bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) Treatment on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigour of Endemic Herb Exacum trinervium L. in Sri Lanka: Conservation strategy
Authors: Dissanayaka N. P. , Kodikara K. A. S. , Vithanage D. S. , Krishnarajah S. A. , Rubasinghe M. K. , Dayananda T. G.
Published: January 2016

Based on the scientific information available, E. trinervium is currently of conservation concern since it shows poor seedling growth even under satisfactory seed germination. Ex-situ cultivation is therefore recommended as a conservation strategy. This study aimed to (i) investigate the effective pre-sowing 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) treatment that enhances the seed germination and seedling vigour and (ii) to study morphological traits that can be used in assessing healthy seedlings of E. trinervium. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design under both laboratory and green house conditions with BAP concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mgL-1 as pre-sowing treatments and distilled water as the control with different exposure durations i.e. 18, 24 and 30 hours. The results showed that there was no significant effect of BAP treatments on seed germination percentage under laboratory and nursery conditions. The lowest average mean germination time (MGT) was obtained 24 h exposure duration for the green house condition. Seedling dry weight and seedling Vigour Index (SVI) were significantly (P0.05) higher for BAP concentration of 3.0 mgL-1 under 24 h exposure duration. Growth parameters i.e. number of leaves, plant height, root length, number of primary roots, dry weight and fresh weight of E. trinervium were significantly (P<0.05) induced by BAP concentration and exposure duration. Accordingly, BAP concentration of 3.0 mgL-1 under 24 h exposure duration proved to be the optimum BAP treatment for the increase of seedling vigour of E. trinervium under the green house conditions. Therefore, the present study suggests that BAP treatment may be involved metabolically in the stimulation of germination and then to increase the seedling vigour of E. trinervium. Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2015 3(1): 14-20
Molecular oncology update: Breast cancer gene expression profiling
Authors: Verma Amit , Kaur Jatinder , Mehta Kapil
Published: January 2016

Molecular Oncology has paved its way in the comprehensive cancer care, and its burgeoning role especially in the discovery of novel cellular targets is responsible for emergence of the new Paradigm called “Genomic Paradigm”, a shift from the old age “Clinico-Pathological Paradigm”. In breast cancer, till recently clinical decisions, prognostications, and predictions were based solely upon histopathologic analysis, or one or a small numbers of genes or their expressions (proteins) in the tumor tissue. With the advent of newer technologies like microarray, which allows us to read the “Molecular Signature” of an individual patient's tumor, the molecular information is exploited for novel targeted treatments and new biomarkers identification. This has led to better classification of cancers for prognostication and treatment selection. In this review we have summarized various Genomic Expression Profiling (GEP) which are available commercially or in different developmental phases.
Pertuzumab: Unprecedented benefit in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Rauthan Amit , Dattatreya Palanki , Singhal Manish , Prabu Ram , Naik Siddharth , Kukreja Anil
Published: January 2016

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer and targeting the HER2 receptor has proven effective in improving the prognosis of these patients. Pertuzumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody and the first in a class of HER2 dimerization inhibitors approved for treating HER2+ breast cancer. It blocks ligand-dependent heterodimerization and ligand-independent homodimerization of HER2 with other HER members. When used in combination with trastuzumab and taxane, pertuzumab complements the action of trastuzumab and results in a comprehensive blockade of HER2 signaling pathway. This review article traces the development of pertuzumab from concept to its current use in HER2+ breast cancer treatment. A search of Medical Literature Published since 2007 was performed in PubMed using the keywords “pertuzumab,” “HER2+ breast cancer,” “HER2 targeted therapy,” “metastatic breast cancer,” and in search engines for ongoing trials with pertuzumab and incidence of cancer and breast cancer in India. A total of 35 publications and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology were selected for this review. Pertuzumab is approved in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic BC, who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The dual HER2 blockade of pertuzumab and trastuzumab is now accepted worldwide as a standard of care by various guidelines.
The diagnostic significance of breast incidentalomas detected on whole-body fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Sharma Shelly , Pruthi Ankur
Published: January 2016

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the diagnostic significance of breast incidentalomas detected on whole-body fluorine-18 (18F) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 3868 patients who underwent 18F FDG PET/CT at our institution, for the presence of hypermetabolic focus in the breasts. Patients with known breast cancer or with the previous history of breast cancer were excluded from the study. Ten out of remaining 3868 patients had abnormal focal uptake in the breast. We, therefore, enrolled these 10 patients with histopathology confirmation in this study.

Results: Among all 3868 patients, 10 (0.25%) patients demonstrated incidental focal uptake in breast parenchyma. All of these 10 patients were females. Histopathology examination confirmed malignancy in 8 out of 10 patients (80%), these included invasive ductal cancer in 4 patients, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2 patients, and metastasis from rectal cancer and endometrial cancer, respectively, in 2 patients. Of the 10 patients, 2 (20%) had lesions that were confirmed to be benign. Both of these were proven to be fibroadenomas. The mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG-PET/CT scans was 1.35 ± 1.2 in the benign cases versus 3.8 ± 1.83 in the malignant cases. This difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.056). All malignant lesions had SUVmax 2.0 or greater. The mean size differed significantly between the benign and malignant groups (2.55 ± 0.63 vs. 1.31 ± 0.44 cm) (P = 0.005) with benign lesions being bigger in size.

Conclusion: Unexpected focal areas of hypermetabolic activity discovered in the breast at the time of PET/CT are associated with a high likelihood of malignancy in as many as 80% of cases. Therefore, any suspicious activity discovered in the breast on PET/CT should be evaluated until a diagnosis is found.
Tailored approach to management of bilateral breast cancer in Indian women
Authors: Selvakumar Veda Padma Priya , Garg Shubha , Siddiqui Kahkasha , Goel Ashish , Kumar Kapil , Kumar Rajeev
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Bilateral breast cancer BCC is relatively uncommon with an overall incidence of 5–20% in women with early breast cancer. They are divided into synchronous if cancers are detected simultaneously or within 6 months of each other and metachronous if they are detected more than 6 months apart from each other. Family history and hereditary cancers multicentricity and lobular histology are some of the factors associated with BCC. In this background, we sought to evaluate the incidence, clinicopathological profile, and management of women with bilateral primary breast cancer at our institute.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of women who underwent surgery for BCC at the breast services unit at our institute from October 2010 to April 2015. The clinicopathological profile and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS 22 software and appropriate statistical tests.

Results: Out of 1330 women who underwent surgery for early breast cancer between October 2010 and April 2015, 44 were bilateral. Twenty-eight were synchronous and 16 were metachronous. Mean age of the presentation of patients was 53 years (range 30–79 years). The histological type were same in 82.14% of synchronous tumors and 87.5% of metachronous tumors (P = 0.496). The grades were similar in 42.85% of synchronous tumors and 56.25% of metachronous lesions (P = 0.294). The stage concordance among synchronous tumors was 39.28%, whereas it was 60% among metachronous lesions (P = 0.164).

Conclusions: The management of BCC is complex and has to be tailored to the individual based on characteristics of index and second tumor, prior therapy, adjuvant treatment, and risk stratification. Moreover, the concordance of receptor expression is higher in synchronous cancers than metachronous cancers.
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Fasina Oluyemi
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the conjunctiva worldwide. Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) describes the spectrum of ocular surface intraepithelial neoplasia, pre-invasive and invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

Method: This nonrandomized study aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical features and evaluate the outcome of treatment in patients with histological diagnosis of OSSN managed at a single tertiary center in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Result: Twenty-five patients were managed within the study period with a mean age of 42 ± 15.3 years and male: female ratio of 1:1.5. All patients presented with growth and redness, and, visual impairment was observed in seven (28%) patients. Fifteen (60%) patients were seropositive for HIV infection and one patient (4%) had xeroderma pigmentosum. The right side was involved in 11 (44%) patients and there were no bilateral lesions. Morphologically, 18 (72%) lesions were gelatinous, six (24%) were leucoplakic while one (4%) was nodular. Twenty-two (88%) patients underwent surgical excision with alcohol kerato-epitheliectomy and cryotherapy, while three (12%) patients had lid sparing orbital exenteration. The three (12%) patients with intraepithelial neoplasm, and six (24%) who had SCC but with tumor-free margins received no adjuvant treatment post-operatively, while 13 (52%) with SCC and microscopic margin involvement were treated with four courses of 0.04% topical mitomycin C (MMC) and the three (12%) patients who had orbital exenteration were referred for radiotherapy. The average follow-up period was 12 months, no patient was lost to follow-up and none has had recurrence.

Conclusion: OSSN occurs in younger individuals, and is strongly associated with HIV infection in our environment. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent severe ocular morbidity. Wide surgical excision with intra-operative cryotherapy and adjuvant treatment with topical MMC post-operatively seem to give good outcome in our patients.
Spectral triples on proper étale groupoids
Authors: Harju Antti J.
Published: January 2016

A proper étale Lie groupoid is modelled as a (noncommutative) spectral geometric space. The spectral triple is built on the algebra of smooth functions on the groupoid base which are invariant under the groupoid action. Stiefel–Whitney classes in Lie groupoid cohomology are introduced to measure the orientability of the tangent bundle and the obstruction to lift the tangent bundle to a spinor bundle. In the case of an orientable and spin Lie groupoid, an invariant spinor bundle and an invariant Dirac operator will be constructed. This data gives rise to a spectral triple. The algebraic orientability axiom in noncommutative geometry is reformulated to make it compatible with the geometric model.
Quasi-quantum linear spaces
Authors: Huang Hua-Lin , Yang Yuping
Published: January 2016

We provide a classification of finite-dimensional graded pointed Majid algebras generated by finite abelian groups as group-like elements and a set of quasi-commutative skew-primitive elements. This amounts to a classification of finite quasi-quantum linear spaces in the sense of nonassociative geometry.
A configuration space for equivariant connective K-homology
Authors: Velásquez Mario A.
Published: January 2016

Following ideas of Graeme Segal, we construct an equivariant configuration space that is a model of equivariant connective K-homology spectrum for finite groups, as a consequence we obtain an induction structure for equivariant connective K-homology. We describe explicitly the homology with complex coefficients for the fixed points of this configuration space as a Hopf algebra.
A Model for Speech Processing in Second Language Listening Activities
Authors: Zoghbor Wafa Shahada
Published: January 2016

Teachers’ understanding of the process of speech perception could inform practice in listening classrooms. Catford (1950) developed a model for speech perception taking into account the influence of the acoustic features of the linguistic forms used by the speaker, whereby the listener ‘identifies’ and 'interprets' these linguistic forms based on the association between them and the context of speech. This paper critically reviews Catford’s model and proposes an alternative one distinguishing between two levels of perceiving speech: word recognition and utterance comprehension. Smith and Nelson (1985) refer to these as 'intelligibility' and 'comprehensibility’, respectively. The proposed model could inform classroom practice as well as curriculum and material design.
EFL Teachers’ Cognition of Teaching English Pronunciation Techniques: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: Yunus Melor Md , Salehi Hadi , Amini Mahdi
Published: January 2016

In recent years, a great number of attempts have been made on teachers’ cognition with the aim of understanding the complications reinforcing the teachers’ cognitions and their classroom practices. Such studies shed light on how teachers’ cognitions expand over time and how they are reflected in their classroom practices. The aim of the present study was to investigate Iranian EFL teachers’ cognition particularly in terms of the pronunciation techniques they apply in the oral communication classrooms and their knowledge about their language learners’ characteristics. To achieve the goals of the study, the cognitions of five English teachers in the oral communication classrooms were explored. The teachers were requested to answer two semi-structured interviews to obtain the data about their cognitions regarding the pronunciation techniques. Furthermore, their students were asked to fill out a questionnaire to express their opinions about the techniques applied by their teachers during instruction of English pronunciation. The qualitative and quantitative results showed that there was an intricate relationship between language teachers’ experience with their cognitions about their language learners. Moreover, those teachers who were in higher level language courses showed to have broader cognitions about both the techniques they used in classrooms and the language learners’ characteristics as well.
Strategies Training in the Teaching of Reading Comprehension for EFL Learners in Indonesia
Authors: Mistar Junaidi , Zuhairi Alfan , Yanti Nofita
Published: January 2016

This study investigated the effect of reading strategies training on the students’ literal and inferential reading comprehension. The training involved three concrete strategies: predicting, text mapping, and summarizing. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quasi experimental design was selected with the experimental group being given reading strategies training and the control group being treated in a ‘business as usual’ mode. The subjects were students of two classes in a vocational senior high school in East Java, Indonesia (N=71). The students’ scores in the mid-semester teacher made test of English were used as the covariate to control possible initial differences between the two groups. Moreover, a test of reading comprehension was developed to measure the effect of the treatment. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) yielded that the experimental group outperformed the control group in both literal and inferential reading comprehension levels. Implications of this finding for classroom teaching are then discussed.
Examining the Learnability of English Relative Clauses: Evidence from Kuwaiti EFL Learners
Authors: Alotaibi Abdullah M.
Published: January 2016

This study aims to test the extent to which 120 Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of the structure of relative clauses in English through measuring their ability to produce this structure. It also checks whether the English proficiency level of the participants plays a role in their answers on the test. For this purpose, a sentence combination task was used to measure the participants’ ability to produce correct relative clauses in English. This test was selected in order to examine the types of error made by the participants pertinent to relative clauses in English. The results reveal that Kuwaiti EFL learners may not be fully aware of the formation rules of relative clauses in English (total mean=60.4%). The t-test shows that the English proficiency level affected the participants' answers on the test. Specifically, there were statistically significant differences between the answers of the advanced (76.3%) and intermediate learners (44.4%). The number of errors made by the advanced learners was less than that made by the intermediate learners. Regarding the types of error made by the participants, the most noticeable ones were: deletion of the relative pronoun, wrong relative pronoun, repetitive use of resumptive pronouns, passivisation of the relative clause and problems with the indirect object and genitive relative clauses. The researcher analysed the participants' erroneous answers and provided potential reasons to account for them. Finally, the study concludes with some pedagogical implications and recommendations for further research.
Ready for STEM?
Authors: Mardis Marcia A.
Published: January 2016

National emphases on STEM learning and digital textbooks have highlighted the importance of high quality digital instructional materials. Because teachers often lack the time and expertise to find, assess, and organize multimedia, school librarians can support STEM learning by providing media-rich, current, curriculum-linked library collections. To determine whether Discovery Education Streaming, a leading commercial database is a viable source of school library STEM resources, the researcher analyzed its multimedia assets by media, grade, category, and copyright. Results suggested that the database’s extensive content was comprised mainly of video segments, complete videos, and images but that this content was outdated, had uneven grade coverage, and addressed limited topics. While the results raise concerns about Discovery Education Streaming as an enhancement to library collections, careful use of these sources may allow school librarians opportunities to integrate high quality digital assets into their collections through specific strategies for policy, research, and practice.
When One Plus One Remains One
Authors: Mael Elaine
Published: January 2016

Following the trend for library mergers of various configurations, the recent union of a state university with a private specialized university, each with its own library, provides insight into this ongoing phenomenon. The issues involved in such a vision occur on many fronts, including administrative decisions, technological implementation, physical plant management, and staff commitment. All of these require considerable strategic planning, sometimes in the shadow of time constraints. The author addresses the challenges, the benefits, and the potential problems resulting from the merger of two university libraries and the implications for other libraries considering a similar amalgamation.
What Cost and Usage Data Reveals About E-Book Acquisitions: Ramifications for Collection Development
Authors: Carrico Steven B. , Cataldo Tara T. , Botero Cecilia , Shelton Trey
Published: January 2016

To better determine how e-book acquisitions might affect future collection development decisions, a team of librarians from the University of Florida (UF) launched a project to assess cost and usage of e-books purchased using three different acquisitions methods: e-books acquired in large publisher packages; single-title e-books selected through firm orders; and e-books purchased through two patron-driven acquisitions (PDA) plans. The cost-usage data were then sorted into three broad areas of subject disciplines—humanities and social sciences (HSS); science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM); and medicine (MED)—and the results were reviewed and summarized. The authors compared the cost-usage data of e-books acquired by the acquisitions methods across the three subject areas and describe how the findings are affecting current and future acquisitions, traditional collection management, and budgeting at UF.
Book Review: Preserving Complex Digital Objects
Authors: Kearney Ann
Published: January 2016

Digital preservation efforts share many of the goals, ethics, and priorities of analog preservation but incorporate distinctive vocabulary, technology, and methodology.1 “Complex digital objects” are objects defined as simulations and visualizations, gaming environments, and software-based art (xii). By definition, these objects contribute additional layers of complication to preservation. These are the focus of Preserving Complex Digital Objects.
Editorial
Authors: Weber Mary Beth
Published: January 2016

I recently returned from the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. My conference experience was a mix of informative programs that inspired me, required committee meetings (both as LRTS editor and as the head of Central Technical Services at Rutgers) where I heard important developments in technical services, and events such as “ALCTS 101” and the ALCTS awards ceremony. Attending a professional conference can be overwhelming, and it seems that all the programs of interest to me are at the same time as my main event, the LRTS editorial board meeting. Fortunately, the ALCTS News includes program reports plus reports from ALCTS committees and interest groups so that I can read about what I have missed. Being actively engaged in ALCTS is an important aspect of having a successful conference experience. My experience is more meaningful when I interact with others, share my expertise, and have immediate access to my professional colleagues.
What Makes an Effective Cataloging Course? A Study of the Factors that Promote Learning
Authors: Snow Karen , Hoffman Gretchen L.
Published: January 2016

This paper presents the results of a research study, a survey of library and information science master’s degree holders who have taken a beginning cataloging course, to identify the elements of a beginning cataloging course that help students to learn cataloging concepts and skills. The results suggest that cataloging practice (the hands-on creation of bibliographic records or catalog cards), the effectiveness of the instructor, a balance of theory and practice, and placing cataloging in a real-world context contribute to effective learning. However, more research is needed to determine how, and to what the extent, each element should be incorporated into beginning cataloging courses.
Effect of boron incorporation on light emission characteristics of UV BAlGaN/AlN quantum well structures
Authors: Park Seoung-Hwan , Ahn Doyeol
Published: January 2016

The effect of boron incorporation on the light emission characteristics of UV B
x
Al
y
Ga1−

x

−

y
N/AlN quantum well (QW) structures was investigated. The internal field rapidly decreases with increasing boron composition and becomes zero at critical boron compositions. As a result, the light intensity of the BAlGaN/AlN QW structure is increased by roughly four times at the critical boron composition of x = 0.03 and y = 0.2. Therefore, in the range of Al composition below 0.7, we expect that UV BAlGaN/AlN QW structures can be used as a high-efficiency light source with a strain reduction of 20–30%, relative to conventional AlGaN/AlN QW structures.
Palladium nanoparticle array-mediated semiconductor bonding that enables high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells
Authors: Mizuno Hidenori , Makita Kikuo , Sugaya Takeyoshi , Oshima Ryuji , Hozumi Yasuo , Takato Hidetaka , Matsubara Koji
Published: January 2016

A detailed study on the application of Pd nanoparticle arrays, produced by self-assembled block copolymer templates, in bonding of III–V-based solar cell materials was carried out. The Pd nanoparticle array-mediated bonding (mechanical stacking) of GaAs-based thin-films (cells) was readily performed on the surface of GaAs or InP-based substrates (cells) to form multi-junction device architectures. Using the optimized Pd NP array, a 30.4%-efficiency four-junction two-terminal cell, consisting of an InGaP/GaAs top cell and an InGaAsP/InGaAs bottom cell, was achieved owing to the excellent electrical and optical bonding properties (bonding resistance, 1.81 Ω cm2; optical loss, 2.9%). Together with the verification of the long-term reliability of the Pd nanoparticle array-mediated bonding, our approach would become practically attractive for producing high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells.
Optimizing coil system for magnetic susceptometer with widely-adjustable field-strength and frequency
Authors: Trisnanto Suko Bagus , Kitamoto Yoshitaka
Published: January 2016

Some practical applications of magnetic nanoparticles in theranostics systems require a preliminary study on magnetically-induced particle behavior with regard to the frequency and field strength-dependent magnetic susceptibility, measurable through a complex magnetic susceptometer. A wide measurement range, however, is favorable to provide comprehensive understanding in relaxation dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles, as well as their nonlinear magnetization. Therefore, we particularly designed a coil system, thus achieving measurability of complex magnetic susceptibility up to 1 MHz with field strength more than 10 Oerms. Our design includes parallel-arranged multiturn-coils as an induction coil to minimize overall resistance without a significant decrease of coil inductance, thus improving current-to-field conversion efficiency with a minimized dimension. Additionally, a typical coil was inserted inside the induction coil to provide a spatially-controllable field-distribution, and a single-turn sheet-coil was used as a sensor to obtain minimum noise and improve sensitivity reaching a relatively-constant value regardless field strength and temperature.
Evolution maps and applications
Authors: Biller Ofer , Rabaev Irina , Kedem Klara , Dinstein Its’hak , El-Sana Jihad J.
Published: January 2016

Common tasks in document analysis, such as binarization, line extraction etc., are still considered difficult for highly degraded text documents. Having reliable fundamental information regarding the characters of the document, such as the distribution of character dimensions and stroke width, can significantly improve the performance of these tasks. We introduce a novel perspective of the image data which maps the evolution of connected components along the change in gray scale threshold. The maps reveal significant information about the sets of elements in the document, such as characters, noise, stains, and words. The information is further employed to improve state of the art binarization algorithm, and achieve automatically character size estimation, line extraction, stroke width estimation, and feature distribution analysis, all of which are hard tasks for highly degraded documents.
Probabilistic versus deterministic skill in predicting the western North Pacific‐East Asian summer monsoon variability with multimodel ensembles
Authors: Yang Dejian , Yang Xiu‐Qun , Xie Qian , Zhang Yaocun , Ren Xuejuan , Tang Youmin
Published: January 2016

Based on historical forecasts of three quasi‐operational multimodel ensemble (MME) systems, this study assesses the superiority of coupled MME over contributing single‐model ensembles (SMEs) and over uncoupled atmospheric MME in predicting the Western North Pacific‐East Asian summer monsoon variability. The probabilistic and deterministic forecast skills are measured by Brier skill score (BSS) and anomaly correlation (AC), respectively. A forecast‐format‐dependent MME superiority over SMEs is found. The probabilistic forecast skill of the MME is always significantly better than that of each SME, while the deterministic forecast skill of the MME can be lower than that of some SMEs. The MME superiority arises from both the model diversity and the ensemble size increase in the tropics, and primarily from the ensemble size increase in the subtropics. The BSS is composed of reliability and resolution, two attributes characterizing probabilistic forecast skill. The probabilistic skill increase of the MME is dominated by the dramatic improvement in reliability, while resolution is not always improved, similar to AC. A monotonic resolution‐AC relationship is further found and qualitatively explained, whereas little relationship can be identified between reliability and AC. It is argued that the MME's success in improving the reliability arises from an effective reduction of the overconfidence in forecast distributions. Moreover, it is examined that the seasonal predictions with coupled MME are more skillful than those with the uncoupled atmospheric MME forced by persisting sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, since the coupled MME has better predicted the SST anomaly evolution in three key regions.
A Comparative Study on the Textile Processing of Carbon and Multifunctional Glass Fiber Sensor Yarns for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Wiegand Niclas , Haupt Matthias , Mäder Edith , Cherif Chokri
Published: January 2016

In this comparative study two sensor yarns, such as carbon filament yarns and carbon nanotube coated glass filament yarns are analyzed regarding their electrical property changes during textile manufacturing into multi‐layer weft knitted structures as well as during compression molding into a composite plate due to the different electro‐mechanical behavior, various sensitivities, and changing ways of acting as an in‐situ sensor: yarns act either as a conductive fiber itself (carbon) or as an electrical conductive sizing (CNT‐coated glass). Both sensor yarns under investigation have to be considered differently with regard to changes in the electrical conductivity due to mechanical loading during textile processing and possible healing of cracks during compression molding.
An Unusual Extrusion Texture in Mg–Gd–Y–Zr Alloys
Authors: Alizadeh Reza , Mahmudi Reza , Ngan Alfonso H. W. , Langdon Terence G.
Published: January 2016

Texture evolution is studied by EBSD in Mg–9Gd–4Y–0.4Zr (GW94), Mg–5Gd–4Y–0.4Zr (GW54), and Mg–5Gd–0.4Zr (GW50) alloys after processing with two extrusion‐ratios of 19:1 and 8:1. While the alloys show common extrusion textures at the low extrusion‐ratio of 8:1, an unusual extrusion texture is observed in the GW94 alloy at the high extrusion‐ratio of 19:1 with the (0001) basal planes aligned perpendicular to the extrusion axis. This unusual texture decreases at lower extrusion‐ratios and/or lower alloy contents. It is proposed that rare‐earth (RE) elements modify the texture by retarding recrystallization in solute drag effects on grain boundaries and pinning effects of RE‐rich precipitates.
A Bifunctional Biomaterial with Photothermal Effect for Tumor Therapy and Bone Regeneration
Authors: Ma Hongshi , Jiang Chuan , Zhai Dong , Luo Yongxiang , Chen Yu , Lv Fang , Yi Zhengfang , Deng Yuan , Wang Jinwu , Chang Jiang , Wu Chengtie
Published: January 2016

Malignant bone tumor is one of the major bone diseases. The treatment of such a bone disease typically requires the removal of bone tumor and regeneration of tumor‐initiated bone defects simultaneously. To address this issue, it is required that implanted biomaterials should combine the bifunctions of both therapy and regeneration. In this work, a bifunctional graphene oxide (GO)‐modified β‐tricalcium phosphate (GO‐TCP) composite scaffold combining a high photothermal effect with significantly improved bone‐forming ability is prepared by 3D‐printing and surface‐modification strategies. The prepared GO‐TCP scaffolds exhibit excellent photothermal effects under the irradiation of 808 nm near infrared laser (NIR) even at an ultralow power density of 0.36 W cm−2, while no photothermal effects are observed for pure β‐TCP scaffolds. The photothermal temperature of GO‐TCP scaffolds can be effectively modulated in the range of 40–90 °C by controlling the used GO concentrations, surface‐modification times, and power densities of NIR. The distinct photothermal effect of GO‐TCP scaffolds induces more than 90% of cell death for osteosarcoma cells (MG‐63) in vitro, and further effectively inhibits tumor growth in mice. Meanwhile, the prepared GO‐TCP scaffolds possess the improved capability to stimulate the osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) by upregulating bone‐related gene expression, and significantly promote new bone formation in the bone defects of rabbits as compared to pure β‐TCP scaffolds. These results successfully demonstrate that the prepared GO‐TCP scaffolds have bifunctional properties of photothermal therapy and bone regeneration, which is believed to pave the way to design and fabricate novel implanting biomaterials in combination of therapy and regeneration functions.
Enhancing the Optoelectronic Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells via a Textured CH3NH3PbI3 Morphology
Authors: Pascoe Alexander R. , Meyer Steffen , Huang Wenchao , Li Wei , Benesperi Iacopo , Duffy Noel W. , Spiccia Leone , Bach Udo , Cheng Yi‐Bing
Published: January 2016

Perovskite‐based solar cells are generally assembled as planar structures comprising a flat organoammonium metal halide perovskite layer, or mesoscopic structures employing a mesoporous metal‐oxide scaffold into which the perovskite material is infiltrated. To present, little attention has been directed toward the texturing of the perovskite material itself. Herein, a textured CH3NH3PbI3 morphology formed through a thin mesoporous TiO2 seeding layer and a gas‐assisted crystallization method is reported. The textured morphology comprises a multitiered nanostructure, which allows for significant improvements in the light harvesting and charge extraction performance of the solar cells. Due to these improvements, average short‐circuit current densities for a batch of 28 devices are in excess of 22 mA cm−2, and the maximum recorded power conversion efficiency is 16.3%. The performance gains concomitant with this textured CH3NH3PbI3 morphology provide further insights into how control of the perovskite microstructure can be used to enhance the cell performance.
Impact of Polystyrene Oligomer Side Chains on Naphthalene Diimide–Bithiophene Polymers as n‐Type Semiconductors for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kurosawa Tadanori , Chiu Yu‐Cheng , Zhou Yan , Gu Xiaodan , Chen Wen‐Chang , Bao Zhenan
Published: January 2016

A series of naphthalene diimide‐based conjugated polymers are prepared with various molar percentage of low molecular weight polystyrene (PS) oligomer of narrow polydispersity as the side chain. The PS side chains are incorporated through preparation of a macromonomer by chain termination of living anionic polymerization. The effects of the PS side chains amount (0–20 mol%) versus overall sidechain on the electrical properties of the resulting polymers as n‐type polymer semiconductors in field‐effect transistors are investigated. We observe that all the studied polymers show similarly high electron mobility (≈0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1). Importantly, the polymers with high PS side chain content (20 mol%) show a significantly improved device stability under ambient conditions, when compared to the polymers at lower PS content (0–10 mol%). By comparing this observation to the physical blending of the conjugated polymer with PS, we attribute the improved stability to the covalently attached PS side chains potentially serving as a molecular encapsulating layer around the conjugated polymer backbone, rendering it less susceptible to electron traps such as oxygen and water molecules.
Freestanding Bilayer Carbon–Sulfur Cathode with Function of Entrapping Polysulfide for High Performance Li–S Batteries
Authors: Kang Hyo‐Seok , Sun Yang‐Kook
Published: January 2016

Li–S batteries benefit from numerous advantages such as high theoretical capacity, high energy density, and availability of an abundance of sulfur. However, commercialization of Li–S batteries has been impeded because of low loading amount of active materials and poor cycle performance. Herein, a freestanding bilayer carbon–sulfur (FBCS) cathode is reported with superior electrochemical performance at a high sulfur loading level (3 mg cm−2). The top component of the FBCS cathode is composed of interlacing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and the bottom component is made up of a mixed layer of sulfur imbedded in MWCNT and N‐doped porous carbon (NPC). The MWCNT layer (top part of FBCS cathode) blocks polysulfide migration from the cathode to the anode, and NPC in the bottom part of the FBCS cathode not only provides spacious active sites but also absorbs polysulfide by the nitrogen functional group. The designed novel FBCS cathode delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 964 and 900 mAh g−1 at 0.5 and 1 C, respectively. It also displayed an excellent capacity retention of 83.1% at 0.5 C and 83.4% at 1 C after 300 cycles.
Highly Scalable, Closed‐Loop Synthesis of Drug‐Loaded, Layer‐by‐Layer Nanoparticles
Authors: Correa Santiago , Choi Ki Young , Dreaden Erik C. , Renggli Kasper , Shi Aria , Gu Li , Shopsowitz Kevin E. , Quadir Mohiuddin A. , Ben‐Akiva Elana , Hammond Paula T.
Published: January 2016

Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly is a versatile technique from which multi­component and stimuli‐responsive nanoscale drug‐carriers can be constructed. Despite the benefits of LbL assembly, the conventional synthetic approach for fabricating LbL nanoparticles requires numerous purification steps that limit scale, yield, efficiency, and potential for clinical translation. In this report, a generalizable method for increasing throughput with LbL assembly is described by using highly scalable, closed‐loop diafiltration to manage intermediate purification steps. This method facilitates highly controlled fabrication of diverse nanoscale LbL formulations smaller than 150 nm composed from solid‐polymer, mesoporous silica, and liposomal vesicles. The technique allows for the deposition of a broad range of polyelectrolytes that included native polysaccharides, linear polypeptides, and synthetic polymers. The cytotoxicity, shelf life, and long‐term storage of LbL nanoparticles produced using this approach are explored. It is found that LbL coated systems can be reliably and rapidly produced: specifically, LbL‐modified liposomes could be lyophilized, stored at room temperature, and reconstituted without compromising drug encapsulation or particle stability, thereby facilitating large scale applications. Overall, this report describes an accessible approach that significantly improves the throughput of nanoscale LbL drug‐carriers that show low toxicity and are amenable to clinically relevant storage conditions.
Linker‐Region Modified Derivatives of the Deoxyhypusine Synthase Inhibitor CNI‐1493 Suppress HIV‐1 Replication
Authors: Schröder Marcus , Kolodzik Adrian , Windshügel Björn , Krepstakies Marcel , Priyadarshini Poornima , Hartjen Philip , van Lunzen Jan , Rarey Matthias , Hauber Joachim , Meier Chris
Published: January 2016

The inhibition of cellular factors that are involved in viral replication may be an important alternative to the commonly used strategy of targeting viral enzymes. The guanylhydrazone CNI‐1493, a potent inhibitor of the deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS), prevents the activation of the cellular factor eIF‐5A and thereby suppresses HIV replication and a number of other diseases. Here, we report on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of CNI‐1493 analogues. The sebacoyl linker in CNI‐1493 was replaced by different alkyl or aryl dicarboxylic acids. Most of the tested derivatives suppress HIV‐1 replication efficiently in a dose‐dependent manner without showing toxic side effects. The unexpected antiviral activity of the rigid derivatives point to a second binding mode as previously assumed for CNI‐1493. Moreover, the chemical stability of CNI‐1493 was analysed, showing a successive hydrolysis of the imino bonds. By molecular dynamics simulations, the behaviour of the parent CNI‐1493 in solution and its interactions with DHS were investigated.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Phthalazinone Derivatives as Anti‐Inflammatory and Anti‐Proliferative Agents
Authors: Hameed Alhamzah Dh. , Ovais Syed , Yaseen Raed , Rathore Pooja , Samim Mohammed , Singh Surender , Sharma Kalicharan , Akhtar Mymona , Javed Kalim
Published: January 2016

The chemistry of phthalazine derivatives has been of increasing interest since many of these compounds have found many chemotherapeutic applications. So this study aims to synthesize a library of phthalazine derivatives and to investigate their anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proliferative activities. Sixteen new phthalazinone derivatives (2a–p) were synthesized and tested for their in vitro antiproliferative and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activities. All the synthesized compounds were identified and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and MS. Two compounds, 2b and 2i, showed significant anti‐inflammatory activity comparable with that of the standard drug etoricoxib in the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema model at 3 and 5 h, respectively. Three compounds (2h, 2j, and 2g) showed moderate sensitivity toward the renal cancer cell line UO‐31.
Mitochondrial content is central to nuclear gene expression: Profound implications for human health
Authors: Muir Rebecca , Diot Alan , Poulton Joanna
Published: January 2016

We review a recent paper in Genome Research by Guantes et al. showing that nuclear gene expression is influenced by the bioenergetic status of the mitochondria. The amount of energy that mitochondria make available for gene expression varies considerably. It depends on: the energetic demands of the tissue; the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutant load; the number of mitochondria; stressors present in the cell. Hence, when failing mitochondria place the cell in energy crisis there are major effects on gene expression affecting the risk of degenerative diseases, cancer and ageing. In 2015 the UK parliament approved a change in the regulation of IVF techniques, allowing “Mitochondrial replacement therapy” to become a reproductive choice for women at risk of transmitting mitochondrial disease to their children. This is the first time that this technique will be available. Therefore understanding the interaction between mitochondria and the nucleus has never been more important.
Comparative lipid production by oleaginous yeasts in hydrolyzates of lignocellulosic biomass and process strategy for high titers
Authors: Slininger Patricia J. , Dien Bruce S. , Kurtzman Cletus P. , Moser Bryan R. , Bakota Erica L. , Thompson Stephanie R. , O'Bryan Patricia J. , Cotta Michael A. , Balan Venkatesh , Jin Mingjie , Sousa Leonardo da Costa , Dale Bruce E.
Published: January 2016

Oleaginous yeasts can convert sugars to lipids with fatty acid profiles similar to those of vegetable oils, making them attractive for production of biodiesel. Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive source of sugars for yeast lipid production because it is abundant, potentially low cost, and renewable. However, lignocellulosic hydrolyzates are laden with byproducts which inhibit microbial growth and metabolism. With the goal of identifying oleaginous yeast strains able to convert plant biomass to lipids, we screened 32 strains from the ARS Culture Collection, Peoria, IL to identify four robust strains able to produce high lipid concentrations from both acid and base‐pretreated biomass. The screening was arranged in two tiers using undetoxified enzyme hydrolyzates of ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX)‐pretreated cornstover as the primary screening medium and acid‐pretreated switch grass as the secondary screening medium applied to strains passing the primary screen. Hydrolyzates were prepared at ∼18–20% solids loading to provide ∼110 g/L sugars at ∼56:39:5 mass ratio glucose:xylose:arabinose. A two stage process boosting the molar C:N ratio from 60 to well above 400 in undetoxified switchgrass hydrolyzate was optimized with respect to nitrogen source, C:N, and carbon loading. Using this process three strains were able to consume acetic acid and nearly all available sugars to accumulate 50–65% of cell biomass as lipid (w/w), to produce 25–30 g/L lipid at 0.12–0.22 g/L/h and 0.13–0.15 g/g or 39–45% of the theoretical yield at pH 6 and 7, a performance unprecedented in lignocellulosic hydrolyzates. Three of the top strains have not previously been reported for the bioconversion of lignocellulose to lipids. The successful identification and development of top‐performing lipid‐producing yeast in lignocellulose hydrolyzates is expected to advance the economic feasibility of high quality biodiesel and jet fuels from renewable biomass, expanding the market potential for lignocellulose‐derived fuels beyond ethanol for automobiles to the entire U.S. transportation market. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1676–1690. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Field study on drainage densities and rescaled width functions in a high‐altitude alpine catchment
Authors: Mutzner Raphaël , Tarolli Paolo , Sofia Giulia , Parlange Marc B. , Rinaldo Andrea
Published: January 2016

This paper addresses the effect of accurately mapping spatially heterogeneous drainage densities in high‐altitude alpine basins on Rescaled Width Functions (RWFs), used in some applications as a minimalist model of the hydrologic response. The channel network and 373 of its channel heads were mapped in the field in a high mountain catchment in the Swiss Alps. The mapped channel network is characterized by highly uneven drainage density, here described by the distribution of the length to the first channelized site computed along steepest descent from any unchannelled site. Various channel networks were extracted from a 1 m lidar‐derived digital terrain model and compared with the field‐mapped channel network using geomorphologic parameters, hillslope‐to‐channel distance and RWFs. Our results show that the channel network derived by statistical analysis of surface morphology is consistent with the field‐mapped network. Larger discrepancies were observed when the channel network was obtained with classical threshold‐based approaches relying on cumulative drainage area and local slope. The actual arrangement of the drainage densities has a significant impact on the RWFs. The discrepancy was largest between RWFs derived from classical extraction methods and RWFs derived with the field‐mapped network, indicating an inappropriate extraction of the channelled portion of the high‐altitude catchment that is a reflection of the variety of channel initiation processes. Our results suggest that spatial heterogeneity of the drainage density might play an important role in modelling streamflow generation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.