bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitride Semiconductors
Authors: Zhang Guoyi , Shen Bo , Zhang Guoyi , Yu Tongjun , Tang Ning , Yang Xuelin , Li Shunfeng
Published: May 2016

The 11th International Conference on Nitride Semiconductors (ICNS‐11) was held at Beijing International Convention Center during August 30 to September 4, 2015. The ICNS conference series is a premier platform for presenting research results in group III‐nitride semiconductors. The 11th one was the latest following the first conference held in Nagoya, Japan (TWN'95); the second in Tokushima, Japan (ICNS‐2); the third in Montpellier, France (ICNS‐3); the fourth in Denver, USA (ICNS‐4); the fifth in Nara, Japan (ICNS‐5); the sixth in Bremen, Germany (ICNS‐6); the seventh in Las Vegas, USA (ICNS‐7); the eighth in Jeju, Korea (ICNS‐8); the ninth in Glasgow, UK (ICNS‐9); and the tenth in Washington D.C. USA (ICNS‐10).

The conference was very well attended with 821 attendees from 33 countries and areas, who had enjoyed a nice summer week in Beijing. A total of 733 abstracts were submitted to the conference, making 191 oral and 484 poster presentations. The Nitride Semiconductor field continues to grow and diversify, and as a result, the conference series ran four parallel sessions. The conference was divided into 44 different symposia, covering the entire spectra of III‐nitride semiconductor research and applications. Combining with 3 ramp sessions, all the contributors to this conference shared the general trends appearing in nitride semiconductor community, including the steady advancements in growth of GaN and AlN bulk crystals, greater attentions towards electronic devices, a movement from lateral to vertical devices, much progress in UV devices, more concern about point defects, and atomic level analysis on homogeneity or segregation of InGaN alloys.

The organizers are particularly grateful to Nobel Prize laureates Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura for their great support to this conference. We are also very grateful to all members of the conference committees and invited speakers. We would especially like to acknowledge the sponsors and agencies for their financial support. Thanks also to the 38 exhibitors who participated in the meeting. Finally, we especially want to express our great appreciation to Overseas Exchange Center of Peking University and Beijing International Conference Center.

Altogether 109 submissions were received for the conference proceedings to be published in the journal of physica status solidi, based on their standard evaluation procedures. Among them, 76 articles have been accepted for publication in this special volume, with 28 being accepted for special sections in Phys. Status Solidi A and Phys. Status Solidi B. We are grateful to the editorial support provided by Stefan Hildebrandt, Julia Hübner, Irina Juschak and their team in bringing the proceedings together. Finally, we thank all those who attended and contributed to making ICNS‐11 such an enjoyable and successful conference and look forward to meeting you all again in Strasbourg at ICNS‐12 in 2017.
Chemistry, Pharmacology and Health Benefits of Anthocyanins
Authors: Smeriglio Antonella , Barreca Davide , Bellocco Ersilia , Trombetta Domenico
Published: May 2016

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring molecules belonging to the flavonoid class characterized by the presence of chromophores. Apart from their well‐known antioxidant activity, they show a wide variety of health‐promoting properties for human health, ranging from cytoprotective, antimicrobial and antitumour activities to neuroprotective, anti‐obesity and lipidomic potential, properties for which anthocyanins have been prescribed as medicines in several countries for thousands of years. Despite this, these phytochemicals have received less attention than other flavonoids, and there is still a gap in the literature, particularly regarding pharmacological and toxicological aspects. Moreover, epidemiological evidence suggests a direct correlation between anthocyanin intake and a lower incidence of chronic and degenerative diseases. In light of this, the aim of this review is to cover the current literature on anthocyanins, their biological in vitro and in vivo effects and their potential therapeutic applications, as well as their bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, all of which are essential to gain a better understanding of their biological effectiveness and potential toxicity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Existence of periodic solutions to automatic control system with relay nonlinearity and sinusoidal external influence
Authors: Kamachkin Alexander M. , Potapov Dmitriy K. , Yevstafyeva Victoria V.
Published: May 2016

We consider an automatic control system with relay nonlinearity and sinusoidal external influence. Sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions in the case when the characteristic equation of the system has complex roots are obtained. We use an approach that permits to investigate the system analytically and prove the existence of at least one periodic solution (including asymptotically stable solution) with the period multiple to the period of external influence and two switching points on the phase plane. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating the cumulative mean function for history process with time‐dependent covariates and censoring mechanism
Authors: Deng Dianliang
Published: May 2016

In this paper, an approach to estimating the cumulative mean function for history process with time dependent covariates and right censored time‐to‐event variable is developed using the combined technique of joint modeling and inverse probability weighting method. The consistency of proposed estimator is derived. Theoretical analysis and simulation studies indicate that the estimator given in this paper is quite recommendable to practical applications because of its simplicity and accuracy. A real data set from a multicenter automatic defibrillator implantation trial is used to illustrate the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Men's health: a global problem requiring global solutions
Authors: Baker Peter
Published: May 2016

Men's health is the ‘Cinderfella’ of public health, being generally overlooked and hidden in plain sight. Peter Baker describes the issues and highlights the benefits to all of a more concerted global effort to improve men's health.
An overview of water reallocation and the barriers to its implementation
Authors: Marston Landon , Cai Ximing
Published: May 2016

The growing number of areas facing water scarcity necessitates adaptive water management strategies beyond traditional water supply and demand management methods, which are becoming increasingly difficult in many regions. Water reallocation offers a flexible water management approach to mitigate water scarcity under changing socioeconomic, climatic, and environmental conditions. In spite of the numerous benefits of reallocating water between users, examples of successful water transfers are relatively sparse and the expected benefits are rarely met in full due to several complex impediments. This study overviews the current body of water reallocation literature, with a particular focus on the key barriers to wider implementation of water reallocation. We argue that to overcome these obstacles a more interdisciplinary approach to water reallocation should be advanced that couples developments in the natural sciences and engineering disciplines with current water reallocation scholarship, which is predominately rooted in the social sciences. Many examples of water transfers from around the world are used to illustrate both the benefits and challenges associated with reallocation, as well as to identify measures to overcome some of the major difficulties. We conclude by calling for an integrated research platform that focuses on supporting both voluntary and nonvoluntary forms of water reallocation; however, a greater emphasis should be on nonmarket means of water transfer since it is more feasible for many regions where water rights are not well defined and institutional capacity is insufficient. WIREs Water 2016, 3:658–677. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1159

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Water Governance

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented
Radiofrequency Ablation to Improve Survival After Conversion Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Nielsen Karin , Scheffer Hester J. , Volders José H. , van der Vorst Maurice J. D. L. , van Tilborg Aukje A. J. M. , Comans Emile FI , de Lange‐de Klerk E. S. M. , Sietses Colin , Meijer Sybren , Meijerink Martijn R. , van den Tol M. Petrousjka
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Systemic chemotherapy is able to convert colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) that are initially unsuitable for local treatment into locally treatable disease. Surgical resection further improves survival in these patients. Our aim was to evaluate disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival, and morbidity for patients with CRLM treated with RFA following effective downstaging by chemotherapy, and to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival.

Materials and methods

Included patients had liver‐dominant CRLM initially unsuitable for local treatment but eligible for RFA or RFA with resection after downstaging by systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic regimens consisted predominantly of CapOx, with or without bevacizumab. Follow‐up was conducted with PET‐CT or thoraco‐pelvic CT.

Results

Fifty‐one patients had a total of 325 CRLM (median = 7). Following chemotherapy, 183 lesions were still visible on CT (median = 3). Twenty‐six patients were treated with RFA combined with resection. During surgery, 309 CRLM were retrieved on intraoperative ultrasound (median = 5). Median survival was 49 months and was associated with extrahepatic disease at time of presentation and recurrences after treatment. Estimated cumulative survival at 1, 3 and 4 years was 90, 63 and 45 %, respectively. Median DFS was 6 months. Twelve patients remained free of recurrence after a mean follow‐up of 32.6 months.

Conclusion

RFA of CRLM after conversion chemotherapy provides potential local control and a good overall survival. To prevent undertreatment, the involvement of a multidisciplinary team in follow‐up imaging and assessment of local treatment possibilities after palliative chemotherapy for liver‐dominant CRLM should always be considered.
The Psychological Impact of Prenatal Diagnosis and Disclosure of Susceptibility Loci: First Impressions of Parents’ Experiences
Authors: van der Steen S. L. , Riedijk S. R. , Verhagen‐Visser J. , Govaerts L. C. P. , Srebniak M. I. , Van Opstal D. , Joosten M. , Knapen M. F. C. M. , Tibben A. , Diderich K. E. M. , Galjaard R. J. H.
Published: May 2016

Genomic microarray may detect susceptibility loci (SL) for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and epilepsy, with a yet unquantifiable risk for the fetus. The prenatal disclosure of susceptibility loci is a topic of much debate. Many health care professionals fear that reporting susceptibility loci may put a psychological burden on pregnant couples. It is our policy to disclose prenatal susceptibility loci as we recognize them as actionable for prospective parents. The aim of this report was to evaluate the psychological impact of disclosing a prenatal diagnosis of susceptibility loci. The psychological impact of disclosing susceptibility loci was evaluated in the first patients who received such results. Eight out of 15 women who had a susceptibility locus disclosed and four of their partners consented to share their experiences through a telephonic evaluation (n = 12). Follow‐up time ranged from 3 to 15 months after their prenatal test result. The reporting of susceptibility loci was initially ‘shocking’ for five parents while the other seven felt ‘worried’. Ten out of 12 participants indicated they would like to be informed about the susceptibility locus again, two were unsure. Most had no enduring worries. Participants unanimously indicated that pregnant couples should have an individualized pre‐test choice about susceptibility loci (non)disclosure. We observed no negative psychological impact with the prenatal diagnosis and disclosure of SL on participants. A key factor in mitigating parental anxiety with SL disclosure appears to be post‐test genetic counseling. Our report confirms that pregnant women and their partners prefer an individualized choice regarding the scope of prenatal testing.
Ausbau von Wärmenetzen vs. energetische Sanierung? – Umgang mit konkurrierenden Strategien zur Umsetzung der „Wärmewende“ auf kommunaler Ebene
Authors: Schubert Susanne
Published: May 2016

Strategies to integrate renewable energies into urban heat supply are often based on the installation and development of district heating grids. At the same time the energetic transformation of the building stock to reduce energy demand has been described as a competing strategy to grid-based systems, due to the characteristics of heating grids which generally are dependent on a comparatively high energy demand. Against this background the article asks, how far heating grids and energetic renovation are incompatible and therefore competing strategies to reach the thermal energy transformation. Based on results from case studies the article lines out, how these strategies are implemented at the municipal level. It is shown that competition as well as adaption and synergies are ways to cope with the existence of the two strategies.
Sexual dysfunction risk and quality of life among women with a history of sexual abuse
Authors: Carreiro Andrea V. , Micelli Ligia P. , Sousa Maria H. , Bahamondes Luis , Fernandes Arlete
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To assess scores for sexual dysfunction risk and quality of life in a cohort of women in Brazil who had a history of sexual abuse.

Methods

The present study was a secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study conducted between February 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Women aged 18–49 years attending a family planning clinic at the University of Campinas, Brazil, who were in a heterosexual relationship and reported engaging in sexual intercourse in the 4 weeks prior to the study were enrolled. Participants were asked to complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, Abbreviated Version, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Data were grouped based on a history of sexual abuse. An FSFI score of no higher than 26.55 was considered the cut off for sexual dysfunction.

Results

The prevalence of FSFI‐defined sexual dysfunction was higher in participants with a history of sexual abuse (P < 0.001) and participants with a history of sexual abuse had significantly lower scores across all quality of life domains.

Conclusion

Increased risk of sexual dysfunction among women with a history of sexual abuse suggests potential problems in the sex lives of individuals in this population. Healthcare professionals should be alert to this diagnosis.
Free Will and Mental Quausation
Authors: BERNSTEIN SARA , WILSON JESSICA
Published: May 2016

The questions of how to understand free will and mental causation are clearly connected, for events of seemingly free choosing are mental events that appear to be efficacious vis-à-vis other events. Nonetheless, the free will and mental causation debates have proceeded largely independently of each other. Here we aim to make progress in determining the mutual bearing of these debates. We first argue that the problems of free will and of mental causation can be seen as special cases of a more general problem of mental ‘quausation’, concerning whether and how mental events of a given type can be efficacious qua the types they are—qualitative, intentional, freely deliberative—given reasons to think such events are causally irrelevant. We go on to identify parallels between hard determinism and eliminativist physicalism and between soft determinism and nonreductive physicalism, and we use these parallels to identify a new argument against hard determinism and to reveal and motivate a common strategy underlying apparently diverse soft determinist accounts.
Nonlinear theory for thermoacoustic waves in a narrow channel and pore subject to a temperature gradient
Authors: Sugimoto N.
Published: May 2016

A nonlinear theory for thermoacoustic waves in a gas-filled, narrow channel and pore subject to an axial temperature gradient is developed based on the fluid dynamical equations for an ideal gas. Under the narrow-tube approximation, three small parameters are introduced as asymptotic parameters, one being the ratio of a span length to a typical thickness of the thermoviscous diffusion layer, another the ratio of the typical propagation speed of thermoacoustic waves to an adiabatic sound speed and the final parameter is the ratio of the typical magnitude of a pressure disturbance to uniform pressure in a quiescent state. No thermal interaction between the gas and the solid wall is taken into account on assuming that the wall has a large heat capacity. Using the three small parameters, the fluid dynamical equations are approximated asymptotically to be reduced to a single nonlinear diffusion wave (advection) equation for an excess pressure. All field variables are determined consistently in terms of the excess pressure so as to satisfy the boundary conditions on the wall. Supposing a time-periodic solution to the equation derived, the mean value of the excess pressure over one period is examined. It is shown that while the mean vanishes in the linear theory, it decreases monotonically due to nonlinearity. It is also shown that mean values of the shear stress and the heat flux at the wall, as well as those of the vector fields of the mass and energy fluxes representing, respectively, acoustic and thermoacoustic streaming, are expressed in terms of the mean values of the products of the spatial and/or temporal pressure gradients, which are reduced to the spatial derivatives of the mean pressure.
Beneficial effects of legumes on parameters of the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of trials in animal models
Authors: Martínez Rosario , López-Jurado María , Wanden-Berghe Carmina , Sanz-Valero Javier , Porres Jesús María , Kapravelou Garyfallia
Published: May 2016

Legume consumption plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of legume interventions for the prevention and/or improvement of parameters related to the MetS and the implicated metabolic pathways so far reported. The methodology involved a search in four electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library) from January 2007 to December 2014, considering as descriptors ‘Metabolic Syndrome’ and ‘Fabaceae’ and adequately adjusting the equation in each one of them. In total, forty-one studies were finally included. The majority of the studies described a regulating effect on glucose and lipid metabolism due to legume administration, whereas effects on blood pressure and renal parameters are not fully described. Regarding the metabolic pathways involved, they include the up-regulation of genes related to β-oxidation and acetyl-CoA degradation and the down-regulation of glycolytic and lipogenesis genes, as well as those associated with the acetyl-CoA synthesis. The ameliorating effects of legume consumption on the alterations associated with the MetS are clearly reported and coincide with changes in the expression of protein and genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. More research needs to be conducted including more legume species that are highly consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern.
“Seeing in the Dark”: The Aesthetics of Disappearance and Remembrance in the Work of Alberto Rey
Authors: LEWTHWAITE STEPHANIE
Published: May 2016

This article examines how contemporary Cuban American artists have experimented with visual languages of trauma to construct an intergenerational memory about the losses of exile and migration. It considers the work of artist Alberto Rey, and his layering of individual loss onto other, traumatic episodes in the history of the Cuban diaspora. In the series Las Balsas (The Rafts, 1995–99), Rey explores the impact of the balsero (rafter) crisis of 1994 by transforming objects left behind by Cuban rafters on their sometimes ill-fated journeys to the United States into commemorative relics. By playing on a memory of absence and the misplacement of objects found along the migration route of the Florida Straits, Rey's visual language transmits the memory of grief across time, space and generational divides. Rey's visual strategies are part of an “extended memory” tied to the aesthetics of disappearance and remembrance in contemporary Cuban American art. His use of objects as powerful memory texts that serve to bring fragmented autobiographical, family and intergenerational testimonies of loss together suggests how visual artists can provide us with more collective, participatory and redemptive models of memory work.
SoloSchistocephalus solidustapeworms are nasty
Authors: NORDEIDE JARLE TRYTI , MATOS FELIPE
Published: May 2016

Trophically transmitted parasites must trade-off own growth on one hand and energy drain from the intermediate host on the other hand, since killing the host before transmission to the next host is a dead end for both parasites and hosts. This challenge becomes especially intriguing when multiple parasites find themselves within the same individual host. The tapewormSchistocephalus solidusmay gain more than 98% of its final body mass within few months infecting its three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) intermediate host. During these months the tapeworms may achieve a mass even larger than its host. We studied virulence of single and multiple infections ofS. solidus, by comparing body condition of wild stickleback hosts in two perennial stickleback populations located at high latitudes, and each population was studied in two different years. Our results demonstrated multiple compared with single infections to be a highly significant predictor of the condition of stickleback hosts, with multiple-infected hosts having relatively higher body condition. However, this applied only after adjusting for parasite mass, which was another significant predictor for host condition. Thus, our results suggested that, at a given parasite mass,S. soliduswas more harmful towards their host's body condition in single compared with multiple infections.
OPTIMAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: HOW IMPORTANT IS THE DEMAND SIDE?
Authors: Vejlin Rune
Published: May 2016

I develop and calibrate an equilibrium search model with endogenous savings and search intensity. The wage is endogenized using Nash bargaining and the number of vacancies is tied down by a free entry condition. This allows me to conduct a counterfactual analysis of the optimal unemployment insurance (UI) level. The provision of UI is motivated by the worker's inability to perfectly insure against income shocks, but at the same time UI introduces distortions into workers' search intensity decisions and firm vacancy creation. I find that equilibrium effects are important. When the UI level is raised 25%, they constitute around one-third of the increase in total unemployment. However, even with limited savings by workers, optimal UI is close to zero. It is further shown that ignoring the possibility of self-insurance greatly affects the optimal UI level.
Application of the Healthy Eating Index-2010 to the hunger relief system
Authors: Nanney Marilyn S , Grannon Katherine Y , Cureton Colin , Hoolihan Courtney , Janowiec Mark , Wang Qi , Warren Cael , King Robert P
Published: May 2016

Objective

To demonstrate the feasibility of applying the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) to the hunger relief setting, specifically by assessing the nutritional quality of foods ordered by food shelves (front-line food provider) from food banks (warehouse of foods).

Design

This Healthy FOOD (Feedback On Ordering Decisions) observational study used electronic invoices detailing orders made by 269 food shelves in 2013 and analysed in 2015 from two large Minnesota, USA food banks to generate HEI-2010 scores. Initial development and processing procedures are described.

Results

The average total HEI-2010 score for the 269 food shelves was 62·7 out of 100 with a range from 28 to 82. Mean component scores for total protein foods, total vegetables, fatty acids, and seafood and plant proteins were the highest. Mean component score for whole grains was the lowest followed by dairy, total fruits, refined grains and sodium. Food shelves located in micropolitan areas and the largest food shelves had the highest HEI-2010 scores. Town/rural and smaller food shelves had the lowest scores. Monthly and seasonal differences in scores were detected. Limitations to this approach are identified.

Conclusions

Calculating HEI-2010 for food shelves using electronic invoice data is novel and feasible, albeit with limitations. HEI-2010 scores for 2013 identify room for improvement in nearly all food shelves, especially the smallest agencies. The utility of providing HEI-2010 scores to decision makers in the hunger relief setting is an issue requiring urgent study.
Teaching Latin and Greek in Primary Classrooms: the Classics in Communities Project
Authors: Holmes-Henderson Arlene
Published: May 2016

The Classics in Communities project (http://classicsincommunities.org/) is a partnership between members of the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the Iris Project. It was set up in response to the primary curriculum reforms which were implemented in England from September 2014. In the Key Stage 2 (KS2) Languages curriculum policy, for the first time, Classical Greek and Latin can be chosen for study by pupils aged 6-11 in place of a modern language. The project particularly targets schools where Classical languages have not previously featured on the curriculum. It has twin aims: to equip teachers in primary schools with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach these languages; and to conduct parallel research to determine the impact of Classical language learning on children's cognitive development.
Contingency Learning Tracks With Stimulus-Response	Proportion
Authors: Schmidt James R. , De Houwer Jan
Published: May 2016

Abstract. We investigate the processes involved in human contingency learning using the color-word contingency learning paradigm. In this task, participants respond to the print color of neutral words. Each word is frequently presented in one color. Results show that participants respond faster and more accurately to words presented in their expected color. In Experiment 1, we observed better performance for high- relative to medium-frequency word-color pairs, and for medium- relative to low-frequency pairs. Within the medium-frequency condition, it did not matter whether the word was predictive of a currently-unpresented color, or the color was predictive of a currently-unpresented word. We conclude that a given word facilitates each potential response proportional to how often they co-occurred. In contrast, there was no evidence for costs associated with violations of high-frequency expectancies. Experiment 2 further introduced a novel word baseline condition, which also provided no evidence for competition between retrieved responses.
The Simon Effect With Saccadic Eye Movements
Authors: Lugli Luisa , Baroni Giulia , Nicoletti Roberto , Umiltà Carlo
Published: May 2016

Abstract. In the Simon effect performance is faster and more accurate when the task-irrelevant spatial dimension of the stimulus corresponds to the location of the response, compared to when they do not correspond. In the prosaccade-antisaccade effect the latencies of saccades away from the stimulus location (i.e., antisaccades) are slower than the latencies of saccades toward the stimulus location (i.e., prosaccades). Because these two effects share a similar basis, the study of the Simon effect with saccadic eye movements needs to be decoupled from the prosaccade-antisaccade effect. A standard Simon task (Experiment 1) and a Simon task in which a distractor stimulus was also presented (Experiment 2) were implemented. In Experiment 1, results showed an effect likely attributable to the sum of the Simon effect and the prosaccade-antisaccade effect. In Experiment 2, in which the difference between the prosaccade and antisaccade was eliminated, only a Simon effect, cognitive in nature, manifested itself.
Do Young Children Modulate Their Cognitive Control?
Authors: Ambrosi Solène , Lemaire Patrick , Blaye Agnès
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Dynamic, trial-by-trial modulations of inhibitory control are well documented in adults but rarely investigated in children. Here, we examined whether 5-to-7 year-old children, an age range when inhibitory control is still partially immature, achieve such modulations. Fifty three children took flanker, Simon, and Stroop tasks. Above and beyond classic congruency effects, the present results showed two crucial findings. First, we found evidence for sequential modulations of congruency effects in these young children in the three conflict tasks. Second, our results showed both task specificities and task commonalities. These findings in young children have important implications as they suggest that, to be modulated, inhibitory control does not require full maturation and that the precise pattern of trial-by-trial modulations may depend on the nature of conflict.
Moving Single Dots as Primes for Static Arrow Targets
Authors: Bermeitinger Christina , Wentura Dirk
Published: May 2016

Abstract. In response priming, responses are typically faster and more accurate if the prime calls for the same response as the target (i.e., compatible trials) than when primes and targets trigger different responses (i.e., incompatible trials). With moving rows-of-dots as primes for static arrow targets, participants instead responded faster to incompatible targets with longer SOAs (stimulus onset asynchrony, > 200 ms). Until now, it is unclear whether this effect is specific to the material. In the present research, a single moving dot was used as a prime. Further, we analyzed compatibility effects depending on reaction times (RTs). Positive compatibility effects in reaction times were found with an SOA of 147 ms and even with a relatively long SOA of 360 ms; for very long SOAs (800–1,200 ms), negative effects were found. We interpreted this as evidence that the specific type of motion is irrelevant for the occurrence of a negative compatibility effect.
Accuracy of heritability estimations in presence of hidden population stratification
Authors: Dandine-Roulland Claire , Bellenguez Céline , Debette Stéphanie , Amouyel Philippe , Génin Emmanuelle , Perdry Hervé
Published: May 2016

The heritability of a trait is the proportion of its variance explained by genetic factors; it has historically been estimated using familial data. However, new methods have appeared for estimating heritabilities using genomewide data from unrelated individuals. A drawback of this strategy is that population stratification can bias the estimates. Indeed, an environmental factor associated with the phenotype may differ among population subgroups. This factor being associated both with the phenotype and the genetic variation in the population would be a confounder. A common solution consists in adjusting on the first Principal Components (PCs) of the genomic data. We study this procedure on simulated data and on 6000 individuals from the Three-City Study. We analyse the geographical coordinates of the birth cities, which are not genetically determined, but the heritability of which should be overestimated due to population stratification. We also analyse various anthropometric traits. The procedure fails to correct the bias in geographical coordinates heritability estimates. The heritability estimates of the anthropometric traits are affected by the inclusion of the first PC, but not by the following PCs, contrarily to geographical coordinates. We recommend to be cautious with heritability estimates obtained from a large population.
Optimized Spiral Metal-Gallium-Nitride Nanowire Cavity for Ultra-High Circular Dichroism Ultraviolet Lasing at Room Temperature
Authors: Liao Wei-Chun , Liao Shu-Wei , Chen Kuo-Ju , Hsiao Yu-Hao , Chang Shu-Wei , Kuo Hao-Chung , Shih Min-Hsiung
Published: May 2016

Circularly polarized laser sources with small footprints and high efficiencies can possess advanced functionalities in optical communication and biophotonic integrated systems. However, the conventional lasers with additional circular-polarization converters are bulky and hardly compatible with nanophotonic circuits and most active chiral plasmonic nanostructures nowadays exhibit broadband emission and low circular dichroism. In this work, with spirals of gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires (NWRs) covered by a metal layer, we demonstrated an ultrasmall semiconductor laser capable of emitting circularly-polarized photons. The left- and right-hand spiral metal nanowire cavities with varied periods were designed at ultraviolet wavelengths to achieve the high quality factor circular dichroism metastructures. The dissymmetry factors characterizing the degrees of circular polarizations of the left- and right-hand chiral lasers were 1.4 and −1.6 (±2 if perfectly circular polarized), respectively. The results show that the chiral cavities with only 5 spiral periods can achieve lasing signals with the high degrees of circular polarizations.
The immiscibility of InAlN ternary alloy
Authors: Zhao Guijuan , Xu Xiaoqing , Li Huijie , Wei Hongyuan , Han Dongyue , Ji Zesheng , Meng Yulin , Wang Lianshan , Yang Shaoyan
Published: May 2016

We have used two models based on the valence force field and the regular solution model to study the immiscibility of InAlN ternary alloy and have got the spinodal and binodal curves of InAlN. Analyzing the spinodal decomposition curves, we obtain the appropriate concentration region for the epitaxial growth of the InN-AlN pseudobinary alloy. At a temperature most common for the epitaxial growth of InAlN (1000 K), the solubility of InN is about 10%. Then we introduce the mismatch strain item into the Gibbs free energy and the effect of different substrates is taken into consideration. Considering Si, Al2O3, InN, GaN, AlN as a substrate respectively, it is found that all the five systems are stabilized with the upper critical solution temperature largely reduced. Finally, InN and GaN are potential substrates for In-rich InAlN, while AlN and GaN substrates are recommended in the Al-rich region. Si and Al2O3 may be ideal substrates for thin InAlN film.
A multicaloric material as a link between electrocaloric and magnetocaloric refrigeration
Authors: Ursic Hana , Bobnar Vid , Malic Barbara , Filipic Cene , Vrabelj Marko , Drnovsek Silvo , Jo Younghun , Wencka Magdalena , Kutnjak Zdravko
Published: May 2016

The existence and feasibility of the multicaloric, polycrystalline material 0.8Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.2Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3, exhibiting magnetocaloric and electrocaloric properties, are demonstrated. Both the electrocaloric and magnetocaloric effects are observed over a broad temperature range below room temperature. The maximum magnetocaloric temperature change of ~0.26 K is obtained with a magnetic-field amplitude of 70 kOe at a temperature of 5 K, while the maximum electrocaloric temperature change of ~0.25 K is obtained with an electric-field amplitude of 60 kV/cm at a temperature of 180 K. The material allows a multicaloric cooling mode or a separate caloric-modes operation depending on the origin of the external field and the temperature at which the field is applied.
G-protein coupling and nuclear translocation of the human abscisic acid receptor LANCL2
Authors: Fresia Chiara , Vigliarolo Tiziana , Guida Lucrezia , Booz Valeria , Bruzzone Santina , Sturla Laura , Di Bona Melody , Pesce Mattia , Usai Cesare , De Flora Antonio , Zocchi Elena
Published: May 2016

Abscisic acid (ABA), a long known phytohormone, has been recently demonstrated to be present also in humans, where it targets cells of the innate immune response, mesenchymal and hemopoietic stem cells and cells involved in the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis. LANCL2, a peripheral membrane protein, is the mammalian ABA receptor. We show that N-terminal glycine myristoylation causes LANCL2 localization to the plasmamembrane and to cytoplasmic membrane vesicles, where it interacts with the α subunit of a Gi protein and starts the ABA signaling pathway via activation of adenylate cyclase. Demyristoylation of LANCL2 by chemical or genetic means triggers its nuclear translocation. Nuclear enrichment of native LANCL2 is also induced by ABA treatment. Therefore human LANCL2 is a non-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor susceptible to hormone-induced nuclear translocation.
Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Modified LiMn0.75Fe0.25PO4 Microspheres by Salt-Assisted Spray Drying for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Kim Myeong-Seong , Kim Hyun-Kyung , Lee Suk-Woo , Kim Dong-Hyun , Ruan Dianbo , Chung Kyung Yoon , Lee Sang Hyun , Roh Kwang Chul , Kim Kwang-Bum
Published: May 2016

Microsized, spherical, three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based composites as electrode materials exhibit improved tap density and electrochemical properties. In this study, we report 3D LiMn0.75Fe0.25PO4/reduced graphene oxide microspheres synthesized by one-step salt-assisted spray drying using a mixed solution containing a precursor salt and graphene oxide and a subsequent heat treatment. During this process, it was found that the type of metal salt used has significant effects on the morphology, phase purity, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized samples. Furthermore, the amount of the chelating agent used also affects the phase purity and electrochemical properties of the samples. The composite exhibited a high tap density (1.1 g cm−3) as well as a gravimetric capacity of 161 mA h g−1 and volumetric capacity of 281 mA h cm−3 at 0.05 C-rate. It also exhibited excellent rate capability, delivering a discharge capacity of 90 mA h g−1 at 60 C-rate. Furthermore, the microspheres exhibited high energy efficiency and good cyclability, showing a capacity retention rate of 93% after 1000 cycles at 10 C-rate.
Molecular Architecture of Yeast Chromatin Assembly Factor 1
Authors: Kim Daegeun , Setiaputra Dheva , Jung Taeyang , Chung Jaehee , Leitner Alexander , Yoon Jungmin , Aebersold Ruedi , Hebert Hans , Yip Calvin K. , Song Ji-Joon
Published: May 2016

Chromatin Assembly Complex 1 (CAF-1) is a major histone chaperone involved in deposition of histone H3 and H4 into nucleosome. CAF-1 is composed of three subunits; p150, p60 and p48 for human and Cac1, Cac2 and Cac3 for yeast. Despite of its central role in chromatin formation, structural features of the full CAF-1 in complex with histones and other chaperones have not been well characterized. Here, we dissect molecular architecture of yeast CAF-1 (yCAF-1) by cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) and negative stain single-particle electron microscopy (EM). Our work revealed that Cac1, the largest subunit of yCAF-1, might serve as a major histone binding platform linking Cac2 and Cac3. In addition, EM analysis showed that yCAF-1 adopts a bilobal shape and Cac1 connecting Cac2 and Cac3 to generate a platform for binding histones. This study provides the first structural glimpse of the full CAF-1 complex and a structural framework to understand histone chaperoning processes.
Layered Double Hydroxide Nanotransporter for Molecule Delivery to Intact Plant Cells
Authors: Bao Wenlong , Wang Junya , Wang Qiang , O’Hare Dermot , Wan Yinglang
Published: May 2016

Here we report a powerful method that facilitates the transport of biologically active materials across the cell wall barrier in plant cells. Positively charged delaminated layered double hydroxide lactate nanosheets (LDH-lactate-NS) with a 0.5‒2 nm thickness and 30‒60 nm diameter exhibit a high adsorptive capacity for negatively charged biomolecules, including fluorescent dyes such as tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC), fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I(FITC) and DNA molecules, forming neutral LDH-nanosheet conjugates. These neutral conjugates can shuttle the bound fluorescent dye into the cytosol of intact plant cell very efficiently. Furthermore, typical inhibitors of endocytosis and low temperature incubation did not prevent LDH-lactate-NS internalization, suggesting that LDH-lactate-NS penetrated the plasma membrane via non-endocytic pathways, which will widen the applicability to a variety of plant cells. Moreover, the absence of unwanted side effects in our cytological studies, and the nuclear localization of ssDNA-FITC suggest that nano-LDHs have potential application as a novel gene carrier to plants.
C-Reactive Protein Promotes Diabetic Kidney Disease in db/db Mice via the CD32b-Smad3-mTOR signaling Pathway
Authors: You Yong-Ke , Huang Xiao-Ru , Chen Hai-Yong , Lyu Xia-Fei , Liu Hua-Feng , Lan Hui Y.
Published: May 2016

C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with progressive diabetic nephropathy in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DN). However, role of CRP in T2DN remains unclear. We report here that CRP is pathogenic in T2DN in db/db mice that express human CRP (CRPtg-db/db). Compared to the littermate db/db mice, CRPtg-db/db developed more severe T2DN, showing higher levels of fasting blood glucose and microalbuminuria and more progressive renal inflammation and fibrosis. Enhanced T2DN in CRPtg-db/db mice were associated with over-activation of CRP-CD32b, NF-κB, TGF-β/Smad3 and mTOR signaling. Further studies in vitro defined that CRP activated Smad3 directly at 15 mins via the CD32b- ERK/p38 MAP kinase crosstalk pathway and indirectly at 24 hours through a TGF-β1-dependent mechanism. Importantly, CRP also activated mTOR signaling at 30 mins via a Smad3-dependent mechanism as Smad3 bound mTOR physically and CRP-induced mTOR signaling was abolished by a neutralizing CD32b antibody and a specific Smad3 inhibitor. Finally, we also found that CRP induced renal fibrosis through a CD32b-Smad3-mTOR pathway because blocking mTOR signaling with rapamycin inhibited CRP-induced CTGF and collagen I expression. Thus, CRP is pathogenic in T2DN. CRP may promote CD32b- NF-κB signaling to mediate renal inflammation; whereas, CRP may enhance renal fibrosis in T2DN via CD32b-Smad3-mTOR signaling.
High-throughput and Cost-effective Chicken Genotyping Using Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Pértille Fábio , Guerrero-Bosagna Carlos , Silva Vinicius Henrique da , Boschiero Clarissa , Nunes José de Ribamar da Silva , Ledur Mônica Corrêa , Jensen Per , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann
Published: May 2016

Chicken genotyping is becoming common practice in conventional animal breeding improvement. Despite the power of high-throughput methods for genotyping, their high cost limits large scale use in animal breeding and selection. In the present paper we optimized the CornellGBS, an efficient and cost-effective genotyping by sequence approach developed in plants, for its application in chickens. Here we describe the successful genotyping of a large number of chickens (462) using CornellGBS approach. Genomic DNA was cleaved with the PstI enzyme, ligated to adapters with barcodes identifying individual animals and then sequenced on Illumina platform. After filtering parameters were applied, 134,528 SNPs were identified in our experimental population of chickens. Of these SNPs, 67,096 had a minimum taxon call rate of 90% and were considered ‘unique tags’. Interestingly, 20.7% of these unique tags have not been previously reported in the dbSNP. Moreover, 92.6% of these SNPs were concordant with a previous Whole Chicken-genome re-sequencing dataset used for validation purposes. The application of CornellGBS in chickens showed high performance to infer SNPs, particularly in exonic regions and microchromosomes. This approach represents a cost-effective (~US$50/sample) and powerful alternative to current genotyping methods, which has the potential to improve whole-genome selection (WGS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in chicken production.
Targeted histidine-peptide enrichment improved the accuracy of isobaric-based quantitative proteomics
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Tian Fang , Zhang Manli , Zhao Yang , Qian Xiaohong , Cai Yun , Ying Wantao
Published: May 2016

Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry has been widely used for in-depth proteome profiling and to quantitatively measure proteome regulation.
Are fragment-based quantum chemistry methods applicable to medium-sized water clusters?
Authors: Yuan Dandan , Shen Xiaoling , Li Wei , Li Shuhua
Published: May 2016

The GEBF method is demonstrated to be more accurate than the EE-MB method for medium-sized water clusters.
Identification of IgE and IgG epitopes on native Bos d 4 allergen specific to allergic children
Authors: Li Xin , Yuan Shuilin , Huang Meijia , Gao Jinyan , Wu Zhihua , Tong Ping , Yang Anshu , Chen Hongbing
Published: May 2016

Alpha-lactalbumin (ALA) is one of the major allergens in cow's milk.
An update on dietary phenolic compounds in the prevention and management of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rosillo María Angeles , Alarcón-de-la-Lastra Catalina , Sánchez-Hidalgo Marina
Published: May 2016

Certain nutritional components influence the cellular metabolism and interfere in the pathological inflammatory process, so that they may act as a coadjuvant in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Assessment of predictive models for estimating the acute aquatic toxicity of organic chemicals
Authors: Melnikov Fjodor , Kostal Jakub , Voutchkova-Kostal Adelina , Zimmerman Julie B. , T. Anastas Paul
Published: May 2016

In silico toxicity models are critical in addressing experimental aquatic toxicity data gaps and prioritizing chemicals for further assessment.
Biophysical investigation and conformational analysis of p38α kinase inhibitor doramapimod and its analogues
Authors: Nasiri Amir H. , Saxena Krishna , Bats Jan W. , Nasiri Hamid R. , Schwalbe Harald
Published: May 2016

Doramapimod (BIRB 796) is a potent inhibitor of p38α nitrogen-activated protein kinase. By using biophysical methods, a clear correlation between kinase binding and the torsion angle θ of doramapimod analogues was found, highlighting the importance of inhibitor conformation for protein binding.
KI-catalyzed α-acyloxylation of acetone with carboxylic acids
Authors: Wu Ya-Dong , Huang Bei , Zhang Yue-Xin , Wang Xiao-Xu , Dai Jian-Jun , Xu Jun , Xu Hua-Jian
Published: May 2016

A KI catalyzed reaction of acetone with aromatic carboxylic acids is achieved, leading to α-acyloxycarbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. The present method exhibits good functional-group compatibility.
Synthesis and evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer with high-efficiency recognition for dibutyl phthalate based on Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots
Authors: Li Tao , Gao Zhikun , Wang Ningwei , Zhou Zhiping , Xu Wanzhen , Zheng Jianfeng , Yang Wenming
Published: May 2016

Molecularly imprinted polymers with Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots were prepared using dibutyl phthalate as the template molecule, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as the functional monomer and the tetraethoxysilane as the cross-linker.
A facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of Co9S8/Ni3S2 nanoflakes for supercapacitor application
Authors: Wang Xiuhua , Gao Jie , Wu Xiaoxiu , Wang Xiuqin , Que Ronghui , Wu Konglin
Published: May 2016

Co9S8/Ni3S2 nanoflakes have been successfully designed and constructed on nickel foam substrate via a simple one-pot hydrothermal synthesis and exhibit high performance as supercapacitor.
Study of mesoporous magnesium carbonate in contact with whole human blood
Authors: Frykstrand S. , Forsgren J. , Cheung O. , Zhang P. , Hong J. , Strømme M. , Ferraz N.
Published: May 2016

The novel mesoporous magnesium carbonate Upsalite showed anticoagulant properties when incubated with whole blood, an effect most probably due to Ca2+uptake.