bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of stacking order on device performance of bilayer black phosphorene-field-effect transistor
Authors: Mukhopadhyay A. , Banerjee L. , Sengupta A. , Rahaman H.
Published: December 2015

We investigate the effect of stacking order of bilayer black phosphorene on the device properties of p-MOSFET and n-MOSFET. Two layers of black phosphorus are stacked in three different orders and are used as channel material in both n-MOSFET and p-MOSFET devices. The effects of different stacking orders on electron and hole effective masses and output characteristics of MOSFETs, such as ON currents, ON/OFF ratio, and transconductance are analyzed. Our results show that about 1.37 times and 1.49 times increase in ON current is possible along armchair and zigzag directions, respectively, 55.11% variation in transconductance is possible along armchair direction, by changing stacking orders (AA, AB, and AC) and about 8 times increase in ON current is achievable by changing channel orientation (armchair or zigzag) in p-MOSFET. About 14.8 mV/V drain induced barrier lowering is observed for both p-MOSFET and n-MOSFET, which signifies good immunity to short channel effects.
Simultaneous high crystallinity and sub-bandgap optical absorptance in hyperdoped black silicon using nanosecond laser annealing
Authors: Franta Benjamin , Pastor David , Gandhi Hemi H. , Rekemeyer Paul H. , Gradečak Silvija , Aziz Michael J. , Mazur Eric
Published: December 2015

Hyperdoped black silicon fabricated with femtosecond laser irradiation has attracted interest for applications in infrared photodetectors and intermediate band photovoltaics due to its sub-bandgap optical absorptance and light-trapping surface. However, hyperdoped black silicon typically has an amorphous and polyphasic polycrystalline surface that can interfere with carrier transport, electrical rectification, and intermediate band formation. Past studies have used thermal annealing to obtain high crystallinity in hyperdoped black silicon, but thermal annealing causes a deactivation of the sub-bandgap optical absorptance. In this study, nanosecond laser annealing is used to obtain high crystallinity and remove pressure-induced phases in hyperdoped black silicon while maintaining high sub-bandgap optical absorptance and a light-trapping surface morphology. Furthermore, it is shown that nanosecond laser annealing reactivates the sub-bandgap optical absorptance of hyperdoped black silicon after deactivation by thermal annealing. Thermal annealing and nanosecond laser annealing can be combined in sequence to fabricate hyperdoped black silicon that simultaneously shows high crystallinity, high above-bandgap and sub-bandgap absorptance, and a rectifying electrical homojunction. Such nanosecond laser annealing could potentially be applied to non-equilibrium material systems beyond hyperdoped black silicon.
Strain-relaxation and critical thickness of epitaxial La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 films
Authors: Meyer T. L. , Jiang L. , Park S. , Egami T. , Lee H. N.
Published: December 2015

We report the thickness-dependent strain-relaxation behavior and the associated impacts upon the superconductivity in epitaxial La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 films grown on different substrates, which provide a range of strain. We have found that the critical thickness for the onset of superconductivity in La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 films is associated with the finite thickness effect and epitaxial strain. In particular, thin films with tensile strain greater than ∼0.25% revealed no superconductivity. We attribute this phenomenon to the inherent formation of oxygen vacancies that can be minimized via strain relaxation.
Schottky barrier contrasts in single and bi-layer graphene contacts for MoS2 field-effect transistors
Authors: Du Hyewon , Kim Taekwang , Shin Somyeong , Kim Dahye , Kim Hakseong , Sung Ji Ho , Lee Myoung Jae , Seo David H. , Lee Sang Wook , Jo Moon-Ho , Seo Sunae
Published: December 2015

We have investigated single- and bi-layer graphene as source-drain electrodes for n-type MoS2 transistors. Ti-MoS2-graphene heterojunction transistors using both single-layer MoS2 (1M) and 4-layer MoS2 (4M) were fabricated in order to compare graphene electrodes with commonly used Ti electrodes. MoS2-graphene Schottky barrier provided electron injection efficiency up to 130 times higher in the subthreshold regime when compared with MoS2-Ti, which resulted in VDS polarity dependence of device parameters such as threshold voltage (VTH) and subthreshold swing (SS). Comparing single-layer graphene (SG) with bi-layer graphene (BG) in 4M devices, SG electrodes exhibited enhanced device performance with higher on/off ratio and increased field-effect mobility (μFE) due to more sensitive Fermi level shift by gate voltage. Meanwhile, in the strongly accumulated regime, we observed opposing behavior depending on MoS2 thickness for both SG and BG contacts. Differential conductance (σd) of 1M increases with VDS irrespective of VDS polarity, while σd of 4M ceases monotonic growth at positive VDS values transitioning to ohmic-like contact formation. Nevertheless, the low absolute value of σd saturation of the 4M-graphene junction demonstrates that graphene electrode could be unfavorable for high current carrying transistors.
Methane induced electrical property change of nitrogen doped ultrananocrystalline diamond nanowires
Authors: Feng Peter , Wang Xinpeng , Aldalbahi Ali , Zhou Andrew F.
Published: December 2015

The methane induced electrical property change of nitrogen doped ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) nanowires has been investigated. The experimental data indicated a significant decrease in the resistance caused by the presence of the methane impurity at room temperature. Our primary results show that its high sensitivity, fast response, and recovery time make the nitrogen doped UNCD an excellent material platform for methane gas sensor applications.
Fabrication and characterization of Al2O3 /Si composite nanodome structures for high efficiency crystalline Si thin film solar cells
Authors: Zhang Ruiying , Zhu Jian , Zhang Zhen , Wang Yanyan , Qiu Bocang , Liu Xuehua , Zhang Jinping , Zhang Yi , Fang Qi , Ren Zhong , Bai Yu
Published: December 2015

We report on our fabrication and characterization of Al2O3/Si composite nanodome (CND) structures, which is composed of Si nanodome structures with a conformal cladding Al2O3 layer to evaluate its optical and electrical performance when it is applied to thin film solar cells. It has been observed that by application of Al2O3thin film coating using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to the Si nanodome structures, both optical and electrical performances are greatly improved. The reflectivity of less than 3% over the wavelength range of from 200 nm to 2000 nm at an incident angle from 0° to 45° is achieved when the Al2O3 film is 90 nm thick. The ultimate efficiency of around 27% is obtained on the CND textured 2 μm-thick Si solar cells, which is compared to the efficiency of around 25.75% and 15% for the 2 μm-thick Si nanodome surface-decorated and planar samples respectively. Electrical characterization was made by using CND-decorated MOS devices to measure device’s leakage current and capacitance dispersion. It is found the electrical performance is sensitive to the thickness of the Al2O3 film, and the performance is remarkably improved when the dielectric layer thickness is 90 nm thick. The leakage current, which is less than 4x10−9 A/cm2 over voltage range of from -3 V to 3 V, is reduced by several orders of magnitude. C-V measurements also shows as small as 0.3% of variation in the capacitance over the frequency range from 10 kHz to 500 kHz, which is a strong indication of surface states being fully passivated. TEM examination of CND-decorated samples also reveals the occurrence of SiOx layer formed between the interface of Si and the Al2O3 film, which is thin enough that ensures the presence of field-effect passivation, From our theoretical and experimental study, we believe Al2O3 coated CND structures is a truly viable approach to achieving higher device efficiency.
Challenging the concept of Aboriginal mosaic fire practices in the Lake Eyre Basin
Authors: Kimber R. G. , Friedel M. H.
Published: December 2015

Mosaic burning is the deliberate creation of a mosaic of patches representing different fire histories. It is often recommended for management of Australia’s natural landscapes, on the assumption that it enhances biodiversity and reduces fire hazard through increased spatial and temporal diversity of fuel loads and species composition. It is also suggested that such fire practices were used throughout Australia by traditionally living Aboriginal people. Although the creation of a patchwork of different fire histories may be an effective management tool in modern land management, the evidence for universal mosaic burning before European settlement deserves scrutiny. The records of explorers, early settlers and anthropologists relating to a large portion of the Lake Eyre Basin, particularly the Channel country and the Simpson Desert region, were examined. It is concluded that extensive gaps in the records of smokes and large fires are important and meaningful, and do not represent a failure to record fires. The case for universal mosaic burning in the region is not supported by the evidence although mosaic burning did occur in specific circumstances. Fire practices were shaped by complex and interacting factors including the vegetation and terrain type, for example the occurrence of spinifex-dominated sandhills or stony deserts; seasonal conditions and the presence or not of adequate fuel loads; how readily Aboriginal people could access country and their reasons for using or not using fire; the stocking of the pastoral country and spread of feral animals; and government policies about fire.
Saccade direction encoding in the primate entorhinal cortex during visual exploration
Authors: Killian Nathaniel J. , Potter Steve M. , Buffalo Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Characterizing the dynamic encoding of body orientation and eye movements in the brain is central to understanding spatial representation. Studies in rodents have revealed an allocentric heading representation system known as the head-direction network. Visual information is presumed to be critical to rodent head-direction encoding; however, differences in the primate and rodent visual systems along with differences in exploratory behaviors across species have made it difficult to directly extend the findings from rodents to primates. This study describes a previously unidentified functional cell type in the primate entorhinal cortex that shows selectivity for the direction of saccadic eye movements. Future research avenues critical to increasing our understanding of spatial representation in the brain are suggested.
Origins of stereoselectivity in evolved ketoreductases
Authors: Noey Elizabeth L. , Tibrewal Nidhi , Jiménez-Osés Gonzalo , Osuna Sílvia , Park Jiyong , Bond Carly M. , Cascio Duilio , Liang Jack , Zhang Xiyun , Huisman Gjalt W. , Tang Yi , Houk Kendall N.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Ketoreductases are the most commonly used enzymes in industrial pharmaceutical synthesis. We investigated the nature of enantioselectivity in closely related mutant ketoreductases that reduce almost-symmetrical 3-oxacyclopentanone and 3-thiacyclopentanone, which are difficult to reduce enantioselectively by other means. We present the efficiencies of select variants and their crystallographic structures. Our experimental and theoretical studies reveal how mutations modulate the stereoselectivity of the reduction. Molecular dynamics simulations of the Michaelis–Menten and transition state-bound complexes were used to rationalize the observed stereochemical outcomes. We discovered that the closed conformation of the flexible substrate binding loop is likely the catalytically active one imparting the stereochemical preferences. Our molecular dynamics approach reveals how each enzyme stabilizes the diastereomeric transition structures by altering the active site size.
Nitrogen regulator GlnR controls uptake and utilization of non-phosphotransferase-system carbon sources in actinomycetes
Authors: Liao Cheng-Heng , Yao Lili , Xu Ya , Liu Wei-Bing , Zhou Ying , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: December 2015

Significance

Actinomycetes abundantly generate beneficial metabolic products. The efficient coutilization of heterogeneous carbon sources remains a major technical challenge for the industrial-scale production of drugs, chemicals, materials, and fuels by actinomycetes. Here, we present insights into the regulatory mechanisms of uptake and utilization of multiple carbohydrates in actinomycetes. GlnR (central regulator of nitrogen metabolism) was shown to regulate the control of ATP-binding cassette transport systems for secondary, non-phosphotransferase-system carbon sources. By integrating nitrogen signals to modulate the uptake and utilization of multiple carbon sources, GlnR mediates the interplay between nitrogen and carbon metabolism. These findings highlight the potential of actinomycetes in carbon utilization (especially cofermentation of biomass-derived sugars) for biorefinery applications. To our knowledge, our data represent the first systematic description of GlnR-mediated regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in actinomycetes.
Supramolecular structure in the membrane of
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: García-Lara Jorge , Weihs Felix , Ma Xing , Walker Lucas , Chaudhuri Roy R. , Kasturiarachchi Jagath , Crossley Howard , Golestanian Ramin , Foster Simon J.
Published: December 2015

Significance

The fundamental processes of life are organized and based on common basic principles. Molecular organizers, often interacting with the membrane, capitalize on cellular polarity to precisely orientate essential processes. The study of organisms lacking apparent polarity or known cellular organizers (e.g., the bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus
) may enable the elucidation of the primal organizational drive in biology. How does a cell choose from infinite locations in its membrane? We have discovered a structure in the
S. aureus
membrane that organizes processes indispensable for life and can arise spontaneously from the geometric constraints of protein complexes on membranes. Building on this finding, the most basic cellular positioning system to optimize biological processes, known molecular coordinators could introduce further levels of complexity.
Laser refrigeration of hydrothermal nanocrystals in physiological media
Authors: Roder Paden B. , Smith Bennett E. , Zhou Xuezhe , Crane Matthew J. , Pauzauskie Peter J.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Although the laser refrigeration of bulk crystals has recently shown to cool below cryogenic temperatures (∼90 K) in vacuum, to date the laser refrigeration of physiological media has not been reported. In this work, a low-cost hydrothermal synthetic approach is used to prepare nanocrystals that are capable of locally refrigerating physiological buffers (PBS, DMEM) upon near-infrared illumination. Optical tweezers are used in tandem with cold Brownian motion analysis to observe the refrigeration of individual (Yb3+)-doped nanocrystals >10 °C below ambient conditions. The ability to optically generate local refrigeration fields around individual nanocrystals promises to enable precise optical temperature control within integrated electronic/photonic/microfluidic circuits, and also thermal modulation of basic biomolecular processes, including the dynamics of motor proteins.
The precise temporal calibration of dinosaur origins
Authors: Marsicano Claudia A. , Irmis Randall B. , Mancuso Adriana C. , Mundil Roland , Chemale Farid
Published: December 2015

Significance

Many hypotheses have been put forth to explain the origin and early radiation of dinosaurs, but poor age constraints for constituent fossil assemblages make these scenarios difficult to test. Using precise radioisotopic ages, we demonstrate that the temporal gap between assemblages containing only dinosaur precursors and those with the first dinosaurs was 5–10 million years shorter than previously thought. Thus, these data suggest that the origin of dinosaurs was a relatively rapid evolutionary event. Combined with our synthesis of paleoecological data, we demonstrate there was little compositional difference between the dinosaur precursor assemblages and the earliest dinosaur assemblages, and thus, the initial appearance of dinosaurs was not associated with a fundamental shift in ecosystem composition, as classically stated.
The ancestral gene repertoire of animal stem cells
Authors: Alié Alexandre , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Sugimura Itsuro , Manuel Michaël , Sugano Wakana , Mano Akira , Satoh Nori , Agata Kiyokazu , Funayama Noriko
Published: December 2015

Significance

This work reveals the deeply conserved gene repertoire of animal stem cells, from sponges to mammals. This repertoire mostly contains ancient (premetazoan) genes and few novel (metazoan-specific) genes, but the latter point to the importance of genome protection in the origin of stem cells. Additionally, regulators of DNA transcription are only marginally represented among conserved stem-cell genes, whereas genes directly acting upon RNA predominate, including orthologues of RNA-binding proteins that control mammalian embryonic stem cells. Thus posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression has been crucial in animal stem-cell biology across hundreds of millions of years of animal evolution.
CREB pathway links PGE2 signaling with macrophage polarization
Authors: Luan Bing , Yoon Young-Sil , Le Lay John , Kaestner Klaus H. , Hedrick Susan , Montminy Marc
Published: December 2015

Significance

The second messenger cAMP exerts potent immunosuppressive effects on the innate immune system, in part by activating class IIa histone deacetylases, and thereby inhibiting NF-κB–dependent transcription. We found that cAMP also promotes M2 macrophage polarization by stimulating the cyclic AMP-responsive element binding (CREB)/cAMP-regulated transcriptional coactivators TORC1 pathway. In the setting of acute overnutrition, macrophage CREB inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators and contributes to the maintenance of insulin sensitivity.
Tropical nighttime warming as a dominant driver of variability in the terrestrial carbon sink
Authors: Anderegg William R. L. , Ballantyne Ashley P. , Smith W. Kolby , Majkut Joseph , Rabin Sam , Beaulieu Claudie , Birdsey Richard , Dunne John P. , Houghton Richard A. , Myneni Ranga B. , Pan Yude , Sarmiento Jorge L. , Serota Nathan , Shevliakova Elena , Tans Pieter , Pacala Stephen W.
Published: December 2015

Significance

The future of the terrestrial carbon (C) sink has tremendous consequences for society and the rate of climate change, but is highly uncertain. The sensitivity of interannual variability in the C sink to climate drivers can help elucidate the mechanisms driving the C sink. Here, we test the statistical strength of major climate drivers of the C sink and find that nighttime tropical temperatures are most strongly associated with the global C sink from 1959–2010, likely acting through their effect on respiration. The temperature-mediated sensitivity of the global C sink to respiration highlights that tropical C stores may be vulnerable to robust projected increases in tropical nighttime temperatures.
period
-1 encodes an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that influences nutritional compensation of the
Neurospora
circadian clock
Authors: Emerson Jillian M. , Bartholomai Bradley M. , Ringelberg Carol S. , Baker Scott E. , Loros Jennifer J. , Dunlap Jay C.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Circadian rhythms are common to most eukaryotes, and, in humans, circadian dysfunction is associated with sleep disorders, elevated incidence of cancer, and metabolic abnormalities. The biological oscillators giving rise to fungal and animal clocks share a common regulatory architecture, as well as some highly conserved components, many of which were identified in genetic screens. Here a gene,
period
-1 (
prd
-1), previously identified in a genetic screen in the filamentous fungus
Neurospora
, is shown to encode a protein (an ATP-dependent RNA helicase) that is closely related to yeast and human proteins involved in RNA metabolism and transcription. The cycle length in
prd
-1 mutants is only abnormal when available glucose is elevated, suggesting that normal clock regulation in response to nutrition is altered.
HPTLC analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous bark extract of Erythrina variegata L.
Authors: Devaki Kanakasabapathy
Published: December 2015

Erythrina variegata L. is an important medicinal plant used in the preparations of Ayurvedic formulations used against several ailments. This study was carried out to investigate the presence of secondary metabolites using phytochemical screening, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting analysis and the antioxidant potential of the aqueous bark extract of E. variegata L. The secondary metabolites and the free radical scavenging activity were analyzed using standard protocols. The results obtained in the present study revealed that E. variegata has high antioxidant activity against free radicals based on phytoconstituents.
Moisture distribution and texture of spaghetti rehydrated under different conditions
Authors: Ogawa Takenobu , Adachi Shuji
Published: December 2015

Dried spaghetti was rehydrated to its optimal cooking state, known as al dente, at 60, 80, and 100 °C, in distilled water or 0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 mol/L sodium chloride solutions. Then, the moisture distributions and stress–strain curves were examined to identify the major factors governing the texture of rehydrated spaghetti. The difference in moisture content between the inner and peripheral regions of rehydrated spaghetti and its breaking stress were greater at higher rehydration temperatures; however, rehydration temperature did not affect breaking strain. The sodium chloride concentration of the immersion solution did not affect moisture distribution or breaking stress, while breaking strain was decreased by rehydration at higher sodium chloride concentrations. The results obtained in this study suggest that moisture distribution within spaghetti and its material properties govern its breaking stress and strain, respectively.
Studies on the biosynthesis of ralfuranones in Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Kai Kenji , Ohnishi Hideyuki , Kiba Akinori , Ohnishi Kouhei , Hikichi Yasufumi
Published: December 2015

Ralfuranones, aryl-furanone secondary metabolites, are involved in the virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum in solanaceous plants. Ralfuranone I (6) has been suggested as a biosynthetic precursor for other ralfuranones; however, this conversion has not been confirmed. We herein investigate the biosynthesis of ralfuranones using feeding experiments with ralfuranone I (6) and its putative metabolite, ralfuranone B (2). The results obtained demonstrated that the biosynthesis of ralfuranones proceeded in enzymatic and non-enzymatic manners.
Joint detection of copy number variations in parent-offspring trios
Authors: Liu Yongzhuang , Liu Jian , Lu Jianguo , Peng Jiajie , Juan Liran , Zhu Xiaolin , Li Bingshan , Wang Yadong
Published: December 2015

Motivation: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of parent-offspring trios is a powerful approach for identifying disease-associated genes via detecting copy number variations (CNVs). Existing approaches, which detect CNVs for each individual in a trio independently, usually yield low-detection accuracy. Joint modeling approaches leveraging Mendelian transmission within the parent-offspring trio can be an efficient strategy to improve CNV detection accuracy.

Results: In this study, we developed TrioCNV, a novel approach for jointly detecting CNVs in parent-offspring trios from WGS data. Using negative binomial regression, we modeled the read depth signal while considering both GC content bias and mappability bias. Moreover, we incorporated the family relationship and used a hidden Markov model to jointly infer CNVs for three samples of a parent-offspring trio. Through application to both simulated data and a trio from 1000 Genomes Project, we showed that TrioCNV achieved superior performance than existing approaches.

Availability and implementation: The software TrioCNV implemented using a combination of Java and R is freely available from the website at https://github.com/yongzhuang/TrioCNV.

Contact:  ydwang@hit.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Antifreeze Activity of γ‐Polyglutamic Acid and Its Impact on Freezing Resistance of Yeast and Frozen Sweet Dough
Authors: Jia Chunli , Huang Weining , Tang Xiaojuan , Ding Shanshan , Yang Wendan , Li Zhibin , Fu Guihua , Rayas‐Duarte Patricia
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the antifreeze activity (AF) of γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA), freezing resistance of yeast cells and sweet dough, and the mechanism influenced by γ‐PGA. Properties studied included AF of γ‐PGA, water‐holding capacity of flour, survival ratio and oxidation resistance capability of yeast cells, ice melting enthalpy (ΔH), and fermentation and breadmaking properties of sweet dough. The AF of γ‐PGA was 8.03 g of unfrozen water/g of sample, indicating good AF. γ‐PGA was tested on yeast cells and sweet dough stored frozen for 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks at four levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 3%). Survival ratio of yeast cells with γ‐PGA was significantly higher than the corresponding control. A possible mechanism might be related to the modulation of oxidation resistance capability of yeast cells by γ‐PGA. A decrease in glutathione release from frozen yeast cells and an increase in water‐holding capacity of wheat dough were observed with the addition of γ‐PGA. In the presence of γ‐PGA, ΔH, ice melting temperature, and proofing time of frozen sweet dough decreased significantly, and fermentation parameters improved, compared with the corresponding control sample. Specific volume of bread made from frozen sweet dough with 0.5, 1, and 3% γ‐PGA increased by 6.3, 8.9, and 3.3%, respectively, after 8 weeks of frozen storage. γ‐PGA enhanced the freezing resistance of yeast cells and sweet dough effectively, and the effect on specific volume of bread was not linear, with 1% showing better results.
Developments in the Orthopaedic Management of Children With Stüve-Wiedemann Syndrome: Use of the Fassier-Duval Telescopic Rod to Maintain Correction of Deformity
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Kazzaz Sarmad , Hill Robert A.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare inherited condition, which is frequently fatal in infancy. Those patients who survive into childhood demonstrate a complex progressive deformity of the long bones, with high rates of recurrence after initial successful correction. Because of the rarity of the condition there is, at present, limited evidence on the most appropriate treatment.

Methods:

We describe our experience in the management of 4 patients, who underwent correction of deformity and fixation with Fassier-Duval telescopic rods.

Results:

In this series we have seen good correction of deformity and maintenance of alignment, with improvement in the walking ability of children treated with this technique.

Conclusion:

Fassier-Duval rodding has a role in the prevention of recurrence of deformity and should be considered as a means to reduce the number of operative procedures required.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—therapeutic.
Echography of the Portal Vein in a Patient With Shock
Authors: Piton Gaël , Capellier Gilles , Delabrousse Eric
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

To report the utility of abdominal ultrasonography to identify portal venous gas in patients with shock, as an indicator of acute mesenteric ischemia, and to illustrate the aspect of portal venous gas on ultrasonography.

Data Sources:

Clinical observation of a patient, images of abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography, and video of portal venous gas.

Study Selection:

Not applicable.

Data Extraction:

Relevant information contained in the medical observation of the patient and selection of image and video of ultrasonography performed in the patient.

Data Synthesis:

We report a case of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia in a 76-year-old patient following cardiac surgery. The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia was proposed based on evidence of portal venous gas on abdominal ultrasonography and then confirmed by abdominal computed tomography showing transverse colonic ischemia, the presence of gas in the mesenteric veins but not in the portal vein. Urgent laparotomy confirmed extensive nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and the patient rapidly died of multiple organ failure.

Conclusions:

Intensive care physicians should be aware of the ultrasound characteristics of portal venous gas. In patients with shock, in addition to cardiac and thoracic echography, investigation of portal venous gas using bedside ultrasonography may help the clinician to identify patients in whom acute mesenteric ischemia develops.
Among Unstable Angina and Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients, Transient Myocardial Ischemia and Early Invasive Treatment Are Predictors of Major In-hospital Complications
Authors: Pelter Michele M. , Loranger Denise L. , Kozik Teri M. , Kedia Anita , Ganchan Richard P. , Ganchan Deborah , Hu Xiao , Carey Mary G.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Treatment for unstable angina (UA) or non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is aimed at plaque stabilization to prevent infarction. Two treatment strategies are (1) invasive (ie, cardiac catheterization laboratory <24 hours after admission) or (2) selectively invasive (ie, medications with cardiac catheterization laboratory >24 hours for recurrent symptoms). However, it is not known if the frequency of transient myocardial ischemia (TMI) or complications during hospitalization varies by treatment.

Purpose:

We aimed to (1) examine occurrence of TMI in UA/NSTEMI, (2) compare frequency of TMI by treatment pathway, and (3) determine predictors of in-hospital complications (ie, death, myocardial infarction [MI], pulmonary edema, shock, dysrhythmia with intervention).

Methods:

Hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease (ie, history of MI, percutaneous coronary intervention/stent, coronary artery bypass graft, >50% lesion via angiogram, or positive troponin) were recruited, and 12-lead electrocardiogram Holter initiated. Clinicians, blinded to Holter data, decided treatment strategy; offline analysis was done after discharge. Transient myocardial ischemia was defined as more than 1-mm ST segment ↑ or ↓, in more than 1 electrocardiographic lead, more than 1 minute.

Results:

Of 291 patients, 91% were white, 66% were male, 44% had prior MI, and 59% had prior percutaneous coronary intervention/stent or coronary artery bypass graft. Treatment pathway was early in 123 (42%) and selective in 168 (58%). Forty-nine (17%) had TMI: 19 (15%) early invasive, 30 (18%) selective (P = .637). Acute MI after admission was higher in patients with TMI regardless of treatment strategy (early: no TMI 4% vs yes TMI 21%; P = .020; selective: no TMI 1% vs yes TMI 13%; P = .0004). Predictors of major in-hospital complication were TMI (odds ratio, 9.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.84–25.78) and early invasive treatment (odds ratio 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–10.20).

Conclusions:

In UA/NSTEMI patients treated with contemporary therapies, TMI is not uncommon. The presence of TMI and early invasive treatment are predictors of major in-hospital complications.
Factors Associated With the Hospital Arrival Time in Patients With Ischemic Stroke in Korea
Authors: Sim Jeongha , Shin Cha-Nam , An Kyungeh , Todd Michael
Published: December 2015

Background:

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability among the Korean population. Ischemic stroke patients tend to delay arrival at the hospital and often miss the “golden” 3-hour window, which is optimal for tissue plasminogen activator treatment.

Objective:

The purposes of this study were to compare demographic, clinical/behavioral, and sociocultural characteristics of ischemic stroke patients who reside in urban and rural areas of Korea and to identify factors contributing to the time taken from symptom onset to hospital arrival.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a structured survey in a convenience sample of 229 ischemic stroke patients in Korea.

Results:

Individuals who resided in rural areas were more likely to be female, older, less educated; had lower incomes; contacted adult children at the onset of stroke; and took a longer time to be transported to a hospital than did those who resided in urban areas (P < .05). Patients who visited an emergency room, transferred via an ambulance, contacted emergency medical services, perceived symptoms as serious, had a family history of stroke, or experienced hemiparesis as the primary stroke symptom arrived at the hospital relatively sooner, whereas patients who experienced unclear symptoms took relatively more time to arrive at the hospital following symptom onset (P < .05).

Conclusions:

Nationwide efforts are needed to promote public awareness of stroke and to develop strategies to reduce prehospital delay time for ischemic stroke patients, particularly those who reside in rural areas in Korea.
Health Literacy in Older Latinos With Heart Failure
Authors: Delgado Janet M. , Ruppar Todd M.
Published: December 2015

Background:

By 2050, one-third of US residents will be Latino, with an incidence of heart failure (HF) higher than other ethnicities. Culturally linked risk factors and socioeconomic challenges result in cardiometabolic risks, healthcare disparities, and worsening health outcomes. Individuals with low health literacy (HL) and HF are less likely to possess tools for optimal self-care, disease management, or preventative health strategies.

Objective:

In this systematic review, we analyzed the literature studying older Latinos with HF and limited HL.

Method:

We searched the literature and used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in an iterative process. Inclusion criteria were research studies, Latinos, HF, and HL.

Results:

Eight quantitative studies were identified for final review. Inadequate HL was reported in 87.2% of elderly Latinos. Higher HL was associated with more HF knowledge. Clinics serving minorities reported lower HL levels and higher medical complexity.

Conclusions:

Nurses and advanced practice nurses serve a pivotal role improving access and understanding of health information. Before conducting intervention research affecting clinical outcomes, it is essential to describe elderly Latinos with HF and their HL and self-care levels. Barriers identified confirm the need to alter research protocols for older adults and ensure the availability of assistive devices. The need to examine HL in older Latinos with HF is confirmed by the medical complexity of ethnic minority patients with limited HL, limited HL in the elderly, and the relationship of HL with HF knowledge. In culturally diverse populations, HL levels alone may not be reliable predictors of a person’s ability to self-manage, recognize symptoms, and develop, implement, and revise a self-care action plan to manage their health.
Gazing at me: the importance of social meaning in understanding direct-gaze cues
Authors: Hamilton Antonia F. de C.
Published: December 2015

Direct gaze is an engaging and important social cue, but the meaning of direct gaze depends heavily on the surrounding context. This paper reviews some recent studies of direct gaze, to understand more about what neural and cognitive systems are engaged by this social cue and why. The data show that gaze can act as an arousal cue and can modulate actions, and can activate brain regions linked to theory of mind and self-related processing. However, all these results are strongly modulated by the social meaning of a gaze cue and by whether participants believe that another person is really watching them. The implications of these contextual effects and audience effects for our theories of gaze are considered.
Towards a second-person neuropsychiatry
Authors: Schilbach Leonhard
Published: December 2015

Psychiatric disorders can affect our ability to successfully and enjoyably interact with others. Conversely, having difficulties in social relations is known to increase the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. In this article, the assumption that psychiatric disorders can be construed as disorders of social interaction is reviewed from a clinical point of view. Furthermore, it is argued that a psychiatrically motivated focus on the dynamics of social interaction may help to provide new perspectives for the field of social neuroscience. Such progress may be crucial to realize social neuroscience's translational potential and to advance the transdiagnostic investigation of the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders.
Haemolytic differential identification of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum isolated from a patient with diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Kang Hyesook , Park Gyunam , Kim Hyeran , Chang Kyungsoo
Published: December 2015

Introduction:

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (formerly known as Corynebacterium haemolyticum) is the causative agent of sore throat and also causes skin and soft tissue infections in diabetes patients. A. haemolyticum is a Gram-positive, catalase-negative, β-haemolytic bacillus. A. haemolyticum poses a diagnostic challenge in the hospital laboratory because most coryneform bacilli are considered as normal flora or contaminants, and it is therefore difficult to differentiate from β-haemolytic streptococci by colony characteristics.

Case presentation:

A. haemolyticum was isolated from a diabetic patient with foot ulcers and the isolate was identified by using a VITEK-2 system, CAMP inhibition test, reverse CAMP test and a 23S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolated A. haemolyticum inhibited haemolysis of Staphylococcus aureus in the CAMP test and enhanced haemolysis of Streptococcus agalactiae in the reverse CAMP test. The diabetic patient was treated with teicoplanin and imipenem, and the ulcers healed within 2 weeks.

Conclusion:

The present study suggests that a haemolytic differential method using the CAMP inhibition and reverse CAMP tests can be useful for differentiating A. haemolyticum from β-haemolytic streptococci.
benchNGS : An approach to benchmark short reads alignment tools
Authors: Rahman Farzana , Hassan Mehedi , Kryshchenko Alona Martin , Dubchak Inna , Alexandrov Nikolai Nickolai , Tatarinova Tatiana
Published: December 2015

In the last decade a number of algorithms and associated software were developed to align next generation sequencing (NGS) reads to relevant reference genomes. The results of these programs may vary significantly, especially when the NGS reads are contain mutations not found in the reference genome. Yet there is no standard way to compare these programs and assess their biological relevance. We propose a benchmark to assess accuracy of the short reads mapping based on the precomputed global alignment of closely related genome sequences. In this paper we outline the method and also present a short report of an experiment performed on five popular alignment tools.
Regime shifts in the Anthropocene: drivers, risks, and resilience
Authors: Rocha Juan-Carlos , Peterson Garry D. , Biggs Reinette
Published: December 2015

Many ecosystems can experience regime shifts: surprising, large and persistent changes in the function and structure of ecosystems. Assessing whether continued global change will lead to further regime shifts, or has the potential to trigger cascading regime shifts has been a central question in global change policy. Addressing this issue has, however, been hampered by the focus of regime shift research on specific cases and types of regime shifts. To systematically assess the global risk of regime shifts we conducted a comparative analysis of 25 generic types of regime shifts across marine, terrestrial and polar systems; identifying their drivers, and impacts on ecosystem services. Our results show that the drivers of regime shifts are diverse and co-occur strongly, which suggests that continued global change can be expected to synchronously increase the risk of multiple regime shifts. Furthermore, many regime shift drivers are related to climate change and food production, whose links to the continued expansion of human activities makes them difficult to limit. Because many regime shifts can amplify the drivers of other regime shifts, continued global change can also be expected to increase the risk of cascading regime shifts. Nevertheless, the variety of scales at which regime shift drivers operate provides opportunities for reducing the risk of many types of regime shifts by addressing local or regional drivers, even in the absence of rapid reduction of global drivers.
Reminders of past choices bias decisions for reward in humans
Authors: Bornstein Aaron M. , Khaw Mel W. , Shohamy Daphna , Daw Nathaniel D.
Published: December 2015

We provide evidence that decisions are made by consulting memories for individual past experiences, and that this process can be biased in favor of past choices using incidental reminders. First, in a standard rewarded choice task, we show that a model that estimates value at decision-time using individual samples of past outcomes fits choices and decision-related neural activity better than a canonical incremental learning model. In a second experiment, we bias this sampling process by incidentally reminding participants of individual past decisions. The next decision after a reminder shows a strong influence of the action taken and value received on the reminded trial. These results provide new empirical support for a decision architecture that relies on samples of individual past choice episodes rather than incrementally averaged rewards in evaluating options, and has suggestive implications for the underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms.
Crystal structure of a methimazole-based ionic liquid
Authors: Gaitor Jamie C. , Zayas Manuel Sanchez , Myrthil Darrel J. , White Frankie , Hendrich Jeffrey M. , Sykora Richard E. , O'Brien Richard A. , Reilly John T. , Mirjafari Arsalan
Published: December 2015

The structure of 1-methyl-2-(prop-2-en-1-ylsulfanyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide, C7H11N2S+·Br−, has monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure of the title compound undeniably proves that methimazole reacts through the thione tautomer, rather than the thiol tautomer in this system.
Crystal structure of (Z)-3-allyl-5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one
Authors: El Ajlaoui Rahhal , Rakib El Mostapha , Mojahidi Souad , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: December 2015

In the title compound, C13H10ClNOS2, the dihedral angle between the rhodanine (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å) and 4-chlorobenzylidene rings is 1.79 (11)°. The allyl group attached to the N atom, which lies almost perpendicular to the rhodanine ring, is disordered over two orientations in a 0.519 (13):0.481 (13) ratio. A short intramolecular C—H...S interaction closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.600 (15) Å], generating inversion dimers.
Crystal structure of (tert-butyldimethylsilyl)triphenylgermane, Ph3Ge-SiMe2(t-Bu)
Authors: Zaitsev Kirill V. , Zaitseva Galina S. , Karlov Sergey S. , Korlyukov Alexander A.
Published: December 2015

In the title compound, Ph3Ge-SiMe2(t-Bu) or C24H30GeSi, the Si and Ge atoms both possess a tetrahedral coordination environment with C—E—C (E= Si, Ge) angles in the range 104.47 (5)–114.67 (5)°. The molecule adopts an eclipsed conformation, with three torsion angles less than 29.5°. In the crystal, neighbouring molecules are combined to dimers by six T-shaped C—H...π interactions, forming sixfold phenyl embraces (6PE).
2,3-Diphenyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-4-one. Corrigendum
Authors: Yennawar Hemant P. , Silverberg Lee J.
Published: December 2015

In the paper by Yennawar & Silverberg [Acta Cryst.(2014), E70, o133], the conformation of the thiazine ring was reported incorrectly.
Crystal structure of (E)-diethyl 2-[(1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]succinate
Authors: Umadevi M. , Raju Potharaju , Yamuna R. , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K. , Chakkaravarthi G.
Published: December 2015

In the title compound, C23H23NO6S, the phenyl ring is perpendicular [dihedral angle = 89.34 (9)°] to the indole ring system. In the molecule, the ethoxy groups are each disordered over two sets of sites with occupancy ratios of 0.671 (6):0.329 (6) and 0.75 (3):0.25 (3). The molecular conformation is consolidated by a weak C—H...O interaction, which generates anS(6) graph–set motif. The packing of the molecules in the crystal structure features weak C—H...π interactions.
Crystal structure of poly[diaqua(μ-2-carboxyacetato-κ3O,O′:O′′)(2-carboxyacetato-κO)di-μ-chlorido-dicobalt(II)]
Authors: Bouaoud Yasmina , Setifi Zouaoui , Buvailo Andrii , Potaskalov Vadim A. , Merazig Hocine , Dénés Georges
Published: December 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title polymer, [Co2(C3H3O4)2Cl2(H2O)2]n, comprises one CoIIatom, one water molecule, one singly deprotonated malonic acid molecule (HMal−; systematic name 2-carboxyacetate) and one Cl−anion. The CoIIatom is octahedrally coordinated by the O atom of a water molecule, by one terminally bound carboxylate O atom of an HMal−anion and by two O atoms of a chelating HMal−anion, as well as by two Cl−anions. The Cl−anions bridge two CoIIatoms, forming a centrosymmetric Co2Cl2core. Each malonate ligand is involved in the formation of six-membered chelate rings involving one CoIIatom of the dinuclear unit and at the same time is coordinating to another CoIIatom of a neighbouring dinuclear unit in a bridging mode. The combination of chelating and bridging coordination modes leads to the formation of a two-dimensional coordination polymer extending parallel to (001). Within a layer, O—Hwater...Cl and O—Hwater...O hydrogen bonds are present. Adjacent layers are linked through O—H...O=C hydrogen bonds involving the carboxylic acid OH and carbonyl groups.
What Library 2.0 has taught libraries in Taiwan about e-learning
Authors: Huang Tien-Chi
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the four elements of Library 2.0, which represents a major innovation, and adopts several pedagogical concepts to investigate other innovations libraries in Taiwan could implement to become ideal libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents an overview of the essential principles of Library 2.0 and examines the current state of libraries in Taiwan. The authors then present a reciprocal feedback model of Library 2.0+.

Findings

– A Library 2.0+ model and a concept map of the mutualism between e-learning education and Library 2.0+ were proposed to diminish the gap between the status quo and Library 2.0. Two recommendations are provided: to develop a library learning platform to maximize the education value of the library, and to regard library development as part of the overall community’s development. Users can access library resources anytime/anywhere by visiting the library learning platform without visiting the library. Allowing an individual approach is necessary to realize the social educational value of the library. Moreover, a Library 2.0 library engages more in community development and invites participation with participation in community first. Universities in the community would be good technology partners when developing a Library 2.0 library.

Originality/value

– Although there has been extensive research of library development in view of Library 2.0, such a topic has never been explored with an educational perspective, especially an e-learning perspective. Given that the definition of Library 2.0 is abstract and fairly broad, the authors take the view of an e-learning platform to make Library 2.0 more figurative. Moreover, through interdisciplinary exploration, concrete suggestions regarding library development are provided to librarians, especially those with similar conditions as those in Taiwan.