bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Counselors’ and Genetic Counseling Students’ Attitudes Around the Clinical Doctorate and Other Advanced Educational Options for Genetic Counselors: A Report from the Genetic Counseling Advanced Degree Task Force
Authors: Nagy Rebecca , Peay Holly , Hicks Melissa , Kloos Jacqueline , Westman Rachel , Conway Laura , Finucane Brenda , Fitzpatrick Jennifer , Gordon Erynn , Ramos Erica , Sekhon‐Warren Jaspreet , Silver Josh , Walton Carol , Reiser Catherine
Published: October 2014

Since its establishment over 40 years ago, the genetic counseling profession has grown to an estimated ~4,000 professionals in North America. While the profession has maintained the Master's degree as the entry‐level and terminal degree, many other allied health professions have added advanced training pathways, such as the clinical doctorate (ClinD) either as an optional post‐professional degree or required entry‐level degree. Discussions regarding advanced degrees have also occurred within the genetic counseling profession, dating back to as early as the 1980s. In 2011, the Genetic Counseling Advanced Degree Task Force (GCADTF) was convened to explore the issue again, with the goal of “[engaging] all of the professional leadership organizations in the field of genetic counseling in a decision‐making process about whether the profession should move to a Clinical Doctorate”. As part of their work, the GCADTF surveyed practicing genetic counselors (n = 4,321) and genetic counseling students (n = 522) in the US and Canada regarding their interest in moving to the ClinD as the entry‐level degree. This survey also included questions about other options for advanced training to generate data to inform future discussions around this very important professional issue. Herein, we describe the results of the survey, with particular attention to genetic counselor preferences for additional advanced education/certification opportunities and recommendations for future discussion.
Uniparentale Disomien und Mosaike
Authors: Eggermann Thomas , Kotzot Dieter
Published: October 2014

Für die Entstehung von uniparentalen Disomien (UPD) sind verschiedene Mechanismen bekannt, von denen insbesondere der häufigste, der „trisomy rescue“, mit Mosaiken aus einer trisomen Zelllinie und einer disomen 46,XN-Zelllinie mit UPD einhergehen kann. Daher wird diskutiert, ob ein Großteil der UPD schwache oder nichterkannte Mosaike sein könnten. Inwieweit eine trisome Zelllinie den Phänotyp beeinflusst, hängt wahrscheinlich vom Chromosom und v. a. vom prozentualen Anteil im jeweiligen Gewebe ab. Möglicherweise haben die trisomen Zellen mancher UPD-Mosaike sogar einen Selektionsnachteil, sodass sie zumindest postnatal in der Routineanalytik aus Lymphozyten nicht darstellbar sind. Bei Beteiligung eines Chromosoms, für das „Imprinting“-Phänomene bekannt sind, muss die entsprechende Erkrankung berücksichtigt werden. Während die postnatale molekulare Abklärung einer UPD bei Vorliegen einer entsprechenden klinischen Symptomatik und/oder chromosomaler bzw. molekularer Vorbefunde indiziert ist, sind im Rahmen der pränatalen Testung auf UPD und Imprinting-Erkrankungen die Konsequenzen eines positiven Befunds vor der Diagnostik im Rahmen einer genetischen Beratung mit den Eltern zu diskutieren. Die Bedeutung von Mosaiken für die UPD-Diagnostik muss vor dem Hintergrund des beteiligten Chromosoms bzw. der assoziierten Erkrankung, des zugrunde liegenden Entstehungsmechanismus und der verwendeten Methode bewertet werden.
Gonosomale Mosaike
Authors: Spreiz A. , Kotzot D.
Published: October 2014

Aberrationen der Geschlechtschromosomen sind mit einer Inzidenz von ca. 0,2 % bei Neugeborenen von großer Relevanz. Häufig liegen sie in Form von numerischen und/oder strukturellen Mosaiken vor. Vor allem aufgrund der variablen Verteilung in verschiedenen Geweben ist die Genotyp-Phänotyp-Korrelation schwierig, was besonders bei pränatalen Befunden eine große Herausforderung darstellt und eine genetische Beratung erforderlich macht. Gonosomale Mosaike führen im weiblichen Geschlecht häufig zu den klinischen Symptomen des Turner-Syndroms (v. a. Kleinwuchs und Infertilität) einem potentiell erhöhten Gonadoblastomrisiko bei Vorhandensein einer XY-Zelllinie. Im männlichen Geschlecht sind Klinefelter-Mosaike ebenfalls häufig (bis ca. 20 %). Mosaike für die Karyotypen 47,XXX und 47,XYY werden seltener beobachtet; dies dürfte auch durch den geringen Krankheitswert und die daraus seltener resultierende Untersuchungsindikation begründet sein.
The Effect of Municipality Size and Local Office on the Electoral Success of Belgian/Flemish Election Candidates: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Put Gert-Jan , Maddens Bart
Published: October 2014

This article examines the effect that municipality size and local office have on election candidates’ results. We argue that candidates from the larger municipalities have comparatively larger relevant networks, both in terms of constituents and party grassroots volunteers. In addition, these candidates appeal to a relatively larger share of voters within the constituency. We expect that the relative size of the candidates’ municipality will have a positive effect on the relative number of preferential votes they receive in the constituency and will interact with the effect that holding local office has on the individual election result. While the empirical analysis does not show support for the idea that municipality size will have a significant effect, the expected interaction between local office and municipality size is confirmed. The electoral advantage of being mayor, alderman or local councillor seems to increase with the relative size of the municipality in the district.
How German was the German Home Town?
Authors: Friedrichs Christopher R.
Published: October 2014

We have loved this book for more than forty years. Age cannot wither its intellectual charms, nor custom stale its endless teachability, especially in graduate seminars. As in any long relationship, there have been moments of vexation and irritation, but we return to this book over and over to be nourished anew by its originality, its insights, and its capacity not just to evoke a certain kind of German community but also to convince us that the values of such communities shaped much of German history right into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Coevolutionary patterns and diversification of avian malaria parasites in African sunbirds (Family Nectariniidae)
Authors: LAURON ELVIN J. , LOISEAU CLAIRE , BOWIE RAURI C. K. , SPICER GREG S. , SMITH THOMAS B. , MELO MARTIM , SEHGAL RAVINDER N. M.
Published: October 2014

The coevolutionary relationships between avian malaria parasites and their hosts influence the host specificity, geographical distribution and pathogenicity of these parasites. However, to understand fine scale coevolutionary host–parasite relationships, robust and widespread sampling from closely related hosts is needed. We thus sought to explore the coevolutionary history of avianPlasmodiumand the widespread African sunbirds, family Nectariniidae. These birds are distributed throughout Africa and occupy a variety of habitats. Considering the role that habitat plays in influencing host-specificity and the role that host-specificity plays in coevolutionary relationships, African sunbirds provide an exceptional model system to study the processes that govern the distribution and diversity of avian malaria. Here we evaluated the coevolutionary histories using a multi-gene phylogeny for Nectariniidae and avianPlasmodiumfound in Nectariniidae. We then assessed the host–parasite biogeography and the structuring of parasite assemblages. We recoveredPlasmodiumlineages concurrently in East, West, South and Island regions of Africa. However, severalPlasmodiumlineages were recovered exclusively within one respective region, despite being found in widely distributed hosts. In addition, we inferred the biogeographic history of these parasites and provide evidence supporting a model of biotic diversification in avianPlasmodiumof African sunbirds.
TESTING FOR TREATMENT DEPENDENCE OF EFFECTS OF A CONTINUOUS TREATMENT
Authors: Lu Xun , White Habert
Published: October 2014

This paper provides nonparametric tests for hypotheses about the effects of acontinuoustreatment variable in a nonseparable structural equation. Specifically, we consider local average responses and average partial effects and test whether these effects are identical across different levels of treatment, including testing whether they are zero for all treatment levels as a special case. Our tests are based on consistent procedures of Bierens (1982,Journal of Econometrics20, 105–134; 1990,Econometrica58, 1443–1458) and Stinchcombe and White (1998,Econometric Theory14, 295–324). The tests are easy to implement and achieven-1/2local power. Monte Carlo simulations show that the tests perform well in finite samples. We apply our tests to study the interest rate elasticities of loan demand in microfinance. We also extend our testing procedures to covariate-conditioned average effects and marginal effects.
Vicars and citizen office-holding in the dominions of fifteenth-century Lucca, 1430–1501
Authors: BRATCHEL M.E.
Published: October 2014

Studies of office-holding in Renaissance Italy have largely ignored magistrates of communal origin. The focus has been on offices and officials in the developing regional states, with an emphasis on princely regimes and on Lombardy. The present article examines the citizen magistrates despatched by the city of Lucca to govern its significant but depleted and fragmented territories. It addresses the question of the professionality (or lack of professionality) of the short-term office-holders of urban-centred republican regimes, and briefly explores what a study of office-holding can reveal about relations between a city and its dependent countryside. Though fifteenth-century Lucca was atypical in its historical setting, comparisons have been drawn throughout between Lucca and neighbouring (albeit very different) political formations.
Wolfgang Köhler’sthe Mentality of Apesand the Animal Psychology of his Time
Authors: Ruiz Gabriel , Sánchez Natividad
Published: October 2014

In 1913, the Anthropoid Station for psychological and physiological research in chimpanzees and other apes was founded by the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences (Berlin) near La Orotava, Tenerife. Eugene Teuber, its first director, began his work at the Station with several studies of anthropoid apes’ natural behavior, particularly chimpanzee body language. In late 1913, the psychologist Wolfgang Köhler, the second and final director of the Station, arrived in Tenerife. During his stay in the Canary Islands, Köhler conducted a series of studies on intelligent behavior in chimpanzees that would become classics in the field of comparative psychology. Those experiments were at the core of his bookIntelligenzprüfungen an Menschenaffen(The Mentality of Apes), published in 1921. This paper analyzes Köhler’s experiments and notions of intelligent behavior in chimpanzees, emphasizing his distinctly descriptive approach to these issues. It also makes an effort to elucidate some of the theoretical ideas underpinning Köhler’s work. The ultimate goal of this paper is to assess the historical significance of Köhler’s book within the context of the animal psychology of his time.
Validation of Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (B-YAACQ): Portuguese Version
Authors: Ferreira Joaquim A. , Martins Jorge S. , Coelho Mariana S. , Kahler Christopher W.
Published: October 2014

Extant literature suggests that Portuguese college students frequently drinking alcohol and experience a variety of alcohol-related negative consequences. However, to our knowledge, there is no validated measure to assess negative consequences of drinking alcohol for college students in Portugal. This article describes a validation of the Portuguese version of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire. Originally developed by Kahler, Strong, and Read (2005), this 24-item questionnaire is a widely used self-report measure with strong psychometric properties and validity for the evaluation of the negative consequences of drinking in college students. We collected data from 620 students at the University of Coimbra (Portugal). Participants completed (a) a background questionnaire, (b) the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), (c) the Daily Drinking Questionnaire - Revised (DDQ-R), and (d) the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (B-YAACQ) translated into Portuguese as part of this study. Analyses showed that items fit a unidimensional Rasch model well with items infit statistics raging from .82 to 1.27, supporting using all items to create a total sum score of the Portuguese version of the B-YAACQ. The Portuguese version of the B-YAACQ showed adequate internal reliability (α = .87) and concurrent validity. Results support its use and integration in research on interventions targeted to reduce adverse effects associated with excessive drinking among Portuguese college students.
Alveoläre Hämorrhagie und Kokain: Ursache oder Zufall?
Authors: Plessl Astrid , Buser Paul J. , Daikeler Thomas , Steveling Esther , Halter Jörg , Holbro Andreas
Published: October 2014

Wir berichteten über den Fall eines zuvor gesunden jungen Mannes, der sich aufgrund von Hämoptysen und Dyspnoe im Spital vorgestellt hat. In der täglichen Praxis sind Ärzte häufig mit Hämoptysen konfroniert, so dass sich Abklärungen leicht über einen längeren Zeitraum hinziehen können. Unser Fall illustriert die Wichtigkeit, grundlegende Ursachen rasch abzuklären, eine Behandlung ohne Verzögerung einzuleiten und auch seltene Erkrankungen in die Differenzialdiagnose miteinzubeziehen.
Longitudinal Changes in Resting-State Brain Activity in a Capsular Infarct Model
Authors: Kim Donghyeon , Kim Ra Gyung , Kim Hyung-Sun , Kim Jin-Myung , Jun Sung Chan , Lee Boreom , Jo Hang Joon , Neto Pedro R , Lee Min-Cheol , Kim Hyoung-Ihl
Published: October 2014

Strokes attributable to subcortical infarcts have been increasing recently in elderly patients. To gain insight how this lesion influences the motor outcome and responds to rehabilitative training, we used circumscribed photothrombotic capsular infarct models on 36 Sprague-Dawley rats (24 experimental and 12 sham-operated). We used 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose-micro positron emission tomography (FDG-microPET) to assess longitudinal changes in resting-state brain activity (rs-BA) and daily single-pellet reaching task (SPRT) trainings to evaluate motor recovery. Longitudinal FDG-microPET results showed that capsular infarct resulted in a persistent decrease in rs-BA in bilateral sensory and auditory cortices, and ipsilesional motor cortex, thalamus, and inferior colliculus ( P<0.0025, false discovery rate (FDR) q<0.05). The decreased rs-BA is compatible with diaschisis and contributes to manifest the malfunctions of lesion-specific functional connectivity. In contrast, capsular infarct resulted in increase of rs-BA in the ipsilesional internal capsule, and contralesional red nucleus and ventral hippocampus in recovery group ( P<0.0025, FDR q<0.05), implying that remaining subcortical structures have an important role in conducting the recovery process in capsular infarct. The SPRT training facilitated motor recovery only in rats with an incomplete destruction of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) (Pearson's correlation, P<0.05). Alternative therapeutic interventions are required to enhance the potential for recovery in capsular infarct with complete destruction of PLIC.
SUMO2/3 is Associated with Ubiquitinated Protein Aggregates in the Mouse Neocortex after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Hochrainer Karin , Jackman Katherine , Benakis Corinne , Anrather Josef , Iadecola Costantino
Published: October 2014

Protein modifications cooperatively act to protect the proteome from cellular stress. Focal cerebral ischemia increases protein ubiquitination, resulting in formation of ubiquitin-rich aggregates. A concurrent elevation in small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-conjugated proteins has also been reported, but a potential connection to ubiquitin remains unexplored. Here we show that SUMO2/3 conjugates are present in postischemic ubiquitin-rich aggregates, physically associated with ubiquitin. The coaggregation of SUMO2/3 and ubiquitin is induced rapidly after ischemia, depends on reperfusion, and is also observed in the absence of ischemic damage. The association between SUMO and ubiquitin suggests overlapping functional roles after ischemia/reperfusion.
Regional Distribution of Selective Neuronal Loss and Microglial Activation across the MCA Territory after Transient Focal Ischemia: Quantitative versus Semiquantitative Systematic Immunohistochemical Assessment
Authors: Emmrich Julius V , Ejaz Sohail , Neher Jonas J , Williamson David J , Baron Jean-Claude
Published: October 2014

Histopathologic assessment in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) rodent models generally lacks comprehensiveness and exposes to interobserver bias. Here we compared a novel quantitative assessment of regional infarction, selective neuronal loss (SNL) and microglial activation (MA) across the MCA territory to a previously published semiquantitative visual protocol. NeuN and OX42 immunohistochemistry was applied after either 15 or 45 minutes distal MCAo to maximize SNL and infarction, respectively. Survival times varied from 28 to 60 days to cover potential biases such as delayed tissue shrinkage. Damage was assessed using a template of 44 cytoarchitectonic regions of interest (ROIs) mapped onto a subset of digitized coronal sections spanning the MCA territory. For each ROI were obtained a semiquantitative visually determined index of histopathologic changes (method 1), and lpsilateral/contralesional ratios of remaining neurons and activated microglia cell counts (method 2). There was excellent agreement between the two methods for 28-day survival for both MCAo durations, whereas method 2 more sensitively detected subtle SNL and MA at 45 days and 60 days after 15-minute MCAo. Thus the visual method is accurate for usual degrees of ischemic damage, but absolute cell quantification is superior to detect subtle changes and should therefore be preferred in brief MCAo models, although requires optimal staining quality.
Phenylketonuria: Brain Phenylalanine Concentrations Relate Inversely to Cerebral Protein Synthesis
Authors: de Groot Martijn J , Sijens Paul E , Reijngoud Dirk-Jan , Paans Anne M , van Spronsen Francjan J
Published: October 2014

In phenylketonuria, elevated plasma phenylalanine concentrations may disturb blood-to-brain large neutral amino acid (LNAA) transport and cerebral protein synthesis (CPS). We investigated the associations between these processes, using data obtained by positron emission tomography with l-[1-11C]-tyrosine (11C-Tyr) as a tracer. Blood-to-brain transport of non-Phe LNAAs was modeled by the rate constant for 11C-Tyr transport from arterial plasma to brain tissue (K1), while CPS was modeled by the rate constant for 11C-Tyr incorporation into cerebral protein (k3). Brain phenylalanine concentrations were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in three volumes of interest (VOIs): supraventricular brain tissue (VOI 1), ventricular brain tissue (VOI 2), and fluid-containing ventricular voxels (VOI 3). The associations between k3 and each predictor variable were analyzed by multiple linear regression. The rate constant k3 was inversely associated with brain phenylalanine concentrations in VOIs 2 and 3 (adjusted R2=0.826, F=19.936, P=0.021). Since brain phenylalanine concentrations in these VOIs highly correlated with each other, the specific associations of each predictor with k3 could not be determined. The associations between k3 and plasma phenylalanine concentration, K1, and brain phenylalanine concentrations in VOI 1 were nonsignificant. In conclusion, our study shows an inverse association between k3 and increased brain phenylalanine concentrations.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Obinutuzumab (GA101) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Exposure–Response in CLL
Authors: Gibiansky E , Gibiansky L , Carlile D J , Jamois C , Buchheit V , Frey N
Published: October 2014

Treatment regimens involving obinutuzumab (GA101) demonstrated increased efficacy to rituximab in clinical trials for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and the exposure–response relationships of obinutuzumab still need to be fully described. Data from four clinical trials of obinutuzumab were analyzed to describe the PK properties in patients with NHL or CLL and the pharmacodynamic (PD) properties in patients with CLL. A population PK model with linear time‐dependent clearance described the obinutuzumab concentration–time course. Diagnosis, baseline tumor size (BSIZ), body weight, and gender were the main covariates affecting obinutuzumab exposure. In patients with CLL, exposure was not associated with safety but showed positive trends of correlation with efficacy. Although efficacy correlated positively with exposure, since both efficacy and exposure correlated negatively with BSIZ, it was not possible to determine with certainty whether it would be beneficial to adjust the dose according to BSIZ.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e144; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.42; published online 29 October 2014
Spin-orbit coupling induced semi-metallic state in the 1/3 hole-doped hyper-kagome Na3Ir3O8
Authors: Takayama Tomohiro , Yaresko Alexander , Matsumoto Akiyo , Nuss Jürgen , Ishii Kenji , Yoshida Masahiro , Mizuki Junichiro , Takagi Hidenori
Published: October 2014

The complex iridium oxide Na3Ir3O8 with a B-site ordered spinel structure was synthesized in single crystalline form, where the chiral hyper-kagome lattice of Ir ions, as observed in the spin-liquid candidate Na4Ir3O8, was identified. The average valence of Ir is 4.33+ and, therefore, Na3Ir3O8 can be viewed as a doped analogue of the hyper-kagome spin liquid with Ir4+. The transport measurements, combined with the electronic structure calculations, indicate that the ground state of Na3Ir3O8 is a low carrier density semi-metal. We argue that the semi-metallic state is produced by a competition of the molecular orbital splitting of t2g orbitals on Ir3 triangles with strong spin-orbit coupling inherent to heavy Ir ions.
Fundamentals of Hierarchical Nanostructures
Authors: Lee Jinhwan , Hwan Ko Seung
Published: October 2014

Nanostructures have various unique characteristics: thermal, mechanical, electronic, optoelectronic, optical, chemical, and so on. These characteristics are very different from those of their bulk counterparts due to the large surface area and quantum confinement effects of nanomaterials. The so called “properties” of materials will not be constant any more at a small scale below certain critical values but will be more or less size dependent. This provides huge potential for the development of various functional novel devices. In this chapter, the unique characteristics of nanostructures will be discussed.
Nanotechnology’s Wonder Material: Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: In Jung Bin , Noy Aleksandr
Published: October 2014

The controlled synthesis of nanomaterials is an essential starting point for the application of nanomaterials in commercially-viable nanodevices. In this chapter, we review synthetic techniques, kinetics, and process optimization strategies for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Analysis of the extensive body of experimental evidence shows that reliable and controlled synthesis of CNTs requires strict control over a number of critical process parameters. We discuss these parameters, as well as the detailed mechanism and kinetics of growth and growth termination. In situ kinetics data also highlight the importance of catalyst evolution and source gas purity on the overall growth yield and process reliability. These considerations point to the crucial steps necessary for achieving controlled and reliable synthesis of carbon nanotubes.
Hierarchical Nanostructures for Solar Cells
Authors: Yeo Junyeob , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: October 2014

Solar cells have been getting tremendous attention as the most reliable clean energy source. However, widespread use of solar cells is still limited by two major challenges: conversion efficiency and cost. As a promising solution, hierarchical nanostructures, such as branched nanoforests and nanoporous structures, have changed the recent research trend in developing high efficiency solar cells. Traditional research had focused on the development of new materials such as dyes, electrolytes and catalysts. However, research into the conversion efficiency enhancement that could be obtained from the development of new materials was slow, so a new research trend to enhance solar cell efficiency by smart nanostructuring from the same materials started to get tremendous attention. Nanowire-based solar cells ignited this nanostructuring research and further progress with 2D and 3D hierarchical nanostructures have shown noticeable solar cell efficiency enhancements. The major objectives of hierarchical nanostructuring in solar cells are high carrier mobility (mostly electron mobility in photo-anodes) along the nanowire structures with less recombination, a large surface area to capture more sunlight and adsorb more dye molecules, and light scattering layers to capture the sunlight more efficiently by multiple scattering. A large surface area and high carrier mobility are required for most energy related devices. Therefore, it is evident that hierarchical nanostructures can be applied to the emerging energy conversion and storage fields such as photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting, Li ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, thermoelectric devices, piezoelectric devices as well as solar cells. In this chapter, various research trends will be introduced including how smart material structuring will lead to an increase in photo-conversion efficiency in solar cells especially by introducing hierarchical nanostructures.
Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Authors: Kang Chanyoung , Wang Hongchao , Bahk Je-Hyeong , Kim Hoon , Kim Woochul
Published: October 2014

A thermoelectric device is a solid-state device that can directly convert heat into electricity and vice versa. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive review on the recent advances in thermoelectric materials and devices with an emphasis on the new physical approaches for performance enhancement. Nanostructuring and alloying for thermal conductivity reduction and band engineering with resonant impurities and band convergence for power factor enhancement are discussed as a means to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit or the conversion efficiency. Various bulk material synthesis methods that are used for the recently developed high figure of merit thermoelectric materials based on Bi2Te3, PbTe, Mg2Si and oxide materials are also reviewed. Finally, we briefly discuss the operation principles of thermoelectric devices and the relevant issues in the fabrication of thermoelectric devices and their applications for waste heat recovery.
Sensors
Authors: Lee Dongjin
Published: October 2014

Hierarchical nanostructure sensors are demonstrated and discussed in this chapter. Firstly, hierarchical nanostructures suitable for sensors are introduced and classified depending on hierarchy and morphology, followed by their effective preparation methods. Gas sensors, biosensors and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors that exploit hierarchical nanostructures are presented in detail and evaluated in terms of sensitivity/resolution and response time. Hierarchical nanostructure sensors are proven to possess higher performances, such as sensitively, resolution and response time, than their compact and dense counterparts. They are very promising for the detection of ions, molecules and biomarkers at trace-level due to their high sensitivity and toxin, hazardous gas and biochemical weapons due to their fast response characteristics.
Summary
Authors: Hwan Ko Seung
Published: October 2014

Hierarchical nanostructure research has a bright future in solving the current limitations of energy devices. The ultimate goal is to push the energy devices towards practical applications, which requires the development of devices with high efficiency, low cost and long lifespan. Thus, the optimization of branched nanostructures and the improvement of the energy conversation efficiency will remain the future research focus. This chapter summarizes and concludes the book.
The model case of an oxygen storage catalyst – non-stoichiometry, point defects and electrical conductivity of single crystalline CeO2–ZrO2–Y2O3solid solutions
Authors: Eufinger Jens-Peter , Daniels Maximilian , Schmale Kerstin , Berendts Stefan , Ulbrich Gregor , Lerch Martin , Wiemhöfer Hans-Dieter , Janek Jürgen
Published: October 2014

Defect-chemistry of the oxygen storage compound CeO2–ZrO2–Y2O3has been investigated with conductivity, EMF and non-stoichiometry measurements and the observed non-ideality was described by an unconventional defect-model.
Au–Au chemical bonding induced by UV irradiation of dinuclear gold(i) complexes: a computational study with experimental evidence
Authors: Latouche Camille , Lin Yan-Ru , Tobon Yeny , Furet Eric , Saillard Jean-Yves , Liu Chen-Wei , Boucekkine Abdou
Published: October 2014

Au–Au chemical bonding appears upon UV irradiation.
Stability and spinodal decomposition of the solid-solution phase in the ruthenium–cerium–oxide electro-catalyst
Authors: Li Yanmei , Wang Xin , Shao Yanqun , Tang Dian , Wu Bo , Tang Zhongzhi , Lin Wei
Published: October 2014

(Ru1−x,Cex)O2 solid solution is metastable and quasi-spinodal decomposition occurs.
Interaction of magnetic nanoparticles with phospholipid films adsorbed at a liquid/liquid interface
Authors: Cámara C. I. , Monzón L. M. A. , Coey J. M. D. , Yudi L. M.
Published: October 2014

The presence of Co magnetic nanoparticles in phospholipid films decreases their structuration and increases their permeability to ion transfer.
Spatial and temporal variability of incidental nanoparticles in indoor workplaces: impact on the characterization of point source exposures
Authors: Niu Jianjun , Rasmussen Pat E. , Magee Robert , Nilsson Gregory
Published: October 2014

Characterization of incidental nanoparticles (such as diesel fumes and printer emissions) is an important component of nanotechnology exposure assessments.
A self-powered one-touch blood extraction system: a novel polymer-capped hollow microneedle integrated with a pre-vacuum actuator
Authors: Li Cheng Guo , Dangol Manita , Lee Chang Yeol , Jang Mingyu , Jung Hyungil
Published: October 2014

A self-powered one-touch blood extraction system is fabricated by the integration of a smart polymer-capped hollow microneedle and a pre-vacuum actuator. It is well suited for integration with other microsystems to realize a real-time micro total analysis for point-of-care diagnosis.
Microfluidic device for mechanical dissociation of cancer cell aggregates into single cells
Authors: Qiu Xiaolong , De Jesus Janice , Pennell Marissa , Troiani Marco , Haun Jered B.
Published: October 2014

We present a microfluidic device for mechanically dissociating digested tumor tissue and cancer cell aggregates, resulting in enhanced recovery of single cells in less than 10 minutes processing time.
A novel water-soluble quantum dot–neutral red fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe for the selective detection of megestrol acetate
Authors: Wang Li-Yun , Dong Ling-Yu , Chen Luan , Fan Ya-Bing , Wu Jing , Wang Xiang-Feng , Xie Meng-Xia
Published: October 2014

Megestrol acetate can specifically quench the fluorescence intensity of the β-CD-QD–NR FRET probe at low concentration levels.
Novel triazole-based ligands and their zinc(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes with a nitrogen donor environment as potential structural models for mononuclear active sites
Authors: Štefane Bogdan , Perdih Franc , Višnjevac Aleksandar , Požgan Franc
Published: October 2014

A tridentate N,N,N-1,2,3-triazole-based ligand successfully coordinated to nickel ions through the less Lewis basic N2 atom of the triazole ring.
Synthesizing nano-sized (∼20 nm) Li4Ti5O12 at low temperature for a high-rate performance lithium ion battery anode
Authors: Cheng Chongling , Liu Hongjiang , Xue Xin , Cao Shaomei , Cao Hui , Shi Liyi
Published: October 2014

This is the first report on the preparation of highly crystalline Li4Ti5O12 with a small particle size of ∼20 nm using a low synthesis temperature (500 °C).
A nitroaromatic fluorescence sensor from a novel tripyrenyl truxene
Authors: Sam-ang Pornpat , Raksasorn Danusorn , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Rashatasakhon Paitoon
Published: October 2014

A new fluorescent sensor for 2-nitrophenol and picric acid is successfully synthesized from truxene and ethynyl pyrene.
Biomolecules-conjugated nanomaterials for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Wang Jian , Wang Ting Ting , Gao Peng Fei , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: October 2014

Now and in the future, with the development of artificial biomolecules as well as nanomaterials, targeted drug delivery based on elegant biomolecule–nanomaterial conjugation approaches is being developed to achieve great versatility, additional functions, and further advances.
Cellular response to the genotoxic insult: the question of threshold for genotoxic carcinogens
Authors: Greim Helmut , Albertini Richard J.
Published: October 2014

Maintenance of cellular integrity is crucial for its physiological function, which is constantly threatened by DNA damage arising from numerous intrinsic and environmental sources.
Tracheotomy and Swallowing
Authors: Suiter Debra M.
Published: October 2014

The issue of tracheotomy tubes and swallowing has been a topic of ongoing interest and concern for clinicians who work with this patient population. The following article will review evidence regarding the effects of tracheotomy tubes on swallowing as well as information to guide clinicians who perform swallowing evaluations with patients with tracheotomy tubes.
A low cycle fatigue test device for micro-cantilevers based on self-excited vibration principle
Authors: Qi Mingjing , Liu Zhiwei , Yan Xiaojun
Published: October 2014

This paper reports a low-cycle fatigue test device for micro-cantilevers, which are widely used in micro scale structures. The working principle of the device is based on the phenomenon that a micro-cantilever can be set into self-excited vibration between two electrodes under DC voltage. Compared with previous devices, this simple device can produce large strain amplitude on non-notched specimens, and allows a batch of specimens to be tested simultaneously. Forty-two micro-cantilever specimens were tested and their fatigue fracture surfaces exhibit typical low cycle fatigue characteristics. As such, the device is very attractive for future fatigue investigation for micro scale structures.
Sub-Tg relaxation patterns in Cu-based metallic glasses far from equilibrium
Authors: Wang Caiwei , Hu Lina , Wei Chen , Tong Xu , Zhou Chao , Sun Qijing , Hui Xidong , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: October 2014

We investigate the sub-Tg relaxation patterns (RPs) in binary and quaternary Cu-based glass ribbons (GRs) by using the hyperquenching-sub-Tg annealing-calorimetric approach. This study contributes to revealing the structural or dynamic evolution in liquids related to the observed three-stage sub-Tg relaxation processes in GRs. In this work, we have achieved the following three findings. First, the abnormal three-stage relaxation behavior is not a general phenomenon for Cu-based metallic glasses and could not be simply predicted by the large difference in the enthalpy of mixing between different elements in alloys. Second, the abnormal three-stage RP is associated with the non-monotonic change of cluster size with medium range order in supercooled liquids. Third, the existence of the liquid-liquid phase transition depicted by anomalous viscosity drop during cooling in superheated liquids could be a signature of the unusual structural change causing the abnormal three-step sub-Tg RP in the GRs. This work helps to better understand the complex structural evolution from superheated to supercooled liquids approaching Tg.
Construction of conformally invariant higher spin operators using transvector algebras
Authors: Eelbode D. , Raeymaekers T.
Published: October 2014

This paper deals with a systematic construction of higher spin operators, defined as conformally invariant differential operators acting on functions on flat space \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathbb {R}^m$\end{document}Rm with values in an arbitrary half-integer irreducible representation for the spin group. To be more precise, the higher spin version of the Dirac operator and associated twistor operators will be constructed as generators of a transvector algebra, hereby generalising the well-known fact that the classical Dirac operator on \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathbb {R}^m$\end{document}Rm and its symbol generate the orthosymplectic Lie superalgebra \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathfrak {osp}(1,2)$\end{document}osp(1,2). To do so, we will use the extremal projection operator and its relation to transvector algebras. In the second part of the article, the conformal invariance of the constructed higher spin operators will be proven explicitly.
Self-consistent field model simulations for statistics of amorphous polymer chains in crystalline lamellar structures
Authors: Uneyama Takashi , Miyata Takafumi , Nitta Koh-hei
Published: October 2014

We calculate statistical properties of amorphous polymer chains between crystalline lamellae by self-consistent field model simulations. In our model, an amorphous subchain is modelled as a polymer chain of which ends are grafted onto the crystal-amorphous interfaces. The crystal-amorphous interfaces are expressed as impenetrable surfaces. We incorporate the interaction between segments to satisfy the incompressible condition for the segment density field. The simulation results show that amorphous polymer chains feel thin potential layers, which are mainly repulsive, near the crystal-amorphous interfaces. The impenetrable and incompressible conditions affect the statistics of polymer chains and the chain statistics becomes qualitatively different from the ideal Gaussian chain statistics without any constraints. We show the effects of the system size and the graft density to statistical quantities. We also show that the tie subchain statistics obey rather simple statistics.
Large eddy simulations of Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flows in a narrow-gap system
Authors: Poncet Sébastien , Viazzo Stéphane , Oguic Romain
Published: October 2014

The present paper concerns Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) of turbulent Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flows in a narrow-gap cavity for six different combinations of rotational and axial Reynolds numbers. The in-house numerical code has been first validated in a middle-gap cavity. Two sets of refined LES results, using the Wall-Adapting Local Eddy Viscosity (WALE) and the Dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid-scale models available within an in-house code based on high-order compact schemes, have been then compared with no noticeable difference on the mean flow field and the turbulent statistics. The WALE model enabling a saving of about 12% of computational effort has been finally used to investigate the influence on the hydrodynamics of the swirl parameter N within the range [1.49 − 6.71]. The swirl parameter N, which compares the effects of rotation of the inner cylinder and the axial flowrate, does not influence significantly the mean velocity profiles. Turbulence intensities are enhanced with increasing values of N with remarkably high peak values within the boundary layers. The inner rotating cylinder has a destabilizing effect inducing asymmetric profiles of the Reynolds stress tensor components. The rotor and stator boundary layers exhibit the main characteristics of two-dimensional boundary layers. Turbulence is also mainly at two-component there. Thin coherent structures appearing as negative (resp. positive) spiral rolls are observed along the rotor (resp. stator) side. Their inclination angle depends strongly on the value of the swirl parameter, which fixes the intensity of the crossflow. On the other hand, the intensity and the size of the coherent structures observed within the boundary layers are governed by the effective Reynolds number. For its highest value, they penetrate the whole gap. Finally, the results have been extended to the non-isothermal case in the forced convection regime. A correlation for the Nusselt number along the rotor has been provided showing a much larger dependence on the axial Reynolds number than expected from previous published works, while it depends classically on the Taylor number to the power 0.145 and on the Prandtl number to the power 0.3.
A non-resonant mass sensor to eliminate the “missing mass” effect during mass measurement of biological materials
Authors: Shrikanth V. , Bobji M. S.
Published: October 2014

Resonant sensors and crystal oscillators for mass detection need to be excited at very high natural frequencies (MHz). Use of such systems to measure mass of biological materials affects the accuracy of mass measurement due to their viscous and/or viscoelastic properties. The measurement limitation of such sensor system is the difficulty in accounting for the “missing mass” of the biological specimen in question. A sensor system has been developed in this work, to be operated in the stiffness controlled region at very low frequencies as compared to its fundamental natural frequency. The resulting reduction in the sensitivity due to non-resonant mode of operation of this sensor is compensated by the high resolution of the sensor. The mass of different aged drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) is measured. The difference in its mass measurement during resonant mode of operation is also presented. That, viscosity effects do not affect the working of this non-resonant mass sensor is clearly established by direct comparison.
Monte Carlo simulations of lattice models for single polymer systems
Authors: Hsu Hsiao-Ping
Published: October 2014

Single linear polymer chains in dilute solutions under good solvent conditions are studied by Monte Carlo simulations with the pruned-enriched Rosenbluth method up to the chain length \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$N \sim {\cal O}(10^4)$\end{document}N∼O(104). Based on the standard simple cubic lattice model (SCLM) with fixed bond length and the bond fluctuation model (BFM) with bond lengths in a range between 2 and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\sqrt{10}$\end{document}10, we investigate the conformations of polymer chains described by self-avoiding walks on the simple cubic lattice, and by random walks and non-reversible random walks in the absence of excluded volume interactions. In addition to flexible chains, we also extend our study to semiflexible chains for different stiffness controlled by a bending potential. The persistence lengths of chains extracted from the orientational correlations are estimated for all cases. We show that chains based on the BFM are more flexible than those based on the SCLM for a fixed bending energy. The microscopic differences between these two lattice models are discussed and the theoretical predictions of scaling laws given in the literature are checked and verified. Our simulations clarify that a different mapping ratio between the coarse-grained models and the atomistically realistic description of polymers is required in a coarse-graining approach due to the different crossovers to the asymptotic behavior.
Phase diagrams of DNA–photosensitive surfactant complexes: Effect of ionic strength and surfactant structure
Authors: Zakrevskyy Yuriy , Titov Evgenii , Lomadze Nino , Santer Svetlana
Published: October 2014

Realization of all-optically controlled and efficient DNA compaction is the major motivation in the study of interactions between DNA and photosensitive surfactants. In this article, using recently published approach of phase diagram construction [Y. Zakrevskyy, P. Cywinski, M. Cywinska, J. Paasche, N. Lomadze, O. Reich, H.-G. Löhmannsroben, and S. Santer, J. Chem. Phys. 140, 044907 (2014)], a strategy for substantial reduction of compaction agent concentration and simultaneous maintaining the light-induced decompaction efficiency is proposed. The role of ionic strength (NaCl concentration), as a very important environmental parameter, and surfactant structure (spacer length) on the changes of positions of phase transitions is investigated. Increase of ionic strength leads to increase of the surfactant concentration needed to compact DNA molecule. However, elongation of the spacer results to substantial reduction of this concentration. DNA compaction by surfactants with longer tails starts to take place in diluted solutions at charge ratios Z < 1 and is driven by azobenzene-aggregation compaction mechanism, which is responsible for efficient decompaction. Comparison of phase diagrams for different DNA–photosensitive surfactant systems allowed explanation and proposal of a strategy to overcome previously reported limitations of the light-induced decompaction for complexes with increasing surfactant hydrophobicity.
Multiple percolation tunneling staircase in metal-semiconductor nanoparticle composites
Authors: Mukherjee Rupam , Huang Zhi-Feng , Nadgorny Boris
Published: October 2014

Multiple percolation transitions are observed in a binary system of RuO2-CaCu3Ti4O12 metal-semiconductor nanoparticle composites near percolation thresholds. Apart from a classical percolation transition, associated with the appearance of a continuous conductance path through RuO2 metal oxide nanoparticles, at least two additional tunneling percolation transitions are detected in this composite system. Such behavior is consistent with the recently emerged picture of a quantum conductivity staircase, which predicts several percolation tunneling thresholds in a system with a hierarchy of local tunneling conductance, due to various degrees of proximity of adjacent conducting particles distributed in an insulating matrix. Here, we investigate a different type of percolation tunneling staircase, associated with a more complex conductive and insulating particle microstructure of two types of non-spherical constituents. As tunneling is strongly temperature dependent, we use variable temperature measurements to emphasize the hierarchical nature of consecutive tunneling transitions. The critical exponents corresponding to specific tunneling percolation thresholds are found to be nonuniversal and temperature dependent.
Electrocaloric properties of ferroelectric-paraelectric superlattices controlled by the thickness of paraelectric layer in a wide temperature range
Authors: Ma D. C. , Lin S. P. , Chen W. J. , Zheng Yue , Wang Biao , Xiong W. M.
Published: October 2014

As functions of the paraelectric layer thickness, misfit strain and temperature, the electrocaloric properties of ferroelectric-paraelectric superlattices are investigated using a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau thermodynamic model. Ferroelectric phase transition driven by the relative thickness of the superlattice is found to dramatically impact the electrocaloric response. Near the phase transition temperature, the magnitude of the electrocaloric effect is maximized and shifted to lower temperatures by increasing the relative thickness of paraelectric layer. Theoretical calculations also imply that the electrocaloric effect of the superlattices depends not only on the relative thickness of paraelectric layer but also on misfit strain. Furthermore, control of the relative thickness of paraelectric layer and the misfit strain can change availably both the magnitude and the temperature sensitivity of the electrocaloric effect, which suggests that ferroelectric-paraelectric superlattices may be promising candidates for use in cooling devices in a wide temperature range.