bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding meaning in a noisy world: exploring the effects of referential ambiguity and competition on 2·5-year-olds’ cross-situational word learning
Authors: BUNCE JOHN P. , SCOTT ROSE M.
Published: April 2016

While recent studies suggest children can use cross-situational information to learn words, these studies involved minimal referential ambiguity, and the cross-situational evidence overwhelmingly favored a single referent for each word. Here we asked whether 2·5-year-olds could identify a noun's referent when the scene and cross-situational evidence were more ambiguous. Children saw four trials in which a novel word occurred with four novel objects; only one object consistently co-occurred with the word across trials. The frequency of distracter objects varied across conditions. When all distracter referents occurred only once (no-competition), children successfully identified the noun's referent. When a high-probability competitor referent occurred on three trials, children identified the target referent if the competitor was absent on the third trial (short-competition) but not if it was present until the fourth trial (long-competition). This suggests that although 2·5-year-olds’ cross-situational learning scales up to more ambiguous scenes, it is disrupted by high-probability competitor referents.
Re-assembling Actor-Network Theory and urban history
Authors: DE MUNCK BERT
Published: April 2016

Few theories have left their mark on urban studies to the extent that Actor-Network Theory (ANT) has in the last few decades. Its background in Science and Technology Studies (STS), its critique of the explanatory value of such abstractions as ‘class’ and ‘society’ and its efforts to transcend society/nature and local/global binarisms inevitably challenged conventional views on cities, urbanization and urban phenomena. Economic and Marxist approaches to the city in particular have been challenged, at least to the extent that they invoke the explanatory force of the economy or capitalism as a global social system and, thus, fall back upon the binarisms under attack from ANT. The network approach questioned architectonic explanatory models (substructure vs. superstructure) and deepened our understanding of actors and agency (both emerging from networks of humans and non-humans). However, ANT has always been subject to criticism too.
A biopsychosocial vignette for case conceptualization in dementia (VIG-Dem): development and pilot study
Authors: Spector Aimee , Hebditch Molly , Stoner Charlotte R. , Gibbor Luke
Published: April 2016

Background:

The ability to identify biological, social, and psychological issues for people with dementia is an important skill for healthcare professionals. Therefore, valid and reliable measures are needed to assess this ability. This study involves the development of a vignette style measure to capture the extent to which health professionals use “Biopsychosocial” thinking in dementia care (VIG-Dem), based on the framework of the model developed by Spector and Orrell (2010).

Methods:

The development process consisted of Phase 1: Developing and refining the vignettes; Phase 2: Field testing (N = 9), and Phase 3: A pilot study to assess reliability and validity (N = 131).

Results:

The VIG-Dem, consisting of two vignettes with open-ended questions and a standardized scoring scheme, was developed. Evidence for the good inter-rater reliability, convergent validity, and test–retest reliability were established.

Conclusions:

The VIG-Dem has good psychometric properties and may provide a useful tool in dementia care research and practice.
Changes in Post-Traumatic Symptom Pattern during and after Exposure to Extreme War Stress: An Uncontrolled, Preliminary Study Supporting the Dose-Response Model
Authors: Ben-Ezra Menachem , Palgi Yuval , Shrira Amit , Sternberg Dina , Essar Nir
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Exposure to prolonged war stress is understudied. While there is debate regarding the empirical data of the dose-response model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about how weekly changes in external stress influences the level of PTSD symptoms. The purpose of this study was to measure the relation between objective external stress and PTSD symptoms across time, and thus, gain a deeper understating of the dose-response model.

Hypothesis:

The study hypothesis postulates that the more severe the external stressor, the more severe the exhibition of traumatic symptoms.

Methods:

Thirteen special army administrative staff (SAAS) members from the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa attended seven intervention meetings during the war. These personnel answered a battery of questionnaires regarding demographics and PTSD symptoms during each session. A non-parametric test was used in order to measure the changes in PTSD symptoms between sessions. Pearson correlations were used in order to study the relationship between the magnitude of external stressors and the severity of PTSD symptoms.

Results:

The results suggested that there was a significant relationship between the magnitude of external stressors and the severity of PTSD symptoms. These results are in line with the dose-response model.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that a pattern of decline in PTSD symptoms confirm the dose-response model for PTSD.
Crop Insurance, Disaster Payments, and Land Use Change: The Effect of Sodsaver on Incentives for Grassland Conversion
Authors: Claassen Roger , Cooper Joseph C. , Carriazo Fernando
Published: April 2016

Subsidized crop insurance may encourage conversion of native grassland to cropland. The Sodsaver provision of the 2008 farm bill could deny crop insurance on converted land in the Prairie Pothole states for 5 years. Supplemental Revenue Assistance payments, which are linked to crop insurance purchases, could also be withheld. Using representative farms, we estimate that Sodsaver would reduce expected crop revenue by up to 8% and expected net return by up to 20%, while increasing the standard deviation of revenue by as much as 6% of market revenue. Analysis based on elasticities from the literature suggests that Sodsaver would reduce grassland conversion by 9% or less.
Successful Treatment of Bipolar Disorder II and ADHD with a Micronutrient Formula: A Case Study
Authors: Rucklidge Julia J. , Harrison Rachel
Published: April 2016

Bipolar disorder with co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a challenge to treat. Ten previous reports have shown potential benefit of a micronutrient treatment (consisting mainly of vitamins and minerals) for various psychiatric symptoms, including mood and ADHD. This case study aimed to investigate the longer term impact of the micronutrients on both psychiatric and neurocognitive functioning in an off-on-off-on (ABAB) design with 1 year follow-up. A 21-year-old female with bipolar II disorder, ADHD, social anxiety, and panic disorder entered an open-label trial using a nutritional treatment following a documented 8 year history of ongoing psychiatric symptoms not well managed by medications. After 8 weeks on the formula she showed significant improvements in mood, anxiety, and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Blood test results remained normal after 8 weeks on the formula. She did not report any adverse side effects associated with the treatment. She then chose to come off the formula; after 8 weeks her depression scores returned to baseline, and anxiety and ADHD symptoms worsened. The formula was reintroduced, showing gradual improvement in all psychiatric symptoms. This case represents a naturalistic ABAB design showing on-off control of symptoms. After 1 year, the patient is now in remission from all mental illness. Neurocognitive changes mirrored behavioral changes, showing improved processing speed, consistency in response speed, and verbal memory. A placebo response and expectancy effects cannot be ruled out although previous poor response to treatment and the duration of the current positive response decrease the likelihood that other factors better explain change. These consistently positive outcomes alongside an absence of side effects indicate that further research, particularly larger and more controlled trials, is warranted using this multinutrient approach.
Evolution of Gender Stereotypes in Spain: Traits and Roles
Authors: López-Sáez Mercedes , Morales J. Francisco , Lisbona Ana
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study is twofold: to determine whether (and how) gender stereotypes have changed over time through a comparison of two different sets of data collected in 1993 (N = 1255) and 2001 (N = 1255) from a representative sample of the Spanish population, and to examine the relation between gender traits and roles and its stability over time. In addition, special attention is paid to the psychometric properties of the measures of gender traits and roles used in the study. The content of gender stereotypes was found to remain stable over the target period of time, confirming the classical typology (a higher assignment of expressive-communal traits to women and of instrumental-agentic traits to men). The structure of the gender-role questionnaire allows us to distinguish between family-role and work-role stereotyping. Gender-role stereotyping shows a marked decline between 1993 and 2001, a result that contrasts with the stability of trait-role stereotyping. The fact that a very low correlation is observed at the two time points between these two components of gender stereotyping strongly suggests their independence.
Lemma selection without inhibition of languages in bilingual speakers
Authors: ROELOFS ARDI
Published: April 2016

The planning of speech involves making successive choices in a hierarchy of options. In the case of bilingualism, these options are provided by two lexicons and grammars rather than one internalized by a speaker. Conceptualization processes map a communicative intention onto a message indicating the conceptual information to be verbalized to reach a speaker's communicative goal. In bilinguals, the illocutionary intention may be to express oneself in one language rather than the other, or to mix languages. Formulation processes activate and select lemmas and forms for the message concepts, and plan a syntactic and a morphophonological structure. Lemmas specify the syntactic properties of words, crucial for their use in sentences. The result of formulation is an articulatory program, which, when executed by articulation processes, yields overt speech. A central theoretical problem is how bilingual speakers manage to keep the options provided by the two languages apart in monolingual conversation, and how speakers are able to integrate the options in bilingual conversation where language mixing (i.e., code-switching or borrowing) may take place.
Positive Art: Artistic Expression and Appreciation as an Exemplary Vehicle for Flourishing
Authors: Lomas Tim
Published: April 2016

The relevance of the arts to well-being has been recognized within clinical fields, as reflected in therapeutic forms based on various art modalities, from music to drama therapy. However, there has hitherto been little appreciation of the broader potential of the arts as a vehicle for flourishing and fulfillment in fields such as positive psychology. As such, this article proposes the creation of “positive art” as a field encompassing theory and research concerning the well-being value of art. To show the scope and possibilities of this proposed field, the article provides an indicative summary of literature pertaining to 4 major art forms: visual art, music, literature, and drama. Moreover, the article identifies 5 main positive outcomes that are consistently found in the literature across all these forms: sense-making, enriching experience, aesthetic appreciation, entertainment, and bonding. The article aims to encourage a greater focus on the arts in fields such as positive psychology, enabling science to more fully understand and appreciate the positive power of the arts.
PER1 prevents excessive innate immune response during endotoxin-induced liver injury through regulation of macrophage recruitment in mice
Authors: Wang T , Wang Z , Yang P , Xia L , Zhou M , Wang S , Du Jie , Zhang J
Published: April 2016

The severity of acute liver failure (ALF) induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with the hepatic innate immune response. The core circadian molecular clock modulates the innate immune response by controlling rhythmic pathogen recognition by the innate immune system and daily variations in cytokine gene expression. However, the molecular link between circadian genes and the innate immune system has remained unclear. Here, we showed that mice lacking the clock gene Per1 (Period1) are more susceptible to LPS/d-galactosamine (LPS/GalN)-induced macrophage-dependent ALF compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Per1 deletion caused a remarkable increase in the number of Kupffer cells (KCs) in the liver, resulting in an elevation of the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines after LPS treatment. Loss of Per1 had no effect on the proliferation or apoptosis of macrophages; however, it enhanced the recruitment of macrophages, which was associated with an increase in CC chemokine receptor 2 (Ccr2) expression levels in monocytes/macrophages. Deletion of Ccr2 rescued d-GalN/LPS-induced liver injury in Per1−/− mice. We demonstrated that the upregulation of Ccr2 expression by Per1 deletion could be reversed by the synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) antagonist GW9662. Further analysis indicated that PER1 binds to PPAR-γ on the Ccr2 promoter and enhanced the inhibitory effect of PPAR-γ on Ccr2 expression. These results reveal that Per1 reduces hepatic macrophage recruitment through interaction with PPAR-γ and prevents an excessive innate immune response in endotoxin-induced liver injury.
Trastuzumab-grafted PAMAM dendrimers for the selective delivery of anticancer drugs to HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Kulhari Hitesh , Pooja Deep , Shrivastava Shweta , Kuncha Madhusudana , Naidu V. G. M. , Bansal Vipul , Sistla Ramakrishna , Adams David J.
Published: April 2016

Approximately 20% of breast cancer cases are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive. This type of breast cancer is more aggressive and tends to reoccur more often than HER2-negative breast cancer. In this study, we synthesized trastuzumab (TZ)-grafted dendrimers to improve delivery of docetaxel (DTX) to HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Bioconjugation of TZ on the surface of dendrimers was performed using a heterocrosslinker, MAL-PEG-NHS. For imaging of cancer cells, dendrimers were also conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate. Comparative in vitro studies revealed that these targeted dendrimers were more selective, and had higher antiproliferation activity, towards HER2-positive MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells than HER2-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. When compared with unconjugated dendrimers, TZ-conjugated dendrimers also displayed higher cellular internalization and induction of apoptosis against MDA-MB-453 cells. Binding of TZ to the dendrimer surface could help site-specific delivery of DTX and reduce systemic toxicity resulting from its lack of specificity. In addition, in vivo studies revealed that the pharmacokinetic profile of DTX was significantly improved by the conjugated nanosystem.
Crack-resistant Al2O3–SiO2 glasses
Authors: Rosales-Sosa Gustavo A. , Masuno Atsunobu , Higo Yuji , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: April 2016

Obtaining “hard” and “crack-resistant” glasses have always been of great important in glass science and glass technology. However, in most commercial glasses both properties are not compatible. In this work, colorless and transparent xAl2O3–(100–x)SiO2 glasses (30 ≤ x ≤ 60) were fabricated by the aerodynamic levitation technique. The elastic moduli and Vickers hardness monotonically increased with an increase in the atomic packing density as the Al2O3 content increased. Although a higher atomic packing density generally enhances crack formation in conventional oxide glasses, the indentation cracking resistance increased by approximately seven times with an increase in atomic packing density in binary Al2O3–SiO2 glasses. In particular, the composition of 60Al2O3•40SiO2 glass, which is identical to that of mullite, has extraordinary high cracking resistance with high elastic moduli and Vickers hardness. The results indicate that there exist aluminosilicate compositions that can produce hard and damage-tolerant glasses.
Swimming performance of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens is an emergent property of its two flagellar systems
Authors: Quelas J. Ignacio , Althabegoiti M. Julia , Jimenez-Sanchez Celia , Melgarejo Augusto A. , Marconi Verónica I. , Mongiardini Elías J. , Trejo Sebastián A. , Mengucci Florencia , Ortega-Calvo José-Julio , Lodeiro Aníbal R.
Published: April 2016

Many bacterial species use flagella for self-propulsion in aqueous media. In the soil, which is a complex and structured environment, water is found in microscopic channels where viscosity and water potential depend on the composition of the soil solution and the degree of soil water saturation. Therefore, the motility of soil bacteria might have special requirements. An important soil bacterial genus is Bradyrhizobium, with species that possess one flagellar system and others with two different flagellar systems. Among the latter is B. diazoefficiens, which may express its subpolar and lateral flagella simultaneously in liquid medium, although its swimming behaviour was not described yet. These two flagellar systems were observed here as functionally integrated in a swimming performance that emerged as an epistatic interaction between those appendages. In addition, each flagellum seemed engaged in a particular task that might be required for swimming oriented toward chemoattractants near the soil inner surfaces at viscosities that may occur after the loss of soil gravitational water. Because the possession of two flagellar systems is not general in Bradyrhizobium or in related genera that coexist in the same environment, there may be an adaptive tradeoff between energetic costs and ecological benefits among these different species.
Correction: Corrigendum: Anti-Microbial Dendrimers against Multidrug-Resistant P. aeruginosa Enhance the Angiogenic Effect of Biological Burn-wound Bandages
Authors: Abdel-Sayed Philippe , Kaeppeli Ariane , Siriwardena Thissa , Darbre Tamis , Perron Karl , Jafari Paris , Reymond Jean-Louis , Pioletti Dominique P. , Applegate Lee Ann
Published: April 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 22020; Published online: 25 February 2016; Updated: 07 April 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Ariane Kaeppeli, which was incorrectly given as Ariane Kaeppli. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Hormone replacement therapy and risk of atrial fibrillation in Taiwanese menopause women: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Tsai Wei-Chung , Haung Yaw-Bin , Kuo Hsuan-Fu , Tang Wei-Hua , Hsu Po-Chao , Su Ho-Ming , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Chu Chih-Sheng , Jhuo Shih-Jie , Lee Kun-Tai , Sheu Sheng-Hsiung , Chen Chung-Yu , Wu Ming-Tsang , Lai Wen-Ter
Published: April 2016

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with risk of vascular disease. The association between atrial fibrillation (AF), vascular events and different HRTs, including estradiol and conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), has been controversial in previous studies. Thus, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate these associations. Female patients (>45 years old) first diagnosed with menopause were enrolled from National Health Insurance Research Dataset (1998–2008). Cox regression analysis estimated risk of new-onset AF, stroke and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after exposure to estradiol or CEE. Of 5489 females (mean age = 55 years) enrolled, 1815 treated with estradiol and 3674 treated with CEE. Incidence per 103 person-years of AF, stroke and MACE in CEE vs estradiol patients was 2.23 vs. 0.92, 14.0 vs. 9.09 and 15.55 vs. 10.47. As compared with patients treated with estradiol, those treated with CEE had a significantly higher incidence of AF, stroke and MACE. The adjusted hazard ratios for each category were 1.96, 1.30 and 1.26, respectively. The significant results remained similar, even after use of propensity-score-matched strategy. In conclusion, CEE was associated with a higher risk of AF, stroke and MACE than estradiol in menopausal females. Further exploration of underlying mechanisms is necessary.
Image-based computational quantification and visualization of genetic alterations and tumour heterogeneity
Authors: Zhong Qing , Rüschoff Jan H. , Guo Tiannan , Gabrani Maria , Schüffler Peter J. , Rechsteiner Markus , Liu Yansheng , Fuchs Thomas J. , Rupp Niels J. , Fankhauser Christian , Buhmann Joachim M. , Perner Sven , Poyet Cédric , Blattner Miriam , Soldini Davide , Moch Holger , Rubin Mark A. , Noske Aurelia , Rüschoff Josef , Haffner Michael C. , Jochum Wolfram , Wild Peter J.
Published: April 2016

Recent large-scale genome analyses of human tissue samples have uncovered a high degree of genetic alterations and tumour heterogeneity in most tumour entities, independent of morphological phenotypes and histopathological characteristics. Assessment of genetic copy-number variation (CNV) and tumour heterogeneity by fluorescencein situhybridization (ISH) provides additional tissue morphology at single-cell resolution, but it is labour intensive with limited throughput and high inter-observer variability. We present an integrative method combining bright-field dual-colour chromogenic and silver ISH assays with an image-based computational workflow (ISHProfiler), for accurate detection of molecular signals, high-throughput evaluation of CNV, expressive visualization of multi-level heterogeneity (cellular, inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity), and objective quantification of heterogeneous genetic deletions (PTEN) and amplifications (19q12,HER2) in diverse human tumours (prostate, endometrial, ovarian and gastric), using various tissue sizes and different scanners, with unprecedented throughput and reproducibility.
PGC-1α Promotes Ureagenesis in Mouse Periportal Hepatocytes through SIRT3 and SIRT5 in Response to Glucagon
Authors: Li Lulu , Zhang Ping , Bao Zhengxi , Wang Tongxin , Liu Shuang , Huang Feiruo
Published: April 2016

Excess ammonia is produced during fasting when amino acids are used for glucogenesis. Together with ureagenesis, glucogenesis occurs in periportal hepatocytes mediated mainly through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). In vivo experiments showed that fasting strongly stimulated mice glucagon secretion, hepatic PGC-1α, sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) expression and ureagenesis enzymatic activity such as carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) and ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTC). Interestingly, 15N-labeled urea and 13C-labeled glucose production in wild-type mice were significantly increased compared with PGC-1α null mice by [15N,13C]alanine perfused liver. Glucagon significantly stimulated ureagenesis, expression of SIRT3, SIRT5 and the activities of CPS1 and OCT but did not stimulate PGC-1α silencing hepatocytes in mice periportal hepatocytes. Contrarily, PGC-1α overexpression significantly increased the expression of SIRT3, SIRT5 and the activities of CPS1 and OTC, but induced no significant changes in CPS1 and OTC expression. Morever, SIRT3 directly deacetylates and upregulates the activity of OTC, while SIRT5 deacetylates and stimulates the activity of CPS1. During fasting, PGC-1α facilitates ureagenesis in mouse periportal hepatocytes by deacetylating CPS1 and OTC modulated by mitochondrial deacetylase, SIRT3 and SIRT5. This mechanism may be relevant to ammonia detoxification and metabolic homeostasis in liver during fasting.
Imaging of Endogenous Metabolites of Plant Leaves by Mass Spectrometry Based on Laser Activated Electron Tunneling
Authors: Huang Lulu , Tang Xuemei , Zhang Wenyang , Jiang Ruowei , Chen Disong , Zhang Juan , Zhong Hongying
Published: April 2016

A new mass spectrometric imaging approach based on laser activated electron tunneling (LAET) was described and applied to analysis of endogenous metabolites of plant leaves. LAET is an electron-directed soft ionization technique. Compressed thin films of semiconductor nanoparticles of bismuth cobalt zinc oxide were placed on the sample plate for proof-of-principle demonstration because they can not only absorb ultraviolet laser but also have high electron mobility. Upon laser irradiation, electrons are excited from valence bands to conduction bands. With appropriate kinetic energies, photoexcited electrons can tunnel away from the barrier and eventually be captured by charge deficient atoms present in neutral molecules. Resultant unpaired electron subsequently initiates specific chemical bond cleavage and generates ions that can be detected in negative ion mode of the mass spectrometer. LAET avoids the co-crystallization process of routinely used organic matrix materials with analyzes in MALDI (matrix assisted-laser desorption ionization) analysis. Thus uneven distribution of crystals with different sizes and shapes as well as background peaks in the low mass range resulting from matrix molecules is eliminated. Advantages of LAET imaging technique include not only improved spatial resolution but also photoelectron capture dissociation which produces predictable fragment ions.
Characterization of Discrete Phosphopantetheinyl Transferases in Streptomyces tsukubaensis L19 Unveils a Complicate Phosphopantetheinylation Network
Authors: Wang Yue-Yue , Zhang Xiao-Sheng , Luo Hong-Dou , Ren Ni-Ni , Jiang Xin-Hang , Jiang Hui , Li Yong-Quan
Published: April 2016

Phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases) play essential roles in both primary metabolisms and secondary metabolisms via post-translational modification of acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) and peptidyl carrier proteins (PCPs). In this study, an industrial FK506 producing strain Streptomyces tsukubaensis L19, together with Streptomyces avermitilis, was identified to contain the highest number (five) of discrete PPTases known among any species thus far examined. Characterization of the five PPTases in S. tsukubaensis L19 unveiled that stw ACP, an ACP in a type II PKS, was phosphopantetheinylated by three PPTases FKPPT1, FKPPT3 and FKACPS; sts FAS ACP, the ACP in fatty acid synthase (FAS), was phosphopantetheinylated by three PPTases FKPPT2, FKPPT3 and FKACPS; TcsA-ACP, an ACP involved in FK506 biosynthesis, was phosphopantetheinylated by two PPTases FKPPT3 and FKACPS; FkbP-PCP, an PCP involved in FK506 biosynthesis, was phosphopantetheinylated by all of these five PPTases FKPPT1-4 and FKACPS. Our results here indicate that the functions of these PPTases complement each other for ACPs/PCPs substrates, suggesting a complicate phosphopantetheinylation network in S. tsukubaensis L19. Engineering of these PPTases in S. tsukubaensis L19 resulted in a mutant strain that can improve FK506 production.
The importance of lag time extension in determining bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Authors: Li Bing , Qiu Yong , Shi Hanchang , Yin Huabing
Published: April 2016

A new approach to monitor the response of bacteria from the onset of antibiotic inhibition was developed, allowing quantitative evaluation of the killing efficiency of an antibiotic on a strain or a community.
Black-to-transmissive electrochromic switching polymer films via solution co-processing
Authors: Xu Zhangping , Wang Wenjing , Wu Jingchuan , Mi Sai , Zheng Jianming , Xu Chunye
Published: April 2016

Two newly synthesized electrochromic polymers were utilized to prepare black films, which exhibited moderate optical contrast and robust stability.
Synergetic effect of MoS2–RGO doping to enhance the photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Kumar Suneel , Sharma Vipul , Bhattacharyya Kaustava , Krishnan Venkata
Published: April 2016

In this work, we report on the synergetic role played by MoS2–RGO doping in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles, especially in utilizing both the UV and the visible light regions of the solar spectrum.
A portable immunomagnetic cell capture system to accelerate culture diagnosis of bacterial infections
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Upadhyay Mohita , Sharma Jyoti , Gupta Shalini , Vivekanandan Perumal , Elangovan Ravikrishnan
Published: April 2016

An affordable immuno-magnetic cell capture system for bacterial detection in 7 hours with 10 CFU ml−1sensitivity.
Auxiliary-assisted palladium-catalyzed halogenation of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds at room temperature
Authors: Yang Xinglin , Sun Yonghui , Sun Tian-yu , Rao Yu
Published: April 2016

The direct transformation of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds into C-halogen bonds was achieved by palladium catalysis at room temperature with good functional group tolerance.
An ultrasensitive and incubation-free electrochemical immunosensor using a gold-nanocatalyst label mediating outer-sphere-reaction-philic and inner-sphere-reaction-philic species
Authors: Fang Chiew San , Oh Kyung Hwan , Oh Aram , Lee Kwangyeol , Park Seonhwa , Kim Sinyoung , Park Jin Kyoon , Yang Haesik
Published: April 2016

An outer-sphere-reaction-philic and inner-sphere-reaction-philic Au-nanocatalyst label can mediate two different types of redox species.
Flexible electrochromic supercapacitor hybrid electrodes based on tungsten oxide films and silver nanowires
Authors: Shen Liuxue , Du Lianhuan , Tan Shaozao , Zang Zhigang , Zhao Chuanxi , Mai Wenjie
Published: April 2016

The flexible electrochromic supercapacitor electrode exhibits good electrochemical performances (13.6 mF cm−2, 138.2 F g−1) and high coloration efficiency (80.2 cm2 C−1).
Foldamer scaffolds suggest distinct structures are associated with alternative gains-of-function in a preamyloid toxin
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Birol Melissa , Miranker Andrew D.
Published: April 2016

An oligoquinoline foldamer library was synthesized and screened for agonism of lipid bilayer catalysed assembly of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP).
Sterically controlled azomethine ylide cycloaddition polymerization of phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester
Authors: Stephen Meera , Ramanitra Hasina H. , Santos Silva Hugo , Dowland Simon , Bégué Didier , Genevičius Kristijonas , Arlauskas Kęstutis , Juška Gytis , Morse Graham E. , Distler Andreas , Hiorns Roger C.
Published: April 2016

PCBM is polymerised using the SACAP route to give solution processable thin films and raised LUMOs.
Intense chirality induction in nitrile solvents by a helquat dye monitored by near resonance Raman scattering
Authors: Šebestík Jaroslav , Teplý Filip , Císařová Ivana , Vávra Jan , Koval Dušan , Bouř Petr
Published: April 2016

A large induction of solvent chirality was observed in Raman optical activity spectra of a helquat dye in nitrile solvents.
On the behaviour of biradicaloid [P(μ-NTer)]2towards Lewis acids and bases
Authors: Hinz Alexander , Schulz Axel , Villinger Alexander
Published: April 2016

The well-known diphosphadiazane-1,3-diyl [P(μ-NTer)]2(Ter = 2,6-bis(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-phenyl) was treated with Lewis bases such as N-heterocyclic carbenes and Lewis acidse.g.gold(i) chloride complexes.
Formation of Co3O4 microframes from MOFs with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium storage and water oxidation
Authors: Feng Yi , Yu Xin-Yao , Paik Ungyu
Published: April 2016

MOF-derived Co3O4 microframes synthesized via a facile chemical etching and subsequent annealing strategy exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance for LIBs/OER.
Ozone uptake on glassy, semi-solid and liquid organic matter and the role of reactive oxygen intermediates in atmospheric aerosol chemistry
Authors: Berkemeier Thomas , Steimer Sarah S. , Krieger Ulrich K. , Peter Thomas , Pöschl Ulrich , Ammann Markus , Shiraiwa Manabu
Published: April 2016

Humidity-induced phase transition and formation of reactive oxygen intermediates are important processes in the heterogeneous ozonolysis of unsaturated organic compounds in the atmosphere.
Electron-rich linear triplatinum complexes stabilized by a spinning tetraphosphine, tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phosphine
Authors: Tanase Tomoaki , Koike Kanako , Uegaki Miho , Hatada Satoko , Nakamae Kanako , Kure Bunsho , Ura Yasuyuki , Nakajima Takayuki
Published: April 2016

Linear triplatinum complexes [Pt3(μ-tdpmp)2(RNC)2](PF6)2(R = 2,6-xylyl (3),tBu (4)), were synthesized by using a branched tetraphosphine, tdmpm, and show a novel dynamic behaviour in the solution state.
Fast and selective separation of carbon dioxide from dilute streams by pressure swing adsorption using solid ionic liquids
Authors: Dowson G. R. M. , Reed D. G. , Bellas J.-M. , Charalambous C. , Styring P.
Published: April 2016

The need to create a new approach to carbon capture processes that are economically viable has led to the design and synthesis of sorbents that selectively capture carbon dioxide by physisorption. Solid Ionic Liquids (SoILs) were targeted because of their tunable properties and solid form under operational conditions. Molecular modelling was used to identify candidate SoILs and a number of materials based on the low cost, environmentally friendly acetate anion were selected. The materials showed excellent selectivity for carbon dioxide over nitrogen and oxygen and moderate sorption capacity. However, the rate of capture was extremely fast, in the order of a few seconds for a complete adsorb–desorb cycle, under pressure swing conditions from 1 to 10 bar. This showed the importance of rate of sorption cycling over capacity and demonstrates that smaller inventories of sorbents and smaller process equipment are required to capture low concentration CO2 streams. Concentrated CO2 was isolated by releasing the pressure back to atmospheric. The low volatility and thermal stability of SoILs mean that both plant costs and materials costs can be reduced and plant size considerably reduced.
Protein-specific localization of a rhodamine-based calcium-sensor in living cells
Authors: Best Marcel , Porth Isabel , Hauke Sebastian , Braun Felix , Herten Dirk-Peter , Wombacher Richard
Published: April 2016

A small synthetic calcium sensor that can be site-specifically coupled to any protein of interest in living cells by utilizing the bio-orthogonal HaloTag labeling strategy.
Influence of trifluoropropyl-POSS nanoparticles on the microstructure, rheological, thermal and thermomechanical properties of PLA
Authors: Yazdaninia Anoosha , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Jafari Seyed Hassan , Asadi Vahid
Published: April 2016

A comprehensive study was carried out on the influence of a new kind of POSS on different properties of PLA and correlation with the microstructure.
Cerium-doped gehlenite supporting silver/silver chloride for continuous photocatalysis
Authors: Wu Haoyi , Peng Wenqin , Wang Zheng-Ming , Koike Kazuhide
Published: April 2016

Photoemission of Ce3+doped gehlenite excites the Ag/AgCl and drives the photocatalysis continuously after elimination of the external light source.
Fabrication and characterization of antifouling carbon nanotube/polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Zhang Qi , Liu Yuan , Su Yanlei , Zhang Runnan , Fan Lin , Liu Yanan , Ma Tianyi , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: April 2016

SBMA@CNT particles were used as a novel kind of surface modifier, which could undergo self-organization at the interface of a membrane/coagulation bath. The modified membranes performed excellent pollution resistance.
Nano-Fe3O4 grown on porous carbon and its effect on the oxygen reduction reaction for DMFCs with a polymer fiber membrane
Authors: Shu Chengyong , Yang Xiaodong , Chen Yuanzhen , Fang Yuan , Zhou Yaping , Liu Yongning
Published: April 2016

Fe3O4 nanoparticles grown on porous carbon are prepared as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) in which a polymer fiber membrane (PFM) is used to replace Nafion membrane.
Electrical properties, conduction mechanism and modulus of diphosphate compounds
Authors: Ben Taher Y. , Moutia N. , Oueslati A. , Gargouri M.
Published: April 2016

Rubidium aluminium diphosphate was synthesized by a conventional solid-state technique and its conduction properties determined by impedance spectroscopy.
New D–D–π–A type organic dyes having carbazol-N-yl phenothiazine moiety as a donor (D–D) unit for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells: experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Muenmart D. , Prachumrak N. , Tarsang R. , Namungruk S. , Jungsuttiwong S. , Sudyoadsuk T. , Pattanasattayavong P. , Promarak V.
Published: April 2016

DSSCs using novel organic dyes (CPhTnPA,n= 0–2) with carbazol-N-yl phenothiazine moiety as a donor (D–D) unit as the sensitizers exhibited efficiency as high as 7.78% which reached 95% with respect to that of the reference N719-based device (8.20%).
Short polyethylene glycol chains densely bound to soft nanotube channels for inhibition of protein aggregation
Authors: Kameta N. , Matsuzawa T. , Yaoi K. , Masuda M.
Published: April 2016

Specific thermal dehydration/rehydration of short polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains densely bound to nanotube channels was useful for aggregation suppression and refolding acceleration of proteins.
In situ modification of nanostructure configuration through the manipulation of hydrogen bonded amphiphile self-association
Authors: Hiscock Jennifer R. , Bustone Gianluca P. , Wilson Ben , Belsey Kate E. , Blackholly Laura R.
Published: April 2016

Previously overlooked simple amphiphiles show an exciting capacity for complex hydrogen bond mediated self-association and diverse nanostructure formation.
Thermally sprayed high-performance porous metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells with nanostructured La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ cathodes
Authors: Zhang Shan-Lin , Yu Hai-Xin , Li Cheng-Xin , Lai Samson Yuxiu , Li Chang-Jiu , Yang Guan-Jun , Sun Hai-Bin , Wei Tao , Liu Meilin
Published: April 2016

Here, we report our findings in exploring low-cost, additive, thermal spray processes suitable for large-scale manufacturing of PMS-SOFCs.
The Effects of Vitamin D-K-Calcium Co-Supplementation on Endocrine, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Vitamin D-Deficient Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Razavi M. , Jamilian M. , Karamali M. , Bahmani F. , Aghadavod E. , Asemi Z.
Published: April 2016

The current study was conducted to assess the effects of vitamin D-K-calcium co-supplementation on endocrine, inflammation, and oxidative stress biomarkers in vitamin D-deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 60 vitamin D-deficient women diagnosed with PCOS aged 18–40 years old. Participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups to intake either 200 IU vitamin D, 90 μg vitamin K plus, 500 mg calcium supplements (n=30), or placebo (n=30) twice a day for 8 weeks. Endocrine, inflammation, and oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified at the beginning and the end of the study. After 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the placebo, vitamin D-K-calcium co-supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum-free testosterone (− 2.1±1.6 vs.+0.1±1.0 pg/ml, p<0.001) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels (− 0.8±1.0 vs.−0.1±0.5 μg/ml, p=0.006). In addition, a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+ 75.7±126.1 vs.−80.4±242.8 mmol/l, p=0.005) and a significant difference in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (+ 0.03±0.6 vs.+1.4±2.4 μmol/l, p=0.005) was observed following the supplementation with vitamin D-K-calcium compared with the placebo. A trend toward a greater decrease in luteinizing hormone was observed in vitamin D-K-calcium co-supplement group compared to placebo group (− 7.0 vs.−1.2 IU/l, p=0.09). We did not find any significant effect of vitamin D-K-calcium co-supplementation on prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17-OH progesterone, inflammatory markers, and glutathione levels. Overall, vitamin D-K-calcium co-supplementation for 8 weeks among vitamin D-deficient women with PCOS had beneficial effects on serum DHEAS, free testosterone, plasma TAC, and MDA levels.
Features of quasistable laminar flows of He II and an additional dissipative process
Authors: Gritsenko I. A. , Klokol K. A. , Sokolov S. S. , Sheshin G. A.
Published: April 2016

Quasistable laminar flow of He II at a temperature of 140 mK is studied experimentally. The liquid flow was excited by a vibrating quartz tuning fork with a resonance frequency of about 24 kHz. It was found that for velocities of the tuning fork oscillations from 0.046 to 0.16 m/s, the He II flow can be both quasistable laminar and turbulent. Transitions between these flow regimes were observed. When the velocity of the tuning fork oscillations increases more rapidly, the velocity at which the quasistable flow becomes unstable and undergoes a transition to a turbulent flow is higher. Mechanisms for the dissipation of the energy of the oscillating tines of the tuning fork in the quasistable laminar flow regime are analyzed. It is found that there is an additional mechanism for dissipation of the energy of the oscillating tuning fork beyond internal friction in the quartz. This mechanism is associated with mutual friction owing to scattering of thermal excitations of He II on quantized vortices and leads to a cubic dependence of the exciting force on the fluid velocity.
Continuity of the sequential product of sequential quantum effect algebras
Authors: Lei Qiang , Su Xiaochao , Wu Junde
Published: April 2016

In order to study quantum measurement theory, sequential product defined by A∘B = A1/2BA1/2 for any two quantum effects A, B has been introduced. Physically motivated conditions ask the sequential product to be continuous with respect to the strong operator topology. In this paper, we study the continuity problems of the sequential product A∘B = A1/2BA1/2 with respect to other important topologies, such as norm topology, weak operator topology, order topology, and interval topology.
Explicit formula for the Holevo bound for two-parameter qubit-state estimation problem
Authors: Suzuki Jun
Published: April 2016

The main contribution of this paper is to derive an explicit expression for the fundamental precision bound, the Holevo bound, for estimating any two-parameter family of qubit mixed-states in terms of quantum versions of Fisher information. The obtained formula depends solely on the symmetric logarithmic derivative (SLD), the right logarithmic derivative (RLD) Fisher information, and a given weight matrix. This result immediately provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the following two important classes of quantum statistical models; the Holevo bound coincides with the SLD Cramér-Rao bound and it does with the RLD Cramér-Rao bound. One of the important results of this paper is that a general model other than these two special cases exhibits an unexpected property: the structure of the Holevo bound changes smoothly when the weight matrix varies. In particular, it always coincides with the RLD Cramér-Rao bound for a certain choice of the weight matrix. Several examples illustrate these findings.
Dislocations and crowdions in two-dimensional crystals. Part III: Plastic deformation of the crystal as a result of defect movement and defect interaction with the field of elastic stresses
Authors: Natsik V. D. , Smirnov S. N.
Published: April 2016

A continuation of the theoretical study of the intrinsic properties of dislocation and crowdion structural defects in 2D crystals [V. D. Natsik and S. N. Smirnov, Fiz. Nizk. Temp. 40, 1366 (2014) and V. D. Natsik and S. N. Smirnov, Fiz. Nizk. Temp. 41, 271 (2015)]. The atomic lattice model of conservative (glide) and non-conservative (climb) defect movement is discussed in detail. It is shown that given a continuum description of the 2D crystal, an individual defect can be examined as a point carrier of plastic deformation, its value being determined by the topological charge, which is compliant with the crystal geometry defect parameters. It is found that the strain rate depends on the rate at which the defect center moves, as well as its topological charge. The elastic forces acting on the dislocation and crowdion centers in the field of applied mechanical stresses, and the forces of elastic interaction between defects, are calculated in terms of the linear theory of elasticity of a 2D crystal. The non-linear effect pertaining to the interaction between defects and bending deformation of the crystalline membrane, which is specific to 2D crystals, is also discussed.
Diamagnetism to ferromagnetism in Sr-substituted epitaxial BaTiO3 thin films
Authors: Singamaneni Srinivasa Rao , Punugupati Sandhyarani , Prater John T. , Narayan Jagdish
Published: April 2016

We report on the ferromagnetic-like behavior in otherwise diamagnetic BaTiO3 (BTO) thin films upon doping with non-magnetic element Sr having the composition Ba0.4Sr0.6TiO3 (BST). The epitaxial integration of BST (∼800 nm) thick films on Si (100) substrate was achieved using MgO (40 nm) and TiN (20 nm) as buffer layers to prepare BST/MgO/TiN/Si (100) heterostructure by pulsed laser deposition. The c-axis oriented and cube-on-cube epitaxial BST is formed on Si (100) as evidenced by the in-plane and out-of-plane X-ray diffraction. All the deposited films are relaxed through domain matching epitaxy paradigm as observed from X-ray diffraction pattern and A1TO3 mode (at 521.27 cm−1) of Raman spectra. As-deposited BST thin films reveal ferromagnetic-like properties, which persist up to 400 K. The magnetization decreases two-fold upon oxygen annealing. In contrast, as-deposited un-doped BTO films show diamagnetism. Electron spin resonance measurements reveal no evidence of external magnetic impurities. XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra show significant changes influenced by Sr doping in BTO. The ferromagnetic-like behavior in BST could be due to the trapped electron donors from oxygen vacancies resulting from Sr-doping.
Stability-driven nonnegative matrix factorization to interpret spatial gene expression and build local gene networks
Authors: Wu Siqi , Joseph Antony , Hammonds Ann S. , Celniker Susan E. , Yu Bin , Frise Erwin
Published: April 2016

Significance

Despite the abundance of spatial gene expression data, extracting meaningful information to reveal how genes interact remains a challenge. We developed staNMF, a method that combines a powerful unsupervised learning algorithm, nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), with a new stability criterion that selects the size of the dictionary or the set of principal patterns (PP). We demonstrate that PP give rise to a novel and concise representation of theDrosophilaembryonic spatial expression patterns and they correspond to biologically meaningful regions of theDrosophilaembryo. Furthermore, this new representation was used to automatically predict manual annotations, categorize gene expression patterns, and reconstruct the local gap gene network with high accuracy.
Characterisation of residual stresses in heat treated, high strength aluminium alloy extrusions
Authors: Olson M. D. , Robinson J. S. , Wimpory R. C. , Hill M. R.
Published: April 2016

Residual stresses were measured in rectilinear aluminium bars quenched using an aqueous polyoxyethylene glycol (PAG) solution or cold-water. Residual stresses were measured with neutron diffraction and a superposition-based method using mechanical strain release measurements. Three orthogonal stress components were measured along two transverse lines using neutron diffraction. The longitudinal residual stresses were mapped over a transverse cross-section using the contour technique. A primary slice removal technique mapped three orthogonal residual stresses over a transverse cross-section in the PAG extrusion. Residual stresses were found to vary from biaxial compressive in the part boundaries to triaxial tensile in the interiors. There was close correlation between the neutron diffraction and mechanical strain release techniques. PAG quenching demonstrated lower residual stresses.

This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Measurement, modelling and mitigation of residual stress.