bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-performance photodetectors based on bandgap engineered novel layer GaSe0.5Te0.5 nanoflakes
Authors: Zhong Xuying , Zhou Weichang , Zhou Yong , Zhou Fang , Liu Chang , Yin Yanling , Peng Yuehua , Tang Dongsheng
Published: June 2016

Layered two-dimensional (2D) gallium monochalcogenide (GaX, X = S, Se, Te) semiconductor crystals hold great promise for potential electronics and photonics application.
Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate-assisted synthesis of a carbon-cloth-based polyaniline flexible material for supercapacitors
Authors: Guan Bing , Tong Jie , Zhang Huaihao , Ma Chi , Hu Bin , Zhao Jing , Cheng Changjing
Published: June 2016

(A and B) Mechanism of SDBS with different concentrations on the PANI chain, (C and D) impact of SDBS on the formation of granular PANI.
Synthesis and self-assembly behavior of pH-responsive star-shaped POSS-(PCL-P(DMAEMA-co-PEGMA))16 inorganic/organic hybrid block copolymer for the controlled intracellular delivery of doxorubicin
Authors: Li Lei , Lu Beibei , Fan Qikui , Wu Jianning , Wei Lulu , Hou Jun , Guo Xuhong , Liu Zhiyong
Published: June 2016

Illustration of pH-responsive self-assembly of the star-shaped POSS-(PCL-P(DMAEMA-co-PEGMA))16 copolymer for the efficient intracellular release of anti-cancer drugs triggered by the acidic microenvironment inside the tumor tissue.
Heterogeneous bromination of alkenes using Bi(iii) polybromide complexes as {Br2} source
Authors: Adonin Sergey A. , Perekalin Dmitry S. , Gorokh Igor D. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Sokolov Maxim N. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: June 2016

A new polybromide Bi(iii) complex (PyH)3{[Bi2Br9](Br2)} was synthesized, characterized by XRD, and used for selective bromination of alkenes.
Achieving enhanced NIR light-induced toxicity via novel hybrid magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Qi Bingxue , Li Qi , Miao Lining
Published: June 2016

Novel zinc-doped magnetic nanoparticles have been rationally designed and applied as promising candidates for phototherapies of cancer in vitro.
Deposition of hydroxyapatite–incorporated TiO2 coating on titanium using plasma electrolytic oxidation coupled with electrophoretic deposition
Authors: Ulasevich Sviatlana A. , Kulak Anatoly I. , Poznyak Sergey K. , Karpushenkov Sergey A. , Lisenkov Aleksey D. , Skorb Ekaterina V.
Published: June 2016

K2[TiO(C2O4)2] is decomposed by micro-arcs on the anode producing TiO2 while hydroxyapatite particles are incorporated into TiO2 coating during electrophoretic deposition.
Kinetics and thermodynamics studies for bisphenol S adsorption on reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Li Lingyun , Xu Donghui , Pei Zhiguo
Published: June 2016

The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics of bisphenol S (BPS) on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were investigated.
(+)- and (−)-ganodilactone, a pair of meroterpenoid dimers with pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities from the macromycete Ganoderma leucocontextum
Authors: Chen He-Ping , Zhao Zhen-Zhu , Zhang Yu , Bai Xue , Zhang Ling , Liu Ji-Kai
Published: June 2016

(+)- and (−)-ganodilactone (1), a pair of novel meroterpenoid dimers possessing a unique 5′H-spiro[chroman-4,2′-furan]-2,5′-dione ring system were discovered from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma leucocontextum.
Adsorption characteristics of graphene oxide nanosheets on cement
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Rumin , Yao Hao , Wang Zhujun , Zheng Shuirong
Published: June 2016

The adsorption characteristics of graphene oxide nanosheets on cement were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), total organic carbon (TOC), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and XPS analyses.
Substrate-dependent resistance decrease of graphene by ultraviolet-ozone charge doping
Authors: Liu Lihui , Cao Zhejian , Wang Wei , Wang Ergang , Cao Yu , Zhan Zhaoyao
Published: June 2016

Graphene's resistance can decrease as much as 80% via UVO treatment depending on a substrates' band gap and photogenerated charge carriers.
Covalent surface modification of α-MnO2 nanorods with l-valine amino acid by solvothermal strategy, preparation of PVA/α-MnO2-l-valine nanocomposite films and study of their morphology, thermal, mechanical, Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) adsorption properties
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Motirasoul Forough
Published: June 2016

The surface of α-manganese dioxide (α-MnO2) nanorods was modified chemically with l-valine amino acid by a solvothermal strategy.
Synthesis and characterization of 2′,3′-epoxy propyl-N-methyl-2-oxopyrrolidinium salicylate ionic liquid and study of its interaction with water or methanol
Authors: Vasanthakumar A. , Bahadur I. , Redhi G. , Gengan R. M.
Published: June 2016

Important physico-chemical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) can be manipulated by adjusting the nature of the cation or anion.
Using water-mimic organic compounds to activate guest inclusion by initially dry beta-cyclodextrin
Authors: Gatiatulin Askar K. , Ziganshin Marat A. , Yumaeva Goulshat F. , Gubaidullin Aidar T. , Suwińska Kinga , Gorbatchuk Valery V.
Published: June 2016

Optimal conditions were found enabling anhydrous beta-cyclodextrin (bCD) to include target guests using small monofunctional organic compounds instead of water.
Role of phase transformation of barium perborates in the effective removal of boron from aqueous solution via chemical oxo-precipitation
Authors: Lin Jui-Yen , Shih Yu-Jen , Hsieh Tsung-Yu , Huang Yao-Hui
Published: June 2016

This work developed a chemical oxo-precipitation (COP) process for the removal of boron from aqueous solution.
Microfluidic structures for large-scale manufacture combining photo-patternable materials
Authors: Raia L. , Rondelli N. , Bianchessi M. , Carminati M.
Published: June 2016

Novel use of SiNR, a robust wafer bonding dry adhesive, for industrial and automatable fabrication of microfluidics compatible with DNA analysis.
Synthesis and hydrogenation of anatase TiO2 microspheres composed of porous single crystals for significantly improved photocatalytic activity
Authors: Niu Jinan , Shen Shaishai , Zhou Lu , Liu Zhangsheng , Feng Peizhong , Ou Xuemei , Qiang Yinghuai
Published: June 2016

We developed a facile synthesis of anatase microspheres composed of porous single crystals in the absence of preseeding treatment, and examined the hydrogenation effect of porous TiO2 on the photocatalytic activity.
A near-superhydrophobic surface reduces hemolysis of blood flow in tubes
Authors: Lai Chang Quan , Chia Wei Shen Joel , Chua Wei Cheng Wilson , Yap Choon Hwai
Published: June 2016

Near-superhydrophobic surfaces trap circulating blood in Cassie–Baxter state, thereby reducing the contact area available for shearing of erythrocytes to take place.
Sucrose-templated nanoporous BiFeO3 for promising magnetically recoverable multifunctional environment-purifying applications: adsorption and photocatalysis
Authors: Teng Chang-jiu , Xie Dan , Sun Meng-xing , Xu Jian-long , Zhao Chun-song , Yang Pu , Sun Yi-lin , Zhang Cheng , Li Xian
Published: June 2016

​Exhibited high magnetic performance (Ms = 6.37 emu g−1) and a favorable magnetic recycling ratio, nanoporous BiFeO3 materials can be regarded as a candidate for promising recoverable multifunctional environment-purifying applications in the future.
Temperature-responsive hydroxypropylcellulose based thermochromic material and its smart window application
Authors: Yang Yong-Sheng , Zhou Yang , Yin Chiang Freddy Boey , Long Yi
Published: June 2016

Thermochromic materials are the most cost effective smart window materials and the organic hydrogel material has large solar modulating ability (ΔTsol) and the luminous transmittance (Tlum) compared with inorganic VO2based materials.
Exhaustive 3D-QSAR analyses as a computational tool to explore the potency and selectivity profiles of thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives as PDE7 inhibitors
Authors: Cichero Elena , Brullo Chiara , Bruno Olga , Fossa Paola
Published: June 2016

In the development of selective ligands binding to specific PDE isoforms, the ligand-based approach proved to be a useful tool to better investigate the potency and selectivity profiles of PDE7 inhibitors.
PAMAM dendrimer based targeted nano-carrier for bio-imaging and therapeutic agents
Authors: Mekuria Shewaye Lakew , Debele Tilahun Ayane , Tsai Hsieh-Chih
Published: June 2016

In the last several decades, researchers have focused on developing suitable drug carriers to deliver pharmaceutical agents to treat cancer diseases.
Copper-catalyzed tandem reaction in ionic liquid: an efficient reusable catalyst and solvent media for the synthesis of fused poly hetero cyclic compounds
Authors: Naidu Shivaji , Reddy Sabbasani Rajasekhara
Published: June 2016

Herein we report a copper catalyzed tandem reaction for the therapeutically important pyrrolo-/pyrido[2,1-b] benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-1-ones using 2-aminobezyl alcohols, green solvent medium, alkynoic acids, under ligand and base free conditions.
Synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyridazines via catalyst-free self [4 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ generated 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Zhang Li , Chen Qingqing , Lu Tao , Zhou Qingfa
Published: June 2016

An efficient method for the synthesis of structurally diverse functionalized tetrahydropyridazines via self [4 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ generated 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes was developed, which may play an important role in drug discovery.
Preparation and characterization of a composite based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and cigarette filters: adsorption studies and kinetics of phenylbutazone in aqueous media
Authors: Nascimento Tienne Aparecida , Avelar Dutra Flávia Viana , Pires Bruna Carneiro , Teixeira Tarley César Ricardo , Mano Valdir , Borges Keyller Bastos
Published: June 2016

PAni–PPy–CFs composite was prepared by a static one-step triple-phase interfacial reaction, in which the PAni and PPy particles were formed and aggregated on CFs resulting in a composite with fibrous domains and good adsorption proprieties.
Improved synthesis of SrLiAl3N4:Eu2+ phosphor using complex nitride raw material
Authors: Kim S. W. , Hasegawa T. , Hasegawa S. , Yamanashi R. , Nakagawa H. , Toda K. , Ishigaki T. , Uematsu K. , Sato M.
Published: June 2016

Narrow band deep-red emission SrLiAl3N4:Eu2+ phosphor was effectively synthesized using complex nitride Sr3Al2N4 and Li3AlN2 as raw materials. The phosphor exhibited strong deep-red emission peaking at 654 nm under excitation at 450 nm.
Novel quinoxaline based chemosensors with selective dual mode of action: nucleophilic addition and host–guest type complex formation
Authors: Ishtiaq Marium , Munir Iqra , al-Rashida Mariya , Maria Maria , Ayub Khurshid , Iqbal Jamshed , Ludwig Ralf , Khan Khalid Mohammed , Ali Syed Abid , Hameed Abdul
Published: June 2016

New quinoxalinium salts1–5have been exploited as chemosensorsvianaked eye, UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence quenching and1H NMR experiments.
Mesoscale aggregation properties of C60 in toluene and chlorobenzene
Authors: Guo Rong-Hao , Hua Chi-Chung , Lin Po-Chang , Wang Ting-Yu , Chen Show-An
Published: June 2016

Solvent-induced, nanoscale aggregate units lead to a hierarchy of mesoscale aggregation features as revealed by multiscale experimental schemes.
Metal–organic framework thin films: electrochemical fabrication techniques and corresponding applications & perspectives
Authors: Li Wei-Jin , Tu Min , Cao Rong , Fischer Roland A.
Published: June 2016

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hold tremendous promise for various academic and industrial applications because of their structural merits (e.g., high surface areas, enormous porosity, and regular order).
A reconstructed graphite-like carbon micro/nano-structure with higher capacity and comparative voltage plateau of graphite
Authors: Ma Zhen , Cui Yan , Xiao Xin , Deng Yaoming , Song Xiaona , Zuo Xiaoxi , Nan Junmin
Published: June 2016

A reconstructed graphite-like carbon (r-GC) micro/nano-structure with a higher capacity than and a comparative voltage plateau to commercial graphite anodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is synthesized from an expandable graphite raw material based on an up-down-up synthetic strategy.
Nonspherical hollow α-Fe2O3 structures synthesized by stepwise effect of fluoride and phosphate anions
Authors: Wang Conghui , Shi Jing , Cui Xinmin , Wang Huixiang , Wu Jianghong , Zhang Chenghua , Wang Liancheng , Lv Baoliang , Xu Yao
Published: June 2016

The magnetic properties of these nonspherical hollow α-Fe2O3 particles are closely associated with their structures, and the photodegradation reactivity of TDFe is higher than various reported hollow α-Fe2O3 structures.
Smart material concept: reversible microstructural self-regeneration for catalytic applications
Authors: Burnat Dariusz , Kontic Roman , Holzer Lorenz , Steiger Patrick , Ferri Davide , Heel Andre
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a proof-of-concept study and demonstrates the next generation of a “smart” catalyst material, applicable to high temperature catalysis and electro-catalysis such as gas processing and as a catalyst for solid oxide cells.
Photoanode-immobilized molecular cobalt-based oxygen-evolving complexes with enhanced solar-to-fuel efficiency
Authors: Jin Zhaoyu , Li Panpan , Xiao Dan
Published: June 2016

Superficially modified TiO2nanorod arrays with robust homogeneous water oxidation complexes are reported to significantly improve the performance of photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Dual cellular stimuli-responsive hydrogel nanocapsules for delivery of anticancer drugs
Authors: Yi Qiangying , Ma Jin , Kang Ke , Gu Zhongwei
Published: June 2016

Subtle tumor microenvironmental stimuli activate the functionalization of HA hydrogel nanocapsules for safe delivery and intelligent release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin.
Multifunctional carbon dots as efficient fluorescent nanotags for tracking cells through successive generations
Authors: Bhushan Bharat , Kumar S. Uday , Gopinath P.
Published: June 2016

In the present work biocompatible multicolour fluorescent CDs have been synthesised from casein, which labels cells and also efficiently tracks them through successive generations. Apart from this, it also exhibits inherent ability to selectively labelE. coli.
Structure evolution and photoluminescence of Lu3(Al,Mg)2(Al,Si)3O12:Ce3+ phosphors: new yellow-color converters for blue LED-driven solid state lighting
Authors: Ji Haipeng , Wang Le , Molokeev Maxim S. , Hirosaki Naoto , Xie Rongjun , Huang Zhaohui , Xia Zhiguo , ten Kate Otmar M. , Liu Lihong , Atuchin Victor V.
Published: June 2016

This paper reports the development of new phosphors using the chemical unit cosubstituting solid solution design strategy.
Wearable piezoelectric device assembled by one-step continuous electrospinning
Authors: Li Baozhang , Zhang Feifei , Guan Shian , Zheng Jianming , Xu Chunye
Published: June 2016

A lightweight wearable piezoelectric membrane device with excellent flexibility and air breathability is assembled for the first time using a one step continuous electrospinning method.
A dual-functional upconversion core@shell nanostructure for white-light-emission and temperature sensing
Authors: Xu Min , Chen Daqin , Huang Ping , Wan Zhongyi , Zhou Yang , Ji Zhenguo
Published: June 2016

A strategy to simultaneously achieve white-light-emission and temperature sensing via a 980 nm excitable upconversion core@shell nanoarchitecture design was provided.
Emotional Diathesis, Emotional Stress, and Childhood Stuttering
Authors: Choi Dahye , Conture Edward G. , Walden Tedra A. , Jones Robin M. , Kim Hanjoe
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) whether emotional reactivity and emotional stress of children who stutter (CWS) are associated with their stuttering frequency, (b) when the relationship between emotional reactivity and stuttering frequency is more likely to exist, and (c) how these associations are mediated by a 3rd variable (e.g., sympathetic arousal).

Method

Participants were 47 young CWS (Mage = 50.69 months,SD= 10.34). Measurement of participants' emotional reactivity was based on parental report, and emotional stress was engendered by viewing baseline, positive, and negative emotion-inducing video clips, with stuttered disfluencies and sympathetic arousal (indexed by tonic skin conductance level) measured during a narrative after viewing each of the various video clips.

Results

CWS's positive emotional reactivity was positively associated with percentage of their stuttered disfluencies regardless of emotional stress condition. CWS's negative emotional reactivity was more positively correlated with percentage of stuttered disfluencies during a narrative after a positive, compared with baseline, emotional stress condition. CWS's sympathetic arousal did not appear to mediate the effect of emotional reactivity, emotional stress condition, and their interaction on percentage of stuttered disfluencies, at least during this experimental narrative task following emotion-inducing video clips.

Conclusions

Results were taken to suggest an association between young CWS's positive emotional reactivity and stuttering, with negative reactivity seemingly more associated with these children's stuttering during positive emotional stress (a stress condition possibly associated with lesser degrees of emotion regulation). Such findings seem to support the notion that emotional processes warrant inclusion in any truly comprehensive account of childhood stuttering.
Broadband omnidirectional distributed antenna for indoor wireless communication systems
Authors: He Kai , Gong Shu‐Xi , Guo Da
Published: June 2016

A broadband omnidirectional distributed antenna is studied theoretically and experimentally. By loading three shorted coupling patches over the top of the radiation patches and a circular sleeve on the ground plane, the bandwidth of the antenna which is excited by a truncated cone feeding structure is significantly enhanced. Results show that an impedance bandwidth of 152% ranging from 0.97 to 7.09 GHz is achieved. Omnidirectional radiation patterns in the horizontal plane, low cross polarisation level, and stable antenna gain ranging from 2.1 to 7.3 dBi are realised over the operating band, which suggests the distributed antenna can be widely used in indoor wireless communication systems.
Short‐circuit level control through a multi‐objective feeder reconfiguration using fault current limiters in the presence of distributed generations
Authors: Esmaeili Abbas , Esmaeili Saeid , Hojabri Hossein
Published: June 2016

Despite the advantages of distributed generations (DGs) in electrical networks, they make some unwanted changes in network short‐circuit levels which make new security risks arise. This imposes several new scenarios on the network operation in the presence of DGs. In addition to the mentioned security concerns, reducing network loss is among the objectives constantly sought by system operators. Therefore, this study discusses both the reconfiguration of a distribution network for efficient operation and protection coordination in the form of a multi‐objective optimisation problem. The aforementioned objectives include reducing losses and maintaining short‐circuit levels under several utilisation scenarios of DGs. Thus, the optimal reconfiguration of the network is simultaneously considered along with the optimal planning of fault current limiters through a two‐stage stochastic programming. A fuzzy system is utilised to solve the multi‐objective problem and a fuzzy imperialism competitive algorithm is proposed to reach the global optimum. The proposed model is implemented on IEEE 69‐bus and a real life 77‐bus system. Simulation results confirm that implementing the proposed technique not only reduces power losses, but also maintains a short‐circuit level of the network under probable utilisation scenarios which in turn the protection coordination of system is improved.
Coupled image restoration model with non‐convex non‐smooth ℓp wavelet frame and total variation regularisation
Authors: Shen Zhengwei , Cheng Lishuang
Published: June 2016

In this study, the authors propose a coupled analysis‐based image restoration model regularised by total variation(TV) and wavelet frame coefficients penalty terms imposed on non‐convex non‐smooth ℓp‐norm (0<p<1). The highlighted contributions to this model are: (i) the intrinsic quality of preserving piecewise smooth areas of TV and the amazing sparse representing capability of the wavelet frame to the underlying image alternately interact, will lead to better experimental results; and (ii) the non‐convex non‐smooth ℓp‐norm (0<p<1) regularisation is more amenable to the marginal distributions of gradients of natural images than ℓ1‐norm, which will suppress staircase effects more effectively. By alternative direction method of multipliers, the objective function is first divided into three subproblems that are solved by the fast iterative shrinkage‐thresholding algorithm (FISTA) and the generalised iterated shrinkage algorithm (GISA) respectively. The GISA solution is computationally more efficient than a diversity of algorithms such as iteratively reweighted L1( IRL1), iteratively reweighted least squares (IRLS) restricted to solve non‐convex non‐decreasing function; and the FISTA solution also has a faster convergence rate than iterative shrinkage‐thresholding algorithm. The extensive experimental results show that the proposed model exhibit an amazing image restoration capability.
Single‐switch high step‐up converter based on coupled inductor and switched capacitor techniques with quasi‐resonant operation
Authors: Forouzesh Mojtaba , Yari Keyvan , Baghramian Alfred , Hasanpour Sara
Published: June 2016

This study presents a novel single‐switch high step‐up dc–dc converter employing a quasi‐resonant operation with high efficiency and low ripple continuous input current characteristics. In order to achieve a high voltage gain, a combination of coupled inductor and switched capacitor techniques is used in the proposed dc–dc converter. Moreover, utilising a series resonance capacitor with the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor leads to a resonant circuit. Subsequently, by employing a quasi‐resonant operation, the switching loss of the proposed dc–dc converter has been reduced significantly. Operational analysis, mathematical derivation, component voltage and current ratings are well demonstrated in this study. Finally, the performance of the proposed circuit is evaluated through a 200 W laboratory prototype with 25 V input voltage and 400 V output voltage. The maximum efficiency achieved at full load is 96.4%.
Design and comparison of nine‐level single‐phase inverters with a pair of coupled inductors and two dc sources
Authors: Hashemizadeh‐Ashan Sasan , Monfared Mohammad
Published: June 2016

Four different nine‐level single‐phase inverters with coupled inductors are proposed in this study, for the first time. All proposed topologies are based on the well‐known multilevel converters with two separate dc voltage sources in their structure, with some modifications to include a cell with the coupled inductors and a pair of half‐bridge legs. Fewer number of semiconductor devices and dc sources and no need for split capacitors make the proposed inverters very attractive to both researchers and industry. The proposed inverters are compared with other conventional nine‐level topologies from different points of view. Experimental results for these inverters on a low‐voltage test bench are provided to demonstrate the validity of the analytical analysis.
Improved method for SAR image registration based on scale invariant feature transform
Authors: Zhou Deyun , Zeng Lina , Liang Junli , Zhang Kun
Published: June 2016

Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) is one of the most common registration algorithms for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. However, the occurrence of speckle noise and geometric distortion within SAR images usually leads to limited effectiveness, challenging the stability of SIFT and its variants in real actual applications. In this study, significant improvements for SAR image registration with SIFT are made, which lie mainly in two aspects. First, a scheme is developed to enhance the description of keypoints with improved dominant orientation assignment and support region. Second, an optimised matching method for further enhancing the matching performance is developed to reduce the mutual interference among the keypoints with similar location and dominant orientations. Extensive experiments confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for SAR images.
Fabrication of Al microtubes by electromigration and controlled etching
Authors: Lu Yebo , Liu Chuhui , Peng Wenli
Published: June 2016

Al microtubes were fabricated by electromigration and controlled etching. Samples consisted of thin Al films with slits and discharge holes near the anode. Al atoms accumulated and discharged forming a microwire, which was then etched into a hollow microtube. Al microtubes could be fabricated at predetermined positions, with their lengths dependent on the current supply duration. The outer and inner diameters of the Al microtube could be determined by controlling the size of the etched hole. This technique has potential in the fabrication of other metallic microtubes.
Immobilisation of TiO2 films on activated carbon fibres by a hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of toluene
Authors: Liang Peng , Wei Aifang , Zhang Yaqing , Wu Jiafeng , Zhang Xiwang , Li Shufang
Published: June 2016

To improve the degradation efficiency of TiO2 for low concentrations of volatile organic compounds, TiO2 loaded on activated carbon fibres (ACF) was prepared by an impregnation–hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, surface area, dispersion, optical absorption properties, and chemical composition of the TiO2/ACF composite materials were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer−Emmett−Teller analysis, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The influence of the hydrothermal temperature, illumination time, space velocity, and light intensity on the photocatalytic activities of the TiO2/ACF composite materials was investigated with toluene as a model pollutant. The results showed that the phase of TiO2 was anatase, which was dispersed as a thin film on the ACF surface. The crystallinity, dispersion, UV absorption, and hydroxyl group content of TiO2 increased with an increase of hydrothermal temperature, whereas the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/ACF was maximised when the hydrothermal temperature was 180°C. Increases in illumination time, space velocity, and light intensity were beneficial for regeneration of the composite materials. However, the energy efficiency decreased with increased light intensity. The degradation efficiency of toluene reached 40% with reaction conditions of illumination time: 3 h, space velocity: 1400 h−1, and light intensity: 32 W. This degradation efficiency decreased 3.3% after recycling five times.
Evolution of the interfacial magnetic anisotropy in MgO/CoFeB/Ta/Ru based multilayers as a function of annealing temperature
Authors: Aleksandrov Yuriy , Fowley Ciarán , Kowalska Ewa , Sluka Volker , Yıldırım Oğuz , Lindner Jürgen , Ocker Berthold , Fassbender Jürgen , Deac Alina M.
Published: June 2016

We report the effect of annealing temperature on the dynamic and static magnetic properties of MgO/CoFeB/Ta/Ru multilayers. Angular resolved ferromagnetic resonance measurement results show that the as-deposited film exhibits in-plane magnetic anisotropy, whereas in the annealed films the magnetic easy-axis is almost along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the layers. The extracted interfacial anisotropy energy, Ki, is maximized at an annealing temperature 225∘C, in agreement with the vibrating sample magnetometry results. Although the magnetization is not fully out-of-plane, controlling the degree of the magnetization obliqueness may be advantageous for specific applications such as spin-transfer oscillators.
An integrated study of the chemical composition of Antarctic aerosol to investigate natural and anthropogenic sources
Authors: Barbaro E. , Zangrando R. , Kirchgeorg T. , Bazzano A. , Illuminati S. , Annibaldi A. , Rella S. , Truzzi C. , Grotti M. , Ceccarini A. , Malitesta C. , Scarponi G. , Gambaro A.
Published: June 2016

Environmental contextOwing to its remoteness, Antarctica is an excellent natural laboratory for conducting studies on the behavior of marine aerosols and for monitoring the impact of global human activities. The aim of this study is to provide an extensive chemical characterization of Antarctic aerosol and to investigate its sources. A distinction among anthropogenic, crustal, and biogenic sources was defined using several chemical markers. AbstractDuring the 2010–11 austral summer, an aerosol sampling campaign was carried out at a coastal Antarctic site (Terra Nova Bay, Victoria Land). In this work, previously published data about water-soluble organic compounds and major and trace elements were merged with novel measurements of major ions, carboxylic acids and persistent organic pollutants (polychlorobiphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated naphthalenes, polybrominated diphenylethers and organochlorine pesticides) in order to provide a chemical characterisation of Antarctic aerosol and to investigate its sources. The persistent organic pollutants were determined using a high-volume sampler, able to collect both particulate and gaseous fractions, whereas remaining compounds were determined by performing an aerosol size fractionation with a PM10 cascade impactor. Ionic species represented 58% (350ng m–3) of the sum of concentrations of all detected compounds (596ng m–3) in our Antarctic PM10 aerosol samples due to natural emission. Trace concentrations of persistent organic pollutants highlighted that the occurrence of these species can be due to long-range atmospheric transport or due to the research base. Factor analysis was applied to the dataset obtained from the samples collected with the PM10 sampler in order to make a distinction between anthropogenic, crustal and biogenic sources using specific chemical markers.
Reproductive competency and mitochondrial variation in aged Syrian hamster oocytes
Authors: Li Fang , Castora Frank J. , Ford Wentia , Alarid Khalid , Jones Howard W. , Swanson R. James
Published: June 2016

The hamster is a useful model of human reproductive biology because its oocytes are similar to those in humans in terms of size and structural stability. In the present study we evaluated fecundity rate, ovarian follicular numbers, ova production, mitochondrial number, structure and function, and cytoplasmic lamellae (CL) in young (2–4 months) and old (12–18 months) Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Young hamsters had higher fertilisation rates and larger litters than old hamsters (100 vs 50% and 9.3 ± 0.6 vs 5.5 ± 0.6, respectively). Ovarian tissue from superovulated animals showed a 46% decrease in preantral follicles in old versus young hamsters. There was a 39% reduction in MII oocyte number in old versus young hamsters. Young ova had no collapsed CL, whereas old ova were replete with areas of collapsed, non-luminal CL. Eighty-nine per cent of young ova were expanded against the zona pellucida with a clear indentation at the polar body, compared with 58.64% for old ova; the remaining old ova had increased perivitelline space with no polar body indentation. Higher reactive oxygen species levels and lower mitochondrial membrane potentials were seen in ova from old versus young hamsters. A significant decrease in mitochondrial number (36%) and lower frequency of clear mitochondria (31%) were observed in MII oocytes from old versus young hamster. In conclusion, the results of the present study support the theory of oocyte depletion during mammalian aging, and suggest that morphological changes of mitochondria and CL in oocytes may be contributing factors in the age-related decline in fertility rates.
Subfertility in androgen-insensitive female mice is rescued by transgenic FSH
Authors: Walters K. A. , Edwards M. C. , Jimenez M. , Handelsman D. J. , Allan C. M.
Published: June 2016

Androgens synergise with FSH in female reproduction but the nature of their interaction in ovarian function and fertility is not clear. In the present study, we investigated this interaction, notably whether higher endogenous FSH can overcome defective androgen actions in androgen receptor (AR)-knockout (ARKO) mice. We generated and investigated the reproductive function of mutant mice exhibiting AR resistance with or without expression of human transgenic FSH (Tg-FSH). On the background of inactivated AR signalling, which alone resulted in irregular oestrous cycles and reduced pups per litter, ovulation rates and antral follicle health, Tg-FSH expression restored follicle health, ovulation rates and litter size to wild-type levels. However, Tg-FSH was only able to partially rectify the abnormal oestrous cycles observed in ARKO females. Hence, elevated endogenous FSH rescued the intraovarian defects, and partially rescued the extraovarian defects due to androgen insensitivity. In addition, the observed increase in litter size in Tg-FSH females was not observed in the presence of AR signalling inactivation. In summary, the findings of the present study reveal that FSH can rescue impaired female fertility and ovarian function due to androgen insensitivity in female ARKO mice by maintaining follicle health and ovulation rates, and thereby optimal female fertility.
Avian hosts, prevalence and larval life history of the ectoparasitic fly Passeromyia longicornis (Diptera : Muscidae) in south-eastern Tasmania
Authors: Edworthy Amanda B.
Published: June 2016

Blood-sucking fly larvae are widespread parasites of nestling birds, but in many systems we lack knowledge of their basic biology. This study reports the first observation of an endemic Tasmanian fly species, Passeromyia longicornis (Diptera : Muscidae), parasitising the forty-spotted pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus), another Tasmanian endemic. Because the forty-spotted pardalote is an endangered and declining songbird, P. longicornis is a species of interest to conservation biologists. Its larval form is an obligate, subcutaneous parasite of nestling birds, but before this study, there were just two published records of the species infesting avian hosts, and little known about its ecology or life cycle. This study documented hosts, prevalence, and larval life history of P. longicornis by locating and monitoring nests and ectoparasites of the forest bird community in south-eastern Tasmania. I also reared P. longicornis larvae in captivity to determine the length of the pupal stage in relationship to ambient temperature. Hosts of P. longicornis included forty-spotted pardalotes (87% prevalence across nests), striated pardalotes (Pardalotus striatus) (88% prevalence), and New Holland honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) (11% prevalence). Both pardalote species were new host records. P. longicornis larvae burrowed under the skin of nestlings where they developed for 4–7 days, feeding on nestling blood. When fully grown, larvae dropped into the surrounding nest material and formed pupae. Length of the pupal stage was 14–21 days, and declined with increasing ambient temperature. Median parasite abundance was 15 larvae in infested forty-spotted pardalote nests and 11 larvae in infested striated pardalote nests. Nestling mortality was frequently associated with ectoparasite presence. This study provides the first survey of P. longicornis hosts, prevalence and life cycle, and shows that this species is likely a major player in the ecology of pardalotes, and possibly other forest bird species in Tasmania.
Photoreceptor effects on plant biomass, resource allocation, and metabolic state
Authors: Yang Deyue , Seaton Daniel D. , Krahmer Johanna , Halliday Karen J.
Published: June 2016

Significance

Plant development is inextricably bound to the external light environment. Light drives photosynthetic carbon fixation and activates a suite of signal-transducing photoreceptors that regulate plant growth and development. This study highlights an important role for the phytochrome light receptors in synchronizing carbon resource allocation to daytime growth. We establish that phytochromes are major environmental drivers of plant biomass production and regulate the transition between growth-intensive and stress-resilient states.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 exhibit divergent interactions with HLTF and UNG2 DNA repair proteins
Authors: Hrecka Kasia , Hao Caili , Shun Ming-Chieh , Kaur Sarabpreet , Swanson Selene K. , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P. , Skowronski Jacek
Published: June 2016

Significance

In nondividing host cells, HIV is targeted by intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms that introduce marks of damage into viral cDNA, thereby tagging it for processing by cellular DNA repair machinery. Surprisingly, our findings reveal that the two main types of HIV exhibit very different interactions with enzymes involved in DNA repair. HIV-1, but not HIV-2, efficiently removes select DNA repair enzymes, whereas HIV-2 increases dNTP supply in infected cells by removing SAMHD1 (a cell cycle-regulated dNTP triphosphohydrolase) dNTPase. Our findings imply that increasing dNTP supply during viral cDNA synthesis or repair, or blocking cDNA processing by DNA repair enzymes, are alternative strategies used by HIV-2 and HIV-1 to guard their DNA genomes and facilitate their replication/persistence in the host.
Spawning Season Distribution in Subpopulations of Muskellunge in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
Authors: Weller J. Daniel , Leblanc John Paul , Liskauskas Arunas , Chow‐Fraser Patricia
Published: June 2016

Loss of spawning and nursery habitats has been implicated as a major factor in the widespread decline of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy populations in North America. Although there is limited evidence of spawning site fidelity in Great Lakes populations of Muskellunge, such behavior could result in recruitment failure if individuals return each year to spawning sites that have become degraded. We compared the spawning behaviors of individual Muskellunge across three subpopulations in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, to address the hypothesis that the use of specific spawning sites and spawning site fidelity are independent of the habitat's suitability for successful recruitment. The study regions (southeastern, northeastern, and northern Georgian Bay) have experienced different impacts from human development and sustained low water levels. We radio‐tagged 49 adult Muskellunge and tracked them for up to 3 years (between 2012 and 2015). Sufficient multiyear data were only acquired for 18 individuals in the southeastern region; among those fish, 16 showed fidelity to at least one activity center over 2–3 years. Male Muskellunge occupied significantly smaller activity centers and shallower depths than females during the spawning season. The locations of adult Muskellunge were in close proximity to current and historic nursery sites that had been identified in each region by other studies, supporting the close spatial linkage between spawning habitat and nursery habitat. This study is the first to confirm spawning site fidelity in Georgian Bay Muskellunge, and our results support the spatial association between spawning and nursery habitats. The repeated use of degraded habitat by spawning adults, as appears to be the case in southeastern Georgian Bay, highlights the need to identify and protect spawning and nursery habitats.

Received October 1, 2015; accepted February 3, 2016 Published online June 23, 2016
Paralympic athletes’ perceptions of their experiences of sports‐related injuries, risk factors and preventive possibilities
Authors: Fagher Kristina , Forsberg Anna , Jacobsson Jenny , Timpka Toomas , Dahlström Örjan , Lexell Jan
Published: June 2016

Our knowledge of sports‐related injuries in para‐sport is limited and there are no data on how Paralympic athletes themselves perceive an injury. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore Paralympic athletes’ perceptions of their experiences of sports‐related injuries, risk factors and preventive possibilities. Eighteen Swedish Paralympic athletes with vision impairment, intellectual impairment, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, dysplasia and neuromuscular disorder, representing 10 different para‐sports, were interviewed. The qualitative phenomenographic method was used to interpret the data. The analysis revealed nine categories of perceptions of experiences. The athletes perceived that their impairments were involved in the cause and consequential chains associated with a sports‐related injury. Other categories that denoted and described these injuries were: sport overuse, risk behaviour, functional limitations, psychological stressors, the normalised pain, health hazards, individual possibilities to prevent sports‐related injuries and unequal prerequisites. This qualitative study revealed that Paralympic athletes’ perceptions of their experiences of sports‐related injuries are complex and multifactorial, and in several ways differ from able‐bodied athletes. This needs to be considered in the sports health and safety work within the Paralympic Movement as well as in the design of future injury surveillance systems and preventive programmes.
Initial planning benefits complex prospective memory at a cost
Authors: Settle Jill R. , Clawson Deborah M. , Sebrechts Marc M.
Published: June 2016

The effect of initial planning on complex prospective memory was investigated using a virtual environment and a sample of healthy young adults ( N = 34). Participants were assigned to either an initial planning or a control condition and were asked to complete a series of time- and event-based prospective memory tasks. The planning group completed the tasks more quickly and accurately than the control group. However, the total time spent, including both planning and task execution, was comparable for the two groups. Within the planning group, tasks that were planned were more likely to be completed than unplanned tasks, but inclusion of overly detailed information in the plans resulted in poorer performance. These results suggest that although initial planning can be beneficial to task completion, the complexity of a plan may contribute to decrements in performance.
Deconstructing Chronic Low Back Pain in the Older Adult—Step by Step Evidence and Expert-Based Recommendations for Evaluation and Treatment. Part VIII: Lateral Hip and Thigh Pain
Authors: Rho Monica , Camacho-Soto Alejandra , Cheng Abby , Havran Mark , Morone Natalia E. , Rodriguez Eric , Shega Joseph , Weiner Debra K.
Published: June 2016

Objective. This article presents an evidence-based algorithm to assist primary care providers with the diagnosis and management of lateral hip and thigh pain in older adults. It is part of a series that focuses on coexisting pain patterns and contributors to chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the aging population. The objective of the series is to encourage clinicians to take a holistic approach when evaluating and treating CLBP in older adults.

Methods. A content expert panel and a primary care panel collaboratively used the modified Delphi approach to iteratively develop an evidence-based diagnostic and treatment algorithm. The panelists included physiatrists, geriatricians, internists, and physical therapists who treat both civilians and Veterans, and the algorithm was developed so that all required resources are available within the Veterans Health Administration system. An illustrative patient case was chosen from one of the author’s clinical practices to demonstrate the reasoning behind principles presented in the algorithm.

Results. An algorithm was developed which logically outlines evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for lateral hip and thigh pain in older adults. A case is presented which highlights the potential complexities of identifying the true pain generator and the importance of implementing proper treatment.

Conclusions. Lateral hip and thigh pain in older adults can contribute to and coexist with CLBP. Distinguishing the true cause(s) of pain from potentially a myriad of asymptomatic degenerative changes can be challenging, but a systematic approach can assist in identifying and treating some of the most common causes.
Grant Success for Early-Career Faculty in Patient-Oriented Research: Difference-in-Differences Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Mentored Research Training Program
Authors: Libby Anne M. , Hosokawa Patrick W. , Fairclough Diane L. , Prochazka Allan V. , Jones Pamela J. , Ginde Adit A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Since 2004, the Clinical Faculty Scholars Program (CFSP) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has provided intensive interdisciplinary mentoring and structured training for early-career clinical faculty from multiple disciplines conducting patient-oriented clinical and outcomes research. This study evaluated the two-year program’s effects by comparing grant outcomes for CFSP participants and a matched comparison cohort of other junior faculty.

Method

Using 2000–2011 institutional grant and employment data, a cohort of 25 scholars was matched to a cohort of 125 comparison faculty (using time in rank and pre-period grant dollars awarded). A quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design was used to identify the CFSP effect on grant outcomes. Grant outcomes were measured by counts and dollars of grant proposals and awards as principal investigator. Outcomes were compared within cohorts over time (pre- vs. post-period) and across cohorts.

Results

From pre- to post-period, mean annual counts and dollars of grant awards increased significantly for both cohorts, but mean annual dollars increased significantly more for the CFSP than for the comparison cohort (delta $83,427 vs. $27,343, P < .01). Mean annual counts of grant proposals also increased significantly more for the CFSP than for the comparison cohort: 0.42 to 2.34 (delta 1.91) versus 0.77 to 1.07 (delta 0.30), P < .01.

Conclusions

Institutional investment in mentored research training for junior faculty provided significant grant award gains that began after one year of CFSP participation and persisted over time. The CFSP is a financially sustainable program with effects that are predictable, significant, and enduring.
Levels of Evidence in Orthopaedic Trauma Literature
Authors: Scheschuk Joseph P. , Mostello Andrew J. , Lombardi Nicholas J. , Maltenfort Mitchell G. , Freedman Kevin B. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P.
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To review and critically assess trends observed regarding the levels of evidence in published articles in orthopaedic traumatology literature.

Data Sources:

The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American, and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Study Selection:

All articles from the years 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT) and orthopaedic trauma-related articles from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American (JBJS-A) and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) were analyzed. Articles were categorized by type and ranked for level of evidence according to guidelines from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

Data Extraction:

Study type and standardized level of evidence were determined for each article. Articles were subcategorized as high-level evidence (I, II), moderate-level evidence (III), and low-level evidence (IV, V).

Data Synthesis:

During the study period, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American reduced its low-level studies from 80% to 40% (P = 0.00015), Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research decreased its low-level studies from 70% to 27%, and Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma decreased its low-level studies from 78% to 45%. Level IV and V therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies demonstrated significant decreases during the study period (P = 0.0046, P < 0.0001, P = 0.026). The percentage of high-level studies increased from 13% to 19%; however, this was not significant (P = 0.42). There was a trend showing an increase in level I and II studies for therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies (P = 0.06).

Conclusions:

There has been a statistically significant decrease in lower level of evidence studies published in the orthopaedic traumatology literature over the past 15 years.