Ferromagnetic resonance study of interface anisotropies in exchange-biased Fe(0 0 1)/KNiF3 bilayers

Magnetic anisotropies at epitaxial Fe/KNiF₃ interfaces were probed by ferromagnetic resonance. Fe(0 0 1) films coupled to single crystal KNiF₃ exhibit four-fold in-plane anisotropy and a unidirectional bias upon field-cooling. In Fe(0 0 1) with polycrystalline KNiF₃, the bias direction deviates from the field-cooling direction. Lattice mismatch strain due to polycrystalline KNiF₃ also induces uniaxial anisotropy in Fe.     

A note on a single-vendor and multiple-buyers production-inventory policy for a deteriorating item

In this note we examine the total cost function of a single-vendor multiple-buyers production-inventory policy for a deteriorating item by Yang and Wee [P.C. Yang and H.M. Wee, A single-vendor multiple-buyers production-inventory policy for a deteriorating item, European Journal of Operational Research 143 (2002) 570–581]. Two possible flaws in the cost function of Wee and Yang’s model are pointed out. A proposal to eradicate the flaws is given.     

An optimal software debugging model

This paper deals with the question of optimal debugging times for large-scale computer programs, given certain assumptions concerning the distribution of error within the program, the cost that is incurred whenever a fault occurs, and the cost of debugging. Modeling takes place within the framework of independent Poisson processes describing faults caused by errors. The optimization aim is to minimize the long-run total expected discounted cost. Some general results concerning the optimal polity are presented.This research has been supported by NATO Grant No. RG.86/0024, by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and by the University of Passau, Germany.     

Solid phase synthesis of benzamidine-derived sulfonamide libraries

Using solid phase synthesis, a library has been constructed of benzamidine-derived sulfonamides which have strong inhibitory activity against blood coagulant thrombin. The library compounds were obtained in good yield and high purity. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of sensitivity for road traffic noise on residential location: does it trigger a process of spatial selection?

People move to another house for different reasons. It is sometimes presumed that a process of self-selection might take place on the basis of noise sensitivity, i.e., sensitive people would either leave high noise areas or not move into these areas in the first place. Thus, a "survivor population" would remain in the high noise areas. This research aims to investigate whether such a process can be observed in the Netherlands. The study does not show evidence of a process of self-selection based on noise sensitivity. Nevertheless, the results suggest that noise-sensitive people are less satisfied with their living environment and are more willing to move than those who are not noise sensitive. Due to the limited sample size, external validity is limited.     

Induction of targeted necrosis with HER2-targeted platinum(iv) anticancer prodrugs

It is well-recognized that the failure of many chemotherapeutics arises due to an inability to induce apoptosis. Most cancers acquire a myriad of pro-survival adaptations, and the vast heterogeneity and accumulation of multiple often unrelated anti-apoptotic signaling pathways have been a major stumbling block towards the development of conventional chemotherapeutics, which can overcome drug resistance. We have developed highly potent and selective HER2-targeted Pt(iv) prodrugs bearing anti-HER2/neu peptides that induce targeted necrosis as a novel strategy to circumvent apoptosis-resistance. These Pt(iv)–peptide conjugates exhibit a unique biphasic mode of cytotoxicity comprising rapid killing of cancer cells via necrosis in the first phase followed by an extended and gradual phase of delayed cell death. We demonstrate that these Pt(iv)–peptide prodrugs are more potent than their Pt(ii) congeners in direct cell-killing and exhibit comparable long-term inhibition of proliferative capacity and with greater selectivity against HER2-positive cancer cells.     

Hydrolytic Transformation of Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks to Hierarchical Micro‐ and Mesoporous MOFs

A new approach to the synthesis of hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous MOFs from microporous MOFs involves a simple hydrolytic post‐synthetic procedure. As a proof of concept, a new microporous MOF, POST‐66(Y), was synthesized and its transformation into a hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous MOF by water treatment was studied. This method produced mesopores in the range of 3 to 20 nm in the MOF while maintaining the original microporous structure, at least in part. The degree of micro‐ and mesoporosity can be controlled by adjusting the time and temperature of hydrolysis. The resulting hierarchical porous MOF, POST‐66(Y)‐wt, can be utilized to encapsulate nanometer‐sized guests such as proteins, and the enhanced stability and recyclability of an encapsulated enzyme is demonstrated.     

Effects of nitrogen composition on the resistivity of reactively sputtered TaN thin films

Nanocrystalline tantalum nitride (TaN) thin films have been deposited by reactive direct current magnetron sputtering technique on Si/SiO₂ (100) substrate with nitrogen flow rate ranging from 0, 3, 5, 7, 9 to 11 standard cubic centimeter per minute (sccm). Structural properties, surface morphology, chemical composition and and resistivity of the TaN films were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and four‐point probe measurements, respectively. In the XRD spectra, a classical formation sequence of tantalum nitride phases in the order of Ta‐Ta₂N‐TaN‐Ta₄N₅ and decreasing amount of metallic Ta were observed with increasing nitrogen flow. The electrical resistivity of the TaN film was found to increase with increasing N/Ta ratio as a result of the increased electron scattering from interstitial N atoms. In the XPS analysis, two groups of Ta4f doublets relating to different TaN phases were observed in the core level spectra of TaN films. No strong coupling was observed between the Ta4f doublets and the Ta4p and the N1s groups. The appropriate nitrogen flow was believed to be helpful in the bonding and formation of stoichiometric TaN. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Proteome profile of salt gland‐rich epidermis extracted from a salt‐tolerant tree species

Preparation of proteins from salt‐gland‐rich tissues of mangrove plant is necessary for a systematic study of proteins involved in the plant's unique desalination mechanism. Extraction of high‐quality proteins from the leaves of mangrove tree species, however, is difficult due to the presence of high levels of endogenous phenolic compounds. In our study, preparation of proteins from only a part of the leaf tissues (i.e. salt gland‐rich epidermal layers) was required, rendering extraction even more challenging. By comparing several extraction methods, we developed a reliable procedure for obtaining proteins from salt gland‐rich tissues of the mangrove species Avicennia officinalis. Protein extraction was markedly improved using a phenol‐based extraction method. Greater resolution 1D protein gel profiles could be obtained. More promising proteome profiles could be obtained through 1D‐LC‐MS/MS. The number of proteins detected was twice as much as compared to TUTS extraction method. Focusing on proteins that were solely present in each extraction method, phenol‐based extracts contained nearly ten times more proteins than those in the extracts without using phenol. The approach could thus be applied for downstream high‐throughput proteomic analyses involving LC‐MS/MS or equivalent. The proteomics data presented herein are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001691.