bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field effects of current crowding in metal-MoS2 contacts
Authors: Yuan Hui , Cheng Guangjun , Yu Sheng , Hight Walker Angela R. , Richter Curt A. , Pan Minghu , Li Qiliang
Published: March 2016

Gate assisted contact-end Kelvin test structures and gate assisted four-probe structures have been designed and fabricated to measure the field effects of current crowding at the source/drain contacts of top-gate MoS2 field effect transistors. The transistors exhibited n-type transistor characteristics. The source/drain contact resistance was measured by using both gate-assisted Kelvin and gate-assisted four-probe structures. The values of contact resistance measured by these two test structures are significantly different. The contact-front contact resistance obtained from the four-probe structure is strongly influenced by field effects on current crowding, while the contact-end resistance obtained from the Kelvin test structure is not. The metal-MoS2 contact current transfer length, LT, can be determined from the comparison between these two measurements. LT was observed to increase linearly with increasing gate voltage. This work indicates that the contact characteristics can be more precisely measured when both gate-assisted test structures are used.
A 109 neutrons/pulse transportable pulsed D-D neutron source based on flexible head plasma focus unit
Authors: Niranjan Ram , Rout R. K. , Srivastava R. , Kaushik T. C. , Gupta Satish C.
Published: March 2016

A 17 kJ transportable plasma focus (PF) device with flexible transmission lines is developed and is characterized. Six custom made capacitors are used for the capacitor bank (CB). The common high voltage plate of the CB is fixed to a centrally triggered spark gap switch. The output of the switch is coupled to the PF head through forty-eight 5 m long RG213 cables. The CB has a quarter time-period of 4 μs and an estimated current of 506 kA is delivered to the PF device at 17 kJ (60 μF, 24 kV) energy. The average neutron yield measured using silver activation detector in the radial direction is (7.1 ± 1.4) × 108 neutrons/shot over 4π sr at 5 mbar optimum D2 pressure. The average neutron yield is more in the axial direction with an anisotropy factor of 1.33 ± 0.18. The average neutron energies estimated in the axial as well as in the radial directions are (2.90 ± 0.20) MeV and (2.58 ± 0.20) MeV, respectively. The flexibility of the PF head makes it useful for many applications where the source orientation and the location are important factors. The influence of electromagnetic interferences from the CB as well as from the spark gap on applications area can be avoided by putting a suitable barrier between the bank and the PF head.
Dielectric relaxation in ionic liquid/dipolar solvent binary mixtures: A semi-molecular theory
Authors: Daschakraborty Snehasis , Biswas Ranjit
Published: March 2016

A semi-molecular theory is developed here for studying dielectric relaxation (DR) in binary mixtures of ionic liquids (ILs) with common dipolar solvents. Effects of ion translation on DR time scale, and those of ion rotation on conductivity relaxation time scale are explored. Two different models for the theoretical calculations have been considered: (i) separate medium approach, where molecularities of both the IL and dipolar solvent molecules are retained, and (ii) effective medium approach, where the added dipolar solvent molecules are assumed to combine with the dipolar ions of the IL, producing a fictitious effective medium characterized via effective dipole moment, density, and diameter. Semi-molecular expressions for the diffusive DR times have been derived which incorporates the effects of wavenumber dependent orientational static correlations, ion dynamic structure factors, and ion translation. Subsequently, the theory has been applied to the binary mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) with water (H2O), and acetonitrile (CH3CN) for which experimental DR data are available. On comparison, predicted DR time scales show close agreement with the measured DR times at low IL mole fractions (xIL). At higher IL concentrations (xIL > 0.05), the theory over-estimates the relaxation times and increasingly deviates from the measurements with xIL, deviation being the maximum for the neat IL by almost two orders of magnitude. The theory predicts negligible contributions to this deviation from the xIL dependent collective orientational static correlations. The drastic difference between DR time scales for IL/solvent mixtures from theory and experiments arises primarily due to the use of the actual molecular volume (Vmoldip) for the rotating dipolar moiety in the present theory and suggests that only a fraction of Vmoldip is involved at high xIL. Expectedly, nice agreement between theory and experiments appears when experimental estimates for the effective rotational volume (Veffdip) are used as inputs. The fraction, Veffdip/Vmoldip, sharply decreases from ∼1 at pure dipolar solvent to ∼0.01 at neat IL, reflecting a dramatic crossover from viscosity-coupled hydrodynamic angular diffusion at low IL mole fractions to orientational relaxation predominantly via large angle jumps at high xIL. Similar results are obtained on applying the present theory to the aqueous solution of an electrolyte guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) having a permanent dipole moment associated with the cation, Gdm+.
Water-induced nanochannel networks in self-assembled block ionomers
Authors: Mineart Kenneth P. , Al-Mohsin Heba A. , Lee Byeongdu , Spontak Richard J.
Published: March 2016

Block ionomers cast from solution exhibit solvent-templated morphologies that can be altered by solvent-vapor annealing. When cast from a mixed solvent, a midblock-sulfonated pentablock ionomer self-assembles into spherical ionic microdomains that are loosely connected. Upon exposure to liquid water, nanoscale channels irreversibly develop between the microdomains due to swelling and form a continuous mesoscale network. We use electron tomography and real-time X-ray scattering to follow this transformation and show that the resultant morphology provides a highly effective diffusive pathway.
Untangling the contributions of cerium and iron to the magnetism of Ce-doped yttrium iron garnet
Authors: Casals Blai , Espínola Marina , Cichelero Rafael , Geprägs Stephan , Opel Matthias , Gross Rudolf , Herranz Gervasi , Fontcuberta Josep
Published: March 2016

The remarkable magnetic properties of yttrium iron garnets (YIGs) underpin the use of these materials in a broad scope of spintronic and photonic applications. In particular, the addition of rare earth metals in the structure enhances to a great extent the magneto-optical activity, which is beneficial for the development of nonreciprocal optical devices. Exploiting the wavelength selectivity of magneto-optics, we have identified a range of frequencies at which one can unravel the individual contributions to the magnetism and gyrotropic response arising from cerium and iron. We envision that this outcome may pave the way to further experiments to assess quantitatively the effect on the optical properties of rare earth incorporation into YIG.
Plasmonic fiber-optic vector magnetometer
Authors: Zhang Zhaochuan , Guo Tuan , Zhang Xuejun , Xu Jian , Xie Wenping , Nie Ming , Wu Qiang , Guan Bai-Ou , Albert Jacques
Published: March 2016

A compact fiber-optic vector magnetometer based on directional scattering between polarized plasmon waves and ferro-magnetic nanoparticles is demonstrated. The sensor configuration reported in this work uses a short section of tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) coated with a nanometer scale gold film and packaged with a magnetic fluid (Fe3O4) inside a capillary. The transmission spectrum of the sensor provides a fine comb of narrowband resonances that overlap with a broader absorption of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The wavelength of the SPR attenuation in transmission shows high sensitivity to slight perturbations by magnetic fields, due to the strong directional scattering between the SPR attenuated cladding modes and the magnetic fluid near the fiber surface. Both the orientation (2 nm/deg) and the intensity (1.8 nm/mT) of magnetic fields can be determined unambiguously from the TFBG spectrum. Temperature cross sensitivity can be referenced out by monitoring the wavelength of the core mode resonance simultaneously.
Ultra-low thermal conductivities of hot-pressed attapulgite and its potential as thermal insulation material
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wang Xiuzhang , Wang Yumei , Tang Zhongjia , Makarenko Tatyana , Guloy Arnold , Zhang Qinyong , Ren Zhifeng
Published: March 2016

In the past, there have been very few reports on thermal properties of attapulgite which is a widely used clay mineral. In this work, we report on extremely low thermal conductivities in attapulgite samples synthesized by hot-pressing. Attapulgite powder was hot-pressed at different temperatures into bulk samples, and a systematic study was conducted on the microstructures and thermal properties. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows that hot-pressing induces a rapid dehydration of the attapulgite powders. X-ray diffraction data and scanning/transmission electron microscopy reveal that the hot-pressed attapulgite features high porosity and complex microstructures, including an amorphous phase. As a result, the hot-pressed attapulgite exhibits thermal conductivity less than 2.5 W m−1 K−1 up to 600 °C. For one sample with porosity of 45.7%, the thermal conductivity is as low as 0.34 W m−1 K−1 at 50 °C. This suggests the potential of hot-pressed attapulgite as a candidate for thermal barrier materials.
Ultra-small and broadband polarization splitters based on double-slit interference
Authors: Sun Chengwei , Li Hongyun , Gong Qihuang , Chen Jianjun
Published: March 2016

An ultra-small and broadband polarization splitter is numerically and experimentally demonstrated based on the double-slit interference in a polymer-film-coated double-slit structure. The hybrid slab waveguide (air-polymer-Au) supports both the transverse-magnetic and transverse-electric modes. The incident beam from the back side can excite these two guided modes of orthogonally polarized states in the hybrid structure. By exploiting the difference slit widths and the large mode birefringence, these two guided modes propagate to the opposite directions along the front metal surface. Moreover, the short interference length broadens the operation bandwidth. Experimentally, a polarization splitter with a lateral dimension of only about 1.6 μm and an operation bandwidth of 50 nm is realized. By designing the double-slit structure in a hybrid strip waveguide, the device dimension can be significant downscaled to about 0.3 × 1.3 μm2. Such an ultra-small and broadband polarization splitter may find important applications in the integrated photonic circuits.
Transport in organic single-crystal microbelt for conformal electronics
Authors: Cui Nan , Tong Yanhong , Tang Qingxin , Liu Yichun
Published: March 2016

We showed the advantages of flexible rubrene organic single-crystal microbelts in high-performance devices and circuits towards conformal electronics. The anisotropic transport based on the only one organic microbelt was studied by a “cross-channel” method, and the rubrene microbelt showed the highest mobility up to 26 cm2/V s in the length direction. Based on an individual rubrene microbelt, the organic single-crystal circuit with good adherence on a pearl ball and the gain as high as 18 was realized. These results present great potential for applications of organic single-crystal belts in the next-generation conformal electronics.
Conjugated polymer based active electric-controlled terahertz device
Authors: Zhong Liang , Zhang Bo , He Ting , Lv Longfeng , Hou Yanbing , Shen Jingling
Published: March 2016

A modulation of terahertz response in a highly efficient, electric-controlled conjugated polymer-silicon hybrid device with low photo-excitation was investigated. The polymer-silicon forms a hybrid structure, where the active depletion region modifies the semiconductor conductivity in real time by applying an external bias voltage. The THz transmission was efficiently modulated by effective controlling. In a THz-TDS system, the modulation depth reached nearly 100% when the applied voltage was 3.8 V at an external laser intensity of 0.3 W/cm2. The saturation voltage decreased with increasing photo-excited intensity. In a THz-CW system, a significant decline in THz transmission was also observed with increasing applied bias voltage. This reduction in THz transmission is induced by the enhancement of carrier density.
Network synchronization in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Penn Yaron , Segal Menahem , Moses Elisha
Published: March 2016

Significance

We show that neurons from the hippocampus and cortex fire in an oscillatory manner, both individually and as a network. When disconnected, the majority of neurons are independent intrinsic oscillators, each with its own natural frequency. Synchronization of the neurons occurs when coupling is introduced. Weak coupling already leads to convergence of all of the oscillators to one common oscillation frequency. Strikingly, this common frequency is close to the mean distribution of their natural frequencies. Strengthening the coupling decreases the phase differences of the oscillators to practically zero, leading to synchronous periodic network bursts. Overall, we show that periodic network bursts originate in collective effects rather than in specialized pacemaking elements that control the rest of the network.
Variation, individual differences and second language processing
Authors: Dyson Bronwen Patricia
Published: March 2016

Research on second language acquisition has located individual variation, without clarifying whether language processing prompts learners to differ systematically in the production of syntax and morphology. To address this issue, the study examined the hypothesis on variation in Processability Theory. This theory predicts that, within second language development, individual learners vary systematically in how they respond to developmental conflicts. Specifically, learners have distinct types, which are evident in their use of options and 'trailers' (structures which emerge late). Longitudinal spoken data were collected over one academic year from six adolescent ESL learners. The results revealed different learner types in terms of syntactic options and trailers. However, the learners had less clear types for the morphological options, used unpredicted options, and lacked consistency in their use of syntactic and morphological trailers. The paper suggests that learners vary in processing due to diverse orientations towards the acquisition of either syntax or morphology.
Gender and nation in post-Soviet Central Asia: From national narratives to women's practices
Authors: Cleuziou Juliette , Direnberger Lucia
Published: March 2016

This article introduces a thematic issue consisting of five articles, which analyze the complex interrelations between gender norms and representations and the construction of nationalism in the post-Soviet republics of Central Asia. Drawing from gender and feminist studies, the first section explores how Central Asian nationalisms have promoted hierarchized gender roles to reinforce their legitimacy, noticeably invoking the authority of “tradition.” The second section examines not only how the Soviet period continues to shape contemporary nation-building processes in the region, but also how the latter has been creating new historical references to emancipate them from the Soviet legacy - and from the Soviet policy toward women in particular. The third section examines how gender norms promoted by Central Asian states may affect women in their everyday life and how they may negotiate, refuse, or promote these norms. In the final section, we show how “gender equality” has become a watchword of international organizations’ agendas and we analyze the production and implementation of this international agenda setting in a specific national context.
Shifting linkages in ethnic mobilization: The case of RMDSZ and the Hungarians in Transylvania
Authors: Kiss Tamás , Székely István Gergő
Published: March 2016

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) has been the most stable actor in the Romanian party system over the past two decades. However, in this article, we argue that beyond this apparent stability, the linkages between RMDSZ and its voters have undergone a gradual, yet significant shift. The ethnic block voting of Transylvanian Hungarians was closely connected to the concept of a self-standing and parallel “Minority Society,” and to the practices of institution building that the minority elites engaged in in the early 1990s. However, since its first participation in the Romanian government in 1996, RMDSZ has gradually departed from this strategy, a phenomenon that was also closely connected to a process of elite change within the organization. The present RMDSZ leadership puts less and less emphasis on policy programs that could reinforce the institutional system of the minority; consequently, it is unable (and unwilling) to organizationally integrate the community activists of the minority society who previously had played a key role in the process of (electoral) mobilization. At the rhetorical level, RMDSZ did not abandon the goal of building a parallel Hungarian minority society, but in its linkages to the Hungarian electorate, clientelistic exchanges have become predominant.
Implementation and Enforcement of Best Management Practices for Florida Ornamental Aquaculture with an Emphasis on Nonnative Species
Authors: Tuckett Quenton M , Ritch Jared L , Lawson Katelyn M , Hill Jeffrey E
Published: March 2016

Tropical ornamental aquaculture is dominated by the production of nonnative species and is an important industry in Florida. However, the escape of nonnative species can pose challenges to the industry and also natural resource managers. Escapement of nonnative species and their potential impacts has led to suggestions that ornamental aquaculture is unregulated and lacks transparency. Comprehensive regulation of Florida aquaculture began in 1999 with the creation of the Division of Aquaculture (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; FDACS) along with aquaculture best management practices (BMPs). Although FDACS regulates commercial aquaculture through application of BMPs, which includes provisions for escapement of nonnative species, the implementation of aquaculture BMPs has been largely unverified. Our objective was to examine how aquaculture BMPs have been implemented to prevent the escape of nonnative species, how facilities are inspected, and the rates and causes of noncompliance. Site visits were conducted alongside FDACS inspectors on two occasions at 23 aquaculture facilities. Historical compliance records dating back to 1999 were also acquired. All facilities implemented BMPs to address escapement, which was shown by operational practices and infrastructure. The FDACS inspectors routinely enforced aquaculture BMPs, especially in areas of effluent control. When noncompliance issues were noted (57% of facilities in 2013; 39% in 2014), they were often minor (48% of issues) and quickly remedied by producers. Noncompliance with BMPs varied among facilities and was more often related to the release of sediment than nonnative species escapement. Noncompliance was also related to the size of the facility (number of ponds and greenhouses) and the presence of a detention pond. Because of its transparency, regulation of Florida aquaculture might provide a model for the development, implementation, and verification of aquaculture BMPs.
Glucocorticoid Sensitivity Is Highly Variable in Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock and Is Associated With Disease Severity*
Authors: Cohen Jeremy , Pretorius Carel J. , Ungerer Jacobus P. J. , Cardinal John , Blumenthal Antje , Presneill Jeff , Gatica-Andrades Marcela , Jarrett Paul , Lassig-Smith Melissa , Stuart Janine , Dunlop Rachel , Starr Therese , Venkatesh Bala
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

To measure tissue glucocorticoid sensitivity in patients with septic shock and determine its relationship to standard measurements of adrenal function and of outcome.

Design:

Prospective observational trial.

Setting:

Teaching hospital ICU.

Subjects:

Forty-one patients and 20 controls were studied.

Interventions:

Glucocorticoid sensitivity was measured by in vitro suppression of cytokine production from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated leukocytes.

Measurements and Main Results:

There was no significant difference between the groups in the relative suppression of cytokine production, although there was a greater range and variance in the patient data. Patients in the lowest quartile of glucocorticoid sensitivity had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (25 [24–28] vs 20 [14–23]; p = 0.02) and a trend toward higher mortality (30% vs 0%; p = 0.2) compared to those in the highest. The mRNA expression of the β variant of the glucocorticoid receptor and the 11-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 isozyme were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (8.6-fold, p = 0.002 and 10.1-fold, p = 0.0002, respectively). Changes in mRNA expression of these genes did not correlate with measurements of glucocorticoid sensitivity.

Conclusions:

Patients with septic shock and controls do not differ in their median glucocorticoid sensitivity. However, patients exhibited a greater variability in glucocorticoid responsiveness and had evidence of association between increased sickness sensitivity and reduced glucocorticoid sensitivity. Sensitivity to glucocorticoids did not appear to be mediated by changes in the expression of the β variant of the glucocorticoid receptor or the 11-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 isozyme.
Triiodothyronine Administration in a Model of Septic Shock: A Randomized Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Maiden Matthew J. , Chapman Marianne J. , Torpy David J. , Kuchel Timothy R. , Clarke Iain J. , Nash Coralie H. , Fraser Jonathan D. , Ludbrook Guy L.
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Triiodothyronine concentration in plasma decreases during septic shock and may contribute to multiple organ dysfunction. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of administering triiodothyronine, with and without hydrocortisone, in a model of septic shock.

Design:

Randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial.

Setting:

Preclinical research laboratory.

Subjects:

Thirty-two sheep rendered septic with IV Escherichia coli and receiving protocol-guided sedation, ventilation, IV fluids, and norepinephrine infusion.

Interventions:

Two hours following induction of sepsis, 32 sheep received a 24-hour IV infusion of 1) placebo + placebo, 2) triiodothyronine + placebo, 3) hydrocortisone + placebo, or 4) triiodothyronine + hydrocortisone.

Measurements and Main Results:

Primary outcome was the total amount of norepinephrine required to maintain a target mean arterial pressure; secondary outcomes included hemodynamic and metabolic indices. Plasma triiodothyronine levels increased to supraphysiological concentrations with hormonal therapy. Following 24 hours of study drug infusion, the amount of norepinephrine required was no different between the study groups (mean ± sd μg/kg; placebo + placebo group 208 ± 392; triiodothyronine + placebo group 501 ± 370; hydrocortisone + placebo group 167 ± 286; triiodothyronine + hydrocortisone group 466 ± 495; p = 0.20). There was no significant treatment effect on any hemodynamic variable, metabolic parameter, or measure of organ function.

Conclusions:

A 24-hour infusion of triiodothyronine, with or without hydrocortisone, in an ovine model of septic shock did not markedly alter norepinephrine requirement or any other physiological parameter.
The heterogeneity of headache patients who self-medicate: a cluster analysis approach
Authors: Mehuys Els , Paemeleire Koen , Crombez Geert , Adriaens Els , Van Hees Thierry , Demarche Sophie , Christiaens Thierry , Van Bortel Luc , Van Tongelen Inge , Remon Jean-Paul , Boussery Koen
Published: March 2016

Patients with headache often self-treat their condition with over-the-counter analgesics. However, overuse of analgesics can cause medication-overuse headache. The present study aimed to identify subgroups of individuals with headache who self-medicate, as this could be helpful to tailor intervention strategies for prevention of medication-overuse headache. Patients (n = 1021) were recruited from 202 community pharmacies and completed a self-administered questionnaire. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group patients as a function of sociodemographics, pain, disability, and medication use for pain. Three patient clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (n = 498, 48.8%) consisted of relatively young individuals, and most of them suffered from migraine. They reported the least number of other pain complaints and the lowest prevalence of medication overuse (MO; 16%). Cluster 2 (n = 301, 29.5%) included older persons with mainly non-migraine headache, a low disability, and on average pain in 2 other locations. Prevalence of MO was 40%. Cluster 3 (n = 222, 21.7%) mostly consisted of patients with migraine who also report pain in many other locations. These patients reported a high disability and a severe limitation of activities. They also showed the highest rates of MO (73%).
Defining problematic pharmaceutical opioid use among people prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain: do different measures identify the same patients?
Authors: Campbell Gabrielle , Bruno Raimondo , Lintzeris Nicholas , Cohen Milton , Nielsen Suzanne , Hall Wayne , Larance Briony , Mattick Richard P. , Blyth Fiona , Farrell Michael , Degenhardt Louisa
Published: March 2016

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) are routinely used in diagnosing illicit substance use disorders, but for people taking prescribed opioids they remain controversial. In pain medicine, the concept of “Addiction” is preferred with reduced emphasis on tolerance and withdrawal. This article examines the prevalence and characteristics of pharmaceutical opioid dependence/disorder according to ICD, DSM, and the pain medicine concept of “Addiction,” among chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients prescribed opioids. In the current study, we used data from a national sample of 1134 people prescribed opioids for CNCP. Past 12-month “Addiction” (based on Pain Medicine definition), DSM, and ICD dependence definitions were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Twenty-four percent of the cohort met the criteria for “Addiction,” 18% for DSM-5 use disorder and 19% for ICD-11 dependence. There was “substantial” concordance between “Addiction” and both DSM-5 use disorder and ICD-11 dependence, although concordance was much greater with ICD-11 dependence (kappa = 0.63 and 0.79, respectively). Participants meeting the criteria for “Addiction” only were older, less likely to engage in nonadherent behaviours, self-reported fewer problems or concerns with their medication, and had lower rates of psychological distress than those who also met the DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. The definition of “Addiction” captures a larger group of patients than other classification systems and includes people with fewer “risk” behaviours. Despite removal of tolerance and withdrawal for prescribed opioid use for DSM-5, we found that “Addiction” was more closely related to an ICD-11 diagnosis of pharmaceutical opioid dependence.
Pediatric Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure in a Specialized Liver Unit
Authors: Alam Seema , Lal Bikrant B. , Sood Vikrant , Rawat Dinesh
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, profile, outcome, and predictive factors of pediatric acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Methods:

All children 3 months to 18 years satisfying the Asia Pacific Association for the Study of Liver Diseases definition of ACLF were included. Data were both extracted from records (January 2011 to December 2014) and prospectively collected (January to October 2015). Successful outcome was defined as survival with native liver at 90 days, whereas poor outcome included those who died or received liver transplantation.

Results:

Of the 499 children with chronic liver disease (CLD), 56 (11.2%) presented as ACLF, with a mean age of 9.35 (±4.39) years. Wilson disease and autoimmune hepatitis were the commonest underlying CLDs accounting for 24 (42.8%) and 18 (32.1%) cases, respectively. The most frequent events precipitating ACLF were a flare up of the underlying disease in 27 (48.2%) and acute viral hepatitis in 17 (30%). Poor outcome occurred in 22 (39.3%) children: 17 (30.4%) died and 5 (8.9%) received liver transplantation. Poor outcome was associated with grades 3 to 4 hepatic encephalopathy, bilirubin ≥17.5, international normalized ratio ≥3.5, and presence of 2 or more organ failures. On multivariate analysis, a Chronic Liver Failure‐Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≥10 best predicted mortality (odds ratio 20.45, 95% confidence interval 3.9–106.7).

Conclusions:

ACLF is present in 11.2% of childhood CLD, with a 90‐day native liver survival of 61%. A Chronic Liver Failure‐Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of ≥10 best predicts mortality at day 90.
Multiagency Online Preceptor Education
Authors: Wink Diane , Ruland Judith P.
Published: March 2016

This article describes the design, implementation, feedback, problems, and solutions of a fully online Preceptor Development Program designed to help nurses acquire knowledge, attitudes, and skills key to the preceptor role. This program uses a variety of active learning experiences that support preceptor development.
Bioengineering cobalt chromium cardiovascular stent biomaterial for biofunctionalization
Authors: Jeewandara Thamarasee M.
Published: March 2016

Suboptimal biocompatibility of cardiovascular stents manifest as non-compliance at stent-artery interfacein vivo. We optimized a plasma-activated coating (PAC) technology to modify cobalt chromium alloy L605 (PAC-L605) surface of an implantable coronary stent material, for improved biofunctionalization. The PAC-L605 surfaces displayed covalent binding capacity of a protein candidate tropoelastin (TE) by retaining 70.3% of TE after SDS detergent washing. Human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) proliferation visualized with crystal violet staining, did not vary significantly among the biomaterials at 3 or 5 days. Anchorage of cell cytoskeleton visualized with immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed homogenous cell morphology on PAC/TE (with TE) surfaces. Surface hemocompatibility was assessed with static and flow blood assays, the hydrophilic PAC-L605 displayed lower clot formation compared to L605. Area of surface fibrinogen deposited was significantly lower on PAC-L605 vs. L605. Selected ISO 10993-4 tests for biological evaluation of medical devices in contact with blood indicated significantly lowered plasma markers of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), beta-thromboglobulin (β-TG), soluble P-selectin and soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) on PAC-L605 vs. L605. There was no significant difference for plasma biomarkers of polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN elastase) on PAC-L605 vs. L605. Improved surface biofunctionalization of implantable cardiovascular materials could be achieved by plasma-activated coating (PAC).
Crunch: Integrated processing and modeling of ChIP-seq data in terms of regulatory motifs
Authors: Berger Severin , Omidi Saeed , Pachkov Mikhail , Arnold Phil , Kelley Nicholas , Salatino Silvia , van Nimwegen Erik
Published: March 2016

Although it has become routine for experimental groups to apply ChIP-seq technology to quantitatively characterize the genome-wide binding of transcription factors (TFs), computational analysis procedures remain far from standardized, making it difficult to meaningfully compare ChIP-seq results across experiments. In addition, while genome-wide binding patterns must ultimately be determined by local constellations of binding sites in the DNA, current analysis is typically limited to a standard search for enriched motifs in ChIP-seq peaks.

Here we present Crunch, a completely automated computational method that performs all ChIP-seq analysis from quality control through read mapping and peak detecting, and integrates comprehensive modeling of the ChIP signal in terms of known and novel binding motifs, quantifying the contribution of each motif, and annotating which combinations of motifs explain each binding peak.

Applying Crunch to 128 ChIP-seq datasets from the ENCODE project we find that TFs naturally separate into ‘solitary TFs’, for which a single motif explains the ChIP-peaks, and ‘co-binding TFs’ for which multiple motifs co-occur within peaks. Moreover, for most datasets the motifs that Crunch identifiedde novooutperform known motifs and both the set of co-binding motifs and the top motif of solitary TFs are consistent across experiments and cell lines. Crunch is implemented as a web server (crunch.unibas.ch), enabling standardized analysis of any collection of ChIP-seq datasets by simply uploading raw sequencing data. Results are provided both in a graphical interface and as downloadable files.
Sulfonate salts of the therapeutic agent dapsone: 4-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]anilinium benzenesulfonate monohydrate and 4-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]anilinium methanesulfonate monohydrate
Authors: Gaytán-Barrientos Nancy Sarahy , Morales-Morales David , Herrera-Ruiz Dea , Reyes-Martínez Reyna , Rivera-Islas Jesús
Published: March 2016

Dapsone, formerly used to treat leprosy, now has wider therapeutic applications. As is the case for many therapeutic agents, low aqueous solubility and high toxicity are the main problems associated with its use. Derivatization of its amino groups has been widely explored but shows no significant therapeutic improvements. Cocrystals have been prepared to understand not only its structural properties, but also its solubility and dissolution rate. Few salts of dapsone have been described. The title salts, C12H13N2O2S+·C6H5O3S−·H2O and C12H13N2O2S+·CH3SO3−·H2O, crystallize as hydrates and both compounds exhibit the same space group (monoclinic,P21/n). The asymmetric unit of each salt consists of a 4-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]anilinium monocation, the corresponding sulfonate anion and a water molecule. The cation, anion and water molecule form hydrogen-bonded networks through N—H...O=S, N—H...Owaterand Owater—H...O=S hydrogen bonds. For both salts, the water molecules interact with one sulfonate anion and two anilinium cations. The benzenesulfonate salt forms a two-dimensional network, while the hydrogen bonding within the methanesulfonate salt results in a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of tetrakis[μ2-2-(dimethylamino)ethanolato-κ3N,O:O]di-μ3-hydroxido-dithiocyanato-κ2N-dichromium(III)dilead(II) dithiocyanate acetonitrile monosolvate
Authors: Rusanova Julia A. , Semenaka Valentyna V. , Omelchenko Irina V.
Published: March 2016

The tetranuclear complex cation of the title compound, [Cr2Pb2(NCS)2(OH)2(C4H10NO)4](SCN)2·CH3CN, lies on an inversion centre. The main structural feature of the cation is a distorted seco-norcubane Pb2Cr2O6cage with a central four-membered Cr2O2ring. The CrIIIion is coordinated in a distorted octahedron, which involves two N atoms of one bidentate ligand and one thiocyanate anion, two μ2-O atoms of 2-(dimethylamino)ethanolate ligands and two μ3-O atoms of hydroxide ions. The coordination geometry of the PbIIion is a distorted disphenoid, which involves one N atom, two μ2-O atoms and one μ3-O atom. In addition, weak Pb...S interactions involving the coordinating and non-coordinating thiocyanate anions are observed. In the crystal, the complex cations are linked through the thiocyanate anionsviathe Pb...S interactions and O—H...N hydrogen bonds into chains along thecaxis. The chains are further linked togetherviaS...S contacts. The contribution of the disordered solvent acetonitrile molecule was removed with the SQUEEZE [Spek (2015).Acta Cryst.C71, 9–18] procedure inPLATON. The solvent is included in the reported molecular formula, weight and density.
Bis[2,6-bis(trimethylsilylamino)pyridine-κN1]{[6-bis(trimethylsilylamino)pyridin-2-yl-κN1](trimethylsilyl)azanido-κN}lithium
Authors: Rave Justin A. , Garcia Diego A. , Hillesheim Patrick C. , Guillet Gary L.
Published: March 2016

The title complex, [Li(C11H22N3Si2)(C11H23N3Si2)2], contains a single lithium cation coordinated to three ligands. This is the first reported example of the ligand 2,6-bis(trimethylsilylamino)pyridine supporting a monometallic complex. One ligand is mono-anionic and forms a four-membered chelate ring with the lithium cationviathe pyridine and silylamido N atoms. The other two ligands are neutral and bindviathe pyridine nitrogen. The lithium cation is coordinated in a tetrahedral environment. No intra- or intermolecular hydrogen bonding is observed in the crystal structure, likely indicating that weak electrostatic interactions are the dominant feature of the crystal packing.
School leadership and management in South Africa
Authors: Bush Tony , Glover Derek
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the literature on school leadership and management in South Africa, linked to the 20th anniversary of democratic government and integrated education.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a systematic review of all published work since 2007 with a more selective review of sources before 2007.

Findings

– The findings show emerging evidence about the development of school leadership and management in South Africa but they also highlight on-going challenges, including poor learner outcomes, conflict with teacher unions, uneasy relationships between principals and school governing bodies, and leadership which remains focused on administration rather than teaching and learning.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings show that research on school leadership and management is developing but remains limited in terms of its scope and a reliance on small-scale unfunded projects.

Practical/implications

– The findings confirm the need for specialist leadership training for current and aspiring principals and for other senior and middle leaders.

Social/implications

– The findings show that South Africa remains a divided society with great differences in the quality of education available to learners, based on social class rather than race.

Originality/value

– The paper’s value lies in the comprehensive and systematic review of research on school leadership.
International students’ university preferences: how different are Malaysian and Chinese students?
Authors: Kamal Basha Norazlyn , Sweeney Jillian C. , Soutar Geoffrey N.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine factors that influenced international university preference, looking at country of origin (COO), that is the COO of the course and program modes (PMs). This study specifically focusses on differences in perceptions across students from Malaysia and China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Conjoint analysis was used to examine the relative importances and part-worth scores of these attributes on international university preferences.

Findings

– PM and country of design (COD) had a major influence on Malaysian and Chinese students’ preferences for international universities. Online distance learning was the least preferred option, while offshore campuses were more acceptable to Malaysian students compared to Chinese students. Malaysian students preferred to study in the UK, while Chinese students favored Australia. Malaysian students were also found to be more cost sensitive compared to Chinese students, while the latter were more motivated by job prospects offered by an institution.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations include the specific sample, pre-university students only from developed countries (Malaysia and China), which limits the generalizability to students from other countries.

Practical implications

– This study offers insights in the effect of COD and PM on students’ preferences for international universities, as well as other previously studied university-level attributes in a higher education setting. With a better understanding of factors affecting these preferences, higher educational institutions are better placed to implement a suitable marketing strategy to attract more international students.

Originality/value

– This study examines the impact COD, Delivery Mode (DM) and other university level attributes have on Malaysian and Chinese pre-university students ' preferences for international universities. COD and DM were found to be extremely important factors that dominated the students ' preferences. The study highlights the need to focus on different university attributes in different markets and to consider COD and DM issues in order to gain a larger market share of international students.
Multimodal and alternative perception for the visually impaired: a survey
Authors: Khoo Wai Lun , Zhu Zhigang
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of navigational assistive technologies with various sensor modalities and alternative perception approaches for visually impaired people. It also examines the input and output of each technology, and provides a comparison between systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The contributing authors along with their students thoroughly read and reviewed the referenced papers while under the guidance of domain experts and users evaluating each paper/technology based on a set of metrics adapted from universal and system design.

Findings

– After analyzing 13 multimodal assistive technologies, the authors found that the most popular sensors are optical, infrared, and ultrasonic. Similarly, the most popular actuators are audio and haptic. Furthermore, most systems use a combination of these sensors and actuators. Some systems are niche, while others strive to be universal.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper serves as a starting point for further research in benchmarking multimodal assistive technologies for the visually impaired and to eventually cultivate better assistive technologies for all.

Social implications

– Based on 2012 World Health Organization, there are 39 million blind people. This paper will have an insight of what kind of assistive technologies are available to the visually impaired people, whether in market or research lab.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a comparison across diverse visual assistive technologies. This is valuable to those who are developing assistive technologies and want to be aware of what is available as well their pros and cons, and the study of human-computer interfaces.
How organizational tenure affects innovative behavior?
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Ge Liang , Peng Wanying
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between organizational tenure and employee innovative behavior and the influence of culture difference and status-related moderators (i.e. status hierarchy and status stability) on the linkage.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using a meta-analysis method that included 76 empirical studies, this study examines the relationship of organizational tenure and innovative behavior. In this study, 79 samples (N= 21659) derived from 76 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria in the meta-analysis.

Findings

– The results show that organizational tenure has a weak positive effect on employee innovative behavior (r= 0.04), and status hierarchy, position tenure, culture difference and measurement ways influence the relationship between the two. In addition, a three-way interaction among status hierarchy, position tenure and organizational tenure is found to jointly affect innovative behavior; specifically, for those who are low in status hierarchy and short in position tenure, their organizational tenures are positively related to innovative behavior, but for those with a longer position tenure in organizations, their organizational tenure may relate to innovative behavior negatively, whatever their status hierarchies are (high or low). This study is helpful in providing theoretical foundation and practical skills to such issues regarding how to trigger innovative behavior efficiently at different career stages.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations include tenure range of participants and no longitudinal samples in our studies. Future research should examine more contextual factors which influenced the relationship between organizational tenure and innovative behavior.

Practical implications

– The results of this study show that long organizational tenure is not negatively related to innovative behaviors. For managers, do not ignore the contribution of long-tenured employees to innovation. Through promotion or job rotation to increase employees’ job satisfaction and innovative willing.

Originality/value

– To authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine status attribute class variables in the relationship between organizational tenure on innovative behavior. The study is helpful in providing theoretical foundation and practical skills to such issues regarding how to trigger innovative behavior at different career stages correctly.
The effect of market orientation as a mediating variable in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and SMEs performance
Authors: Amin Muslim , Thurasamy Ramayah , Aldakhil Abdullah M. , Kaswuri Aznur Hafeez Bin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the effect of market orientation (MO) as a mediating variable in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs)’ performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 500 SMEs in the manufacturing industry of food and beverages were involved in this study with a response rate of 117. Data collection was conducted in all states of Peninsular Malaysia including the northern, central, southern and eastern regions.

Findings

– The findings show that EO has a significant relationship with MO, and MO has a significant relationship with SME performance. MO will mediate the relationship between EO and SMEs’ performance.

Practical implications

– The higher the EO implemented in a business, the more willing a company will be to implement MO. This analysis shows that highly entrepreneurial firms tend to be highly market orientated and this affects SMEs’ performance.

Originality/value

– The results of this study show that the characteristic of entrepreneurial and MO practiced by SMEs in Malaysia has been significantly affected the SMEs’ performance. It indicates that EO offers a holistic and systematic model for supporting SMEs to build a well-maintained environment of MO and SMEs’ performance.