bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiostatic treatment prior to chemo- or photodynamic therapy improves anti-tumor efficacy
Authors: Weiss Andrea , Bonvin Débora , Berndsen Robert H. , Scherrer Edoardo , Wong Tse J. , Dyson Paul J. , Griffioen Arjan W. , Nowak-Sliwinska Patrycja
Published: March 2015

Tumor vasculature is known to be poorly organized leading to increased leakage of molecules to the extravascular space. This process can potentially increase interstitial fluid pressure impairing intra-tumoral blood flow and oxygen supply and can affect drug uptake. Anti-angiogenic therapies are believed to reduce vascular permeability, potentially reducing interstitial fluid pressure and improving the extravasation of small molecule-based chemotherapeutics. Here we show that pretreatment of human ovarian carcinoma tumors with sub-optimal doses of the VEGFR targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib, but not the EGFR targeting kinase inhibitor erlotinib, induces a transient period of increased tumor oxygenation. Doxorubicin administered within this window was found to enter the extravascular tumor space more rapidly compared to doxorubicin when applied alone or outside this time window. Treatment with the chemotherapeutics, doxorubicin and RAPTA-C, as well as applying photodynamic therapy during this period of elevated oxygenation led to enhanced tumor growth inhibition. Improvement of therapy was not observed when applied outside the window of increased oxygenation. Taken together, these findings further confirm the hypothesis of angiostasis-induced vascular normalization and also help to understand the interactions between anti-angiogenesis and other anti-cancer strategies.
Effective use of high CO2 efflux at the soil surface in a tropical understory plant
Authors: Ishida Atsushi , Nakano Takashi , Adachi Minaco , Yoshimura Kenichi , Osada Noriyuki , Ladpala Phanumard , Diloksumpun Sapit , Puangchit Ladawan , Yoshimura Jin
Published: March 2015

Many terrestrial plants are C3 plants that evolved in the Mesozoic Era when atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) were high. Given current conditions, C3 plants can no longer benefit from high ambient [CO2]. Kaempferia marginata Carey is a unique understory ginger plant in the tropical dry forests of Thailand. The plant has two large flat leaves that spread on the soil surface. We found a large difference in [CO2] between the partly closed space between the soil surface and the leaves (638 µmol mol−1) and the atmosphere at 20 cm above ground level (412 µmol mol−1). This finding indicates that the plants capture CO2 efflux from the soil. Almost all of the stomata are located on the abaxial leaf surface. When ambient air [CO2] was experimentally increased from 400 to 600 μmol mol−1, net photosynthetic rates increased by 45 to 48% under near light-saturated conditions. No significant increase was observed under low light conditions. These data demonstrate that the unique leaf structure enhances carbon gain by trapping soil CO2 efflux at stomatal sites under relatively high light conditions, suggesting that ambient air [CO2] can serve as an important selective agent for terrestrial C3 plants.
Advanced material and approach for metal ions removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Turhanen Petri A. , Vepsäläinen Jouko J. , Peräniemi Sirpa
Published: March 2015

A Novel approach to remove metals from aqueous solutions has been developed. The method is based on a resin free, solid, non-toxic, microcrystalline bisphosphonate material, which has very low solubility in water (59 mg/l to ion free Milli-Q water and 13 mg/l to 3.5% NaCl solution). The material has been produced almost quantitatively on a 1 kg scale (it has been prepared also on a pilot scale, ca. 7 kg) and tested successfully for its ability to collect metal cations from different sources, such as ground water and mining process waters. Not only was this material highly efficient at collecting several metal ions out of solution it also proved to be regenerable and reusable over a number of adsorption/desorption, which is crucial for environmental friendliness. This material has several advantages compared to the currently used approaches, such as no need for any precipitation step.
Three-dimensional architecture of podocytes revealed by block-face scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Ichimura Koichiro , Miyazaki Naoyuki , Sadayama Shoji , Murata Kazuyoshi , Koike Masato , Nakamura Kei-ichiro , Ohta Keisuke , Sakai Tatsuo
Published: March 2015

Block-face imaging is a scanning electron microscopic technique which enables easier acquisition of serial ultrastructural images directly from the surface of resin-embedded biological samples with a similar quality to transmission electron micrographs. In the present study, we analyzed the three-dimensional architecture of podocytes using serial block-face imaging. It was previously believed that podocytes are divided into three kinds of subcellular compartment: cell body, primary process and foot process, which are simply aligned in this order. When the reconstructed podocytes were viewed from their basal side, the foot processes were branched from a ridge-like prominence, which was formed on the basal surface of the primary process and was similar to the usual foot processes in structure. Moreover, from the cell body, the foot processes were also emerged via the ridge-like prominence, as found in the primary process. The ridge-like prominence anchored the cell body and primary process to the glomerular basement membrane and connected the foot processes to the cell body and primary process. In conclusion, serial block-face imaging is a powerful tool for clear understanding the three-dimensional architecture of podocytes through its ability to reveal novel structures which were difficult to determine by conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopes alone.
Chondroitin sulfate-E mediates estrogen-induced osteoanabolism
Authors: Koike Toshiyasu , Mikami Tadahisa , Shida Miharu , Habuchi Osami , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2015

Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder of bone remodeling in which bone resorption outstrips bone matrix deposition. Although anticatabolic agents are frequently used as first-line therapies for osteoporosis, alternative anabolic strategies that can enhance anabolic, osteogenic potential are actively sought. Sex steroid hormones, particularly estrogens, are bidirectional regulators for bone homeostasis; therefore, estrogen-mediated events are important potential targets for such anabolic therapies. Here, we show that estrogen-induced, osteoanabolic effects were mediated via enhanced production of chondroitin sulfate-E (CS-E), which could act as an osteogenic stimulant in our cell-based system. Conversely, estrogen deficiency caused reduced expression of CS-E-synthesizing enzymes, including GalNAc4S-6ST and led to decreased CS-E production in cultures of bone marrow cells derived from ovariectomized mice. Moreover, Galnac4s6st-deficient mice had abnormally low bone mass that resulted from impaired osteoblast differentiation. These results indicated that strategies aimed at boosting CS-E biosynthesis are promising alternative therapies for osteoporosis.
The best nanoparticle size distribution for minimum thermal conductivity
Authors: Zhang Hang , Minnich Austin J.
Published: March 2015

Which sizes of nanoparticles embedded in a crystalline solid yield the lowest thermal conductivity? Nanoparticles have long been demonstrated to reduce the thermal conductivity of crystals by scattering phonons, but most previous works assumed the nanoparticles to have a single size. Here, we use optimization methods to show that the best nanoparticle size distribution to scatter the broad thermal phonon spectrum is not a similarly broad distribution but rather several discrete peaks at well-chosen nanoparticle radii. For SiGe, the best size distribution yields a thermal conductivity below that of amorphous silicon. Further, we demonstrate that a simplified distribution yields nearly the same low thermal conductivity and can be readily fabricated. Our work provides important insights into how to manipulate the full spectrum of phonons and will guide the design of more efficient thermoelectric materials.
A monomer-trimer model supports intermittent glucagon fibril growth
Authors: Košmrlj Andrej , Cordsen Pia , Kyrsting Anders , Otzen Daniel E. , Oddershede Lene B. , Jensen Mogens H.
Published: March 2015

We investigate in vitro fibrillation kinetics of the hormone peptide glucagon at various concentrations using confocal microscopy and determine the glucagon fibril persistence length 60μm. At all concentrations we observe that periods of individual fibril growth are interrupted by periods of stasis. The growth probability is large at high and low concentrations and is reduced for intermediate glucagon concentrations. To explain this behavior we propose a simple model, where fibrils come in two forms, one built entirely from glucagon monomers and one entirely from glucagon trimers. The opposite building blocks act as fibril growth blockers and this generic model reproduces experimental behavior well.
High-density metallic nanogap arrays for the sensitive detection of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films
Authors: Park Hyeong-Ryeol , Namgung Seon , Chen Xiaoshu , Oh Sang-Hyun
Published: March 2015

We have investigated the extraordinary optical transmission of terahertz waves through an array of nanogaps with varying dimensions and periodicities, and used this platform to demonstrate terahertz sensing of a thin film of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We have used atomic layer lithography to fabricate periodic arrays of nanogap loops that have a gap size of 2 nm and a loop length of 100 μm (aspect ratio of 50 000). These sub-mm-scale loops of nanogaps can sustain terahertz electromagnetic resonances along the contour. We have characterized the transmission of terahertz waves through the nanogap arrays and investigated the influence of inter-gap electromagnetic coupling as the array periodicity shrinks from 100 μm to 4 μm. While the gaps occupy only 0.1% of the surface area, we have measured an amplitude (|E|) transmittance of over 50% due to the strong and broadband field enhancement inside the nanogaps. The absolute transmission through the 2 nm gaps along the rectangular loops can be boosted up to 25%, while it is only 1% for annular gaps with the same perimeter. Furthermore, the extremely tight field confinement and strong field enhancement near the 2 nm gap lead to 43% extinction of THz waves in a 10 nm-thick film of single-walled carbon nanotubes over the gaps. On the other hand, THz extinction by the same nanotube film on a bare glass substrate is only 2%. These nanogaps pave the way toward developing sensitive terahertz detectors for biological and chemical targets.
Development and validation of a stability-indicating spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of H1N1 antiviral drug (oseltamivir phosphate) in human plasma through the Hantzsch reaction
Authors: Omar Mahmoud A. , Derayea Sayed M. , Mostafa Islam M.
Published: March 2015

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method has been described and validated for the determination of oseltamivir phosphate (OSP) in its pure form and pharmaceutical dosage forms.
Hollow ternary PtPdCu nanoparticles: a superior and durable cathodic electrocatalyst
Authors: Liu Xiao-Jing , Cui Chun-Hua , Li Hui-Hui , Lei Yong , Zhuang Tao-Tao , Sun Meng , Arshad Muhammad Nadeem , Albar Hassan A. , Sobahi Tariq R. , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: March 2015

Hollow PtPdCu nanoparticles with a Pt-enriched surface, formed by the dealloying action of acetic acid, exhibit superior durability and catalytic activity toward the ORR.
Transport of spherical colloids in layered phases of binary mixtures with rod-like particles
Authors: Piedrahita Mauricio , Cuetos Alejandro , Martínez-Haya Bruno
Published: March 2015

Transport in layered phases of binary sphere–rod mixtures is investigated by means of Brownian Dynamics. Diffusion of spheres through the rod layers is less effective than intralayer diffusion. Nevertheless, it is enhanced by collective mechanisms, especially at high molar fractions of spheres.
Hierarchically structured carbon nanofiber–silsesquioxane–polyaniline nanohybrids for flexible supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Lin Weihong , Xu Kai , Peng Jun , Xing Yuxiu , Gao Shuxi , Ren Yuanyuan , Chen Mingcai
Published: March 2015

3D Hierarchically structured carbon nanofiber–silsesquioxane–polyaniline nanohybrids produced through chemical covalent binding showed high conductivity and excellent supercapacitive capacitance performance for free-binder flexible electrodes.
Solution processed CdTe/CdSe nanocrystal solar cells with more than 5.5% efficiency by using an inverted device structure
Authors: Liu Han , Tian Yiyao , Zhang Yijie , Gao Kuo , Lu Kuankuan , Wu Rongfang , Qin Donghuan , Wu Hongbin , Peng Zuosheng , Hou Lintao , Huang Wenbo
Published: March 2015

CdTe/CdSe NC solar cells with a PCE of up to 5.8% with an inverted structure ITO/ZnO/CdSe/CdTe/Au have been fabricated by a solution process.
Balancing polymer hydrophobicity for ligand presentation and siRNA delivery in dual function CXCR4 inhibiting polyplexes
Authors: Wang Y. , Li J. , Chen Y. , Oupický D.
Published: March 2015

Dual-function polycations capable of simultaneously antagonizing CXCR4 receptors and delivering anti-PLK1 siRNA to achieve combination anticancer effect.
Copper Prussian blue analogue: investigation into multifunctional activities for biomedical applications
Authors: Mukherjee Sudip , Rao Bonda Rama , Sreedhar Bojja , Paik Pradip , Patra Chitta Ranjan
Published: March 2015

Stable and biocompatible copper analogues of a Prussian blue nanoparticle based drug delivery system containing doxorubicin show enhanced anticancer efficacy and selective quenching of fluorescence of doxorubicin.
Hierarchical Bi2MoO6 nanosheet-built frameworks with excellent photocatalytic properties
Authors: Ma Ying , Jia Yulong , Jiao Zhengbo , Yang Min , Qi Yanxing , Bi Yingpu
Published: March 2015

We demonstrate a simple and effective strategy for rationally fabricating one-dimensional (1D) Bi2MoO6 nanosheet-built frameworks, which exhibit much higher photocatalytic performances than conventional Bi2MoO6 nanoplates and nanoparticles for the degradation of organic contaminants under visible light irradiation.
Selective detection of tyrosine-containing proximally phosphorylated motifs using an antenna-free Tb3+ luminescent sensor
Authors: Duodu Eugenia , Kraskouskaya Dziyana , Campbell Joshua , Graca-Lima Gustavo , Gunning Patrick T.
Published: March 2015

Tb(iii) can be used for sensing proximally phosphorylated tyrosine-containing peptide sequences.
CB[8] gated photochromism of a diarylethene derivative containing thiazole orange groups
Authors: Mao Yueyuan , Liu Keyin , Lv Guanglei , Wen Ying , Zhu Xingjun , Lan Haichuang , Yi Tao
Published: March 2015

Photochromism in a diarylethene derivative (1O) can be gated by a host–guest interaction where the thiazole orange groups are bound into the hydrophobic cavity of CB[8] in water.
Palladium-catalyzed Csp2–H carbonylation of aromatic oximes: selective access to benzo[d][1,2]oxazin-1-ones and 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones
Authors: Xu Yanli , Hu Weigao , Tang Xiaodong , Zhao Jinwu , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: March 2015

A selective palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of Csp2–H bonds with aromatic oximes for the synthesis of benzo[d][1,2]oxazin-1-ones and 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones has been developed.
Solid-state185/187Re NMR and GIPAW DFT study of perrhenates and Re2(CO)10: chemical shift anisotropy, NMR crystallography, and a metal–metal bond
Authors: Widdifield Cory M. , Perras Frédéric A. , Bryce David L.
Published: March 2015

GIPAW DFT, high-field rhenium NMR, and rhenium NQR highlight the exquisite sensitivity of the185/187Re nuclides to chemical structure.
Toward continuous and scalable production of colloidal nanocrystals by switching from batch to droplet reactors
Authors: Niu Guangda , Ruditskiy Aleksey , Vara Madeline , Xia Younan
Published: March 2015

Droplet reactors serve as a practical platform to the scalable production of colloidal nanocrystals with well-controlled sizes, shapes, and structures.
Synthesis and Lewis acidity of fluorophosphonium cations
Authors: Caputo Christopher B. , Winkelhaus Daniel , Dobrovetsky Roman , Hounjet Lindsay J. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: March 2015

A series of fluorophosphonium salts, [R3PF][X] (R = alkyl or aryl; X = FB(C6F5)3, [B(C6F5)4]), have been prepared by reactions of phosphine/borane frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) with XeF2 or difluorophosphoranes with [Et3Si][B(C6F5)4].
Direct synthesis of 2-ethylhexanol via n-butanal aldol condensation–hydrogenation reaction integration over a Ni/Ce-Al2O3 bifunctional catalyst
Authors: Liang Ning , Zhang Xiaolong , An Hualiang , Zhao Xinqiang , Wang Yanji
Published: March 2015

A reaction integration of aldol condensation–hydrogenation for the direct synthesis of 2-ethylhexanol from n-butanal was realized.
GC-MS metabolomics on PPARα-dependent exacerbation of colitis
Authors: Gu Xueqin , Song Yunlong , Chai Yifeng , Lu Feng , Gonzalez Frank J. , Fan Guorong , Qi Yunpeng
Published: March 2015

GC-MS metabolomics revealed discriminating metabolites in serum and colon of colitis mice to decipher the PPARα-dependent exacerbation of colitis.
Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative cyclization of N-aryl enamines with isocyanides through double sp2 C–H bonds cleavage: facile synthesis of 4-aminoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Zheng Qiang , Luo Puying , Lin Yuqing , Chen Wenfan , Liu Xiuxiu , Zhang Yadong , Ding Qiuping
Published: March 2015

An efficient method for the synthesis of 4-aminoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative cyclization of N-aryl enamines and isocyanides through double sp2 C–H bonds cleavage has been developed.
Fabrication and characterization of silk fibroin/chitosan/Nano γ-alumina composite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Teimouri Abbas , Ebrahimi Raheleh , Chermahini Alireza Najafi , Emadi Rahmatollah
Published: March 2015

A series of silk fibroin/chitosan/Nano γ-alumina composite scaffolds have been prepared using the lyophilization technique for tissue engineering. These were then characterized using SEM, XRD, EDX, FTIR and TGA.
A novel preparation of Ag-doped TiO2 nanofibers with enhanced stability of photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zhang Fanli , Cheng Zhiqiang , Kang Lijuan , Cui Liying , Liu Wei , Xu Xiaojuan , Hou Guohui , Yang Hongjia
Published: March 2015

A mechanism to form Ag/TiO2 heterostructures by a solvothermal reducing reaction in HMTA solvent is reported.
Easy extraction of water-soluble graphene quantum dots for light emitting diodes
Authors: Kumar Gundam Sandeep , Thupakula Umamahesh , Sarkar Piyush Kanti , Acharya Somobrata
Published: March 2015

Graphene quantum dots in powder form obtained in single-step leads fabricating color tunable light emitting diodes with low turn-on voltages.
Electrochemical response of nitrite and nitric oxide on graphene oxide nanoparticles doped with Prussian blue (PB) and Fe2O3nanoparticles
Authors: Adekunle Abolanle S. , Lebogang Seonyane , Gwala Portia L. , Tsele Tebogo P. , Olasunkanmi Lukman O. , Esther Fayemi O. , Boikanyo Diseko , Mphuthi Ntsoaki , Oyekunle John A. O. , Ogunfowokan Aderemi O. , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: March 2015

Electrocatalytic behaviour of graphene oxide (GO), iron(iii) oxide (Fe2O3) and Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles towards nitrite (NO2−) and nitric oxide (NO) oxidation was investigated on a platinum modified electrode.
The effect of annealing oxygen concentration in the transformation of CaxCoO2 to thermoelectric Ca3Co4O9
Authors: Zhang Li , Tan Thiam Teck , Li Sean
Published: March 2015

Our experiment shows that the transformation of CaxCoO2 to Ca3Co4O9 can take place when the films are calcium deficient. It was also discovered that this transformation could proceed at oxygen concentration as low as 5%.
Jumping acoustic bubbles on lipid bilayers
Authors: Der Loughian Christelle , Muleki Seya Pauline , Pirat Christophe , Inserra Claude , Béra Jean-Christophe , Rieu Jean-Paul
Published: March 2015

In the context of sonoporation, we use supported lipid bilayers as a model for biological membranes and investigate the interactions between the bilayer and microbubbles induced by ultrasound.
In situ one-step synthesis of metal–organic framework encapsulated naked Pt nanoparticles without additional reductants
Authors: Liu Hongli , Chang Lina , Chen Liyu , Li Yingwei
Published: March 2015

A general and effective one-step strategy is developed to encapsulate tiny metal nanoparticles in various kinds of MOFs without any additional protecting agents and reducing agents.
TiO2 enhanced ultraviolet detection based on a graphene/Si Schottky diode
Authors: Zhu Miao , Zhang Li , Li Xinming , He Yijia , Li Xiao , Guo Fengmei , Zang Xiaobei , Wang Kunlin , Xie Dan , Li Xuanhua , Wei Bingqing , Zhu Hongwei
Published: March 2015

TiO2 nanoparticles are spin-coated on the graphene/Si Schottky junction to improve its photoresponse in the ultraviolet region.
Novel chlorine resistant low-fouling ultrafiltration membrane based on a hydrophilic polyaniline derivative
Authors: Huang Xinwei , McVerry Brian T. , Marambio-Jones Catalina , Wong Mavis C. Y. , Hoek Eric M. V. , Kaner Richard B.
Published: March 2015

n-PANi, an outstanding candidate for making chlorine tolerant antifouling ultrafiltration membranes.
A robust ionic liquid–polymer gate insulator for high-performance flexible thin film transistors
Authors: Ko Jieun , Lee Su Jeong , Kim Kyongjun , Lee EungKyu , Lim Keon-Hee , Myoung Jae-Min , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Youn Sang
Published: March 2015

An ionic liquid–polymer (IL–PVP) dielectric layer with robust mechanical strength and flexibility was fabricated by a chemical interaction between the ionic liquid and polymer. This dielectric layer allowed operation of flexible thin film transistors with high performance.
Sequence-dependent mechanical, photophysical and electrical properties of pi-conjugated peptide hydrogelators
Authors: Ardoña Herdeline Ann M. , Besar Kalpana , Togninalli Matteo , Katz Howard E. , Tovar John D.
Published: March 2015

An investigation of how systematic variation of peptide sequence influences the nanoscale and bulk properties of 1D-nanostructure forming peptide–π–peptide hydrogelators is reported herein.
Morphology and polarization-dependent second harmonic generation in single hexagonal sodium niobate micro/nano-crystals
Authors: Xiao Quanlan , Lin Wei , Chen Gengxu , Ding Chengjie , Dong Guoping , Lin Chensheng , Wu Botao , Wu E. , Zeng Heping , Qiu Jianrong
Published: March 2015

The SHG responses from single hexagonal NaNbO3 micro/nano-crystals with different morphologies and sizes were studied in detail. It was demonstrated that the same crystal structure displays a similar SHG response.
Toll-like receptor 5 deficiency exacerbates cardiac injury and inflammation induced by myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion in the mouse
Authors: Parapanov Roumen , Lugrin Jérôme , Rosenblatt-Velin Nathalie , Feihl François , Waeber Bernard , Milano Giuseppina , Vergely Catherine , Li Na , Pacher Pal , Liaudet Lucas
Published: March 2015

Myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (MIR) triggers a sterile inflammatory response important for myocardial healing, but which may also contribute to adverse ventricular remodelling. Such inflammation is initiated by molecular danger signals released by damaged myocardium, which induce innate immune responses by activating toll-like receptors (TLRs). Detrimental roles have been recently reported for TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4. The role of other TLRs is unknown. We therefore evaluated the role of TLR5, expressed at high level in the heart, in the development of myocardial damage and inflammation acutely triggered by MIR. TLR5−/− and wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to MIR (30 min ischaemia, 2 h reperfusion). We measured infarct size, markers of cardiac oxidative stress, myocardial phosphorylation state of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and AKT, expression levels of chemokines and cytokines in the heart and plasma, as well as cardiac function by echography and conductance volumetry. TLR5-deficient mice had normal cardiac morphology and function under physiological conditions. After MIR, the absence of TLR5 promoted an increase in infarct size and myocardial oxidative stress. Lack of TLR5 fostered p38 phosphorylation, reduced AKT phosphorylation and markedly increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines, whereas it precipitated acute LV (left ventricle) dysfunction. Therefore, contrary to the detrimental roles of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 in the infarcted heart, TLR5 is important to limit myocardial damage, inflammation and functional compromise after MIR.
Hearing Thresholds, Minimum Response Levels, and Cross-Check Measures in Pediatric Audiology
Authors: Norrix Linda W.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Pediatric audiologists must identify hearing loss in a timely manner so that early intervention can be provided. In this article, the methods important for differentiating between a hearing threshold and minimum response level (MRL), important for an accurate diagnosis, are described.

Method

Operant conditioning procedures, used during visual reinforcement audiometry and conditioned play audiometry, are reviewed. Case examples are provided that demonstrate the importance of using evidence-based procedures, evaluating the success of such procedures, and using cross-check measures for interpreting responses as thresholds or MRLs.

Results

Behavioral-hearing thresholds can be obtained when operant conditioning procedures are successful and cross-check measures corroborate the audiometric results. When MRLs are obtained, cross-check measures are critical in determining the likelihood of hearing loss and making follow-up recommendations.

Conclusions

Early diagnosis of hearing loss is important so that intervention can be initiated within critical periods during infant and childhood learning. Accurate diagnosis depends on the audiologist, who must adhere to evidence-based procedures, use cross-check measures, and evaluate the validity of each procedure. Future research and guidelines are needed to examine decision-making processes in pediatric audiology that ensure diagnostic accuracy and timely intervention for infants and children identified with hearing loss.
A high power microwave triggered RF opening switch
Authors: Beeson S. , Dickens J. , Neuber A.
Published: March 2015

A 4-port S-band waveguide structure was designed and fabricated such that a signal of any amplitude (less than 1 MW) can be switched from a normally closed state, <0.5 dB insertion loss (IL), to an open state >30 dB IL by initiating plasma in a gas cell situated at the junction of this waveguide and one propagating a megawatt level magnetron pulse. The 90/10 switching time is as low as 20 ns with a delay of ∼30 ns between the onset of the high power microwave pulse and the initial drop of the signal. Two ports of this device are for the high power triggering pulse while the other two ports are for the triggered signal in a Moreno-like coupler configuration. In order to maintain high isolation, these two sets of waveguides are rotated 90° from each other with a TE111 resonator/plasma cell located at the intersection. This manuscript describes the design and optimization of this structure using COMSOL 4.4 at the design frequency of 2.85 GHz, comparison of simulated scattering parameters with measured “cold tests” (testing without plasma), and finally the temporal waveforms of this device being used to successfully switch a low power CW signal from 2 W to <5 mW on a sub-microsecond timescale.
Non-equilibrium oxidation states of zirconium during early stages of metal oxidation
Authors: Ma Wen , Herbert F. William , Senanayake Sanjaya D. , Yildiz Bilge
Published: March 2015

The chemical state of Zr during the initial, self-limiting stage of oxidation on single crystal zirconium (0001), with oxide thickness on the order of 1 nm, was probed by synchrotron x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis of the Zr 3d spectrum by the spectrum reconstruction method demonstrated the formation of Zr1+, Zr2+, and Zr3+ as non-equilibrium oxidation states, in addition to Zr4+ in the stoichiometric ZrO2. This finding resolves the long-debated question of whether it is possible to form any valence states between Zr0 and Zr4+ at the metal-oxide interface. The presence of local strong electric fields and the minimization of interfacial energy are assessed and demonstrated as mechanisms that can drive the formation of these non-equilibrium valence states of Zr.
Novel structures and physics of nanomagnets (invited)
Authors: Sellmyer D. J. , Balamurugan B. , Das B. , Mukherjee P. , Skomski R. , Hadjipanayis G. C.
Published: March 2015

Nanoscale magnets with characteristic dimensions in the range of 1–100 nm are important in several areas of nanoscience and technology. First, this length scale spans the typical important dimensions of exchange lengths and domain-wall widths, which means that significant control of magnetic properties can be obtained by varying grain or particle dimensions. Second, the nonequilibrium synthetic processes used for clusters, particles, and films, often lead to new real-space crystal structures with completely novel spin structures and magnetic properties. Third, a basic-science challenge in this class of matter involves the spin-polarized quantum mechanics of many-electron systems containing 10–10 000 atoms. Finally, the materials under study may have important future applications in high-density data storage, ultra-small spintronic devices, or high-energy magnetic materials. In this article, we discuss our recent work on novel Fe-Au nanoclusters, MnAu-Mn core-shell structures, and complex high-anisotropy Co-rich intermetallic compound clusters. We also present new results on Fe-based alloys including the magnetic properties of semiconducting FeSi2 nanoclusters and spin correlations in FeGe nanocluster films.
Exploring the high-pressure behavior of the three known polymorphs of BiPO4: Discovery of a new polymorph
Authors: Errandonea D. , Gomis O. , Santamaría-Perez D. , García-Domene B. , Muñoz A. , Rodríguez-Hernández P. , Achary S. N. , Tyagi A. K. , Popescu C.
Published: March 2015

We have studied the structural behavior of bismuth phosphate under compression. We performed x-ray powder diffraction measurements up to 31.5 GPa and ab initio calculations. Experiments were carried out on different polymorphs: trigonal (phase I) and monoclinic (phases II and III). Phases I and III, at low pressure (P < 0.2–0.8 GPa), transform into phase II, which has a monazite-type structure. At room temperature, this polymorph is stable up to 31.5 GPa. Calculations support these findings and predict the occurrence of an additional transition from the monoclinic monazite-type to a tetragonal scheelite-type structure (phase IV). This transition was experimentally found after the simultaneous application of pressure (28 GPa) and temperature (1500 K), suggesting that at room temperature the transition might by hindered by kinetic barriers. Calculations also predict an additional phase transition at 52 GPa, which exceeds the maximum pressure achieved in the experiments. This transition is from phase IV to an orthorhombic barite-type structure (phase V). We also studied the axial and bulk compressibility of BiPO4. Room-temperature pressure-volume equations of state are reported. BiPO4 was found to be more compressible than isomorphic rare-earth phosphates. The discovered phase IV was determined to be the less compressible polymorph of BiPO4. On the other hand, the theoretically predicted phase V has a bulk modulus comparable with that of monazite-type BiPO4. Finally, the isothermal compressibility tensor for the monazite-type structure is reported at 2.4 GPa showing that the direction of maximum compressibility is in the (0 1 0) plane at approximately 15° (21°) to the a axis for the case of our experimental (theoretical) study.
Heterogeneous plasmonic trimers for enhanced nonlinear optical absorption
Authors: Toroghi Seyfollah , Lumdee Chatdanai , Kik Pieter G.
Published: March 2015

A dramatic enhancement of the thermally induced nonlinear optical response in compositionally heterogeneous plasmonic trimers is reported. It is demonstrated numerically that the nonlinear absorption performance of silver nanoparticle dimers under pulsed illumination can be enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude through the addition of only 0.1 vol. % of gold in the dimer gap. The nonlinear absorption performance of the resulting Ag-Au-Ag trimer exceeds the peak performance of isolated gold nanoparticles by a factor 40. This dramatic effect is enabled by cascaded plasmon resonance, resulting in extreme field concentration in the central nanoparticle of the trimer. The observed localized heat-generation, large optical response, and a predicted response time below 1 ns make these structures promising candidates for use in nonlinear optical limiting and optical switching.
Accelerated domain switching speed in single-crystal LiNbO3 thin films
Authors: Jiang J. , Meng X. J. , Geng D. Q. , Jiang A. Q.
Published: March 2015

By using ionic implantation and wafer bonding technologies, we peeled off a single-crystal LiNbO3 thin film in the atomic-layer smoothness from the surface of a bulk Z-cut LiNbO3 single crystal. X-ray diffraction patterns showed only (00l) orientation of the film. From positive-up-negative–down pulse characterization, we measured domain switching current transients under various short-pulse voltages, where we observed domain switching currents to occur separately at time after initial capacitor charging currents. This is similar to early observations in bulk ferroelectric single crystals, where apparent positive/negative coercive fields of domain switching determined from polarization-electric field hysteresis loops always equal maximum/minimum applied fields. However, after pulse stressing of the film for more than 1000 cycles, the domain switching speed is accelerated, where domain switching current overlaps with the initial capacitor charging current with a well-defined coercive field independent of the applied-field strength. Finally, we simulated the whole domain switching current transients with the assumption of the resistance degradation across interfacial passive layers between the film and electrodes.
Threshold-voltage control and enhancement-mode characteristics in multilayer tin disulfide field-effect transistors by gate-oxide passivation with an alkylphosphonic acid self-assembled monolayer
Authors: Zschieschang Ute , Holzmann Tanja , Kuhn Alexander , Aghamohammadi Mahdieh , Lotsch Bettina V. , Klauk Hagen
Published: March 2015

We have synthesized crystals of two-dimensional layered tin disulfide (SnS2) by chemical vapor transport and fabricated field-effect transistors based on mechanically exfoliated SnS2 multilayer platelets. We demonstrate that the threshold voltage of these transistors can be modified by passivating the gate-oxide surface with a self-assembled monolayer of an alkylphosphonic acid, affording transistors with desirable enhancement-mode characteristics. In addition to a positive threshold voltage and a large on/off current ratio, these transistors also have a steep subthreshold swing of 4 V/decade.
Simultaneous absolute measurements of the thermal diffusivity and the thermal effusivity in solids and liquids using photopyroelectric calorimetry
Authors: Zammit U. , Mercuri F. , Paoloni S. , Marinelli M. , Pizzoferrato R
Published: March 2015

We report on the simultaneous “absolute” measurements of the thermal diffusivity and of the thermal effusivity in solid and liquid samples by using only the phase of the so called self-normalized Photopyroelectric signal, performing no other normalization/calibration procedure than that carried out during the actual measurements. Measurements, performed as a function of temperature, are characterized by a temperature resolution adequate to study phase transitions. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with those obtained in the previous studies.
Crossover of electron-electron interaction effect in Sn-doped indium oxide films
Authors: Zhang Yu-Jie , Gao Kuang-Hong , Li Zhi-Qing
Published: March 2015

We systematically study the structures and electrical transport properties of a series of Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO) films with thickness t ranging from ∼5 to ∼53 nm. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction results indicate that the t ≲ 16.8 nm films are polycrystalline, while those t ≳ 26.7 nm films are epitaxially grown along [100] direction. For the epitaxial films, the Altshuler and Aronov electron-electron interaction (EEI) effect governs the temperature behaviors of the sheet conductance σ□ at low temperatures, and the ratios of relative change of Hall coefficient ΔRH/RH to relative change of sheet resistance ΔR□/R□ are ≈2, which is quantitatively consistent with Altshuler and Aronov EEI theory and seldom observed in other systems. For those polycrystalline films, both the sheet conductance and Hall coefficient vary linearly with logarithm of temperature below several tens Kelvin, which can be well described by the current EEI theories in granular metals. We extract the intergranular tunneling conductance of each film by comparing the σ□(T) data with the predication of EEI theories in granular metals. It is found that when the tunneling conductance is less than the conductance of a single indium tin oxide (ITO) grain, the ITO film reveals granular metal characteristics in transport properties; conversely, the film shows transport properties of homogeneous disordered conductors. Our results indicate that electrical transport measurement can not only reveal the underlying charge transport properties of the film but also be a powerful tool to detect the subtle homogeneity of the film.
Shock wave compression and release of hexagonal-close-packed metal single crystals: Inelastic deformation of c-axis magnesium
Authors: Winey J. M. , Renganathan P. , Gupta Y. M.
Published: March 2015

To understand inelastic deformation mechanisms for shocked hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) metals, shock compression and release wave profiles, previously unavailable for hcp single crystals, were measured for c-axis magnesium crystals. The results show that the elastic-inelastic loading response is strongly time-dependent. Measured release wave profiles showed distinct peaked features, which are unusual for inelastic deformation during unloading of shocked metals. Numerical simulations show that pyramidal slip provides a reasonably good description of the inelastic loading response. However, {101¯2} twinning is needed to explain the unloading response. The results and analysis presented here provide insight into the relative roles of dislocation slip and deformation twinning in the response of shocked hcp metals.
Simulation of bipolar charge transport in nanocomposite polymer films
Authors: Lean Meng H. , Chu Wei-Ping L.
Published: March 2015

This paper describes 3D particle-in-cell simulation of bipolar charge injection and transport through nanocomposite film comprised of ferroelectric ceramic nanofillers in an amorphous polymer matrix. The classical electrical double layer (EDL) model for a monopolar core is extended (eEDL) to represent the nanofiller by replacing it with a dipolar core. Charge injection at the electrodes assumes metal-polymer Schottky emission at low to moderate fields and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling at high fields. Injected particles migrate via field-dependent Poole-Frenkel mobility and recombine with Monte Carlo selection. The simulation algorithm uses a boundary integral equation method for solution of the Poisson equation coupled with a second-order predictor-corrector scheme for robust time integration of the equations of motion. The stability criterion of the explicit algorithm conforms to the Courant-Friedrichs-Levy limit assuring robust and rapid convergence. The model is capable of simulating a wide dynamic range spanning leakage current to pre-breakdown. Simulation results for BaTiO3 nanofiller in amorphous polymer matrix indicate that charge transport behavior depend on nanoparticle polarization with anti-parallel orientation showing the highest leakage conduction and therefore lowest level of charge trapping in the interaction zone. Charge recombination is also highest, at the cost of reduced leakage conduction charge. The eEDL model predicts the meandering pathways of charge particle trajectories.
Triassic–Jurassic climate in continental high-latitude Asia was dominated by obliquity-paced variations (Junggar Basin, Ürümqi, China)
Authors: Sha Jingeng , Olsen Paul E. , Pan Yanhong , Xu Daoyi , Wang Yaqiang , Zhang Xiaolin , Yao Xiaogang , Vajda Vivi
Published: March 2015

Significance

Geological records of paleoclimate provide the only constraints on Solar System orbital solutions extending beyond the ∼50-Ma limit imposed by chaotic diffusion. Examples of such constraints are coupled high and low latitude, Triassic–Jurassic (∼198–202 Ma) sedimentary cyclicity in coal-bearing outcrops from the ∼60° N-paleolatitude Junggar Basin (Western China), and contemporaneous tropical basins. Analysis reveals climate variability dominated by obliquity-scale cyclicity in the Junggar Basin and precession-scale cyclicity in the tropics. Together, these geological records empirically constrain orbital solutions by providing joint g4 − g3 and s4 − s3 secular frequency estimates of the Earth–Mars orbital resonance. These results demonstrate the opportunity for developing a new class of solutions grounded by geological data extending hundreds of millions of years into the geologic past.
Masked suffix priming and morpheme positional constraints
Authors: Crepaldi Davide , Hemsworth Lara , Davis Colin J. , Rastle Kathleen
Published: March 2015

Although masked stem priming (e.g., dealer–DEAL) is one of the most established effects in visual word identification, it is less clear whether primes and targets sharing a suffix (e.g., kindness–WILDNESS) also yield facilitation. In a new take on this issue, we show that prime nonwords facilitate lexical decisions to target words ending with the same suffix ( sheeter– TEACHER) compared to a condition where the critical suffix was substituted by another one ( sheetal– TEACHER) or by an unrelated nonmorphological ending ( sheetub– TEACHER). We also show that this effect is genuinely morphological, as no priming emerged in noncomplex items with the same orthographic characteristics ( sportel–BROTHEL vs. sportic–BROTHEL vs. sportur–BROTHEL). In a further experiment, we took advantage of these results to assess whether suffixes are recognized in a position-specific fashion. Masked suffix priming did not emerge when the relative order of stems and suffixes was reversed in the prime nonwords— ersheet did not yield any time saving in the identification of teacher as compared to either alsheet or obsheet. We take these results to show that – er was not identified as a morpheme in ersheet, thus indicating that suffix identification is position specific. This conclusion is in line with data on interference effects in nonword rejection and strongly constrains theoretical proposals on how complex words are identified. In particular, because these findings were reported in a masked priming paradigm, they suggest that positional constraints operate early, most likely at a prelexical level of morpho-orthographic analysis.
Dynamical degrees of birational transformations of projective surfaces
Authors: Blanc Jérémy , Cantat Serge
Published: March 2015

The dynamical degree

λ
(
f
)

\lambda (f)

of a birational transformation

f
f

measures the exponential growth rate of the degree of the formulas that define the

n
n

th iterate of

f
f

. We study the set of all dynamical degrees of all birational transformations of projective surfaces, and the relationship between the value of

λ
(
f
)

\lambda (f)

and the structure of the conjugacy class of

f
f

. For instance, the set of all dynamical degrees of birational transformations of the complex projective plane is a closed and well ordered set of algebraic numbers.
Can We Improve Farm Performance? The Determinants of Farm Technical and Environmental Efficiency
Authors: Guesmi Bouali , Serra Teresa
Published: March 2015

The environmental impacts of economic activities have become an important aspect in the evaluation of their overall performance. Consistently, traditional measures of technical efficiency have been extended to assess both the economic and environmental performance of firms. This study aims to use these measures to analyze the performance of a sample of Catalan arable crop farms. Specifically, we apply the methodology recently developed by Coelli et al. (2007) and Murty et al. (2012), and extend it to a consideration of the stochastic conditions under which production takes place as proposed by Chambers and Quiggin (1998 and 2000). Results suggest that efficiency ratings depend on model specification. Also, ignoring the stochastic nature of production yields downward‐biased efficiency scores. Empirical findings suggest that environmental and technical efficiency are strongly interrelated indicating that an efficient use of chemical inputs improves both environmental and technical performance of farms.
Hi-Jack: a novel computational framework for pathway-based inference of host–pathogen interactions
Authors: Kleftogiannis Dimitrios , Wong Limsoon , Archer John A.C. , Kalnis Panos
Published: March 2015

Motivation: Pathogens infect their host and hijack the host machinery to produce more progeny pathogens. Obligate intracellular pathogens, in particular, require resources of the host to replicate. Therefore, infections by these pathogens lead to alterations in the metabolism of the host, shifting in favor of pathogen protein production. Some computational identification of mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions have been proposed, but it seems the problem has yet to be approached from the metabolite-hijacking angle.

Results: We propose a novel computational framework, Hi-Jack, for inferring pathway-based interactions between a host and a pathogen that relies on the idea of metabolite hijacking. Hi-Jack searches metabolic network data from hosts and pathogens, and identifies candidate reactions where hijacking occurs. A novel scoring function ranks candidate hijacked reactions and identifies pathways in the host that interact with pathways in the pathogen, as well as the associated frequent hijacked metabolites. We also describe host–pathogen interaction principles that can be used in the future for subsequent studies. Our case study on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) revealed pathways in human—e.g. carbohydrate metabolism, lipids metabolism and pathways related to amino acids metabolism—that are likely to be hijacked by the pathogen. In addition, we report interesting potential pathway interconnections between human and Mtb such as linkage of human fatty acid biosynthesis with Mtb biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, or linkage of human pentose phosphate pathway with lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Mtb.

Availability and implementation: Datasets and codes are available at http://cloud.kaust.edu.sa/Pages/Hi-Jack.aspx

Contact: Dimitrios.Kleftogiannis@kaust.edu.sa

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
E. T. A. Hoffmann Revisited: the Nightmare of the Romantic Singer in Berlioz's
Euphonia, ou, La ville musicale
(1844)
Authors: Effertz Julia
Published: March 2015

This article examines Hector Berlioz's musical novella
Euphonia, ou, La ville musicale
(1844) as a rewriting of E. T. A. Hoffmann's musical tales and, via the key figure of the woman singer, as a critical commentary on Romantic musical-literary aesthetics. Through a close reading of
Euphonia
and an analysis of its female protagonist, the singer Mina, the article discusses the undermining of the stereotypical Romantic ideal of the woman singer as a muse to the male hero by means of Berlioz's strong case for female artistic self-expression. Drawing on the ironic treatment of the Romantic singer as a male fantasy in the texts of Hoffmann, Berlioz uses Mina to expose the Romantic ideal of music as a flawed and ultimately unsustainable musical dystopia.