bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D and patients with palliative cancer
Authors: Björkhem-Bergman Linda , Bergman Peter
Published: April 2016

Vitamin D is a hormone that is synthesised in the skin in the presence of sunlight. Sufficient vitamin D levels are important—not only for a healthy skeleton—but also for a healthy immune system. Many patients with cancer have insufficient vitamin D levels, and low vitamin D levels are associated with increased ‘all-cause mortality’ and especially mortality due to cancer. Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with increased risk of infections, increased pain, depressive disorders and impaired quality of life. We review the role of vitamin D in the immune system, in relation to cancer disease, pain and depression. We have recently performed an observational study in 100 patients with palliative cancer in Sweden. The main result was that low vitamin D levels were associated with higher opioid dose, that is, more pain. We also describe a case report where vitamin D supplementation resulted in radically decreased opioid dose, less pain and better well-being. Vitamin D supplementation is not connected with any adverse side effects and is easy to administrate. Thus, we hypothesise that vitamin D-supplementation to patients with palliative cancer might be beneficial and could improve their well-being, decrease pain and reduce susceptibility to infections. However, more clinical studies in this field are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Persistence of immunophenotypically aberrant CD34+ myeloid progenitors is frequent in bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms treated with hypomethylating agents
Authors: Huang Lanshan , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Jabbour Elias , Goswami Maitrayee , Routbort Mark J , Medeiros L Jeffrey , Jorgensen Jeffrey L , Wang Sa A
Published: April 2016

Aims

Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) exhibit clinical efficacy in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN). This study was performed to assess residual disease status by flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FCI) methods in patients with MDS or MDS/MPN treated with HMAs, and correlate the findings with clinical response.

Methods

CD34+ myeloid precursors were assessed in 85 patients with MDS and MDS/MPN treated with HMAs using FCI methods. Morphological, cytogenetic and molecular assessments were performed to evaluate the responses.

Results

After a median six cycles (3–19) of HMAs, 40 (47%) patients showed haematological improvement, 26 (63%) showed bone marrow (BM) and 20 (39%) cytogenetic response. However, CD34+ myeloid progenitors showed persistent immunophenotypic aberrancies in 72 (85%) patients, indeterminate in four (5%) and negative in nine (10%). Compared with pretreatment BM in a given patient, FCI abnormalities were reduced in 15 (20%) patients, similar in 37 (48%), increased in 15 (20%) and showed antigenic shift in nine (12%). Patients who achieved immunophenotypic improvement had a superior progression-free survival (p=0.031). In the subgroup of patients who underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), 16/19 (84%) patients who had a pre-HSCT positive FCI study became normal.

Conclusions

These findings show the difficulty in eradicating neoplastic myeloid precursors by HMA therapy, thereby resulting in ultimate treatment failure in most patients. Achieving immunophenotypic improvement helps to identify patients who may benefit from continuous HMA treatment. HSCT provides a potential cure for these patients by replenishing BM with normal haematopoietic stem cells.
Neighbourhood food, physical activity, and educational environments and black/white disparities in obesity: a complex systems simulation analysis
Authors: Orr Mark G , Kaplan George A , Galea Sandro
Published: April 2016

Background

Multiple approaches that can contribute to reducing obesity have been proposed. These policies may share overlapping pathways, and may have unanticipated consequences, creating considerable complexity. Aiming to illuminate the use of agent-based models to explore the consequences of key policies, this paper simulates the effects of increasing neighbourhood availability of good food stores, physical activity infrastructure and higher school quality on the reduction of black/white disparities in body mass index (BMI) in the USA.

Methods

We used an agent-based model, with parameters derived from the empirical literature, which included individual and neighbourhood characteristics over the life course as determinants of behaviours thought to impact BMI. We systematically varied the strength of the 3 policy interventions, examining the impact of 125 different policy scenarios on black/white BMI disparities.

Results

In the absence of any of these policies, black/white BMI disparities generally increased over time. However, we found that some combinations of these policies resulted in reductions in BMI, yielding decreases in the black/white BMI disparity as large as a 90%.

Conclusions

Within the structure of relationships captured in this simulation model, there is support for the further use of agent-based simulation models to explore upstream policies as plausible candidates for the reduction of black/white disparities in BMI. These results highlight the potential insights into important public health problems, such as obesity, that can come from uniting the systems science approach with policy analysis.
The use of DNA barcodes in food web construction—terrestrial and aquatic ecologists unite!
Authors: Roslin Tomas , Majaneva Sanna
Published: April 2016

By depicting who eats whom, food webs offer descriptions of how groupings in nature (typically species or populations) are linked to each other. For asking questions on how food webs are built and work, we need descriptions of food webs at different levels of resolution. DNA techniques provide opportunities for highly resolved webs. In this paper, we offer an exposé of how DNA-based techniques, and DNA barcodes in particular, have recently been used to construct food web structure in both terrestrial and aquatic systems. We highlight how such techniques can be applied to simultaneously improve the taxonomic resolution of the nodes of the web (i.e., the species), and the links between them (i.e., who eats whom). We end by proposing how DNA barcodes and DNA information may allow new approaches to the construction of larger interaction webs, and overcome some hurdles to achieving adequate sample size. Most importantly, we propose that the joint adoption and development of these techniques may serve to unite approaches to food web studies in aquatic and terrestrial systems—revealing the extent to which food webs in these environments are structured similarly to or differently from each other, and how they are linked by dispersal.
Early Miocene large-volume ignimbrites of the Oxaya Formation, Central Andes
Authors: van Zalinge M. E. , Sparks R. S. J. , Cooper F. J. , Condon D. J.
Published: April 2016

During the early Miocene ignimbrite flare-up, significant parts of the Central Andes (17–20°S) were covered by large-volume ignimbrites. High-precision
206
Pb/
238
U zircon dates constrain the flare-up in northern Chile at
c.
18°S to a 3 myr period, starting with the deposition of the Poconchile ignimbrite at 22.736 ± 0.021 Ma. Of four main pulses, the two largest occurred at 21.924 ± 0.017 and 19.711 ± 0.036 Ma, when the >1000 km
3
in volume Cardones and Oxaya ignimbrites erupted, respectively. The ignimbrites are high-SiO
2
rhyolites and show significant heterogeneities in crystal content, mineral proportions and trace-element compositions. The zoned Oxaya ignimbrite implies incremental extraction of a crystal-poor magma overlying a crystal-rich magma. In contrast, petrological and textural heterogeneities in pumice clasts are spread throughout the Cardones ignimbrite and we propose magma mixing caused by destabilization of multiple magma bodies within a magmatic mush system. Distal and medial deposits of the Cardones ignimbrite, with a maximum welded thickness of at least 1000 m, entirely covered the western flank of the Central Andes, which implies infill of a significant topographic relief. Both compaction and welding resulted in a maximum thickness reduction of around 30% for the Cardones ignimbrite.

Supplementary material:
U–Pb method and complete data tables, ICP-OES and ICP-MS method and complete data tables, and detailed stratigraphic description of the Cardones ignimbrite are available at
http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2858707
.
Late Cretaceous (Campanian) leaf and palynoflora from southern Skåne, Sweden
Authors: Halamski Adam T. , Kvaček Jiří , Vajda Vivi
Published: April 2016

A Late Cretaceous (Campanian) leaf megaflora from the Vomb Trough in southern Skåne, Sweden, has been investigated on the basis of collections held at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. The main plant-bearing locality is Köpinge, but single specimens originate from Högestad, Ingelstorp, Rödmölla, Svenstorps mölla and Tosterup. The fossil flora is dominated by the angiosperm (eudicot)
Debeya
(
Dewalquea
)
haldemiana
(Debey
ex
de Saporta & Marion) Halamski. Other dicots are cf.
Dryophyllum
sp.,
Ettingshausenia
sp.,
Rarytkinia
? sp.,
Dicotylophyllum friesii
(Nilsson) comb. nov. and
Salicites wahlbergii
(Nilsson) Hisinger. Conifers are represented by cf.
Aachenia
sp. (cone scales),
Pagiophyllum
sp. and
Cyparissidium
sp. (leaves). Single poorly preserved specimens of ferns and monocots have also been identified. The terrestrial palynomorphs (the focus herein) clearly link to the megaflora, although with different relative abundances. The fern spore
Cyathidites
dominates along with the conifer pollen
Perinopollenites elatoides
and
Classopollis
. Angiosperm pollen comprise up to 15% of the assemblage, represented by monocolpate, tricolpate and periporate pollen and the extinct Normapolles group. The spores in the kerogen residue show a thermal alteration index (TAI) of 2+.

The flora probably represents mainly a coastal lowland
Debeya
/conifer forest, and is similar to approximately coeval assemblages from analogous palaeo-communities described from eastern Poland, western Ukraine and Westphalia.
Suppression of endothelial PGC-1α is associated with hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction and provides a new therapeutic target in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Ye Jia-Xin , Wang Shan-Shan , Ge Min , Wang Dong-Jin
Published: April 2016

Endothelial dysfunction plays a principal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is a fatal disease with limited effective clinical treatments. Mitochondrial dysregulation and oxidative stress are involved in endothelial dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism and a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, the roles of PGC-1α in hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction are not completely understood. We hypothesized that hypoxia reduces PGC-1α expression and leads to endothelial dysfunction in hypoxia-induced PAH. We confirmed that hypoxia has a negative impact on endothelial PGC-1α in experimental PAH in vitro and in vivo. Hypoxia-induced PGC-1α inhibited the oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial function, whereas sustained PGC-1α decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial swelling, and NF-κB activation and increased ATP formation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced changes in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure and right heart hypertrophy were nearly normal after intervention. These results suggest that PGC-1α is associated with endothelial function in hypoxia-induced PAH and that improved endothelial function is associated with improved cellular mitochondrial respiration, reduced inflammation and oxygen stress, and increased PGC-1α expression. Taken together, these findings indicate that PGC-1α may be a new therapeutic target in PAH.
Analysis of microRNA expression during the torpor-arousal cycle of a mammalian hibernator, the 13-lined ground squirrel
Authors: Wu Cheng-Wei , Biggar Kyle K. , Luu Bryan E. , Szereszewski Kama E. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: April 2016

Hibernation is a highly regulated stress response that is utilized by some mammals to survive harsh winter conditions and involves a complex metabolic reprogramming at the cellular level to maintain tissue protections at low temperature. In this study, we profiled the expression of 117 conserved microRNAs in the heart, muscle, and liver of the 13-lined ground squirrel ( Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) across four stages of the torpor-arousal cycle (euthermia, early torpor, late torpor, and interbout arousal) by real-time PCR. We found significant differential regulation of numerous microRNAs that were both tissue specific and torpor stage specific. Among the most significant regulated microRNAs was miR-208b, a positive regulator of muscle development that was found to be upregulated by fivefold in the heart during late torpor (13-fold during arousal), while decreased by 3.7-fold in the skeletal muscle, implicating a potential regulatory role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and skeletal muscle atrophy in the ground squirrels during torpor. In addition, the insulin resistance marker miR-181a was upregulated by 5.7-fold in the liver during early torpor, which supports previous suggestions of hyperinsulinemia in hibernators during the early stages of the hibernation cycle. Although microRNA expression profiles were largely unique between the three tissues, GO annotation analysis revealed that the putative targets of upregulated microRNAs tend to enrich toward suppression of progrowth-related processes in all three tissues. These findings implicate microRNAs in the regulation of both tissue-specific processes and general suppression of cell growth during hibernation.
Individually Tailored Palliative Care in a Rural Region: A Representative Chart Survey and Physicians’ Experiences with Integrated Care
Authors: Terhorst André , Albrecht Helena , Weltermann Birgitta
Published: April 2016

Background. Dying at home represents a special challenge in rural areas. This representative study describes the palliative care for patients in a rural German region. Methods. In a cross-sectional, representative study all physicians of a large rural area were surveyed in terms of their palliative care for a biennial period. In prestructured interviews and chart reviews physicians, practices, and palliative care patients’ characteristics were obtained. The data were matched with regional mortality data. Results. According to public data 463 inhabitants died during the biennial period: 248 patients (53.6%) died outside the region’s borders including all in-hospital patients, while 215 died within this territory (46.4%). Of the latter, a total of 91 patients (42.3%) received care by the 14 physicians surveyed (on average: 6.6 patients per physician). 89% of families were actively involved in care, especially in multigenerational family scenarios. If family members were not involved, nursing services were active instead. Significant predictors for dying at home were the wish to die at home, a cancer diagnosis, and having family support. Conclusions. This study shows a physician-based, individually tailored, rural palliative care approach which allowed the majority of patients to die at home. Families were documented as an important social resource.
Secure Mix-Zones for Privacy Protection of Road Network Location Based Services Users
Authors: Zuberi Rubina S. , Ahmad Syed N.
Published: April 2016

Privacy has been found to be the major impediment and hence the area to be worked out for the provision of Location Based Services in the wide sense. With the emergence of smart, easily portable, communicating devices, information acquisition is achieving new domains. The work presented here is an extension of the ongoing work towards achieving privacy for the present day emerging communication techniques. This work emphasizes one of the most effective real-time privacy enhancement techniques called Mix-Zones. In this paper, we have presented a model of a secure road network with Mix-Zones getting activated on the basis of spatial as well as temporal factors. The temporal factors are ascertained by the amount of traffic and its flow. The paper also discusses the importance of the number of Mix-Zones a user traverses and their mixing effectiveness. We have also shown here using our simulations which are required for the real-time treatment of the problem that the proposed transient Mix-Zones are part of a viable and robust solution towards the road network privacy protection of the communicating moving objects of the present scenario.
Rapid Determination of theS-NCurve for Steel by means of the Thermographic Method
Authors: Lipski Adam
Published: April 2016

The paper presents a thermographic method of accelerated determination of theS-Ncurve. In the presented method, theS-Ncurve was developed based on energy-related parameter with the assumption of its dependency on the stress amplitude. The tests made on C45 steel and X5CrNi18-10 steel under reversed bending revealed that theS-Ncurve obtained by accelerated thermographic method fits inside the 95% confidence interval for theS-Ncurve obtained from the full test.
Distributed Function Calculation over Noisy Networks
Authors: Zeng Zhidun , Yang Xin , Zhang Ze , Mo Xiaoyu , Long Zhiqiang
Published: April 2016

Considering any connected network with unknown initial states for all nodes, the nearest-neighbor rule is utilized for each node to update its own state at every discrete-time step. Distributed function calculation problem is defined for one node to compute some function of the initial values of all the nodes based on its own observations. In this paper, taking into account uncertainties in the network and observations, an algorithm is proposed to compute and explicitly characterize the value of the function in question when the number of successive observations is large enough. While the number of successive observations is not large enough, we provide an approach to obtain the tightest possible bounds on such function by using linear programing optimization techniques. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the theoretical results.
Nonessential Role for the NLRP1 Inflammasome Complex in a Murine Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Brickler Thomas , Gresham Kisha , Meza Armand , Coutermarsh-Ott Sheryl , Williams Tere M. , Rothschild Daniel E. , Allen Irving C. , Theus Michelle H.
Published: April 2016

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) elicits the immediate production of proinflammatory cytokines which participate in regulating the immune response. While the mechanisms of adaptive immunity in secondary injury are well characterized, the role of the innate response is unclear. Recently, the NLR inflammasome has been shown to become activated following TBI, causing processing and release of interleukin-1β(IL-1β). The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex consisting of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing proteins (NLR), caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC). ASC is upregulated after TBI and is critical in coupling the proteins during complex formation resulting in IL-1βcleavage. To directly test whether inflammasome activation contributes to acute TBI-induced damage, we assessed IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-6 expression, contusion volume, hippocampal cell death, and motor behavior recovery inNlrp1−/−,Asc−/−, and wild type mice after moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. Although IL-1βexpression is significantly attenuated in the cortex ofNlrp1−/−andAsc−/−mice following CCI injury, no difference in motor recovery, cell death, or contusion volume is observed compared to wild type. These findings indicate that inflammasome activation does not significantly contribute to acute neural injury in the murine model of moderate CCI injury.
Germline Analysis from Tumor–Germline Sequencing Dyads to Identify Clinically Actionable Secondary Findings
Authors: Seifert Bryce A. , O'Daniel Julianne M. , Amin Krunal , Marchuk Daniel S. , Patel Nirali M. , Parker Joel S. , Hoyle Alan P. , Mose Lisle E. , Marron Andrew , Hayward Michele C. , Bizon Christopher , Wilhelmsen Kirk C. , Evans James P. , Earp H. Shelton , Sharpless Norman E. , Hayes D. Neil , Berg Jonathan S.
Published: April 2016

Purpose: To evaluate germline variants in hereditary cancer susceptibility genes among unselected cancer patients undergoing tumor–germline sequencing.

Experimental Design: Germline sequence data from 439 individuals undergoing tumor–germline dyad sequencing through the LCCC1108/UNCseq™ (NCT01457196) study were analyzed for genetic variants in 36 hereditary cancer susceptibility genes. These variants were analyzed as an exploratory research study to determine whether pathogenic variants exist within the germline of patients undergoing tumor–germline sequencing. Patients were unselected with respect to indicators of hereditary cancer predisposition.

Results: Variants indicative of hereditary cancer predisposition were identified in 19 (4.3%) patients. For about half (10/19), these findings represent new diagnostic information with potentially important implications for the patient and their family. The others were previously identified through clinical genetic evaluation secondary to suspicion of a hereditary cancer predisposition. Genes with pathogenic variants included ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, and CHEK2. In contrast, a substantial proportion of patients (178, 40.5%) had Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS), 24 of which had VUS in genes pertinent to the presenting cancer. Another 143 had VUS in other hereditary cancer genes, and 11 had VUS in both pertinent and nonpertinent genes.

Conclusions: Germline analysis in tumor–germline sequencing dyads will occasionally reveal significant germline findings that were clinically occult, which could be beneficial for patients and their families. However, given the low yield for unexpected germline variation and the large proportion of patients with VUS results, analysis and return of germline results should adhere to guidelines for secondary findings rather than diagnostic hereditary cancer testing. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 4087–94. ©2016 AACR.

See related commentary by Mandelker, p. 3987
Acceptance and Continuation of Contraceptive Methods Immediate Postabortion
Authors: Hou Shu-Ping , Zhu Wen-Lei , Li Shu-Min , Teng Yin-Cheng
Published: April 2016

Background/Aims: Providing preabortion contraceptive counseling for the method of contraception may reduce the incidence of repeat abortions. This study aimed to compare the acceptance and continuation rates of intrauterine devices (IUDs), combined oral contraceptives (COCs), and condom use after abortion in women who received preabortion contraceptive counseling. Methods: Women seeking a first-trimester abortion prospectively received preabortion contraceptive counseling and the choice of method of contraception was based on the counseling and not related to prior methods of birth control. Outcomes included continuation of postabortion contraceptive use and repeat abortions over a 6-month follow-up period. Results: Four hundred and fifty-five women (IUD group: n = 161; COC group: n = 149; condom group: n = 135) completed 6-month follow-up after the abortions. At the sixth month follow-up, patients continued using the IUD, COC, and condoms for contraception were 64.2, 10, and 51.5%, respectively. Higher age, being married, parity ≥1, and previous abortion were factors that were associated with more frequent selection of an IUD, while a higher education level was associated with a more frequent selection of COC and condoms. Conclusion: The continued use of COCs after abortion is low even with preabortion contraceptive counseling. The IUD offers reliable birth control with a lower discontinuation rate than COCs or condoms.
RASopathies: Presentation at the Genome, Interactome, and Phenome Levels
Authors: Pevec Urska , Rozman Neva , Gorsek Blaz , Kunej Tanja
Published: April 2016

Clinical symptoms often reflect molecular correlations between mutated proteins. Alignment between interactome and phenome levels reveals new disease genes and connections between previously unrelated diseases. Despite a great potential for novel discoveries, this approach is still rarely used in genomics. In the present study, we analyzed the data of 6 syndromes belonging to the RASopathy class of disorders (RASopathies) and presented them as a model to study associations between genome, interactome, and phenome levels. Causative genes and clinical symptoms were collected from OMIM and NCBI GeneReviews databases for 6 syndromes: Noonan, Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, neurofibromatosis type 1, cardiofaciocutaneous, and Legius and Costello syndrome. The STRING tool was used for the identification of protein interactions. Six RASopathy syndromes were found to be associated with 12 causative genes. We constructed an interactome of RASopathy proteins and their neighbors and developed a database of 328 clinical symptoms. The collected data was presented at genome, interactome, and phenome levels and as an integrated network of all 3 data types. The present study provides a baseline for future studies of associations between interactome and phenome in RASopathies and could serve as a novel approach to analyze phenotypically and genetically related diseases.
The Subversive Dimension of the Story of Jehoshaphat’s War against the Nations (2 Chron. 20:1–30)
Authors: Amzallag Nissim
Published: April 2016

The miraculous victory of Jehoshaphat and the Judeans in the conflict against Moab, Ammon, and Edom (2 Chron. 20:1–30) displays all the characteristics of a holy war, but the active involvement of Yhwh, the main component expected in such a narrative, is skillfully muted and the circumstances leading to the victory remain evasive. The present analysis reveals that the Chronicler disguised the narrative as a holy war story in order to conceal the subversive message in a subliminal layer of meaning. In this way, the Chronicler reveals that the victory of the Judeans over their enemies was reached through the transgression of Yahwistic taboos. These findings reveal the existence, in the Chronicles, of a subversive dimension especially turned against Jehoshaphat. They account for a disagreement between the Chronicler and the opinion of potential readers concerning the reign of this king. The possible origin for the Chronicler’s singular attitude is discussed.
Between “Public” Islam and “Private” Sufism: Producing a National Icon through Mass Mediated Hagiography
Authors: Aishima Hatsuki
Published: April 2016

To what extent can a national hero be a Sufi? This article examines the much contested yet still underexplored relationship between the public discourse of modernity and Sufism by looking at how television producers dealt with Sufi elements in ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm Maḥmūd’s (1910–78) biography. The Egyptian public remembers ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm Maḥ­mūd as a Shaykh al-Azhar and a distinguished scholar of Sufism of the 1970s. His biopic series broadcast on national television during the Ramadan of 2008 showed the delicate nature of exposing Sufi practices in public Islam. ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm’s career path leading up to the level of a high-ranking scholar of al-Azhar was celebrated as the result of strong faith in God. However, his Sufi practices were modified to correspond to the television producers’ understanding of correct Sufism and to show how “private” spiritual pursuits would not hinder one from being an economically productive individual in the public sphere.
The Moscow Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1918)
Authors: Liebel Manfred
Published: April 2016

The Moscow Declaration on the Rights of the Child, which came into being during the course of the Russian Revolution in 1917–18, thanks to a group of socially and politically engaged pedagogues, exemplifies an emancipatory current in the history of children’s rights. Exploring original sources, the author presents this little-known declaration in detail, explains its political and intellectual background, and commends its impact and historical relevance. He concludes that the declaration provides a valuable contribution to the theory and practice of children’s rights, which deserves enhanced attention.
Description of a new species of the genus Chaetostoma from the Orinoco River drainage with comments on Chaetostoma milesi Fowler, 1941 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)
Authors: BALLEN GUSTAVO A. , URBANO-BONILLA ALEXANDER , MALDONADO-OCAMPO JAVIER A.
Published: April 2016

Chaetostoma joropo n. sp. is described from the piedmont of the Orinoco River drainage in Colombia. The new species has been long confused with Chaetostoma milesi, a species with similar overall morphology and color pattern that is restricted to the Magdalena-Cauca River Basin. We diagnose the new species on the basis of morphology as well as a precise description of the color pattern. Chaetostoma joropo n. sp. is also easily distinguished from C. formosae the most similar species and other species inhabiting the Orinoco River drainage in Colombia. Data on ontogenetic variation and sexual dimorphism are provided, as well as natural history notes and remarks on the usage of the name Chaetostoma milesi for specimens from both the Orinoco and Magdalena-Cauca drainages. A discussion on the usage of the name Chaetostoma platyrhynchus is also provided given its current instability in the literature.
Exploring Nanoscale Electrical Properties of CuO-Graphene Based Hybrid Interfaced Memory Device by Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Singh Bharti , Mehta B.R , Varandani Deepak , Savu Andreea Veronica , Brugger Juergen
Published: April 2016

The phenomenon of resistive switching is based on nanoscale changes in the electrical properties of the interface. In the present study, conductive atomic force microscope based nanoscale measurements of copper oxide (CuO)-multilayer graphene (MLG) hybrid interface based devices have
been carried out to understand changes in the electrical properties during resistive switching of the Ti–CuO/MLG-Cu memory cells having different dimensions fabricated on the same substrate using stencil lithography technique. The dependence of resistive switching characteristics in
LRS and HRS and current level of the conductive filaments (CF) on the electrode area have been studied. As the device dimension is reduced, the filamentary contribution is enhanced in comparison to the background contribution, resulting in an increase in the current density ratio between LRS
and HRS. It is also observed that as the device dimension is decreased from 150 to 25 μm, the filament size decreases from 95 nm to 20 nm, respectively, which causes a decrease in the reset current and reset voltage. The results of the nanoscale CAFM measurements have shown a good
correlation with the switching parameters obtained by the macroscale pad I–V measurements, thereby, suggesting the origin of resistive switching is due to the formation and rupture of an entity called filament, whose dimension is in nanorange. It is observed that changes in the
electrical properties of the overall interface layer along with changes in the electrical conductivity of these filaments contribute towards resistive switching phenomenon. This study suggests that a significant reduction of reset current can be achieved by decreasing the memory device dimensions.
Dynamic Mechanical Properties, Crystallization Behavior and Morphology of Nanoscale Tin Fluorophosphate Glass/Polyamide 66 Hybrid Materials
Authors: Liu Huiwen , Yang Jing , Yu Honglin , Zou Xiaoxuan , Jing Bo , Dai Wenli
Published: April 2016

The dynamic mechanical properties, crystallization behavior and morphology of nanoscale Tg tin fluorophosphate glass (TFP glass)/polyamide 66 (PA66) hybrid materials were investigated by XRD, DSC and SEM. The experimental results showed that the Tg of TFP/PA66 hybrid decreased and the
third relaxation in the highly filled hybrid appeared due to the interaction between the TFP glass and amide groups of PA66. The storage modulus of the hybrid materials increased with increase in the content of TFP at low temperatures but had little effect at high temperatures. This result
was attributed to the stiffness depression of the TFP glass when the temperature rose above its Tg and the similar elasticity of the two phases because of the interaction between the components. The degree of crystallinity and α, γ crystal content of PA66 both decreased
due to the interaction between the two phases. In addition, the phase defect, the size distribution and the compatibility of TFP in the PA66 matrix were discussed by SEM, the results showed that the TFP appeared aggregation partly, but had the favorable compatibility in the PA66 matrix.
Investigation of Photoluminescence Mechanisms from SiO2/Si:SiO2/SiO2 Structures in Weak Quantum Confined Regime by Deconvolution of Photoluminescence Spectra
Authors: Tuğay Evrin , Turan Raşsit
Published: April 2016

Si nanocrystals embedded in SiO2 matrix were prepared by co-sputtering method followed by a post annealing process in N2 ambient. By fixing sputtering parameters, the effects of annealing time and annealing temperature on the optical properties of Si nanocrystals
are investigated. Origin and evolution of the photoluminescence (PL) in weak quantum confinement regime are discussed in the light of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and temperature dependent photoluminescence measurements. For all samples, the PL peaks tend to decompose to
four Gaussian peaks in which attributed to the radiative defects in SiO2 matrix, nc-Si/SiO2 interface related localized defects, localized states in the amorphous Si band gap and quantum confinement of excitons in smaller nanocrystals. Considering the observation
of luminescence and its decomposition tendency in nanocrystals with average sizes larger than exciton’s Bohr radius the necessity to distinguish between the role of smaller and larger nanocrystals in the PL mechanisms is discussed. Furthermore, possible origin of the interface related
localized states in particular Si=O double bonds in the nc-Si/SiO2 interface and that of radiative defects in SiO2 matrix are discussed.
Preparation and Characterization of SnO2/Ag Hollow Microsphere via a Convenient Hydrothermal Route
Authors: Qiao Xiuqing , Hu Fuchao , Hou Dongfang , Li Dongsheng
Published: April 2016

SnO2/Ag hollow microsphere, assembled form SnO2 and Ag nanoparticles, was synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis method using Na2SnO3.3H2O, CO(NH2)2 and AgNO3 as raw materials.
XRD, SEM, and TEM results revealed that the obtained SnO2/Ag hollow microsphere with diameters of ca.3∼5 μm was built from uniformly distributed rutile SnO2 and cubic Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, XPS results indicate the existence of strong interaction between
Ag and SnO2 nanoparticles, rather than simply physical contact, endowing the SnO2/Ag hollow microspheres with excellent photocatalytic performance in the degradation of RhB solution under visible light irradiation.
Growth and Detachment of 5 Helix DNA Ribbons
Authors: Bashar Saima , Hwang Si Un , Lee Junwye , Amin Rashid , Dugasani Sreekantha Reddy , Ha Tai Hwan , Park Sung Ha
Published: April 2016

We report on the concentration-dependent surface-assisted growth and time-temperature-dependent detachment of one-dimensional 5 helix DNA ribbons (5HR) on a mica substrate. The growth coverage ratio was determined by varying the concentration of the 5HR strands in a test tube, and the
detachment rate of 5HR on mica was determined by varying the incubation time at a fixed temperature on a heat block. The topological changes in the concentration-dependent attachment and the time-temperature-dependent detachment for 5HR on mica were observed via atomic force microscopy. The
observations indicate that 5HR started to grow on mica at ∼10 nM and provided full coverage at ∼50 nM. In contrast, 5HR at 65 °C started to detach from mica after 5 min and was completely removed after 10 min. The growth and detachment coverage show a sinusoidal variation
in the growth ratio and a linear variation with a rate of detachment of 20%/min, respectively. The physical parameters that control the stability of the DNA structures on a given substrate should be studied to successfully integrate DNA structures for physical and chemical applications.
Synthesis, Characterization and Exploration of Multiferroic Properties in Nano-Crystalline Tb1−x YxMnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)
Authors: Shukla R , Chakraborty Keka R , Mandal B.P , Kaushik S. D , Mukadam M. D , Lawes G , Naik R , Kumarasiri A , Siruguri V , Yusuf S.M , Tyagi A. K
Published: April 2016

We report the synthesis and electric properties of nano-crystalline Tb1−xYxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) compounds prepared by gel-combustion method. These samples were characterized by a number of techniques including
X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, specific-heat measurement, neutron diffraction, and magnetic field dependent pyrocurrent measurement. All the samples crystallize in the orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma at room temperature. Anomalies were observed in low temperature
specific-heat measurement corresponding to magnetic and electric phase transitions. The magnetic phase transitions occurred at ∼35, ∼22–28 and ∼7 K for all the samples. Signatures of coupling between magnetic and electric order parameters were revealed by pyrocurrent measurements
carried out in presence of magnetic fields.
Co9S8 Nano/Microspheres: Characterization and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Luo Jian , Cui Yimin
Published: April 2016

Co9S8 microspheres were synthesised by a simple solvothermal route in a binary solution of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and high-purity water (W). Among all the factors that may influence the samples morphologies, volume ratio of TETA and high-purity water are of
extreme importance. SEM images show that the microspheres surfaces are coarse with a mean diameter of about 3–5 μm. Their crystallinity can be improved by high temperature annealing. To determine the crystallinity and composition of samples, XRD, EDS and TEM tests were carried
out. It can be inferred that these nano/microspheres are amorphous before annealing and crystallized after annealing. Meanwhile a higher element ratio of S:Co can be detected from the annealed samples on EDS results. In the case of magnetism, Co9S8 microspheres turn out
to be paramagnetic at room temperature.
Biomimetic Modification and In Vivo Safety Assessment of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Song Xinfeng , Gu Xiangling , Sun Hanwen , Fu Chunhua , Zhang Yancong , Dong Pingxuan
Published: April 2016

The efficacy of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for biomedical applications depends on the magnetic properties, long time stability in biological fluids, and specific targeting capacity. The properties of SPIONs were generally improved by surface modification, but
common modification technologies were usually conducted with multi-steps under rigid conditions. In this work, a facile and simple approach to synthesize functionalized SPIONs contrast agents was set up. First of all, SPIONs were prepared by an improved ultrasonic co-precipitation method.
Then the surfaces of these SPIONs were modified biomimeticly by dopamine (DA) with strong adhesion. At last, the c(RGDyK), a biomolecule with the capacity of specific targeting capacity towards liver tumor cells, were coupled with DA on SPIONs via Mannich reaction. Thus the novel magnetic
composite nanoparticles (abbreviated as c(RGDyK)-PDA-SPIONs) were successfully prepared. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic light scattering, magnetic hysteresis loop measuring instrument. As a result, that the c(RGDyK)- PDA-SPIONs
had an average size of about 50 nm and uniform distribution, and had superparamagnetic properties, good water dispersion stability. The acute toxicity test of the as-synthesized c(RGDyK)-PDA-SPIONs to mice was also investigated. It was observed that LD50 of c(RGDyK)- PDA-SPIONs
was 4.38 g/kg, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 3.49 g/kg to 5.87 g/kg. These results indicated the novel c(RGDyK)-PDA-SPIONs had excellent biocompatibility, which was endowed with a potential capacity to serve as MRI contrast agents in diagnosis and treatment of the liver tumor.
Preparation of La–TiO2/Bentonite and Its Photodegradation Properties to Cyanide
Authors: Wang Qinglong , Chen Kexun , Zhang Yali
Published: April 2016

The photocatalytic materials were prepared by sol–gel method: the main raw materials were tetrabutyltitanate and the lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate, bentonite was the carrier to support TiO2.The properties of the composites were characterized by specific surface area
(BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The photocatalytic degradation of cyanide waste water was used to assess the photocatalytic activity of the materials. The experimental results
showed that the suitable content of lanthanum and roasted temperature could improve the photocatalytic activity. When the composites were roasted at 400 °C and the molar ratio of La to Ti was 1%, the photocatalyst reached optimal performance.
Tuning the Size of Palladium Nanoparticles in Organic and Aqueous Solutions: Influence of Aminated and Thiolated Ligands
Authors: Castellanos-Rubio I , Insausti M , de Muro I. Gil , Rojo T , Lezama L
Published: April 2016

Highly monodispersed palladium nanoparticles have been synthesized by a two-phase reduction method using two different capping agents, alkylamines and alkanethiols. The influence of ligand type in the properties of palladium nanoparticles have been analyzed in detail by means of several
techniques as Infrared and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. It is shown how the size can be tuned easily between 2 and 4 nm by using alkylamines ligands with carbon chains of different lengths, while keeping up high purity and crystallinity.
The transfer of these nanoparticles to water phase has been achieved by the ligand exchange process. In contrast, when alkanethiols are used as stabilizers no correlation between carbon chain length and size has been observed. This distinct chemical reactivity between palladium and mentioned
ligands produces some particular electronic and magnetic properties that are analyzed by Electron Magnetic Resonance. The presence of free radicals associated with palladium and capping agent bond has been confirmed. No evidences of ferromagnetic behavior coming from Palladium nanoparticles
have been found out in any of the studied samples.
Magnetic Field-Induced Accentuation of Drug Release from Core/Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Anticancer Treatment
Authors: Knežević Nikola Ž
Published: April 2016

Drug (9-aminoacridine) loaded core/shell magnetic iron oxide-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSN) were treated with HeLa cells and the drug carriers were agitated by exposure to magnetic field. Viability studies show the applicability of drug loaded magnetic material for
anticancer treatment, which is enhanced upon stimulation with magnetic field. Confocal micrographs of fluorescein grafted MMSN-treated HeLa cells confirmed the ability of magnetic field to concentrate the synthesized material in the exposed area of the cells. The synthesized material and the
applied drug delivery method may find application in magnetic field-responsive targeted treatment of cancer.
Synthesis and Characterization of Eu3+-Doped CdS Quantum Dots by a Single-Step Aqueous Method
Authors: Zhou Chunyan , Song Jiahui , Zhang Xinguo , Sun Lu , Zhou Liya , Huang Ni , Gan Yufei , Chen Mengyang , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2016

Eu3+-doped CdS quantum dots (QDs) are successfully synthesized through a straightforward singlepot process in aqueous solution using thioglycolic acid as the capping ligand. The structure, shape, and spectral properties of the QDs are investigated. The obtained CdS:Eu3+
QDs exhibit cubic structures with good crystallinity and approximately sphere-like shapes about 4 nm in diameter. The CdS QDs manifest a broadband emission peak at 600 nm and enhanced Photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity after doping with Eu3+ ions. Given the strong PL intensity
and good chromaticity of the sulfide-based QDs, they have potential use in doping rare-earth ions.
Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of La2W2O9:Eu3+ Micron-Crystals
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Yang Yanmin , Yu Fang , Liu Yanzhou , Han Boning , Mi Chao , Liu Linlin
Published: April 2016

La2W2O9:2%Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized by a typical hydrothermal procedure. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction analysis showed that a stock solution pH value equal
to 9 is the ideal value, while the crystallization of the hydroxyl sodium yttrium tungstate crystal is improved by increasing the PH values of stock solution within limits. Meanwhile, SEMs of different pH values were recorded. Additionally, photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and emission (PL)
spectra were measured. It was found that this phosphor can be effectively excited by C–T band (266 nm) and ultraviolet light 342 nm. The wavelengths at 342 nm fit in nicely with the whole visible region, thus the La2W2O9:2%Eu3+ phosphors emit
white light. Furthermore, the annealing temperature’s impact on PLE and PL spectra was also studied. The Eu3+-doped La2W2O9 phosphor may be a better candidate than current method for solid-state lighting applications.
Luminescence Properties and Synthesis of SrMgAl10O17:Mn4+ Red Phosphor for White Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Cao Renping , Xue Hongdong , Yu Xiaoguang , Xiao Fen , Wu Donglan , Zhang Fenxiang
Published: April 2016

A series of Mn4+ doped SrMgAl10O17 phosphors are synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method in air, and their crystal structure, morphology, and fluorescence properties are investigated. The luminescence properties show clearly that SrMgAl10O17:Mn4+
phosphor can be excited by UV (200–380 nm), near UV (380–420 nm), and blue (420–480 nm) bands of LEDs chip, and emits red light in the range of 600 nm to 750 nm with satisfying CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.7207, 0.2793). The optimal doping concentration of Mn4+
ion is ∼1 mol%, and its lifetime is ∼1.15 ms. The possible luminous mechanism of Mn4+ ion is discussed by Tanabe-Sugano diagram. These experiment results indicate that Mn4+ doped SrMgAl10O17 phosphors can be a potential application as a red-emitting
phosphor candidate in white LEDs.
Photoluminescence Properties and Energy Transfer in a Novel Yellow Emitting Phosphor GdTaO4:Dy3+
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Tan Xinyu , Wang Yuhua
Published: April 2016

The phosphor Dy3+ doped M type gadolinium orthotantalate GdTaO4 was prepared successfully by traditional solid state reaction and the photoluminescence of GdTaO4: xDy3+ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) has been investigated under ultraviolet and vacuum
ultraviolet excitation. In the excitation spectra of GdTaO4:Dy3+, the overlap appears between the host lattice excitation, the excitation lines of Gd3+ and the f–f transitions of Dy3+, which indicates that the energy transfer
could occur from the host to the Dy3+ ions. In the emission spectra of the samples, the intense emissions of Dy3+ have been expectably revealed both upon excitation at 365 nm and 147 nm. And the chromaticity coordinates of GdTaO4: xDy3+ have
been correspondingly calculated. The results indicate that GdTaO4:Dy3+ would be a novel yellow emitting phosphor applied in light emitting diodes (LEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs) and mercury-free fluorescent tubes.