Charge transfer and partial pinning at the contacts as the origin of a double dip in the transfer characteristics of graphene-based field-effect transistors

We discuss the origin of an additional dip other than the charge neutrality point observed in the transfer characteristics of graphene-based field-effect transistors with a Si/SiO2 substrate used as the back-gate. The double dip is proved to arise from charge transfer between the graphene and the metal electrodes, while charge storage at the graphene/SiO2 interface can make it more evident. Considering a different Fermi energy from the neutrality point along the channel and partial charge pinning at the contacts, we propose a model which explains all the features observed in the gate voltage loops. We finally show that the double dip enhanced hysteresis in the transfer characteristics can be exploited to realize graphene-based memory devices.     

Effect of biological and chemical oxidation on the removal of estrogenic compounds (NP and BPA) from wastewater: an integrated assessment procedure

A major source of the wide presence of EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Compounds) in water bodies is represented by direct/indirect discharge of sewage. Recent scientific literature reports data about their trace concentration in water, sediments and aquatic organisms, as well as removal efficiencies of different wastewater treatment schemes. Despite the availability of a huge amount of data, some doubts still persist due to the difficulty in evaluating synergistic effects of trace pollutants in complex matrices. In this paper, an integrated assessment procedure was used, based on chemical and biological analyses, in order to compare the performance of two full scale biological wastewater treatment plants (either equipped with conventional settling tanks or with an ultrafiltration membrane unit) and tertiary ozonation (pilot scale).Nonylphenol and bisphenol A were chosen as model EDCs, together with the parent compounds mono- and di-ethoxylated nonylphenol (quantified by means of GC-MS). Water estrogenic activity was evaluated by applying the human breast cancer MCF-7 based reporter gene assay. Process parameters (e.g., sludge age, temperature) and conventional pollutants (e.g., COD, suspended solids) were also measured during monitoring campaigns.Conventional activated sludge achieved satisfactory removal of both analytes and estrogenicity. A further reduction of biological activity was exerted by MBR (Membrane Biological Reactor) as well as ozonation; the latter contributed also to decrease EDC concentrations.     

UGUS, a reporter for use with destabilizing N-termini

Due to constraints in vector construction, reporter polypeptides often carry N-terminal sequences of extraneous origin. Since protein half-life can be influenced by small determinants in the N-terminus, such foreign sequences can destabilize proteins and compromise results of reporter-based studies. We provide a real-life example of this problem (destabilizing sequences derived from a ribosomal protein) and show that it can be solved with the ubiquitin fusion technique, in which ubiquitin sequences are placed upstream of the reporter, in our case beta-glucuronidase. Post-translational processing by characterized pathways removes the ubiquitin together with destabilizing sequences, generating a stable reporter whose N-terminus is constant.     

TOWARDS NEW INDUSTRIAL AND SPATIAL SYSTEMS: THE ROLE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the idea that new telecommunication technologies are "enabling technologies" for processes of industrial and spatial restructuring. How-ever, they remain only a necessary and not a sufficient condition to generate processes of decentralization of industrial activities and local development. A vast literature on the effects of now information technologies ou industrial restructuring and regional development has been reviewed, with the aim of focusing on the linkages between new telecommunication technologies and the economic characteristics of new industrial and spatial systems. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part analyzes in depth the nature of the new technologies in order to understand their real capacity and potential to reshape industrial and spatial systems. An interpretation on the technological, organizational and economic features of adoption processes is crucial Id understand the real capabilities of these technologies. The second part is focused on an empirical investigation of the effects of these new technologies on the location of industrial activities, and, conse quently, on local development, for a sample of firms located in Italy.     

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties of the Brazilian Cerrado Fruit Annona crassiflora (Araticum)

Annona crassiflora, known commonly as araticum, is an exotic tropical fruit consumed mainly by native people of the Brazilian Cerrado (2nd biggest biome of Brazil). In this study, pulp, seed, and peel of slight ripe and overripe fruits were extracted using ethanol and water. The extracts showed high content of total phenols and were screening for their potential as antioxidants using the in vitro model 1,1‐ dipheniyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH). The ethanol extracts of peel and seeds showed IC50 of 48.82 μg/mL and 31.14 μg/mL, respectively, for the slightly ripe fruits. As the ethanolic fractions of araticum showed the highest antioxidant activity, they were selected for testing of its effect on lipid peroxidation. The ethanolic extracts of slightly ripe fruits showed IC₅₀ of 4.44 μg/mL, 1.72 μg/mL, and 8.62 μg/mL for the peel, seed, and pulp, respectively. This is the 1st report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts of araticum. Owing to these properties, the studies can be further extending to exploit them for their possible application as natural antioxidant for cosmetic, supplements, and functional ingredients for food products.     

On the Role of Oxygen Storage in Three-Way Catalysis

The role of the so-called oxygen storage and release capacity (OSC) in promoting the activity of noble metals in the three-way catalysts (TWCs) is critically discussed. It is shown that the promoting effects of CeO₂ in the TWCs cannot be attributed to a simple redox type of effect according to the reaction CeO₂ ? CeO_{2 ? x} + x/2O₂, since multiple and sometimes intriguing effects of CeO₂ promoter have been observed, particularly in the latest generation of TWCs containing modified CeO₂–ZrO₂ mixed oxides.     

Relationship between word difficulty and access of single-word meaning by skilled and less skilled readers.

Previous research, by R. M. Golinkoff and R. R. Rosinski (1976), used a picture-word interference task to show that skilled and less skilled comprehenders in the 3rd and 5th grades could retrieve the meaning of primer-level words equally well. With a similar task and comparable groups of children ( N = 64), the present study assessed the relationship between word difficulty and semantic access by using both the easy words and a new set of more difficult words. Retrieval of the meaning of these difficult words was least apparent for the less skilled 3rd graders, the group that had the most difficulty decoding these words. Results indicate that decoding ease and extraction of word meanings are related and also suggest that decoding ability must be considered a factor in reading comprehension. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of β‐Glucan in Single Grains of Barley and Malt Using NIR‐Spectroscopy

This paper describes initial experiments carried out in a collaborative study with Perten Instruments, Sweden, using Near‐Infrared spectroscopy to assess β‐glucan content in single grains of barley and malt. In general, the method needs further development, but this study shows that it has potential as a valuable tool for assessing endosperm modification of malt. The method is fast and non‐destructive and therefore allows other parameters related to endosperm modification to be analysed using the same grains.     

Spatial and movement-based heuristics: A reply to S. Millar.

The present authors reply to S. Millar's (see record 1986-08153-001) commentary on their (see record 1986-04159-001) article on spatial and movement-based heuristics by emphasizing that their research points to 2 general conclusions about encoding pattern information haptically. First, haptic encoding makes use of heuristics, and second, the choice of heuristic(s) depends on the particular context within which the encoding occurs. Although the present authors agree with Millar that there are also variations in the data within tasks, they suggest that the broader implications of this work be kept in focus. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experimental psychologists in industry: Perspectives of employers, employees, and educators.

The Task Force on the Employment of Experimental Psychologists in Industry, formed in 1982, conducted 3 surveys to assess the roles of traditionally trained psychologists in nonacademic research settings. The surveyed groups were 209 psychology department chairs, 46 recent recipients of PhDs who had taken nonacademic jobs, and approximately 60 industrial employers at managerial levels. Findings indicate the need for (1) changes in attitude and style in graduate training, (2) course work to relate to industry, (3) increases in internships and practica offered, and (4) strong positive relations between industry and academic psychology. Objectives and recommendations related to needs are offered. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)