bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquittals in International Criminal Justice: Pyrrhic Victories?
Authors: VAN WIJK JORIS , HOLÁ BARBORA
Published: December 2016

Despite the great body of academic research on international criminal justice, little attention has been given to the situation of those who have been acquitted. This article aims to fill this gap by offering an empirical overview of what happens to persons acquitted by the ICTY, ICTR, and the ICC. Rather than providing an in-depth legal analysis, the article emphasizes the challenges acquitted persons encounter. It discusses in particular: (1) to what extent and why some acquitted individuals are barred from residing in the country of their preference; (2) whether and why they are facing subsequent prosecution; and (3) what obstacles there are for acquitted persons seeking to obtain compensation for the lengthy periods spent in detention. Although similar problems may be experienced by individuals who have been acquitted for conventional crimes in domestic systems, the authors argue that persons acquitted by international criminal tribunals are relatively more susceptible to post-acquittal challenges because of the unique nature of the alleged crimes and the institutional context in which international criminal trials take place. The authors conclude that there are no easy solutions, and that some of the problems identified are inherent to the system of international criminal justice.
Arginine–vasopressin therapy in hypotensive neonates and infants after cardiac surgery: response is unrelated to baseline ventricular function
Authors: Iliopoulos Ilias , Flores Saul , Pratap J. N. , Cooper David S. , Cassedy Amy , Nelson David P.
Published: December 2016

We hypothesised that infants with ventricular dysfunction after cardiac surgery have impaired haemodynamic response to arginine–vasopressin therapy. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of neonates and infants treated with arginine–vasopressin within 48 hours of corrective or palliative cardiac surgery who underwent echocardiographic assessment of ventricular function before initiation of therapy. Patients were classified as “responders” if their systolic blood pressure increased by ⩾10% without increase in catecholamine score or if it was maintained with decreased catecholamine score. Response was assessed 1 hour after maximum upward titration of arginine–vasopressin. A total of 36 children (15 neonates) were reviewed (17 male). The median (interquartile) age was 10.4 weeks (1.1–26.9), and the median weight was 4.3 kg (3.2–5.8). Diagnoses included single ventricle (eight), arch abnormalities (five), atrioventricular septal defect (four), double-outlet right ventricle (three), tetralogy of Fallot (three), and others (13). In all, 12 patients (33%) had ventricular dysfunction. Only 15 (42%) responded favourably according to our definition 1 hour after the “target” arginine–vasopressin dose was achieved. Ventricular dysfunction was not associated with poor response. The overall mortality was 25%, but mortality in patients with ventricular dysfunction was 42%. Favourable response was associated with shorter ICU stay (9.5 days versus 19.5 days, p=0.01). We conclude that arginine–vasopressin fails to increase blood pressure in ~50% of hypotensive children after cardiac surgery. The response rate does not increase with duration of therapy. Ventricular function does not predict haemodynamic response. The mortality in this group is very high. Prospective comparison of vasopressin with other vasoactive agents and/or inotropes is warranted.
Paramedic Application of a Triage Sieve: A Paper-Based Exercise
Authors: Cuttance Glen , Dansie Kathryn , Rayner Tim
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Triage is the systematic prioritization of casualties when there is an imbalance between the needs of these casualties and resource availability. The triage sieve is a recognized process for prioritizing casualties for treatment during mass-casualty incidents (MCIs). While the application of a triage sieve generally is well-accepted, the measurement of its accuracy has been somewhat limited. Obtaining reliable measures for triage sieve accuracy rates is viewed as a necessity for future development in this area.

Objective

The goal of this study was to investigate how theoretical knowledge acquisition and the practical application of an aide-memoir impacted triage sieve accuracy rates.

Method

Two hundred and ninety-two paramedics were allocated randomly to one of four separate sub-groups, a non-intervention control group, and three intervention groups, which involved them receiving either an educational review session and/or an aide-memoir. Participants were asked to triage sieve 20 casualties using a previously trialed questionnaire.

Results

The study showed the non-intervention control group had a correct accuracy rate of 47%, a similar proportion of casualties found to be under-triaged (37%), but a significantly lower number of casualties were over-triaged (16%). The provision of either an educational review or aide-memoir significantly increased the correct triage sieve accuracy rate to 77% and 90%, respectively. Participants who received both the educational review and aide-memoir had an overall accuracy rate of 89%. Over-triaged rates were found not to differ significantly across any of the study groups.

Conclusion

This study supports the use of an aide-memoir for maximizing MCI triage accuracy rates. A “just-in-time” educational refresher provided comparable benefits, however its practical application to the MCI setting has significant operational limitations. In addition, this study provides some guidance on triage sieve accuracy rate measures that can be applied to define acceptable performance of a triage sieve during a MCI.

CuttanceG, DansieK, RaynerT. Paramedic application of a triage sieve: a paper-based exercise. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):3–13.
Emotional processing during psychotherapy among women newly diagnosed with a gynecological cancer
Authors: Manne Sharon L. , Myers-Virtue Shannon , Darabos Katie , Ozga Melissa , Heckman Carolyn , Kissane David , Rotter David
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Our aim was to compare changes in emotional processing by women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancer enrolled in either a coping and communication skills intervention (CCI) or a supportive counseling (SC) intervention. We examined the association between in-session emotional processing and patient-rated therapeutic progress.

Method:

Three therapy sessions with 201 patients were rated for the depth of emotional processing (peak and mode) during emotion episodes (EEs) using the Experiencing Rating Scale (EXP). Participants completed measures of dispositional emotional expressivity, depressive symptoms, and cancer-related distress before treatment began, as well as ratings of perceived progress in therapy after each session.

Results:

Peak EXP ratings averaged between 2.7 and 3.1, indicating that women discussed events, their emotional reactions, and their private experiences in sessions. A small proportion of patients had high levels of processing, indicating deeper exploration of the meaning of their feelings and experiences. Women in SC were able to achieve a higher level of emotional processing during the middle and later sessions, and during cancer-related EEs in the later session. However, emotional processing was not significantly associated with a patient's perceived therapeutic progress with SC. In the CCI group, higher levels of emotional processing were associated with greater session progress, suggesting that it may play an important role in patient-rated treatment outcomes.

Significance of results:

Newly diagnosed gynecological cancer patients are able to attend to their emotions and personal experiences, particularly when discussing cancer-related issues during both short-term SC and prescriptive coping skills interventions.
How Do Trees Respond to Climate Change? Clues from an Arboretum
Authors: Chrobak Ula
Published: December 2016

The rich diversity of trees at arboreta may allow scientists to home in on the specific traits that allow trees to grow faster or slower in response to warming temperatures.
Hetero-type dual photoanodes for unbiased solar water splitting with extended light harvesting
Authors: Kim Jin Hyun , Jang Ji-Wook , Jo Yim Hyun , Abdi Fatwa F. , Lee Young Hye , van de Krol Roel , Lee Jae Sung
Published: December 2016

Metal oxide semiconductors are promising photoelectrode materials for solar water splitting due to their robustness in aqueous solutions and low cost. Yet, their solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies are still not high enough for practical applications. Here we present a strategy to enhance the efficiency of metal oxides, hetero-type dual photoelectrodes, in which two photoanodes of different bandgaps are connected in parallel for extended light harvesting. Thus, a photoelectrochemical device made of modified BiVO4 and α-Fe2O3 as dual photoanodes utilizes visible light up to 610 nm for water splitting, and shows stable photocurrents of 7.0±0.2 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE under 1 sun irradiation. A tandem cell composed with the dual photoanodes–silicon solar cell demonstrates unbiased water splitting efficiency of 7.7%. These results and concept represent a significant step forward en route to the goal of >10% efficiency required for practical solar hydrogen production.
Functional screening for anti-CMV biologics identifies a broadly neutralizing epitope of an essential envelope protein
Authors: Gardner Thomas J. , Stein Kathryn R. , Duty J. Andrew , Schwarz Toni M. , Noriega Vanessa M. , Kraus Thomas , Moran Thomas M. , Tortorella Domenico
Published: December 2016

The prototypic β-herpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes life-long persistence within its human host. The CMV envelope consists of various protein complexes that enable wide viral tropism. More specifically, the glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gO (gH-trimer) is required for infection of all cell types, while the gH/gL/UL128/130/131a (gH-pentamer) complex imparts specificity in infecting epithelial, endothelial and myeloid cells. Here we utilize state-of-the-art robotics and a high-throughput neutralization assay to screen and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the gH glycoproteins that display broad-spectrum properties to inhibit virus infection and dissemination. Subsequent biochemical characterization reveals that the mAbs bind to gH-trimer and gH-pentamer complexes and identify the antibodies’ epitope as an ‘antigenic hot spot’ critical for virus entry. The mAbs inhibit CMV infection at a post-attachment step by interacting with a highly conserved central alpha helix-rich domain. The platform described here provides the framework for development of effective CMV biologics and vaccine design strategies.
Five colour variants of bright luminescent protein for real-time multicolour bioimaging
Authors: Suzuki Kazushi , Kimura Taichi , Shinoda Hajime , Bai Guirong , Daniels Matthew J. , Arai Yoshiyuki , Nakano Masahiro , Nagai Takeharu
Published: December 2016

Luminescence imaging has gained attention as a promising bio-imaging modality in situations where fluorescence imaging cannot be applied. However, wider application to multicolour and dynamic imaging is limited by the lack of bright luminescent proteins with emissions across the visible spectrum. Here we report five new spectral variants of the bright luminescent protein, enhanced Nano-lantern (eNL), made by concatenation of the brightest luciferase, NanoLuc, with various colour hues of fluorescent proteins. eNLs allow five-colour live-cell imaging, as well as detection of single protein complexes and even single molecules. We also develop an eNL-based Ca2+ indicator with a 500% signal change, which can image spontaneous Ca2+ dynamics in cardiomyocyte and neural cell models. These eNL probes facilitate not only multicolour imaging in living cells but also sensitive imaging of a wide repertoire of proteins, even at very low expression levels.
Directional interlayer spin-valley transfer in two-dimensional heterostructures
Authors: Schaibley John R. , Rivera Pasqual , Yu Hongyi , Seyler Kyle L. , Yan Jiaqiang , Mandrus David G. , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Yao Wang , Xu Xiaodong
Published: December 2016

Van der Waals heterostructures formed by two different monolayer semiconductors have emerged as a promising platform for new optoelectronic and spin/valleytronic applications. In addition to its atomically thin nature, a two-dimensional semiconductor heterostructure is distinct from its three-dimensional counterparts due to the unique coupled spin-valley physics of its constituent monolayers. Here, we report the direct observation that an optically generated spin-valley polarization in one monolayer can be transferred between layers of a two-dimensional MoSe2–WSe2 heterostructure. Using non-degenerate optical circular dichroism spectroscopy, we show that charge transfer between two monolayers conserves spin-valley polarization and is only weakly dependent on the twist angle between layers. Our work points to a new spin-valley pumping scheme in nanoscale devices, provides a fundamental understanding of spin-valley transfer across the two-dimensional interface, and shows the potential use of two-dimensional semiconductors as a spin-valley generator in two-dimensional spin/valleytronic devices for storing and processing information.
High-throughput computational design of cathode coatings for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Aykol Muratahan , Kim Soo , Hegde Vinay I. , Snydacker David , Lu Zhi , Hao Shiqiang , Kirklin Scott , Morgan Dane , Wolverton C.
Published: December 2016

Cathode degradation is a key factor that limits the lifetime of Li-ion batteries. To identify functional coatings that can suppress this degradation, we present a high-throughput density functional theory based framework which consists of reaction models that describe thermodynamic and electrochemical stabilities, and acid-scavenging capabilities of materials. Screening more than 130,000 oxygen-bearing materials, we suggest physical and hydrofluoric-acid barrier coatings such as WO3, LiAl5O8 and ZrP2O7 and hydrofluoric-acid scavengers such as Sc2O3, Li2CaGeO4, LiBO2, Li3NbO4, Mg3(BO3)2 and Li2MgSiO4. Using a design strategy to find the thermodynamically optimal coatings for a cathode, we further present optimal hydrofluoric-acid scavengers such as Li2SrSiO4, Li2CaSiO4 and CaIn2O4 for the layered LiCoO2, and Li2GeO3, Li4NiTeO6 and Li2MnO3 for the spinel LiMn2O4 cathodes. These coating materials have the potential to prolong the cycle-life of Li-ion batteries and surpass the performance of common coatings based on conventional materials such as Al2O3, ZnO, MgO or ZrO2.
Angular dependent anisotropic terahertz response of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays with spatial dispersion
Authors: Zhou Yixuan , E. Yiwen , Xu Xinlong , Li Weilong , Wang Huan , Zhu Lipeng , Bai Jintao , Ren Zhaoyu , Wang Li
Published: December 2016

Spatial dispersion effect of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the terahertz (THz) region has significance for both theoretical and applied consideration due to the unique intrinsically anisotropic physical properties of CNTs. Herein, we report the angular dependent reflection of p-polarized THz wave from vertically aligned multi-walled CNT arrays in both experiment and theory. The spectra indicate that the reflection depends on the film thickness of vertically aligned CNTs, the incident angle, and the frequency. The calculation model is based on the spatial dispersion effect of aligned CNTs and performed with effective impedance method and the Maxwell-Garnett approximation. The results fit well with the experiment when the thickness of CNT film is thin, which reveals a coherent superposition mechanism of the CNT surface reflection and CNTs/Si interface reflection. For thick CNT films, the CNTs/Si interface response determines the reflection at small incident angles, while the CNTs surface effect dominates at large incident angles. This work investigates the spatial dispersion effect of vertically aligned CNT arrays in the THz region, and paves a way for potential anisotropic THz applications based on CNTs with oblique incidence requirements.
Noninvasive Electroencephalogram Based Control of a Robotic Arm for Reach and Grasp Tasks
Authors: Meng Jianjun , Zhang Shuying , Bekyo Angeliki , Olsoe Jaron , Baxter Bryan , He Bin
Published: December 2016

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies aim to provide a bridge between the human brain and external devices. Prior research using non-invasive BCI to control virtual objects, such as computer cursors and virtual helicopters, and real-world objects, such as wheelchairs and quadcopters, has demonstrated the promise of BCI technologies. However, controlling a robotic arm to complete reach-and-grasp tasks efficiently using non-invasive BCI has yet to be shown. In this study, we found that a group of 13 human subjects could willingly modulate brain activity to control a robotic arm with high accuracy for performing tasks requiring multiple degrees of freedom by combination of two sequential low dimensional controls. Subjects were able to effectively control reaching of the robotic arm through modulation of their brain rhythms within the span of only a few training sessions and maintained the ability to control the robotic arm over multiple months. Our results demonstrate the viability of human operation of prosthetic limbs using non-invasive BCI technology.
Parallel Metabolomic Profiling of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum for Identifying Biomarkers of Injury Severity after Acute Human Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Wu Yiman , Streijger Femke , Wang Yining , Lin Guohui , Christie Sean , Mac-Thiong Jean-Marc , Parent Stefan , Bailey Christopher S. , Paquette Scott , Boyd Michael C. , Ailon Tamir , Street John , Fisher Charles G. , Dvorak Marcel F. , Kwon Brian K. , Li Liang
Published: December 2016

Suffering an acute spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in catastrophic physical and emotional loss. Efforts to translate novel therapies in acute clinical trials are impeded by the SCI community’s singular dependence upon functional outcome measures. Therefore, a compelling rationale exists to establish neurochemical biomarkers for the objective classification of injury severity. In this study, CSF and serum samples were obtained at 3 time points (~24, 48, and 72 hours post-injury) from 30 acute SCI patients (10 AIS A, 12 AIS B, and 8 AIS C). A differential chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (CIL LC-MS) with a universal metabolome standard (UMS) was applied to the metabolomic profiling of these samples. This method provided enhanced detection of the amine- and phenol-containing submetabolome. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed dysregulations in arginine-proline metabolism following SCI. Six CSF metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers of baseline injury severity, and good classification performance (AUC > 0.869) was achieved by using combinations of these metabolites in pair-wise comparisons of AIS A, B and C patients. Using the UMS strategy, the current data set can be expanded to a larger cohort for biomarker validation, as well as discovering biomarkers for predicting neurologic outcome.
High Vimentin Expression Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Predicated a Poor Prognosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Shuli , Liu Liu , Ye Weimin , Ye Dongxia , Wang Tong , Guo Wenzheng , Liao Yueling , Xu Dongliang , Song Hongyong , Zhang Ling , Zhu Hanguang , Deng Jiong , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: December 2016

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common public health problem worldwide with poor prognosis, which is largely due to lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Identification of specific molecular markers of OSCC with lymph node metastasis would be very important for early and specific diagnosis. In this study, we screened for the potential prognosis markers via unbiased transcriptomic microarray analysis in paired two OSCC cell lines, a lymph node metastatic HN12 cell line and a low metastatic parental HN4 cell line. The results showed that vimentin, with 87-fold increase of expression, was on the top of all upregulated genes in metastatic HN12 cells compared to non-metastatic HN4 cells. Treatment of non-metastatic HN4 cells with TGF-β1 induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), with increased vimentin expression as well as enhanced migration activity. Consistently, knockdown of vimentin via siRNA resulted in suppressed invasion and migration activities of HN12 cells, suggesting an essential role of vimentin in EMT-related functions of OSCC cells. Finally, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining analysis showed that high vimentin expression was strongly associated with high lymph node metastases (p < 0.05), and poor overall survival (p < 0.05) in OSCC patients. Thus, high vimentin expression is strongly associated with increased metastatic potential, and may serve as a prediction marker for poor prognosis in OSCC patients.
Sympathetic neurons are a powerful driver of myocyte function in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Larsen Hege E. , Lefkimmiatis Konstantinos , Paterson David J.
Published: December 2016

Many therapeutic interventions in disease states of heightened cardiac sympathetic activity are targeted to the myocytes. However, emerging clinical data highlights a dominant role in disease progression by the neurons themselves. Here we describe a novel experimental model of the peripheral neuro-cardiac axis to study the neuron’s ability to drive a myocyte cAMP phenotype. We employed a co-culture of neonatal ventricular myocytes and sympathetic stellate neurons from normal (WKY) and pro-hypertensive (SHR) rats that are sympathetically hyper-responsive and measured nicotine evoked cAMP responses in the myocytes using a fourth generation FRET cAMP sensor. We demonstrated the dominant role of neurons in driving the myocyte ß-adrenergic phenotype, where SHR cultures elicited heightened myocyte cAMP responses during neural activation. Moreover, cross-culturing healthy neurons onto diseased myocytes rescued the diseased cAMP response of the myocyte. Conversely, healthy myocytes developed a diseased cAMP response if diseased neurons were introduced. Our results provide evidence for a dominant role played by the neuron in driving the adrenergic phenotype seen in cardiovascular disease. We also highlight the potential of using healthy neurons to turn down the gain of neurotransmission, akin to a smart pre-synaptic ß-blocker.
Bell’s Nonlocality Can be Detected by the Violation of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Steering Inequality
Authors: Chen Jing-Ling , Ren Changliang , Chen Changbo , Ye Xiang-Jun , Pati Arun Kumar
Published: December 2016

Recently quantum nonlocality has been classified into three distinct types: quantum entanglement, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering, and Bell’s nonlocality. Among which, Bell’s nonlocality is the strongest type. Bell’s nonlocality for quantum states is usually detected by violation of some Bell’s inequalities, such as Clause-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality for two qubits. Steering is a manifestation of nonlocality intermediate between entanglement and Bell’s nonlocality. This peculiar feature has led to a curious quantum phenomenon, the one-way Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering. The one-way steering was an important open question presented in 2007, and positively answered in 2014 by Bowles et al., who presented a simple class of one-way steerable states in a two-qubit system with at least thirteen projective measurements. The inspiring result for the first time theoretically confirms quantum nonlocality can be fundamentally asymmetric. Here, we propose another curious quantum phenomenon: Bell nonlocal states can be constructed from some steerable states. This novel finding not only offers a distinctive way to study Bell’s nonlocality without Bell’s inequality but with steering inequality, but also may avoid locality loophole in Bell’s tests and make Bell’s nonlocality easier for demonstration. Furthermore, a nine-setting steering inequality has also been presented for developing more efficient one-way steering and detecting some Bell nonlocal states.
Hybrid microscaffold-based 3D bioprinting of multi-cellular constructs with high compressive strength: A new biofabrication strategy
Authors: Tan Yu Jun , Tan Xipeng , Yeong Wai Yee , Tor Shu Beng
Published: December 2016

A hybrid 3D bioprinting approach using porous microscaffolds and extrusion-based printing method is presented. Bioink constitutes of cell-laden poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous microspheres with thin encapsulation of agarose-collagen composite hydrogel (AC hydrogel). Highly porous microspheres enable cells to adhere and proliferate before printing. Meanwhile, AC hydrogel allows a smooth delivery of cell-laden microspheres (CLMs), with immediate gelation of construct upon printing on cold build platform. Collagen fibrils were formed in the AC hydrogel during culture at body temperature, improving the cell affinity and spreading compared to pure agarose hydrogel. Cells were proven to proliferate in the bioink and the bioprinted construct. High cell viability up to 14 days was observed. The compressive strength of the bioink is more than 100 times superior to those of pure AC hydrogel. A potential alternative in tissue engineering of tissue replacements and biological models is made possible by combining the advantages of the conventional solid scaffolds with the new 3D bioprinting technology.
Water photolysis effect on the long-term stability of a fiber optic hydrogen sensor with Pt/WO3
Authors: Zhong Xuexiang , Yang Minghong , Huang Chujia , Wang Gaopeng , Dai Jixiang , Bai Wei
Published: December 2016

One of the technological challenges for hydrogen sensors is long-term stability and reliability. In this article, the UV-light irradiation was introduced into the hydrogen sensing process based on water photolysis effect of Pt/WO3. Ascribing to that, fiber optic hydrogen sensor with Pt/WO3 nanosheets as the sensing element was demonstrated with significantly improved performance of stability. Under UV irradiation, the hydrogen sensor exhibits higher sensitivity and resolution together with a smaller error range than that without UV irradiation. The enhanced performance could be attributed to the effective decomposition of water produced in the hydrogen sensing process due to the water photolysis effect of Pt/WO3. The influence of the water on stability was evaluated using experimental results, and the UV irradiation to remove water was analysed by theoretical and FT-IR spectra. This work provides new strategy of UV-light irradiation to promote the long-term stability of hydrogen sensor using Pt/WO3 as the sensing element.
The 5′UTR variant of ERCC5 fails to influence outcomes in ovarian and lung cancer patients undergoing treatment with platinum-based drugs
Authors: Rulli Eliana , Guffanti Federica , Caiola Elisa , Ganzinelli Monica , Damia Giovanna , Garassino Marina C. , Piva Sheila , Ceppi Lorenzo , Broggini Massimo , Marabese Mirko
Published: December 2016

The common polymorphic variant in the 5′ untranslated region of the excision repair cross-complementation group 5 (ERCC5) gene was described to generate an upstream open reading frame that regulates both the basal ERCC5 expression and its ability to be synthesized following DNA damage. This variant was reported to affect response to platinum therapy in a cohort of patients with pediatric ependymoma. The role of this variant was investigated in two cohorts of cancer patients, specifically in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (N = 137) and in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) patients (N = 240), treated in first-line with platinum-based compounds. Differently from what reported for pediatric ependymoma, the analysis of the polymorphism in NSCLC patients cohort was not able to detect any difference among patients harboring different genotypes both in progression free survival (HR = 0.93; 95%CI 0.64–1.33; p-value = 0.678) and overall survival (HR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.62–1.33; p-value = 0.625). These data were corroborated in a EOC patients cohort, where similar progression free survival (HR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.67–1.24; p-value = 0.561) and overall survival (HR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.71–1.35; p-value = 0.912) were found for the different genotypes. These data, obtained in appropriately sized populations, indicate that the effect of this ERCC5 polymorphism is likely to be relevant only in specific tumors.
PD-L1+MDSCs are increased in HCC patients and induced by soluble factor in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Iwata Tomoaki , Kondo Yasuteru , Kimura Osamu , Morosawa Tatsuki , Fujisaka Yasuyuki , Umetsu Teruyuki , Kogure Takayuki , Inoue Jun , Nakagome Yu , Shimosegawa Tooru
Published: December 2016

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) could have important roles in immune regulation, and MDSCs can be induced in patients with various malignant tumors. The immune-suppressive functions of MDSCs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have not been clarified. Therefore, we tried to analyze the biological significance of MDSCs in HCC patients. We quantified PD-L1+MDSCs of HCC patients in various conditions by using multi-color flow cytometry analysis. PBMCs from HCC patients contained significantly higher percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs in comparison to those from healthy subjects (p < 0.001). The percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs were reduced by curative treatment for HCC (p < 0.05), and the percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs before treatment were inversely correlated with disease-free survival time. After we cocultivated PBMCs and several liver cancer cell lines in a transwell coculture system, the percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs were significantly increased compared with control (p < 0.05). The expression of M-CSF and VEGFA was higher in the cell lines that strongly induced PD-L1+MDSCs. Peripheral blood from HCC patients had significantly higher percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs in comparison to those of healthy subjects, and the percentages of PD-L1+MDSCs were reduced by HCC treatment, suggesting that we might use PD-L1+MDSCs as a new biomarker of HCC.
Degradable fluorescent single-chain nanoparticles based on metathesis polymers
Authors: Offenloch Janin T. , Willenbacher Johannes , Tzvetkova Pavleta , Heiler Carolin , Mutlu Hatice , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: December 2016

We introduce the facile synthesis of fluorescent single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) based on chain-shattering acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymers featuring self-immolative azobenzene motifs.
Computational prediction of hetero-interpenetration in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Kwon Ohmin , Park Sanghoon , Zhou Hong-Cai , Kim Jihan
Published: December 2016

The computational generation of hetero-interpenetrated metal–organic frameworks can lead to novel materials with synergistic material properties.
Synthesis and initial transition metal chemistry of the first PGeP pincer-type germylene
Authors: Álvarez-Rodríguez Lucía , Brugos Javier , Cabeza Javier A. , García-Álvarez Pablo , Pérez-Carreño Enrique , Polo Diego
Published: December 2016

The first PGeP pincer-type germylene has been synthesized. Its divalent Ge atom easily inserts into M–M and M–Cl bonds, giving rise to products that contain a PGeP bridging germylene or a PGeP pincer chlorogermyl ligand.
Electronic structures and transport properties of a MoS2–NbS2 nanoribbon lateral heterostructure
Authors: Yang Zhixiong , Pan Jiangling , Liu Qi , Wu Nannan , Hu Mengli , Ouyang Fangping
Published: December 2016

A theoretical study on a transition metal dichalcogenide one-dimensional nanoribbon lateral heterostructure for nanoelectronics with low energy consumption.
Anti-Stokes shift luminescent materials for bio-applications
Authors: Zhu Xingjun , Su Qianqian , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou
Published: December 2016

This review presents comprehensive discussions about three types of anti-Stokes luminescent materials and summarizes recent advances in their bioapplications.
Achieving superb sodium storage performance on carbon anodes through an ether-derived solid electrolyte interphase
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Da-Wei , Lv Wei , Zhang Siwei , Liang Qinghua , Zheng Dequn , Kang Feiyu , Yang Quan-Hong
Published: December 2016

Ether solvent is utilized to manipulate the SEI on high specific surface area carbon to enable achievement of superb sodium storage performance.
Acute toxicity of graphene nanoplatelets on biological wastewater treatment process
Authors: Nguyen Hang N. , Castro-Wallace Sarah L. , Rodrigues Debora F.
Published: December 2016

This study investigates the acute toxicity of graphene to sludge microbial communities.
Practical molecular thermodynamics for greener solution chemistry
Authors: Abbott Steven , Booth Jonathan J. , Shimizu Seishi
Published: December 2016

To enhance solubility using greener chemistry we should harness sound principles of molecular-based thermodynamics.
Externally controllable glycan presentation on nanoparticle surfaces to modulate lectin recognition
Authors: Won Sangho , Richards Sarah-Jane , Walker Marc , Gibson Matthew I.
Published: December 2016

Response polymer gates are employed to enable external control of glycan expression on the surface of multivalent nanoparticles.
Copper(ii) catalyzed synthesis of novel helical luminescent benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines via an intramolecular C–H amination reaction
Authors: Borges da Silva Ramon , Teixeira Rodolfo Inêz , Wardell James L. , Wardell Solange M. S. V. , Garden Simon J.
Published: December 2016

Novel helical luminescent benzoimidazophenanthrolines were prepared using a Cu(ii) catalyzed C–H amination reaction.
Unsymmetrical α-diimine palladium catalysts and their properties in olefin (co)polymerization
Authors: Sui Xuelin , Hong Changwen , Pang Wenmin , Chen Changle
Published: December 2016

Interconvertible rac and meso forms of α-diimine ligands. Nickel catalysts led to the formation of bimodal polyethylene. Palladium catalysts led to the formation of unimodal polymers. The tunable mechanical and surface properties of polyolefin.
DNA aptamer-based carrier for loading proteins and enhancing the enzymatic activity
Authors: Kim Jieun , Kim Dajeong , Lee Jong Bum
Published: December 2016

Here, we synthesized DNA microparticles comprised of thrombin binding aptamers via rolling circle amplification (RCA). These DNA aptamer particles could successfully load a number of thrombins and the complexes have shown improved thrombin activity.
Pure-Tone–Spondee Threshold Relationships in Functional Hearing Loss: A Test of Loudness Contribution
Authors: Schlauch Robert S. , Han Heekyung J. , Yu Tzu-Ling J. , Carney Edward
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine explanations for pure-tone average–spondee threshold differences in functional hearing loss.

Method

Loudness magnitude estimation functions were obtained from 24 participants for pure tones (0.5 and 1.0 kHz), vowels, spondees, and speech-shaped noise as a function of level (20–90 dB SPL). Participants listened monaurally through earphones. Loudness predictions were obtained for the same stimuli by using a computational, dynamic loudness model.

Results

When evaluated at the same SPL, speech-shaped noise was judged louder than vowels/spondees, which were judged louder than tones. Equal-loudness levels were inferred from fitted loudness functions for the group. For the clinical application, the 2.1-dB difference between spondees and tones at equal loudness became a 12.1-dB difference when the stimuli were converted from SPL to HL.

Conclusions

Nearly all of the pure-tone average–spondee threshold differences in functional hearing loss are attributable to references for calibration for 0 dB HL for tones and speech, which are based on detection and recognition, respectively. The recognition threshold for spondees is roughly 9 dB higher than the speech detection threshold; persons feigning a loss, who base loss magnitude on loudness, do not consider this difference. Furthermore, the dynamic loudness model was more accurate than the static model.
Comprehensive Social Communication Support for Improving Transitions for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Waller Jana , Sanford Marie , Caswell Tina , Bainbridge Christine
Published: December 2016

Purpose

In this article we describe a comprehensive initiative for preparing adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for successful transitions into adulthood. We present a framework for teaching and shaping social communication behaviors for bridging potential gaps in the progression from high school into postsecondary education, the workforce, and independent living.

Background

In our program, Information and Communication Readiness for All Transition Experiences (ICREATE), we integrate six fundamental components to build social communication behaviors for effective transitions into new experiences.

Outcomes

Participants in ICREATE demonstrate improvements in social communication behaviors, including self-awareness, social reciprocity, and self-advocacy behaviors. Throughout the program, participants apply and generalize their learned social communication behaviors to a variety of contexts.

Implications

The ICREATE program has significant implications for adolescents with ASD, their families, and their communities. The information we provide serves as an outline that can be modified and adapted for a variety of settings and populations.
Interprofessional Care in the Management of Alzheimer's Dementia: Leaving Our Silos
Authors: Douglas Natalie F. , McDonald Katie
Published: December 2016

As speech-language pathologists (SLPs), we are poised to become leaders in the caring of adults with dementia; however, because of the complexity of this health condition, and its impact on patients and families, we must move beyond discipline-specific approaches to intervention and embrace the opportunities that arise when working across professional silos. The application of principles of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional practice (IPP) can be applied to maximize Alzheimer's dementia care. In this paper, the organizational characteristics supporting IPP will be highlighted, an outline of applications of training procedures to promote IPP in a rehabilitation environment will be reviewed, and real-world case studies will be provided to highlight salient principles.
Synthesis of vertical graphene flowers as a photoelectrocatalyst for organic degradation
Authors: Tian Fangyuan , Li Hongji , Li Mingji
Published: December 2016

Three‐dimensional vertical graphene flowers were fabricated using a simple, low‐cost, and efficient chemical vapour deposition method with Ni(NO3)2 as a catalyst precursor and methane as a carbon precursor. Graphene flowers of up to 10 μm in size with petals of two to seven layers of graphene were obtained. The growth of the vertically aligned graphene flowers was attributed to a columnar growth mechanism. Numerous micropores were observed between the flower petals and irregular mesopores were observed in the interconnected flowers. The charge‐transfer resistance of a graphene flower/Ta film was 30.8 Ω. The graphene flowers acted as charge carriers, reducing the charge recombination rate and enhancing electron transport. The vertical graphene flowers showed significant photoelectrocatalytic activity for the degradation of phenol.
Magnetic activity in the HARPS M dwarf sample
Authors: Astudillo-Defru N. , Delfosse X. , Bonfils X. , Forveille T. , Lovis C. , Rameau J.
Published: December 2016

Context. Atmospheric magnetic fields in stars with convective envelopes heat stellar chromospheres, and thus increase the observed flux in the Ca ii H and K doublet. Starting with the historical Mount Wilson monitoring program, these two spectral lines have been widely used to trace stellar magnetic activity, and as a proxy for rotation period (Prot) and consequently for stellar age. Monitoring stellar activity has also become essential in filtering out false-positives due to magnetic activity in extra-solar planet surveys. The Ca ii emission is traditionally quantified through the R'HK-index, which compares the chromospheric flux in the doublet to the overall bolometric flux of the star. Much work has been done to characterize this index for FGK-dwarfs, but M dwarfs – the most numerous stars of the Galaxy – were left out of these analyses and no calibration of their Ca ii H and K emission to an R'HK exists to date.

Aims. We set out to characterize the magnetic activity of the low- and very-low-mass stars by providing a calibration of the R'HK-index that extends to the realm of M dwarfs, and by evaluating the relationship between R'HK and the rotation period.

Methods. We calibrated the bolometric and photospheric factors for M dwarfs to properly transform the S-index (which compares the flux in the Ca ii H and K lines to a close spectral continuum) into the R'HK. We monitored magnetic activity through the Ca ii H and K emission lines in the HARPS M dwarf sample.

Results. The R'HK index, like the fractional X-ray luminosity LX/Lbol, shows a saturated correlation with rotation, with saturation setting in around a ten days rotation period. Above that period, slower rotators show weaker Ca ii activity, as expected. Under that period, the R'HK index saturates to approximately 10-4. Stellar mass modulates the Ca ii activity, with R'HK showing a constant basal activity above 0.6 M⊙ and then decreasing with mass between 0.6 M⊙ and the fully-convective limit of 0.35 M⊙. Short-term variability of the activity correlates with its mean level and stars with higher R'HK indexes show larger R'HK variability, as previously observed for earlier spectral types.
The rotation of planets hosting atmospheric tides: from Venus to habitable super-Earths
Authors: Auclair-Desrotour P. , Laskar J. , Mathis S. , Correia A. C. M.
Published: December 2016

The competition between the torques induced by solid and thermal tides drives the rotational dynamics of Venus-like planets and super-Earths orbiting in the habitable zone of low-mass stars. The resulting torque determines the possible equilibrium states of the planet’s spin. Here we have computed an analytic expression for the total tidal torque exerted on a Venus-like planet. This expression is used to characterize the equilibrium rotation of the body. Close to the star, the solid tide dominates. Far from it, the thermal tide drives the rotational dynamics of the planet. The transition regime corresponds to the habitable zone, where prograde and retrograde equilibrium states appear. We demonstrate the strong impact of the atmospheric properties and of the rheology of the solid part on the rotational dynamics of Venus-like planets, highlighting the key role played by dissipative mechanisms in the stability of equilibrium configurations.
Analytic second derivatives from auxiliary density perturbation theory
Authors: Delgado-Venegas Rogelio Isaac , Mejía-Rodríguez Daniel , Flores-Moreno Roberto , Calaminici Patrizia , Köster Andreas M.
Published: December 2016

The working equations for the calculation of analytic second energy derivatives in the framework of auxiliary density functional theory (ADFT) are presented. The needed perturbations are calculated with auxiliary density perturbation theory (ADPT) which is extended to perturbation dependent basis and auxiliary functions sets. The obtained ADPT equation systems are solved with the Eirola-Nevanlinna algorithm. The newly developed analytic second ADFT energy derivative approach was implemented in deMon2k and validated with respect to the corresponding finite difference approach by calculating the harmonic frequencies of small molecules. Good agreement between these two methodologies is found. To analyze the scaling of the new analytic second ADFT energy derivatives with respect to the number of processors in parallel runs, the harmonic frequencies of the carbon fullerene C240 are calculated with varying numbers of processors. Fair scaling up to 720 processors was found. As showcase applications, symmetry unrestricted optimization and frequency analyses of icosahedral carbon fullerenes with up to 960 atoms are presented.
Calculating potential energy curves with fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo: CO and N2
Authors: Powell Andrew D. , Dawes Richard
Published: December 2016

This study reports on the prospect for the routine use of Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) for the electronic structure problem, applying fixed-node Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) to generate highly accurate Born-Oppenheimer potential energy curves (PECs) for small molecular systems. The singlet ground electronic states of CO and N2 were used as test cases. The PECs obtained by DMC employing multiconfigurational trial wavefunctions were compared with those obtained by conventional high-accuracy electronic structure methods such as multireference configuration interaction and/or the best available empirical spectroscopic curves. The goal was to test whether a straightforward procedure using available QMC codes could be applied robustly and reliably. Results obtained with DMC codes were found to be in close agreement with the benchmark PECs, and the n3 scaling with the number of electrons (compared with n7 or worse for conventional high-accuracy quantum chemistry) could be advantageous depending on the system size. Due to a large pre-factor in the scaling, for the small systems tested here, it is currently still much more computationally intensive to compute PECs with QMC. Nevertheless, QMC algorithms are particularly well-suited to large-scale parallelization and are therefore likely to become more relevant for future massively parallel hardware architectures.
Band gap formation and control in coupled periodic ferromagnetic structures
Authors: Morozova M. A. , Sharaevskaya A. Yu. , Sadovnikov A. V. , Grishin S. V. , Romanenko D. V. , Beginin E. N. , Sharaevskii Yu. P. , Nikitov S. A.
Published: December 2016

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally the formation of additional bandgaps in the spectrum of spin waves in coupled magnonic crystals. We present the analytical model, which reveals the mechanism of bandgaps formation in coupled structures. In particular, the formation of one, two, or three bandgaps in the region of the first Bragg resonance is demonstrated and control of its characteristics by the variation of the complex coupling coefficient between magnonic crystals is shown. The spatially-resolved Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy and microwave measurements demonstrate the bandgap splitting in the spin-wave spectrum. The main advantage of proposed coupled structure, as compared to the conventional magnonic crystal, is the tunability of multiple bandgaps in the spin-wave spectrum, which enables potential applications in the frequency selective magnonic devices.
InGaAs tunnel FET with sub-nanometer EOT and sub-60 mV/dec sub-threshold swing at room temperature
Authors: Alian A. , Mols Y. , Bordallo C. C. M. , Verreck D. , Verhulst A. , Vandooren A. , Rooyackers R. , Agopian P. G. D. , Martino J. A. , Thean A. , Lin D. , Mocuta D. , Collaert N.
Published: December 2016

InGaAs homojunction Tunnel FET devices are demonstrated with sub-60 mV/dec Sub-threshold Swing (SS) measured in DC. A 54 mV/dec SS is achieved at 100 pA/μm over a drain voltage range of 0.2–0.5 V. The SS remains sub-60 mV/dec over 1.5 orders of magnitude of current at room temperature. Trap-Assisted Tunneling (TAT) is found to be negligible in the device evidenced by low temperature dependence of the transfer characteristics. Equivalent Oxide Thickness (EOT) is found to play the major role in achieving sub-60 mV/dec performance. The EOT of the demonstrated devices is 0.8 nm.