bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brooches and Britannia
Authors: Cool H.E.M. , Baxter M.J.
Published: February 2016

Regional and temporal patterns in brooch use in Britannia are studied, confirming and challenging ‘received wisdoms’ about ‘regionality’. The complexity of the ‘Fibula Event Horizon’ is brought into sharp focus; a similarly complex and unexplained ‘Fibula Abandonment Horizon’ is also clearly demonstrated. Conclusions are insensitive to assumptions about use-life. Detailed analysis for the family of trumpet brooches casts light on hitherto unappreciated features of ‘regionality’. Comparison with continental data suggests the British temporal patterns may be reflecting a wider north-western province pattern. Under-studied aspects of bias in metal-detected finds and their implications for studies of this kind are noted. The Supplementary Material available online (http://journals.cambridge.org/bri) contains tabular information on the data used in the study and additional analyses that support some of the assertions made in the main text.
Prevalence of different HIV-1 subtypes in sexual transmission in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: YUAN R. , CHENG H. , CHEN L.-S. , ZHANG X. , WANG B.
Published: February 2016

Sexual transmission has become the primary route of HIV transmission in China. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of HIV-1 subtype distribution is necessary for the prevention and control of the HIV epidemic. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive prevalence estimate of different HIV-1 subtypes in sexual transmission in China. We conducted a systematic literature review for studies of HIV-1 subtypes in English and Chinese through several databases. Eligible articles were screened and selected by two authors independently. Random-effects model were applied to calculate the pooled prevalence of different HIV-1 subtypes, and subgroup analyses examined prevalence estimates across time, locations, and populations. A total of 130 eligible studies were identified, including 18 752 successfully genotyped samples. The pooled prevalence of CRF01_AE, subtype B, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, and subtype C were 44·54% (95% CI 40·81–48·30), 18·31% (95% CI 14·71–22·17), 16·45% (95% CI 13·82–19·25), 2·55% (95% CI 1·56–3·73), 0·37% (95% CI 0·11–0·72), respectively. The prevalence of subtype B in sexual transmission decreased, while the prevalence of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC in sexual transmission, and CRF08_BC in heterosexual transmission increased. There is significant variation in HIV-1 subtype distribution between regions. The distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and circulating recombinant forms have changed significantly. The high genetic variability of HIV-1 poses a significant challenge for disease control and surveillance in China.
The Instrument
Authors: Endicott Jean , Harrison Wilma , Schechter Dianne
Published: February 2016

Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Versione Breve (Q-LES-Q-SF)
Effects of Partial Sleep Deprivation on Information Processing Speed in Adolescence
Authors: Cohen-Zion Mairav , Shabi Adi , Levy Sigal , Glasner Laura , Wiener Avigail
Published: February 2016

Objectives: Although chronic sleep loss is highly common among teens, few objective sleep studies have examined its effects on cognitive performance, and specifically on information processing speed (IPS), a measure of cognitive proficiency. Methods: Forty-five adolescents underwent four consecutive nights of monitored sleep restriction (6–6.5 hr/night) and four nights of sleep extension (10–10.5 hr/night), in counterbalanced order, and separated by a washout period. Following each sleep period, cognitive performance was assessed, at a fixed morning time, using a computerized neuropsychological battery including an IPS task, a timed test providing both accuracy and reaction time outcome measures. Results: Overall IPS performance was poorer in the restricted when compared to the extended condition. Increasing task load and pace were associated with increased accuracy for both sleep conditions. However, a significant pace by load interaction effect was only found in the extended condition, with post hoc tests showing that for medium and hard loads, IPS accuracies were better with increasing pace of task. Differences in IPS reaction times were not found between the sleep conditions. In addition, sleep-related changes in IPS indices were correlated with changes in executive function, motor skill, and attention performance. Conclusions: Adolescents’ ability to process information may be especially vulnerable to sleep loss. Under ideal sleep conditions, however, they seem to be able to achieve optimal performance, particularly on more challenging problems. The functional implications of these findings may be particularly relevant to teens, who are often sleep deprived and are constantly required to process academic, social, and emotional input. (JINS, 2016, 22, 388–398)
Questions on data and the input to GEN
Authors: LÓPEZ LUIS
Published: February 2016

The keynote article (Goldrick, Putnam & Schwartz, 2016) discusses doubling phenomena occasionally found in code-switching corpora. Their analysis focuses on an English–Tamil sentence in which an SVO sequence in English is followed by a verb in Tamil, resulting in an apparent VOV structure:

(1)
Out-of-pocket payments and community-wide health outcomes: an examination of influenza vaccination subsidies in Japan
Authors: Ibuka Yoko , Bessho Shun-ichiro
Published: February 2016

While studies have shown that reductions in out-of-pocket payments for vaccination generally encourages vaccination uptake, research on the impact on health outcomes has rarely been examined. Thus, the present study, using municipal-level survey data on a subsidy programme for influenza vaccination in Japan that covers the entire country, examines how reductions in out-of-pocket payments for vaccination among non-elderly individuals through a subsidy programme affected regional-level influenza activity. We find that payment reductions are negatively correlated with the number of weeks with a high influenza alert in that region, although the correlation varied across years. At the same time, we find no significant correlation between payment reductions and the total duration of influenza outbreaks (i.e. periods with a moderate or high alert). Given that a greater number of weeks with a high alert indicates a severer epidemic, our findings suggest that reductions in out-of-pocket payments for influenza vaccination among the non-elderly had a positive impact on community-wide health outcomes, indicating that reduced out-of-pocket payments contributes to the effective control of severe influenza epidemics. This suggests that payment reductions could benefit not only individuals by providing them with better access to preventive care, as has been shown previously, but also communities as a whole by shortening the duration of epidemics.
From ‘one right way’ to ‘one ruinous way’? Discursive shifts in ‘There is no alternative’
Authors: Séville Astrid
Published: February 2016

If decisions are made in democracies in open procedures, the rhetoric ofThere is no alternative(TINA) raises certain questions. Tracing back the idea of necessity to symptomatic discourses, this article analyzes TINA as a political strategy in contexts such as Thatcherism, Third Way politics, and European crisis management, and sheds light on the specific characteristics of politics in the name of TINA. The analysis identifies distinct models of ‘one way’ discourses, reflecting political cultures and institutional settings and providing discursive trajectories. We examine the motivation for invoking necessity to justify unpalatable and normatively intricate policy decisions, and understand TINA politics in its double effect: as facilitating certain policies yet obstructing democratic and deliberative procedures. This allows us to address the question of whether the politics of our time shows a disposition to TINA as a means of responding to the rise and fall of political steering optimism.
How Plant Life Survives on Earth's Driest Inhabited Continent
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: February 2016

Australia is a continent of extremes, and researchers find that some ecosystems are better equipped than others to deal with the country's characteristic extreme climatic variation.
Proposed 6.7% NSF Budget Increase Depends on Mandatory Funds
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2016

If Congress does not approve a new funding strategy pursued by the Obama administration, called mandatory funding, the proposed fiscal year 2017 amount for the agency would grow by only 1.3%.
Monitoring eruption activity using temporal stress changes at Mount Ontake volcano
Authors: Terakawa Toshiko , Kato Aitaro , Yamanaka Yoshiko , Maeda Yuta , Horikawa Shinichiro , Matsuhiro Kenjiro , Okuda Takashi
Published: February 2016

Volcanic activity is often accompanied by many small earthquakes. Earthquake focal mechanisms represent the fault orientation and slip direction, which are influenced by the stress field. Focal mechanisms of volcano-tectonic earthquakes provide information on the state of volcanoes via stresses. Here we demonstrate that quantitative evaluation of temporal stress changes beneath Mt. Ontake, Japan, using the misfit angles of focal mechanism solutions to the regional stress field, is effective for eruption monitoring. The moving average of misfit angles indicates that during the precursory period the local stress field beneath Mt. Ontake was deviated from the regional stress field, presumably by stress perturbations caused by the inflation of magmatic/hydrothermal fluids, which was removed immediately after the expulsion of volcanic ejecta. The deviation of the local stress field can be an indicator of increases in volcanic activity. The proposed method may contribute to the mitigation of volcanic hazards.
Characterization of a natural triple-tandem c-di-GMP riboswitch and application of the riboswitch-based dual-fluorescence reporter
Authors: Zhou Hang , Zheng Cao , Su Jianmei , Chen Bo , Fu Yang , Xie Yuqun , Tang Qing , Chou Shan-Ho , He Jin
Published: February 2016

c-di-GMP riboswitches are structured RNAs located in the 5′-untranslated regions (5′-UTRs) of mRNAs that regulate expression of downstream genes in response to changing concentrations of the second messenger c-di-GMP. We discovered three complete c-di-GMP riboswitches (Bc3, Bc4 and Bc5 RNA) with similar structures, which are arranged in tandem to constitute a triple-tandem (Bc3-5 RNA) riboswitch in the 5′-UTR of the cspABCDE mRNA in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. chinensis CT-43. Our results showed that this natural triple-tandem riboswitch controlled the expression of the reporter gene more stringently and digitally than the double-tandem or single riboswitch. A sandwich-like dual-fluorescence reporter was further constructed by fusing the Bc3-5 RNA gene between the two fluorescence protein genes amcyan and turborfp. This reporter strain was found to exhibit detectable fluorescence color changes under bright field in response to intracellular c-di-GMP level altered by induced expression of diguanylate cyclase (DGC) PleD. Using this system, two putative membrane-bound DGCs from B. thuringiensis and Xanthomonas oryzae were verified to be functional by replacing pleD with the corresponding DGC genes. This report represented the first native triple-tandem riboswitch that was applied to serve as a riboswitch-based dual-fluorescence reporter for the efficient and convenient verification of putative DGC activity in vivo.
Smoking Induced Hemolysis: Spectral and microscopic investigations
Authors: Masilamani Vadivel , AlZahrani Khalid , Devanesan Sandhanasamy , AlQahtani Hadi , AlSalhi Mohamad Saleh
Published: February 2016

Smoking is one of the major causes of lifestyle associated mortality and morbidity such as cancer of the oral cavity and lungs and also cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we have provided evidences for the smoking-induced hemolysis using two methods: spectra of blood components and atomic force microscopic analysis of surface morphology. A total of 62 subjects (control = 31; smoker = 31: 21 male; 10 female in each set) were considered for the study. The findings indicate that smoking leads to potholes on the surface, swelling of shape, rupturing of erythrocytes, removal of hematoporphyrin and flushing into the plasma as metabolites of the erythrocyte. The overall morphology of the erythrocytes of the smoker group appears more like a Mexican hat. The mean surface roughness was 5.5 ± 3 nm for the smoker group, but 1.2 ± 0.2 nm for the control group. Such damages might help the toxins, (CO, peroxidants, aldehydes etc.,) to gain easy access and get strongly absorbed by the hemoglobin, leading to enhanced rates of hemolysis as shown by the spectral features of metabolites. This indicates that the average life span of the smoker’s erythrocytes is significantly less than that of the control group.
Non-blinking single-photon emitters in silica
Authors: Rabouw Freddy T. , Cogan Nicole M. B. , Berends Anne C. , Stam Ward van der , Vanmaekelbergh Daniel , Koenderink A. Femius , Krauss Todd D. , Donega Celso de Mello
Published: February 2016

Samples for single-emitter spectroscopy are usually prepared by spin-coating a dilute solution of emitters on a microscope cover slip of silicate based glass (such as quartz). Here, we show that both borosilicate glass and quartz contain intrinsic defect colour centres that fluoresce when excited at 532 nm. In a microscope image the defect emission is indistinguishable from spin-coated emitters. The emission spectrum is characterised by multiple peaks with the main peak between 2.05 and 2.20 eV, most likely due to coupling to a silica vibration with an energy that varies between 160 and 180 meV. The defects are single-photon emitters, do not blink, and have photoluminescence lifetimes of a few nanoseconds. Photoluminescence from such defects may previously have been misinterpreted as originating from single nanocrystal quantum dots.
Microfluidic Screening of Electric Fields for Electroporation
Authors: Garcia Paulo A. , Ge Zhifei , Moran Jeffrey L. , Buie Cullen R.
Published: February 2016

Electroporation is commonly used to deliver molecules such as drugs, proteins, and/or DNA into cells, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this work a rapid microfluidic assay was developed to determine the critical electric field threshold required for inducing bacterial electroporation. The microfluidic device was designed to have a bilaterally converging channel to amplify the electric field to magnitudes sufficient to induce electroporation. The bacterial cells are introduced into the channel in the presence of SYTOX®, which fluorescently labels cells with compromised membranes. Upon delivery of an electric pulse, the cells fluoresce due to transmembrane influx of SYTOX® after disruption of the cell membranes. We calculate the critical electric field by capturing the location within the channel of the increase in fluorescence intensity after electroporation. Bacterial strains with industrial and therapeutic relevance such as Escherichia coli BL21 (3.65 ± 0.09 kV/cm), Corynebacterium glutamicum (5.20 ± 0.20 kV/cm) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5.56 ± 0.08 kV/cm) have been successfully characterized. Determining the critical electric field for electroporation facilitates the development of electroporation protocols that minimize Joule heating and maximize cell viability. This assay will ultimately enable the genetic transformation of bacteria and archaea considered intractable and difficult-to-transfect, while facilitating fundamental genetic studies on numerous diverse microbes.
Potential role of AKT/mTOR signalling proteins in hairy cell leukaemia: association with BRAF/ERK activation and clinical outcome
Authors: Lakiotaki Eleftheria , Levidou Georgia , Angelopoulou Maria K. , Adamopoulos Christos , Pangalis Gerassimos , Rassidakis George , Vassilakopoulos Theodoros , Gainaru Gabriella , Flevari Pagona , Sachanas Sotirios , Saetta Angelica A. , Sepsa Athanasia , Moschogiannis Maria , Kalpadakis Christina , Tsesmetzis Nikolaos , Milionis Vassilios , Chatziandreou Ilenia , Thymara Irene , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Dimopoulou Maria , Plata Eleni , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos , Patsouris Efstratios , Piperi Christina , Korkolopoulou Penelope
Published: February 2016

The potential role of AKT/mTOR signalling proteins and its association with the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway was investigated in hairy cell leukaemia (HCL). BRAFV600E expression and activated forms of AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, p70S6k and 4E-BP1 were immunohistochemically assessed in 77 BM biopsies of HCL patients and correlated with clinicopathological and BM microvascular characteristics, as well as with c-Caspase-3 levels in hairy cells. Additionally, we tested rapamycin treatment response of BONNA-12 wild-type cells or transfected with BRAFV600E. Most HCL cases expressed p-p70S6K and p-4E-BP1 but not p-mTOR, being accompanied by p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT. AKT/mTOR activation was evident in BONNA-12 cells irrespective of the presence of BRAFV600E mutation and was implicated in cell proliferation enhancement. In multivariate analysis p-AKT/p-mTOR/p-4E-BP1 overexpression was an adverse prognostic factor for time to next treatment conferring earlier relapse. When p-AKT, p-mTOR and p-4E-BP1 were examined separately only p-4E-BP1 remained significant. Our findings indicate that in HCL, critical proteins up- and downstream of mTOR are activated. Moreover, the strong associations with Raf-MEK-ERK signalling imply a possible biologic interaction between these pathways. Most importantly, expression of p-4E-BP1 alone or combined with p-AKT and p-mTOR is of prognostic value in patients with HCL.
Cep70 overexpression stimulates pancreatic cancer by inducing centrosome abnormality and microtubule disorganization
Authors: Xie Songbo , Qin Juan , Liu Shiyu , Zhang Yijun , Wang Jun , Shi Xingjuan , Li Dengwen , Zhou Jun , Liu Min
Published: February 2016

The centrosome is crucial for mitotic fidelity and centrosome aberrations are associated with genomic instability and tumorigenesis. The centrosomal protein Cep70 has been reported to play a role in various cellular activities. However, whether this protein is involved in pathological processes remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that Cep70 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. Cep70 expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of pancreatic cancer, including histological grade, pathological tumor node metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level. Depletion of Cep70 significantly suppresses pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promotes apoptotic cell death and exogenous expression of Cep70 can rescue the above effects. Cep70 also stimulates colony formation in soft agar and enhances tumor growth in mice. Our data further show that ectopic expression of Cep70 in pancreatic cancer cells results in the mislocalization of centrosomal proteins, including γ-tubulin and pericentrin and the formation of intracellular aggregates. In addition, Cep70 overexpression leads to microtubule disorganization and the formation of multipolar spindles during mitosis. Our study thus unravels a critical role for Cep70 in pancreatic cancer and suggests Cep70 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for this deadly disease.
Antibiotic binding of STY3178, a yfdX protein from Salmonella Typhi
Authors: Saha Paramita , Manna Camelia , Das Santasabuj , Ghosh Mahua
Published: February 2016

The yfdX family proteins are known for long time to occur in various virulent bacteria including their multidrug resistant (MDR) strains, without any direct assigned function for them. However, yfdX protein along with other proteins involved in acid tolerance response is reported to be up regulated by the multidrug response regulatory system in E. coli. Hence, molecular and functional characterization of this protein is important for understanding of key cellular processes in bacterial cells. Here we study STY3178, a yfdX protein from a MDR strain of typhoid fever causing Salmonella Typhi. Our experimental results indicate that STY3178 is a helical protein existing in a trimeric oligomerization state in solution. We also observe many small antibiotics, like ciprofloxacin, rifampin and ampicillin viably interact with this protein. The dissociation constants from the quenching of steady state fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry show that ciprofloxacin binding is stronger than rifampin followed by ampicillin.
Long-range superharmonic Josephson current and spin-triplet pairing correlations in a junction with ferromagnetic bilayers
Authors: Meng Hao , Wu Jiansheng , Wu Xiuqiang , Ren Mengyuan , Ren Yajie
Published: February 2016

The long-range spin-triplet supercurrent transport is an interesting phenomenon in the superconductor/ferromagnet ("Equation missing") heterostructure containing noncollinear magnetic domains. Here we study the long-range superharmonic Josephson current in asymmetric "Equation missing" junctions. It is demonstrated that this current is induced by spin-triplet pairs "Equation missing" − "Equation missing" or "Equation missing" + "Equation missing" in the thick "Equation missing" layer. The magnetic rotation of the particularly thin "Equation missing" layer will not only modulate the amplitude of the superharmonic current but also realise the conversion between "Equation missing" − "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" + "Equation missing". Moreover, the critical current shows an oscillatory dependence on thickness and exchange field in the "Equation missing" layer. These effect can be used for engineering cryoelectronic devices manipulating the superharmonic current. In contrast, the critical current declines monotonically with increasing exchange field of the "Equation missing" layer and if the "Equation missing" layer is converted into half-metal, the long-range supercurrent is prohibited but "Equation missing" still exists within the entire "Equation missing" region. This phenomenon contradicts the conventional wisdom and indicates the occurrence of spin and charge separation in present junction, which could lead to useful spintronics devices.
Dramatic pressure-driven enhancement of bulk skyrmion stability
Authors: Levatić I. , Popčević P. , Šurija V. , Kruchkov A. , Berger H. , Magrez A. , White J. S. , Rønnow H. M. , Živković I.
Published: February 2016

The recent discovery of magnetic skyrmion lattices initiated a surge of interest in the scientific community. Several novel phenomena have been shown to emerge from the interaction of conducting electrons with the skyrmion lattice, such as a topological Hall-effect and a spin-transfer torque at ultra-low current densities. In the insulating compound Cu2OSeO3, magneto-electric coupling enables control of the skyrmion lattice via electric fields, promising a dissipation-less route towards novel spintronic devices. One of the outstanding fundamental issues is related to the thermodynamic stability of the skyrmion lattice. To date, the skyrmion lattice in bulk materials has been found only in a narrow temperature region just below the order-disorder transition. If this narrow stability is unavoidable, it would severely limit applications. Here we present the discovery that applying just moderate pressure on Cu2OSeO3 substantially increases the absolute size of the skyrmion pocket. This insight demonstrates directly that tuning the electronic structure can lead to a significant enhancement of the skyrmion lattice stability. We interpret the discovery by extending the previously employed Ginzburg-Landau approach and conclude that change in the anisotropy is the main driver for control of the size of the skyrmion pocket.
Graphene Facilitated Removal of Labetalol in Laccase-ABTS System: Reaction Efficiency, Pathways and Mechanism
Authors: Dong Shipeng , Xiao Huifang , Huang Qingguo , Zhang Jian , Mao Liang , Gao Shixiang
Published: February 2016

The widespread occurrence of the beta-blocker labetalol causes environmental health concern. Enzymatic reactions are highly efficient and specific offering biochemical transformation of trace contaminants with short reaction time and little to none energy consumption. Our experiments indicate that labetalol can be effectively transformed by laccase-catalyzed reaction using 2, 2-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) as a mediator, while no significant removal of labetalol can be achieved in the absence of ABTS. A total of three products were identified. It is interesting that the presence of graphene greatly increased the reaction rate while not changed the products. In the presence of 100 μg/L graphene, the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant was increased ~50 times. We found that the enhancement of graphene is probably attributed to the formation and releasing of ABTS2+ which has a much greater reactivity towards labetalol when graphene is present. This study provides fundamental information for laccase-ABTS mediated labetalol reactions and the effect of graphene, which could eventually lead to development of novel methods to control beta-blocker contamination.
Establishment of a Novel Primary Human Skeletal Myoblast Cellular Model for Chikungunya Virus Infection and Pathogenesis
Authors: Hussain Khairunnisa’ Mohamed , Lee Regina Ching Hua , Ng Mary Mah-Lee , Chu Justin Jang Hann
Published: February 2016

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging arbovirus known to cause chronic myalgia and arthralgia and is now considered endemic in countries across Asia and Africa. The tissue tropism of CHIKV infection in humans remains, however, ill-defined. Due to the fact that myositis is commonly observed in most patients infected with CHIKV, we sought to develop a clinically relevant cellular model to better understand the pathogenesis of CHIKV infection. In this study, primary human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMM) were established as a novel human primary cell line that is highly permissive to CHIKV infection, with maximal amounts of infectious virions observed at 16 hours post infection. Genome-wide microarray profiling analyses were subsequently performed to identify and map genes that are differentially expressed upon CHIKV infection. Infection of HSMM cells with CHIKV resulted in altered expressions of host genes involved in skeletal- and muscular-associated disorders, innate immune responses, cellular growth and death, host metabolism and virus replication. Together, this study has shown the establishment of a clinically relevant primary human cell model that paves the way for the further analysis of host factors and their involvement in the various stages of CHIKV replication cycle and viral pathogenesis.
An MRI-based classification scheme to predict passive access of 5 to 50-nm large nanoparticles to tumors
Authors: Karageorgis Anastassia , Dufort Sandrine , Sancey Lucie , Henry Maxime , Hirsjärvi Samuli , Passirani Catherine , Benoit Jean-Pierre , Gravier Julien , Texier Isabelle , Montigon Olivier , Benmerad Mériem , Siroux Valérie , Barbier Emmanuel L. , Coll Jean-Luc
Published: February 2016

Nanoparticles are useful tools in oncology because of their capacity to passively accumulate in tumors in particular via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. However, the importance and reliability of this effect remains controversial and quite often unpredictable. In this preclinical study, we used optical imaging to detect the accumulation of three types of fluorescent nanoparticles in eight different subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models, and dynamic contrast-enhanced and vessel size index Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to measure the functional parameters of these tumors. The results demonstrate that the permeability and blood volume fraction determined by MRI are useful parameters for predicting the capacity of a tumor to accumulate nanoparticles. Translated to a clinical situation, this strategy could help anticipate the EPR effect of a particular tumor and thus its accessibility to nanomedicines.
Thermal electron-tunneling devices as coolers and amplifiers
Authors: Su Shanhe , Zhang Yanchao , Chen Jincan , Shih Tien-Mo
Published: February 2016

Nanoscale thermal systems that are associated with a pair of electron reservoirs have been previously studied. In particular, devices that adjust electron tunnels relatively to reservoirs’ chemical potentials enjoy the novelty and the potential. Since only two reservoirs and one tunnel exist, however, designers need external aids to complete a cycle, rendering their models non-spontaneous. Here we design thermal conversion devices that are operated among three electron reservoirs connected by energy-filtering tunnels and also referred to as thermal electron-tunneling devices. They are driven by one of electron reservoirs rather than the external power input and are equivalent to those coupling systems consisting of forward and reverse Carnot cycles with energy selective electron functions. These previously-unreported electronic devices can be used as coolers and thermal amplifiers and may be called as thermal transistors. The electron and energy fluxes of devices are capable of being manipulated in the same or oppsite directions at our disposal. The proposed model can open a new field in the application of nano-devices.
Long-term ex vivo maintenance of testis tissues producing fertile sperm in a microfluidic device
Authors: Komeya Mitsuru , Kimura Hiroshi , Nakamura Hiroko , Yokonishi Tetsuhiro , Sato Takuya , Kojima Kazuaki , Hayashi Kazuaki , Katagiri Kumiko , Yamanaka Hiroyuki , Sanjo Hiroyuki , Yao Masahiro , Kamimura Satoshi , Inoue Kimiko , Ogonuki Narumi , Ogura Atsuo , Fujii Teruo , Ogawa Takehiko
Published: February 2016

In contrast to cell cultures, particularly to cell lines, tissues or organs removed from the body cannot be maintained for long in any culture conditions. Although it is apparent that in vivo regional homeostasis is facilitated by the microvascular system, mimicking such a system ex vivo is difficult and has not been proved effective. Using the culture system of mouse spermatogenesis, we addressed this issue and devised a simple microfluidic device in which a porous membrane separates a tissue from the flowing medium, conceptually imitating the in vivo relationship between the microvascular flow and surrounding tissue. Testis tissues cultured in this device successfully maintained spermatogenesis for 6 months. The produced sperm were functional to generate healthy offspring with micro-insemination. In addition, the tissue kept producing testosterone and responded to stimulation by luteinizing hormone. These data suggest that the microfluidic device successfully created in vivo-like conditions, in which testis tissue maintained its physiologic functions and homeostasis. The present model of the device, therefore, would provide a valuable foundation of future improvement of culture conditions for various tissues and organs, and revolutionize the organ culture method as a whole.
Effects of agricultural practices on organic matter degradation in ditches
Authors: Hunting Ellard R. , Vonk J. Arie , Musters C.J.M. , Kraak Michiel H.S. , Vijver Martina G.
Published: February 2016

Agricultural practices can result in differences in organic matter (OM) and agricultural chemical inputs in adjacent ditches, but its indirect effects on OM composition and its inherent consequences for ecosystem functioning remain uncertain. This study determined the effect of agricultural practices (dairy farm grasslands and hyacinth bulb fields) on OM degradation by microorganisms and invertebrates with a consumption and food preference experiment in the field and in the laboratory using natural OM collected from the field. Freshly cut grass and hyacinths were also offered to control for OM composition and large- and small mesh-sizes were used to distinguish microbial decomposition and invertebrate consumption. Results show that OM decomposition by microorganisms and consumption by invertebrates was similar throughout the study area, but that OM collected from ditches adjacent grasslands and freshly cut grass and hyacinths were preferred over OM collected from ditches adjacent to a hyacinth bulb field. In the case of OM collected from ditches adjacent hyacinth bulb fields, both microbial decomposition and invertebrate consumption were strongly retarded, likely resulting from sorption and accumulation of pesticides. This outcome illustrates that differences in agricultural practices can, in addition to direct detrimental effects on aquatic organisms, indirectly alter the functioning of adjacent aquatic ecosystems.
Nanoscale imaging of the photoresponse in PN junctions of InGaAs infrared detector
Authors: Xia Hui , Li Tian-Xin , Tang Heng-Jing , Zhu Liang , Li Xue , Gong Hai-Mei , Lu Wei
Published: February 2016

Electronic layout, such as distributions of charge carriers and electric field, in PN junction is determinant for the photovoltaic devices to realize their functionality. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to the carrier profiling of this specific region with Scanning Probe Microscope, yet reliable analysis was impeded by the difficulty in resolving carriers with high mobility and the unclear surface effect, particularly on compound semiconductors. Here we realize nanometer Scanning Capacitance Microscopic study on the cross-section of InGaAs/InP photodetctors with the featured dC/dV layout of PN junction unveiled for the first time. It enables us to probe the photo-excited minority carriers in junction region and diagnose the performance deficiency of the diode devices. This work provides an illuminating insight into the PN junction for assessing its basic capability of harvesting photo-carriers as well as blocking leakage current in nanoscopic scale.
A chip assisted immunomagnetic separation system for the efficient capture and in situ identification of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Tang Man , Wen Cong-Ying , Wu Ling-Ling , Hong Shao-Li , Hu Jiao , Xu Chun-Miao , Pang Dai-Wen , Zhang Zhi-Ling
Published: February 2016

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a kind of “liquid biopsy”, represents a potential alternative to noninvasive detection, characterization and monitoring of carcinoma.
New sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers containing phenyl side chains as proton exchange membranes
Authors: Chen RiMing , Li Guang
Published: February 2016

The chemical structure and phase images of the SPAES-PQ-40 membrane.
Insight into the stereoelectronic parameters of N-triphos ligands via coordination to tungsten(0)
Authors: Phanopoulos Andreas , White Andrew J. P. , Long Nicholas J. , Miller Philip W.
Published: February 2016

A series of new N-triphos tungsten complexes have been synthesised and structurally characterised.
Allylic amination reactivity of Ni, Pd, and Pt heterobimetallic and monometallic complexes
Authors: Carlsen Ryan W. , Ess Daniel H.
Published: February 2016

Transition metal heterobimetallic complexes with dative metal–metal interactions have the potential for novel fast reactivity.
Modulation of band gap and p- versus n-semiconductor character of ADA dyes by core and acceptor group variation
Authors: Nowak-Król Agnieszka , Wagener Reinhard , Kraus Felix , Mishra Amaresh , Bäuerle Peter , Würthner Frank
Published: February 2016

By variation of donor and acceptor building blocks in acceptor–donor–acceptor dyes a transition from p- to n-type semiconductor has been achieved.
Excited state analysis of absorption processes in metal decorated graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Chopra Siddheshwar
Published: February 2016

Transition density matrix (TDM) based excited state analysis presented for single metal atom doped graphene C29H14-X. Natural transition orbitals (NTOs) and e–h correlation plots of Ti-doped graphene are shown below.
Correction: Phase transformation-controlled synthesis of CuO nanostructures and their application as an improved material in a carbon-based modified electrode
Authors: Xue Zhonghua , Li Mengqian , Rao Honghong , Yin Bo , Zhou Xibin , Liu Xiuhui , Lu Xiaoquan
Published: February 2016

Correction for ‘Phase transformation-controlled synthesis of CuO nanostructures and their application as an improved material in a carbon-based modified electrode’ by Zhonghua Xue et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 12829–12836.
miR-223 contributes to the AGE-promoted apoptosis via down-regulating insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in osteoblasts
Authors: Qin Yi , Ye Jichao , Wang Peng , Gao Liangbin , Wang Suwei , Shen Huiyong
Published: February 2016

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been confirmed to induce bone quality deterioration in diabetes mellitus (DM), and to associate with abnormal expression of miRNAs in DM patients or in vitro. Recently, miRNAs have been recognized to mediate the onset or progression of DM. In the present study, we investigated the regulation on miR-223 level by AGE-BSA treatment in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, with real-time quantitative PCR assay. And then we examined the inhibition of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression by miR-223, via targeting of the 3′ UTR of IGF-1R with real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting and luciferase reporter assay. Then we explored the regulation of miR-223 and IGF-1R levels, via the lentivirus-mediated miR-223 inhibition and IGF-1R overexpression in the AGE-BSA-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. It was demonstrated that AGE-BSA treatment with more than 100 μg/ml significantly up-regulated miR-223 level, whereas down-regulated IGF-1R level in MC3T3-E1 cells. And the up-regulated miR-223 down-regulated IGF-1R expression in both mRNA and protein levels, via targeting the 3′ UTR of IGF-1R. Moreover, though the AGE-BSA treatment promoted apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells, the IGF-1R overexpression or the miR-223 inhibition significantly attenuated the AGE-BSA-promoted apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. In summary, our study recognized the promotion of miR-223 level by AGE-BSA treatment in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. The promoted miR-223 targeted IGF-1R and mediated the AGE-BSA-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. It implies that miR-223 might be an effective therapeutic target to antagonize the AGE-induced damage to osteoblasts in DM.
Pragmatic Language Features of Mothers With the
FMR1
Premutation Are Associated With the Language Outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults With Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Klusek Jessica , McGrath Sara E. , Abbeduto Leonard , Roberts Jane E.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Pragmatic language difficulties have been documented as part of the
FMR1
premutation phenotype, yet the interplay between these features in mothers and the language outcomes of their children with fragile X syndrome is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether pragmatic language difficulties in mothers with the
FMR1
premutation are related to the language development of their children.

Method

Twenty-seven mothers with the
FMR1
premutation and their adolescent/young adult sons with fragile X syndrome participated. Maternal pragmatic language violations were rated from conversational samples using the Pragmatic Rating Scale (Landa et al., 1992). Children completed standardized assessments of vocabulary, syntax, and reading.

Results

Maternal pragmatic language difficulties were significantly associated with poorer child receptive vocabulary and expressive syntax skills, with medium effect sizes.

Conclusions

This work contributes to knowledge of the
FMR1
premutation phenotype and its consequences at the family level, with the goal of identifying modifiable aspects of the child's language-learning environment that may promote the selection of treatments targeting the specific needs of families affected by fragile X. Findings contribute to our understanding of the multifaceted environment in which children with fragile X syndrome learn language and highlight the importance of family-centered intervention practices for this group.
MFSFET two‐bit 1T1C DRAM memory design and empirical data
Authors: Hunt M.R. , Mitchell C. , McCartney C.L. , Ho F.D.
Published: February 2016

Operation of the 1‐transistor, 1‐capacitor dynamic random access memory cell that allows for two‐bit operation, double the typical storage capacity, is explored. By using a metal‐ferroelectric‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor, a second bit is captured in the ferroelectric layer polarisation resulting from negative and positive polarisation states. As a result, new modes of operation are created giving non‐volatile, long‐term storage as well as decreased power consumption and radiation hardening. A typical write and read operating cycle is outlined in‐depth and used to verify operation indicating four distinct states representing the two bits. The resulting empirical data gives a comprehensive presentation of the read cycle of the memory cell. Methods for determining the polarisation state of the transistor are also explored and used to determine the average value for measured channel resistance using three types of transistors, each having different channel width and length.
Absorptive frequency selective surface using parallel LC resonance
Authors: Chen Qiang , Liu Liguo , Chen Liang , Bai Jiajun , Fu Yunqi
Published: February 2016

A frequency selective surface with absorptive/ transmissive property is represented. It allows waves at high frequency around 10 GHz to transmit with very low insertion loss by using the resonance between a parallel microstrip LC structure. It also possesses a wide absorption over lower band by inserting lumped resistors into elements. The absorption band is over 3–9 GHz. A prototype is fabricated and its absorptive/ transmissive performance is measured.
Robust foreground detection in sudden illumination change
Authors: Mahmoudpour S. , Kim M.
Published: February 2016

Background subtraction is an important part of various computer vision applications that can detect the foreground objects by comparing the current pixels with a background model. The general approaches gradually update the background model according to the current status, but might fail in sudden illumination changes. An illumination‐robust background modelling method is proposed to address this problem. The method provides quick illumination compensation using two background models with different adaption rates. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms several state‐of‐art approaches and provides low computational cost.
Dual‐band long term evolution antenna for user equipment applications
Authors: Yang Lingsheng , Ji Ming
Published: February 2016

A multiple‐input–multiple‐output dual‐antenna system covering the long term evolution (LTE700), LTE2500 and LTE3.5 GHz communication standards is proposed for user terminal applications. High isolation and good envelope correlation coefficient performances can be obtained in both bands. Gain, efficiency and radiation characteristics are also shown.
Risk of multiple cross‐over of control characteristics in multi‐terminal HVDC
Authors: Barker Carl , Whitehouse Robert , Lang Jun , Wang Sheng
Published: February 2016

HVDC grids have been made practical with the introduction of the voltage source converter (VSC). The development of VSC technology has been, and continues to be rapid, with new converter topologies and new manufacturers entering the market. For the power transmission industry to fully exploit the benefits a ‘multi‐vendor’ supply chain is considered essential. However, unlike AC grids, there is at present no standardised grid code for HVDC grids and interoperability of equipment and systems, purchased from many different and competing suppliers, is a major concern. Compatibility of control between converters supplied by different manufacturers has been considered by several groups such as CENELEC TC8X – WG6. The initial findings were that there was little reason to suggest that restrictions should be placed on which control strategy should be employed. However recent work uncovered an adverse interaction between converters with differing operating modes. This study illustrates how multiple operating points in the control characteristics could occur and show why such operation is undesirable and how it can be avoided by careful scheme design.
Multifunctional modular antenna for near‐field ultra‐high frequency radio frequency identification readers
Authors: Michel Andrea , Caso Roberto , Buffi Alice , Nepa Paolo
Published: February 2016

A multifunctional modular antenna suitable to be embedded into low‐profile ultra‐high frequency radio frequency identification desktop readers is designed, prototyped and characterised at system level. Two operating modes are foreseen. The first one allows for best performance right on the reader surface (reactive near‐field region), and exploits a spiral‐shaped travelling wave antenna (TWA) ended on a matched load and optimised (spiral TWA configuration). The second operating mode exhibits a field coverage up to a few decimetres away from the reader surface (radiative near‐field region), and takes advantage of the above spiral TWA that serially feeds a low‐gain resonating antenna. An array of two circularly polarised miniaturised patches is here considered for the resonating antenna. By means of a switch at the spiral TWA end, each one of the two operating modes can be selected on the basis of the application scenario of interest. Specifically, the spiral TWA configuration is suitable for tag writing operations, when the only tag that has to be encoded is most likely placed at the reader antenna centre. On the other hand, the modular antenna configuration allows the desktop reader to detect tags up to few decimetres, even in presence of stacked tagged objects.
Comprehensive analysis of a novel three‐phase multilevel inverter with minimum number of switches
Authors: Raushan Ravi , Mahato Bidyut , Jana Kartick Chandra
Published: February 2016

A novel and generalised three‐phase multilevel inverter (MLI) with a minimum number of switches have been proposed. The number of voltage levels can be increased to a significant value by incorporating few switches and the DC voltage sources. In the proposed three‐phase MLI, the number of phase‐voltage levels can be increased twice as the number of switches increased. The detailed analysis of the proposed MLI, mathematical modelling of the inverter voltage and the switching loss calculation have been done for a seven‐level inverter. Modelling and simulations of the proposed generalised three‐phase inverter are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation results of the proposed multilevel configuration corresponding to the different voltage levels as well as at different modulation index are presented. A laboratory prototype of the proposed five‐level inverter has been developed and tested for the speed control of an induction motor. The experimental results for the different modulation indexes are presented, that verifies the simulation results. A detailed comparison of the proposed MLI with the other popular multilevel configuration is presented to reflect the merits of the proposed structure for the reduced component count.
Joint angle and delay estimation for underwater acoustic multicarrier CDMA systems using a vector sensor
Authors: Wang Kun , He Jin , Shu Ting , Liu Zhong
Published: February 2016

In this study, the problem of joint angle and delay estimation for underwater acoustic multicarrier CDMA systems using a vector sensor is addressed. By jointly utilising the temporal, pressure and velocity information inherent in the received signal, the temporal‐vector‐sensor manifold vector is constructed. Then, a MUSIC‐based algorithm that contains several one‐dimensional searches for jointly estimating azimuth angle, elevation angle and time‐delay parameters of a ‘desired source’ operating in the multi‐source and multipath environment is proposed. In addition, a closed‐form ESPRIT‐based algorithm is also presented for the scenario where the multipath propagation signals are emanated from a single source. Simulation results are finally presented to verify the efficacy of the proposed algorithms.