bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of the primary lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study of 541 cases
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Liu Xu , Zhang Yun , Li Wen-Fei , Chen Lei , Mao Yan-Ping , Shen Jing-Xian , Zhang Fan , Peng Hao , Liu Qing , Sun Ying , Ma Jun
Published: July 2015

The prognostic value of the primary lesion pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which is obtained by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MR-DWI), remains unknown in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Thus, to investigate whether the pretreatment ADC value as measured from the primary site on MR-DWI is an independent prognostic factor in NPC, we retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 541 patients with histologically-proven stage I-IVB NPC. All patients underwent MRI using a 3-Tesla system (Trio Tim; Siemens, Erlangen Germany). To calculate ADC, the primary lesion was designated on the ADC map at the level of the largest tumor diameter to cover most of the lesion, avoiding cystic or necrotic components. Median and mean (±SD) pretreatment ADC were 0.713 and 0.716 ± 0.079 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed high pretreatment ADC was a good prognostic factor for poor local relapse-free survival and disease-free survival. Furthermore, the area under the ROC curve for prediction of local failure significantly increased when pretreatment ADC was combined with T classification (P = 0.004). Thus, pretreatment ADC might provide useful information for predicting outcome and selecting high-risk patients appropriate for more aggressive therapy. Further studies are warranted to investigate the biological basis of this observation.
Pandemic HIV-1 Vpu overcomes intrinsic herd immunity mediated by tetherin
Authors: Iwami Shingo , Sato Kei , Morita Satoru , Inaba Hisashi , Kobayashi Tomoko , Takeuchi Junko S. , Kimura Yuichi , Misawa Naoko , Ren Fengrong , Iwasa Yoh , Aihara Kazuyuki , Koyanagi Yoshio
Published: July 2015

Among the four groups of HIV-1 (M, N, O and P), HIV-1M alone is pandemic and has rapidly expanded across the world. However, why HIV-1M has caused a devastating pandemic while the other groups remain contained is unclear. Interestingly, only HIV-1M Vpu, a viral protein, can robustly counteract human tetherin, which tethers budding virions. Therefore, we hypothesize that this property of HIV-1M Vpu facilitates human-to-human viral transmission. Adopting a multilayered experimental-mathematical approach, we demonstrate that HIV-1M Vpu confers a 2.38-fold increase in the prevalence of HIV-1 transmission. When Vpu activity is lost, protected human populations emerge (i.e., intrinsic herd immunity develops) through the anti-viral effect of tetherin. We also reveal that all Vpus of transmitted/founder HIV-1M viruses maintain anti-tetherin activity. These findings indicate that tetherin plays the role of a host restriction factor, providing ‘intrinsic herd immunity’, whereas Vpu has evolved in HIV-1M as a tetherin antagonist.
The detection of EpCAM+ and EpCAM– circulating tumor cells
Authors: Wit Sanne de , Dalum Guus van , Lenferink Aufried T. M. , Tibbe Arjan G. J. , Hiltermann T. Jeroen N. , Groen Harry J. M. , van Rijn Cees J. M. , Terstappen Leon W. M. M.
Published: July 2015

EpCAM expressing circulating tumor cells, detected by CellSearch, are predictive of short survival in several cancers and may serve as a liquid biopsy to guide therapy. Here we investigate the presence of EpCAM+ CTC detected by CellSearch and EpCAM– CTC discarded by CellSearch, after EpCAM based enrichment. EpCAM– CTC were identified by filtration and fluorescent labelling. This approach was validated using different cell lines spiked into blood and evaluated on blood samples of 27 metastatic lung cancer patients. The majority of spiked EpCAM+ cells could be detected with CellSearch, whereas most spiked cells with EpCAMlow or EpCAM– expression were detected using filtration. Five or more CTC were detected in 15% of the patient samples, this increased to 41% when adding the CTC detected in the discarded blood. The number of patients with CTC and the number of CTC detected were doubled by the presence of EpCAM– CTC. In this pilot study, the presence of EpCAM+ CTC was associated with poor outcome, whereas the EpCAM– CTC were not. This observation will need to be confirmed in larger studies and molecular characterization needs to be conducted to elucidate differences between EpCAM– and EpCAM+ CTC.
MiR-135b-5p and MiR-499a-3p Promote Cell Proliferation and Migration in Atherosclerosis by Directly Targeting MEF2C
Authors: Xu Zhiliang , Han Yeming , Liu Jiying , Jiang Fan , Hu Huili , Wang Yan , Liu Qiji , Gong Yaoqin , Li Xi
Published: July 2015

Proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are critical processes involved in atherosclerosis. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) can be detected in circulating blood with a stable form and the expression profiles differ in many cellular processes associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, little is known about their role, especially serum-derived miRNAs, in ECs and VSMCs phenotype modulation during atherosclerosis. We compared the miRNA expressions in serum samples from 13 atherosclerotic CAD patients and 5 healthy control subjects and identified 36 differentially expressed miRNAs. The expression of selected miRNAs (miR-135b-5p and miR-499a-3p) was further validated in 137 serum samples. Interestingly, miR-135b-5p and miR-499a-3p directly regulated a common target gene: myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) which plays an important role in modulating cell phenotype of cardiovascular systems. Furthermore, our results indicated that the 2 elevated miRNAs could jointly promote ECs and VSMCs proliferation and migration by repressing MEF2C expression. Together, our findings demonstrated a serum-based miRNA expression profile for atherosclerotic CAD patients, potentially revealing a previously undocumented mechanism for cell proliferation and migration mediated by miR-135b-5p and miR-499a-3p and might provide novel insights into the role of circulating miRNAs in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
Crucial aspects in the design of chirally modified noble metal catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of activated ketones
Authors: Baiker Alfons
Published: July 2015

This tutorial review analyzes the crucial aspects, which have to be considered in the development of heterogeneous catalytic systems based on chirally modified noble metals for asymmetric hydrogenation of activated ketones.
The application of FAIMS gas analysis in medical diagnostics
Authors: Covington J. A. , van. der Schee M. P. , Edge A. S. L. , Boyle B. , Savage R. S. , Arasaradnam R. P.
Published: July 2015

There is an ever increasing need to develop new tools to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of human diseases.
A colorimetric approach for measuring mercuric ions with high selectivity using label-free gold nanoparticles and thiourea
Authors: Wang Qianru , Li Yiran , Li Min , Wen Congying , Liu Rongsheng , Subhan Fazle , Yan Zifeng , Zeng Jingbin
Published: July 2015

A simple, sensitive and selective colorimetric assay was developed for detecting Hg2+ by coupling Au NPs with thiourea.
Electrodeposition of Prussian blue nanoparticles on polyaniline coated halloysite nanotubes for nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensing
Authors: Sheng Qinglin , Zhang Dan , Wu Qian , Zheng Jianbin , Tang Hongsheng
Published: July 2015

A facile and effective electrochemical sensing technique was developed by the electrodeposition of Prussian blue on polyaniline (PANI) coated halloysite nanotubes (HNTs).
Surfactant chemistry for fluorescence imaging of latent fingerprints using conjugated polyelectrolyte nanoparticles
Authors: Shin-Il Kim Beomsu , Jin Young-Jae , Uddin Mohammad Afsar , Sakaguchi Toshikazu , Woo Han Young , Kwak Giseop
Published: July 2015

The polymer nanoparticles were readily transferred to the LFP to reveal highly distinguishable fluorescent images under the presence of surfactant with appropriate HLB value.
Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of alkenoic acids leading to γ-lactones
Authors: Nagamoto Midori , Nishimura Takahiro
Published: July 2015

Asymmetric cyclization of alkenoic acids was realized by the use of an iridium/chiral bisphosphine catalyst, giving high yields of the corresponding γ-lactones with good enantioselectivity.
Catalytic etching of monolayer graphene at low temperature via carbon oxidation
Authors: Jin Jun Eon , Lee Jae-Hyun , Choi Jun Hee , Jang Ho-Kyun , Na Junhong , Whang Dongmok , Kim Do-Hyun , Kim Gyu Tae
Published: July 2015

Graphene can be easily etched by catalytic oxidation in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles.
The impact of structural modification of 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives on thermodynamics of solubility and hydration processes
Authors: Surov A. O. , Bui C. T. , Volkova T. V. , Proshin A. N. , Perlovich G. L.
Published: July 2015

The influence of a structural modification on thermodynamic aspects of solubility and hydration processes of 1,2,4-thiadiazole drug-like compounds was investigated.
Unraveling the complexity of protein backbone dynamics with combined 13C and 15N solid-state NMR relaxation measurements
Authors: Lamley Jonathan M. , Lougher Matthew J. , Sass Hans Juergen , Rogowski Marco , Grzesiek Stephan , Lewandowski Józef R.
Published: July 2015

Combined analysis of 13C′ and 15N R1 and R1ρ relaxation rates measured at two magnetic fields leads to improved modeling of backbone dynamics in crystalline protein and provides unique insights into how the same motions contribute differently to relaxation rates in solution and solid state.
Contribution of lone-pairs to birefringence affected by the Pb(ii) coordination environment: a DFT investigation
Authors: Jing Qun , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie , Xue Dongfeng
Published: July 2015

Pb(ii) cations have long been associated with lone-pairs which can help to enhance the optical anisotropic birefringence.
New advances in nanographene chemistry
Authors: Narita Akimitsu , Wang Xiao-Ye , Feng Xinliang , Müllen Klaus
Published: July 2015

This review discusses recent advancements in nanographene chemistry, focusing on the bottom-up synthesis of graphene molecules and graphene nanoribbons.
cis-Pt I2(NH3)2: a reappraisal
Authors: Marzo Tiziano , Pillozzi Serena , Hrabina Ondrej , Kasparkova Jana , Brabec Viktor , Arcangeli Annarosa , Bartoli Gianluca , Severi Mirko , Lunghi Alessandro , Totti Federico , Gabbiani Chiara , Quiroga Adóracion G. , Messori Luigi
Published: July 2015

cis-PtI2(NH3)2is highly cytotoxic toward a few solid tumour cell lines, furthermore it is capable of overcoming resistance to cisplatin.
Tuning the structures based on polyoxometalates from 1-D to 2-D by using different secondary organic ligands
Authors: Hu Yang-Yang , Xiao-Zhang Xiao-Zhang , Zhao De-Chuan , Guo Hai-Yang , Fu Li-Wei , Guo Lan-Lan , Cui Xiao-Bing , Huo Qi-Sheng , Xu Ji-Qing
Published: July 2015

Six new compounds have been synthesized and characterized. Crystal structure analysis reveals that the six structures were tuned from 1-D to 2-D by using different secondary organic ligands.
Coordination polymers from a highly flexible alkyldiamine-derived ligand: structure, magnetism and gas adsorption studies
Authors: Hawes Chris S. , Chilton Nicholas F. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Knowles Gregory P. , Chaffee Alan L. , Murray Keith S. , Batten Stuart R. , Turner David R.
Published: July 2015

Studies into a series of coordination polymers from a new diamine polycarboxylate ligand reveal an interplay between flexibility and material properties.
Heptaphosphide cluster anions bearing group 14 element amide functionalities
Authors: Quintero Gabriela Espinoza , Paterson-Taylor Isabelle , Rees Nicholas H. , Goicoechea Jose M.
Published: July 2015

Reactions of the protonated heptaphosphide dianion, [HP7]2−, with one equivalent of E[N(SiMe3)2]2(E = Ge, Sn, Pb) give rise to novel derivatized cluster anions [P7EN(SiMe3)2]2−(E = Ge (1), Sn (2) and Pb (3)).1readily decomposes in solution at room temperature to afford the dimeric product [(P7Ge)2N(SiMe3)2]3−(4).
Axial fluoride binding by lanthanide DTMA complexes alters the local crystal field, resulting in dramatic spectroscopic changes
Authors: Blackburn Octavia A. , Kenwright Alan M. , Beer Paul D. , Faulkner Stephen
Published: July 2015

Dramatic changes are observed in both the NMR and luminescence spectra of LnDTMA complexes on addition of fluoride, consistent with a change in the nature of the magnetic anisotropy at the paramagnetic lanthanide centre.
A unique 3D metal–organic framework based on a 12-connected pentanuclear Cd(ii) cluster exhibiting proton conduction
Authors: Shen Yu , Yang Xu-Feng , Zhu Hai-Bin , Zhao Yue , Li Wei-Si
Published: July 2015

A unique twelve-connected 3D MOF based on a pentanuclear Cd(ii) cluster exhibits both photoluminescence and proton conduction.
Quantitative structural information from single-molecule FRET
Authors: Beckers M. , Drechsler F. , Eilert T. , Nagy J. , Michaelis J.
Published: July 2015

Single-molecule studies can be used to study biological processes directly and in real-time. In particular, the fluorescence energy transfer between reporter dye molecules attached to specific sites on macromolecular complexes can be used to infer distance information. When several measurements are combined, the information can be used to determine the position and conformation of certain domains with respect to the complex. However, data analysis schemes that include all experimental uncertainties are highly complex, and the outcome depends on assumptions about the state of the dye molecules. Here, we present a new analysis algorithm using Bayesian parameter estimation based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling and parallel tempering termed Fast-NPS that can analyse large smFRET networks in a relatively short time and yields the position of the dye molecules together with their respective uncertainties. Moreover, we show what effects different assumptions about the dye molecules have on the outcome. We discuss the possibilities and pitfalls in structure determination based on smFRET using experimental data for an archaeal transcription pre-initiation complex, whose architecture has recently been unravelled by smFRET measurements.
The generation of phosphoserine stretches in phosphoproteins: mechanism and significance
Authors: Cesaro Luca , Pinna Lorenzo A.
Published: July 2015

A STRING analysis of proteins containing clusters of 3 or more adjacent phosphoserine residues reveals that the great majority of these proteins are interconnected by physical and/or functional links to generate a kind of “phosphoclusterome”.
Smart multifunctional drug delivery towards anticancer therapy harmonized in mesoporous nanoparticles
Authors: Baek Seonmi , Singh Rajendra K. , Khanal Dipesh , Patel Kapil D. , Lee Eun-Jung , Leong Kam W. , Chrzanowski Wojciech , Kim Hae-Won
Published: July 2015

Effectiveness of the delivery of anticancer drugs and the efficacy of cancer therapy can be enhanced using smart multifunctional mesoporous nanoparticles.
Electrochemical fabrication and characterization of Cu/Cu2O multi-layered micro and nanorods in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Rehnlund David , Valvo Mario , Tai Cheuk-Wai , Ångström Jonas , Sahlberg Martin , Edström Kristina , Nyholm Leif
Published: July 2015

Schematic representation of multilayered Cu/Cu2O nanostructures electrodeposited in a porous polycarbonate membrane and a micrograph of the obtained rods.
One-step fabrication of multifunctional micromotors
Authors: Gao Wenlong , Liu Mei , Liu Limei , Zhang Hui , Dong Bin , Li Christopher Y.
Published: July 2015

We report a facile one-step method based on an emulsion solvent evaporation process to fabricate multifunctional micromotors.
Introduction of a catalytic triad increases the glutathione peroxidase-like activity of diaryl diselenides
Authors: Bhowmick Debasish , Mugesh Govindasamy
Published: July 2015

Glutathione peroxidase-like antioxidant activity of amine and amide-based diselenides is described.
Polyol synthesis of non-stoichiometric Mn–Zn ferrite nanocrystals: structural /microstructural characterization and catalytic application
Authors: Beji Z. , Sun M. , Smiri L. S. , Herbst F. , Mangeney C. , Ammar S.
Published: July 2015

The structure and microstructure of polyol-made non-stoichiometric Mn–Zn ferrite nanoparticles were successfully investigated and correlated to their catalytic properties toward dimethyl ether oxidation reaction.
Effect of “push–pull” sensitizers with modified conjugation bridges on the performance of p-type dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhang Fengying , Yu Pei , Shen Wei , Li Ming , He Rongxing
Published: July 2015

P-type “push–pull” sensitizers with modified conjugation bridges (thiophene units and pyrimidine units) are investigated theoretically.
Influences of a glycerin co-solvent on the compatibility of MgAl hydrotalcites with a polypropylene matrix
Authors: Zeng Hong-Yan , Du Jin-Ze , Xu Sheng , Liao Meng-Chen , Liu Xiao-Jun , Duan Heng-Zhi , Chen Chao-Rong
Published: July 2015

Employment of glycerin during nucleation made the Mg/Al-HT particles decrease in size and become more hydrophobic, which improved the dispersion of the particles in the PP matrix.
Fast and effective electron transport in a Au–graphene–ZnO hybrid for enhanced photocurrent and photocatalysis
Authors: Khoa Nguyen Tri , Kim Soon Wook , Van Thuan Doan , Tien Huynh Ngoc , Hur Seung Hyun , Kim Eui Jung , Hahn Sung Hong
Published: July 2015

We have synthesized a novel Au/rGO–ZnO nanosheet assembled hollow sphere hybrid that exhibits fast and effective electron transport at the Au/rGO–ZnO interface, resulting in enhanced photocurrent responses and photocatalytic activities.
Direct synthesis of Co@Al-MCM-41 catalyst from conventional Co/SiO2 catalyst
Authors: Liu Jiang-Yong , Chen Jian-Feng , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2015

A Co@Al-MCM-41 catalyst directly synthesized from Co/SiO2 realized high selectivity of gasoline in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis with excellent stability due to suitable cobalt particle size and acidity of zeolite.
APTES mediated modular modification of regenerated silk fibroin in a water solution
Authors: Sagnella Anna , Zambianchi Massimo , Durso Margherita , Posati Tamara , Del Rio Alberto , Donnadio Anna , Mazzanti Andrea , Pistone Assunta , Ruani Giampiero , Zamboni Roberto , Benfenati Valentina , Melucci Manuela
Published: July 2015

Chemical modification of regenerated silk fibroin was achieved by exploiting (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane acting simultaneously as solvent, carrier in water, grafter of an hydrophobic fluorescent molecule and reinforcing agent.
A conductive ternary network of a highly stretchable AgNWs/AgNPs conductor based on a polydopamine-modified polyurethane sponge
Authors: Li Liming , Zhu Chunhua , Wu Yeping , Wang Jianhua , Zhang Tailiang , Liu Yu
Published: July 2015

A conductive ternary network structure composed of AgNWs/AgNPs based on a polydopamine-modified 3D PU sponge was fabricated, which shows excellent electromechanical ability owing to the combined effects from the ternary network.
A high capacity MnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposite for Li and Na-ion battery applications
Authors: Kollu Pratap , Kumar P. Ramesh , Santosh Chella , Kim Do Kyung , Grace Andrews Nirmala
Published: July 2015

Hydrothermally synthesized MnFe2O4/rGO composite with sodium alginate binder shows a highly stable capacity of 258 mA h g−1versusNa/Na+at 0.1C rate.
Anisotropy in the mechanical properties of organic crystals: temperature dependence
Authors: Mohamed Reda M. , Mishra Manish Kumar , AL-Harbi Laila M. , Al-Ghamdi Mohammed S. , Ramamurty Upadrasta
Published: July 2015

Nanoindentation technique was employed on organic molecular crystals to investigate how the anisotropy in the mechanical behavior changes within the temperature range of 283 to 343 K.
Influence of relative humidity on the structure and electrochemical performance of sustainable LiFeSO4F electrodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Leiting , Tarascon Jean-Marie , Sougrati Moulay Tahar , Rousse Gwenaëlle , Chen Guohua
Published: July 2015

Tavorite-type LiFeSO4F is used to demonstrate the inherent moisture sensitivity issue of sulfate-based materials for Li-ion batteries.
Adhesion of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels by the electrophoretic manipulation of phenylboronic acid copolymers
Authors: Asoh Taka-Aki , Takaishi Kohtaroh , Kikuchi Akihiko
Published: July 2015

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels adhered to each other following the electrophoretic manipulation of water-soluble intermediate phenylboronic acid copolymers at the interface of the PVA hydrogels.
Interatomic pair potentials from DFT and molecular dynamics for Ca, Ba, and Sr hexaborides
Authors: Schmidt Kevin M. , Buettner Alex B. , Graeve Olivia A. , Vasquez Victor R.
Published: July 2015

Pairwise potentials are developed using DFT and MD methods for a new model to describe energies and dynamics in alkaline-earth hexaborides.
Graphite on paper as material for sensitive thermoresistive sensors
Authors: Dinh Toan , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Dao Dzung Viet , Woodfield Peter , Qamar Afzaal , Nguyen Nam-Trung
Published: July 2015

We report on the thermoresistive properties of graphite on paper (GOP). A large temperature coefficient of resistance was observed and a highly sensitive GOP-based anemometer was demonstrated, indicating strong feasibility of using the GOP for low-cost thermoresistive sensors.
Antibody–drug conjugates as novel anti-cancer chemotherapeutics
Authors: Peters Christina , Brown Stuart
Published: July 2015

Over the past couple of decades, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have revolutionized the field of cancer chemotherapy. Unlike conventional treatments that damage healthy tissues upon dose escalation, ADCs utilize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to specifically bind tumour-associated target antigens and deliver a highly potent cytotoxic agent. The synergistic combination of mAbs conjugated to small-molecule chemotherapeutics, via a stable linker, has given rise to an extremely efficacious class of anti-cancer drugs with an already large and rapidly growing clinical pipeline. The primary objective of this paper is to review current knowledge and latest developments in the field of ADCs. Upon intravenous administration, ADCs bind to their target antigens and are internalized through receptor-mediated endocytosis. This facilitates the subsequent release of the cytotoxin, which eventually leads to apoptotic cell death of the cancer cell. The three components of ADCs (mAb, linker and cytotoxin) affect the efficacy and toxicity of the conjugate. Optimizing each one, while enhancing the functionality of the ADC as a whole, has been one of the major considerations of ADC design and development. In addition to these, the choice of clinically relevant targets and the position and number of linkages have also been the key determinants of ADC efficacy. The only marketed ADCs, brentuximab vedotin and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), have demonstrated their use against both haematological and solid malignancies respectively. The success of future ADCs relies on improving target selection, increasing cytotoxin potency, developing innovative linkers and overcoming drug resistance. As more research is conducted to tackle these issues, ADCs are likely to become part of the future of targeted cancer therapeutics.
Differences Among Patients That Make Their Tinnitus Worse or Better
Authors: Pan Tao , Tyler Richard S. , Ji Haihong , Coelho Claudia , Gogel Stephanie A.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Our objective was to identify activities that influence tinnitus and to determine if conditional probabilities exist among such variables.

Method

Two hundred fifty-eight patients were asked the following two questions: “When you have your tinnitus, which of the following makes it worse?” and “Which of the following reduces your tinnitus?”

Results

Things that made tinnitus better included noise (31%) and relaxation (15%). Things that made tinnitus worse included being in a quiet place (48%), stress (36%), being in a noisy place (32%), and lack of sleep (27%). Almost 6% of patients suggested coffee/tea and 4% said certain foods made their tinnitus worse. Conditional probabilities indicated that for those whose tinnitus is not worse in quiet, it is usually not reduced by noise. For those whose tinnitus is not worse in noise, it is usually not reduced in quiet.

Conclusion

There are dramatic differences among patients. Such differences need to be considered in planning treatments.
Formulaic Language in Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease: Complementary Effects of Subcortical and Cortical Dysfunction
Authors: Van Lancker Sidtis Diana , Choi JiHee , Alken Amy , Sidtis John J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The production of formulaic expressions (conversational speech formulas, pause fillers, idioms, and other fixed expressions) is excessive in the left hemisphere and deficient in the right hemisphere and in subcortical stroke. Speakers with Alzheimer's disease (AD), having functional basal ganglia, reveal abnormally high proportions of formulaic language. Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), having dysfunctional basal ganglia, were predicted to show impoverished formulaic expressions in contrast to speakers with AD. This study compared participants with PD, participants with AD, and healthy control (HC) participants on protocols probing production and comprehension of formulaic expressions.

Method

Spontaneous speech samples were recorded from 16 individuals with PD, 12 individuals with AD, and 18 HC speakers. Structured tests were then administered as probes of comprehension.

Results

The PD group had lower proportions of formulaic expressions compared with the AD and HC groups. Comprehension testing yielded opposite contrasts: participants with PD showed significantly higher performance compared with participants with AD and did not differ from HC participants.

Conclusions

The finding that PD produced lower proportions of formulaic expressions compared with AD and HC supports the view that subcortical nuclei modulate the production of formulaic expressions. Contrasting results on formal testing of comprehension, whereby participants with AD performed significantly worse than participants with PD and HC participants, indicate differential effects on procedural and declarative knowledge associated with these neurological conditions.
A Clinical Tutorial in Stuttering: Case Vignette
Authors: Coleman Craig , Miller Lindsey , Weidner Mary E.
Published: July 2015

This clinical paper focuses on a case vignette for a teenager who stutters to highlight comprehensive assessment and treatment of stuttering. The case emphases the need for assessment and treatment approaches that focus on the multi-dimensional nature of stuttering. Case vignettes may be one way to help clinicians gain a better understanding of stuttering assessment and treatment.
Stress test of lithographic vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers under extreme operating conditions
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhao Guowei , Li Mingxin , Deppe Dennis
Published: July 2015

Reliability test data are presented, which show that non‐oxide all‐lithographic vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers (VCSELs) are more reliable than oxide VCSELs under extreme operating conditions. The test data are compared for lithographic and oxide VCSELs of 3 µm size after operating at a stage temperature of 150°C and an injection current density of 140 kA/cm2 for various times. The increased reliability under extreme operating conditions can be largely attributed to the lower junction temperature and the internal stress inside lithographic VCSELs.
Magnetic antenna excitation of whistler modes. III. Group and phase velocities of wave packets
Authors: Urrutia J. M. , Stenzel R. L.
Published: July 2015

The properties of whistler modes excited by single and multiple magnetic loop antennas have been investigated in a large laboratory plasma. A single loop excites a wavepacket, but an array of loops across the ambient magnetic field B0 excites approximate plane whistler modes. The single loop data are measured. The array patterns are obtained by linear superposition of experimental data shifted in space and time, which is valid in a uniform plasma and magnetic field for small amplitude waves. Phasing the array changes the angle of wave propagation. The antennas are excited by an rf tone burst whose propagating envelope and oscillations yield group and phase velocities. A single loop antenna with dipole moment across B0 excites wave packets whose topology resembles m = 1 helicon modes, but without radial boundaries. The phase surfaces are conical with propagation characteristics of Gendrin modes. The cones form near the antenna with comparable parallel and perpendicular phase velocities. A physical model for the wave excitation is given. When a wave burst is applied to a phased antenna array, the wave front propagates both along the array and into the plasma forming a “whistler wing” at the front. These laboratory observations may be relevant for excitation and detection of whistler modes in space plasmas.
Invariants in the Yukawa system's thermodynamic phase diagram
Authors: Veldhorst Arno A. , Schrøder Thomas B. , Dyre Jeppe C.
Published: July 2015

This paper shows that several known properties of the Yukawa system can be derived from the isomorph theory, which applies to any system that has strong correlations between its virial and potential-energy equilibrium fluctuations. Such “Roskilde-simple” systems have a simplified thermodynamic phase diagram deriving from the fact that they have curves (isomorphs) along which structure and dynamics in reduced units are invariant to a good approximation. We show that the Yukawa system has strong virial potential-energy correlations and identify its isomorphs by two different methods. One method, the so-called direct isomorph check, identifies isomorphs numerically from jumps of relatively small density changes (here 10%). The second method identifies isomorphs analytically from the pair potential. The curves obtained by the two methods are close to each other; these curves are confirmed to be isomorphs by demonstrating the invariance of the radial distribution function, the static structure factor, the mean-square displacement as a function of time, and the incoherent intermediate scattering function. Since the melting line is predicted to be an isomorph, the theory provides a derivation of a known approximate analytical expression for this line in the temperature-density phase diagram. The paper's results give the first demonstration that the isomorph theory can be applied to systems like dense colloidal suspensions and strongly coupled dusty plasmas.
An efficient and accurate approximation to time-dependent density functional theory for systems of weakly coupled monomers
Authors: Liu Jie , Herbert John M.
Published: July 2015

A novel formulation of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is derived, based on non-orthogonal, absolutely-localized molecular orbitals (ALMOs). We call this approach TDDFT(MI), in reference to ALMO-based methods for describing molecular interactions (MI) that have been developed for ground-state applications. TDDFT(MI) is intended for efficient excited-state calculations in systems composed of multiple, weakly interacting chromophores. The efficiency is based upon (1) a local excitation approximation; (2) monomer-based, singly-excited basis states; (3) an efficient localization procedure; and (4) a one-step Davidson method to solve the TDDFT(MI) working equation. We apply this methodology to study molecular dimers, water clusters, solvated chromophores, and aggregates of naphthalene diimide that form the building blocks of self-assembling organic nanotubes. Absolute errors of 0.1–0.3 eV with respect to supersystem methods are achievable for these systems, especially for cases involving an excited chromophore that is weakly coupled to several explicit solvent molecules. Excited-state calculations in an aggregate of nine naphthalene diimide monomers are ∼40 times faster than traditional TDDFT calculations.
Interferometric technique for nanoscale dynamics of fluid drops on arbitrary substrates
Authors: Verma Gopal , Pandey Mrityunjay , Singh Kamal P.
Published: July 2015

We demonstrate a simple interferometric probe to detect nanoscale dynamics of sessile fluid drops on arbitrary rough or flexible substrates. The technique relies on producing high-contrast Newton-ring like dynamical fringes by interference between a weak Fresnel reflection from the air-fluid interface of the drop and an air-glass interface of a convex lens placed above the drop in quasi-normal geometry. By analyzing the dynamical fringes, we observed 100–700 nm/s fluctuations in water drops evaporating on metal, leaves, insect wing, and sand paper due to their surface roughness. Similar fluctuations were also observed during spreading of non-volatile glycerin drops on various rough surfaces. Another application of the technique is demonstrated in precision measurement of change in evaporation rate of a water drop due to cooling of a metal substrate. This technique can be further miniaturized with a microscope objective with potential for wide applications.
Asymmetric spin absorption across a low-resistance oxide barrier
Authors: Chen Shuhan , Qin Chuan , Ji Yi
Published: July 2015

An unconventional method of nonlocal spin detection is demonstrated in mesoscopic lateral spin valves at room temperature. Clear nonlocal spin signals are detected between the two ends of an extended ferromagnetic spin detector. This is different from the conventional method in which the nonlocal voltage is measured between the spin detector and the nonmagnetic channel. The results can be understood as spatially non-uniform absorption of a pure spin current into the spin detector across a low-resistance oxide interface.
Investigation of thermodynamic equilibrium in laser-induced aluminum plasma using the Hα line profiles and Thomson scattering spectra
Authors: Cvejić M. , Dzierżęga K. , Pięta T.
Published: July 2015

We have studied isothermal equilibrium in the laser-induced plasma from aluminum pellets in argon at pressure of 200 mbar by using a method which combines the standard laser Thomson scattering and analysis of the Hα, Stark-broadened, line profiles. Plasma was created using 4.5 ns, 4 mJ pulses from a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm. While electron density and temperature were determined from the electron feature of Thomson scattering spectra, the heavy particle temperature was obtained from the Hα full profile applying computer simulation including ion-dynamical effects. We have found strong imbalance between these two temperatures during entire plasma evolution which indicates its non-isothermal character. At the same time, according to the McWhirter criterion, the electron density was high enough to establish plasma in local thermodynamic equilibrium.
Disorder driven structural and dielectric properties of silicon substituted strontium titanate
Authors: Dugu Sita , Pavunny Shojan P. , Sharma Yogesh , Scott James F. , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: July 2015

A systematic study on structural, microstructural, optical, dielectric, and electrical properties of phase-pure silicon-modified SrTiO3 polycrystalline electroceramics synthesized using high energy solid state reaction techniques is presented. The asymmetry and splitting in the x-ray diffractometer spectra and the observation of first order transverse optical TO2 and longitudinal optical LO4 modes in Raman spectra (nominally forbidden) revealed the distortion in the cubic lattice as a result of breaking of inversion symmetry due to doping. A bandgap Eg of 3.27 eV was determined for the sample by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. A high dielectric constant of ∼400 and very low dielectric loss of ∼0.03 were obtained at 100 kHz near ambient conditions. The temperature dependence of the dielectric data displayed features of high temperature relaxor ferroelectric behavior as evidence of existence of polar nano-regions. The ac conductivity as a function of frequency showed features typical of universal dynamic response and obeyed a power law σac=σdc+Aωn. The temperature dependent dc conductivity followed an Arrhenius relation with activation energy of 123 meV in the 200–500 K temperature range. The linear dielectric response of Pt/SrSi0.03Ti0.97O3/Pt dielectric capacitors was well characterized. The measured leakage current was exceptionally low, 13 nA/cm2 at 8.7 kV/cm, revealing an interface blocked bulk conduction mechanism.
Note: How does the treatment of electrostatic interactions influence the magnitude of thermal polarization of water? The SPC/E model
Authors: Armstrong J. , Daub C. D. , Bresme F.
Published: July 2015

We investigate how the treatment of electrostatic interactions influences the magnitude of the thermal polarization of water. We performed non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of the extended simple point charge model of water under a thermal gradient, using two different systems: a water droplet confined in a spherical wall where the interactions are computed exactly using the Coulombic potential and a periodic prismatic box using the Wolf and 3D Ewald methods. All the methods reproduce the thermal polarization (TP) of water as well as the direction of the TP field, but the standard implementation of the Wolf method overestimates the strength of the TP field by one order of magnitude, showing that this method might be problematic in simulations involving temperature and/or density gradients.
A New Method for the Label-Free Detection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Based on DNAzymes
Authors: Lv Zhuwu , Wang Ke , Zhang Xiaolu
Published: July 2015

The possibility of performing reliable cancer diagnosis even before any symptoms of disease appears is crucial for increasing therapeutic treatment success and patient survival rates. Herein, an ultrasensitive colorimetric sandwich sensor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) detection is introduced. The peroxidase-like DNAzyme catalyzes the oxidation of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid, which generates a blue–green colorimetric signal. This method can detect VEGF at a concentration as low as 10 nM. This strategy will be a promising tool for bioanalytical and clinical applications.
Multiscale Analysis of River Networks using the R Package linbin
Authors: Welty Ethan Z. , Torgersen Christian E. , Brenkman Samuel J. , Duda Jeffrey J. , Armstrong Jonathan B.
Published: July 2015

Analytical tools are needed in riverine science and management to bridge the gap between GIS and statistical packages that were not designed for the directional and dendritic structure of streams. We introduce linbin, an R package developed for the analysis of riverscapes at multiple scales. With this software, riverine data on aquatic habitat and species distribution can be scaled and plotted automatically with respect to their position in the stream network or—in the case of temporal data—their position in time. The linbin package aggregates data into bins of different sizes as specified by the user. We provide case studies illustrating the use of the software for (1) exploring patterns at different scales by aggregating variables at a range of bin sizes, (2) comparing repeat observations by aggregating surveys into bins of common coverage, and (3) tailoring analysis to data with custom bin designs. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of linbin for summarizing patterns throughout an entire stream network, and we analyze the diel and seasonal movements of tagged fish past a stationary receiver to illustrate how linbin can be used with temporal data. In short, linbin enables more rapid analysis of complex data sets by fisheries managers and stream ecologists and can reveal underlying spatial and temporal patterns of fish distribution and habitat throughout a riverscape.

Received November 13, 2014; accepted April 14, 2015
Crossing the symbolic boundaries: parkour, gender and urban spaces in Genoa
Authors: Stagi Luisa
Published: July 2015

This paper shows how girls and women who practise parkour cross the gendered divisions of space, sport and other symbolic territories that are brought into play by so-called risk-taking sports, and how it may therefore be considered a subversive action. The strategies of negotiation produced by such symbolic crossings are examined via the concepts of reproductive and resistant agency and of gender manoeuvring. In particular the concept of gender manoeuvring will be used to examine the mechanisms of inter- and intra-gender inclusion and exclusion which, within subcultures, pass through a recognition of authenticity. Indeed, in the culture of parkour the question of authenticity emerges when media dissemination produces a split into two distinct practices: art du déplacement and freerunning. The traceuses cross this boundary because of their different origin (they are from the streets as opposed to the gym), thereby building within their gender further discourses on authenticity.
Embodying citizenship: children's spatial and bodily experience in a football club academy
Authors: Satta Caterina
Published: July 2015

In Western countries children's identities have been constructed through their bodies and the different meanings attached to them. Children's bodies are central to defining their social and spatial position in the city. They are in fact, more than any other group, subjected to a set of spatial bans and prohibitions that confine them within places specifically targeted at them during their free time (i.e. recreational, ludic and sports organisations). One of the recreational activities most commonly engaged in by Italian children is sport. However, little is known about children's approach to sporting activities. What is proposed here is that the site of children's involvement in sport is a valuable key for the observation of the ambiguous construction of children's citizenship through spatial borders and body training. Based on a long-term ethnographic study of the Cagliari football club academy for children, and informed by the new sociology of childhood approach, this article investigates the role of organised sport contexts in the urban generational order. The conclusions stress the contradiction detectable in a structured football club academy as a site that, on the one hand, promotes children's rights to play and, on the other, restricts their substantive citizenship within the public space.
Coordination and Crisis in Monetary Unions*
Authors: Aguiar Mark , Amador Manuel , Farhi Emmanuel , Gopinath Gita
Published: July 2015

We study fiscal and monetary policy in a monetary union with the potential for rollover crises in sovereign debt markets. Member-country fiscal authorities lack commitment to repay their debt and choose fiscal policy independently. A common monetary authority chooses inflation for the union, also without commitment. We first describe the existence of a fiscal externality that arises in the presence of limited commitment and leads countries to overborrow; this externality rationalizes the imposition of debt ceilings in a monetary union. We then investigate the impact of the composition of debt in a monetary union, that is the fraction of high-debt versus low-debt members, on the occurrence of self-fulfilling debt crises. We demonstrate that a high-debt country may be less vulnerable to crises and have higher welfare when it belongs to a union with an intermediate mix of high- and low-debt members, than one where all other members are low-debt. This contrasts with the conventional wisdom that all countries should prefer a union with low-debt members, as such a union can credibly deliver low inflation. These findings shed new light on the criteria for an optimal currency area in the presence of rollover crises.
Candida baotianmanensis sp. nov. and Candida pseudoviswanathii sp. nov., two ascosporic yeast species isolated from the gut of beetles
Authors: Ren Yong-Cheng , Xu Long-Long , Zhang Lin , Hui Feng-Li
Published: July 2015

Four yeast strains were isolated from the gut of beetles collected on Baotianman Mountain and People's Park of Nanyang in Henan Province, China. These strains produced unconjugated asci with one or two ellipsoidal to elongate ascospores in a persistent ascus. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates represent two novel sexual species in the Candida/Lodderomyces clade. Candida baotianmanensis sp. nov. was located in a statistically well-supported branch together with Candida maltosa. Candida pseudoviswanathii sp. nov. formed a subclade with its closest relative Candida viswanathii supported by a strong bootstrap value. The two novel species were distinguished from their most closely related described species, Candida maltosa and Candida viswanathii, in the D1/D2 LSU rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and in phenotypic traits. The type strain of Candida baotianmanensis sp. nov. is NYNU 14719T ( = CBS 13915T = CICC 33052T), and the type strain of Candida pseudoviswanathii sp. nov. is NYNU 14772T ( = CBS 13916T = CICC 33053T). The MycoBank numbers for Candida baotianmanensis sp. nov. and Candida pseudoviswanathii sp. nov. are MB 812621 and MB 812622.
Bacillus glycinifermentans sp. nov., isolated from fermented soybean paste
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Dunlap Christopher A. , Kwon Soon-Wo , Rooney Alejandro P.
Published: July 2015

Two independent isolates of a Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium were recovered from cheonggukjang, a Korean fermented soybean paste food product. Preliminary sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that these strains were related most closely to Bacillus sonorensis KCTC-13918T and Bacillus licheniformis DSM 13T. In phenotypic characterization, the novel strains were found to grow between 15 and 55 °C and to tolerate up to 8 % (w/v) NaCl. Furthermore, the strains grew in media of pH 5–10 (optimal growth at pH 7.0). The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0.The isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown glycolipid. Draft genomes of the two strains were determined and in silico DNA–DNA hybridizations with their nearest neighbour (B. sonorensis KCTC-13918T) revealed 29.9 % relatedness for both strains. Phylogenomic analysis of the genomes was conducted with the core genome (799 genes) of all strains in the Bacillus subtilis group and the two strains formed a distinct monophyletic cluster. In addition, the strains differed from the two most closely related species in that they did not metabolize maltose, d-galactose, d-sorbitol or d-gluconic acid. The DNA G+C content was 45.9 mol%. Based upon the consensus of phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses, these strains represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus glycinifermentans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GO-13T ( = KACC 18425T = NRRL B-65291T).