bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early auditory processing in musicians and dancers during a contemporary dance piece
Authors: Poikonen Hanna , Toiviainen Petri , Tervaniemi Mari
Published: September 2016

The neural responses to simple tones and short sound sequences have been studied extensively. However, in reality the sounds surrounding us are spectrally and temporally complex, dynamic and overlapping. Thus, research using natural sounds is crucial in understanding the operation of the brain in its natural environment. Music is an excellent example of natural stimulation which, in addition to sensory responses, elicits vast cognitive and emotional processes in the brain. Here we show that the preattentive P50 response evoked by rapid increases in timbral brightness during continuous music is enhanced in dancers when compared to musicians and laymen. In dance, fast changes in brightness are often emphasized with a significant change in movement. In addition, the auditory N100 and P200 responses are suppressed and sped up in dancers, musicians and laymen when music is accompanied with a dance choreography. These results were obtained with a novel event-related potential (ERP) method for natural music. They suggest that we can begin studying the brain with long pieces of natural music using the ERP method of electroencephalography (EEG) as has already been done with functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), these two brain imaging methods complementing each other.
Ultra-broadband Nonlinear Saturable Absorption for Two-dimensional Bi2TexSe3−x Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Yingwei , Liu Sheng , Yuan Jian , Wang Peng , Chen Jiazhang , Li Jianbo , Xiao Si , Bao Qiaoliang , Gao Yongli , He Jun
Published: September 2016

We report the ultra-broadband nonlinear optical (NLO) response of Bi2TexSe3−x nanosheets produced by a facile solvothermal method. Our result show that the extracted basic optical nonlinearity parameters of Bi2TexSe3−x nanosheets, αNL, Imχ(3), and FOM reach ~104 cm/GW, ~10−8 esu and ~10−13 esu cm, respectively, which are several orders of magnitude larger than those of bulk dielectrics. We further observed the excitation intensity dependence of the NLO absorption coefficient and the NLO response sensitivity. The mechanisms of those phenomena were proposed based on physical model. The wavelength dependence of the NLO response of Bi2TexSe3−x nanosheets was investigated, and we determined that the Bi2TexSe3−x nanosheets possess an ultra-broadband nonlinear saturable absorption property covering a range from the visible to the near-infrared band, with the NLO absorption insensitive to the excitation wavelength. This work provide fundamental and systematic insight into the NLO response of Bi2TexSe3−x nanosheets and support their application in photonic devices in the future.
Higher Levels of Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2 is associated with Increased Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment: the APAC Study
Authors: Jiang Ruixuan , Chen Shengyun , Shen Yuan , Wu Jianwei , Chen Shuohua , Wang Anxin , Wu Shouling , Zhao Xingquan
Published: September 2016

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a unique circulating phospholipase with inflammatory and oxidative activities and the limited data regarding the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and cognitive impairment are conflicted. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 1,374 Chinese adults recruited from 2010 to 2011, aiming to evaluate the relationship between Lp-PLA2 levels and the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a Chinese community-based population. Participants underwent standardized evaluation. Serum Lp-PLA2 mass was measured by ELISA. Cognition status was evaluated via the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and cognitive impairment was identified as MMSE <24. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of Lp-PLA2 mass with cognitive impairment. Lp-PLA2 mass was significantly associated with the prevalence of cognitive impairment after adjusting for other potential confounding factors (compared with the first quartile, adjusted ORs of the second, third, and fourth quartile were 2.058 (95% CI, 0.876–4.835), 2.834 (95% CI, 1.255–6.398), and 4.882 (95% CI, 2.212–10.777), p < 0.0001). In conclusion, elevated level of Lp-PLA2 mass was independently associated with the prevalence of cognitive impairment in Chinese adults.
Effect of Li Adsorption on the Electronic and Hydrogen Storage Properties of Acenes: A Dispersion-Corrected TAO-DFT Study
Authors: Seenithurai Sonai , Chai Jeng-Da
Published: September 2016

Due to the presence of strong static correlation effects and noncovalent interactions, accurate prediction of the electronic and hydrogen storage properties of Li-adsorbed acenes with n linearly fused benzene rings (n = 3–8) has been very challenging for conventional electronic structure methods. To meet the challenge, we study these properties using our recently developed thermally-assisted-occupation density functional theory (TAO-DFT) with dispersion corrections. In contrast to pure acenes, the binding energies of H2 molecules on Li-adsorbed acenes are in the ideal binding energy range (about 20 to 40 kJ/mol per H2). Besides, the H2 gravimetric storage capacities of Li-adsorbed acenes are in the range of 9.9 to 10.7 wt%, satisfying the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) ultimate target of 7.5 wt%. On the basis of our results, Li-adsorbed acenes can be high-capacity hydrogen storage materials for reversible hydrogen uptake and release at ambient conditions.
Conductance fluctuations in high mobility monolayer graphene: Nonergodicity, lack of determinism and chaotic behavior
Authors: da Cunha C. R. , Mineharu M. , Matsunaga M. , Matsumoto N. , Chuang C. , Ochiai Y. , Kim G.-H. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Ferry D. K. , Aoki N.
Published: September 2016

We have fabricated a high mobility device, composed of a monolayer graphene flake sandwiched between two sheets of hexagonal boron nitride. Conductance fluctuations as functions of a back gate voltage and magnetic field were obtained to check for ergodicity. Non-linear dynamics concepts were used to study the nature of these fluctuations. The distribution of eigenvalues was estimated from the conductance fluctuations with Gaussian kernels and it indicates that the carrier motion is chaotic at low temperatures. We argue that a two-phase dynamical fluid model best describes the transport in this system and can be used to explain the violation of the so-called ergodic hypothesis found in graphene.
Three order increase in scanning speed of space charge-controlled KTN deflector by eliminating electric field induced phase transition in nanodisordered KTN
Authors: Zhu Wenbin , Chao Ju-Hung , Chen Chang-Jiang , Yin Shizhuo , Hoffman Robert C.
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we report a three orders-of-magnitude increase in the speed of a space-charge-controlled KTN beam deflector achieved by eliminating the electric field-induced phase transition (EFIPT) in a nanodisordered KTN crystal. Previously, to maximize the electro-optic effect, a KTN beam deflector was operated at a temperature slightly above the Curie temperature. The electric field could cause the KTN to undergo a phase transition from the paraelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase at this temperature, which causes the deflector to operate in the linear electro-optic regime. Since the deflection angle of the deflector is proportional to the space charge distribution but not the magnitude of the applied electric field, the scanning speed of the beam deflector is limited by the electron mobility within the KTN crystal. To overcome this speed limitation caused by the EFIPT, we propose to operate the deflector at a temperature above the critical end point. This results in a significant increase in the scanning speed from the microsecond to nanosecond regime, which represents a major technological advance in the field of fast speed beam scanners. This can be highly beneficial for many applications including high-speed imaging, broadband optical communications, and ultrafast laser display and printing.
Network Analysis of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Emissions in China
Authors: Yan Shaomin , Wu Guang
Published: September 2016

Specification of PM2.5 spatial and temporal characteristics is important for understanding PM2.5 adverse effects and policymaking. We applied network analysis to studying the dataset MIX, which contains PM2.5 emissions recorded from 2168 monitoring stations in China in 2008 and 2010. The results showed that for PM2.5 emissions from industrial sector 8 clusters were found in 2008 but they merged together into a huge cluster in 2010, suggesting that industrial sector underwent an integrating process. For PM2.5 emissions from electricity generation sector, strong locality of clusters was revealed, implying that each region had its own electricity generation system. For PM2.5 emissions from residential sector, the same pattern of 10 clusters was uncovered in both years, implicating the household energy consumption unchanged from 2008 to 2010. For PM2.5 emissions from transportation sector, the same pattern of 5 clusters with many connections in-between was unraveled, indicating the high-speed development of transportation nationalwidely. Except for the known elements, mercury (Hg) surfaced as an element for particle nucleation. To our knowledge, this is the first network study in this field.
Sulfur ion concentration dependent morphological evolution of CdS thin films and its subsequent effect on photo-electrochemical performance
Authors: Kamble Archana , Sinha Bhavesh , Agawane Ganesh , Vanalakar Sharad , Kim In young , Kim Jin Young , Kale Sampat S. , Patil Pramod , Kim Jin Hyeok
Published: September 2016

The modulation of CdS nanostructures from spherical nanoparticles to 2-D nanoflake arrays through Cd : S precursor ratio variation for photo-electrochemical applications.
Phosphine passivated gold clusters: how charge transfer affects electronic structure and stability
Authors: Mollenhauer Doreen , Gaston Nicola
Published: September 2016

First principle calculations of small charged phosphine ligand-protected gold clusters have been performed in order to understand the major factors determining stability, including its size, shape, and charge dependence.
Conversion of methanol to olefins over Al-rich ZSM-5 modified with alkaline earth metal oxides
Authors: Bakare Idris A. , Muraza Oki , Yoshioka Masato , Yamani Zain H. , Yokoi Toshiyuki
Published: September 2016

Aluminum-rich H-ZSM-5 zeolites modified with alkaline earth metal oxides of Mg, Ca and Ba were applied in the conversion of methanol to olefins (MTO).
An environmentally benign hydration of alkynes catalyzed by gallic acid/tannic acid in water
Authors: Deng Tao , Wang Cheng-Zhang
Published: September 2016

A gallic acid catalyzed hydration strategy from alkynes under mild conditions has been developed.
Carrier trapping and recombination: the role of defect physics in enhancing the open circuit voltage of metal halide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Leijtens Tomas , Eperon Giles E. , Barker Alex J. , Grancini Giulia , Zhang Wei , Ball James M. , Kandada Ajay Ram Srimath , Snaith Henry J. , Petrozza Annamaria
Published: September 2016

We show that trapped electrons recombine with free holes unexpectedly slowly, on microsecond time scales, relaxing the limit on obtainable open circuit voltage.
Evaluating topologically diverse metal–organic frameworks for cryo-adsorbed hydrogen storage
Authors: Gómez-Gualdrón Diego A. , Colón Yamil J. , Zhang Xu , Wang Timothy C. , Chen Yu-Sheng , Hupp Joseph T. , Yildirim Taner , Farha Omar K. , Zhang Jian , Snurr Randall Q.
Published: September 2016

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials synthesized by combining inorganic and organic molecular building blocks into crystalline networks of distinct topologies.
Dually actuated atomic force microscope with miniaturized magnetic bead-actuators for single-molecule force measurements
Authors: Sevim Semih , Ozer Sevil , Feng Luying , Wurzel Joel , Fakhraee Arielle , Shamsudhin Naveen , Jang Bumjin , Alcantara Carlos , Ergeneman Olgaç , Pellicer Eva , Sort Jordi , Lühmann Tessa , Pané Salvador , Nelson Bradley J. , Torun Hamdi
Published: September 2016

A novel AFM technique for single molecule experiments is presented with manipulated micro/nanoparticles.
Effective photo-reduction to deposit Pt nanoparticles on MIL-100(Fe) for visible-light-induced hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Dengke , Song Yujie , Cai Jingyu , Wu Ling , Li Zhaohui
Published: September 2016

An effective photo-reduction approach was developed to deposit highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles on MIL-100(Fe) (Pt/MIL-100(Fe)) for superior visible-light-induced H2 evolution.
Catalyst-free synthesis of α1-oxindole-α-hydroxyphosphonates via phospha-aldol reaction of isatins employing N-heterocyclic phosphine (NHP)-thiourea
Authors: Molleti Nagaraju , Yong Kang Jun
Published: September 2016

A catalyst-free phospha-aldol reaction of isatins with NHP-thiourea has been developed and the critical role of the Brønsted acid in this transformation is unveiled.
Ruthenium-catalyzed direct α-alkylation of amides using alcohols
Authors: Chaudhari Moreshwar Bhagwan , Bisht Girish Singh , Kumari Pooja , Gnanaprakasam Boopathy
Published: September 2016

The Ru-catalyzed (0.1 mol%) direct α-alkylation of amides using alcohols is reported.
Systematic synthesis and analysis of change in morphology, electronic structure and photoluminescence properties of 2,2′-dipyridyl intercalated MoO3 hybrid nanostructures and investigation of their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Rajagopal S. , Bharaneswari M. , Nataraj D. , Khyzhun O. Y. , Djaoued Yahia
Published: September 2016

An organic–inorganic hybrid was synthesized using 2,2′-dipyridyl and MoO3 nanorods via simple hydrothermal method. Here, dipyridyl has acted as stretching molecule and bonded the MoO3 nanorods together along the length to form hybrid micro crystals.
Retracted Article: Creation of ultrasound and temperature-triggered bubble liposomes from economical precursors to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin in cancer cells
Authors: Patra Santanu , Roy Ekta , Madhuri Rashmi , Sharma Prashant K.
Published: September 2016

An ultrasound and temperature responsive bubble liposome has been designed with high physiological stability, targeted, rapid and tunable drug release profile.
Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic meshes with different water adhesion and their influence on oil/water separation
Authors: Li Jian , Kang Ruimei , Zhang Yan , Li Mouji , She Houde , Zha Fei , Lei Ziqiang
Published: September 2016

The water adhesion of superhydrophobic meshes has nearly no effect on their separation efficiency.
Reversal of H1N1 influenza virus-induced apoptosis by silver nanoparticles functionalized with amantadine
Authors: Li Yinghua , Lin Zhengfang , Zhao Mingqi , Guo Min , Xu Tiantian , Wang Changbing , Xia Huimin , Zhu Bing
Published: September 2016

Reversal of H1N1 influenza virus-induced apoptosis by silver nanoparticles functionalized with amantadine.
Synthesis and porous h-BN 3D architectures for effective humidity and gas sensors
Authors: Gautam Chandkiram , Tiwary Chandra Sekhar , Machado Leonardo D. , Jose Sujin , Ozden Sehmus , Biradar Santoshkumar , Galvao Douglas S. , Sonker Rakesh K. , Yadav B. C. , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan P. M.
Published: September 2016

3D (three dimensional) architectures synthesised using an easily scalable solid state method which results in an interconnected network of porous h-BN sheets with boron trioxide are reported in this study.
Cyanoacrylic- and (1-cyanovinyl)phosphonic acid anchoring ligands for application in copper-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Baumgartner Yann , Maximilian Klein Y. , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E. , Willgert Markus
Published: September 2016

Replacing phosphonic acid by (1-cyanovinyl)phosphonic acid anchors in heteroleptic bis(diimine)copper(i) dyes in DSCs gives a gain in JSC; a dye with a bpy-based anchor gives improved performance over one with a phen-based anchor.
Facile fire treatment of nanostructured hematite with an enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting performance
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Hong
Published: September 2016

Surface hydroxyls play an important role in the surface trap states on hematite photoanodes, which were instantly removed by a novel fire treatment.
Chiral porous hybrid particles constructed by helical substituted polyacetylene covalently bonded organosilica for enantioselective release
Authors: Liang Junya , Deng Jianping
Published: September 2016

A new type of chiral porous hybrid particle was successfully prepared and applied in enantioselective release.
Spatial organization and optical properties of layer-by-layer assembled upconversion and gold nanoparticles in thin films
Authors: Xiang Jun , Tong Xia , Shi Feng , Karsenti Paul-Ludovic , Zhao Yue
Published: September 2016

The layer-by-layer (LBL) method was utilized to prepare multilayers comprising of NaYF4:Yb,Tm@NaYF4 upconversion and gold nanoparticles with different spatial organizations and optical properties.
Subspace‐based direction‐of‐arrival estimation using centro‐symmetrical arrays
Authors: Yan Feng‐Gang , Jin Tao , Jin Ming , Shen Yi
Published: September 2016

A fast algorithm is presented to dramatically reduce the complexity of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm with centro‐symmetrical arrays. The proposed method requires only real‐valued computations with a limited spectral search over half of the angular field‐of‐view, and the dimension of the noise subspace and that of the search vector are reduced, leading to about 96.875% complexity reduction as compared with MUSIC. Simulations show the new estimator performs well at low signal‐to‐noise ratio and with a small number of snapshots.
Dynamic response analysis of buck driver for LED based on second‐order model
Authors: Li Gang , Yu Shengbao , Shi Jing
Published: September 2016

The voltage–current characteristics of high‐power LED are different from the conventional power diodes. Generally, the linear model of LED is used in the controller design for LED drivers. A nonlinear model of LED based on the V–I characteristics of LB‐W5SM from Osram opto semiconductors company is built. The nonlinear model of LED is a second‐order model. The dynamic performance of buck driver with nonlinear model of high‐power LED is analysed. The dynamic equations of the V–I characteristics are deduced with curve‐fitting. The comparison simulations of proportional–integral‐controlled buck drivers with linear model and nonlinear model are conducted. The dynamic response of the second‐order model driver is faster than the linear model.
Dynamic analysis of a novel clutch system for in‐wheel motor drive electric vehicles
Authors: Yu Weiguang , Gu Chenglin
Published: September 2016

In‐wheel motor drive electric vehicles mainly adopt fastening connection between hub and motor, so the electromagnetic impact and the mechanical impact are inevitable. The electromagnetic impact endangers the battery and the control system and the mechanical impact brings bad driving experience. Newly designed bistable electromagnetic clutches are embedded into the hub motor to realise flexible connection and avoid the impact. The goal of this study is to analyse the dynamic movement process of the clutch in order to achieve reliable torque transmission. The dynamic differential equations of the clutch coupled with the pulse power supply are presented. By using the dynamic analysis, the critical situation of the engagement is discussed and the engagement speed requirement equation is provided. The displacement curves and the acceleration curves validate the dynamic analysis and the engagement experiment verifies the reliability of the whole clutch system.
Develop right‐turn real‐time crash warning system at arterial access considering driver behaviour
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Junhua , Chan Ching‐yao , Fu Ting
Published: September 2016

To help drivers safely enter the arterial road from the access road, the authors develop a crash warning system for vehicles in right‐turn scenario based on DSRC (dedicated short range communications). Drivers’ right‐turn behaviours from an access road to an arterial highway are considered in the system. Warning algorithms were tested with field data and DSRC on‐board and roadside equipment. Corresponding outliers filter shows a reliable performance. In this system, right‐turn process is divided into three phases: turn‐in, keep‐steady, and turn‐out. Based on the field data, they establish regression models for each phase. Model results show that: (i) the overall duration of the three phases of the right‐turn manoeuvre increases with the amount of cars coming from left on main artery; (ii) the amount of cars that are influenced by the arterial traffic increases the duration of first two phases, but decreases the last phase duration; (iii) the longer the first two phases last, the shorter the last phase would be; and (iv) drivers tend to decelerate before turning right when there are more than two cars coming from left.
The materials irradiation experiment for testing plasma facing materials at fusion relevant conditions
Authors: Garrison L. M. , Zenobia S. J. , Egle B. J. , Kulcinski G. L. , Santarius J. F.
Published: September 2016

The Materials Irradiation Experiment (MITE-E) was constructed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Laboratory to test materials for potential use as plasma-facing materials (PFMs) in fusion reactors. PFMs in fusion reactors will be bombarded with x-rays, neutrons, and ions of hydrogen and helium. More needs to be understood about the interactions between the plasma and the materials to validate their use for fusion reactors. The MITE-E simulates some of the fusion reactor conditions by holding samples at temperatures up to 1000 °C while irradiating them with helium or deuterium ions with energies from 10 to 150 keV. The ion gun can irradiate the samples with ion currents of 20 μA–500 μA; the typical current used is 72 μA, which is an average flux of 9 × 1014 ions/(cm2 s). The ion gun uses electrostatic lenses to extract and shape the ion beam. A variable power (1-20 W), steady-state, Nd:YAG laser provides additional heating to maintain a constant sample temperature during irradiations. The ion beam current reaching the sample is directly measured and monitored in real-time during irradiations. The ion beam profile has been investigated using a copper sample sputtering experiment. The MITE-E has successfully been used to irradiate polycrystalline and single crystal tungsten samples with helium ions and will continue to be a source of important data for plasma interactions with materials.
Design of a dispersion interferometer combined with a polarimeter to increase the electron density measurement reliability on ITER
Authors: Akiyama T. , Sirinelli A. , Watts C. , Shigin P. , Vayakis G. , Walsh M.
Published: September 2016

A dispersion interferometer is a reliable density measurement system and is being designed as a complementary density diagnostic on ITER. The dispersion interferometer is inherently insensitive to mechanical vibrations, and a combined polarimeter with the same line of sight can correct fringe jump errors. A proof of the principle of the CO2 laser dispersion interferometer combined with the PEM polarimeter was recently conducted, where the phase shift and the polarization angle were successfully measured simultaneously. Standard deviations of the line-average density and the polarization angle measurements over 1 s are 9 × 1016 m−2 and 0.19°, respectively, with a time constant of 100 μs. Drifts of the zero point, which determine the resolution in steady-state operation, correspond to 0.25% and 1% of the phase shift and the Faraday rotation angle expected on ITER.
Temperature gradient-induced fluid pumping inside a single-wall carbon nanotube: A non-equilibrium molecular dynamics study
Authors: Faraji Fahim , Rajabpour Ali
Published: September 2016

In this paper we investigate the fluid transport inside a single-wall carbon nanotube induced by a temperature gradient along the tube length, focusing on the effect of fluid–wall interaction strength. It is found that the fluid moves from the hot side of the nanotube towards the cold side. By increasing the fluid–wall interaction strength, the fluid volumetric flux assumes a maximum, increases, and then decreases. Fluid transport is pressure-driven in weak interactions; in contrast, in strong interactions, the fluid is broken into two parts in the radial direction. Fluid transport in the central regions of the tube is pressure-driven, while it is surface-driven in the areas close to the wall.
Roles of surfactants and particle shape in the enhanced thermal conductivity of TiO2 nanofluids
Authors: Yang Liu , Chen Xielei , Xu Mengkai , Du Kai
Published: September 2016

Although several forms of thermal conductivity models for nanofluid have been established, few models for nanofluids containing surfactants or columnar nanoparticles are found. This paper intends to consider the surfactants and particle shape effect in the thermal conductivity of TiO2 nanofluids. The thermal conductivity models for respectively spherical and columnar TiO2 nanofluids are proposed by considering the influences of solvation nanolayer and the end effect of columnar nanoparticles. The thicknesses of the solvation nanolayers are defined by the surfactant molecular length and a few atomic distances for nanofluid with and without surfactant respectively. The end effect of the columnar nanoparticles is considered by analyzing the different thermal resistances and probability of the heat conduction for the selected small element in axial direction and radial direction. Finally, the present models and some other existing models were compared with some available experimental data and the comparison results show the present models achieve higher accuracy and precision for all the four kinds of applications.
Hair cortisol and its potential value as a physiological measure of stress response in human and non-human animals
Authors: Burnard C. , Ralph C. , Hynd P. , Hocking Edwards J. , Tilbrook A.
Published: September 2016

There is considerable interest in the potential for measuring cortisol in hair as a means of quantifying stress responses in human and non-human animals. This review updates the rapid advancement in our knowledge of hair cortisol, methods for its measurement, its relationship to acute and chronic stress, and its repeatability and heritability. The advantages of measuring cortisol in hair compared with other matrices such as blood, saliva and excreta and the current theories of the mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the fibre are described. Hair cortisol as a measure of the physiological response to stress in a variety of species is presented, including correlations with other sample matrices, the relationship between hair cortisol and psychosocial stress and the repeatability and heritability of hair cortisol concentrations. Current standards for the quantification of hair cortisol are critically reviewed in detail for the first time and gaps in technical validation of these methods highlighted. The known effects of a variety of sources of hair cortisol variation are also reviewed, including hair sampling site, sex, age and adiposity. There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that cortisol concentration in hair accurately reflects long-term blood cortisol concentrations. Similarly, there is a lack of information surrounding the mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the hair. This review highlights several directions for future research to more fully validate the use of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress.
Vegetative nitrogen stress decreases lodging risk and increases yield of irrigated spring wheat in the subtropics
Authors: Peake A. S. , Bell K. L. , Carberry P. S. , Poole N. , Raine S. R.
Published: September 2016

In-crop nitrogen (N) application is used widely in rainfed winter wheat production to reduce lodging risk; however, uncertainty exists as to its ability to reduce lodging risk in subtropical irrigated wheat production without simultaneously reducing yield potential. The objective of this study was therefore to determine whether in-crop N application reduces lodging risk without reducing yield of irrigated spring wheat in a subtropical environment. Irrigated small-plot experiments were conducted to compare the effect of alternative N timing on lodging and yield in two cultivars. Variable N regimes were imposed during the vegetative growth phase, after which additional N was applied to ensure that total season N application was uniform across N-timing treatments. Treatments with low N at sowing had significantly less lodging and were the highest yielding, exhibiting yield increases of up to 0.8 t ha–1 compared to treatments with high N at sowing. Increased leaf area index, biomass and tiller count at the end of the vegetative growth phase were correlated with increased lodging in both cultivars, although the strength of the correlation varied with cultivar and season. We conclude that canopy-management techniques can be used to simultaneously increase yield and decrease lodging in irrigated spring wheat in the subtropics, but require different implementation from techniques used in temperate regions of Australia.
‘La Niña’ phenomenon and the relationship between decapod populations and fishes in temporarily isolated shallow lakes
Authors: Torres María Victoria , Giri Federico , Collins Pablo Agustín
Published: September 2016

The ‘La Niña’ phenomenon causes temporary isolation of shallow lakes in rivers with floodplain. Furthermore, as abiotic conditions become more extreme, and intra–interspecific relationships intensify, the risk of local species extinction increases. The Paraná River in South America is a river with an extensive floodplain with many shallow lakes. In these environments, freshwater prawns and many fish species coexist. The aim of the work was to study the interaction between two species of prawns (Palaemonetes argentinus and Macrobrachium borellii) and fishes during ‘La Niña’ phenomenon. Density variations of prawns and fishes were examined in three shallow lakes at Paraná River. The samples were collected monthly at several points of each aquatic environment with a trawl net. Abiotic and biotic factors were measured. Density and population structure varied in both prawns, and fishes, and the changes have not been simultaneous. These variations might be associated with predation, aggressive behaviour of the prawns and internal micro-migrations. The effect of La Niña creates additional stress on prawn populations when water inflow is delayed. This fact could promote the decrease or the complete disappearance of one or both prawn species in the environments, and modify the trophic web in the next phase of the shallow lakes.
A novel method for predicting activity of cis-regulatory modules, based on a diverse training set
Authors: Yang Wei , Sinha Saurabh
Published: September 2016

Motivation

With the rapid emergence of technologies for locating cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) genome-wide, the next pressing challenge is to assign precise functions to each CRM, i.e. to determine the spatiotemporal domains or cell-types where it drives expression. A popular approach to this task is to model the typical k-mer composition of a set of CRMs known to drive a common expression pattern, and assign that pattern to other CRMs exhibiting a similar k-mer composition. This approach does not rely on prior knowledge of transcription factors relevant to the CRM or their binding motifs, and is thus more widely applicable than motif-based methods for predicting CRM activity, but is also prone to false positive predictions.

Results

We present a novel strategy to improve the above-mentioned approach: to predict if a CRM drives a specific gene expression pattern, assess not only how similar the CRM is to other CRMs with similar activity but also to CRMs with distinct activities. We use a state-of-the-art statistical method to quantify a CRM’s sequence similarity to many different training sets of CRMs, and employ a classification algorithm to integrate these similarity scores into a single prediction of the CRM’s activity. This strategy is shown to significantly improve CRM activity prediction over current approaches.

Availability and Implementation

Our implementation of the new method, called IMMBoost, is freely available as source code, at https://github.com/weiyangedward/IMMBoost.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Alcohol, Cannabis, and Opioid Use Disorders, and Disease Burden in an Integrated Health Care System
Authors: Bahorik Amber L. , Satre Derek D. , Kline-Simon Andrea H. , Weisner Constance M. , Campbell Cynthia I.
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

We examined prevalence of major medical conditions and extent of disease burden among patients with and without substance use disorders (SUDs) in an integrated health care system serving 3.8 million members.

Methods:

Medical conditions and SUDs were extracted from electronic health records in 2010. Patients with SUDs (n = 45,461; alcohol, amphetamine, barbiturate, cocaine, hallucinogen, and opioid) and demographically matched patients without SUDs (n = 45,461) were compared on the prevalence of 19 major medical conditions. Disease burden was measured as a function of 10-year mortality risk using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. P-values were adjusted using Hochberg's correction for multiple-inference testing within each medical condition category.

Results:

The most frequently diagnosed SUDs in 2010 were alcohol (57.6%), cannabis (14.9%), and opioid (12.9%). Patients with these SUDs had higher prevalence of major medical conditions than non-SUD patients (alcohol use disorders, 85.3% vs 55.3%; cannabis use disorders, 41.9% vs 23.0%; and opioid use disorders, 44.9% vs 26.1%; all P < 0.001). Patients with these SUDs also had higher disease burden than non-SUD patients; patients with opioid use disorders (M = 0.48; SE = 1.46) had particularly high disease burden (M = 0.23; SE = 0.09; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Common SUDs, particularly opioid use disorders, are associated with substantial disease burden for privately insured individuals without significant impediments to care. This signals the need to explore the full impact SUDs have on the course and outcome of prevalent conditions and initiate enhanced service engagement strategies to improve disease burden.
Comparison of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Manifestations in Preterm Versus Term Opioid-Exposed Infants
Authors: Allocco Elizabeth , Melker Marjorie , Rojas-Miguez Florencia , Bradley Caitlin , Hahn Kristen A. , Wachman Elisha M.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Twenty percent to 40% of infants exposed to in utero opioid were delivered preterm. There is currently no neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) scoring tool known to accurately evaluate preterm opioid-exposed infants. This can lead to difficulties in titrating pharmacotherapy in this population.

Purpose:

To describe NAS symptoms in preterm opioid-exposed infants in comparison with matched full-term controls.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary care center of methadone-exposed infants born between 2006 and 2010. Using modified Finnegan scale scores recorded every 3 to 4 hours beginning at 6 hours of life until 24 to 48 hours after medication discontinuation, NAS symptoms was compared between 45 preterm infants and 49 full-term matched controls. Concurrent neonatal medical diagnoses were also compared.

Results:

The median gestational age in the preterm group was 35 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] = 33-36) versus 39 weeks (IQR = 38-40) in the term group. Preterm infants scored less frequently for many items including sleep disturbance (24.4% vs 46.2%), tremors (77.9% vs 89.7%), muscle tone (87.9% vs 97.4%), sweating (2.1% vs 9.4%), nasal stuffiness (11.9% vs 20.5%), and loose stools (7.0% vs 14.3%) than full-term controls. Preterm infants scored more frequently for hyperactive moro reflex (26.4% vs 5.5%), tachypnea (19.3% vs 16.1%), and poor feeding (24.6% vs 11.8%).

Implications for Practice:

Provider awareness of differences in manifestations of preterm and term infants with NAS, as well as concurrent prematurity diagnoses that can influence NAS scoring, is needed. These findings mandate the development of a modified NAS scoring tool for the preterm NAS population.

Implications for Research:

A preterm NAS scoring tool needs to be developed and validated to more accurately evaluate and treat preterm opioid-exposed infants.
Treatment Options for Nonunion With Segmental Bone Defects: Systematic Review and Quantitative Evidence Synthesis
Authors: Kadhim Muayad , Holmes Larry , Gesheff Martin G. , Conway Janet D.
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

To determine which reconstruction treatment of long bones nonunion with segmental bone defects (SBDs) is effective to restore bone length and union with good function.

Data Sources:

PubMed was used to identify published literature on treatment of SBD caused by fracture nonunion regardless of infection between January 1975 and December 2014.

Study Selection:

We included retrospective cohort studies with a minimum sample size of 10 consecutive patients with minimum follow-up of 18 months and available data on radiographic and functional outcomes.

Data Extraction:

Literature review revealed 24 publications with a sample size of 504 patients (395 males, 109 females). Data on bone union and functional outcome and complications were collected and analyzed based on validated classification systems.

Data Synthesis:

Two outcome groups were categorized for bone union and functional outcome, success, and failure. We then performed heterogeneity test to examine the variability or differences in the methods used by these studies and based on that we determined whether the fixed effect or random effect method is appropriate in examining the summary or pool estimate. Pool estimate was examined for bone union and functional outcome in each surgical modality and in each anatomic location when data were available.

Conclusions:

Treatment of SBD can be challenging. This quantitative evidence synthesis shows that bone union was achieved by different procedures with variable bone union and functional outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Perceptions of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Religious Nurses
Authors: Sanders Lynne , Kopis Sharon , Moen Carolyn , Pobanz Angela , Volk Fred
Published: September 2016

This study explored nurses' perceptions of how they provide spiritual care, the barriers to delivering spiritual care, and the adequacy of their education and training on spiritual care. Past and current students from a faith-based university nursing program completed an online survey (N = 614). Participants reported varying definitions of spirituality and view spiritual care practices through a wide lens. The majority believed nurses do not receive sufficient spiritual education but reported they usually feel able to meet patients' spiritual needs. Time limitations were the most frequent obstacle to providing spiritual care.
Equipping African American Clergy to Recognize Depression
Authors: Anthony Jean Spann , Morris Edith , Collins Charles W. , Watson Albert , Williams Jennifer E. , Ferguson B'nai , Ruhlman Deborah L.
Published: September 2016

Many African Americans (AAs) use clergy as their primary source of help for depression, with few being referred to mental health providers. This study used face-to-face workshops to train AA clergy to recognize the symptoms and levels of severity of depression. A pretest/posttest format was used to test knowledge (N = 42) about depression symptoms. Results showed that the participation improved the clergy's ability to recognize depression symptoms. Faith community nurses can develop workshops for clergy to improve recognition and treatment of depression.
Spiritual Darkness
Authors: Jimenez Rosalinda Ramirez
Published: September 2016

This is a reflective analysis on the lived experience of a medical mission in a third world country, where young women are abused and trafficked for sex. Practices of Scripture study, Lectio Divina, and contemplative prayer enabled me to deal with the spiritual darkness we encountered. Opening a dialogue with community members to view males and females in a different manner and battling alongside the local mission and ministers against sex trafficking, are not easy tasks. The perseverance found in the Bible gives us hope to be witnesses and healers in our broken world, and a small part in change that can take root with prayer.
Discovering Their Needs
Authors: Wilson-Anderson Kaye , Lee Holly , Pinnock Jessi , Sybrandt Anne , White Alissa
Published: September 2016

This qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological study explored how southern, rural women in India (N = 14) view health, how they learned about health, and what health education they desired. Health education classes were offered, based on participants' responses. Recommendations are offered for a best practice model that could potentially enhance the efforts of non-Indian nurses desiring to assist impoverished women and families in India.
Metallic Fixation of Mandibular Segmental Defects: Graft Immobilization and Orofacial Functional Maintenance
Authors: Shayesteh Moghaddam Narges , Jahadakbar Ahmadreza , Amerinatanzi Amirhesam , Elahinia Mohammad , Miller Michael , Dean David
Published: September 2016

Background:

The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of the healthy mandible under maximum molar bite force to demonstrate the problems associated with the current standard of care procedures for mandibular segmental defect reconstruction (ie, use of Ti–6Al–4V hardware and either a single- or double-barrel fibular graft). With current Ti–6Al–4V mandibular reconstruction hardware, there is a significant stiffness mismatch among the hardware, graft, and the remaining host anatomy. How the distribution of mechanical forces through the mandible is altered after a segmental bone loss and reconstruction is incompletely understood.

Methods:

We studied a healthy adult mandible for stress, strain, and reaction force distribution during normal mastication. Stress distribution of this model was then used to study problems encountered after mandibular segmental defect reconstructive surgery. We model the use of both single- and double-barrel fibular grafts to repair the loss of the left M1–3 containing segment of the mandible. These simulations were done using 2 sets of plates with different thicknesses.

Results:

We found that the stiffness mismatching between the fixation hardware and the graft and host bone causes stress shielding of that bone and stress concentrations in the fixation hardware and screws. These effects are expected, especially during the bone healing period. However, long term, this abnormal stress–strain distribution may lead to either the hardware’s failure due to stress concentration or graft failure due to bone resorption as a result of stress shielding. We found that the stress–strain distribution is more normal with a double-barrel fibular graft. Additionally, we found that thinner fixation plates can reduce stress shielding.

Conclusion:

The proposed model can be used to evaluate the performance and optimization of the fixation device.
OPTIC NERVE MENINGOCELE SIMULATING EXTRAOCULAR EXTENSION OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMA
Authors: Sioufi Kareem , Say Emil Anthony T. , Gray Hilary M. , Shields Carol L.
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

To report a case of optic nerve meningocele simulating massive, recurrent extraocular extension of choroidal melanoma.

Method:

Case report.

Results:

A 53-year-old white man with choroidal melanoma in his left eye of 7.3-mm thickness was treated with plaque radiotherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy. On 1-year follow-up examination, visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The regressed choroidal melanoma scar in the left eye measured 1.5 mm in thickness with stable margins. The optic disk was normal. Ultrasonography demonstrated regressed echogenic choroidal scar, with an echolucent multilobulated retrobulbar mass, suspicious for extraocular extension. On magnetic resonance imaging, the retrobulbar mass corresponded to a distended and kinked optic nerve sheath, filled with extensive subarachnoid fluid and normal-size optic nerve with apposition against the posterior globe. There was no extraocular extension of tumor. Similar but less distended right optic nerve sheath was documented, consistent with optic nerve sheath meningocele in both eyes. Observation was advised and the findings remained stable.

Conclusion:

Optic nerve sheath meningocele is a benign dilatation of the optic nerve sheath that can simulate orbital tumor or extraocular extension of intraocular tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging can reliably differentiate these conditions.
Sudden Death Due to Acute Epiglottitis in Adults
Authors: Bellis Magdaleni , Herath Jayantha , Pollanen Michael S.
Published: September 2016

We report a retrospective review of fatal acute epiglottitis cases in adults in the province of Ontario, Canada, between 2001 and 2014. Information on demographics, clinical history, gross, microscopic, and laboratory findings were collected and analyzed. Eleven cases, predominantly male (73%), with a mean age of 50 years were identified. Common presenting symptoms included sore throat, dysphagia, and low-grade fever. The predominant postmortem findings included hyperemia and edema of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds. Histological features included vascular congestion, stromal edema, and acute inflammation. Five cases (45%) were positive for growth of various bacterial organisms on blood and/or tissue cultures. Acute epiglottitis should be in the differential diagnosis in fatalities presenting with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, followed by an episode of acute shortness of breath. History, thorough postmortem examination with close attention to the head and neck structures, histological examination of tissues, and sampling for microbiology will assist in differentiating epiglottitis from other cases of laryngeal swelling leading to death.
Patient Safety Incidents and Adverse Events in Ambulatory Dental Care: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Ensaldo-Carrasco Eduardo , Suarez-Ortegon Milton Fabian , Carson-Stevens Andrew , Cresswell Kathrin , Bedi Raman , Sheikh Aziz
Published: September 2016

Background

There have been efforts to understand the epidemiology of iatrogenic harm in hospitals and primary care and to improve the safety of care provision. There has in contrast been very limited progress in relation to the safety of ambulatory dental care.

Objectives

To provide a comprehensive overview of the range and frequencies of existing evidence on patient safety incidents and adverse events in ambulatory dentistry.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles reporting events that could have or did result in unnecessary harm in ambulatory dental care. We extracted and synthesized data on the types and frequencies of patient safety incidents and adverse events.

Results

Forty articles were included. We found that the frequencies varied very widely between studies; this reflected differences in definitions, populations studied, and sampling strategies. The main 5 PSIs we identified were errors in diagnosis and examination, treatment planning, communication, procedural errors, and the accidental ingestion or inhalation of foreign objects. However, little attention was paid to wider organizational issues.

Conclusions

Patient safety research in dentistry is immature because current evidence cannot provide reliable estimates on the frequency of patient safety incidents in ambulatory dental care or the associated disease burden. Well-designed epidemiological investigations are needed that also investigate contributory factors.