bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL): a rare disease with a grave prognosis
Authors: Vivekanandarajah Abhirami , Atallah Jean Paul , Gupta Shilpi
Published: May 2013

T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL) is an extremely uncommon haematological malignancy that has an aggressive course and a grave prognosis. We describe a patient who presented with lymphocytosis, scalp erythema, ascites and splenomegaly and was diagnosed with T-PLL. He was treated with alemtuzumab with a good response and was referred for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Experimental study on the pullout resistance of pressure-grouted soil nails in the field
Authors: Hong Cheng-Yu , Yin Jian-Hua , Pei Hua-Fu , Zhou Wan-Huan
Published: May 2013

The pullout behaviour of cement-grouted soil nails, particularly in field conditions, is not yet fully understood. In this study, a series of tests was conducted to evaluate the pullout response of grouted soil nails in a field slope. A new innovative grouting packer system was developed to control the grouted length and maintain the cement grout pressure of the grouted part. By using the grouting packer system, a total of 10 soil nails placed at different soil depths were grouted with different pressures in the field. The pullout results of present field tests and a number of past laboratory tests indicate that the apparent coefficient of friction (ACF) decreases with the increase of overburden stress even though grouting pressure is applied. In addition, when the overburden stress is unchanged, the obtained ACF values in the field tests appear to increase almost linearly with the increase of grouting pressure. After the soil nails were completely pulled out of the ground, the surfaces of the soil nails and surrounding soil were examined. It is found that the water content of the soil samples at the soil–nail interfaces decrease substantially compared to the water content of soil samples in drill holes. Measurement results also show that the failure surfaces of soil nails shifted about 16 mm on average into the surrounding soil due to the application of grouting pressure.
Experimental study of effect of geometry on reinstallation of jack-up next to footprint
Authors: Kong Vickie , Cassidy Mark Jason , Gaudin Christophe
Published: May 2013

Mobile jack-up drilling rigs often need to return to a site where a previous installation has left footprints in the seabed. Reinstallation near these depressions is a problematic operation because the jack-up's circular spudcan footings become subjected to eccentric and (or) inclined loading conditions. This can lead to structural failures within the jack-up legs and (or) excessive leg tilt and hull displacement. This paper reports a comprehensive set of geotechnical centrifuge experiments that investigated the effect of footprint geometry on the reinstallation response. Artificial conical shaped footprints were manually cut in the centrifuge sample, ensuring consistent shapes and minimizing any variation of undrained shear strength due to the process of initially installing and retrieving a spudcan. The effect of footprint geometry was thereby isolated. The vertical, horizontal, and moment loads induced on a model footing when penetrated at varying offsets are presented and these provide evidence on the effect of different footprint depths and angles on installation. The footprint geometry governed the horizontal force and moment observed during reinstallation between the level of the touchdown and the footprint toe. Further experimentation has shown that an equivalent skirted footing induced significantly higher horizontal forces (although it can be assumed to be significantly stiffer).
What does the 5S rRNA multigene family tell us about the origin of the annual Triticeae (Poaceae)?
Authors: Baum B.R. , Edwards T. , Johnson D.A.
Published: May 2013

We have investigated the complex relationships among the annual genera within the tribe Triticeae through phylogenetic analyses of the 5S rRNA multigene family. Cloned sequences were assigned to groups of orthologous sequences, called unit classes, that were subjected to several analyses including BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) searches to assess possible ancestral relationships with perennial genera; phylogenetic analyses using parsimony (Pars), maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian methods; and minimum reticulation networks from the Pars, ML, and Bayesian trees. In this study, we included genera with both annual and perennial species, such as Dasypyrum, Hordeum, and Secale. BLAST pointed to Pseudoroegneria (carrier of the St genome) and possibly Thinopyrum (carrier of the J genome) as the potential next of kin. However, Thinopyrum and Pseudoroegneria have never fallen together on the individual trees with the former generally associated with Crithopsis, Aegilops, Triticum, and Dasypyrum, while the latter is usually associated with the rest of the genera within Triticeae. The “long” unit classes placed Dasypyrum breviaristatum together with Dasypyrum villosum, whereas the “short” unit classes put them far apart on the trees. None of the gene trees alone was able to summarize the complex relationships among the genera, in line with previous results in the Triticeae. However, the application of tools designed to display phylogenetic networks was able to depict the complex links among the genera based on the short and the long gene trees, including the close link between Thinopyrum and Pseudoroegneria suggested by the phylogenetic analyses. In addition, our analyses provide support for the hypothesis that at least some annual Triticeae taxa are derived from their perennial relatives.
DFT STUDY OF SOME TRIVALENT d- AND f-BLOCK METAL ION COMPLEXES OF ALLOXAN
Authors: KAKKAR RITA , BHANDARI MAMTA , GABA RITU
Published: May 2013

Density functional calculations have been employed to elucidate the structures of some six coordinated complexes of alloxan monohydrate with some d- and f-block metals. Alloxan monohydrate may exist in the mono-ionized or di-ionized form in its complexes, and both states were investigated. It is found that when the metal ion is coordinated to three bidentate ligands, the structures are nearly trigonal prismatic, but replacement of a bidendate ligand by two monovalent ligands changes the geometry to deformed octahedral. The metal-alloxanate bonding is largely ionic for the lanthanoids. The calculated vibrational frequencies are in agreement with the experimentally determined ones.
CORROSION RISK ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY THE 2004 TSUNAMI IN BANDA ACEH
Authors: RIDHA M. , FONNA S. , HUZNI S. , ARIFFIN A. K.
Published: May 2013

Banda Aceh region has a coastal environment and frequent earthquakes. The 2004 Sumatra tsunami caused many buildings to collapse and became submerged by seawater in the region. Thus, the buildings might become susceptible to corrosion, which will reduce their strength. Consequently, sudden failure might happen when even a small earthquake occurs. This study reports a corrosion risk assessment for some reinforced concrete (RC) public buildings in Banda Aceh region in order to understand how the tsunami has influenced the corrosion risk level. The assessment was performed by using half-cell potential mapping technique. Six buildings were chosen: three existing buildings, two newly constructed buildings in the tsunami-affected area and one building located outside that area. The assessments were carried out from 2009 until mid of 2010. The assessment results indicated that the corrosion risk to the existing buildings were at intermediate to severe level. In addition, newly developed buildings were at intermediate level, while outside building was still at low levels. Those findings showed that the RC buildings around the tsunami-affected area, either existing or new buildings, had become corrosive. Therefore, it is important to conduct regular corrosion assessments to prevent early failure due to the coexistence of rebar corrosion and earthquake.
SATURATION EFFECTS FOR CTL MEDIATED CONTROL OF HIV-1 INFECTION: A MATHEMATICAL STUDY
Authors: ROY PRITI KUMAR , CHOWDHURY SONIA , LI XUE-ZHI
Published: May 2013

The relations between the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) and the human immune system are astonishingly multifaceted, where the critical role for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the suppression of viral replication in HIV-1 infected individuals cannot be ignored. In this research paper, we have proposed a mathematical model incorporating half saturation constant through the CTL mediated killing process and also in that sense, it has been infiltrated in the generation process of CTL through infected cells. To make the model more realistic, a time lag is introduced in the generation term of CTL population. Also an optimal control theory paradigm is used in our mathematical model to suppress the viral production. From our entire analysis, we have found threshold condition of half saturation constant and treatment schedule so that we can handle the situation of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients in a better way. Our analysis reveals that, if the half saturation constant is around 47 mm-3in the saturation process and the drug therapy is to be used around 76 days, then we can get adequate results for better treatment of a HIV-1 patient. Based on numerical results, we observed that in a highly unstable situation, administration of chemotherapy at a high dose can stabilize the system.
UPPER BOUNDS FOR SORTING PERMUTATIONS WITH A TRANSPOSITION TREE
Authors: CHITTURI BHADRACHALAM
Published: May 2013

An upper bound for sorting permutations with an operation estimates the diameter of the corresponding Cayley graph and an exact upper bound equals the diameter. Computing tight upper bounds for various operations is of theoretical and practical (e.g., interconnection networks, genetics) interest. Akers and Krishnamurthy gave a Ω(n! n2) time method that examines n! permutations to compute an upper bound, f(Γ), to sort any permutation with a given transposition tree T, where Γ is the Cayley graph corresponding to T. We compute two intuitive upper bounds γ and δ′ each in O(n2) time for the same, by working solely with the transposition tree. Recently, Ganesan computed β, an estimate of the exact upper bound for the same, in O(n2) time. Our upper bounds are tighter than f(Γ) and β, on average and in most of the cases. For a class of trees, we prove that the new upper bounds are tighter than β and f(Γ).
FURTHER RESULTS ON INDUCED GRAPHOIDAL DECOMPOSITION
Authors: HAMID I. SAHUL , JOSEPH MAYAMMA
Published: May 2013

Let G be a nontrivial, simple, finite, connected and undirected graph. A graphoidal decomposition (GD) of G is a collection ψ of paths and cycles in G that are internally disjoint such that every edge of G lies in exactly one member of ψ. As a variation of GD the notion of induced graphoidal decomposition (IGD) was introduced in [S. Arumugam, Path covers in graphs (2006)] which is a GD all of whose members are either induced paths or induced cycles. The minimum number of elements in such a decomposition of a graph G is called the IGD number, denoted by ηi(G). In this paper, we extend the study of the parameter ηi by establishing bounds for ηi(G) in terms of the diameter, girth and the maximum degree along with characterization of graphs achieving the bounds.
SIMULATION RESEARCH OF ACTIVE VIBRATION CONTROL FOR ELASTIC MISSILE WITH SWING NOZZLE THRUST VECTOR CONTROL
Authors: LIU XIAODONG , WU YUNJIE , DENG YONG , WANG SEN , SONG JIAYUN
Published: May 2013

Aiming at the deficiencies of notch filters on the aspect of vibration suppression for elastic missile with swing nozzle thrust vector control (SNTVC), an active vibration controller (AVC) is proposed. It is composed of an optimal state feedback controller (OSFC) and an optimal minimal order state observer (OMOSO), which can be respectively designed based on the separation principle. The design rules of these two elements are successively given. Computer simulation results present that AVC can realize strong vibration suppression and good convergence property after disturbing. Moreover, it has simple design and then it is easily implemented in engineering. In addition, the AVC scheme can also resolve the poor system stability to a great extent, which is resulted from the bad static stability of missile body.
Overpressure distributions in Palaeogene reservoirs of the UK Central North Sea and implications for lateral and vertical fluid flow
Authors: Robertson J. , Goulty N. R. , Swarbrick R. E.
Published: May 2013

Overpressure distributions within the Paleocene Forties, Cromarty and Eocene Tay sandstones in the Central North Sea have been compiled to gain better insight into hydrocarbon migration pathways. Drainage within the Forties Sandstone Member is westwards at the toe of the fan, where overpressures are >1000 psi (7 MPa), swinging round to northwestwards up-dip, towards the Moray Firth. Overpressure distributions in the Cromarty and Tay sandstone members indicate that these formations are draining westwards, where fluids probably escape through shelfal sandstones of the Mousa and Dornoch formations. Locations of vertical drainage pathways can be interpreted from local anomalies in overpressure distribution, and good hydraulic connectivity may be indicated where overpressures in different sandstone members are the same. Fluids within the Forties Sandstone Member appear to be draining vertically upwards into the Cromarty Sandstone Member within UK blocks 22/29 and 22/30, 29/05 and 29/10, and 29/01, with drainage pathways in UK block 29/01 permitting migration of good quality oils into the recently discovered accumulations of Catcher, Vardero, Burgman and Carnaby. The lateral overpressure gradients within the Cromarty and Tay sandstone members, the pressure evidence for vertical drainage, and the presence of oil accumulations showing limited biodegradation imply connection to the deeper graben through still-active pathways for the migration of oil and gas.
Outlier ensembles
Authors: Aggarwal Charu C.
Published: May 2013

Ensemble analysis is a widely used meta-algorithm for many data mining problems such as classification and clustering. Numerous ensemble-based algorithms have been proposed in the literature for these problems. Compared to the clustering and classification problems, ensemble analysis has been studied in a limited way in the outlier detection literature. In some cases, ensemble analysis techniques have been implicitly used by many outlier analysis algorithms, but the approach is often buried deep into the algorithm and not formally recognized as a general-purpose meta-algorithm. This is in spite of the fact that this problem is rather important in the context of outlier analysis. This paper discusses the various methods which are used in the literature for outlier ensembles and the general principles by which such analysis can be made more effective. A discussion is also provided on how outlier ensembles relate to the ensemble-techniques used commonly for other data mining problems.
Discovering interesting information with advances in web technology
Authors: Nayak Richi , Senellart Pierre , Suchanek Fabian M. , Varde Aparna S.
Published: May 2013

The Web is a steadily evolving resource comprising much more than mere HTML pages. With its ever-growing data sources in a variety of formats, it provides great potential for knowledge discovery. In this article, we shed light on some interesting phenomena of the Web: the deep Web, which surfaces database records as Web pages; the Semantic Web, which defines meaningful data exchange formats; XML, which has established itself as a lingua franca for Web data exchange; and domain-specific markup languages, which are designed based on XML syntax with the goal of preserving semantics in targeted domains. We detail these four developments in Web technology, and explain how they can be used for data mining. Our goal is to show that all these areas can be as useful for knowledge discovery as the HTML-based part of the Web.
Understanding Reproductive Isolation Based on the Rice Model
Authors: Ouyang Yidan , Zhang Qifa
Published: May 2013

Reproductive isolation is both an indicator of speciation and a mechanism for maintaining species identity. Here we review the progress in studies of hybrid sterility in rice to illustrate the present understanding of the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms underlying reproductive isolation. Findings from molecular characterization of genes controlling hybrid sterility can be summarized with three evolutionary genetic models. The parallel divergence model features duplicated loci generated by genome evolution; in this model, the gametes abort when the two copies of loss-of-function mutants meet in hybrids. In the sequential divergence model, mutations of two linked loci occur sequentially in one lineage, and negative interaction between the ancestral and nascent alleles of different genes causes incompatibility. The parallel-sequential divergence model involves three tightly linked loci, exemplified by a killer–protector system formed of mutations in two steps. We discuss the significance of such findings and their implications for crop improvement.
Computational Approaches for the Dynamics of Structure Formation in Self-Assembling Polymeric Materials
Authors: Müller Marcus , de Pablo Juan J.
Published: May 2013

Polymeric materials can assemble into a multitude of intricate nanoscale morphologies whose free energy differs by only a fraction of the thermal energy per molecule. Such small free-energy differences pose a challenge for modeling and simulation but also offer exciting opportunities to direct the assembly of such materials into morphologies that do not correspond to those of equilibrium bulk structures. Over the past decade, significant progress has been achieved in our ability to guide their self-assembly through the use of confinement, topographical or chemical patterns, and electric fields. In contrast, approaches to guide self-assembly by tailoring the dynamics of structure formation have received less attention. This review discusses opportunities and challenges of recently developed computational strategies to predict the dynamics of self-assembly of polymeric materials on the basis of the underlying free-energy landscape.
Superresolution Multidimensional Imaging with Structured Illumination Microscopy
Authors: Jost Aurélie , Heintzmann Rainer
Published: May 2013

The resolution of an optical microscope is fundamentally limited by diffraction. In a conventional wide-field fluorescence microscope, the resolution limit is at best 200 nm. However, modern superresolution methods can bypass this limit. Pointillistic imaging techniques like PALM (photoactivated localization microscopy) and STORM (stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy) do so by precisely localizing each individual molecule in a sample. In contrast, STED uses the stimulated emission process driven to saturation to dramatically reduce the size of the region in the sample that is capable of spontaneously emitting fluorescence. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) illuminates the sample with a pattern, typically the image of a grating. This computationally removes the out-of-focus blur, a method known as optical sectioning SIM. Furthermore, frequency mixing of the illumination pattern with the sample caused by the moiré effect results in a downmodulation of fine sample detail into the frequency-support region of the detection optical transfer function. High-resolution SIM achieves typically a twofold lateral resolution enhancement. This is further improved by exploiting a nonlinear sample response to the illumination light in SIM. Recent developments of the method allow fast, multicolor, and three-dimensional high-resolution live-cell imaging.
Sleep for Preserving and Transforming Episodic Memory
Authors: Inostroza Marion , Born Jan
Published: May 2013

Sleep is known to support memory consolidation. Here we review evidence for an active system consolidation occurring during sleep. At the beginning of this process is sleep's ability to preserve episodic experiences preferentially encoded in hippocampal networks. Repeated neuronal reactivation of these representations during slow-wave sleep transforms episodic representations into long-term memories, redistributes them toward extrahippocampal networks, and qualitatively changes them to decontextualized schema-like representations. Electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations regulate the underlying communication: Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples coalescing with thalamic spindles mediate the bottom-up transfer of reactivated memory information to extrahippocampal regions. Neocortical slow oscillations exert a supraordinate top-down control to synchronize hippocampal reactivations of specific memories to their excitable up-phase, thus allowing plastic changes in extrahippocampal regions. We propose that reactivations during sleep are a general mechanism underlying the abstraction of temporally stable invariants from a flow of input that is solely structured in time, thus representing a basic mechanism of memory formation.
Prevention of Chronic Diseases by Tea: Possible Mechanisms and Human Relevance
Authors: Yang Chung S. , Hong Jungil
Published: May 2013

Tea, made from leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, Theaceae, has been used by humans for thousands of years, first as a medicinal herb and then as a beverage that is consumed widely. For the past 25 years, tea has been studied extensively for its beneficial health effects, including prevention of cancer, reduction of body weight, alleviation of metabolic syndrome, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and protection against neurodegenerative diseases. Whether these effects can be produced by tea at the levels commonly consumed by humans is an open question. This review examines these topics and elucidates the common mechanisms for these beneficial health effects. It also discusses other health effects and possible side effects of tea consumption. This article provides a critical assessment of the health effects of tea consumption and suggests new directions for research in this area.
The Role of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Developing Nutrition Policy
Authors: Cobiac Linda J. , Veerman Lennert , Vos Theo
Published: May 2013

Concern about the overconsumption of unhealthy foods is growing worldwide. With high global rates of noncommunicable diseases related to poor nutrition and projections of more rapid increases of rates in low- and middle-income countries, it is vital to identify effective but low-cost interventions. Cost-effectiveness studies show that individually targeted dietary interventions can be effective and cost-effective, but a growing number of modeling studies suggest that population-wide approaches may bring larger and more sustained benefits for population health at a lower cost to society. Mandatory regulation of salt in processed foods, in particular, is highly recommended. Future research should focus on lacunae in the current evidence base: effectiveness of interventions addressing the marketing, availability, and price of healthy and unhealthy foods; modeling health impacts of complex dietary changes and multi-intervention strategies; and modeling health implications in diverse subpopulations to identify interventions that will most efficiently and effectively reduce health inequalities.
Novel Aspects of Dietary Nitrate and Human Health
Authors: Weitzberg Eddie , Lundberg Jon O.
Published: May 2013

The circulation of nitrogen in nature is a prerequisite for life on earth. In the nitrogen cycle atmospheric nitrogen is fixated by bacteria into forms that can be utilized by plants and mammals. Nitrate and nitrite are obligate intermediates in this cycle, and for more than half a century these anions have interested nutritional scientists, mostly in relation to cancer, because of their ability to form nitrosamines. However, after the discovery of mammalian endogenous nitric oxide (NO) generation and later that its oxidation products nitrate and nitrite can be recycled back to bioactive NO, a novel field of research has emerged that explores a potentially beneficial role of these anions in physiology, nutrition, and therapeutics. In our diet, vegetables are the major source of nitrate that can fuel a nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. Herein we discuss the nutritional aspects of this pathway and what is presently known about the implications for human health.
Iron Nutrition and Premenopausal Women: Effects of Poor Iron Status on Physical and Neuropsychological Performance
Authors: McClung James P. , Murray-Kolb Laura E.
Published: May 2013

Iron is a nutritionally essential trace element that functions through incorporation into proteins and enzymes, many of which contribute to physical and neuropsychological performance. Poor iron status, including iron deficiency (ID; diminished iron stores) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA; poor iron stores and diminished hemoglobin), affects billions of people worldwide. This review focuses on physical and neuropsychological outcomes associated with ID and IDA in premenopausal women, as the prevalence of ID and IDA is often greater in premenopausal women than other population demographics. Recent studies addressing the physiological effects of poor iron status on physical performance, including work productivity, voluntary activity, and athletic performance, are addressed. Similarly, the effects of iron status on neurological performance, including cognition, affect, and behavior, are summarized. Nutritional countermeasures for the prevention of poor iron status and the restoration of decrements in performance outcomes are described.
O-GlcNAc Cycling: A Link Between Metabolism and Chronic Disease
Authors: Bond Michelle R. , Hanover John A.
Published: May 2013

To maintain homeostasis under variable nutrient conditions, cells rapidly and robustly respond to fluctuations through adaptable signaling networks. Evidence suggests that the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) posttranslational modification of serine and threonine residues functions as a critical regulator of intracellular signaling cascades in response to nutrient changes. O-GlcNAc is a highly regulated, reversible modification poised to integrate metabolic signals and acts to influence many cellular processes, including cellular signaling, protein stability, and transcription. This review describes the role O-GlcNAc plays in governing both integrated cellular processes and the activity of individual proteins in response to nutrient levels. Moreover, we discuss the ways in which cellular changes in O-GlcNAc status may be linked to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancers, providing a unique window through which to identify and treat disease conditions.
Vitamin D Biology Revealed Through the Study of Knockout and Transgenic Mouse Models
Authors: Christakos Sylvia , Seth Tanya , Hirsch Jennifer , Porta Angela , Moulas Anargyros , Dhawan Puneet
Published: May 2013

Early studies identifying vitamin D as an antirachitic factor led to studies in vitamin D–deficient models that resulted in a basic understanding of the mechanism of action of vitamin D. Recent studies using genetically modified mice have provided important new insight into the physiological role of vitamin D at target tissues and the functional significance of vitamin D target proteins, as well as the functional significance of proteins involved in the transport and metabolism of vitamin D. Studies using these mice have played an increasingly important role in elucidating the mechanisms involved in the control of calcium homeostasis and have provided evidence for a role of vitamin D in extraskeletal health.
(Invited) Exploring the Potential of Si and Ge Amorphous Nanostructures for Photonic Applications
Authors: Serna Rosalia , Martín-Sánchez Javier , Toudert Johann
Published: May 2013

The design and synthesis of nanocomposite thin films based on Si or Ge amorphous nanostructures embedded in amorphous aluminum oxide (a- Al2O3) has been investigated with the aim to achieve a controlled optical response. The films have been prepared using pulsed laser deposition at room temperature in vacuum. The formation of the nanostructures is achieved in-situ by alternated ablation of the semiconductor (Si or Ge) and a- Al2O3 targets, with no post-deposition annealing processes. The quantum confinement properties of the a-Si:a- Al2O3 and a-Ge:a- Al2O3 nanocomposite films have been studied through their optical response from the near-UV to the near-IR. A clear absorption edge, which is linked to the optical band-gap of the semiconductor nanostructures, is observed. This optical band-gap is red-shifted as the semiconductor content in the film increases and depends on the nature of the semiconductor. It shifts in the 2 to 3 eV range for Si and from 1 to 4 eV for Ge. Finally the potential of these nanostructures for the sensitization of Er ions is disclosed. In particular it will be shown how structures with enhanced response can be designed and thus optimized emission from a single layer can be achieved.
(DS&T Thomas D. Callinan Award Presentation) Role of Hydrogen in Dielectrics for Electronics and Optoelectronics Devices
Authors: Misra D.
Published: May 2013

In silicon-based electronic and optoelectronic devices hydrogen plays a significant role in passivating silicon dangling bonds. This improves the device performance and reliability of the devices by producing a high quality Si-SiO2 interface. This work reviews the early use of hydrogen in standard silicon MOS devices with SiO2 as gate dielectric to recent devices with high-k gate stacks. Role of hydrogen’s isotope deuterium is outlined. In addition, the impact of hydrogen in high-k gate dielectrics on silicon and germanium substrates is also discussed. Contribution of hydrogen/deuterium in photodiode performance is also briefly described.
(Invited) Er Doped-Si Nanostructures Coupled with Photonic Crystals for High Enhancement of Light Extraction
Authors: Miritello Maria , Lo Savio Roberto , Galli Matteo , Irrera Alessia , Iacona Fabio , Franzò Giorgia , Andreani Lucio C. , Faolain Liam O' , Krauss Thomas , Priolo Francesco
Published: May 2013

Silicon nanophotonics is emerging as a new platform for integration of photonic and electronic devices. Examples on our recent efforts on monolithic light sources in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) are reported. A first example was an active slot waveguide integrated with a photonic crystal (PhC), containing as emitting centers Er-doped Si nanoclusters. Simultaneous inhibition and redistribution of light emission have permitted to obtain an Er3+ emission enhancement when the involved transition is in resonance with a mode of the PhC slab both under optical and electrical excitation. Moreover Y-Er disilicate thin films have been proposed in order to overcome the limit of Er solubility. Further this film is integrated with a PhC cavity, by demonstrating that Er luminescence at 1.54 μm is enhanced by coupling with the cavity modes. These results indicate that this is a promising method for achieving a gain materials at 1.54 µm on a Si platform.
Influence of High Temperature on UTBB SOI nMOSFETs with and without Ground Plane
Authors: Sonnenberg Victor , Itocazu Vitor T. , Martino João Antonio , Simoen Eddy R. , Claeys Cor
Published: May 2013

This paper presents an analysis of the temperature influence on Ultra Thin Body and Box (UTBB) SOI nMOSFETs with and without Ground Plane (GP) implantation and different silicon film thickness. The results obtained experimentally and by simulations show a kink in the drain current as a function of back-gate voltage due to the substrate potential drop when the ground plane is not present. The ground plane reduces the substrate potential drop, but increases the potential drop at gate and buried oxides. This study was done from room temperature up to 200oC.
Influence of 45° Substrate Rotation on the Analog Performance of Biaxially Strained Silicon SOI MuGFETs
Authors: de Souza M. A. S. , Doria R. T. , Martino J. A. , Simoen E. , Claeys C. , Pavanello M. A.
Published: May 2013

In this work the influence of the substrate rotation on the analog performance of strained SOI MuGFETs is presented. Measurements performed in fabricated devices show a degradation of the maximum transconductance at both linear and saturation regime. The substrate rotation has no influence on the output conductance. The intrinsic voltage gain and the unit gain frequency were extracted and presented a reduction promoted by substrate rotation, being more evident for a narrow fin.
Electroless Metallization of Silicon Using Metal Nanoparticles as Catalysts and Binding-Points
Authors: Yae Shinji , Enomoto Masato , Atsushiba Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Aya , Okayama Chika , Fukumuro Naoki , Sakamoto Susumu , Matsuda Hitoshi
Published: May 2013

Gold nanoparticles on silicon work not only as catalysts to initiateautocatalytic electroless metal deposition but also as bindingpointsbetween the deposited metal film and the silicon surface.Conventional catalysts of autocatalytic electroless metal deposition,such as palladium and silver, require heat treatments or anchorformation to obtain practical adhesion of deposited metal films onsilicon. Gold nanoparticles can directly produce adhesive metalfilms on flat silicon surfaces without any treatments. Crosssectionaltransmission electron microscopic observation revealsthat gold nanoparticles form an alloy with silicon at the roomtemperature. This alloy is expected to improve the adhesion ofmetal film on silicon.
The Nanoporous Metallization of Polymer Membranes through Photocatalytically Initiated Electroless Deposition
Authors: Bromley Michael A , Boxall Colin
Published: May 2013

We present the novel use of Photocatalytically Initiated Electroless Deposition (PIED) for the deposition of metal films with highly ordered arrays of sub-µm (hemi)spherical pores directly onto the surface of insulating organic membrane-based substrates. This is achieved by sensitisation of the target substrate with a TiO2 photocatalyst followed by the self-assembly of a hexagonally close packed polystyrene microsphere template at the substrate surface. Metallisation then occurs through PIED into the template interstices and directly onto the TiO2 sensitised membrane surface. The dimensions of the resultant pores in the deposited metal are determined by the size of the template microspheres while metal film thickness may be controlled by the deposition period. The fabrication of nanoporous metal by this novel method adds a conductive and permeable metallic structure of high surface area to an otherwise electrically insulating polymer membrane surface. Such metallised insulating membranes have potentially wide applications in membrane and separation technology, desalination and electrode / solid electrolyte composites for fuel cells.
R&D Status of Vanadium Flow Battery: Challenge and Prospective
Authors: Zhang Huamin
Published: May 2013

Vanadium flow battery (VFB) as one kind of energy storage techniques is rather suitable for large scale energy storage due to its features like long life time, active thermal management as well as the independence of energy and power ratings. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has devoted to VFB researches for more than 10 years. In this presentation, we will summarize the R&D status of VFB in DICP from materials to system integration.
Nanofiltration Membranes for Vanadium Flow Battery Application
Authors: Zhang Hongzhang , Zhang Huamin , Li Xianfeng
Published: May 2013

Vanadium flow battery (VFB) is one of the most promising devices for smoothing the power output of renewable energy electricity from sources like wind, solar and etc. Exploring new membranes for VFB application is one of the most important tasks in this field. In our lab, Nanofiltration (NF) membranes with tunable porous structure were first proposed and used as separator for VFB application. Because the NF membrane could separate vanadium ions and hydrogen ions by their difference in size, charge density as well as transporting speed in electrolyte, the NF membranes are quite capable as the next generation separators for VFBs. In our work, NF membranes with different materials (as PSF, PEEK, PES and PAN) and unique structure (as connected pores, closed posed) were prepared through normal phase inversion method. The membrane structure was well controlled with several kinds of minerals (like silica, titanium) and macromolecule additives (like PEG, PVP). Based on these membranes, the relationship between membrane structure and VFB performance was thoroughly studied. These membranes performed quite well when assembled in VFB single cell, and their battery efficiency even surpassed that of Nafion115® membrane. The results show that the NF membrane is quite promising as the next generation separator of VFB batteries.
New Bromine Complexing Agents for Bromide Based Batteries
Authors: Lancry Eli , Magnes Ben-Zion , Ben-David Iris , Freiberg Mira
Published: May 2013

Bromine is a very good electro active species, with fast and reversible kinetics. However, it possesses a high vapor pressure and reactivity which require stabilization via complexing agents, which reduce reactivity and vapor pressure without changing its electrochemical properties. Currently, bromide based batteries like the Zinc/ Bromine cell, use as Bromide complexing agents, either Methyl Ethyl Morpholinium Bromide (MEM) or Methyl Ethyl Pyrrolidinium Bromide (MEP) or their mixture. Both complexing agents have been well known in the field for about 40 years. A possible drawback of their use as complexing agents for bromine is that they are not always compatible with different bromide chemistries. ICL-IP has developed a family of new effective Bromide complexing agents that are compatible with various bromide based chemistries and applications.
High vitamin D3diet administered during active colitis negatively affects bone metabolism in an adoptive T cell transfer model
Authors: Larmonier C. B. , McFadden R.-M. T. , Hill F. M. , Schreiner R. , Ramalingam R. , Besselsen D. G. , Ghishan F. K. , Kiela P. R.
Published: May 2013

Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) represents an extraintestinal complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Vitamin D3has been considered a viable adjunctive therapy in IBD. However, vitamin D3plays a pleiotropic role in bone modeling and regulates the bone formation-resorption balance, depending on the physiological environment, and supplementation during active IBD may have unintended consequences. We evaluated the effects of vitamin D3supplementation during the active phase of disease on colonic inflammation, BMD, and bone metabolism in an adoptive IL-10−/−CD4+T cell transfer model of chronic colitis. High-dose vitamin D3supplementation for 12 days during established disease had negligible effects on mucosal inflammation. Plasma vitamin D3metabolites correlated with diet, but not disease, status. Colitis significantly reduced BMD. High-dose vitamin D3supplementation did not affect cortical bone but led to a further deterioration of trabecular bone morphology. In mice fed a high vitamin D3diet, colitis more severely impacted bone formation markers (osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase) and increased bone resorption markers, ratio of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand to osteoprotegrin transcript, plasma osteoprotegrin level, and the osteoclast activation marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (ACp5). Bone vitamin D receptor expression was increased in mice with chronic colitis, especially in the high vitamin D3group. Our data suggest that vitamin D3, at a dose that does not improve inflammation, has no beneficial effects on bone metabolism and density during active colitis or may adversely affect BMD and bone turnover. These observations should be taken into consideration in the planning of further clinical studies with high-dose vitamin D3supplementation in patients with active IBD.
Melatonin inhibits alcohol-induced increases in duodenal mucosal permeability in rats in vivo
Authors: Sommansson Anna , Saudi Wan Salman Wan , Nylander Olof , Sjöblom Markus
Published: May 2013

Increased intestinal permeability is often associated with epithelial inflammation, leaky gut, or other pathological conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. We recently found that melatonin decreases basal duodenal mucosal permeability, suggesting a mucosal protective mode of action of this agent. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of melatonin on ethanol-, wine-, and HCl-induced changes of duodenal mucosal paracellular permeability and motility. Rats were anesthetized with thiobarbiturate and a ∼30-mm segment of the proximal duodenum was perfused in situ. Effects on duodenal mucosal paracellular permeability, assessed by measuring the blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-EDTA, motility, and morphology, were investigated. Perfusing the duodenal segment with ethanol (10 or 15% alcohol by volume), red wine, or HCl (25–100 mM) induced concentration-dependent increases in paracellular permeability. Luminal ethanol and wine increased, whereas HCl transiently decreased duodenal motility. Administration of melatonin significantly reduced ethanol- and wine-induced increases in permeability by a mechanism abolished by the nicotinic receptor antagonists hexamethonium (iv) or mecamylamine (luminally). Signs of mucosal injury (edema and beginning of desquamation of the epithelium) in response to ethanol exposure were seen only in a few villi, an effect that was histologically not changed by melatonin. Melatonin did not affect HCl-induced increases in mucosal permeability or decreases in motility. Our results show that melatonin reduces ethanol- and wine-induced increases in duodenal paracellular permeability partly via an enteric inhibitory nicotinic-receptor dependent neural pathway. In addition, melatonin inhibits ethanol-induced increases in duodenal motor activity. These results suggest that melatonin may serve important gastrointestinal barrier functions.
Gastroesophageal reflux activates the NF-κB pathway and impairs esophageal barrier function in mice
Authors: Fang Yu , Chen Hao , Hu Yuhui , Djukic Zorka , Tevebaugh Whitney , Shaheen Nicholas J. , Orlando Roy C. , Hu Jianguo , Chen Xiaoxin
Published: May 2013

The barrier function of the esophageal epithelium is a major defense against gastroesophageal reflux disease. Previous studies have shown that reflux damage is reflected in a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance associated with tight junction alterations in the esophageal epithelium. To develop novel therapies, it is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms whereby contact with a refluxate impairs esophageal barrier function. In this study, surgical models of duodenal and mixed reflux were developed in mice. Mouse esophageal epithelium was analyzed by gene microarray. Gene set enrichment analysis showed upregulation of inflammation-related gene sets and the NF-κB pathway due to reflux. Significance analysis of microarrays revealed upregulation of NF-κB target genes. Overexpression of NF-κB subunits (p50 and p65) and NF-κB target genes (matrix metalloproteinases-3 and -9, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) confirmed activation of the NF-κB pathway in the esophageal epithelium. In addition, real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining also showed downregulation and mislocalization of claudins-1 and -4. In a second animal experiment, treatment with an NF-κB inhibitor, BAY 11-7085 (20 mg·kg−1·day−1 ip for 10 days), counteracted the effects of duodenal and mixed reflux on epithelial resistance and NF-κB-regulated cytokines. We conclude that gastroesophageal reflux activates the NF-κB pathway and impairs esophageal barrier function in mice and that targeting the NF-κB pathway may strengthen esophageal barrier function against reflux.
Regional effects of low-intensity endurance training on structural and mechanical properties of rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Carneiro-Júnior Miguel Araujo , Prímola-Gomes Thales Nicolau , Quintão-Júnior Judson Fonseca , Drummond Lucas Rios , Lavorato Victor Neiva , Drummond Filipe Rios , Felix Leonardo Bonato , Oliveira Edilamar Menezes , Cruz Jader Santos , Natali Antonio José , Mill José Geraldo
Published: May 2013

We tested the effects of low-intensity endurance training (LIET) on the structural and mechanical properties of right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocytes. Male Wistar rats (4 mo old) were randomly divided into control (C, n = 7) and trained (T, n = 7, treadmill running at 50–60% of maximal running speed for 8 wk) groups. Isolated ventricular myocyte dimensions, contractility, Ca2+transients {intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i)}, and ventricular [Ca2+]iregulatory proteins were measured. LIET augmented cell length (C, 152.5 ± 2.0 μm vs. T, 162.2 ± 2.1 μm; P < 0.05) and volume (C, 5,162 ± 131 μm3vs. T, 5,506 ± 132 μm3; P < 0.05) in the LV but not in the RV. LIET increased cell shortening (C, 7.5 ± 0.3% vs. T, 8.6 ± 0.3%; P < 0.05), the [Ca2+]itransient amplitude (C, 2.49 ± 0.06 F/F0vs. T, 2.82 ± 0.06 F/F0; P < 0.05), the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a (C, 1.07 ± 0.13 vs. T, 1.59 ± 0.12; P < 0.05), and the levels of phosphorylated phospholamban at serine 16 (C, 0.99 ± 0.11 vs. T, 1.34 ± 0.10; P < 0.05), and reduced the total phospholamban-to-sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a ratio (C, 1.19 ± 0.15 vs. T, 0.40 ± 0.16; P < 0.05) in the LV without changing such parameters in the RV. In conclusion, LIET affected the structure and improved the mechanical properties of LV but not of RV myocytes in rats, helping to characterize the functional and morphological changes that accompany the endurance training-induced cardiac remodeling.
Lymphatic regulation in nonmammalian vertebrates
Authors: Hedrick Michael S. , Hillman Stanley S. , Drewes Robert C. , Withers Philip C.
Published: May 2013

All vertebrate animals share in common the production of lymph through net capillary filtration from their closed circulatory system into their tissues. The balance of forces responsible for net capillary filtration and lymph formation is described by the Starling equation, but additional factors such as vascular and interstitial compliance, which vary markedly among vertebrates, also have a significant impact on rates of lymph formation. Why vertebrates show extreme variability in rates of lymph formation and how nonmammalian vertebrates maintain plasma volume homeostasis is unclear. This gap hampers our understanding of the evolution of the lymphatic system and its interaction with the cardiovascular system. The evolutionary origin of the vertebrate lymphatic system is not clear, but recent advances suggest common developmental factors for lymphangiogenesis in teleost fishes, amphibians, and mammals with some significant changes in the water-land transition. The lymphatic system of anuran amphibians is characterized by large lymphatic sacs and two pairs of lymph hearts that return lymph into the venous circulation but no lymph vessels per se. The lymphatic systems of reptiles and some birds have lymph hearts, and both groups have extensive lymph vessels, but their functional role in both lymph movement and plasma volume homeostasis is almost completely unknown. The purpose of this review is to present an evolutionary perspective in how different vertebrates have solved the common problem of the inevitable formation of lymph from their closed circulatory systems and to point out the many gaps in our knowledge of this evolutionary progression.