bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural relaxation of acridine orange dimer in bulk water and inside a single live lung cell
Authors: Chowdhury Rajdeep , Nandi Somen , Halder Ritaban , Jana Biman , Bhattacharyya Kankan
Published: February 2016

Structural relaxation of the acridine orange (AO) dimer in bulk water and inside a single live lung cell is studied using time resolved confocal microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The emission maxima (λemmax∼630 nm) of AO in a lung cancer cell (A549) and a non-cancer lung fibroblast cell (WI38) suggest that AO exists as a dimer inside the cell. Time-dependent red shift in emission maximum indicates dynamic relaxation of the AO dimer (in the excited state) with a time constant of 500-600 ps, both in bulk water and inside the cell. We have calculated the equilibrium relaxation dynamics of the AO dimer in the ground state using MD simulations and found a slow component of time scale ∼350 ps. The intra- and inter-molecular components of the total relaxation dynamics of the AO dimer reveal the presence of a slow component of the order of a few hundred picoseconds. Upon restricting intra-molecular dye dynamics by harmonic constraint between AO monomers, the slow component vanishes. Combining the experimental observations and MD simulation results, we ascribe the slow component of the dynamic relaxation of the AO dimer to the structural relaxation, namely, fluctuations in the distance between the two monomers and associated fluctuation in the number of water molecules.
Space-charge-controlled field emission model of current conduction through Al2O3 films
Authors: Hiraiwa Atsushi , Matsumura Daisuke , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: February 2016

This study proposes a model for current conduction in metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors, assuming the presence of two sheets of charge in the insulator, and derives analytical formulae of field emission (FE) currents under both negative and positive bias. Since it is affected by the space charge in the insulator, this particular FE differs from the conventional FE and is accordingly named the space-charge-controlled (SCC) FE. The gate insulator of this study was a stack of atomic-layer-deposition Al2O3 and underlying chemical SiO2 formed on Si substrates. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics simulated using the SCC-FE formulae quantitatively reproduced the experimental results obtained by measuring Au- and Al-gated Al2O3/SiO2 MIS capacitors under both biases. The two sheets of charge in the Al2O3 films were estimated to be positive and located at a depth of greater than 4 nm from the Al2O3/SiO2 interface and less than 2 nm from the gate. The density of the former is approximately 1 × 1013 cm−2 in units of electronic charge, regardless of the type of capacitor. The latter forms a sheet of dipoles together with image charges in the gate and hence causes potential jumps of 0.4 V and 1.1 V in the Au- and Al-gated capacitors, respectively. Within a margin of error, this sheet of dipoles is ideally located at the gate/Al2O3 interface and effectively reduces the work function of the gate by the magnitude of the potential jumps mentioned above. These facts indicate that the currents in the Al2O3/SiO2 MIS capacitors are enhanced as compared to those in ideal capacitors and that the currents in the Al-gated capacitors under negative bias (electron emission from the gate) are more markedly enhanced than those in the Au-gated capacitors. The larger number of gate-side dipoles in the Al-gated capacitors is possibly caused by the reaction between the Al and Al2O3, and therefore gate materials that do not react with underlying gate insulators should be chosen in order to achieve a low leakage current by suppressing the current enhancement. Although the current conduction in this study is essentially limited by FE, neither the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) nor Poole-Frenkel (PF) plots of the I-V characteristics are fitted by a linear function. The failures of the FN and PF plot methods alert us to the inaccuracies of basing the investigation of current conduction on these traditional plots. Hence, the methodology of a current conduction analysis and the knowledge of Al2O3 charging in this study provide a solid foundation for investigating the current conduction in MIS capacitors.
R-matrix for the two parameter quantum superalgebra U
r,s(osp(1|2n))
Authors: Chen Jialei , Liu Junli
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we construct the two-parameter R-matrix for the quantum superalgebra Ur,s(osp(1|2n)), which provides a solution to the quantum Yang-Baxter equation. We also prove that the R-matrix satisfies the hexagon identities.
Temperature dependent optical properties of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite by spectroscopic ellipsometry
Authors: Jiang Yajie , Soufiani Arman Mahboubi , Gentle Angus , Huang Fuzhi , Ho-Baillie Anita , Green Martin A.
Published: February 2016

Mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskites have emerged as a promising new class of semiconductors for photovoltaics with excellent light harvesting properties. Thorough understanding of the optical properties of these materials is important for photovoltaic device optimization and the insight this provides for the knowledge of energy band structures. Here we present an investigation of the sub-room temperature dependent optical properties of polycrystalline thin films of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites that are of increasing interest for photovoltaics. The complex dielectric function of CH3NH3PbI3 in the energy range of 0.5–4.1 eV is determined between 77 K and 297 K using spectroscopic ellipsometry. An increase in optical permittivity as the temperature decreases is illustrated for CH3NH3PbI3. Optical transitions and critical points were analyzed using the energy dependent second derivative of these dielectric functions as a function of temperature.
Electronic transport through Al/InN nanowire/Al junctions
Authors: Lu T. M. , Wang G. T. , Pan W. , Zhao S. , Mi Z.
Published: February 2016

We report non-linear electronic transport measurement of Al/Si-doped n-type InN nanowire/Al junctions performed at T = 0.3 K, below the superconducting transition temperature of the Al electrodes. The proximity effect is observed in these devices through a strong dip in resistance at zero bias. In addition to the resistance dip at zero bias, several resistance peaks can be identified at bias voltages above the superconducting gap of the electrodes, while no resistance dip is observed at the superconducting gap. The resistance peaks disappear as the Al electrodes turn normal beyond the critical magnetic field except one which remains visible at fields several times higher than critical magnetic field. An unexpected non-monotonic magnetic field dependence of the peak position is observed. We discuss the physical origin of these observations and propose that the resistance peaks could be the McMillan-Rowell oscillations arising from different closed paths localized near different regions of the junctions.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Cu2Se/Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 nanocomposites at elevated temperatures
Authors: Li Y. Y. , Qin X. Y. , Li D. , Zhang J. , Li C. , Liu Y. F. , Song C. J. , Xin H. X. , Guo H. F.
Published: February 2016

Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric materials with large thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, at elevated temperatures are advantageous in power generation by using the low-grade waste heat. Here, we show that incorporation of small proportion (0.3 vol. %) of nanophase Cu2Se into BiSbTe matrix causes an enhanced high-temperature thermopower due to elevated energy filtering of carriers and inhibition of minority transport besides enhanced phonon blocking from scattering at interfaces, which concurrently result in an ∼20% increase in the power factor and an ∼60% reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity at 488 K. As a result, ZT = 1.6 is achieved at 488 K in the composite system with 0.3 vol. % of Cu2Se. Significantly, its ZT is larger than unit in broad high-temperature range (e.g., ZT = 1.3 at 400 K and ZT = 1.6 at 488 K), which makes this material to be attractive for applications in energy harvesting from the low-grade waste heat.
Monte Carlo study of non-diffusive relaxation of a transient thermal grating in thin membranes
Authors: Zeng Lingping , Chiloyan Vazrik , Huberman Samuel , Maznev Alex A. , Peraud Jean-Philippe M. , Hadjiconstantinou Nicolas G. , Nelson Keith A. , Chen Gang
Published: February 2016

The impact of boundary scattering on non-diffusive thermal relaxation of a transient grating in thin membranes is rigorously analyzed using the multidimensional phonon Boltzmann equation. The gray Boltzmann simulation results indicate that approximating models derived from previously reported one-dimensional relaxation model and Fuchs-Sondheimer model fail to describe the thermal relaxation of membranes with thickness comparable with phonon mean free path. Effective thermal conductivities from spectral Boltzmann simulations free of any fitting parameters are shown to agree reasonably well with experimental results. These findings are important for improving our fundamental understanding of non-diffusive thermal transport in membranes and other nanostructures.
Note: A top-view optical approach for observing the coalescence of liquid drops
Authors: Wang Luhai , Zhang Guifu , Wu Haiyi , Yang Jiming , Zhu Yujian
Published: February 2016

We developed a new device that is capable of top-view optical examination of the coalescence of liquid drops. The device exhibits great potential for visualization, particularly for the early stage of liquid bridge expansion, owing to the use of a high-speed shadowgraph technique. The fluid densities of the two approaching drops and that of the ambient fluid are carefully selected to be negligibly different, which allows the size of the generated drops to be unlimitedly large in principle. The unique system design allows the point of coalescence between two drops to serve as an undisturbed optical pathway through which to image the coalescence process. The proposed technique extended the dimensionless initial finite radius of the liquid bridge to 0.001, in contrast to 0.01 obtained for conventional optical measurements. An examination of the growth of the bridge radius for a water and oil-tetrachloroethylene system provided results similar to Paulsen’s power laws of the inertially limited viscous and inertial regimes. Furthermore, a miniscule shift in the center of the liquid bridge was detected at the point of crossover between the two regimes, which can be scarcely distinguished with conventional side-view techniques.
Magnetic enhancement of photoluminescence from blue-luminescent graphene quantum dots
Authors: Chen Qi , Shi Chentian , Zhang Chunfeng , Pu Songyang , Wang Rui , Wu Xuewei , Wang Xiaoyong , Xue Fei , Pan Dengyu , Xiao Min
Published: February 2016

Graphene quantum-dots (GQDs) have been predicted and demonstrated with fascinating optical and magnetic properties. However, the magnetic effect on the optical properties remains experimentally unexplored. Here, we conduct a magneto-photoluminescence study on the blue-luminescence GQDs at cryogenic temperatures with magnetic field up to 10 T. When the magnetic field is applied, a remarkable enhancement of photoluminescence emission has been observed together with an insignificant change in circular polarization. The results have been well explained by the scenario of magnetic-field-controlled singlet-triplet mixing in GQDs owing to the Zeeman splitting of triplet states, which is further verified by temperature-dependent experiments. This work uncovers the pivotal role of intersystem crossing in GQDs, which is instrumental for their potential applications such as light-emitting diodes, photodynamic therapy, and spintronic devices.
The effect of pH, organic ligand chemistry and mineralogy on the sorption of beryllium over time
Authors: Boschi Vanessa , Willenbring Jane K.
Published: February 2016

Environmental contextBeryllium is a toxic environmental contaminant but has many industrial and scientific applications. Our work explores the effects of soil composition on beryllium retention, focussing on organic matter, mineralogy and pH and concludes that phosphorus and sulfur oxides in addition to soil acidity are strong controls on beryllium mobility. These results aid in future predictions regarding the fate of beryllium in the environment.
AbstractUnderstanding the chemical controls on beryllium sorption is fundamental when assessing its mobility as a pollutant and interpreting its concentration as a geochemical tracer of erosion, weathering and landscape surface stability. In order to evaluate the interactions of beryllium with soil- and aquatic-related materials, we selected model organic compounds and minerals to perform sorption experiments. The retention of beryllium by each of these compounds and minerals was evaluated over a pH range of 3–6 and at various equilibration times to determine which conditions allowed the greatest retention of beryllium. We conclude that most beryllium sorption occurred within 24h for both organic and mineral materials. However, equilibration required longer periods of time and was dependent on the solution pH and sorbent material. The pH exhibited a strong control on beryllium sorption with distribution coefficient (Kd) values increasing non-linearly with increasing pH. A system with a pH of 6 is likely to retain 79–2270% more beryllium than the same system at a pH of 4. Phosphonate retained the greatest amount of beryllium, with Kd values 2–30× greater than all other materials tested at a pH of 6. Therefore, soils containing larger amounts of phosphorus-bearing minerals could result in greater retention of beryllium relative to phosphorus-limited soils. Overall, soil composition, with an emphasis on phosphorus oxide content and pH, is an important property to consider when evaluating the capacity of a system to retain beryllium.
Diagnosis of human taeniasis
Authors: Jabbar Abdul , Gauci Charles , Lightowlers Marshall W
Published: February 2016

Taenia solium, T. saginata and T. asiatica are taeniid tapeworms that cause taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in intermediate host animals. T. solium can also cause cysticercosis in humans. A number of diagnostic methods have been developed to diagnose Taenia species that infect humans. This article is aimed at providing an overview of currently available diagnostic methods for human taeniasis.
Seafood-borne parasitic diseases in Australia: How much do we know about them?
Authors: Shamsi Shokoofeh
Published: February 2016

Fish are host to many parasites, some of which can cause disease in humans. With the increase in cultural and culinary diversity and the increased popularity of eating raw or slightly cooked seafood dishes in Australia it is speculated that seafood-borne parasitic infections in Australian consumers may rise. Seafood-borne zoonotic parasites are recognised as a significant public health concern worldwide. In Australia there are few reports of infection in humans in the medical literature. Australian Government enforcement agencies rate the risk of seafood-borne zoonosis as low; however, the prevalence of seafood-borne zoonoses may be under-reported in Australia due to misdiagnosis. Although food safety regulations and import controls for seafood in Australia are strict, the focus is more on the control of food-borne bacterial, viral and chemical contaminant related illnesses rather than parasitic diseases.
Do vertebral chemical signatures distinguish juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery regions in the northern Gulf of Mexico?
Authors: Lewis Justin P. , Patterson William F. , Carlson John K. , McLachlin Katherine
Published: February 2016

Identifying and protecting shark nurseries is a common management strategy used to help rebuild overfished stocks, yet we know little about connectivity between juvenile and adult populations. By analysing trace metals incorporated into vertebral cartilage, it may be possible to infer natal origin based on nursery-specific chemical signatures. To assess the efficacy of this approach, we collected juvenile blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus; n = 93) from four regions in the Gulf of Mexico in 2012 and 2013 and analysed their vertebral centra with laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. We observed significant regional differences in six element:Ca ratios in both 2012 and 2013. Multi-element chemical signatures were significantly different among regions and between year-classes. Year-class-specific linear discriminant function analysis yielded regional classification accuracies of 81% for 2012 and 85% for 2013, although samples were not obtained from all four regions in 2012. Combining year-classes resulted in an overall classification accuracy of 84%, thus demonstrating the usefulness of this approach. These results are encouraging yet highlight a need for more research to better evaluate the efficacy of vertebral chemistry to study elasmobranch population connectivity.
REDUCED CHLOROPLAST COVERAGE
genes from
Arabidopsis thaliana
help to establish the size of the chloroplast compartment
Authors: Larkin Robert M. , Stefano Giovanni , Ruckle Michael E. , Stavoe Andrea K. , Sinkler Christopher A. , Brandizzi Federica , Malmstrom Carolyn M. , Osteryoung Katherine W.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Mechanisms that determine the cellular volume allocated to organelles are largely unknown. We demonstrate that in the plant
Arabidopsis thaliana
, a small gene family that encodes proteins of unknown function contributes to a mechanism that establishes the proportion of cellular volume devoted to chloroplasts. We show that this mechanism resides outside of the chloroplast by demonstrating that the protein that makes the greatest contribution to this mechanism resides in the cytoplasm and nucleus and that the trafficking of this protein between the cytoplasm and nucleus may regulate this mechanism. A deeper understanding of this mechanism may lead to the rational manipulation of chloroplast compartment size, which may lead to more efficient photosynthesis and increased yields from important crop plants.
Dynamic secretion during meiotic reentry integrates the function of the oocyte and cumulus cells
Authors: Cakmak Hakan , Franciosi Federica , Zamah A. Musa , Cedars Marcelle I. , Conti Marco
Published: February 2016

Significance

Oocyte fitness to support embryo development and pregnancy is dependent on an elaborate cross-talk with the surrounding environment of the ovarian follicle. Here, we show that this cross-talk continues during the periovulatory period when a new set of bioactive molecules is secreted by the oocyte in mice and humans. This shift in pattern of secretion is dependent on oocyte maturation and on paracrine factors secreted by somatic cells at the time of ovulation. These changes in pattern of secretion may be used to assess oocyte quality.
Endogenous dendritic cells from the tumor microenvironment support T-ALL growth via IGF1R activation
Authors: Triplett Todd A. , Cardenas Kim T. , Lancaster Jessica N. , Hu Zicheng , Selden Hilary J. , Jasso Guadalupe J. , Balasubramanyam Sadhana , Chan Kathy , Li LiQi , Chen Xi , Marcogliese Andrea N. , Davé Utpal P. , Love Paul E. , Ehrlich Lauren I. R.
Published: February 2016

Significance

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a malignancy of developing T cells. Cancer cell growth is often driven by cell-intrinsic alterations in signaling pathways as well as extrinsic signals from the tumor microenvironment. Here we identify tumor-associated dendritic cells as a key endogenous cell type in the tumor microenvironment that promotes murine T-ALL growth and survival at both primary and metastatic tumor sites. We also find that tumor-associated dendritic cells activate the insulin-like growth factor I receptor in T-ALL cells, which is critical for their survival. Analysis of primary patient T-ALL samples reveals phenotypically analogous tumor microenvironments. Our findings suggest that targeting signals from the tumor microenvironment could expand therapeutic options for T-ALL.
Lipid and metabolite profiles of human brain tumors by desorption electrospray ionization-MS
Authors: Jarmusch Alan K. , Pirro Valentina , Baird Zane , Hattab Eyas M. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Cooks R. Graham
Published: February 2016

Significance

Brain tumors can lead to a significant source of morbidity and mortality. The primary treatment is microsurgical resection, and the extent of resection is associated with length of survival. Unfortunately, reliable intraoperative tools for diagnosis and safe maximal resection of the tumor mass are lacking. Mass spectra (lipid and metabolite profiles) can be used to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues by comparison of patterns of peak intensities using multivariate statistics. This experiment can be done on a timescale amenable to intraoperative analysis using tissue smears. These data can provide surgeons with near real-time pathologic information and guide the intraoperative resection of the tumor at the difficult to detect peritumoral borders.
Lasing in robust cesium lead halide perovskite nanowires
Authors: Eaton Samuel W. , Lai Minliang , Gibson Natalie A. , Wong Andrew B. , Dou Letian , Ma Jie , Wang Lin-Wang , Leone Stephen R. , Yang Peidong
Published: February 2016

Significance

Nanowire lasers are miniaturized light sources with great potential for integration into optoelectronic circuits. Many of the current nanowire lasers either require extreme conditions for synthesis or suffer from poor operational stability. We synthesize nanowires of a promising set of compositions, the cesium lead halides, and accomplish this under near-ambient conditions. These nanowires act as efficient laser cavities and are capable of lasing with relatively low excitation thresholds. They also demonstrate unprecedented stability for a perovskite-based nanowire laser and offer a new nanoscale platform for future study.
The EPPM put to the test
Authors: Ooms Joëlle , Jansen Carel , Hoeks John
Published: February 2016

Fear appeals are frequently used in health communication, for example in anti-smoking campaigns. Of the different theoretical models that predict and explain how fear appeals work, the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM; Witte, 1992) is probably used most often. However, most propositions of the EPPM were not explicitly tested, or received mixed empirical support (Popova, 2012). To clarify the relationships between the variables of the EPPM, four of the EPPM’s propositions were tested by performing correlational and mediation analyses. The results (n = 116) show that a large part of the relationships between the concepts of the EPPM and the outcomes of fear appeals differ from what the EPPM claims: threat and intention did not prove to be related, threat did not mediate the effect of fear on intention, and fear did not prove to influence the fear control responses. The findings from this study raise questions regarding the appropriateness of the EPPM.
Waarom dromedarissen maar één 〈m〉 hebben
Authors: Kloots Hanne , Gillis Steven
Published: February 2016

This contribution focuses on the spelling of single consonants after a vowel without primary stress — and therefore a short duration — in polysyllabic Dutch words, e.g. kanaal (‘canal’) and dromedaris (‘dromedary’). The single consonant can be explained on the basis of the (Dutch-oriented) standard pronunciation with tense vowels like [a] or [o], but it can also be related to the (mostly Romance) etymology of the words. Only a few textbooks on Dutch spelling go into this matter. All of them are Flemish, possibly because Flemings pronounce and perceive vowels in open syllables without primary stress more frequently as lax (e.g., [ɑ], [ɔ]). For some words, however, the etymology is ignored and the spelling may have been adapted to the pronunciation, e.g. double 〈f〉 after the first vowel of saffraan (< Fr. safran – ‘saffron’) and single 〈n〉 after 〈o〉 in stationeren (< Fr. stationner – ‘to park’). Although this explanation seems plausible, it raises new questions as well. For example, words like kaproen (= type of headwear), patroon (‘pattern’) and Afrikaan (‘African’) also have an [ɑ]-like pronunciation (similar to saffraan), but unlike saffraan these words do not have a double consonant. Interestingly, for words like stationeren — that contain 〈io〉 + [n] + full vowel — the spelling appears to have changed since the end of the 19th century. De Vries and Te Winkel (1898) still wrote stationneeren (with 〈nn〉). To get more grip on our topic, a thorough study of the Dutch vocabulary is needed, since at the moment, it is unknown for which Dutch words the etymologically motivated spelling is replaced by a more phonetic one. This additional study will, for example, show which category is the most frequent one: the saffraan-type (where the consonant has been doubled) or the stationeren-type (where a double consonant has been replaced by a single one).
Structure and properties of laser-cladded Ni-based amorphous composite coatings
Authors: Jin Y. J. , Li R. F. , Zheng Q. C. , Li H. , Wu M. F.
Published: February 2016

A (Ni0.6Fe0.4)65B18Si10Nb4C3 amorphous composite coating has been fabricated on a mild steel substrate by a laser cladding process under different heat inputs. Observation of the structure and phase showed that the thickness of the coating decreased and the amorphous fraction increased when the laser cladding heat input was lower. The cooling rate increases when the heat input decreases, which favours the formation of amorphous phase. Microhardness and wear resistance test results indicated that a lower heat input led to higher microhardness and better wear resistance of the coating. An average microhardness of 1187.0 HV0.2 was obtained with a heat input of 69 J mm–1.
Bilateral practice improves dominant leg performance in long jump
Authors: Focke Anne , Spancken Sina , Stockinger Christian , Thürer Benjamin , Stein Thorsten
Published: February 2016

Benefits of bilateral practice both for the non‐dominant and for the dominant body side have been shown in several studies. Thereby, most of the studies included movement tasks of the upper extremity or investigated sports games in which the ability of acting bilaterally is an essential basis for success and, thus, a bilateral practice is reasonable anyway. Individual unilaterally performed sports including movement tasks of the lower extremity are rarely investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to test if contralateral transfer due to bilateral practice can be found in an unilaterally performed sport including the lower extremity. We trained and tested 61 adolescent athletes in long jump to compare the jumping performance of the dominant leg after a 12‐week practice period between two groups: a bilateral practice group that practiced specific long jump exercises with both the dominant and non‐dominant leg and an unilateral practice group that practiced specific long jump exercises only with the dominant leg. Results showed a superior effect of bilateral practice compared to unilateral practice regarding the jumping performance of the dominant leg. The performance increase at post‐test and retention‐test for the dominant limb was significantly higher for the bilateral practice group (pre‐to‐post: 5.2%, pre‐to‐retention: 7.4%) compared to the unilateral practice group (pre‐to‐post: 3.4%, pre‐to‐retention: 4.5%). Thus, bilateral practice should be established in the early practice programmes of track and field athletes to improve the performance of the dominant take‐off leg.
Caffeine improves muscular performance in elite Brazilian Jiu‐jitsu athletes
Authors: Diaz‐Lara Francisco Javier , Del Coso Juan , García Jose Manuel , Portillo Luis J. , Areces Francisco , Abián‐Vicén Javier
Published: February 2016

Scientific information about the effects of caffeine intake on combat sport performance is scarce and controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of caffeine to improve Brazilian Jiu‐jitsu (BJJ)‐specific muscular performance. Fourteen male and elite BJJ athletes (29.2 ± 3.3 years; 71.3 ± 9.1 kg) participated in a randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled and crossover experiment. In two different sessions, BJJ athletes ingested 3 mg kg−1 of caffeine or a placebo. After 60 min, they performed a handgrip maximal force test, a countermovement jump, a maximal static lift test and bench‐press tests consisting of one‐repetition maximum, power‐load, and repetitions to failure. In comparison to the placebo, the ingestion of the caffeine increased: hand grip force in both hands (50.9 ± 2.9 vs. 53.3 ± 3.1 kg; respectively p < .05), countermovement jump height (40.6 ± 2.6 vs. 41.7 ± 3.1 cm; p = .02), and time recorded in the maximal static lift test (54.4 ± 13.4 vs. 59.2 ± 11.9 s; p < .01).The caffeine also increased the one‐repetition maximum (90.5 ± 7.7 vs. 93.3 ± 7.5 kg; p = .02), maximal power obtained during the power‐load test (750.5 ± 154.7 vs. 826.9 ± 163.7 W; p < .01) and mean power during the bench‐press exercise test to failure (280.2 ± 52.5 vs. 312.2 ± 78.3 W; p = .04). In conclusion, the pre‐exercise ingestion of 3 mg kg−1 of caffeine increased dynamic and isometric muscular force, power, and endurance strength in elite BJJ athletes. Thus, caffeine might be an effective ergogenic aid to improve physical performance in BJJ.
Antagonism of the Thromboxane‐Prostanoid Receptor is Cardioprotective against Right Ventricular Pressure Overload
Authors: West James D. , Voss Bryan M. , Pavliv Leo , de Caestecker Mark , Hemnes Anna R. , Carrier Erica J.
Published: February 2016

Right ventricular (RV) failure is the primary cause of death in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in other forms of pulmonary hypertension. There are no approved therapies directed at preserving RV function. F‐series and E‐series isoprostanes are increased in heart failure and PAH, correlate to the severity of disease, and can signal through the thromboxane‐prostanoid (TP) receptor, with effects from vasoconstriction to fibrosis. The goal of these studies was to determine whether blockade of the TP receptor with the antagonist CPI211 was beneficial therapeutically in PAH‐induced RV dysfunction. Mice with RV dysfunction due to pressure overload by pulmonary artery banding (PAB) were given vehicle or CPI211. Two weeks after PAB, CPI211‐treated mice were protected from fibrosis with pressure overload. Gene expression arrays and immunoblotting, quantitative histology and morphometry, and flow cytometric analysis were used to determine the mechanism of CPI211 protection. TP receptor inhibition caused a near normalization of fibrotic area, prevented cellular hypertrophy while allowing increased RV mass, increased expression of antifibrotic thrombospondin‐4, and blocked induction of the profibrotic transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) pathway. A thromboxane synthase inhibitor or low‐dose aspirin failed to replicate these results, which suggests that a ligand other than thromboxane mediates fibrosis through the TP receptor after pressure overload. This study suggests that TP receptor antagonism may improve RV adaptation in situations of pressure overload by decreasing fibrosis and TGF‐β signaling.
Investigations on the physical origin of lateral photovoltage in PbS-colloidal quantum dot/Si heterojunctions
Authors: Abhale Atul Prakash , Koteswara Rao K S R , Pendyala N B , Banerjee A
Published: February 2016

Restricted area heterojunctions, an array of lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots (PbS-CQDs) and crystalline silicon, are studied with a non-destructive remote contact light beam induced current (RC-LBIC) technique. As well as getting good quality active area images we observed an anomalous unipolar signal response for the PbS-CQD/n-Si devices and a conventionally expected bipolar signal profile for the PbS-CQD/p-Si devices. Interestingly, our simulation results consistently yielded a unipolar and bipolar nature in the signals related to the PbS-CQD/n-Si and PbS-CQD/p-Si heterostructures, respectively. In order to explain the physical mechanism involved in the unipolar signal response of the PbS-CQD/n-Si devices, we propose a model based on the band alignment in the heterojunctions, in addition to the distribution of photo-induced excess majority carriers across the junction. Given that the RC-LBIC technique is well suited to this context, the presence of these two distinct mechanisms (the bipolar and unipolar nature of the signals) needs to be considered in order to have a better interpretation of the data in the characterization of an array of homo/heterojunctions.
A low resistivity n++-InGaN/p++-GaN polarization-induced tunnel junction
Authors: Hu Weiwei , Zhang Shuming , Ikeda Masao , Chen Yigang , Liu Jianping , Feng Meixin , Li Deyao , Zhang Feng , Zhou Kun , Tian Aiqin , Yang Hui
Published: February 2016

A low resistivity n++-InGaN/p++-GaN tunnel junction is illustrated. The tunneling current density of tunnel junction with 30 percent In content in InGaN layer turns out to be extraordinary high (10 kA cm−2) even at a relatively low bias voltage (0.1 V) compared with traditional n++-GaN/p++-GaN. And we optimize the InGaN layer including the thickness, indium component and the doping concentration to increase the tunneling probability with the 1D Schrödinger Poisson self-consistent method and WKB (Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin) approximation. It is shown that the peak value of electric field in tunnel junction caused by spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric effect reaches 7.1 MV cm−1 with the 2D hole gas concentration of 2  ×  1020 cm−3 at the interface between InGaN and GaN. That indicates n++-InGaN/p++-GaN tunnel junction has a potential application in GaN-based optoelectronic device.
Light-bias coupling erase process for non-volatile zinc tin oxide TFT memory with a nickel nanocrystals charge trap layer
Authors: Li Jeng-Ting , Liu Li-Chih , Ke Po-Hsien , Chen Jen-Sue , Jeng Jiann-Shing
Published: February 2016

A nonvolatile charge trapping memory is demonstrated on a thin film transistor (TFT) using a solution processed ultra-thin (~7 nm) zinc tin oxide (ZTO) semiconductor layer with an Al2O3/Ni-nanocrystals (NCs)/SiO2 dielectric stack. A positive threshold voltage (V
TH) shift of 7 V is achieved at gate programming voltage of 40 V for 1 s but the state will not be erased by applying negative gate voltage. However, the programmed V
TH shift can be expediently erased by applying a gate voltage of  −10 V in conjunction with visible light illumination for 1 s. It is found that the sub-threshold swing (SS) deteriorates slightly under light illumination, indicating that photo-ionized oxygen vacancies (

and/or

) are trapped at the interface between Al2O3 and ZTO, which assists the capture of electrons discharged from the Ni NCs charge trapping layer. The light-bias coupling action and the role of ultra-thin ZTO thickness are discussed to elucidate the efficient erasing mechanism.
The influence of nitrogen and antimony on the optical quality of InNAs(Sb) alloys
Authors: Latkowska M , Baranowski M , Linhart W M , Janiaka F , Misiewicz J , Segercrantz N , Tuomisto F , Zhuang Q , Krier A , Kudrawiec R
Published: February 2016

In this work we present detailed studies of the influence of nitrogen and antimony on the optical quality of InNAs(Sb) alloys. We employed photoluminescence, photoreflectance and positron annihilation spectroscopy to reveal the role of antimony and nitrogen on the improvement/degradation of the optical qualities of InNAs(Sb) alloys. A series of 1 μm-thick InNAs(Sb) layers with different nitrogen and antimony concentrations were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The results of these investigations show that Sb atoms serve as a surfactant which effectively improves the optical quality of InNAsSb alloys. The influence of nitrogen on the optical quality however is not the same as to what has been reported for other dilute nitrides. We observed an improvement of the optical quality for some nitrogen contents. These issues are comprehensively examined and explained.
Two distinct myosin II populations coordinate ovulatory contraction of the myoepithelial sheath in theCaenorhabditis eleganssomatic gonad
Authors: Ono Kanako , Ono Shoichiro
Published: February 2016

The myoepithelial sheath in the somatic gonad of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has nonstriated contractile actomyosin networks that produce highly coordinated contractility for ovulation of mature oocytes. Two myosin heavy chains are expressed in the myoepithelial sheath, which are also expressed in the body-wall striated muscle. The troponin/tropomyosin system is also present and essential for ovulation. Therefore, although the myoepithelial sheath has smooth muscle–like contractile apparatuses, it has a striated muscle–like regulatory mechanism through troponin/tropomyosin. Here we report that the myoepithelial sheath has a distinct myosin population containing nonmuscle myosin II isoforms, which is regulated by phosphorylation and essential for ovulation. MLC-4, a nonmuscle myosin regulatory light chain, localizes to small punctate structures and does not colocalize with large, needle-like myosin filaments containing MYO-3, a striated-muscle myosin isoform. RNA interference of MLC-4, as well as of its upstream regulators, LET-502 (Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase) and MEL-11 (a myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphatase), impairs ovulation. Expression of a phosphomimetic MLC-4 mutant mimicking a constitutively active state also impairs ovulation. A striated-muscle myosin (UNC-54) appears to provide partially compensatory contractility. Thus the results indicate that the two spatially distinct myosin II populations coordinately regulate ovulatory contraction of the myoepithelial sheath.
Immunomodulatory drugs inhibit TLR4-induced type-1 interferon production independently of Cereblon via suppression of the TRIF/IRF3 pathway
Authors: Millrine David , Miyata Haruhiko , Tei Mami , Dubey Praveen , Nyati Kishan , Nakahama Taisuke , Gemechu Yohannes , Ripley Barry , Kishimoto Tadamitsu
Published: February 2016

Thalidomide and its derivatives, collectively referred to as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), are effective inhibitors of inflammation and are known to inhibit TLR-induced TNFα production. The identification of Cereblon as the receptor for these compounds has led to a rapid advancement in our understanding of IMiD properties; however, there remain no studies addressing the role of Cereblon in mediating the suppressive effect of IMiDs on TLR responses. Here, we developed Cereblon-deficient mice using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. TLR-induced cytokine responses were unaffected by Cereblon deficiency in vivo. Moreover, IMiD treatment inhibited cytokine production even in the absence of Cereblon. The IMiD-induced suppression of cytokine production therefore occurs independently of Cereblon in mice. Further investigation revealed that IMiDs are potent inhibitors of TLR-induced type-1 interferon production via suppression of the TRIF/IRF3 pathway. These data suggest that IMiDs may prove effective in the treatment of disorders characterized by the ectopic production of type-1 interferon. Significantly, these properties are mediated separately from thalidomide’s teratogenic receptor, Cereblon. Thus, certain therapeutic properties of Thalidomide can be separated from its harmful side effects.
Spectral analysis of SMC X-2 during its 2015 outburst
Authors: La Palombara N. , Sidoli L. , Pintore F. , Esposito P. , Mereghetti S. , Tiengo A.
Published: February 2016

We report on the results of XMM–Newton and Swift observations of SMC X-2 during its last outburst in 2015 October, the first one since 2000. The source reached a very high luminosity (L ∼ 1038 erg s−1), which allowed us to perform a detailed analysis of its timing and spectral properties. We obtained a pulse period Pspin = 2.372267(5) s and a characterization of the pulse profile also at low energies. The main spectral component is a hard (Γ ≃ 0) power-law model with an exponential cut-off, but at low energies we detected also a soft (with kT ≃ 0.15 keV) thermal component. Several emission lines are present in the spectrum. Their identification with the transition lines of highly ionized N, O, Ne, Si, and Fe suggests the presence of photoionized matter around the accreting source.
Niger-Congo
Authors: Dimmendaal Gerrit J. , Storch Anne
Published: February 2016

This contribution provides an overview of the research history and contested classification of Niger-Congo, one of the world’s largest phyla. Despite convincing evidence for the genetic coherence of core families, some groupings traditionally seen as Niger-Congo need to be considered as independent families. Recent comparative research on individual families shows systematic correspondences between many grammatical morphemes and suggests that the phylum’s typological heterogeneity is based largely on regional diversification. Although features such as ATR-based vowel harmony, noun classes, verb extensions, serial verb constructions, and constituent order variation are very characteristic of many Niger-Congo languages, their original shape cannot yet be convincingly reconstructed. To better understand the processes that led to the present picture, Niger-Congo studies will have to rely largely on bottom-up approaches such as reconstruction of lower-level units, research on the sociolinguistic history of single languages or clusters, and interdisciplinary approaches to individual linguistic regions and expansion areas.
Watermelon Fruit Rot Disease in Israel is Caused by a Distinct Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) Strain
Authors: Reingold Victoria , Lachman Oded , Sela Noa , Luria Neta , Dombrovsky Aviv
Published: February 2016

In spring 2014, unfamiliar watermelon disease symptoms were observed on 1,000 ha of watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) growing in open fields in Jordan and Beit-She’an Valleys, Israel. These represented systemic wilt and yellowing of leaves with necrosis on leaves and stems, in some cases leading to plant dieback, fruit exocarp deterioration, and rotting of the fleshy mesocarp, leading to unmarketable fruit. Virus purification was carried out from watermelon exocarp and necrotic leaves, and transmission electron microscopy revealed viral particles with flexible filamentous morphology. The disease was transmitted by mechanical inoculation from symptomatic fruit and by the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci from symptomatic to healthy cucurbits. A reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was conducted on purified virus preparation of Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) using specific primers targeting the capsid protein gene revealing the expected amplicon size. The complete viral genome was sequenced and assembled by next-generation sequencing (NGS) Illumina MiSeq of small interfering RNA purified from symptomatic watermelon fruit, producing 92% genome coverage, and RT-PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing to close the genome gaps, validating the NGS sequence. The complete SqVYV-IL genome sequence shared 84% nucleotide sequence identity with the two complete genomes of SqVYV isolates from Florida, and 91% identity with the deduced amino acid sequence of the viral polyprotein.
Normative values for a video-force plate assessment of postural control in athletic children
Authors: Howell David R. , Meehan William P.
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to provide normative data for young athletes during the three stances of the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) using an objective video-force plate system. Postural control was measured in 398 athletes between 8 and 18 years of age during the three stances of the mBESS using a video-force plate rating system. Girls exhibited better postural control than boys during each stance of the mBESS. Age was not significantly associated with postural control. We provide normative data for a video-force plate assessment of postural stability in pediatric athletes during the three stances of the mBESS.
Functional Outcome of Humeral Rodding in Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Ashby Elizabeth , Montpetit Kathleen , Hamdy Reggie C. , Fassier Francois
Published: February 2016

Background:

The impact of humeral rodding on functional ability in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has not previously been reported. This article investigates this issue.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 35 children with OI who underwent humeral rodding at our institution between 1995 and 2013. Fassier-Duval rods were inserted in 19 cases, K-wires in 13 cases, and Rush rods in 3 cases. Functional ability was assessed preoperatively and every year postoperatively using the self-care and mobility domains of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

Results:

The mean PEDI self-care score increased by 5.7 (P=0.028) and the mean PEDI mobility score increased by 3.6 (P=0.008) at 1-year postsurgery. Improved function was maintained in the majority of cases at a mean of 7.0 years postcorrection.

Conclusions:

Humeral rodding in children with OI leads to significant improvement in functional ability.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Do Sublaminar Polyester Bands Affect the Outcomes of Postoperative Infections After Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery?
Authors: Issa Samir P. , Angelliaume Audrey , Vidal Christophe , Mazda Keyvan , Ilharreborde Brice
Published: February 2016

Background:

The incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery ranges from 0.5% to 7%. There is currently a regain of interest in hybrid constructs, combining lumbar pedicle screws and thoracic sublaminar bands, but some authors have raised concerns about the risk of SSI and the difficulty of bacterial eradication. The goal of this study was therefore to assess the outcomes of SSI after AIS surgery using sublaminar bands.

Methods:

A total of 524 consecutive patients operated for AIS using sublaminar bands between June 2006 and June 2014 were included. SSI cases were identified and analyzed retrospectively. Radiologic and functional outcomes were evaluated at follow-up using EOS imaging and SRS 30 scores, and compared with a control group.

Results:

The overall SSI rate was 5.3%, with a majority of monomicrobial (86%) infections occurring in the first 6 weeks postoperative (93%). The most frequent pathogens were skin germs (Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes) with a community profile. Patients were treated successfully with surgical debridement without implants removal, associated with 6 weeks of antibiotherapy. However, 25% of patients required >1 surgical debridement. Instrumentation removal was decided in the 2 cases with late SSI, and performed uneventfully. Radiologic and functional outcomes at follow-up were not affected by the occurrence of SSI.

Conclusions:

Sublaminar bands are not associated with a higher risk of infection. However, the SSI rate in the current study stands in the upper range of the literature, and other preventive strategies should be considered. In case of early infection, bands removal is not necessary to obtain pathogen eradication, but the sublaminar implants can be pulled out safely in case of late SSI. The occurrence of SSI does not alter the outcomes at follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.