@article{17789,
  abstract     = {Light-travel time delays distort the apparent shapes of H II regions surrounding bright quasars during early stages of cosmic reionization. Individual H II regions may remain undetectable in forthcoming redshifted 21 cm experiments. However, the systematic deformation along the line of sight may be detectable statistically, either by stacking tomographic 21 cm images of quasars identified, for example, by the James Webb Space Telescope, or as small-scale anisotropy in the three-dimensional 21 cm power spectrum. Here we consider the detectability of this effect. The anisotropy is largest when H II regions are large and expand rapidly, and we find that if bright quasars contributed to the early stages of reionization, then they can produce significant anisotropy, on scales comparable to the typical sizes of H II regions of the bright quasars (≲30 Mpc). The effect therefore cannot be ignored when analyzing future 21 cm power spectra on small scales. If 10% of the volume of the intergalactic medium at z≃ 10 is ionized by quasars with typical ionizing luminosity of S≳ 5 × 10^56 s^−1, the distortions cause an ≳10 percent enhancement of the 21 cm power spectrum in the radial (redshift) direction, relative to the transverse directions. The level of this anisotropy exceeds that due to redshift-space distortion and has the opposite sign. We show that ongoing experiments such as Murchison Widefield Array (MWA, formerly known as the Mileura Widefield Array) should be able to detect this effect. A detection would reveal the presence of bright quasars and shed light on the ionizing yield and age of the ionizing sources and the distribution and small-scale clumping of neutral intergalactic gas in their vicinity.},
  author       = {Sethi, Shiv and Haiman, Zoltán},
  issn         = {0004-637X},
  journal      = {The Astrophysical Journal},
  number       = {1},
  pages        = {1--13},
  publisher    = {American Astronomical Society},
  title        = {{Can we detect the anisotropic shapes of quasar H ii regions during reionization through the small‐scale redshifted 21 cm power spectrum?}},
  doi          = {10.1086/523787},
  volume       = {673},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{17804,
  abstract     = {Primordial gas in protogalactic DM halos with virial temperatures Tvir≳ 104 K begins to cool and condense via atomic hydrogen. Provided that this gas is irradiated by a strong UV flux and remains free of H2 and other molecules, it has been proposed that the halo with Tvir ∼ 104 K may avoid fragmentation and lead to the rapid formation of an SMBH as massive as M ≈ 105–106 M☉. This "head start" would help explain the presence of SMBHs with inferred masses of several times 109 M☉, powering the bright quasars discovered in the SDSS at redshift z≳ 6. However, high-redshift DM halos with Tvir ∼ 104 K are likely already enriched with at least trace amounts of metals and dust produced by prior star formation in their progenitors. Here we study the thermal and chemical evolution of low-metallicity gas exposed to extremely strong UV radiation fields. Our results, obtained in one-zone models, suggest that gas fragmentation is inevitable above a critical metallicity, whose value is between Zcr ≈ 3 × 10−4 Z☉ (in the absence of dust) and as low as Zcr ≈ 5 × 10−6 Z☉ (with a dust-to-gas mass ratio of about 0.01Z/Z☉). We propose that when the metallicity exceeds these critical values, dense clusters of low-mass stars may form at the halo nucleus. Relatively massive stars in such a cluster can then rapidly coalesce into a single more massive object, which may produce an intermediate-mass BH remnant with a mass up to M≲ 102–103 M☉.},
  author       = {Omukai, K. and Schneider, R. and Haiman, Zoltán},
  issn         = {1538-4357},
  journal      = {The Astrophysical Journal},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {801--814},
  publisher    = {American Astronomical Society},
  title        = {{Can supermassive black holes form in metal‐enriched high‐redshift protogalaxies?}},
  doi          = {10.1086/591636},
  volume       = {686},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{7752,
  author       = {Robinson, Matthew Richard and Pilkington, Jill G. and Clutton-Brock, Tim H. and Pemberton, Josephine M. and Kruuk, Loeske. E.B.},
  issn         = {0960-9822},
  journal      = {Current Biology},
  number       = {10},
  pages        = {751--757},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Environmental heterogeneity generates fluctuating selection on a secondary sexual trait}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.cub.2008.04.059},
  volume       = {18},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{844,
  abstract     = {Mutation rate varies greatly between nucleotide sites of the human genome and depends both on the global genomic location and the local sequence context of a site. In particular, CpG context elevates the mutation rate by an order of magnitude. Mutations also vary widely in their effect on the molecular function, phenotype, and fitness. Independence of the probability of occurrence of a new mutation's effect has been a fundamental premise in genetics. However, highly mutable contexts may be preserved by negative selection at important sites but destroyed by mutation at sites under no selection. Thus, there may be a positive correlation between the rate of mutations at a nucleotide site and the magnitude of their effect on fitness. We studied the impact of CpG context on the rate of human-chimpanzee divergence and on intrahuman nucleotide diversity at non-synonymous coding sites. We compared nucleotides that occupy identical positions within codons of identical amino acids and only differ by being within versus outside CpG context. Nucleotides within CpG context are under a stronger negative selection, as revealed by their lower, proportionally to the mutation rate, rate of evolution and nucleotide diversity. In particular, the probability of fixation of a non-synonymous transition at a CpG site is two times lower than at a CpG site. Thus, sites with different mutation rates are not necessarily selectively equivalent. This suggests that the mutation rate may complement sequence conservation as a characteristic predictive of functional importance of nucleotide sites.},
  author       = {Schmidt, Steffen and Gerasimova, Anna and Fyodor Kondrashov and Adzuhbei, Ivan A and Kondrashov, Alexey S and Sunyaev, Shamil R},
  journal      = {PLoS Genetics},
  number       = {11},
  publisher    = {Public Library of Science},
  title        = {{Hypermutable non-synonymous sites are under stronger negative selection}},
  doi          = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1000281},
  volume       = {4},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{8480,
  abstract     = {The KIX domain of the transcription co-activator CBP is a three-helix bundle protein that folds via rapid accumulation of an intermediate state, followed by a slower folding phase. Recent NMR relaxation dispersion studies revealed the presence of a low-populated (excited) state of KIX that exists in equilibrium with the natively folded form under non-denaturing conditions, and likely represents the equilibrium analog of the folding intermediate. Here, we combine amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange measurements using rapid NMR data acquisition techniques with backbone 15N and 13C relaxation dispersion experiments to further investigate the equilibrium folding of the KIX domain. Residual structure within the folding intermediate is detected by both methods, and their combination enables reliable quantification of the amount of persistent residual structure. Three well-defined folding subunits are found, which display variable stability and correspond closely to the individual helices in the native state. While two of the three helices (α2 and α3) are partially formed in the folding intermediate (to ∼ 50% and ∼ 80%, respectively, at 20 °C), the third helix is disordered. The observed helical content within the excited state exceeds the helical propensities predicted for the corresponding peptide regions, suggesting that the two helices are weakly mutually stabilized, while methyl 13C relaxation dispersion data indicate that a defined packing arrangement is unlikely. Temperature-dependent experiments reveal that the largest enthalpy and entropy changes along the folding reaction occur during the final transition from the intermediate to the native state. Our experimental data are consistent with a folding mechanism where helices α2 and α3 form rapidly, although to different extents, while helix α1 consolidates only as folding proceeds to complete the native state-structure.},
  author       = {Schanda, Paul and Brutscher, Bernhard and Konrat, Robert and Tollinger, Martin},
  issn         = {0022-2836},
  journal      = {Journal of Molecular Biology},
  keywords     = {Molecular Biology},
  number       = {4},
  pages        = {726--741},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Folding of the KIX domain: Characterization of the equilibrium analog of a folding intermediate using 15N/13C relaxation dispersion and fast 1H/2H amide exchange NMR spectroscopy}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.040},
  volume       = {380},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{8481,
  abstract     = {The copK gene is localized on the pMOL30 plasmid of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 within the complex cop cluster of genes, for which 21 genes have been identified. The expression of the corresponding periplasmic CopK protein is strongly upregulated in the presence of copper, leading to a high periplasmic accumulation. The structure and metal-binding properties of CopK were investigated by NMR and mass spectrometry. The protein is dimeric in the apo state with a dissociation constant in the range of 10- 5 M estimated from analytical ultracentrifugation. Mass spectrometry revealed that CopK has two high-affinity Cu(I)-binding sites per monomer with different Cu(I) affinities. Binding of Cu(II) was observed but appeared to be non-specific. The solution structure of apo-CopK revealed an all-β fold formed of two β-sheets in perpendicular orientation with an unstructured C-terminal tail. The dimer interface is formed by the surface of the C-terminal β-sheet. Binding of the first Cu(I)-ion induces a major structural modification involving dissociation of the dimeric apo-protein. Backbone chemical shifts determined for the 1Cu(I)-bound form confirm the conservation of the N-terminal β-sheet, while the last strand of the C-terminal sheet appears in slow conformational exchange. We hypothesize that the partial disruption of the C-terminal β-sheet is related to dimer dissociation. NH-exchange data acquired on the apo-protein are consistent with a lower thermodynamic stability of the C-terminal sheet. CopK contains seven methionine residues, five of which appear highly conserved. Chemical shift data suggest implication of two or three methionines (Met54, Met38, Met28) in the first Cu(I) site. Addition of a second Cu(I) ion further increases protein plasticity. Comparison of the structural and metal-binding properties of CopK with other periplasmic copper-binding proteins reveals two conserved features within these functionally related proteins: the all-β fold and the methionine-rich Cu(I)-binding site.},
  author       = {Bersch, Beate and Favier, Adrien and Schanda, Paul and van Aelst, Sébastien and Vallaeys, Tatiana and Covès, Jacques and Mergeay, Max and Wattiez, Ruddy},
  issn         = {0022-2836},
  journal      = {Journal of Molecular Biology},
  keywords     = {Molecular Biology},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {386--403},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Molecular structure and metal-binding properties of the periplasmic CopK protein expressed in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 during copper challenge}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.017},
  volume       = {380},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{8482,
  abstract     = {The SOFAST-HMQC experiment [P. Schanda, B. Brutscher, Very fast two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy for real-time investigation of dynamic events in proteins on the time scale of seconds, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127 (2005) 8014–8015] allows recording two-dimensional correlation spectra of macromolecules such as proteins in only a few seconds acquisition time. To achieve the highest possible sensitivity, SOFAST-HMQC experiments are preferably performed on high-field NMR spectrometers equipped with cryogenically cooled probes. The duty cycle of over 80% in fast-pulsing SOFAST-HMQC experiments, however, may cause problems when using a cryogenic probe. Here we introduce SE-IPAP-SOFAST-HMQC, a new pulse sequence that provides comparable sensitivity to standard SOFAST-HMQC, while avoiding heteronuclear decoupling during 1H detection, and thus significantly reducing the radiofrequency load of the probe during the experiment. The experiment is also attractive for fast and sensitive measurement of heteronuclear one-bond spin coupling constants.},
  author       = {Kern, Thomas and Schanda, Paul and Brutscher, Bernhard},
  issn         = {1090-7807},
  journal      = {Journal of Magnetic Resonance},
  keywords     = {Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Condensed Matter Physics},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {333--338},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Sensitivity-enhanced IPAP-SOFAST-HMQC for fast-pulsing 2D NMR with reduced radiofrequency load}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.jmr.2007.11.015},
  volume       = {190},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{8509,
  abstract     = {The goal of this paper is to present to nonspecialists what is perhaps the simplest possible geometrical picture explaining the mechanism of Arnold diffusion. We choose to speak of a specific model—that of geometric rays in a periodic optical medium. This model is equivalent to that of a particle in a periodic potential in ${\mathbb R}^{n}$ with energy prescribed and to the geodesic flow in a Riemannian metric on ${\mathbb R}^{n} $.},
  author       = {Kaloshin, Vadim and Levi, Mark},
  issn         = {0036-1445},
  journal      = {SIAM Review},
  keywords     = {Theoretical Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Computational Mathematics},
  number       = {4},
  pages        = {702--720},
  publisher    = {Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics},
  title        = {{Geometry of Arnold diffusion}},
  doi          = {10.1137/070703235},
  volume       = {50},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{8510,
  abstract     = {In this paper, using the ideas of Bessi and Mather, we present a simple mechanical system exhibiting Arnold diffusion. This system of a particle in a small periodic potential can be also interpreted as ray propagation in a periodic optical medium with a near-constant index of refraction. Arnold diffusion in this context manifests itself as an arbitrary finite change of direction for nearly constant index of refraction.},
  author       = {Kaloshin, Vadim and Levi, Mark},
  issn         = {0273-0979},
  journal      = {Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society},
  keywords     = {Applied Mathematics, General Mathematics},
  number       = {3},
  pages        = {409--427},
  publisher    = {American Mathematical Society},
  title        = {{An example of Arnold diffusion for near-integrable Hamiltonians}},
  doi          = {10.1090/s0273-0979-08-01211-1},
  volume       = {45},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{895,
  abstract     = {Background. The arginine vasopressin V1a receptor (V1aR) modulates social cognition and behavior in a wide variety of species. Variation in a repetitive microsatellite element in the 5′ flanking region of the V1aR gene (AVPR1A) in rodents has been associated with variation in brain V1aR expression and in social behavior. In humans, the 5′ flanking region of AVPR1A contains a tandem duplication of two ∼350 bp, microsatellite-containing elements located approximately 3.5 kb upstream of the transcription start site. The first block, referred to as DupA, contains a polymorphic (GT) 25microsatellite; the second block, DupB, has a complex (CT) 4-(TT)-(CT)8-(GT)24polymorphic motif, known as RS3. Polymorphisms in RS3 have been associated with variation in sociobehavioral traits in humans, including autism spectrum disorders. Thus, evolution of these regions may have contributed to variation in social behavior in primates. We examined the structure of these regions in six ape, six monkey, and one prosimian species. Results. Both tandem repeat blocks are present upstream of the AVPR1A coding region in five of the ape species we investigated, while monkeys have only one copy of this region. As in humans, the microsatellites within DupA and DupB are polymorphic in many primate species. Furthermore, both single (lacking DupB) and duplicated alleles (containing both DupA and DupB) are present in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) populations with allele frequencies of 0.795 and 0.205 for the single and duplicated alleles, respectively, based on the analysis of 47 wild-caught individuals. Finally, a phylogenetic reconstruction suggests two alternate evolutionary histories for this locus. Conclusion. There is no obvious relationship between the presence of the RS3 duplication and social organization in primates. However, polymorphisms identified in some species may be useful in future genetic association studies. In particular, the presence of both single and duplicated alleles in chimpanzees provides a unique opportunity to assess the functional role of this duplication in contributing to variation in social behavior in primates. While our initial studies show no signs of directional selection on this locus in chimps, pharmacological and genetic association studies support a potential role for this region in influencing V1aR expression and social behavior.},
  author       = {Donaldson, Zoe R and Fyodor Kondrashov and Putnam, Andrea S and Bai, Yaohui and Stoinski, Tara S and Hammock, Elizabeth A and Young, Larry},
  journal      = {BMC Evolutionary Biology},
  number       = {1},
  publisher    = {BioMed Central},
  title        = {{Evolution of a behavior-linked microsatellite-containing element in the 5′ flanking region of the primate AVPR1A gene}},
  doi          = {10.1186/1471-2148-8-180},
  volume       = {8},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{907,
  abstract     = {The most common form of protein-coding gene overlap in eukaryotes is a simple nested structure, whereby one gene is embedded in an intron of another. Analysis of nested protein-coding genes in vertebrates, fruit flies and nematodes revealed substantially higher rates of evolutionary gains than losses. The accumulation of nested gene structures could not be attributed to any obvious functional relationships between the genes involved and represents an increase of the organizational complexity of animal genomes via a neutral process.},
  author       = {Assis, Raquel and Kondrashov, Alexey S and Koonin, Eugene V and Fyodor Kondrashov},
  journal      = {Trends in Genetics},
  number       = {10},
  pages        = {475 -- 478},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Nested genes and increasing organizational complexity of metazoan genomes}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.tig.2008.08.003},
  volume       = {24},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{9457,
  abstract     = {Eukaryotic chromatin is separated into functional domains differentiated by posttranslational histone modifications, histone variants, and DNA methylation1–6. Methylation is associated with repression of transcriptional initiation in plants and animals, and is frequently found in transposable elements. Proper methylation patterns are critical for eukaryotic development4,5, and aberrant methylation-induced silencing of tumor suppressor genes is a common feature of human cancer7. In contrast to methylation, the histone variant H2A.Z is preferentially deposited by the Swr1 ATPase complex near 5′ ends of genes where it promotes transcriptional competence8–20. How DNA methylation and H2A.Z influence transcription remains largely unknown. Here we show that in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, regions of DNA methylation are quantitatively deficient in H2A.Z. Exclusion of H2A.Z is seen at sites of DNA methylation in the bodies of actively transcribed genes and in methylated transposons. Mutation of the MET1 DNA methyltransferase, which causes both losses and gains of DNA methylation4,5, engenders opposite changes in H2A.Z deposition, while mutation of the PIE1 subunit of the Swr1 complex that deposits H2A.Z17 leads to genome-wide hypermethylation. Our findings indicate that DNA methylation can influence chromatin structure and effect gene silencing by excluding H2A.Z, and that H2A.Z protects genes from DNA methylation.},
  author       = {Zilberman, Daniel and Coleman-Derr, Devin and Ballinger, Tracy and Henikoff, Steven},
  issn         = {1476-4687},
  journal      = {Nature},
  keywords     = {Multidisciplinary},
  number       = {7218},
  pages        = {125--129},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{Histone H2A.Z and DNA methylation are mutually antagonistic chromatin marks}},
  doi          = {10.1038/nature07324},
  volume       = {456},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{9537,
  abstract     = {DNA methylation is an ancient process found in all domains of life. Although the enzymes that mediate methylation have remained highly conserved, DNA methylation has been adapted for a variety of uses throughout evolution, including defense against transposable elements and control of gene expression. Defects in DNA methylation are linked to human diseases, including cancer. Methylation has been lost several times in the course of animal and fungal evolution, thus limiting the opportunity for study in common model organisms. In the past decade, plants have emerged as a premier model system for genetic dissection of DNA methylation. A recent combination of plant genetics with powerful genomic approaches has led to a number of exciting discoveries and promises many more.},
  author       = {Zilberman, Daniel},
  issn         = {1369-5266},
  journal      = {Current Opinion in Plant Biology},
  number       = {5},
  pages        = {554--559},
  publisher    = {Elsevier },
  title        = {{The evolving functions of DNA methylation}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.pbi.2008.07.004},
  volume       = {11},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{965,
  abstract     = {We give many examples of applying Bogoliubov's forest formula to iterative solutions of various nonlinear equations. The same formula describes an extremely wide class of objects, from an ordinary quadratic equation to renormalization in quantum field theory.},
  author       = {Morozov, Alexei Y and Maksym Serbyn},
  journal      = {Theoretical and Mathematical Physics},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {270 -- 293},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Nonlinear algebra and Bogoliubov's recursion}},
  doi          = {10.1007/s11232-008-0026-7},
  volume       = {154},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{581,
  abstract     = {We have detected a spin-dependent displacement perpendicular to the refractive index gradient for photons passing through an air-glass interface. The effect is the photonic version of the spin Hall effect in electronic systems, indicating the universality of the effect for particles of different nature. Treating the effect as a weak measurement of the spin projection of the photons, we used a preselection and postselection technique on the spin state to enhance the original displacement by nearly four orders of magnitude, attaining sensitivity to displacements of ∼1 angstrom. The spin Hall effect can be used for manipulating photonic angular momentum states, and the measurement technique holds promise for precision metrology.},
  author       = {Onur Hosten and Kwiat, Paul},
  journal      = {Science},
  number       = {5864},
  pages        = {787 -- 790},
  publisher    = {American Association for the Advancement of Science},
  title        = {{Observation of the spin hall effect of light via weak measurements}},
  doi          = {10.1126/science.1152697},
  volume       = {319},
  year         = {2008},
}

@inproceedings{584,
  abstract     = {Using “quantum weak-measurements” as a coherent enhancement technique for small signals, we have measured the recently proposed “spin Hall effect” of light at an air-glass interface, and are working on the smoothly varying refractive-index case.},
  author       = {Hosten, Onur and Kwiat, Paul},
  isbn         = {978-155752859-9},
  issn         = {21622701},
  location     = {San Jose, CA, United States},
  publisher    = {Optica Publishing Group},
  title        = {{Spin hall effect of light via weak measurements: Sharp and smooth index variations}},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{6146,
  abstract     = {Homeostasis of internal carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) levels is fundamental to all animals. Here we examine the CO2 response of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This species inhabits rotting material, which typically has a broad CO2 concentration range. We show that well fed C. elegans avoid CO2 levels above 0.5%. Animals can respond to both absolute CO2 concentrations and changes in CO2 levels within seconds. Responses to CO2 do not reflect avoidance of acid pH but appear to define a new sensory response. Sensation of CO2 is promoted by the cGMP-gated ion channel subunits TAX-2 and TAX-4, but other pathways are also important. Robust CO2 avoidance in well fed animals requires inhibition of the DAF-16 forkhead transcription factor by the insulin-like receptor DAF-2. Starvation, which activates DAF-16, strongly suppresses CO2 avoidance. Exposure to hypoxia (<1% O2) also suppresses CO2 avoidance via activation of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-1. The npr-1 215V allele of the naturally polymorphic neuropeptide receptor npr-1, besides inhibiting avoidance of high ambient O2 in feeding C. elegans, also promotes avoidance of high CO2. C. elegans integrates competing O2 and CO2 sensory inputs so that one response dominates. Food and allelic variation at NPR-1 regulate which response prevails. Our results suggest that multiple sensory inputs are coordinated by C. elegans to generate different coherent foraging strategies.},
  author       = {Bretscher, A. J. and Busch, K. E. and de Bono, Mario},
  issn         = {0027-8424},
  journal      = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
  number       = {23},
  pages        = {8044--8049},
  publisher    = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
  title        = {{A carbon dioxide avoidance behavior is integrated with responses to ambient oxygen and food in Caenorhabditis elegans}},
  doi          = {10.1073/pnas.0707607105},
  volume       = {105},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{6148,
  author       = {Kammenga, Jan E. and Phillips, Patrick C. and de Bono, Mario and Doroszuk, Agnieszka},
  issn         = {0168-9525},
  journal      = {Trends in Genetics},
  number       = {4},
  pages        = {178--185},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Beyond induced mutants: using worms to study natural variation in genetic pathways}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.tig.2008.01.001},
  volume       = {24},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{6149,
  author       = {Olofsson, Birgitta and de Bono, Mario},
  issn         = {0960-9822},
  journal      = {Current Biology},
  number       = {5},
  pages        = {R204--R206},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Sleep: dozy worms and sleepy flies}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.cub.2008.01.002},
  volume       = {18},
  year         = {2008},
}

@article{7320,
  abstract     = {A comparative, experimental diffusivity study of gas diffusion layer (GDL) materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) is presented for the first time. The GDL plays an important role for electrochemical losses due to gas transport limitations at high current densities. Characterization and optimization of these layers is therefore essential to improve power density. A recently developed method which allows for fast diffusimetry is applied and data compared to the literature values. Measurements are made as a function of direction and compression and the effect of different binder structures and hydrophobic treatments on effective diffusivities are discussed. A better understanding of the results is gained by including novel GDL cross-section images and a meaningful unit cell model for the interpretation of the data. The diffusivity data is valuable for GDL manufacturers and future PEFC models. The study reveals that a binder–fiber ratio larger than 50% has a negative impact on the effective diffusion properties. The hydrophobic treatment which is necessary to improve the water management can impede diffusion and thus reduce the power density. Furthermore binder has an isotropic effect while compression pronounces the in-plane orientation of the fibers.},
  author       = {Flückiger, Reto and Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Kramer, Denis and Wokaun, Alexander and Scherer, Günther G. and Büchi, Felix N.},
  issn         = {0013-4686},
  journal      = {Electrochimica Acta},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {551--559},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Anisotropic, effective diffusivity of porous gas diffusion layer materials for PEFC}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.electacta.2008.07.034},
  volume       = {54},
  year         = {2008},
}

