bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of somatoform disorders in the elderly: Results of a European study
Authors: Dehoust Maria Christina , Schulz Holger , Härter Martin , Volkert Jana , Sehner Susanne , Drabik Anna , Wegscheider Karl , Canuto Alessandra , Weber Kerstin , Crawford Mike , Quirk Alan , Grassi Luigi , DaRonch Chiara , Munoz Manuel , Ausin Berta , Santos‐Olmo Anna , Shalev Arieh , Rotenstein Ora , Hershkowitz Yael , Strehle Jens , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Andreas Sylke
Published: February 2017

Somatoform disorders have rarely been addressed in epidemiological and health care services studies of the elderly. The few existing studies vary considerably in their methodologies limiting comparability of findings. Data come from the MentDis_ICF65+ study, in which a total of 3142 community‐dwelling respondents aged 65–84 years from six different countries were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview adapted to the needs of the elderly (CIDI65+). The 12‐month prevalence rate for any somatoform disorders was found to be 3.8, whereby the prevalence for somatization disorder according to DSM‐IV was 0%, the prevalence for abridged somatization was 1.7% and the rate for 12‐months somatoform pain disorder was 2.6%. We found a significant variation by study centre (p < 0.005). There was a significant gender difference for pain disorder, but not for abridged somatization. Significant age‐related effects revealed for both disorder groups. Somatoform disorders were found to be associated with other mental disorders [odds ratio (OR) anxiety =4.8, OR affective disorders 3.6], as well as with several impairments and disabilities. Somatoform disorders are prevalent, highly impairing conditions in older adults, which are often associated with other mental disorders and should receive more research and clinical attention.
Evaluation of a joint adult and pediatric clinic for cancer survivorship care
Authors: Kam Vicki , Hendershot Eleanor , Anderson Loretta , Marjerrison Stacey
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The best model of care for long‐term follow‐up of survivors of childhood cancer is uncertain. We describe the care experience provided by the joint adult/pediatric AfterCare Clinic at the McMaster Children's Hospital. Secondary outcomes include an evaluation of cancer worry, self‐management skills, and loss to follow‐up rates.

Methods

AfterCare Clinic patients aged 19–29 years were approached for study participation between January and March 2016. Data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey, consisting of the Cancer Care Experience Questionnaire (CCEQ), Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), and Self‐Management Skills Scale (SMSS). Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Seventy‐three (40%) patients participated in the survey, 17 (23%) anonymously. Demographic characteristics of the nonanonymous participants were representative of the total clinic cohort. Most respondents were satisfied with the quality of care and anticipatory guidance provided, demonstrated by the CCEQ responses. Respondents had a high degree of cancer worries (mean score 50.6 [±18.4]), but good self‐management skills (72.0 [±10.9]). Our 5‐year loss to follow‐up rate was 3.8%. Sensitivity analyses showed no difference in responses between the total cohort and the nonanonymous participants.

Conclusions

This sample of young adult survivors of childhood cancer had a higher degree of cancer worries and higher self‐management skills scores than a younger cohort of survivors of childhood cancer in the literature. Given this, along with the positive care experience reported, and the low loss to follow‐up rate, the joint adult/pediatric model of survivorship care appears to be meeting the needs of this population.
Contribution of maternal copy number variations to false‐positive fetal trisomies detected by noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Zhou Xiya , Sui Lili , Xu Yalan , Song Yijun , Qi Qingwei , Zhang Jianguang , Zhu Hongmin , Sun Huaiyu , Tian Feng , Xu Mengnan , Cram David S. , Liu Juntao
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the contribution and significance of maternal copy number variations (CNVs) to false‐positive noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) trisomy results.

Methods

A total of 112 021 patients were referred for NIPT. Fetal aneuploidy testing was performed using low coverage massively parallel sequencing, and results reported as chromosome Z‐scores. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐Seq) was used to detect maternal DNA CNVs.

Results

Confirmatory amniocentesis and karyotyping of 563 of 781 patients (72%) receiving a positive trisomy result revealed 489 true and 74 false positives. In 6 of these 74 patients (8.1%), CNV‐Seq revealed non‐pathogenic maternal duplications (1.76–10.90 megabases) on the chromosome associated with the fetal trisomy. There was a strong correlation of higher Z‐scores with increasing size of the maternal CNVs (R2 = 0.94). When the contribution of the maternal CNV‐Seq reads to chromosome Z‐scores were removed, all original Z‐scores shifted to the normal range.

Conclusions

Maternal CNVs can potentially contribute to a small but significant number of false‐positive fetal trisomies detected by NIPT. To avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and better manage patients, we recommend that confirmatory maternal DNA sequencing is performed when the NIPT methodology used indicates a high risk of a maternal CNV. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive Design of Plasmonic Metal–Semiconductor Ensemble toward Regulated Charge Flow and Improved Vis–NIR‐Driven Solar‐to‐Chemical Conversion
Authors: Han Chuang , Quan Quan , Chen Hao Ming , Sun Yugang , Xu Yi‐Jun
Published: February 2017

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)‐mediated photocatalysis without the bandgap limitations of traditional semiconductor has aroused significant attention in solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion. However, the photocatalytic efficiency barely initiated by the SPR effects is still challenged by the low concentration and ineffective extraction of energetic hot electrons, slow charge migration rates, random charge diffusion directions, and the lack of highly active sites for redox reactions. Here, the tunable, progressive harvesting of visible‐to‐near infrared light (vis–NIR, λ > 570 nm) by designing plasmonic Au nanorods and metal (Au, Ag, or Pt) nanoparticle codecorated 1D CdS nanowire (1D CdS NW) ensemble is reported. The intimate integration of these metal nanostructures with 1D CdS NWs promotes the extraction and manipulated directional separation and migration of hot charge carriers in a more effective manner. Such cooperative synergy with tunable control of interfacial interaction, morphology optimization, and cocatalyst strategy results in the distinctly boosted performance for vis–NIR‐driven plasmonic photocatalysis. This work highlights the significance of rationally progressive design of plasmonic metal–semiconductor‐based composite system for boosting the regulated directional flow of hot charge carrier and thus the more efficient use of broad‐spectrum solar energy conversion.
Controlling the Pore Size of Mesoporous Carbon Thin Films through Thermal and Solvent Annealing
Authors: Zhou Zhengping , Liu Guoliang
Published: February 2017

Herein an approach to controlling the pore size of mesoporous carbon thin films from metal‐free polyacrylonitrile‐containing block copolymers is described. A high‐molecular‐weight poly(acrylonitrile‐block‐methyl methacrylate) (PAN‐b‐PMMA) is synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The authors systematically investigate the self‐assembly behavior of PAN‐b‐PMMA thin films during thermal and solvent annealing, as well as the pore size of mesoporous carbon thin films after pyrolysis. The as‐spin‐coated PAN‐b‐PMMA is microphase‐separated into uniformly spaced globular nanostructures, and these globular nanostructures evolve into various morphologies after thermal or solvent annealing. Surprisingly, through thermal annealing and subsequent pyrolysis of PAN‐b‐PMMA into mesoporous carbon thin films, the pore size and center‐to‐center spacing increase significantly with thermal annealing temperature, different from most block copolymers. In addition, the choice of solvent in solvent annealing strongly influences the block copolymer nanostructure and the pore size of mesoporous carbon thin films. The discoveries herein provide a simple strategy to control the pore size of mesoporous carbon thin films by tuning thermal or solvent annealing conditions, instead of synthesizing a series of block copolymers of various molecular weights and compositions.
Efficacy of SpayVac® as a contraceptive in feral horses
Authors: Roelle James E. , Germaine Stephen S. , Kane Albert J. , Cade Brian S.
Published: February 2017

We tested the efficacy of 2 formulations of the immunocontraceptive SpayVac®, which packages the immunogen porcine zona pellucida (PZP) and an adjuvant in multilamellar liposomes, as a contraceptive in captive feral horses (Equus caballus) for 3 consecutive breeding seasons (Pauls Valley, OK, USA; 2012–2014) following a single inoculation. Annual fertility rates in control adult female horses (n = 30 each yr) were 100%, 96.7%, and 100%. In the nonaqueous treatment group, fertility was 16.7% in the first year (n = 30) and 75.9% in the second year (n = 29), at which point we dropped the group from the study. Fertility rates in the aqueous group were 13.3%, 46.7%, and 43.3% (n = 30 each yr). Fifteen of the females in the aqueous group were infertile in all 3 years. Across 11 sampling dates postvaccination, mean PZP antibody titers in serum were 33.7–91.9% greater in nonpregnant females than pregnant females for the aqueous treatment group and 7.8–82.8% greater for the nonaqueous group. However, the 15 consistently infertile females did not necessarily have the greatest antibody titers. Reactions at the injection site occurred in 29.8% of the 84 females that received an injection other than saline solution, but there was no evidence that the reactions were painful or affected mobility. The nonaqueous formulation produced more local reactions than did the aqueous, but presence of PZP did not increase the frequency of reactions above that seen with liposomes + adjuvant. Uterine edema was not found at frequencies greater than would be expected in untreated females. Additional research to explore relationships between vaccine dose, adjuvant, and efficacy is warranted. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domainin the USA.
A case of T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder associated with hypereosinophilia with excellent response to mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Hanbali Amr , Shaheen Marwan , Alfraih Feras , Al-Otaibi Wafa , Fakih Riad El , Owaidah Tarek , Ahmed Syed
Published: February 2017

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a group of rare blood disorders characterized by a persistent elevation of blood eosinophil count ≥1.5 × 109/L and clinical manifestations attributable to eosinophilia or tissue hypereosinophilia. Lymphocytic variant of HES (HES-L) is a known subtype according to World Health Organization classification. It is well documented in the literature that patients with HES-L are predisposed to develop T-cell lymphoma. We report a case of T-cell lymphoproliferation associated with hypereosinophilia, which has been successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil, with resolution of skin lesions and normalization of eosinophil count and immunoglobulin E level. We believe this is a clinically relevant case since this is a rare disease with little known knowledge on its best treatment modality.
Relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous transplantation
Authors: Jethava Yogesh , Guru Murthy Guru Subramanian , Hamadani Mehdi
Published: February 2017

Relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autologous HCT) is a major therapeutic challenge. Its management, at least in younger patients, traditionally involves salvage chemotherapy aiming to achieve disease remission followed by consolidation with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT) in eligible patients. The efficacy of salvage therapy is variable and newer combination chemotherapy regimens have improved the outcomes. Factors such as shorter time to relapse after autologous HCT and poor performance status have been identified as predictors of poor outcome. Newer agents such as immunoconjugate brentuximab vedotin, checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab, nivolu- mab), lenalidomide, and everolimus are available for the treatment of patients relapsing after autologous HCT. With the availability of reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic HCT, more patients are eligible for this therapy with lesser toxicity and better efficacy due to graft versus lymphoma effects. Alternative donor sources such as haploidentical stem cell transplantation and umbilical cord blood transplantation are expanding this procedure to patients without HLA-matched donors. However, strategies aimed at reduction of disease relapse after reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic HCT are needed to improve the outcomes of this treatment. This review summarizes the current data on salvage chemotherapy and HCT strategies used to treat patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma after prior autologous HCT.
Synovial sarcoma of the hard palate
Authors: Doubi Aseel , Doubi Motaz , Alzaher Nabil , Tulbah Asma
Published: February 2017

Synovial sarcoma is a high-grade soft tissue sarcoma that rarely arises in the head and neck region. It affects the parapharyngeal space and the hypopharynx most commonly and it has different presentations based on the affected site. In extremely rare occasions, it involves the hard palate such as in our case where a 24-year-old female patient presented with a mass lesion involving the left hard palate, which was identified clinically and by imaging studies. The histopathological assessment confirmed that it was a monophasic synovial sarcoma which was also confirmed with further molecular studies. The patient underwent surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy. Her close follow up over a 6-year period that followed her curative treatment has demonstrated no evidence of disease recurrence or distant metastasis. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment for synovial sarcoma and adjuvant radiotherapy is advised. Long-term follow up is recommended because of the remote possibility of late recurrence of the tumor.
Investigation of Al plasmas from thin foils irradiated by high-intensity extreme ultraviolet
Authors: Grabovski E.V. , Sasorov P.V. , Shevelko A.P. , Aleksandrov V.V. , Andreev S.N. , Basko M.M. , Branitski A.V. , Gritsuk A.N. , Volkov G.S. , Laukhin Ya.N. , Mitrofanov K.N. , Oleinik G.M. , Samokhin A.A. , Smirnov V.P. , Tolstikhina I.Yu. , Frolov I.N. , Yakushev O.F.
Published: February 2017

Dynamics and spectral transmission of Al plasma produced by extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiation of 0.75-μm thick Al foil is investigated. The EUV radiation with the peak power density in the range of 0.19–0.54 TW/cm2 is provided by Z-pinch formed by W multiwire array implosion in the Angara-5-1 facility. Geometry of the experiment ensures that there are no plasma fluxes from the pinch toward the Al foil and plasma. The same EUV source is used as a back illuminator for obtaining the absorption spectrum of Al plasma in the wavelength range of 5–24 nm. It comprises absorption lines of ions Al4+, Al5+, Al6+, Al7+. Analysis of relative intensities of the lines shows that those ions are formed in dense Al plasma with a temperature of ∼20 eV. Dynamics of Al plasma has been investigated with transverse laser probing. We have also performed radiation-gas-dynamics simulations of plasma dynamics affected by external radiation, which includes self-consistent radiation transport in a plasma shell. The simulations show good agreement with an experimental absorption spectrum and with experimental data concerning plasma dynamics, as well as with the analysis of line absorption spectrum. This confirms the correctness of the physical model underlying these simulations.
Indice de Morse des applications p-harmoniques
Authors: El Soufi Ahmad , Jeune Albert
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we investigate estimates and calculation of the Morse index of

p

-harmonic maps, with

p\in [2, +∞[

. More particularly, we deal with the identity map and maps from or to spheres. Our results extend those obtained for harmonic maps (case

p = 2

) in [2], [3] and [9].

Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons à l’estimation et au calcul de l’indice de Morse des applications

p

-harmoniques, où

p\in [2, +∞[

. Nous y traitons notamment le cas de l’application identité, ainsi que celui des applications définies sur des sphères où à valeurs dans des sphères. Les résultats que nous obtenons généralisent un grand nombre de ceux obtenus pour les applications harmoniques (

p = 2

) dans [2], [3] et [9].
Properties of pseudoholomorphic curves in symplectisations I: Asymptotics
Authors: Hofer H. , Wysocki K. , Zehnder E.
Published: February 2017

Given an oriented, compact, 3-dimenional contact manifold

(M,λ)

we study maps

\tilde u= (a,u):ℂ\rightarrow ℝ \times M

satisfying the Cauchy–Riemann type equation

\tilde u_{s} + \tilde J(\tilde u)\tilde u_{t} = 0

, with a very special almost complex structure

\tilde J

related to the contact form

λ

on

M

. If the energy is positive and bounded,

0\: < \: E(\tilde u)\: < \:∞

, then the asymptotic behavior of

u: ℂ → M

as

|z| → ∞

is intimately related to the dynamics of the Reeb vector field

X_λ

on

M

. Assuming the periodic solutions of

X_λ

to be non degenerate, we shall show that

\lim _{R\rightarrow ∞}\:u(\mathrm{R}\mathrm{e}^{2\pi it}) = x(Tt)

for a

T

-periodic solution

x

with

E(\tilde u)\: = \:T

. The main result is an asymptotic formula which demonstrates the exponential nature of this limit. Some consequences for the geometry of the maps

u : ℂ → M

are deduced.

Étant donnée

(M,λ)

une variété de type contact, compacte, orientée et de dimension trois, nous étudions les applications

\tilde u= (a,u):ℂ\rightarrow ℝ \times M

solutions de l’équation de type Cauchy–Riemann

\tilde u_{s} + \tilde J(\tilde u)\tilde u_{t} = 0

où

\tilde J

est une structure presque complexe très particulière, reliée à la forme de contact

λ

définie sur

M

. Lorsque l’énergie est positive et bornée,

0\: < \: E(\tilde u)\: < \:∞

, le comportement asymptotique d’une solution

u: ℂ → M

quand

|z| → ∞

, est intimement lié à la dynamique du champ de Reeb

X_λ

défini sur

M

. Supposant que les orbites périodiques de

X_λ

sont non dégénérées, nous allons montrer que lorsque

R → ∞

,

\lim u(\mathrm{R}\mathrm{e}^{2πit}) = x(Tt)

, où

x

est une orbite

T

-périodique de

X_λ

vérifiant

T\: = \:E(\tilde u)

. Le principal résultat de cet article est une formule asymptotique qui établit la nature exponentielle de cette limite. On en déduit certaines conséquences pour la géométrie des solutions

u : ℂ → M

.
Lorenz attractor through saddle-node bifurcations
Authors: Morales C.A.
Published: February 2017

In this paper we consider the unfolding of a geometric Lorenz attractor when the singularity contained in this attractor goes through a saddle-node bifurcation. It is shown that these unfoldings can carry such a geometric Lorenz attractor either directly into a hyperbolic Plykin attractor or into phenomena associated to the unfolding of homoclinic tangencies like for instance strange Henon-like attractors and infinitely many sinks.

Nous considérons le déploiement d’un attracteur de Lorenz géométrique lorsque la singularité contenue dans l’attracteur passe par une bifurcation selle-nœud. On montre que ces déploiements contiennent un attracteur de Lorenz géométrique qui est soit dans un attracteur de Plykin hyperbolique ou bien associé à un phénoméne de tangences homocliniques comme par exemple attracteurs étranges de type Hénon et infinité de puits.
Abnormal sub-Riemannian geodesics: Morse index and rigidity
Authors: Agrachev A.A. , Sarychev A.V.
Published: February 2017

Considering a smooth manifold

Μ

provided with a sub-Riemannian structure, i.e. with Riemannian metric and nonintegrable vector distribution, we set a problem of finding for two given points

q^0, q^1 \in Μ

a length minimizer among Lipschitzian paths tangent to the vector distribution (admissible) and connecting these points. Extremals of this variational problem are called sub-Riemannian geodesics and we single out the abnormal sub-Riemannian geodesics, which correspond to the vanishing Lagrange multiplier for the length functional. These abnormal geodesics are not related to the Riemannian structure but only to the vector distribution and, in fact, are singular points in the set of admissible paths connecting

q^0

and

q^1

. Developing the Legendre–Jacobi–Morse-type theory of 2nd variation for abnormal geodesics we investigate some of their specific properties such as weak minimality and rigidity-isolatedness in the space of admissible paths connecting the two given points.

Soit

Μ

une variété régulière avec une structure sous-riemannienne (i.e. avec une métrique riemannienne et une distribution vectorielle non intégrable). Nous étudions l’existence d’un chemin de longueur minimale entre deux points

q^0

et

q^1

de

Μ

, parmi les chemins lipschitziens tangents à la distribution vectorielle (chemins admissibles). Des points stationnaires de ce problème variationnel sont appelés des géodésiques sous-riemanniennes et nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement aux géodésiques sous-riemanniennes « anormales », correspondant à un multiplicateur de Lagrange nul. Les géodésiques anormales ne sont pas reliées à la structure riemannienne mais seulement à la distribution vectorielle et en fait sont des points irréguliers dans l’ensemble des chemins admissibles reliant

q^0

à

q^1

. En développant une théorie de type Legendre–Jacobi–Morse de seconde variation pour les géodésiques anormales, nous étudions quelques-unes de leurs propriétés spécifiques comme la minimalité faible et la rigidité – le fait qu’elles sont isolées dans l’espace des chemins admissibles reliant les deux points.
Inter-humanoid robot interaction with emphasis on detection: a comparison study
Authors: Shangari Taher Abbas , Shams Vida , Azari Bita , Shamshirdar Faraz , Baltes Jacky , Sadeghnejad Soroush
Published: February 2017

Robot Interaction has always been a challenge in collaborative robotics. In tasks comprising Inter-Robot Interaction, robot detection is very often needed. We explore humanoid robots detection because, humanoid robots can be useful in many scenarios, and everything from helping elderly people live in their own homes to responding to disasters. Cameras are chosen because they are reach and cheap sensors, and there are lots of mature two-dimensional (2D) and 3D computer vision libraries which facilitate Image analysis. To tackle humanoid robot detection effectively, we collected a data set of various humanoid robots with different sizes in different environments. Afterward, we tested the well-known cascade classifier in combination with several image descriptors like Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG), Local Binary Patterns (LBP), etc. on this data set. Among the feature sets, Haar-like has the highest accuracy, LBP the highest recall, and HOG the highest precision. Considering Inter-Robot Interaction, it is evident that false positives are less troublesome than false negatives, thus LBP is more useful than the others.
Assessment of the structure and function of the aorta by echocardiography
Authors: Parthiban Anitha , Shirali Girish
Published: February 2017

Echocardiography is the primary modality for imaging the aorta for the diagnosis and serial evaluation of pathological conditions. In this article, we review the methodology for optimal echocardiographic imaging of the various segments of the aorta and discuss abnormalities of the aorta including stenosis, dilation including aortopathy and sinus of Valsalva aneurysms, and fistulous communications involving the ascending aorta including aortoventricular tunnel and ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. We review novel echocardiographic measurements of aortic functional properties of the aorta such as elasticity and stiffness, and review the literature on the potential additive value of such measurements for structural assessment alone. Finally, we discuss the limitations of echocardiography in the precise and optimal imaging of the aorta.
Training cardiac surgeons: the Indiana University experience
Authors: Brown John W.
Published: February 2017

In this article, I will outline the origin of cardiothoracic surgical (CTS) training at Indiana University (IU) and its evolution to the present. I will describe my educational background, surgical training in this specialty, and my role as an educator of CT surgeons. I will describe our faculty and the structure of the CTS residency. Finally, I will describe a newly adopted smart phone “App” called SIMPL, which allows the resident and faculty to quickly (<4 minutes) evaluate the CTS resident’s performance for each surgical case they perform together. The tool prompts both parties to determine the resident’s level of involvement in >50% of the most critical aspects of each surgical procedure, the resident’s performance during the critical portion of the operation from poor to excellent, and the degree of difficulty of the operation from simple to complex. The attending surgeon and the resident data are then forwarded to the SIMPL database where the SIMPL software aggregates data for each resident and procedure producing a report at the end of the rotation of the resident’s performance relative to his peers. This additional evaluation process will better ensure that our CTS residents are “practice ready” when they complete their training.
Petit-spot as definitive evidence for partial melting in the asthenosphere caused by CO2
Authors: Machida Shiki , Kogiso Tetsu , Hirano Naoto
Published: February 2017

The deep carbon cycle plays an important role on the chemical differentiation and physical properties of the Earth’s mantle. Especially in the asthenosphere, seismic low-velocity and high electrical conductivity due to carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced partial melting are expected but not directly observed. Here we discuss the experimental results relevant to the genesis of primitive CO2-rich alkali magma forming petit-spot volcanoes at the deformation front of the outer rise of the northwestern Pacific plate. The results suggest that primitive melt last equilibrated with depleted peridotite at 1.8–2.1 GPa and 1,280–1,290 °C. Although the equilibration pressure corresponds to the pressure of the lower lithosphere, by considering an equilibration temperature higher than the solidus in the volatile–peridotite system along with the temperature of the lower lithosphere, we conclude that CO2-rich silicate melt is always produced in the asthenosphere. The melt subsequently ascends into and equilibrates with the lower lithosphere before eruption.
Cooperative expression of atomic chirality in inorganic nanostructures
Authors: Wang Peng-peng , Yu Shang-Jie , Govorov Alexander O , Ouyang Min
Published: February 2017

Cooperative chirality phenomena extensively exist in biomolecular and organic systems via intra- and inter-molecular interactions, but study of inorganic materials has been lacking. Here we report, experimentally and theoretically, cooperative chirality in colloidal cinnabar mercury sulfide nanocrystals that originates from chirality interplay between the crystallographic lattice and geometric morphology at different length scales. A two-step synthetic scheme is developed to allow control of critical parameters of these two types of handedness, resulting in different chiral interplays expressed as observables through materials engineering. Furthermore, we adopt an electromagnetic model with the finite element method to elucidate cooperative chirality in inorganic systems, showing excellent agreement with experimental results. Our study enables an emerging class of nanostructures with tailored cooperative chirality that is vital for fundamental understanding of nanoscale chirality as well as technology applications based on new chiroptical building blocks.
ISFET pH Sensitivity: Counter-Ions Play a Key Role
Authors: Parizi Kokab B. , Xu Xiaoqing , Pal Ashish , Hu Xiaolin , Wong H. S. Philip
Published: February 2017

The Field Effect sensors are broadly used for detecting various target analytes in chemical and biological solutions. We report the conditions under which the pH sensitivity of an Ion Sensitive Field Effect transistor (ISFET) sensor can be significantly enhanced. Our theory and simulations show that by using pH buffer solutions containing counter-ions that are beyond a specific size, the sensor shows significantly higher sensitivity which can exceed the Nernst limit. We validate the theory by measuring the pH response of an extended gate ISFET pH sensor. The consistency and reproducibility of the measurement results have been recorded in hysteresis free and stable operations. Different conditions have been tested to confirm the accuracy and validity of our experiment results such as using different solutions, various oxide dielectrics as the sensing layer and off-the-shelf versus IC fabricated transistors as the basis of the ISFET sensor.
Assessing Current and Future Freshwater Flood Risk from North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones via Insurance Claims
Authors: Czajkowski Jeffrey , Villarini Gabriele , Montgomery Marilyn , Michel-Kerjan Erwann , Goska Radoslaw
Published: February 2017

The most recent decades have witnessed record breaking losses associated with U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs). Flood-related damages represent a large portion of these losses, and although storm surge is typically the main focus in the media and of warnings, much of the TC flood losses are instead freshwater-driven, often extending far inland from the landfall locations. Despite this actuality, knowledge of TC freshwater flood risk is still limited. Here we provide for the first time a comprehensive assessment of the TC freshwater flood risk from the full set of all significant flood events associated with U.S. landfalling TCs from 2001 to 2014. We find that the areas impacted by freshwater flooding are nearly equally divided between coastal and inland areas. We determine the statistical relationship between physical hazard and residential economic impact at a community level for the entire country. These results allow us to assess the potential future changes in TC freshwater flood risk due to changing climate pattern and urbanization in a more heavily populated U.S. Findings have important implications for flood risk management, insurance and resilience.
Saturday Driving Restrictions Fail to Improve Air Quality in Mexico City
Authors: Davis Lucas W.
Published: February 2017

Policymakers around the world are turning to license-plate based driving restrictions in an effort to address urban air pollution. The format differs across cities, but most programs restrict driving once or twice a week during weekdays. This paper focuses on Mexico City, home to one of the oldest and best-known driving restriction policies. For almost two decades Mexico City’s driving restrictions applied during weekdays only. This changed recently, however, when the program was expanded to include Saturdays. This paper uses hourly data from pollution monitoring stations to measure the effect of the Saturday expansion on air quality. Overall, there is little evidence that the program expansion improved air quality. Across eight major pollutants, the program expansion had virtually no discernible effect on pollution levels. These disappointing results stand in sharp contrast to estimates made before the expansion which predicted a 15%+ decrease in vehicle emissions on Saturdays. To understand why the program has been less effective than expected, the paper then turns to evidence from subway, bus, and light rail ridership, finding no evidence that the expansion was successful in getting drivers to switch to lower-emitting forms of transportation.
Fear of predation drives stable and differentiated social relationships in guppies
Authors: Heathcote Robert J. P. , Darden Safi K. , Franks Daniel W. , Ramnarine Indar W. , Croft Darren P.
Published: February 2017

Social relationships can have important consequences for fitness in animals. Whilst numerous studies have shown that individuals often join larger groups in response to perceived predation risk (i.e. fear of predation), the importance of predation risk in driving the formation and stability of social relationships within groups has been relatively ignored. We experimentally tested how predation threat influenced fine-scale social network structure using Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). When perceived predation risk was high, individuals developed stable and more differentiated social ties compared to when perceived risk was low. Intriguingly, social differentiation coincided with shoals being somewhat smaller under high-perceived risk, suggesting a possible conflict between forming stable social relationships and larger social groups. Individuals most at risk of predation (large and bold individuals) showed the most exaggerated responses in several social measures. Taken together, we provide the first experimental evidence that proximate risk of predation can increase the intensity of social relationships and fine-scale social structure in animal populations.
TERT promoter mutations and Ki-67 labeling index as a prognostic marker of papillary thyroid carcinomas: combination of two independent factors
Authors: Matsuse Michiko , Yabuta Tomonori , Saenko Vladimir , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Nishihara Eijun , Suzuki Keiji , Yamashita Shunichi , Miyauchi Akira , Mitsutake Norisato
Published: February 2017

Although most papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) have a good prognosis, a small but certain fraction shows aggressive behavior. Therefore, a novel and well-performing molecular marker is needed. In the present study, we assessed the impact of the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAF mutations and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) as a prognostic marker in PTC patients. Of 400 PTC samples, 354 were successfully genotyped for both TERT promoter/BRAF and analyzed for Ki-67 LI. Based on the combination of the mutational status and Ki-67 LI, the cases were categorized into three groups: high-, middle-, and low-risk. The recurrence rates of low-, middle-, and high-risk group were 1.9% (6 of 323), 18.2% (4 of 22), and 44.4% (4 of 9), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analyses demonstrated that there were statistical differences between any two groups. The hazard ratios for recurrence remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, tumor size, and extrathyroidal extension (low vs. middle: 8.80, 95% CI: 2.35–32.92, p = 0.001; middle vs. high: 6.255, 95% CI: 1.13–34.51, p = 0.035). In conclusion, the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAFV600E mutations and Ki-67 LI performed excellent in predicting PTC recurrence and may be clinically useful.
Early life antibiotic exposure affects pancreatic islet development and metabolic regulation
Authors: Li Jiaying , Yang Kaiyuan , Ju Tingting , Ho Tracy , McKay Catharine A. , Gao Yanhua , Forget Shay K. , Gartner Stephanie R. , Field Catherine J. , Chan Catherine B. , Willing Benjamin P.
Published: February 2017

Childhood antibiotic exposure has been recently linked with increased risk of metabolic disease later in life. A better understanding of this association would potentially provide strategies to reduce the childhood chronic disease epidemic. Therefore, we explored the underlying mechanisms using a swine model that better mimics human infants than rodents, and demonstrated that early life antibiotic exposure affects glucose metabolism 5 weeks after antibiotic withdrawal, which was associated with changes in pancreatic development. Antibiotics exerted a transient impact on postnatal gut microbiota colonization and microbial metabolite production, yet changes in the expression of key genes involved in short-chain fatty acid signaling and pancreatic development were detected in later life. These findings suggest a programming effect of early life antibiotic exposure that merits further investigation.
Ballistic thermal transport in silicon nanowires
Authors: Maire Jeremie , Anufriev Roman , Nomura Masahiro
Published: February 2017

We have experimentally investigated the impact of dimensions and temperature on the thermal conductivity of silicon nanowires fabricated using a top-down approach. Both the width and temperature dependences of thermal conductivity agree with those in the existing literature. The length dependence of thermal conductivity exhibits a transition from semi-ballistic thermal phonon transport at 4 K to fully diffusive transport at room temperature. We additionally calculated the phonon dispersion in these structures in the framework of the theory of elasticity and showed that the thermal conductance increases with width. This agrees with our experimental observations and supports the pertinence of using the modified phonon dispersion at low temperatures.
Levofloxacin loaded mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffold for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects
Authors: Wang Qi , Chen Cheng , Liu Wen , He Xiaoqiang , Zhou Nian , Zhang Dongli , Gu Hongchen , Li Jidong , Jiang Jiaxing , Huang Wei
Published: February 2017

Chronic osteomyelitis is a prolonged persistent disease accompanied by bone destruction and sequestrum formation, it is very difficult to treat. Antibiotic loaded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been used in clinical. However, when PMMA was implanted in the body, the deficiencies is that it is non-biodegradable and a second operation is needed. Here, we synthesize a novel levofloxacin loaded mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffolds, and evaluated the therapeutic effect in treating chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects in rabbit model compared with bulk PMMA. X-ray, Micro CT, gross pathology as well as immunohistochemical staining were performed at predesignated time points (1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks). Our results demonstrated that the efficiency of mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffolds loaded with 5 mg levofloxacin was much better at treating bone defects than the other groups. This novel synthetic scaffold may provide a solution for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.
Drivers of Cape Verde archipelagic endemism in keyhole limpets
Authors: Cunha Regina L. , Assis Jorge M. , Madeira Celine , Seabra Rui , Lima Fernando P. , Lopes Evandro P. , Williams Suzanne T. , Castilho Rita
Published: February 2017

Oceanic archipelagos are the ideal setting for investigating processes that shape species assemblages. Focusing on keyhole limpets, generaFissurellaandDiodorafrom Cape Verde Islands, we used an integrative approach combining molecular phylogenetics with ocean transport simulations to infer species distribution patterns and analyse connectivity. Dispersal simulations, using pelagic larval duration and ocean currents as proxies, showed a reduced level of connectivity despite short distances between some of the islands. It is suggested that dispersal and persistence driven by patterns of oceanic circulation favouring self-recruitment played a primary role in explaining contemporary species distributions. Mitochondrial and nuclear data revealed the existence of eight Cape Verde endemic lineages, seven withinFissurella, distributed across the archipelago, and one withinDiodorarestricted to Boavista. The estimated origins for endemicFissurellaandDiodorawere 10.2 and 6.7 MY, respectively. Between 9.5 and 4.5 MY, an intense period of volcanism in Boavista might have affectedDiodora, preventing its diversification. Having originated earlier,Fissurellamight have had more opportunities to disperse to other islands and speciate before those events. Bayesian analyses showed increased diversification rates inFissurellapossibly promoted by low sea levels during Plio-Pleistocene, which further explain differences in species richness between both genera.
Alterations in the carnitine cycle in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Mucerino Sabrina , Di Salle Anna , Alessio Nicola , Margarucci Sabrina , Nicolai Raffaella , Melone Mariarosa A. B. , Galderisi Umberto , Peluso Gianfranco
Published: February 2017

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disease that leads to intellectual deficit, motor disability, epilepsy and increased risk of sudden death. Although in up to 95% of cases this disease is caused by de novo loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene, it is a multisystem disease associated also with mitochondrial metabolic imbalance. In addition, the presence of long QT intervals (LQT) on the patients’ electrocardiograms has been associated with the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death. In the attempt to shed light on the mechanism underlying heart failure in RTT, we investigated the contribution of the carnitine cycle to the onset of mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiac tissues of two subgroups of RTT mice, namely Mecp2+/− NQTc and Mecp2+/− LQTc mice, that have a normal and an LQT interval, respectively. We found that carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 A/B and carnitine acylcarnitine translocase were significantly upregulated at mRNA and protein level in the heart of Mecp2+/− mice. Moreover, the carnitine system was imbalanced in Mecp2+/− LQTc mice due to decreased carnitine acylcarnitine transferase expression. By causing accumulation of intramitochondrial acylcarnitines, this imbalance exacerbated incomplete fatty acid oxidation, which, in turn, could contribute to mitochondrial overload and sudden death.
Palladium-catalyzed domino Heck/intermolecular cross-coupling: efficient synthesis of 4-alkylated isoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Yao Tuanli , Liu Tao , Zhang Changhui
Published: February 2017

The first example of a σ-alkylpalladium(ii) intermediate promoting cyclization of alkynes containing a proximate nucleophilic center is presented.
An azobenzene-based photoswitchable crystal growth modifier
Authors: Nealon Gareth L. , Brown David H. , Jones Franca , Parkinson Gordon , Ogden Mark I.
Published: February 2017

An azobenzene derivative reversibly switches to a less effective crystal growth modifier of calcite when irradiated by UV light.
Determining crystal phase purity in c-BP through X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Huber S. P. , Medvedev V. V. , Gullikson E. , Padavala B. , Edgar J. H. , van de Kruijs R. W. E. , Bijkerk F. , Prendergast D.
Published: February 2017

We employ X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy at the boron K-edge and the phosphorus L2,3-edge to study the structural properties of cubic boron phosphide (c-BP) samples.
A TiO2nanotube network electron transport layer for high efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Gao Xianfeng , Li Jianyang , Gollon Sam , Qiu Ming , Guan Dongsheng , Guo Xiaoru , Chen Junhong , Yuan Chris
Published: February 2017

A TiO2nanotube network ETL is developed for perovskite solar cells, presenting significantly improved performance over a conventional TiO2mesoporous scaffold layer.
Cooperative interplay between a flexible PNN-Ru(ii) complex and a NaBH4 additive in the efficient catalytic hydrogenation of esters
Authors: Wang Zheng , Chen Xiangyang , Liu Bo , Liu Qing-bin , Solan Gregory A. , Yang Xinzheng , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: February 2017

Low catalyst loadings of the PNN-bearing ruthenium(ii) complex, [fac-PNN]RuH(PPh3)(CO), in combination with 5 mol% of NaBH4, efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of a broad range of esters to their corresponding alcohols under mild pressures of H2.
Ménage-à-trois: single-atom catalysis, mass spectrometry, and computational chemistry
Authors: Schwarz Helmut
Published: February 2017

Genuine, single-atom catalysis can be realized in the gas phase and probed by mass spectrometry combined with computational chemistry.
Chemical characterization of the glycated myofibrillar proteins from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and their impacts on the human gut microbiota in vitro fermentation
Authors: Han Kaining , Yao Ye , Dong Shiyuan , Jin Sun , Xiao Hang , Wu Haohao , Zeng Mingyong
Published: February 2017

Glycation greatly increased the anti-digestibility of myofibrillar proteins derived from grass carp, and affected the production of SCFAs and the microbial community structures inin vitrofecal fermentation.
Designing sterically demanding thiolate coated AuNPs for electrical characterization of BPDT in a NP–molecule–nanoelectrode platform
Authors: Calard Francois , Wani Ishtiaq Hassan , Hayat Aqib , Jarrosson Thibaut , Lère-Porte Jean-Pierre , Jafri S. Hassan M. , Serein-Spirau Françoise , Leifer Klaus , Orthaber Andreas
Published: February 2017

Simple and efficient synthesis of sterically demanding AuNPs for a nanogap–molecule–nanoparticle platform in molecular electronics.
A novel total synthesis of aculeatin A via a stepwise approach
Authors: Zhang Zhibin , Leng Xiao , Yang Shenkun , Liang Cheng , Huang Shuangping , Wang Xiaoji
Published: February 2017

Aculeatin A, isolated from the plant Amomum aculeatum, is a dispirocyclic compound having antimalarial activity. We describe a novel synthetic approach to aculeatin A via a stepwise strategy.
Facile assembly of a S@carbon nanotubes/polyaniline/graphene composite for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Deng Huihui , Yao Libing , Huang Qiu-An , Su Qingmei , Zhang Jun , Zhang Fumin , Du Gaohui
Published: February 2017

A carbon nanotube/polyaniline/graphene composite has been prepared to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur batteries.
Oxidative bicyclization ofN-tethered 1,7-enynes toward polycyclic 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-onesviasite-selective decarboxylative C(sp3)–H functionalization
Authors: Li Jie , Hao Wen-Juan , Zhou Peng , Zhu Yi-Long , Wang Shu-Liang , Tu Shu-Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: February 2017

A new Ag-catalyzed oxidative bicyclization ofN-tethered 1,7-enynes with alkylcarboxylic acids for forming 41 examples of polycyclic 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones has been established using readily accessible K2S2O8as an oxidant.
Visible sequestration of Cu2+ions using amino-functionalized cotton fiber
Authors: Liu Changkun , Lei Xiaobin , Liang Xiaoyan , Jia Jizhen , Wang Lin
Published: February 2017

In this study, an amino functionalized cotton fiber, which was used to adsorb Cu2+ionsviavisible sequestration, was prepared and investigated.
Simultaneous improvement of power factor and thermal conductivity via Ag doping in p-type Mg3Sb2 thermoelectric materials
Authors: Song Lirong , Zhang Jiawei , Iversen Bo B.
Published: February 2017

Ag doping in Mg3Sb2 leads to an enhanced average figure-of-merit (zT) by simultaneously improving the power factor and thermal conductivity.
MnOOH nanorods as high-performance anodes for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Shao Lianyi , Zhao Qing , Chen Jun
Published: February 2017

MnOOH nanorods, which were prepared using a hydrothermal method, have been used for the first time as anode materials for sodium ion batteries.