bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechano-adaptive sensory mechanism of α-catenin under tension
Authors: Maki Koichiro , Han Sung-Woong , Hirano Yoshinori , Yonemura Shigenobu , Hakoshima Toshio , Adachi Taiji
Published: April 2016

The contractile forces in individual cells drive the tissue processes, such as morphogenesis and wound healing, and maintain tissue integrity. In these processes, α-catenin molecule acts as a tension sensor at cadherin-based adherens junctions (AJs), accelerating the positive feedback of intercellular tension. Under tension, α-catenin is activated to recruit vinculin, which recruits actin filaments to AJs. In this study, we revealed how α-catenin retains its activated state while avoiding unfolding under tension. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy employing atomic force microscopy (AFM), we found that mechanically activated α-catenin fragment had higher mechanical stability than a non-activated fragment. The results of our experiments using mutated and segmented fragments showed that the key intramolecular interactions acted as a conformational switch. We also found that the conformation of α-catenin was reinforced by vinculin binding. We demonstrate that α-catenin adaptively changes its conformation under tension to a stable intermediate state, binds to vinculin, and finally settles into a more stable state reinforced by vinculin binding. Our data suggest that the plastic characteristics of α-catenin, revealed in response to both mechanical and biochemical cues, enable the functional-structural dynamics at the cellular and tissue levels.
Black Phosphorus Based Field Effect Transistors with Simultaneously Achieved Near Ideal Subthreshold Swing and High Hole Mobility at Room Temperature
Authors: Liu Xinke , Ang Kah-Wee , Yu Wenjie , He Jiazhu , Feng Xuewei , Liu Qiang , Jiang He , Dan Tang  , Wen Jiao , Lu Youming , Liu Wenjun , Cao Peijiang , Han Shun , Wu Jing , Liu Wenjun , Wang Xi , Zhu Deliang , He Zhubing
Published: April 2016

Black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as a promising two-dimensional (2D) material for next generation transistor applications due to its superior carrier transport properties. Among other issues, achieving reduced subthreshold swing and enhanced hole mobility simultaneously remains a challenge which requires careful optimization of the BP/gate oxide interface. Here, we report the realization of high performance BP transistors integrated with HfO2 high-k gate dielectric using a low temperature CMOS process. The fabricated devices were shown to demonstrate a near ideal subthreshold swing (SS) of ~69 mV/dec and a room temperature hole mobility of exceeding >400 cm2/Vs. These figure-of-merits are benchmarked to be the best-of-its-kind, which outperform previously reported BP transistors realized on traditional SiO2 gate dielectric. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further reveals the evidence of a more chemically stable BP when formed on HfO2 high-k as opposed to SiO2, which gives rise to a better interface quality that accounts for the SS and hole mobility improvement. These results unveil the potential of black phosphorus as an emerging channel material for future nanoelectronic device applications.
The Vpu-interacting Protein SGTA Regulates Expression of a Non-glycosylated Tetherin Species
Authors: Waheed Abdul A. , MacDonald Scott , Khan Maisha , Mounts Megan , Swiderski Maya , Xu Yue , Ye Yihong , Freed Eric O.
Published: April 2016

The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu enhances virus release by counteracting the host restriction factor tetherin. To further understand the role of host cell proteins in Vpu function, we carried out yeast two-hybrid screening and identified a previously reported Vpu-interacting host factor, small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein (SGTA). While RNAi-mediated depletion of SGTA did not significantly affect levels of tetherin or virus release efficiency, we observed that overexpression of SGTA inhibited HIV-1 release in a Vpu- and tetherin-independent manner. Overexpression of SGTA in the presence of Vpu, but not in its absence, resulted in a marked stabilization and cytosolic relocalization of a 23-kDa, non-glycosylated tetherin species. Coimmunoprecipitation studies indicated that non-glycosylated tetherin is stabilized through the formation of a ternary SGTA/Vpu/tetherin complex. This accumulation of non-glycosylated tetherin is due to inhibition of its degradation, independent of the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Because the SGTA-stabilized tetherin species is partially localized to the cytosol, we propose that overexpression of SGTA in the presence of Vpu blocks the translocation of tetherin across the ER membrane, resulting in cytosolic accumulation of a non-glycosylated tetherin species. Although our results do not provide support for a physiological function of SGTA in HIV-1 replication, they demonstrate that SGTA overexpression regulates tetherin expression and stability, thus providing insights into the function of SGTA in ER translocation and protein degradation.
Structure of FIV capsid C-terminal domain demonstrates lentiviral evasion of genetic fragility by coevolved substitutions
Authors: Khwaja Aya , Galilee Meytal , Marx Ailie , Alian Akram
Published: April 2016

Viruses use a strategy of high mutational rates to adapt to environmental and therapeutic pressures, circumventing the deleterious effects of random single-point mutations by coevolved compensatory mutations, which restore protein fold, function or interactions damaged by initial ones. This mechanism has been identified as contributing to drug resistance in the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein and especially its capsid proteolytic product, which forms the viral capsid core and plays multifaceted roles in the viral life cycle. Here, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of C-terminal domain of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) capsid and through interspecies analysis elucidate the structural basis of co-evolutionarily and spatially correlated substitutions in capsid sequences, which when otherwise uncoupled and individually substituted into HIV-1 capsid impair virion assembly and infectivity. The ability to circumvent the deleterious effects of single amino acid substitutions by cooperative secondary substitutions allows mutational flexibility that may afford viruses an important survival advantage. The potential of such interspecies structural analysis for preempting viral resistance by identifying such alternative but functionally equivalent patterns is discussed.
Determination of tantalum from tantalum oxide nanoparticle X-ray/CT contrast agents in rat tissues and bodily fluids by ICP-OES
Authors: Crowder Janell M. , Bates Noel , Roberts Jeannette , Torres Andrew S. , Bonitatibus Peter J.
Published: April 2016

Bias, precision, matrix effects, and limit of detection are presented for the determination of Ta resulting from Ta2O5nanoparticle diagnostic imaging agents in biologicals.
The antidepressant drug paroxetine as a new lead candidate in schistosome drug discovery
Authors: Neves Bruno Junior , Dantas Rafael Ferreira , Senger Mario Roberto , Valente Walter César Góes , Rezende-Neto João de Mello , Chaves Willian Távora , Kamentsky Lee , Carpenter Anne , Silva-Junior Floriano Paes , Andrade Carolina Horta
Published: April 2016

Paroxetine is a new anti-schistosomal lead with potent activity against schistosomula and adult life stages of S. mansoni.
Effective cytoplasmic release of siRNA from liposomal carriers by controlling the electrostatic interaction of siRNA with a charge-invertible peptide, in response to cytoplasmic pH
Authors: Itakura Shoko , Hama Susumu , Matsui Ryo , Kogure Kentaro
Published: April 2016

Effective cytoplasmic release of siRNA by a charge-invertible peptide.
Pair-eigenstates and mutual alignment of coupled molecular rotors in a magnetic field
Authors: Sharma Ketan , Friedrich Bretislav
Published: April 2016

We examine the rotational states of a pair of polar, inherently paramagnetic 2Σ molecules entangled by the electric dipole–dipole interaction and subject to a uniform magnetic field. We analyze the avoided crossings of the pair Zeeman levels and derive an analytic model that explains the molecules' mutual alignment.
How paramagnetic and diamagnetic LMOCs detect picric acid from surface water and the intracellular environment: a combined experimental and DFT-D3 study
Authors: Ghosh Pritam , Banerjee Priyabrata
Published: April 2016

Diamagnetic and paramagnetic luminescent metal organic complexes (LMOCs) have been reported for explosive and pollutant nitro aromatic (epNAC) recognition.
Reaction of a 2,4,6-triphenylphosphinine ferrate anion with electrophiles: a new route to phosphacyclohexadienyl complexes
Authors: Hoidn Christian M. , Wolf Robert
Published: April 2016

Electrophilic attack at π-coordinated 2,4,6-triphenylphosphinine afforded a range of novel complexes with substituted η5-phosphacyclohexadienyl ligands.
Synthesis and sensing applications of polyaniline nanocomposites: a review
Authors: Sen Tanushree , Mishra Satyendra , Shimpi Navinchandra G.
Published: April 2016

A comprehensive review on the synthesis of PANI nanocomposites and their applications as gas sensors and biosensors has been presented.
One-stage synthesis of FcP(O)(OC2H5)2from ferrocene and α-hydroxyethylphosphonate
Authors: Khrizanforov Mikhail , Strekalova Sofia , Kholin Kirill , Khrizanforova Vera , Grinenko Valeriya , Gryaznova Tatyana , Budnikova Yulia
Published: April 2016

A new approach is proposed for ferrocene phosphorylation using α-hydroxylalkylphosphonate as a “masked” phosphorylating agent, by electrochemical reduction of a ferrocene and (Me)2C(OH)P(O)(OC2H5)2mixture at −50 °C.
Sodium-ion nanomachining to shape microcrystals into nanostructures and tune their properties
Authors: Zhu Jian , Deng Da
Published: April 2016

A novel top-down electrochemical sodium-ion nanomachining approach is demonstrated to carve simple rhombohedral microparticles into high-order flower-like nanostructures to tune their magnetic properties.
Reaction control in heterogeneous catalysis using montmorillonite: switching between acid-catalysed and red-ox processes
Authors: Morales-Serna José Antonio , Frontana-Uribe Bernardo A. , Olguín Rosario , Gómez-Vidales Virginia , Lomas-Romero Leticia , Garcia-Ríos Erendira , Gaviño Ruben , Cárdenas Jorge
Published: April 2016

For a montmorillonite clay modified with a super-acid (CF3SO3H), two different modes of behaviour can take place simply by a judicious choice of reaction conditions.
Selective hydrogenation of paracetamol to acetamidocyclohexanone with silylated SiO2 supported Pd-based catalysts
Authors: Song Wenjing , Liu Xiuna , Jiang Shaoyang , Chen Zhou , Weng Weizheng , Rodríguez-Ramos I. , Yi Xiaodong , Fang Weiping
Published: April 2016

The decomposition of Pd–H species influences the hydrogenation activity and a positive effect on the selectivity of keto has been identified as due to the steric hindrances of the sily groups on the support.
Poly(norbornyl-NDIs) as a potential cathode-active material in rechargeable charge storage devices
Authors: Sasada Y. , Langford S. J. , Oyaizu K. , Nishide H.
Published: April 2016

Two pendant-type naphthalene diimide (NDI) polymers bearing a polynorbornene backbone were prepared and their electrochemical properties explored.
Pyrolyzed carbon with embedded NiO/Ni nanospheres for applications in microelectrodes
Authors: Yin Cong , He Liang , Wang Yunfei , Liu Zehua , Zhang Guobin , Zhao Kangning , Tang Chunjuan , Yan Mengyu , Han Yulai , Mai Liqiang
Published: April 2016

Photoresist, a frequently used material in existing microfabrication processes, can be utilized in carbon micro electro mechanical system (C-MEMS) since the patterned carbon micro/nano structures can be formed by pyrolysis of a patterned photoresist.
Rhodium-catalysed tandem dehydrogenative coupling–Michael addition: direct synthesis of phthalides from benzoic acids and alkenes
Authors: Renzetti Andrea , Nakazawa Hiroshi , Li Chao-Jun
Published: April 2016

Coupling of benzoic acids and alkenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a copper oxidant affords phthalides chemoselectively.
A comparative study of photovoltaic performance between non-fullerene and fullerene based organic solar cells
Authors: Jiang Bo , Zhang Xin , Zheng Yuanhui , Yu Gui , Yao Jiannian , Zhan Chuanlang
Published: April 2016

A perylene diimide dimer based non-fullerene acceptor shows a promising efficiency of 5.24% and 6.36% with PBDTTT-C-T and PBDT-TS1 as the donor, respectively.
Green light-induced apoptosis in cancer cells by a tetrapyridyl ruthenium prodrug offering two trans coordination sites
Authors: van Rixel V. H. S. , Siewert B. , Hopkins S. L. , Askes S. H. C. , Busemann A. , Siegler M. A. , Bonnet Sylvestre
Published: April 2016

In this work, two new photopharmacological ruthenium prodrugs are described that can be activated by green light. Cell death occurs via apoptosis; it is not a consequence of singlet oxygen generation, but of light-induced photosubstitution reactions.
In situ quantization of ferroferric oxide embedded in 3D microcarbon for ultrahigh performance sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Qi Li-Ya , Zhang Yi-Wei , Zuo Zi-Cheng , Xin Yue-Long , Yang Cheng-Kai , Wu Bin , Zhang Xin-Xiang , Zhou Heng-Hui
Published: April 2016

Through in situ quantization, Fe3O4 was uniformly dispersed in 3D microcarbon matrices of ultrafast and stable sodium ion batteries.
Method of moments wide‐band simulations of the microstrip circuits with second‐order Arnoldi reduced model
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Chen Rushan
Published: April 2016

An efficient reduced model of the method of moments based on the second‐order Arnoldi (SOAR) algorithm is proposed for the wide‐band simulations of the microstrip circuits. In order to construct the reduced model, the second‐order Taylor series is employed to expand the impedance matrix, and then the impedance matrix can be linearised with respect to the frequency with transformations. Thus a (SOAR) algorithm can be used to obtain the reduced model, which preserves the characteristics of the original model with predetermined error. The solutions of the reduced model can be obtained effectively at each frequency, and the surface currents of the original model can be obtained with a simple projection, thus the wideband interested parameters can be extracted.
In‐place similarity and its applications in image and video detail enhancement
Authors: Jiang He , Yang Jie
Published: April 2016

A low complexity but effective method in image and video detail enhancement – in‐place similarity is proposed. In‐place similarity is the statistic result of different kinds of nature image patches when similarity measurement is done in super resolution research, finding that patches in the upscale image have a good match around its original location in the corresponding lower ones. On the basis of the in‐place similarity, a simple assumption is made that detail layer is the high‐frequency component of twice search and patch match result. Then, images under the framework of super resolution techniques are enhanced. Unlike many current algorithms that need to adjust parameters for different images to acquire best outputs the approach mentioned here is adaptive. Moreover, many algorithms have outcome with intensity and contrast change, the algorithm proposed here can prevent images from over enhancement with obvious nature looking effect. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the algorithm mentioned here is simple with robust good performance both subjectively and objectively. It is particularly useful for practical applications and easily hardware implemented in FPGA, where input images require diverse detail textures.
Interference reduction via enzyme deployment for molecular communication
Authors: Yilmaz H.B. , Cho Y.‐J. , Guo W. , Chae C.‐B.
Published: April 2016

In a molecular communication via diffusion (MCvD) system, enzymes are known to reduce molecular signal interference caused by eliminating unwanted chemicals that persist in the system. An MCvD system with a fixed amount of enzymes around the spherical receiver is considered. Since the enzyme amount is fixed, increasing the size of the enzyme region increases the probability of entering the enzyme region while it decreases the effectiveness of the enzymes. Therefore, the size of the enzyme region needs to be optimised. Thus, the effect of system parameters on the optimal enzyme region radius is analysed.
Design of multiple‐input–multiple‐output radar waveforms for Rician target detection
Authors: Tang Bo , Tang Jun , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2016

This study addresses the waveform design problem of multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) radar. The goal is to improve the detection performance for the Rician targets. The authors first establish a general signal model, which can describe the returns by both statistical and colocated MIMO radar systems. Then they derive the associated optimal Neyman–Pearson detector and find the difficulty of optimising the waveforms that maximise the probability of detection (for a fixed probability of false alarm). Alternatively, they employ the relative entropy associated with the detection problem as the design metric. In order to tackle the non‐convex waveform optimisation problem, they propose a minorisation‐maximisation‐based design method. They prove that the proposed method can increase the relative entropy (of the devised waveforms) at each iteration and guarantees convergence. Finally, they include several numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Variational sparse Bayesian learning for optimal design of interleaved linear arrays with region constraint
Authors: Shen Haiou , Wang Buhong , Li Longjun
Published: April 2016

An innovative approach based on the variational sparse Bayesian learning method is presented for the optimal design of interleaved linear arrays with a fewer number of subarray elements. In this study, with a consideration of practical array assembling, the acceptable minimum element spacing can be freely adjusted and used to construct the constrained regions for subarray interleaving. The design of interleaved sparse arrays is then recast as a sparse constrained optimisation problem under region constraint, and a fast relevance vector machine is utilised to estimate the sparse weight vectors, with which the number of the selected antenna elements as well as their positions and excitations can be obtained. A set of representative numerical simulations validate the high accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed method.
Exploring the free energy surface using ab initio molecular dynamics
Authors: Samanta Amit , Morales Miguel A. , Schwegler Eric
Published: April 2016

Efficient exploration of configuration space and identification of metastable structures in condensed phase systems are challenging from both computational and algorithmic perspectives. In this regard, schemes that utilize a set of pre-defined order parameters to sample the relevant parts of the configuration space [L. Maragliano and E. Vanden-Eijnden, Chem. Phys. Lett. 426, 168 (2006); J. B. Abrams and M. E. Tuckerman, J. Phys. Chem. B 112, 15742 (2008)] have proved useful. Here, we demonstrate how these order-parameter aided temperature accelerated sampling schemes can be used within the Born-Oppenheimer and the Car-Parrinello frameworks of ab initio molecular dynamics to efficiently and systematically explore free energy surfaces, and search for metastable states and reaction pathways. We have used these methods to identify the metastable structures and reaction pathways in SiO2 and Ti. In addition, we have used the string method [W. E, W. Ren, and E. Vanden-Eijnden, Phys. Rev. B 66, 052301 (2002); L. Maragliano et al., J. Chem. Phys. 125, 024106 (2006)] within the density functional theory to study the melting pathways in the high pressure cotunnite phase of SiO2 and the hexagonal closed packed to face centered cubic phase transition in Ti.
Vibrational spectroscopy via the Caldeira-Leggett model with anharmonic system potentials
Authors: Gottwald Fabian , Ivanov Sergei D. , Kühn Oliver
Published: April 2016

The Caldeira-Leggett (CL) model, which describes a system bi-linearly coupled to a harmonic bath, has enjoyed popularity in condensed phase spectroscopy owing to its utmost simplicity. However, the applicability of the model to cases with anharmonic system potentials, as it is required for the description of realistic systems in solution, is questionable due to the presence of the invertibility problem [F. Gottwald et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 6, 2722 (2015)] unless the system itself resembles the CL model form. This might well be the case at surfaces or in the solid regime, which we here confirm for a particular example of an iodine molecule in the atomic argon environment under high pressure. For this purpose we extend the recently proposed Fourier method for parameterizing linear generalized Langevin dynamics [F. Gottwald et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 244110 (2015)] to the non-linear case based on the CL model and perform an extensive error analysis. In order to judge on the applicability of this model in advance, we give practical empirical criteria and discuss the effect of the potential renormalization term. The obtained results provide evidence that the CL model can be used for describing a potentially broad class of systems.
Formation of a pinched electron beam and an intense x-ray source in radial foil rod-pinch diodes
Authors: Sorokin S. A.
Published: April 2016

Low-impedance rod-pinch diode experiments were performed on the MIG generator at Institute of High Current Electronics using an aluminum foil placed between concentric electrodes of a rod-pinch diode. The J × B force accelerates the foil plasma in the axial and radial directions. After the foil plasma is pushed beyond the tip of the rod, a vacuum gap and a pinched electron beam form. The anode and cathode plasmas expansion and the following plasmas sweeping up by the J × B force can result in repetitive gap formations and closures, which are evident in the several successive intense x-ray pulses. A 0.7-mm-size point-like x-ray source was realized using a 1-mm-diameter tungsten rod, tapered to a point over the last 10 mm. The results of experiments show that the foil-shorted rod-pinch diode configuration has the potential to form low-impedance diodes, to shorten x-ray pulse duration and to realize submillimeter spot-size x-ray sources.
Experimental demonstration of revival of oscillations from death in coupled nonlinear oscillators
Authors: Senthilkumar D. V. , Suresh K. , Chandrasekar V. K. , Zou Wei , Dana Syamal K. , Kathamuthu Thamilmaran , Kurths Jürgen
Published: April 2016

We experimentally demonstrate that a processing delay, a finite response time, in the coupling can revoke the stability of the stable steady states, thereby facilitating the revival of oscillations in the same parameter space where the coupled oscillators suffered the quenching of oscillation. This phenomenon of reviving of oscillations is demonstrated using two different prototype electronic circuits. Further, the analytical critical curves corroborate that the spread of the parameter space with stable steady state is diminished continuously by increasing the processing delay. Finally, the death state is completely wiped off above a threshold value by switching the stability of the stable steady state to retrieve sustained oscillations in the same parameter space. The underlying dynamical mechanism responsible for the decrease in the spread of the stable steady states and the eventual reviving of oscillation as a function of the processing delay is explained using analytical results.
Atomic partial charges on CH3NH3PbI3 from first-principles electronic structure calculations
Authors: Madjet Mohamed E. , El-Mellouhi Fedwa , Carignano Marcelo A. , Berdiyorov Golibjon R.
Published: April 2016

We calculated the partial charges in methylammonium (MA) lead-iodide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 in its different crystalline phases using different first-principles electronic charge partitioning approaches, including the Bader, ChelpG, and density-derived electrostatic and chemical (DDEC) schemes. Among the three charge partitioning methods, the DDEC approach provides chemically intuitive and reliable atomic charges for this material, which consists of a mixture of transition metals, halide ions, and organic molecules. The DDEC charges are also found to be robust against the use of hybrid functionals and/or upon inclusion of spin–orbit coupling or dispersive interactions. We calculated explicitly the atomic charges with a special focus on the dipole moment of the MA molecules within the perovskite structure. The value of the dipole moment of the MA is reduced with respect to the isolated molecule due to charge redistribution involving the inorganic cage. DDEC charges and dipole moment of the organic part remain nearly unchanged upon its rotation within the octahedral cavities. Our findings will be of both fundamental and practical importance, as the accurate and consistent determination of the atomic charges is important in order to understand the average equilibrium distribution of the electrons and to help in the development of force fields for larger scale atomistic simulations to describe static, dynamic, and thermodynamic properties of the material.
Resistive memory effects in BiFeO3 single crystals controlled by transverse electric fields
Authors: Kawachi S. , Kuroe H. , Ito T. , Miyake A. , Tokunaga M.
Published: April 2016

The effects of electric fields perpendicular to the c-axis of the trigonal cell in single crystals of BiFeO3 are investigated through magnetization and resistance measurements. Magnetization and resistance exhibit hysteretic changes under applied electric fields, which can be ascribed to the reorientation of the magnetoelectric domains. Samples are repetitively switched between high- and low-resistance states by changing the polarity of the applied electric fields over 20 000 cycles at room temperature. These results demonstrate the potential of BiFeO3 for use in non-volatile memory devices.
Side-illuminated tip-enhanced Raman study of edge phonon in graphene at the electrical breakdown limit
Authors: Okuno Yoshito , Vantasin Sanpon , Yang In-Sang , Son Jangyup , Hong Jongill , Tanaka Yoshito Yannick , Nakata Yasushi , Ozaki Yukihiro , Naka Nobuyuki
Published: April 2016

Nanoscale integration of graphene into a circuit requires a stable performance under high current density. However, the effects of the current density that approach the electronic breakdown limit of graphene are not well understood. We explored the effects of a high current density, close to the electronic breakdown limit of 10 A/cm (∼3.0 × 108 A/cm2), on graphene, using tip-enhanced Raman scattering. The results showed that the high current density induces Raman bands at 1456 and 1530 cm−1, which were assigned to edge-phonon modes originating from zigzag and armchair edges. This led us to conclude that C–C bonds are cleaved due to the high current density, leaving edge structures behind, which were detected through the observation of localized phonons.
First-order patterning transitions on a sphere as a route to cell morphology
Authors: Lavrentovich Maxim O. , Horsley Eric M. , Radja Asja , Sweeney Alison M. , Kamien Randall D.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Pollen grains, insect eggshells, and mite carapaces of different species exhibit an amazing variety of surface patterning, despite having similar developmental characteristics and material properties. This pattern formation is robust enough to warrant its use in taxonomic classification. Focusing on pollen, we propose a theory of transitions to spatially modulated phases on spheres to explain both the variability and robustness of the patterns. We find that the sphere geometry allows for a wider variety of patterns compared with planar surfaces. A species may robustly “choose” among the possibilities by locally nucleating a patch of the pattern. We expect our theory to describe a wide variety of pattern-forming processes on spherical geometries.
The two-dimensional Contou-Carrère symbol and reciprocity laws
Authors: Osipov Denis , Zhu Xinwen
Published: April 2016

We define a two-dimensional Contou-Carrère symbol, which is a deformation of the two-dimensional tame symbol and is a natural generalization of the (usual) one-dimensional Contou-Carrère symbol. We give several constructions of this symbol and investigate its properties. Using higher categorical methods, we prove reciprocity laws on algebraic surfaces for this symbol. We also relate the two-dimensional Contou-Carrère symbol to the two-dimensional class field theory.
Incidence of Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Illnesses in Children 6–59 Months Old During Four Seasons
Authors: Simpson Melissa D. , Kieke Burney A. , Sundaram Maria E. , McClure David L. , Meece Jennifer K. , Sifakis Frangiscos , Gasser Robert A. , Belongia Edward A.
Published: April 2016

Background.  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are significant causes of seasonal respiratory illness in children. The incidence of influenza and RSV hospitalization is well documented, but the incidence of medically attended, laboratory-confirmed illness has not been assessed in a well defined community cohort.

Methods.  Children aged 6–59 months with medically attended acute respiratory illness were prospectively enrolled during the 2006–2007 through 2009–2010 influenza seasons in a Wisconsin community cohort. Nasal swabs were tested for RSV and influenza by multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The population incidence of medically attended RSV and influenza was estimated separately and standardized to weeks 40 through 18 of each season.

Results.  The cohort included 2800–3073 children each season. There were 2384 children enrolled with acute respiratory illness; 627 (26%) were positive for RSV and 314 (13%) for influenza. The mean age was 28 months (standard deviation [SD] = 15) for RSV-positive and 38 months (SD = 16) for influenza-positive children. Seasonal incidence (cases per 10 000) was 1718 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1602–1843) for RSV and 768 (95% CI, 696–848) for influenza. Respiratory syncytial virus incidence was highest among children 6–11 (2927) and 12–23 months old (2377). Influenza incidence was highest (850) in children 24–59 months old. The incidence of RSV was higher than influenza across all seasons and age groups.

Conclusions.  The incidence of medically attended RSV was highest in children 6–23 months old, and it was consistently higher than influenza. The burden of RSV remains high throughout the first 2 years of life.
Trevor’s disease: up-to-date review of the literature with case series
Authors: Gökkuş Kemal , Atmaca Halil , Sagtas Ergin , Saylik Murat , Aydin Ahmet T.
Published: April 2016

Trevor’s disease, also known as dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, is a rare nonhereditary skeletal development disorder that affects epiphyses. This type of dysplastic lesion was first reported by Mouchet and Berlot in 1926 under the name ‘tarsomegaly’. The main aim of this study is to raise awareness of Trevor’s disease among orthopedic surgeons and underline some important aspects of treatment by a detailed presentation of four different possible manifestations of the disease. Four different treatment methods were used on four different patients (three localized in hindfoot ankle region and one classic Trevor’s disease case). Treatment methods, localization of the sides involved, different characteristics of entire lower extremity, asymetry, distal femoral lateral epiphysis involvement, and hip involvement were analyzed thoroughly and the results were compared with those found in the most recent literature. Of our four patients, three were localized (hind foot ankle) cases and one was a classic dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica with hemimelic distribution of the entire lower extremity. We used arthroscopic resection, observation, excision, and temporary hemiepiphysiodesis treatment methods in each of our cases. Clinical follow-up results were reported to be between good and excellent. In sum, our opinion is that the treatment for this condition should be customized according to lesion localization and lesion size. Majority of cases with ankle involvement show good prognosis following excision. Observation is also an alternative in patients who refuse surgery. If an intra-articular lesion is present, the surgeon should perform an arthroscopy for assessment of lesion surface. If the lesion is adapted to the joint curvature, it should be left alone and hemiepiphysiodesis should be considered for correction. The most risky involvements that are related to deformities and limb-length discrepancies are the hip and the knee. This is usually the result of corrective osteotomy targeted at the supracondylar femoral area in immature skeletons. Hemiepiphysiodesis might be a more feasible option in those cases as it provides the surgeon with the choice to remove the staples when necessary.
Progression of stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans after 10 years of meniscectomy of the discoid lateral meniscus
Authors: Ishikawa Masakazu , Adachi Nobuo , Nakamae Atsuo , Deie Masataka , Ochi Mitsuo
Published: April 2016

Ten years after a meniscectomy of discoid lateral meniscus, a 19-year-old man presented a loose body in his right knee with limited range of motion. At the time of meniscectomy, a stable osteochondritis dissecans in the lateral femoral condyle with a T2 high area in MRI was recognized; however, the lesion was left without surgical treatment. We performed fixation of a fragment and osteochondral grafting. Surgical treatment for stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans still remains controversial; however, drilling will help to increase the healing potential and to prevent lesion progression, especially after meniscectomy that alters the mechanical stress on immature osteochondral structures.
Evaluation of upper extremity function of displaced diaphyseal humeral fractures in children treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing: preliminary results
Authors: Canavese Federico , Marengo Lorenza , Samba Antoine , Rousset Marie , Mansour Mounira , Andreacchio Antonio , Dimeglio Alain
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcome of displaced humeral shaft fractures in children and adolescents treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) and to evaluate upper extremity function using the Quick-DASH questionnaire. Correction was maintained over time in 14 of 16 patients. All patients were pain free at last follow-up. Shoulder and elbow ranges of motion were comparable with the noninjured side. The mean Quick-DASH score was 1. This study reports good functional outcomes in children with displaced humeral shaft fractures surgically treated with ESIN, even in the presence of residual deformity. ESIN enables stable reduction, good rotational control, and good functional outcome.
Cancer mortality disparities among New York City’s Upper Manhattan neighborhoods
Authors: Hashim Dana , Manczuk Marta , Holcombe Randall , Lucchini Roberto , Boffetta Paolo
Published: April 2016

The East Harlem (EH), Central Harlem (CH), and Upper East Side (UES) neighborhoods of New York City are geographically contiguous to tertiary medical care, but are characterized by cancer mortality rate disparities. This ecological study aims to disentangle the effects of race and neighborhood on cancer deaths. Mortality-to-incidence ratios were determined using neighborhood-specific data from the New York State Cancer Registry and Vital Records Office (2007–2011). Ecological data on modifiable cancer risk factors from the New York City Community Health Survey (2002–2006) were stratified by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood and modeled against stratified mortality rates to disentangle race/ethnicity and neighborhood using logistic regression. Significant gaps in mortality rates were observed between the UES and both CH and EH across all cancers, favoring UES. Mortality-to-incidence ratios of both CH and EH were similarly elevated in the range of 0.41–0.44 compared with UES (0.26–0.30). After covariate and multivariable adjustment, black race (odds ratio=1.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.46–1.93) and EH residence (odds ratio=1.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.35) remained significant risk factors in all cancers’ combined mortality. Mortality disparities remain among EH, CH, and UES neighborhoods. Both neighborhood and race are significantly associated with cancer mortality, independent of each other. Multivariable adjusted models that include Community Health Survey risk factors show that this mortality gap may be avoidable through community-based public health interventions.
Serious Vascular Complications after Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Qiqing , Liu Yu , Fan Dongliang
Published: April 2016

There has been an increased global demand for dermal filler injections in recent years. Although hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers generally have a good safety profile, serious vascular complications have been reported. Here we present a typical case of skin necrosis following a nonsurgical rhinoplasty using hyaluronic acid filler. Despite various rescuing managements, unsightly superficial scars were left. It is critical for plastic surgeons and dermatologists to be familiar with the vascular anatomy and the staging of vascular complications. Any patients suspected to experience a vascular complication should receive early management under close monitoring. Meanwhile, the potentially devastating outcome caused by illegal practice calls for stricter regulations and law enforcement.
Vascularized Nerve Bypass Graft: A Case Report of an Additional Treatment for Poor Sensory Recovery
Authors: Usami Satoshi , Tanaka Kentaro , Ohkubo Alisa , Okazaki Mutsumi
Published: April 2016

End-to-side neurorrhaphy has proven effective in basic research and in clinical application. One of the methods of end-to-side neurorrhaphy, nerve bypass technique, has been reported and axon regeneration has been proven. In clinical application, the utility of the nerve bypass technique has been revealed in some cases; however, these bypasses were performed using nonvascularized nerves. We initially used the vascularized nerve bypass graft technique with the sural nerve as a secondary clinical procedure after median nerve injury in a 61-year-old patient and achieved motor and sensory nerve regeneration, as supported by a nerve conduction study and clinical sensory test. This technique has the potential to become one of the choices for salvage procedure of severe nerve injury.
Digital Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
Authors: MOSELEY TANYA W.
Published: April 2016

Breast imaging technology has advanced significantly from the 1930s until the present. American women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer. Mammography has been proven in multiple clinical trials to reduce breast cancer mortality. Although a mainstay of breast imaging and improved from film-screen mammography, digital mammography is not a perfect examination. Overlapping obscuring breast tissue limits mammographic interpretation. Breast digital tomosynthesis reduces and/or eliminates overlapping obscuring breast tissue. Although there are some disadvantages with digital breast tomosynthesis, this relatively lost-cost technology may be used effectively in the screening and diagnostic settings.
Noninvasive Markers to Assess Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Czul Frank , Bhamidimarri Kalyan R.
Published: April 2016

Chronic liver disease represents a major public health problem, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Their prognosis and management greatly depends on the amount and progression of liver fibrosis with time and the risk of development of cirrhosis. Historically, liver biopsy was considered to be the gold standard for the detection of fibrosis. Nevertheless, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure that has limitations in terms of patient acceptance, risk-benefit ratio, cost-effectiveness, and its availability in various geographic regions. Moreover, it is a questionable gold standard due to significant sampling error and intraobserver and interobserver variability. These limitations have led to the development of noninvasive techniques for assessing the presence and the degree of liver fibrosis. This review aims to revise the most recent data from the literature about noninvasive methods useful in the evaluation of liver fibrosis.
Assessment of Fecal ASCA Measurement as a Biomarker of Crohn Disease in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Tang Vivian , Valim Clarissa , Moman Rajat , Richman Ashley , Zhou Jing , Ramgopal Veena , Albert Rachel , Boone James H. , Rufo Paul A.
Published: April 2016

Objectives:

A simple and reliable biomarker for Crohn disease (CD) would be a valuable clinical tool. We hypothesized that anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) may be present in the stool of patients with CD. Accordingly, we measured ASCA in the stool and serum of children and adolescents with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods:

We included 114 patients 19 years or younger (73 boys) with IBD, including 83 patients with CD and 31 subjects without CD (28 with ulcerative colitis, and 3 patients with suspected IBD but without evidence of chronic inflammation at the time of their endoscopy and colonoscopy). Fecal and serum samples were analyzed using semiquantitative ASCA enzyme‐linked immunoassays.

Results:

Median ASCA levels were significantly elevated in the stool (P = 0.04) and serum (P = 0.0008) of patients with CD, when compared to levels observed in patients without CD. Fecal ASCA levels were similarly more elevated in patients with active CD, relative to levels observed in patients with active ulcerative colitis and acute colitis (P = 0.004). Among patients with CD, fecal and serum ASCA levels were higher (P = 0.01 and 0.01, respectively) in patients with more recently diagnosed disease.

Conclusions:

Fecal ASCA levels are higher in patients with active and newly diagnosed disease. Data from the present study suggest that measurement of fecal ASCA levels could represent a novel noninvasive biomarker for use in evaluating patients with suspected or known IBD. Further studies are necessary to better define the value of fecal ASCA measurements in identifying CD and response to therapy in children and young adults.
Implementing Co-Regulated Feeding with Mothers of Preterm Infants
Authors: Thoyre Suzanne M. , Hubbard Carol , Park Jinhee , Pridham Karen , McKechnie Anne
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to describe implementation of the Co-Regulated Feeding Intervention (CoReg), when provided by mothers and guided by intervention nurses trained in methods of guided participation (GP). Co-regulated feeding intervention aims to prevent stress during feeding and ease the challenge very preterm (VP) infants experience coordinating breathing and swallowing during the early months. Guided participation is a participatory learning method to guide the complex learning required for mothers.

Study Design and Methods:

Sixteen mothers of 17 VP infants participated. Each mother received a median of five intervention sessions during the infant's transition to oral feeding. Intervention field notes, audio recordings of the sessions, and video recordings of the nurse-guided feedings were reviewed, organized, and content analyzed to evaluate implementation.

Results:

The co-regulated feeding intervention was well received by mothers; enrollment, participation, and retention rates were high. Most mothers chose to spread out the intervention sessions across the transition period. Scheduling sessions was the greatest barrier. Mothers had competing demands and infant readiness to eat could not be predicted. The top five issues identified as needing attention by the mother or nurse included reading cues, coregulating breathing, providing motoric stability, regulating milk flow, and providing rest periods. Main GP strategies included joint attention with the mother to the dyad's feeding challenges, auditory assessment of breathing and swallowing, and reflection with planning for future feedings using video playback.

Clinical Implications:

Nurse presence while mothers feed affords rich opportunities to guide coregulated, cue-based feeding. Co-regulated feeding intervention would be enhanced if mothers are guided by the bedside nurse.
Brief Report: Seroprevalence of Pertussis Infection in HIV-Infected Adults in the United States
Authors: Troy Stephanie B. , Rossheim Alexandria E-B. , Hilliard DaShaunda D. , Cunningham Tina D.
Published: April 2016

Pertussis is a resurgent infection that can cause significant morbidity among adults. CD4+ T cells are necessary for its clearance, but pertussis studies in HIV-infected adults are limited to case reports. We analyzed stored serum samples from 299 HIV-infected adults to determine the seroprevalence of pertussis among this population. We found that 4.3% of subjects had serologic evidence of recent pertussis infection, and annual incidence of pertussis infection among subjects not vaccinated against pertussis in the last 5 years was 10.5%–17.5%. Prospective studies are needed to define the clinical presentation of pertussis in HIV-infected adults and to optimize vaccination strategies.
Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia in the Absence of Ptosis
Authors: Bucelli Robert C. , Lee Michael S. , McClelland Collin M.
Published: April 2016

Classically defined as bilateral, symmetric, and progressive ophthalmoparesis with myopathic ptosis, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) rarely has been reported in the absence of ptosis. We describe 2 patients with CPEO and without ptosis who presented with binocular diplopia related to small-angle esodeviations, poor fusional amplitudes, and slow saccades. In both cases, hematological studies and neuroimaging ruled out alternative etiologies, whereas muscle biopsy showed findings of mitochondrial myopathy.
Minimally disruptive needle insertion: a biologically inspired solution
Authors: Leibinger Alexander , Oldfield Matthew J. , Rodriguez y Baena Ferdinando
Published: April 2016

The mobility of soft tissue can cause inaccurate needle insertions. Particularly in steering applications that employ thin and flexible needles, large deviations can occur between pre-operative images of the patient, from which a procedure is planned, and the intra-operative scene, where a procedure is executed. Although many approaches for reducing tissue motion focus on external constraining or manipulation, little attention has been paid to the way the needle is inserted and actuated within soft tissue. Using our biologically inspired steerable needle, we present a method of reducing the disruptiveness of insertions by mimicking the burrowing mechanism of ovipositing wasps. Internal displacements and strains in three dimensions within a soft tissue phantom are measured at the needle interface, using a scanning laser-based image correlation technique. Compared to a conventional insertion method with an equally sized needle, overall displacements and strains in the needle vicinity are reduced by 30% and 41%, respectively. The results show that, for a given net speed, needle insertion can be made significantly less disruptive with respect to its surroundings by employing our biologically inspired solution. This will have significant impact on both the safety and targeting accuracy of percutaneous interventions along both straight and curved trajectories.