bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRIENNIAL REPORT
Authors: Chesley Steve , Lazzaro Daniela , Milani Andrea , Makoto Yoshikawa , Abe Shinsuke , Gilmore Alan , Granvik Mikael , Jedicke Robert , Pravec Petr , Spahr Tim , Tichá Jana , Zhu Jin
Published: April 2016

This triennium has seen progress in a number of directions related to Commission 20 objectives. Foremost, the growth in the number of astrometric observations of small solar system bodies continues to accelerate and the total number of measurements recorded by the Minor Planet Center now exceeds 135 million. Currently the Pan-STARRS project and the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) dominate detection and discovery efforts, while the NEO-WISE space mission contributes infrared detections valuable for understanding the size distribution of populations. Looking forward, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is now funded and in construction on Cerro Pachon in Chile. LSST has the potential to revolutionize the field by conducting a multi-color, ten-year, all-sky survey with a limiting magnitude ~24.5 in the r-band. Survey operations are set to begin in 2022.
Asylsuchende–Migration – Phänomenologie
Authors: Widdascheck Christian
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Der Artikel stellt zentrale Erkenntnisse einer qualitativ-empirischen Forschungsarbeit vor, die nach der spezifischen Belastung von Asylsuchenden und dem Potential der Kunsttherapie fragt, auf diese zu antworten. Ausgehend von zwei problematischen Tendenzen im Forschungsfeld (Victimisierung/begriffliche Ungenauigkeit) wird die qualitative Forschungsmethodologie begründet. Danach wird das Forschungsdesign vorgestellt, das sich an der Grounded Theory orientiert. Die Frage nach der besonderen Belastung von Asylsuchenden wird zusammenfassend im Modell der „akkumulativen Belastung“ beschrieben (Akkumulation aus der extrem reduzierten Lebenswelt durch die asylrechtlichen Bestimmungen und den Vorerfahrungen im Herkunftskontext). Vor diesem Hintergrund wird in einem zweiten Schritt das Potential der Kunsttherapie in der Arbeit mit Asylsuchenden im Wirkmodell „Kunsttherapie als doppelter Modus zur Realisation von Responsivität“ beschrieben. Grundlage hierfür ist eine leibphänomenologische Perspektive auf die kunsttherapeutische Praxis. Darauf aufbauend wird in einem letzten Schritt ein Konzept von Kunsttherapie als einer transkulturellen Praxis entwickelt.
The rate of quasiparticle recombination probes the onset of coherence in cuprate superconductors
Authors: Hinton J. P. , Thewalt E. , Alpichshev Z. , Mahmood F. , Koralek J. D. , Chan M. K. , Veit M. J. , Dorow C. J. , Barišić N. , Kemper A. F. , Bonn D. A. , Hardy W. N. , Liang Ruixing , Gedik N. , Greven M. , Lanzara A. , Orenstein J.
Published: April 2016

In the underdoped copper-oxides, high-temperature superconductivity condenses from a nonconventional metallic ”pseudogap” phase that exhibits a variety of non-Fermi liquid properties. Recently, it has become clear that a charge density wave (CDW) phase exists within the pseudogap regime. This CDW coexists and competes with superconductivity (SC) below the transition temperature Tc, suggesting that these two orders are intimately related. Here we show that the condensation of the superfluid from this unconventional precursor is reflected in deviations from the predictions of BSC theory regarding the recombination rate of quasiparticles. We report a detailed investigation of the quasiparticle (QP) recombination lifetime, τqp, as a function of temperature and magnetic field in underdoped HgBa2CuO4+δ (Hg-1201) and YBa2Cu3O6+x (YBCO) single crystals by ultrafast time-resolved reflectivity. We find that τqp(T ) exhibits a local maximum in a small temperature window near Tc that is prominent in underdoped samples with coexisting charge order and vanishes with application of a small magnetic field. We explain this unusual, non-BCS behavior by positing that Tc marks a transition from phase-fluctuating SC/CDW composite order above to a SC/CDW condensate below. Our results suggest that the superfluid in underdoped cuprates is a condensate of coherently-mixed particle-particle and particle-hole pairs.
Testing the island effect on phenotypic diversification: insights from the Hemidactylus geckos of the Socotra Archipelago
Authors: Garcia-Porta Joan , Šmíd Jiří , Sol Daniel , Fasola Mauro , Carranza Salvador
Published: April 2016

Island colonization is often assumed to trigger extreme levels of phenotypic diversification. Yet, empirical evidence suggests that it does not always so. In this study we test this hypothesis using a completely sampled mainland-island system, the arid clade ofHemidactylus, a group of geckos mainly distributed across Africa, Arabia and the Socotra Archipelago. To such purpose, we generated a new molecular phylogeny of the group on which we mapped body size and head proportions. We then explored whether island and continental taxa shared the same morphospace and differed in their disparities and tempos of evolution. Insular species produced the most extreme sizes of the radiation, involving accelerated rates of evolution and higher disparities compared with most (but not all) of the continental groups. In contrast, head proportions exhibited constant evolutionary rates across the radiation and similar disparities in islands compared with the continent. These results, although generally consistent with the notion that islands promote high morphological disparity, reveal at the same time a complex scenario in which different traits may experience different evolutionary patterns in the same mainland-island system and continental groups do not always present low levels of morphological diversification compared to insular groups.
Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of a myo-inositol hexakisphosphate gelated polyaniline hydrogel in a rat model
Authors: Sun Kwang-Hsiao , Liu Zhao , Liu Changjian , Yu Tong , Shang Tao , Huang Chen , Zhou Min , Liu Cheng , Ran Feng , Li Yun , Shi Yi , Pan Lijia
Published: April 2016

Recent advances in understanding the interaction between electricity and cells/biomolecules have generated great interest in developing biocompatible electrically conductive materials. In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility of a myo-inositol hexakisphosphate gelated polyaniline hydrogel using in vitro and in vivo experiments in a rat model. The polyaniline hydrogel was used to coat a polycaprolactone scaffold and was cultured with rat endothelial progenitor cells differentiated from rat adipose-derived stem cells. Compared with the control sample on a pristine polycaprolactone scaffold, the treated polyaniline hydrogel had the same non-poisonous/cytotoxicity grade, enhanced cell adhesion, and a higher cell proliferation/growth rate. In implant studies, the polyaniline hydrogel sample induced milder inflammatory responses than did the control at the same time points. Combining the advantages of a biocompatible hydrogel and an organic conductor, the inositol phosphate-gelated polyaniline hydrogel could be used in bioelectronics applications such as biosensors, neural probes, cell stimulators, medical electrodes, tissue engineering, and electro-controlled drug delivery.
A novel and highly sensitive nanocatalytic surface plasmon resonance-scattering analytical platform for detection of trace Pb ions
Authors: Ye Lingling , Wen Guiqing , Ouyang Huixiang , Liu Qingye , Liang Aihui , Jiang Zhiliang
Published: April 2016

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have catalysis on the reaction of HAuCl4-H2O2. The produced AuNP have strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effect and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERS) effect when Victoria blue B (VBB) and rhodamine S (RhS) were used as probes. The increased RRS/SERS intensity respond linearly with the concentration of gold nanoparticles (AuNPB) which synthesized by NaBH4 over 0.038–76 ng/mL, 19–285 ng/mL, 3.8–456 ng/mL respectively. Four kinds of tested nanoparticles have catalysis on the HAuCl4-H2O2 particles reaction. Thus, a novel nanocatalysis surface plasmon resonance-scattering (SPR-S) analytical platform was developed for AuNP. The DNAzyme strand hybridized with the substrate strand to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) which couldn’t protect AuNPc to aggregate to AuNPc aggregations, having strong RRS effect. Upon addition of Pb2+, dsDNA could be cracked by Pb2+ to produce single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that adsorbed on the AuNPc surface to form AuNPc-ssDNA conjugates. The conjugates have strong catalysis on HAuCl4-H2O2 reaction. With increased Pb2+ concentration, the concentration of AuNPc-ssDNA increased and lead to the catalytic activity stronger. The increased RRS intensity responds linearly with Pb2+ concentration over 16.7–666.7 nmol/L. The SERS intensity responded linearly with the concentration of Pb2+ over 50–500 nmol/L.
Characterisation of synovial fluid and infrapatellar fat pad derived mesenchymal stromal cells: The influence of tissue source and inflammatory stimulus
Authors: Garcia John , Wright Karina , Roberts Sally , Kuiper Jan Herman , Mangham Chas , Richardson James , Mennan Claire
Published: April 2016

The infrapatellar fat pad (FP) and synovial fluid (SF) in the knee serve as reservoirs of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with potential therapeutic benefit. We determined the influence of the donor on the phenotype of donor matched FP and SF derived MSCs and examined their immunogenic and immunomodulatory properties before and after stimulation with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Both cell populations were positive for MSC markers CD73, CD90 and CD105 and displayed multipotency. FP-MSCs had a significantly faster proliferation rate than SF-MSCs. CD14 positivity was seen in both FP-MSCs and SF-MSCs and was positively correlated to donor age but only for SF-MSCs. Neither cell population was positive for the co-stimulatory markers CD40, CD80 and CD86, but both demonstrated increased levels of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) following IFN-γ stimulation. HLA-DR production was positively correlated with donor age for FP-MSCs but not SF-MSCs. The immunomodulatory molecule, HLA-G, was constitutively produced by both cell populations, unlike indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase which was only produced following IFN-γ stimulation. FP and SF are accessible cell sources which could be utilised in the treatment of cartilage injuries, either by transplantation following ex-vivo expansion or endogenous targeting and mobilisation of cells close to the site of injury.
Islands of spatially discordant APD alternans underlie arrhythmogenesis by promoting electrotonic dyssynchrony in models of fibrotic rat ventricular myocardium
Authors: Majumder Rupamanjari , Engels Marc C. , de Vries Antoine A. F. , Panfilov Alexander V. , Pijnappels Daniël A.
Published: April 2016

Fibrosis and altered gap junctional coupling are key features of ventricular remodelling and are associated with abnormal electrical impulse generation and propagation. Such abnormalities predispose to reentrant electrical activity in the heart. In the absence of tissue heterogeneity, high-frequency impulse generation can also induce dynamic electrical instabilities leading to reentrant arrhythmias. However, because of the complexity and stochastic nature of such arrhythmias, the combined effects of tissue heterogeneity and dynamical instabilities in these arrhythmias have not been explored in detail. Here, arrhythmogenesis was studied using in vitro and in silico monolayer models of neonatal rat ventricular tissue with 30% randomly distributed cardiac myofibroblasts and systematically lowered intercellular coupling achieved in vitro through graded knockdown of connexin43 expression. Arrhythmia incidence and complexity increased with decreasing intercellular coupling efficiency. This coincided with the onset of a specialized type of spatially discordant action potential duration alternans characterized by island-like areas of opposite alternans phase, which positively correlated with the degree of connexinx43 knockdown and arrhythmia complexity. At higher myofibroblast densities, more of these islands were formed and reentrant arrhythmias were more easily induced. This is the first study exploring the combinatorial effects of myocardial fibrosis and dynamic electrical instabilities on reentrant arrhythmia initiation and complexity.
The gut microbiome and degradation enzyme activity of wild freshwater fishes influenced by their trophic levels
Authors: Liu Han , Guo Xianwu , Gooneratne Ravi , Lai Ruifang , Zeng Cong , Zhan Fanbin , Wang Weimin
Published: April 2016

Vertebrate gut microbiome often underpins the metabolic capability and provides many beneficial effects on their hosts. However, little was known about how host trophic level influences fish gut microbiota and metabolic activity. In this study, more than 985,000 quality-filtered sequences from 24 16S rRNA libraries were obtained and the results revealed distinct compositions and diversities of gut microbiota in four trophic categories. PCoA test showed that gut bacterial communities of carnivorous and herbivorous fishes formed distinctly different clusters in PCoA space. Although fish in different trophic levels shared a large size of OTUs comprising a core microbiota community, at the genus level a strong distinction existed. Cellulose-degrading bacteria Clostridium, Citrobacter and Leptotrichia were dominant in the herbivorous, while Cetobacterium and protease-producing bacteria Halomonas were dominant in the carnivorous. PICRUSt predictions of metagenome function revealed that fishes in different trophic levels affected the metabolic capacity of their gut microbiota. Moreover, cellulase and amylase activities in herbivorous fishes were significantly higher than in the carnivorous, while trypsin activity in the carnivorous was much higher than in the herbivorous. These results indicated that host trophic level influenced the structure and composition of gut microbiota, metabolic capacity and gut content enzyme activity.
GPER signalling in both cancer-associated fibroblasts and breast cancer cells mediates a feedforward IL1β/IL1R1 response
Authors: De Marco Paola , Lappano Rosamaria , Francesco Ernestina Marianna De , Cirillo Francesca , Pupo Marco , Avino Silvia , Vivacqua Adele , Abonante Sergio , Picard Didier , Maggiolini Marcello
Published: April 2016

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to the malignant aggressiveness through secreted factors like IL1β, which may drive pro-tumorigenic inflammatory phenotypes mainly acting via the cognate receptor named IL1R1. Here, we demonstrate that signalling mediated by the G protein estrogen receptor (GPER) triggers IL1β and IL1R1 expression in CAFs and breast cancer cells, respectively. Thereby, ligand-activation of GPER generates a feedforward loop coupling IL1β induction by CAFs to IL1R1 expression by cancer cells, promoting the up-regulation of IL1β/IL1R1 target genes such as PTGES, COX2, RAGE and ABCG2. This regulatory interaction between the two cell types induces migration and invasive features in breast cancer cells including fibroblastoid cytoarchitecture and F-actin reorganization. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines by GPER-integrated estrogen signals may be useful to target these stroma-cancer interactions.
Marine organism sulfated polysaccharides exhibiting significant antimalarial activity and inhibition of red blood cell invasion by Plasmodium
Authors: Marques Joana , Vilanova Eduardo , Mourão Paulo A. S. , Fernàndez-Busquets Xavier
Published: April 2016

The antimalarial activity of heparin, against which there are no resistances known, has not been therapeutically exploited due to its potent anticoagulating activity. Here, we have explored the antiplasmodial capacity of heparin-like sulfated polysaccharides from the sea cucumbersLudwigothurea griseaandIsostichopus badionotus, from the red algaBotryocladia occidentalisand from the marine spongeDesmapsamma anchorata.In vitroexperiments demonstrated for most compounds significant inhibition ofPlasmodium falciparumgrowth at low-anticoagulant concentrations. This activity was found to operate through inhibition of erythrocyte invasion byPlasmodium, likely mediated by a coating of the parasite similar to that observed for heparin.In vivofour-day suppressive tests showed that several of the sulfated polysaccharides improved the survival ofPlasmodium yoelii-infected mice. In one animal treated withI. badionotusfucan parasitemia was reduced from 10.4% to undetectable levels and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of antibodies againstP. yoeliiantigens in its plasma. The retarded invasion mediated by sulfated polysaccharides and the ensuing prolonged exposure ofPlasmodiumto the immune system, can be explored for the design of new therapeutic approaches against malaria where heparin-related polysaccharides of low anticoagulating activity could play a dual role as drugs and as potentiators of immune responses.
Highly Stretchable Non-volatile Nylon Thread Memory
Authors: Kang Ting-Kuo
Published: April 2016

Integration of electronic elements into textiles, to afford e-textiles, can provide an ideal platform for the development of lightweight, thin, flexible and stretchable e-textiles. This approach will enable us to meet the demands of the rapidly growing market of wearable-electronics on arbitrary non-conventional substrates. However the actual integration of the e-textiles that undergo mechanical deformations during both assembly and daily wear or satisfy the requirements of the low-end applications, remains a challenge. Resistive memory elements can also be fabricated onto a nylon thread (NT) for e-textile applications. In this study, a simple dip-and-dry process using graphene-PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate) ink is proposed for the fabrication of a highly stretchable non-volatile NT memory. The NT memory appears to have typical write-once-read-many-times characteristics. The results show that an ON/OFF ratio of approximately 103 is maintained for a retention time of 106 s. Furthermore, a highly stretchable strain and a long-term digital-storage capability of the ON-OFF-ON states are demonstrated in the NT memory. The actual integration of the knitted NT memories into textiles will enable new design possibilities for low-cost and large-area e-textile memory applications.
Pollinator responses to floral colour change, nectar and scent promote reproductive fitness in Quisqualis indica (Combretaceae)
Authors: Yan Juan , Wang Gang , Sui Yi , Wang Menglin , Zhang Ling
Published: April 2016

Floral colour change is visual signals for pollinators to avoid old flowers and increase pollination efficiency.Quisqualis indicaflowers change colour from white to pink to red may be associated with a shift from moth to butterfly pollination. To test this hypothesis, we investigatedQ. indicapopulations in Southwest China. Flowers secreted nectar continuously from the evening of anthesis until the following morning, then decreased gradually with floral colour change. The scent compounds in the three floral colour stages were similar; however, the scent composition was different and the scent emission rate decreased from the white to red stage. Dichogamy inQ. indicaprevents self-pollination and interference of male and female functions. Controlled pollinations demonstrated that this species is self-incompatible and needs pollinators for seed production. Different pollinators were attracted in each floral colour stage; mainly moths at night and bees and butterflies during the day. Observations of open-pollinated inflorescences showed that white flowers had a higher fruit set than pink or red flowers, indicating the high contribution of moths to reproductive success. We concluded that the nectar and scent secretion are related to floral colour change inQ. indica, in order to attract different pollinators and promote reproductive fitness.
Food-web complexity, meta-community complexity and community stability
Authors: Mougi A. , Kondoh M.
Published: April 2016

What allows interacting, diverse species to coexist in nature has been a central question in ecology, ever since the theoretical prediction that a complex community should be inherently unstable. Although the role of spatiality in species coexistence has been recognized, its application to more complex systems has been less explored. Here, using a meta-community model of food web, we show that meta-community complexity, measured by the number of local food webs and their connectedness, elicits a self-regulating, negative-feedback mechanism and thus stabilizes food-web dynamics. Moreover, the presence of meta-community complexity can give rise to a positive food-web complexity-stability effect. Spatiality may play a more important role in stabilizing dynamics of complex, real food webs than expected from ecological theory based on the models of simpler food webs.
High expression of microRNA-183/182/96 cluster as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer
Authors: Song Cailu , Zhang Lijuan , Wang Jin , Huang Zhongying , Li Xing , Wu Mingqing , Li Shuaijie , Tang Hailin , Xie Xiaoming
Published: April 2016

More sensitive and effective diagnostic markers for the detection of breast cancer are urgently needed. The microRNA-183/182/96 cluster has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis and progression in a variety of cancers and it is a promising cancer prognostic biomarker. The goal of this study was to determine the expression levels of the miR-183/182/96 cluster in breast cancer tissues and evaluate its prognostic role in breast cancer. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of the miR-183/182/96 cluster in 41 breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues (control tissues) and also in different mammary cell lines. In situ hybridization (ISH) of the miR-183/182/96 cluster on 131 tissue microarrays (TMAs) was used to statistically analyze its prognostic role. The miR-183/182/96 cluster levels were significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in control tissues. The miR-183/182/96 cluster was also upregulated in human breast cancer cell lines. An increased miR-183/182/96 cluster level was correlated with local relapse, distant metastasis and poor clinical outcomes. Our findings improve our understanding of the expression level of the miR-183/182/96 cluster in breast cancer and clarify the role of the miR-183/182/96 cluster as a novel prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.
One-pot two-step synthesis of N-arylcarbazole-based skeleton
Authors: Tao Sheng , Liu Ning , Dai Bin
Published: April 2016

A highly site-selective, one-pot, sequential C–N and C–C bond forming process was developed, affording a carbazole-based skeleton that contains biphenyl and diarylacetylene cores.
In situ formation of flower-like CuCo2S4 nanosheets/graphene composites with enhanced lithium storage properties
Authors: Nie Longying , Wang Huijun , Chai Yaqin , Liu Sheng , Yuan Ruo
Published: April 2016

Flower-like CuCo2S4 nanosheets/graphene composites (abbreviated as CCS–G) were prepared by using a one-pot hydrothermal method.
A direct access to isoxazoles from ynones using trimethylsilyl azide as amino surrogate under metal/catalyst free conditions
Authors: Kumar Gadi Ranjith , Kumar Yalla Kiran , Reddy Maddi Sridhar
Published: April 2016

A general access to isoxazoles with outstanding functional group compatibility from the readily available ynones using trimethylsilyl azide as an amino surrogate under exceptionally simple conditions is described.
Collision induced state-to-state energy transfer dynamics between the 2u (1D2) and 2g (1D2) ion-pair states of I2
Authors: Hoshino Shoma , Nakano Yukio , Araki Mitsunori , Ishiwata Takashi , Tsukiyama Koichi
Published: April 2016

The collision induced state-to-state energy transfer between the 2u (1D2) and 2g (1D2) ion-pair states of I2 could be explained by the harpoon mechanism.
Preparation of titanate nanosheets and nanoribbons by exfoliation of amine intercalated titanates
Authors: Jeffery A. Anto , Pradeep A. , Rajamathi Michael
Published: April 2016

Amine intercalated titanates exfoliate in organic solvents to give titanate nanosheets and nanoribbons on sonication or gentle stirring, respectively.
Polystannanes: processible molecular metals with defined chemical structures
Authors: Caseri Walter
Published: April 2016

Polystannanes are a unique class of materials as those inorganic polymers (more precisely organometallic polymers) appear to be hitherto the only characterized polymers with a backbone of covalently bound metal atoms.
Composition- and temperature-driven phase transition characteristics and associated electromechanical properties in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based lead-free ceramics
Authors: Bai Wangfeng , Chen Daqin , Zheng Peng , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei , Ji Zhenguo
Published: April 2016

In this study, a lead-free ceramic system comprising (0.94 −x)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–0.06BaTiO3–xBi(Zn0.5Ti0.5)O3(BNT–BT–BZT) was designed and prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method.
New vistas in the molecular chemistry of thorium: low oxidation state complexes
Authors: Ortu Fabrizio , Formanuik Alasdair , Innes James R. , Mills David P.
Published: April 2016

In this perspective article the synthesis, physical studies and reactivity of molecular Th(iii) and Th(ii) complexes are reviewed.
Design of artificial membrane transporters from gold nanoparticles with controllable hydrophobicity
Authors: Grzelczak Marcin P. , Hill Alexander P. , Belic Domagoj , Bradley Dan F. , Kunstmann-Olsen Casper , Brust Mathias
Published: April 2016

Gold nanoparticles with variable hydrophobicity have been prepared in three different size regimes following established methods. The control of hydrophobicity was achieved by complexation of the 18-crown-6-CH2-thiolate ligand shell with potassium ions. Potassium dependent phase transfer of these particles from dispersion in water to chloroform was demonstrated, and the equilibrium partitioning of the particles in water–chloroform liquid/liquid systems was quantified by optical spectroscopy. The gradual complexation of the ligand shell with potassium ions was further monitored by zeta potential measurements. Potassium dependent insertion of nanoparticles into the phospholipid bilayer membrane of vesicles in aqueous dispersion has been demonstrated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Nanoparticle-dependent potassium ion transport across the vesicle membrane has been established by monitoring the membrane potential with fluorescence spectroscopy using a potential sensitive dye.
Dual-labeling of ubiquitin proteins by chemoselective reactions for sensing UCH-L3
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Si-Yu , Li Yan-Mei , Chen Yong-Xiang
Published: April 2016

SUMO-fused and intein-fused protein expression systems have been combined to prepare a dual-color labeled ubiquitin sensor for detecting UCH-L3's activity.
Investigations on recyclisation and hydrolysis in avibactam mediated serine β-lactamase inhibition
Authors: Choi Hwanho , Paton Robert S. , Park Hwangseo , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: April 2016

In contrast to the β-lactams, which react irreversibly, avibactam reacts reversibly with serine β-lactamases.
Tunable porosity of nanoporous organic polymers with hierarchical pores for enhanced CO2 capture
Authors: Chen Dongyang , Gu Shuai , Fu Yu , Zhu Yunlong , Liu Cheng , Li Guanghui , Yu Guipeng , Pan Chunyue
Published: April 2016

We present a simple and convenient way to engineer the porosity of NOPs utilizing two crosslinkers with different length and various types of building blocks. The obtained polymers display hierarchical pore structures, remarkablely high CO2 uptake capacities and sorption selectivity for CO2/N2.
Effect of functionalized graphene oxide with hyperbranched POSS polymer on mechanical and dielectric properties of cyanate ester composites
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Yan Hongxia , Yuan Lingxia , Liu Chao
Published: April 2016

Functionalized graphene oxide with a hyperbranched POSS polymer was designed and synthesized and then compounded with dicyclopentadiene bisphenol dicyanate ester to prepare nanocomposites.
Role of functionalization: strategies to explore potential nano-bio applications of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Bohara Raghvendra A. , Thorat Nanasaheb D. , Pawar Shivaji H.
Published: April 2016

Strategies to bridge the gap between magnetic nanoparticles for their nano bio applications.
Viscosity sensing by adjusting the interface of a small liquid droplet/silica composite layer on quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Fukada Kenta , Shiratori Seimei
Published: April 2016

We report the different attenuated shear vibrations of hydrophilic quartz crystal microbalance by attached small viscous liquids and this enabled us to measure the viscosity of various 5 μL solutions.
Co-sensitization of “H”-type dyes with planar squaraine dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Fang Manman , Li Huiyang , Li Qianqian , Li Zhen
Published: April 2016

The co-sensitized system of “H”-type pyrrole-based dyes and planar squaraine dyes exhibited much improved photovoltaic performance, due to the advantage of the “H” configuration and their complementary spectra.
Hyaluronic acid-coated poly(β-amino) ester nanoparticles as carrier of doxorubicin for overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: An Tong , Zhang Cong , Han Xue , Wan Guoyun , Wang Dan , Yang Zhe , Wang Yue , Zhang Lianyun , Wang Yinsong
Published: April 2016

Hyaluronic acid-coated poly(β-amino) ester nanoparticles used as carrier for doxorubicin could efficiently overcome the drug resistance in breast cancer cells.
Polyelectrolyte Brønsted acid catalyzed three-component Mannich reactions accelerated by emulsion
Authors: Chen Xi , Sun Huaming , Luo Yanlong , Jian Yajun , Wu Ya , Zhang Weiqiang , Gao Ziwei
Published: April 2016

An effective polyelectrolyte Brønsted acid (polyacrylic acid) catalyzed three-component Mannich reaction accelerated by emulsion has been developed.
Semi-transparent, conductive thin films of electrochemical exfoliated graphene
Authors: Marković Z. M. , Budimir M. D. , Kepić D. P. , Holclajtner-Antunović I. D. , Marinović-Cincović M. T. , Dramićanin M. D. , Spasojević V. D. , Peruško D. B. , Špitalský Z. , Mičušik M. , Pavlović V. B. , Todorović-Marković B. M.
Published: April 2016

The structural and electronic properties of graphene produced by the exfoliation of two different graphite sources are compared.
Hydrophobic association hydrogels based on N-acryloyl-alanine and stearyl acrylate using gelatin as emulsifier
Authors: Cui Zhao , Cheng Ru , Liu Jie , Wu Youping , Deng Jianping
Published: April 2016

Tough chiral hydrogels were established through hydrophobic association, showing optical activity and mechanical properties and possessing potential applications as biomaterials.
Tuning α-Fe2O3 nanotube arrays for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Xue Yudong , Jin Wei , Du Hao , Wang Shaona , Zheng Shili , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2016

α-Fe2O3 nanotube arrays were fabricated and employed as low cost non-noble electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As-prepared α-Fe2O3 nanotube arrays exhibit excellent ORR catalytic activity and durability in alkaline media.
Development of pH sensitive polyurethane–alginate nanoparticles for safe and efficient oral insulin delivery in animal models
Authors: Bhattacharyya Aditi , Mukherjee Debarati , Mishra Roshnara , Kundu P. P.
Published: April 2016

Blends of sodium alginate (ALG) and polyurethane (PU) synthesized from depolymerised polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to formulate insulin loaded PU–ALG nanoparticles for the purpose of controlled oral insulin delivery.
An aggregation-induced emission enhancement fluorescent benzoxazine-derived macromolecule: catalyst-free synthesis and its preliminary application for the determination of aqueous picric acid
Authors: Su Yue , Shi Wei , Chen Xin , Zhao Shiyu , Hui Yonghai , Xie Zhengfeng
Published: April 2016

An aggregation-induced emission enhancement macromolecular benzoxazine derivative was synthesized by a catalyst-free Mannich reaction and showed a fluorescence quenching response towards nitro compounds.
Preparation of carboxymethyl salix wood powder as a superadsorbent for removal of methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Li Qi , Wang Li , Shi Yanru
Published: April 2016

Carboxymethyl salix wood powder was prepared as a superadsorbent for removal of methylene blue from wastewater.
A perovskite based plug and play AC photovoltaic device with ionic liquid induced transient opto-electronic conversion
Authors: Karak S. , Nanjo C. , Odaka M. , Yuyama K. , Masuda G. , Matsushita M. M. , Awaga K.
Published: April 2016

Transient AC optoelectronic conversion at the perovskite–ionic liquid interface associated with induced electric double layers is implemented for energy harvesting.
Engineering amphiphilic nanofiltration membrane surfaces with a multi-defense mechanism for improved antifouling performances
Authors: Zhang Runnan , Li Yafei , Su Yanlei , Zhao Xueting , Liu Yanan , Fan Xiaochen , Ma Tianyi , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: April 2016

Amphiphilic nanofiltration membrane surfaces with a multi-defense (hydrophilic fouling-resistant and hydrophobic fouling-release) mechanism were engineered and exhibited improved antifouling performances against various foulants.
Conceptual design of sleeve rotor synchronous reluctance motor for traction applications
Authors: Reddy Patel Bhageerath , Grace Kevin , El‐Refaie Ayman
Published: April 2016

Synchronous reluctance machines are very appealing for high speed traction motor design due to their robustness, simple structure, absence of magnets, and simple control. The absence of magnets means that synchronous reluctance (SynRel) machines are not susceptible to price variability and sustainability of rare‐earth materials. Moreover, there are no concerns about demagnetisation or uncontrolled generation mode. However, the challenge of achieving a good constant power to speed ratio is dependent on the mechanical aspects of the design. Conventional SynRel designs perform poorly compared with the permanent magnet machines due to the presence of bridges and/or centre posts in absence of the magnets to help saturate these regions. In this case, the challenge of rotor mechanical retention is addressed with the help of a sleeve on the rotor to reduce the need for bridges and/or centre posts. Design optimisation including the mechanical aspects of the sleeve is presented in this study. The final design with a sleeve will be shown to be superior to a conventional design in terms of power density, rotor losses, saliency and torque ripple.
Gamma ray imager on the DIII-D tokamak
Authors: Pace D. C. , Cooper C. M. , Taussig D. , Eidietis N. W. , Hollmann E. M. , Riso V. , Van Zeeland M. A. , Watkins M.
Published: April 2016

A gamma ray camera is built for the DIII-D tokamak [J. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)] that provides spatial localization and energy resolution of gamma flux by combining a lead pinhole camera with custom-built detectors and optimized viewing geometry. This diagnostic system is installed on the outer midplane of the tokamak such that its 123 collimated sightlines extend across the tokamak radius while also covering most of the vertical extent of the plasma volume. A set of 30 bismuth germanate detectors can be secured in any of the available sightlines, allowing for customizable coverage in experiments with runaway electrons in the energy range of 1–60 MeV. Commissioning of the gamma ray imager includes the quantification of electromagnetic noise sources in the tokamak machine hall and a measurement of the energy spectrum of background gamma radiation. First measurements of gamma rays coming from the plasma provide a suitable testbed for implementing pulse height analysis that provides the energy of detected gamma photons.
Noisy homoclinic pulse dynamics
Authors: Eaves T. S. , Balmforth Neil J.
Published: April 2016

The effect of stochastic perturbations on nearly homoclinic pulse trains is considered for three model systems: a Duffing oscillator, the Lorenz-like Shimizu–Morioka model, and a co-dimension-three normal form. Using the Duffing model as an example, it is demonstrated that the main effect of noise does not originate from the neighbourhood of the fixed point, as is commonly assumed, but due to the perturbation of the trajectory outside that region. Singular perturbation theory is used to quantify this noise effect and is applied to construct maps of pulse spacing for the Shimizu–Morioka and normal form models. The dynamics of these stochastic maps is then explored to examine how noise influences the sequence of bifurcations that take place adjacent to homoclinic connections in Lorenz-like and Shilnikov-type flows.
Organisational benefits of a strong research culture in a health service: a systematic review
Authors: Harding Katherine , Lynch Lauren , Porter Judi , Taylor Nicholas F.
Published: April 2016

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between having research culture in a health service and better organisational performance. Methods Using systematic review methods, databases were searched, inclusion criteria applied and study quality appraised. Data were extracted from selected studies and the results were synthesised descriptively. Results Eight studies were selected for review. Five studies compared health services with high versus low levels of research activity among the workforce. Three studies evaluated the effect of specific interventions focused on the health workforce. All studies reported a positive association between research activity and organisational performance. Improved organisational performance included lower patient mortality rates (two of two studies), higher levels of patient satisfaction (one of one study), reduced staff turnover (two of two studies), improved staff satisfaction (one of two studies) and improved organisational efficiency (four of five studies). Conclusions A stronger research culture appears to be associated with benefits to patients, staff and the organisation. What is known about this topic? Research investment in the health workforce can increase research productivity of the health workforce. In addition, investment in clinical research can lead to positive health outcomes. However, it is not known whether a positive research culture among the health workforce is associated with improved organisational performance. What does this paper add? The present systematic review of the literature provides evidence that a positive research culture and interventions directed at the health workforce are associated with patient, staff and organisational benefits. What are the implications for practitioners? For health service managers and policy makers, one interpretation of the results could be to provide support for initiatives directed at the health workforce to increase a research culture in health services. However, because association does not imply causation, managers need to interpret the results with caution and evaluate the effect of any initiatives to increase the research culture of the health workforce on the performance of their organisation.
Roles and competencies of the Support Facilitator in Australia’s recovery-oriented mental health initiative: a qualitative study from Gippsland, Victoria
Authors: Sutton Keith , Isaacs Anton N. , Dalziel Kim , Maybery Darryl
Published: April 2016

Objective This study explored the roles and competencies of Support Facilitators (SFs) engaged in the implementation of the Partners in Recovery initiative in a rural region of Victoria. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 stakeholders involved in the initiative, of which 15 were SFs. Results Two main themes and 10 subthemes emerged from the data: (1) SF competencies (which included an understanding of local services as well as administrative and social skills); and (2) the SF role (which included them being a single point of contact, providing care coordination, assisting the client to become self-reliant, achieving good outcomes for clients with confronting behaviours, judiciously using flexible funding, clearly outlining their role with clients and maintaining boundaries and performing a different role from that of the mental health case manager). Conclusions The roles and competencies of the SF in the Partners in Recovery initiative in Gippsland were congruent with the defined characteristics of a care coordination approach. The results highlight how the SF role differs from that of traditional clinical case managers. These findings are important for future mental health service policy development, education and training of mental health practitioners and recruitment of personnel to care coordination roles. What is known about the topic? There is a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of care coordination in delivery of positive outcomes for people with chronic and complex health problems. However, little is documented about the care coordination role of SFs as part of the Partners in Recovery initiative in Australia. What does this paper add? This paper identifies the roles and competencies of SFs in the Partners in Recovery initiative in a rural region of Victoria. The paper highlights that the emergent competencies and role functions are congruent with the defined characteristics of a care coordination approach but differ from that of mental health case managers. What are the implications for practitioners? These findings are important for future mental health service policy development, education and training of mental health practitioners and recruitment of personnel to care coordination roles.
It Starts With Me: Privacy concerns and stigma in the evaluation of a Facebook health promotion intervention
Authors: Witzel T. Charles , Guise Andy , Nutland Will , Bourne Adam
Published: April 2016

Background
As efforts continue to increase rates of HIV testing and condom use among at-risk communities in England, organisations have sought use social media for health promotion interventions. As part of a wider evaluation of It Starts With Me (ISWM), a sexual health promotion intervention in England targeting gay and bisexual men and African people through Facebook, this study sought to explore how the online environment shapes end user engagement with sexual health interventions. A primary objective was to explore how privacy concerns can act as a barrier to engagement for the audience of ISWM. Methods: A purposive sample of 40 individuals were recruited, who were targeted by the intervention for in-depth interviews. Data collection was in two phases. In the first phase, individuals were sampled based on engagement with online health interventions in general, while in the second phase, all individuals were sampled on the basis of engagement with the intervention. Results: Privacy concerns related to the ecology of social networking sites, issues with implied disclosure and discrimination, as well as uncertainty over control of data. These concerns limited the organic reach of the intervention by confining the intervention to those who already held the norms diffused through it, and by discouraging participants from sharing and commenting on content. Conclusions: Care should be taken to address concerns when designing interventions delivered through social media. Gated interventions may be more beneficial for marginalised communities, while large-scale interventions such as ISWM may provide a useful backdrop for face-to-face interventions.
Study on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of S355JR/316L dissimilar welded joint prepared by gas tungsten arc welding multi-pass welding process
Authors: Huang B.-S. , Yang J. , Lu D.-H. , Bin W.-J.
Published: April 2016

In this study, the joints of dissimilar materials between S355JR carbon steel and 316L stainless steel were welded by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) multi-pass welding process. Characterisations of microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviours of dissimilar joint were investigated. The experimental results reveal that the microstructure of weld metal (WM) is austenite and vermiform δ-ferrite, and they cross-distribute in the weld seam. Moreover, there is a decarburisation layer on the interface of S355JR/WM, but the detrimental phase σ and M23C6 (chromium carbide) are not observed in the WM through X-ray diffraction. The fracture of the S355JR/316L welded joints always occurs in the S355JR heat affected zone during tensile test. Mechanical properties of the welded joints prepared by GTAW can meet the requirements of engineering application. The electrochemical corrosion test is also indicates that the corrosion resistance of WM decreases compared with the 316L base material. The corrosion products of S355JR/316L dissimilar welded joints in 3.5 wt-% NaCl aqueous solution mainly are α-Fe and FeOOH.
On process–structure–property interconnection in anti-phase synchronised twin-wire GMAW of low carbon steel
Authors: Moinuddin S. Q. , Kapil A. , Kohama K. , Sharma A. , Ito K. , Tanaka M.
Published: April 2016

The paper investigates process–structure–property interconnection in anti-phase synchronised twin-wire gas metal arc welded low carbon steel samples wherein process variation is achieved by using similar and dissimilar currents and diameters at lead and trail wires. Scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurements are used as characterisation techniques. The investigation offers new observations on heat generation and distribution in twin-wire welding that affect weld bead and microstructure formation due to changes in arc phenomenon and molten metal flow in weld pool. Use of dissimilar currents facilitates effective utilisation of heat. The two-stage arcing in twin-wire welding facilitates slow heating and cooling that leads to weld metal and heat affected zone softening. A combination of polygonal ferrite, pearlite and bainite with varying compositions is observed across the weldment. A higher current value and larger wire diameter at the lead wire leads to coarsening of the grains thereby reducing the hardness.
Final Report on the Torque Key Comparison CCM.T-K2 Measurand Torque: 0 kN·m, 10 kN·m, 20 kN·m
Authors: Röske D , Ogushi K
Published: April 2016

The purpose of the CIPM comparison CCM.T-K2 was to compare the measuring capabilities up to 20 kN m of deadweight torque standard machines with supported lever and reference-type torque standard machines in national metrology institutes. Five institutes participated, with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Braunschweig, Germany) acting as the pilot laboratory. Two very stable torque transducers with well-known properties were used as travelling standards. The circulation of these transducers started in October 2008 and ended in May 2010. According to the technical protocol, torque steps of 10 kN m and 20 kN m had to be measured both in clockwise and anticlockwise directions. Corrections had to be applied to the results reported by the participants taking into account the use of different amplifiers, the creep (due to different loading times of the machines) and the environmental conditions in the laboratories (temperature and relative humidity of the ambient air). For each of the two torque steps and both senses of direction of the torque vector, a key comparison reference value was calculated.

One participant had a problem with the own machine and the measurement results could not be used for the calculation of the corresponding reference values. The agreement between the results of the other participants is very good. The smallest relative standard uncertainty of the machines stated by the participants is between 1 × 10-5 and 2.5 × 10-4. The results of the comparison support these uncertainty statements.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).