , Wei Fei
Published: November 2015

A complex of hierarchically structured hydroxides with oxygen-decorated graphene/carbon nanotube hybrids was fabricated through defect-anchored nucleation andin situgrowth towards superior reactivity for oxygen evolution.
Air bubble promoted large scale synthesis of luminescent ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Koch S. , Späth S. , Shmeliov A. , Nicolosi V. , Mandel K.
Published: November 2015

Luminescent zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile one-pot sol–gel synthesis route using zinc acetate dihydrate and potassium hydroxide as cheap precursors. It is demonstrated that dissolved oxygen plays a key role in the synthesis of nanoparticles.
Flexible inorganic–organic thin film phosphors by ALD/MLD
Authors: Giedraityte Z. , Sundberg P. , Karppinen M.
Published: November 2015

Hybrid europium-based inorganic–organic thin films with excellent luminescent properties can be fabricated on flexible substrates in an atomic/molecular layer-by-layer manner using the ALD/MLD technique.
3D-ordered carbon materials by melt-shear organization for tailor-made hybrid core–shell polymer particle architectures
Authors: Vowinkel S. , Schäfer C. G. , Cherkashinin G. , Fasel C. , Roth F. , Liu N. , Dietz C. , Ionescu E. , Gallei M.
Published: November 2015

The melt-shear organization technique for tailor-made polystyrene-co-polyacrylonitrile (PSAN) shell and silica core particles is investigated yielding easy-scalable carbonaceous porous films after etching and appropriate thermal treatment.
IMC‐based current observer for PMSM
Authors: Huang Yanwei , Xiong Shaohua
Published: November 2015

A current observer based on an internal model control is derived to estimate uncertainties in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) caused by parameter variations and disturbances. Specially, a state‐space model for current loop is set up as the internal model, and an estimation law is derived by robust Lyapunov functions for the augmented state‐space model to improve the observer dynamics and stability index. Superior control performance on suppressing current ripple for PMSM is verified in experiments.
Performance improvements of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System enhanced uplink using mitigation scheme in single Tx and dual Rx dual‐SIM dual‐active devices
Authors: Jung G. , Park S.
Published: November 2015

Single Tx and dual Rx dual‐SIM dual‐active features can connect two separate networks at the same time using a single transmit chain through a timesharing schedule. The timesharing schedule sets the priority of the two simultaneous connections and assigns the user equipment uplink time slots to transmit data based on preference of the two simultaneous connections. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), two concurrent radio access technologies, are considered for performance evaluations. The UMTS uplink has a blank transmission because of lower priority assumption when the GSM uplink sends data simultaneously. This causes a degradation in UMTS performance. Thus a mitigation scheme for the UMTS uplink is proposed to minimise performance loss.
Vital sign normalisation for improving performance of multi‐parameter patient monitors
Authors: Kumar C.S. , Ramachandran K.I. , Kumar A.A.
Published: November 2015

Using covariance normalisation (CVN) of vital signs is explored to improve the performance of multi‐parameter patient monitors with heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) as its input. The baseline system for the experiments is a support vector machine classifier with a radial basis function kernel. Although an improvement in the overall classification accuracy with the use of CVN is obtained, there was a deterioration in sensitivity. Furthermore, it is noted that the estimate of the covariance is often noisy, and therefore the covariance estimates is smoothed to obtain a performance improvement of 0.23% absolute for sensitivity, 1.34% absolute for specificity, and 1.08% absolute for the overall classification accuracy. Multi‐parameter intelligent monitoring in intensive care II database for all the experiments is used.
Wideband dipole antenna using multiple‐mode resonator for long‐term evolution application
Authors: Zheng Yu‐Fa , Wong Sai‐Wai , Huang Qi‐Kai , Wang Kai , Zhu Lei , Chu Qing‐Xin
Published: November 2015

A coplanar waveguide fed wideband dipole antenna using a multiple‐mode resonator is proposed and developed. A simple dipole antenna structure is investigated for its wideband radiation performance by virtue of its single, double, triple and quadruplet resonant modes. Later, a metallic reflector is properly installed in order to provide a unidirectional radiation pattern as demanded for the long‐term evolution (LTE) application. In the design, a quadruplet‐mode wideband dipole antenna is explored to cover the LTE operation band with a 10 dB fractional bandwidth of 46.8%. Finally, an antenna prototype is fabricated and tested to experimentally verify the expected wideband property and predicted results.
Coordinated fault‐ride‐through strategy for doubly‐fed induction generators with enhanced reactive and active power support
Authors: Liu Sumei , Bi Tianshu , Jia Ke , Yang Qixun
Published: November 2015

With the fault ride through (FRT) requirement of grid codes, wind generators must stay connected and provide the reactive and active power support during and after the grid faults. The doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) usually employ an active rotor crowbar to ride‐through the faults. The solution works well to protect the DFIG itself, but it has shortcomings in the power support. In the paper, a coordinated FRT control strategy is investigated to improve the power support capability of the DFIGs under the fault conditions. In this strategy, a seamless switch is designed to resume the power control mode after the short‐term crowbar interruption. Additional compensation terms are inserted into the converter’s control loops to relieve the side‐effect of rotor transient current. The coordinated control of dc‐chopper circuit and rotor‐side converters is proposed to keep the dc‐link voltage within its acceptable range. Moreover, a novel voltage limiter is designed with consideration of the conflicting effect of rotor transient current, converter’s rating constraints and desired power goals. Compared with the conventional crowbar‐based strategies, the proposed strategy can fully utilise the DFIG’s potential to generate reactive and active power effectively. These performances have been demonstrated through the simulation and experimental tests.
Multi‐objective unit commitment with renewable energy using hybrid approach
Authors: Shukla Anup , Singh Sri Niwas
Published: November 2015

During the last few years, greenhouse gas emission especially from electric power generation is a major concern due to the global warming and environmental change, therefore, committing the generating units on minimum cost criterion is shifting toward minimising the cost with minimum emission. Due to the conflicting nature of economic and emission objectives, the generation scheduling becomes a multi‐objective problem. In this study, a weighted sum method is applied to convert multi‐objective problem to a single‐objective problem by linear combination of different objectives as a weighted sum and an efficient hybrid algorithm is presented for aiding unit commitment (UC) decisions in such environments. Due to uncertainty of wind power generation, the UC problem has become complex. To handle uncertainty, scenario generation and reduction techniques are used. The proposed hybrid approach is a combination of weighted improved crazy particle swarm optimisation with pseudo code algorithm, which is enhanced by extended priority list to handle the spinning reserve constraints and a heuristic search algorithm to handle minimum up/down time constraints. Simulation results confirm the potential and effectiveness of proposed approach after comparison with other methods reported in the literature.
Power plant control in large‐scale photovoltaic plants: design, implementation and validation in a 9.4 MW photovoltaic plant
Authors: Bullich‐Massagué Eduard , Ferrer‐San‐José Ricard , Aragüés‐Peñalba Mònica , Serrano‐Salamanca Luis , Pacheco‐Navas Carlos , Gomis‐Bellmunt Oriol
Published: November 2015

This study proposes an algorithm for active and reactive power management in large photovoltaic (PV) power plants. The algorithm is designed in order to fulfil the requirements of the most demanding grid codes and combines the utilisation of the PV inverters, fixed switched capacitors and static synchronous compensators. The control algorithm is simulated as required by the grid codes and validated on a real 9.4 MW PV power plant.
Hydraulic–pneumatic flywheel system in a wind turbine rotor for inertia control
Authors: Jauch Clemens , Hippel Sebastian
Published: November 2015

In this study a flywheel (FW) system, which is integrated in the rotor of a wind turbine (WT), is proposed. It is made of hydraulic–pneumatic piston accumulators and its primary purpose is to provide the power system with inertia. Power system inertia is an essential premise for primary frequency control. The equations describing the system are presented. Simulation results show that the performance of such a FW system is superior to the commonly used approach of using WTs to provide the power system with so‐called synthetic inertia.
Transness as Debility: Rethinking Intersections between Trans and Disabled Embodiments
Authors: Baril Alexandre
Published: November 2015

Some authors in disability studies have identified limits of both the medical and social models of disability. They have developed an alternative model, which I call the ‘composite model of disability’, to theorise societies’ ableist norms and structures along with the subjective/phenomenological experience of disability. This model maintains that ableist oppression is not the only source of suffering for disabled people: impairment can be as well. From a feminist, queer, trans activist, anti-ableist perspective and using an intersectional, autoethnographic methodology, I apply this composite model of disability to trans identities to consider the potentially ‘debilitating’ aspects of transness. I argue that transness, like disability, has too often been perceived from two perspectives, medical or social, without the benefit of a third option. From a medical perspective, transness is reduced to an individual pathology curable with hormonal/surgical treatments, a conceptualisation that erases structural oppression. From a social point of view, transness is conceptualised as a neutral condition and variation in sex/gender identity. In this model, structural oppression (transphobia/cisgenderism) is seen as the only cause of ‘trans suffering’. I argue that, just as the medical and social models of disability provide limited opportunities for reflection on the complex experience of disability, medical and social understandings of transness, respectively, are insufficient to describe the complexity of trans experience. I explore the possibilities presented by the application of a composite model of disability in trans studies. By both problematising cisgenderist oppression and acknowledging trans people's subjective experiences of suffering through some of the debilitating aspects of transness, this composite model avoids the pitfalls of the medical and social models. The application of tools from disability studies to trans issues uncovers cisnormativity in disability movements and denounces ableism in trans movements. This will, I hope, solidify alliances between these communities and fields of study.
Affective Politics, Debility and Hearing Voices: Towards a Feminist Politics of Ordinary Suffering
Authors: Blackman Lisa
Published: November 2015

This paper is an intervention within feminist and queer debates that have re-posed so-called negative states of being as offering productive possibilities for political practice and social transformation. What is sometimes called the politics of negative affect or analyses of political feeling has sought to de-pathologise shame, melancholy, failure, depression, anxieties and other forms of ‘feeling bad’, to open up new ways of thinking about agency, change and transformation. Ann Cvetkovich's recent memoir explores depression as a public feeling and argues that ‘feeling bad might, in fact, be the ground for transformation’. As she suggests, the question, ‘how do I feel’ could usefully be reframed as ‘how does capitalism feel’? This performative staging of political forms of psychosocial reflexivity opens up new strategies for survival, new visions of the future, and importantly de-medicalises feeling beyond an individual expression of psychopathology. The grounds for affective politics might be found within new feminist futures that are attentive to the relations between emotion, affect, feelings and politics. This paper will be situated within these debates and the challenge of thinking about the productive possibilities of negative states of being. However, rather than focus on depression, I will turn my attention to experiences such as psychosis and temporal dissociation, based on my long-standing research with the Hearing Voices Network. In the context of discussions of disability and capability I will discuss the value of concepts such as debility, and ‘living in prognosis’, and respond to the call to think through what such states might offer for feminist and queer practice.
When Debility Provides a Future: Preventing Vertical Transmission of HIV
Authors: McKnight Ulla , van der Zaag Annette-Carina
Published: November 2015

In this article we investigate the way in which viral load assays are used to assess the viruses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women who are cared for in an HIV-specialist antenatal clinic in London. One of the viral load assays has been made more sensitive to subtypes of the virus that are considered to be local, possibly reading the viruses of those who have ‘foreign’ subtypes as undetectable. Consequently, the patient might not be offered the kind of care needed to prevent transmission of HIV, as her body is not recognised as sufficiently debilitated. Thus, being identified as a debilitated body in this setting facilitates the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and the management of the HIV-positive pregnant patient's virus. Further to this, we argue that in our example, having a debilitated body as constructed by the viral load assay is thus a ‘privilege’ that is accorded to HIV-positive persons depending on the geographic origin of their virus. Using Karen Barad's agential realism, we argue that the manner in which HIV is read through the viral load assay constructs a specific woman/foetus/HIV phenomenon. The specificity of this phenomenon directly impacts on the course of care, opening up or foreclosing the possibility of her child having a future free from HIV.
Debilitating Times: Compulsory Ablebodiedness and White Privilege in theory and Practice
Authors: Inckle Kay
Published: November 2015

In this paper I take up a critical position in regard to the theme of debility around which this collection is framed. I argue that theorisations of ‘debility’ do little to progress theory and policy in regard to disability and share many of the problems inherent to the social model. I also suggest that the theorisation of debility is rooted in and reinforces ablebodied privilege. I begin with a critical analysis of the social model of disability and explore the dualisms by which it either negates the body altogether or can only conceive the disabled body in negative terms. I then go on to explore how Puar's work on debility continues this negation of the disabled body. From this position I use the work of Inahara to excavate the foundations of ablebodied privilege. In Inahara's work gender is the analytic starting point, but for me white privilege is a much more effective mechanism through which to understand the impact and reproduction of ablebodied privilege— what McRuer refers to as ‘compulsory ablebodiedness'—which I argue underpins Puar's work. I conclude with some reflections upon how a critical analysis of ablebodied privilege might function and I reiterate its importance for a critical theory that goes beyond the mere repetition of binary structures of ablebodiedness and disability.
Particle detection through the quantum counter concept in YAG:Er3+
Authors: Borghesani A. F. , Braggio C. , Carugno G. , Chiossi F. , Di Lieto A. , Guarise M. , Ruoso G. , Tonelli M.
Published: November 2015

We report on a scheme for particle detection based on the infrared quantum counter concept. Its operation consists of a two-step excitation process of a four level system, which can be realized in rare earth-doped crystals when a cw pump laser is tuned to the transition from the second to the fourth level. The incident particle raises the atoms of the active material into a low lying, metastable energy state, triggering the absorption of the pump laser to a higher level. Following a rapid non-radiative decay to a fluorescent level, an optical signal is observed with a conventional detector. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of such a scheme, we have investigated the emission from the fluorescent level 4S3∕2 (540 nm band) in an Er3+-doped YAG crystal pumped by a tunable titanium sapphire laser when it is irradiated with 60 keV electrons delivered by an electron gun. We have obtained a clear signature that this excitation increases the 4I13∕2 metastable level population that can efficiently be exploited to generate a detectable optical signal.
Backward propagating acoustic waves in single gold nanobeams
Authors: Jean Cyril , Belliard Laurent , Becerra Loïc , Perrin Bernard
Published: November 2015

Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy has been carried out on suspended gold nanostructures with a rectangular cross section lithographed on a silicon substrate. With a thickness fixed to 110 nm and a width ranging from 200 nm to 800 nm, size dependent measurements are used to distinguish which confined acoustic modes are detected. Furthermore, in order to avoid any ambiguity due to the measurement uncertainties on both the frequency and size, pump and probe beams are also spatially shifted to detect guided acoustic phonons. This leads us to the observation of backward propagating acoustic phonons in the gigahertz range (∼3 GHz) in such nanostructures. While backward wave propagation in elastic waveguides has been predicted and already observed at the macroscale, very few studies have been done at the nanoscale. Here, we show that these backward waves can be used as the unique signature of the width dilatational acoustic mode.
DLTS analysis of amphoteric interface defects in high-TiO2 MOS structures prepared by sol-gel spin-coating
Authors: Kumar Arvind , Mondal Sandip , Rao K. S. R. Koteswara
Published: November 2015

High-κ TiO2 thin films have been fabricated from a facile, combined sol – gel spin – coating technique on p and n type silicon substrate. XRD and Raman studies headed the existence of anatase phase of TiO2 with a small grain size of 18 nm. The refractive index ‘n’ quantified from ellipsometry is 2.41. AFM studies suggest a high quality, pore free films with a fairly small surface roughness of 6 Å. The presence of Ti in its tetravalent state is confirmed by XPS analysis. The defect parameters observed at the interface of Si/TiO2 were studied by capacitance – voltage (C – V) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The flat – band voltage (VFB) and the density of slow interface states estimated are – 0.9, – 0.44 V and 5.24×1010, 1.03×1011 cm−2; for the NMOS and PMOS capacitors, respectively. The activation energies, interface state densities and capture cross – sections measured by DLTS are EV + 0.30, EC – 0.21 eV; 8.73×1011, 6.41×1011 eV−1 cm−2 and 5.8×10−23, 8.11×10−23 cm2 for the NMOS and PMOS structures, respectively. A low value of interface state density in both P- and N-MOS structures makes it a suitable alternate dielectric layer for CMOS applications. And also very low value of capture cross section for both the carriers due to the amphoteric nature of defect indicates that the traps are not aggressive recombination centers and possibly can not contribute to the device operation to a large extent.
Investigation on the origin of exchange bias in epitaxial, oriented and polycrystalline Fe3O4 thin films
Authors: Bhat Shwetha G. , Anil Kumar P. S.
Published: November 2015

We observe exchange bias (EB) in a single magnetic film Fe3O4 at temperature T < 200 K. Irrespective of crystallographic orientations of grown Fe3O4; they exhibit similar nature of EB for (100) epitaxial, (111) oriented and polycrystalline Fe3O4 thin films. Growth induced defects such as anti-phase boundaries (APBs) in epitaxial Fe3O4 thin film is known to have an influence on the magnetic interaction. But, it is noticed that according to the common consensus of APBs alone cannot explain the origin of EB. If majority of APBs end up with mainly anti-ferromagnetic interactions across these boundaries together with the internal ordering modification in Fe3O4, then EB can emerge at low temperatures. Hence, we propose the idea of directional anti-ferromagnetic APB induced EB in Fe3O4 triggered by internal ordering for T ≤ 200 K. Similar arguments are extended to (111) oriented as well as polycrystalline Fe3O4 films where the grain boundaries can impart same consequence as that of APBs.
Self-Generated Macrochannel-Structure TiO2/g-C3N4 with High Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Dai Gaopeng , Wang Tao , Liu Suqin , Liang Ying , Xu Wen
Published: November 2015

TiO2/g-C3N4 composites with macrochannel structure were successfully synthesised without using templates by the simple dropwise addition of tetrabutyl titanate containing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to a water-ethanol mixed solution, which was then calcined at 400°C. The as-prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous medium under visible-light and simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the g-C3N4 content in TiO2/g-C3N4 composites plays an important role in the formation of macrochannels. Only samples containing less than 10 wt-% of g-C3N4 exhibit macrochannel structure. TiO2/g-C3N4 composites with macrochannel structure displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity. G-C3N4 content exhibited an obvious influence on photocatalytic performance, and the optimal loading of g-C3N4 was 10 wt-%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the synergetic effects of the macrochannel structure, the large specific surface area, and the heterojunction between TiO2 and g-C3N4. The main oxidative species responsible for the photodegradation of pollutants were further confirmed by the trapping experiments.
Shifts in coral reef biogeochemistry and resulting acidification linked to offshore productivity
Authors: Yeakel Kiley L. , Andersson Andreas J. , Bates Nicholas R. , Noyes Timothy J. , Collins Andrew , Garley Rebecca
Published: November 2015

Significance

Ocean acidification is hypothesized to have a negative impact on coral reef ecosystems, but to understand future potential impacts it is necessary to understand the natural variability and controls of coral reef biogeochemistry. Here we present a 5-y study from the Bermuda coral reef platform that demonstrates how rapid interannual acidification events on the local reef scale are driven by shifts in reef biogeochemical processes toward increasing net calcification and net respiration. These biogeochemical shifts are possibly linked to offshore productivity that ultimately may be controlled by large-scale climatological and oceanographic processes.
HAX-1 regulates cyclophilin-D levels and mitochondria permeability transition pore in the heart
Authors: Lam Chi Keung , Zhao Wen , Liu Guan-Sheng , Cai Wen-Feng , Gardner George , Adly George , Kranias Evangelia G.
Published: November 2015

Significance

The massive cell death, associated with a heart attack, is mainly due to disruption of mitochondrial membrane integrity upon activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Thus, it is important to understand how this pore is regulated to prevent cardiac cell death. In this study, we reported that hematopoietic-substrate-1 associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) is an inhibitor of the pore and promotes cell survival. HAX-1 works through recruitment of a chaperone protein called Hsp90 from cyclophilin-D, a major component of the pore. Displacement of Hsp90 from cyclophilin-D promotes cyclophilin-D degradation, resulting in inhibition of pore opening and cell death. Given that the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore contributes to various diseases, our findings have broader applications reaching beyond the heart.
Conserved interdomain linker promotes phase separation of the multivalent adaptor protein Nck
Authors: Banjade Sudeep , Wu Qiong , Mittal Anuradha , Peeples William B. , Pappu Rohit V. , Rosen Michael K.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Many eukaryotic proteins are composed of tandem arrays of modular domains, which bind peptide ligands that also often appear in tandem arrays. The interdomain linkers in such systems are often considered merely passive elements that flexibly connect the functional domains. Collective interactions among multivalent molecules lead to micron-sized phase-separated states that are thought to be important in cellular organization. Here, we show that in the multivalent signaling adaptor protein Nck, weak interactions involving an interdomain linker play a significant role in self-assembly and phase separation with ligands neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and phosphorylated nephrin. Our results suggest that interactions mediated by ordered modular domains may generally act synergistically with weak interactions of disordered interdomain linkers to promote phase separation.
Choosing experiments to accelerate collective discovery
Authors: Rzhetsky Andrey , Foster Jacob G. , Foster Ian T. , Evans James A.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Scientists perform a tiny subset of all possible experiments. What characterizes the experiments they choose? And what are the consequences of those choices for the pace of scientific discovery? We model scientific knowledge as a network and science as a sequence of experiments designed to gradually uncover it. By analyzing millions of biomedical articles published over 30 y, we find that biomedical scientists pursue conservative research strategies exploring the local neighborhood of central, important molecules. Although such strategies probably serve scientific careers, we show that they slow scientific advance, especially in mature fields, where more risk and less redundant experimentation would accelerate discovery of the network. We also consider institutional arrangements that could help science pursue these more efficient strategies.
Allosteric N-WASP activation by an inter-SH3 domain linker in Nck
Authors: Okrut Julia , Prakash Sumit , Wu Qiong , Kelly Mark J. S. , Taunton Jack
Published: November 2015

Significance

Actin is a monomeric protein that can polymerize into branched networks. Actin polymerization acts like an engine to drive cell movement and is regulated by multiple interacting proteins on the cell membrane. To understand the molecular details of how cells transmit signals from the membrane to the actin polymerization engine, we reconstituted this process in a test tube using seven purified proteins and membrane-coated glass beads. Using this “biomimetic” system, we discovered a sequence motif in the human protein Nck that activates a core component of the actin polymerization engine. This motif shares similarity with certain bacterial virulence factors that stimulate actin polymerization in infected human cells, suggesting that similar activation mechanisms have evolved in humans and bacterial pathogens.
Self-assembly of smallest magnetic particles
Authors: Mehdizadeh Taheri Sara , Michaelis Maria , Friedrich Thomas , Förster Beate , Drechsler Markus , Römer Florian M. , Bösecke Peter , Narayanan Theyencheri , Weber Birgit , Rehberg Ingo , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Förster Stephan
Published: November 2015

Significance

We discovered that small magnetic nanocubes spontaneously assemble into highly ordered chains, sheets, and cuboids in solution by applying a magnetic field. We elucidate how these assemblies are formed by working out the three-dimensional equilibrium arrangement of the dipoles. This classic physics problem turned out to be amazingly complex. The discovered solution self-assembly process is of high relevance in various fields reaching from high-density data storage over magnetotactic cells to medical applications.
Optimal directional volatile transport in retronasal olfaction
Authors: Ni Rui , Michalski Mark H. , Brown Elliott , Doan Ngoc , Zinter Joseph , Ouellette Nicholas T. , Shepherd Gordon M.
Published: November 2015

Significance

We have analyzed adaptations of the human airway to enhance transport of food volatiles underlying retronasal smell during expiration as well as limit transport in the opposite orthonasal direction toward the lung during inspiration. We show experimentally using an anatomically based flow dynamic model that the structure of the human airway at the back of the mouth enhances the entrainment of volatiles during expiration and minimizes it during inspiration. Unexpectedly, this effect is largest in a small range of flow rates, which coincides with quiet breathing. Our findings provide insight into the retronasal olfaction process and the adaptation of the shape of the human airway.
Global shape mimicry of tRNA within a viral internal ribosome entry site mediates translational reading frame selection
Authors: Au Hilda H. , Cornilescu Gabriel , Mouzakis Kathryn D. , Ren Qian , Burke Jordan E. , Lee Seonghoon , Butcher Samuel E. , Jan Eric
Published: November 2015

Significance

Viruses use alternate mechanisms to increase the coding capacity of their viral genomes. The dicistrovirus intergenic region internal ribosome entry site (IRES) adopts an RNA structure that can direct translation in 0 and +1 reading frames to produce the viral structural proteins and an overlapping ORFx product. Here we provide structural and biochemical evidence that the PKI domain of the IRES mimics a complete tRNA-like structure to facilitate reading frame selection and allows the viral IRES to engage the ribosome. These findings provide insight into how a viral IRES can increase the coding capacity of a viral genome.
Dynamic response of desert wetlands to abrupt climate change
Authors: Springer Kathleen B. , Manker Craig R. , Pigati Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2015

Significance

A paleohydrologic record from the Las Vegas Valley (southern Nevada, United States) shows that desert wetlands were extremely sensitive to rapid climatic changes during the past 35,000 years and exhibit temporal congruence with the Greenland ice core record. Wetlands in the valley expanded and contracted many times in response to climatic events during this period, including Dansgaard–Oeschger cycles and other millennial and submillennial climatic perturbations. Widespread erosion occurred when entire wetland systems collapsed during exceptionally dry times. Drought-like conditions typically lasted for a few centuries, which highlights the threat of anthropogenic warming to endemic fauna and flora that depend on desert wetlands to provide a consistent source of water in an otherwise arid landscape.
Circadian and feeding rhythms differentially affect rhythmic mRNA transcription and translation in mouse liver
Authors: Atger Florian , Gobet Cédric , Marquis Julien , Martin Eva , Wang Jingkui , Weger Benjamin , Lefebvre Grégory , Descombes Patrick , Naef Felix , Gachon Frédéric
Published: November 2015

Significance

Rhythmic gene regulation in mouse liver results from an intertwined relationship between feeding cycles and the circadian clock. Significant efforts have been made to understand this interaction but a complete picture of the resulting diurnal transcription–translation processes is still missing. Through the simultaneous quantification of temporal transcription, accumulation, and translation of mRNA in the liver, we investigated the regulatory landscape of mice with intact or deficient circadian clock subjected to different feeding regimens. We showed that circadian clock and feeding rhythms coordinate rhythmic transcription to drive downstream rhythmic mRNA accumulation and translation. However, a subset of genes harboring 5′-Terminal Oligo Pyrimidine tract or Translation Initiator of Short 5′-UTR elements encoding proteins involved in translation and mitochondrial activity, respectively, present a transcription-independent rhythmic translation mainly regulated by feeding.
Accurate estimation of influenza epidemics using Google search data via ARGO
Authors: Yang Shihao , Santillana Mauricio , Kou S. C.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Big data generated from the Internet have great potential in tracking and predicting massive social activities. In this article, we focus on tracking influenza epidemics. We propose a model that utilizes publicly available Google search data to estimate current influenza-like illness activity level. Our model outperforms all available Google-search–based real-time tracking models for influenza epidemics at the national level of the United States, including Google Flu Trends. Our model is flexible, self-correcting, robust, and scalable, making it a potentially powerful tool that can be used for estimation and prediction at multiple temporal and spatial resolutions for other social events.
Ultraflexible, large-area, physiological temperature sensors for multipoint measurements
Authors: Yokota Tomoyuki , Inoue Yusuke , Terakawa Yuki , Reeder Jonathan , Kaltenbrunner Martin , Ware Taylor , Yang Kejia , Mabuchi Kunihiko , Murakawa Tomohiro , Sekino Masaki , Voit Walter , Sekitani Tsuyoshi , Someya Takao
Published: November 2015

Significance

We have successfully fabricated very unique ultraflexible temperature sensors that exhibit changes in resistivity by six orders of magnitude or more for a change in temperature of only 5 °C or less. Our approach offers an ideal solution to measure temperature over a large area with high spatial resolution, high sensitivity of 0.1 °C or less, and fast response time of 100 ms. Indeed, such a large change of resistivity for our sensors can significantly simplify the readout circuitry, which was the key to demonstrate, to our knowledge, the world’s first successful measurement of dynamic change of temperature in the lung during very fast artificial respiration. Furthermore, we have demonstrated real-time multipoint thermal sensing using organic transistor active-matrix circuits.
Using prediction markets to estimate the reproducibility of scientific research
Authors: Dreber Anna , Pfeiffer Thomas , Almenberg Johan , Isaksson Siri , Wilson Brad , Chen Yiling , Nosek Brian A. , Johannesson Magnus
Published: November 2015

Significance

There is increasing concern about the reproducibility of scientific research. For example, the costs associated with irreproducible preclinical research alone have recently been estimated at US$28 billion a year in the United States. However, there are currently no mechanisms in place to quickly identify findings that are unlikely to replicate. We show that prediction markets are well suited to bridge this gap. Prediction markets set up to estimate the reproducibility of 44 studies published in prominent psychology journals and replicated in The Reproducibility Project: Psychology predict the outcomes of the replications well and outperform a survey of individual forecasts.
Directed evolution of the tryptophan synthase β-subunit for stand-alone function recapitulates allosteric activation
Authors: Buller Andrew R. , Brinkmann-Chen Sabine , Romney David K. , Herger Michael , Murciano-Calles Javier , Arnold Frances H.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Many enzymes perform desirable biochemical transformations, but are not suitable to use as biocatalysts outside of the cell. In particular, enzymes from heteromeric complexes typically have decreased activity when removed from their protein partners. We used directed evolution to restore the catalytic efficiency of the tryptophan synthase β-subunit (TrpB), which synthesizes
l
-tryptophan from
l
-serine and indole, surpassing the activity of the native complex. Experiments show that activating mutations promote catalysis through the same mechanism as partner protein binding, establishing that isolated subunits may be readily reactivated through directed evolution. Engineering TrpB for stand-alone function restored high activity with indole analogs, providing a simplified enzyme platform for the biocatalytic production of noncanonical amino acids.
Dynamic allostery governs cyclophilin A–HIV capsid interplay
Authors: Lu Manman , Hou Guangjin , Zhang Huilan , Suiter Christopher L. , Ahn Jinwoo , Byeon In-Ja L. , Perilla Juan R. , Langmead Christopher J. , Hung Ivan , Gor'kov Peter L. , Gan Zhehong , Brey William , Aiken Christopher , Zhang Peijun , Schulten Klaus , Gronenborn Angela M. , Polenova Tatyana
Published: November 2015

Significance

The mechanisms of how Cyclophilin A (CypA) regulates HIV-1 infectivity remain poorly understood. We examined the role of dynamics in capsid (CA) protein assemblies by magic-angle-spinning NMR. The assembled CA is highly dynamic. Dipolar tensors calculated from molecular dynamics trajectories are in quantitative agreement with the NMR results. Motions in the CypA loop are sequence-dependent and attenuated in the escape mutants A92E and G94D. Dynamics are similar in escape mutants and CA/CypA complex. These findings suggest that CA escapes from CypA dependence through dynamic allostery. Thus, a host factor's function in HIV infectivity may not be primarily associated with a structural change of the capsid core, but with altering its dynamics, such as the reduction of motions for the CypA loop.
Guanine-vacancy–bearing G-quadruplexes responsive to guanine derivatives
Authors: Li Xin-min , Zheng Ke-wei , Zhang Jia-yu , Liu Hong-he , He Yi-de , Yuan Bi-feng , Hao Yu-hua , Tan Zheng
Published: November 2015

Significance

Guanine-rich nucleic acids fold into a four-stranded structure named G-quadruplex that has implications in essential cellular processes, pharmaceutical applications, and nanodevices. We found a unique type of G-quadruplex that contains a G-vacancy and is stabilized by guanine derivatives such as te physiological concentration of GTP by fill-in at the G-vacancy of a guanine base. In response to changes in the concentration of guanine derivatives, this type of G-quadruplex is able to manipulate the tracking activity of protein on DNA as exemplified by a DNA polymerase-catalyzed DNA synthesis. Because guanine derivatives are natural metabolites in cells, such G-quadruplexes may potentially play an environment-responsive regulation in cellular processes, a functional property not found in the canonical G-quadruplexes.