bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legitimation capacity: System-level resources and political skills in public policy
Authors: Woo J J , Ramesh M , Howlett M
Published: October 2015

This paper conceptualizes political competences at the system level of capabilities to function as “legitimation capacity” in a policy context. It identifies trust in the political, social, economic, and security spheres as the key element driving this capacity. Trust ensures that state actions and institutions are perceived as legitimate and receive public support, which in turn allows political skills to be exercised, preventing political or institutional decay and policy ineffectiveness. Conceptualization of legitimation capacity as comprising trust across political, social, economic, and security dimensions offers a useful framework for analyzing and estimating a government's capacity in different policy spheres. It provides a practical tool for estimating any deficiencies in legitimation capacity that a government may face. While governments may be endowed with different levels of legitimate capacity when they first attain office, they may over time work on building up capacity by focusing on the spheres in which they may be lacking. Conversely, they may lose legitimacy if their efforts in these areas are counter-productive.
Reflexivity and flexibility: Complementary routes to innovation?
Authors: Farnese Maria Luisa , Fida Roberta , Livi Stefano
Published: October 2015

Flexibility and reflexivity are essential processes for organisational innovation. The aim of the paper is to investigate their concurrent and interactive contribution in enhancing two innovation outcomes (the organisational openness towards innovation and the actual innovation adoption). Participants were 357 Italian employees. Results of a hierarchical regression model showed the role of both factors in fostering the two innovation outcomes under study. In addition, results showed the complementary interaction of reflexivity and flexibility, outlining two possible routes to innovation. Specifically, reflexivity appears to be a generative learning process capable of encouraging innovation in low-flexibility conditions, whereas flexibility tends to encourage innovation in low-reflexivity conditions. The findings provide empirical support of their roles as complementary resources for innovation, which has been under-examined in the literature.
Fossils, homology, and “Phylogenetic Paleo-ontogeny”: a reassessment of primary posterior plate homologies among fossil and living crinoids with insights from developmental biology
Authors: Wright David F.
Published: October 2015

Paleobiologists must propose a priori hypotheses of homology when conducting a phylogenetic analysis of extinct taxa. The distributions of such “primary” homologies among species are fundamental to phylogeny reconstruction because they reflect a prior belief in what constitutes comparable organismal elements and are the principal determinants of the outcome of phylogenetic analysis. Problems arise when fossil morphology presents seemingly equivocal hypotheses of homology, herein referred to as antinomies. In groups where homology recognition has been elusive, such as echinoderms, these problems are commonly accompanied by the presence (and persistence) of poor descriptive terminology in taxonomic literature that confounds an understanding of characters and stymy phylogenetic research. This paper combines fossil morphology, phylogenetic systematics, and insights from evolutionary developmental biology to outline a research program in Phylogenetic Paleo-ontogeny. A “paleo” ontogenetic approach to character analysis provides a logical basis for homology recognition and discerning patterns of character evolution in a phylogenetic context. To illustrate the utility of the paleo-ontogenetic approach, I present a reassessment of historically contentious plate homologies for “pan-cladid” crinoids (Cladida, Flexibilia, Articulata). Developmental patterns in living crinoids were combined with the fossil record of pan-cladid morphologies to investigate primary posterior plate homologies. Results suggest the sequence of morphologic transitions unfolding during the ontogeny of extant crinoids are developmental relics of their Paleozoic precursors. Developmental genetic modules controlling posterior plate development in pan-cladid crinoids have likely experienced considerable constraint for over 250 million years and limited morphologic diversity in the complexity of calyx characters. Future phylogenetic analyses of pan-cladids are recommended to consider the presence of a single plate in the posterior region homologous with the radianal, rather than the anal X, as is commonly assumed.
Mapping sclerobiosis: a new method for interpreting the distribution, biological implications, and paleoenvironmental significance of sclerobionts on biotic hosts
Authors: Barclay Kristina M. , Schneider Chris L. , Leighton Lindsey R.
Published: October 2015

The use of sclerobiosis as a tool for paleoenvironmental and paleoecological research is undermined by a lack of comparable methods for sclerobiont data collection and analysis. We present a new method for mapping sclerobiont distributions across any host, and offer an example of how the method may be used to interpret sclerobiont data in relation to host orientation. This approach can also be used to assess the suitability of beds and fossil material for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

A sample of 150 encrusted dorsibiconvex atrypide brachiopods were selected from six beds in the Waterways Formation (latest Givetian – Early Frasnian; Alberta, Canada). The dorsal and ventral valves of each brachiopod were photographed. Sclerobiont taxa were mapped onto the photographs, and the maps were used to create stacked images with each of the 25 brachiopod specimens from each bed. Based on the life orientation of dorsibiconvex atrypides, three zones were designated on the host: the post mortem zone, (only available to sclerobionts after death and reorientation of the host); the shaded zone (brachial valve, excluding the post mortem zone); and the exposed zone (ventral valve).

Randomization simulation results indicate that all beds likely exhibit non random encrustation patterns, and corroborate the hypotheses that: (1) much of the encrustation occurred while the hosts were alive, and (2) these beds and fossils have experienced little physical reworking or transport and would be suitable for paleoenvironmental analysis. Mapping sclerobionts across hosts can serve as a unifying method to increase the recognition and use of sclerobiosis in paleontological studies.
‘ON SETS OF PP-GENERATORS OF FINITE GROUPS’
Authors: KREMPA JAN , STOCKA AGNIESZKA
Published: October 2015

This note completes the proof of the structure theorem for pp-matroid groups which was stated in our earlier paper J. Krempa and A. Stocka [‘On sets of pp-generators of finite groups’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc.91 (2015), 241–249].
SELF-REPORTED MORBIDITY AND BURDEN OF DISEASE IN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM A NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY AND THE MILLION DEATHS STUDY
Authors: Yadav Ajit Kumar , Gouda Jitendra , Ram F.
Published: October 2015

Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state with a population of 200 million. Any change in its fertility and mortality is bound to bring change at the national level. This study analysed the burden of disease in the state by calculating the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) for infectious and non-communicable diseases. Data were from two rounds (52ndand 60th) of the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) survey conducted in 1995–96 and 2004, respectively, and the Million Deaths Study (MDS) of 2001–03. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the determinants of different types of self-reported morbidity and DALY. The results show that in Uttar Pradesh the prevalence of all selected self-reported infectious and non-communicable diseases increased over the study period from 1995 to 2004, and in most cases by more than two times. The highest observed increase in prevalence was in non-communicable diseases excluding CVDs, which increased from 7% in 1995 to 19% in 2004. The prevalence was higher for those aged 60 and above, females, those who were illiterate and rich across the time period and for all selected morbidities. The results were significant atp<0.001. The estimation of the DALY revealed that the burden of infectious diseases was higher during infancy, noticeably among males than females in 2002. However, females aged 1–5 years were more likely to report infectious diseases than corresponding males. The age distribution of the DALY indicated that individuals aged below 5 years and above 60 years were more susceptible to ill health. The growing incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially among the older generation, puts an additional burden on the health system in the state. Uttar Pradesh has to grapple with the unresolved problem of preventable infectious diseases on the one hand and the growth in non-communicable disease on the other.
Predicting non-familial major physical violent crime perpetration in the US Army from administrative data
Authors: Rosellini A. J. , Monahan J. , Street A. E. , Heeringa S. G. , Hill E. D. , Petukhova M. , Reis B. Y. , Sampson N. A. , Bliese P. , Schoenbaum M. , Stein M. B. , Ursano R. J. , Kessler R. C.
Published: October 2015

Background.

Although interventions exist to reduce violent crime, optimal implementation requires accurate targeting. We report the results of an attempt to develop an actuarial model using machine learning methods to predict future violent crimes among US Army soldiers.

Method.

A consolidated administrative database for all 975 057 soldiers in the US Army in 2004–2009 was created in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Of these soldiers, 5771 committed a first founded major physical violent crime (murder-manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, robbery) over that time period. Temporally prior administrative records measuring socio-demographic, Army career, criminal justice, medical/pharmacy, and contextual variables were used to build an actuarial model for these crimes separately among men and women using machine learning methods (cross-validated stepwise regression, random forests, penalized regressions). The model was then validated in an independent 2011–2013 sample.

Results.

Key predictors were indicators of disadvantaged social/socioeconomic status, early career stage, prior crime, and mental disorder treatment. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.80–0.82 in 2004–2009 and 0.77 in the 2011–2013 validation sample. Of all administratively recorded crimes, 36.2–33.1% (male-female) were committed by the 5% of soldiers having the highest predicted risk in 2004–2009 and an even higher proportion (50.5%) in the 2011–2013 validation sample.

Conclusions.

Although these results suggest that the models could be used to target soldiers at high risk of violent crime perpetration for preventive interventions, final implementation decisions would require further validation and weighing of predicted effectiveness against intervention costs and competing risks.
Zonation of demersal fishes off Anvers Island, western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Amsler Margaret O. , Eastman Joseph T. , Smith Kathryn E. , Mcclintock James B. , Singh Hanumant , Thatje Sven , Aronson Richard B.
Published: October 2015

The Antarctic fish fauna from outer continental shelf/upper slope depths is under-sampled compared to that of the inner shelf, and there are limited quantitative data available on absolute abundance and taxonomic change with depth. A photographic survey of demersal fishes was conducted along a depth-gradient of 400–2099 m on the outer shelf and upper slope west of Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago. A total of 1490 fishes were identified at least to the family level. Notothenioids composed 52.7% of absolute abundance and non-notothenioids 47.3%. The most abundant families were Nototheniidae (39.4%), followed by Macrouridae (28.9%), Zoarcidae (16.9%), and Channichthyidae (12.1%). The most abundant species were the notothenioidsLepidonotothen squamifrons(30.5%) andChionobathyscus dewitti(11.7%), and the non-notothenioidMacrourusspp. (29.5%). The absolute abundance of all fishes peaked at 400–599 m. Depths of maximum abundance were 400–599 m forL. squamifrons, 700–1499 m forMacrourusspp., and 900–1499 forC. dewitti. At 700–999 m the abundance shifted from primarily notothenioids to the non-notothenioidsMacrourusspp. and zoarcids. Fishes of the outer shelf and upper slope are not provincialized like those of the inner shelf and are circum-Antarctic.
HIV Infection Is Associated with Impaired Striatal Function during Inhibition with Normal Cortical Functioning on Functional MRI
Authors: du Plessis Stéfan , Vink Matthijs , Joska John A. , Koutsilieri Eleni , Bagadia Asif , Stein Dan J , Emsley Robin
Published: October 2015

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of HIV infection on cortical and subcortical regions of the frontal-striatal system involved in the inhibition of voluntary movement. Functional MRI (fMRI) studies suggest that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with frontostriatal dysfunction. While frontostriatal systems play a key role in behavioral inhibition, there are to our knowledge no fMRI studies investigating the potential impact of HIV on systems involved during the inhibition of voluntary movement. A total of 17 combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) naïve HIV+ participants as well as 18 age, gender, ethnic, education matched healthy controls performed a modified version of the stop-signal paradigm. This paradigm assessed behavior as well as functional brain activity associated with motor execution, reactive inhibition (outright stopping) and proactive inhibition (anticipatory response slowing before stopping). HIV+ participants showed significantly slower responses during motor execution compared to healthy controls, whereas they had normal proactive response slowing. Putamen hypoactivation was evident in the HIV+ participants based on successful stopping, indicating subcortical dysfunction during reactive inhibition. HIV+ participants showed normal cortical functioning during proactive inhibition. Our data provide evidence that HIV infection is associated with subcortical dysfunction during reactive inhibition, accompanied by relatively normal higher cortical functioning during proactive inhibition. This suggests that HIV infection may primarily involve basic striatal-mediated control processes in cART naïve participants. (JINS, 2015, 21, 722–731)
Nutrition for homeless populations: shelters and soup kitchens as opportunities for intervention
Authors: Koh Katherine A , Bharel Monica , Henderson David C
Published: October 2015

Nutrition is a daily challenge for the homeless population in America. Homeless individuals suffer from a high prevalence of diseases related to poor diet, yet there has been little public health effort to improve nutrition in this population. Shelters and soup kitchens may have an untapped potential to impact food access, choice and quality. We offer ideas for intervention and lessons learned from ten shelters and soup kitchens around Greater Boston, MA, USA. By advancing food quality, education and policies in shelters and soup kitchens, the homeless population can be given an opportunity to restore its nutrition and health.
Linoleic acid and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yunping , Wang Tao , Zhai Shenyong , Li Wei , Meng Qiang
Published: October 2015

Objective

Prior studies on linoleic acid, the predominantn-6 fatty acid, and breast cancer risk have generated inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence regarding the relationship of dietary and serum linoleic acid with breast cancer risk.

Design

Pertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed and EMBASE. The fixed- or random-effect pooled measure was selected based on between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Eight prospective cohort studies and four prospective nested case–control studies, involving 10 410 breast cancer events from 358 955 adult females across different countries, were included in present study. Compared with the lowest level of linoleic acid, the pooled relative risk (RR; 95 % CI) of breast cancer was 0·98 (0·93, 1·04) for the highest level of linoleic acid. The pooled RR (95 % CI) for dietary and serum linoleic acid were 0·99 (0·92, 1·06) and 0·98 (0·88, 1·08), respectively. The RR (95 % CI) of breast cancer was 0·97 (0·91, 1·04), 0·95 (0·85, 1·07), 0·96 (0·86, 1·07), 0·98 (0·87, 1·10) and 0·99 (0·85, 1·14) for linoleic acid intake of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/d, respectively. The risk of breast cancer decreased by 1 % (RR=0·99; 95 % CI 0·93, 1·05) for every 10 g/d increment in linoleic acid intake.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis indicated that both dietary linoleic acid intake and serum linoleic acid level were associated with decreased risk of breast cancer, although none of the associations were statistically significant. Further investigations are warranted.
Mineralogical determination in situ of a highly heterogeneous material using a miniaturized laser ablation mass spectrometer with high spatial resolution
Authors: Neubeck Anna , Tulej Marek , Ivarsson Magnus , Broman Curt , Riedo Andreas , McMahon Sean , Wurz Peter , Bengtson Stefan
Published: October 2015

Techniques enabling in situ elemental and mineralogical analysis on extraterrestrial planets are strongly required for upcoming missions and are being continuously developed. There is ample need for quantitative and high-sensitivity analysis of elemental as well as isotopic composition of heterogeneous materials. Here we present in situ spatial and depth elemental profiles of a heterogeneous rock sample on a depth-scale of nanometres using a miniaturized laser ablation mass spectrometer (LMS) designed for planetary space missions. We show that the LMS spectra alone could provide highly detailed compositional, three-dimensional information and oxidation properties of a natural, heterogeneous rock sample. We also show that a combination of the LMS and Raman spectroscopy provide comprehensive mineralogical details of the investigated sample. These findings are of great importance for future space missions where quick, in situ determination of the mineralogy could play a role in the process of selecting a suitable spot for drilling.
Non-Western national music and empire in global history: interactions, uniformities, and comparisons
Authors: van der Linden Bob
Published: October 2015

Inspired by C. A. Bayly’s notion of global uniformities, this article investigates the different ways in which elitist non-Western music reformers, often with state support, canonized and institutionalized modern national music traditions during the age of liberalism and empire. As these non-Western music reformers reinterpreted liberal and earlier Enlightenment ideas, they envisaged their own musics hierarchically in comparison with Western music. In the context of comparative musicological thinking, they became particularly preoccupied with the systematization of scales, equal temperament tuning, and the origins of their own music. In the process, they often incorporated claims about authenticity and spirituality in music to give strength to burgeoning national, if not anti-imperial, identities. However, beneath the appearance of formal similarity and mutual translatability of non-Western national musics, significant sonic and cultural differences remained. As a contribution to global history scholarship, the article principally attempts to establish these global parallels and comparisons.
‘Ireland’s sister nations’: internationalism and sectarianism in the Irish struggle for independence, 1916–22
Authors: Rast M. C.
Published: October 2015

Following the First World War, nationalists in several parts of the British empire amplified their calls for greater self-government. Activists in Egypt, India, and Ireland portrayed themselves as representatives of movements for national self-determination. Their opponents countered that religious divisions undermined these groups’ claims to nationhood, making the presence of an outside power necessary to protect minorities. Activists formed networks and positioned themselves as parts of a worldwide anti-imperialist movement. Their opponents used these ties in attempts to portray separatist movements as foreign-inspired and socialist. Irish republicans and their global counterparts also struggled with accusations of sectarianism as they advanced their independence claims. This article examines Irish republicans’ connections with international revolutionaries. The confluence of political and religious identities there and in other parts of the British empire provided a pretext for continued imperial engagement. Partition forced nationalists to adjust to new geographic and demographic realities in their post-independence states.
Association of early and late maternal smoking during pregnancy with offspring body mass index at 4 to 5 years of age
Authors: Grzeskowiak L. E. , Hodyl N. A. , Stark M. J. , Morrison J. L. , Clifton V. L.
Published: October 2015

The objective was to investigate the association between early and late maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring body mass index (BMI). We undertook a retrospective cohort study using linked records from the Women’s and Children’s Health Network in South Australia. Among a cohort of women delivering a singleton, live-born infants between January 2000 and December 2005 (n=7658), 5961 reported not smoking during pregnancy, 297 reported quitting smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy, and 1400 reported continued smoking throughout pregnancy. Trained nurses measured the height and weight of the children at preschool visits in a state-wide surveillance programme. The main outcome measure was age- and sex-specific BMI z-score. At 4 to 5 years, mean (s.d.) BMI z-score was 0.40 (1.05), 0.60 (1.07) and 0.65 (1.18) in children of mothers who reported never smoking, quitting smoking and continued smoking during pregnancy, respectively. Compared with the group of non-smokers, both quitting smoking and continued smoking were associated with an increase in child BMI z-score of 0.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.01–0.29) and 0.21 (0.13–0.29), respectively. A significant dose–response relationship was also observed between the number of cigarettes smoked per day on average during the second half of pregnancy and the increase in offspring BMI z-score (P<0.001). In conclusion, any maternal smoking in pregnancy, even if mothers quit, is associated with an increase in offspring BMI at 4 to 5 years of age.
Establishing a Governmental Duty of Care for Climate Change Mitigation: WillUrgendaTurn the Tide?
Authors: van Zeben Josephine
Published: October 2015

Liability for causing or failing to mitigate climate change has long been proposed as an alternative, or backstop, to lagging international cooperation. Thus far, there has been very limited success in holding governments or individuals responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are considered the primary cause of anthropogenic climate change. The recent landmark decision inUrgenda Foundationv.Government of the Netherlands (Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment)breaks with this tradition. In June 2015, the Dutch District Court (The Hague) held that the current climate policies of the government are not sufficiently ambitious for it to fulfil its duty of care towards Dutch society. The judgment, and the accompanying order for the government to adopt stricter GHG reduction policies, raises important questions about the future of climate change liability litigation, the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature, and the effect of litigation on international climate change negotiation and cooperation.
DNMT3A mutations mediate the epigenetic reactivation of the leukemogenic factor MEIS1 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ferreira H J , Heyn H , Vizoso M , Moutinho C , Vidal E , Gomez A , Martínez-Cardús A , Simó-Riudalbas L , Moran S , Jost E , Esteller M
Published: October 2015

Close to half of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases do not exhibit any cytogenetic aberrations. In this regard, distortion of the DNA methylation setting and the presence of mutations in epigenetic modifier genes can also be molecular drivers of the disease. In recent years, somatic missense mutations of the DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) have been reported in ~20% of AML patients; however, no obvious critical downstream gene has been identified that could explain the role of DNMT3A in the natural history of AML. Herein, using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and DNA methylation microarrays, we have identified a key gene undergoing promoter hypomethylation-associated transcriptional reactivation in DNMT3 mutant patients, the leukemogenic HOX cofactor MEIS1. Our results indicate that, in the absence of mixed lineage leukemia fusions, an alternative pathway for engaging an oncogenic MEIS1-dependent transcriptional program can be mediated by DNMT3A mutations.
Linkage and regional association analysis reveal two new tightly-linked major-QTLs for pod number and seed number per pod in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Shi Jiaqin , Zhan Jiepeng , Yang Yuhua , Ye Jiang , Huang Shunmou , Li Ruiyuan , Wang Xinfa , Liu Guihua , Wang Hanzhong
Published: October 2015

To facilitate the pseudochromosomes assembly and gene cloning in rapeseed, we developed a reference genetic population/map (named BnaZNF2) from two sequenced cultivars, Zhongshuang11 and No.73290, those exhibit significant differences in many traits, particularly yield components. The BnaZNF2 genetic map exhibited perfect collinearity with the physical map of B. napus, indicating its high quality. Comparative mapping revealed several genomic rearrangements between B. napus and B. rapa or B. oleracea. A total of eight and 16 QTLs were identified for pod number and seed number per pod, respectively and of which three and five QTLs are identical to previously identified ones, whereas the other five and 11 are novel. Two new major QTL respectively for pod number and seed number per pod, qPN.A06-1 and qSN.A06-1 (R2 = 22.8% and 32.1%), were colocalised with opposite effects and only qPN.A06-1 was confirmed and narrowed by regional association analysis to 180 kb including only 33 annotated genes. Conditional QTL analysis and subsequent NILs test indicated that tight linkage, rather than pleiotropy, was the genetic causation of their colocalisation. Our study demonstrates potential of this reference genetic population/map for precise QTL mapping and as a base for positional gene cloning in rapeseed.
Correction: Corrigendum: Epigenetic regulation of the nuclear-coded GCAT and SHMT2 genes confers human age-associated mitochondrial respiration defects
Authors: Hashizume Osamu , Ohnishi Sakiko , Mito Takayuki , Shimizu Akinori , Ishikawa Kaori , Nakada Kazuto , Soda Manabu , Mano Hiroyuki , Togayachi Sumie , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Okita Keisuke , Hayashi Jun-Ichi
Published: October 2015

Age-associated accumulation of somatic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been proposed to be responsible for the age-associated mitochondrial respiration defects found in elderly human subjects. We carried out reprogramming of human fibroblast lines derived from elderly subjects by generating their induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and examined another possibility, namely that these aging phenotypes are controlled not by mutations but by epigenetic regulation. Here, we show that reprogramming of elderly fibroblasts restores age-associated mitochondrial respiration defects, indicating that these aging phenotypes are reversible and are similar to differentiation phenotypes in that both are controlled by epigenetic regulation, not by mutations in either the nuclear or the mitochondrial genome. Microarray screening revealed that epigenetic downregulation of the nuclear-coded GCAT gene, which is involved in glycine production in mitochondria, is partly responsible for these aging phenotypes. Treatment of elderly fibroblasts with glycine effectively prevented the expression of these aging phenotypes.
Design and fabrication of a metastable β-type titanium alloy with ultralow elastic modulus and high strength
Authors: Guo Shun , Meng Qingkun , Zhao Xinqing , Wei Qiuming , Xu Huibin
Published: October 2015

Titanium and its alloys have become the most attractive implant materials due to their high corrosion resistance, excellent biocompatibility and relatively low elastic modulus. However, the current Ti materials used for implant applications exhibit much higher Young’s modulus (50 ~ 120 GPa) than human bone (~30 GPa). This large mismatch in the elastic modulus between implant and human bone can lead to so-called “stress shielding effect” and eventual implant failure. Therefore, the development of β-type Ti alloys with modulus comparable to that of human bone has become an ever more pressing subject in the area of advanced biomedical materials. In this study, an attempt was made to produce a bone-compatible metastable β-type Ti alloy. By alloying and thermo-mechanical treatment, a metastable β-type Ti-33Nb-4Sn (wt. %) alloy with ultralow Young’s modulus (36 GPa, versus ~30 GPa for human bone) and high ultimate strength (853 MPa) was fabricated. We believe that this method can be applied to developing advanced metastable β-type titanium alloys for implant applications. Also, this approach can shed light on design and development of novel β-type titanium alloys with large elastic limit due to their high strength and low elastic modulus.
A path to practical Solar Pumped Lasers via Radiative Energy Transfer
Authors: Reusswig Philip D. , Nechayev Sergey , Scherer Jennifer M. , Hwang Gyu Weon , Bawendi Moungi G. , Baldo Marc. A. , Rotschild Carmel
Published: October 2015

The optical conversion of incoherent solar radiation into a bright, coherent laser beam enables the application of nonlinear optics to solar energy conversion and storage. Here, we present an architecture for solar pumped lasers that uses a luminescent solar concentrator to decouple the conventional trade-off between solar absorption efficiency and the mode volume of the optical gain material. We report a 750-μm-thick Nd3+-doped YAG planar waveguide sensitized by a luminescent CdSe/CdZnS (core/shell) colloidal nanocrystal, yielding a peak cascade energy transfer of 14%, a broad spectral response in the visible portion of the solar spectrum and an equivalent quasi-CW solar lasing threshold of 23 W-cm−2, or approximately 230 suns. The efficient coupling of incoherent, spectrally broad sunlight in small gain volumes should allow the generation of coherent laser light from intensities of less than 100 suns.
Enhancement of the Si p-n diode NIR photoresponse by embedding β-FeSi2 nanocrystallites
Authors: Shevlyagin A. V. , Goroshko D. L. , Chusovitin E. A. , Galkin K. N. , Galkin N. G. , Gutakovskii A. K.
Published: October 2015

By using solid phase epitaxy of thin Fe films and molecular beam epitaxy of Si, ap+-Si/p-Si/β-FeSi2nanocrystallites/n-Si(111) diode structure was fabricated. Transmission electron microscopy data confirmed a well-defined multilayered structure with embedded nanocrystallites of two typical sizes: 3–4 and 15–20 nm and almost coherent epitaxy of the nanocrystallites with the Si matrix. The diode at zero bias conditions exhibited a current responsivity of 1.7 mA/W, an external quantum efficiency of about 0.2% and a specific detectivity of 1.2 × 109 cm × Hz1/2/W at a wavelength of 1300 nm at room temperature. In the avalanche mode, the responsivity reached up to 20 mA/W (2% in terms of efficiency) with a value of avalanche gain equal to 5. The data obtained indicate that embedding of β-FeSi2nanocrystallites into the depletion region of the Sip-njunction results in expansion of the spectral sensitivity up to 1600 nm and an increase of the photoresponse by more than two orders of magnitude in comparison with a conventional Sip-njunction. Thereby, fabricated structure combines advantage of the silicon photodiode functionality and simplicity with near infrared light detection capability of β-FeSi2.
Voltage and blockade state optimization of cluster-enhanced nanopore spectrometry
Authors: Chavis Amy E. , Brady Kyle T. , Kothalawala Nuwan , Reiner Joseph E.
Published: October 2015

Cluster-enhanced nanopore spectrometry improves discrimination between different sized PEG molecules. This effect is analyzed as a function of the voltage and magnitude of the cluster blockade.
Emulsion technologies for multicellular tumour spheroid radiation assays
Authors: McMillan Kay S. , McCluskey Anthony G. , Sorensen Annette , Boyd Marie , Zagnoni Michele
Published: October 2015

Emulsion technology is used to assess the cytotoxic effect of radiation on spheroids by mimicking tumour growth and tumour quiescence.
Identification of a p53-based portable degron based on the MDM2-p53 binding region
Authors: Melvin Adam T. , Dumberger Lukas D. , Woss Gregery S. , Waters Marcey L. , Allbritton Nancy L.
Published: October 2015

A shortened portable degron based on a MDM2/p53 binding region that was capable of ubiquitination in cytosolic lysates was isolated as a new substrate for analytical detection of E3 ligase or proteasome activity.
Templated polymers enable selective capture and release of lysophosphatidic acid in human plasma via optimization of non-covalent binding to functional monomers
Authors: Wang Jialu , Sibrian-Vazquez Martha , Escobedo Jorge O. , Wang Lei , Chu Yu-Hsuan , Moore Richard G. , Strongin Robert M.
Published: October 2015

Isolation of lysophosphatidic acid from human plasma is accomplished by selective solid-phase extraction materials that function through templation and supramolecular interactions.
Biocatalytic etching of semiconductor cadmium sulfide nanoparticles as a new platform for the optical detection of analytes
Authors: Grinyte R. , Saa L. , Garai-Ibabe G. , Pavlov V.
Published: October 2015

The enzymatic etching of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase leads to a decrease in the intensity of fluorescence.
Dinuclear planar chiral ferrocenyl gold(i) & gold(ii) complexes
Authors: Ayerbe Garcia Marta , Frey Wolfgang , Ringenberg Mark R. , Schwilk Max , Peters René
Published: October 2015

The first scalemic ferrocenyl gold(i) and gold(ii) complexes have been prepared and structurally analysed by X-ray, (spectro)electrochemical and DFT studies.
A mild and facile synthesis of aryl and alkenyl sulfides via copper-catalyzed deborylthiolation of organoborons with thiosulfonates
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Sugimura Yasuyuki , Hazama Yuki , Nishiyama Yoshitake , Yano Takahisa , Shimizu Shigeomi , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: October 2015

A simple, efficient, and odorless deborylthiolation of aryl- and alkenylborons with thiosulfonates has been achieved under mild conditions using a copper catalyst.
The influence of reaction media on CdIn2S4 and ZnIn2S4 nanocrystallite formation and growth of mesocrystal structures
Authors: Carević M. V. , Čomor M. I. , Mitrić M. N. , Barudžija T. S. , Ahrenkiel S. P. , Abazović N. D.
Published: October 2015

CdIn2S4 marigold-like mesocrystal formation in oleic acid/oleylamine media.
Charged functional group effects on a metal–organic framework for selective organic dye adsorptions
Authors: Hahm Hyungwoo , Kim Sungjune , Ha Hyeonbin , Jung Suyeon , Kim Youngjo , Yoon Minyoung , Kim Min
Published: October 2015

The quaternary N-alkyl ammonium salt functionality was introduced into MOF pores through a postsynthetic strategy, which allows a selective dye adsorption depending on its charge.
Si78 double cage structure and special optical properties
Authors: Zhao Li-Zhen , Lu Wen-Cai , Su Wan-Sheng , Qin Wei , Wang C. Z. , Ho K. M.
Published: October 2015

A double cage isomer of Si78 is more stable than the diamond-like structure, and the absorption spectrum of the hydrogenated Si78 exhibits remarkably blue shifts compared to the pure Si78.
Electric-dipole effect of defects on the energy band alignment of rutile and anatase TiO2
Authors: Zhang Daoyu , Yang Minnan , Dong Shuai
Published: October 2015

DFT+U calculations determined that the perfect rutile(110) and anatase(101) surfaces have the straddling type band alignment, whereas surfaces with defects have the staggered type.
Effects of the molecular level dispersion of graphene oxide on the free volume characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol) and its impact on the thermal and mechanical properties of their nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma S. K. , Prakash J. , Pujari P. K.
Published: October 2015

The effects of the molecular dispersion of graphene oxide on (A) the crystallinity of PVA–GO nanocomposite films and (B) nanohole size distribution in the amorphous region of PVA–GO nanocomposite films.
Natural inorganic nanoparticles – formation, fate, and toxicity in the environment
Authors: Sharma Virender K. , Filip Jan , Zboril Radek , Varma Rajender S.
Published: October 2015

Naturally occurring metal nanoparticles are formedviaphysical and biogeochemical processes in the environment wherein natural organic matter plays an important role in their occurrence, stability, and toxicity.
Halocuprate(i) zigzag chain structures with N-methylated DABCO cations – bright metal-centered luminescence and thermally activated color shifts
Authors: Maderlehner Sebastian , Leitl Markus J. , Yersin Hartmut , Pfitzner Arno
Published: October 2015

Two halocuprate(i) chain structures were synthesized and studied with respect to their emission properties that are governed by two interacting chain segments.
High efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells using superior low temperature TiO2
Authors: Yang Dong , Yang Ruixia , Zhang Jing , Yang Zhou , (Frank) Liu Shengzhong , Li Can
Published: October 2015

15.07% efficiency for flexible perovskite solar cells is achieved using low temperature TiO2.
Meso- and microporous soft templated hydrothermal carbons for dye removal from water
Authors: Alatalo Sara-Maaria , Mäkilä Ermei , Repo Eveliina , Heinonen Markku , Salonen Jarno , Kukk Edwin , Sillanpää Mika , Titirici Maria-Magdalena
Published: October 2015

The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technique has shown a great ability in the synthesis of carbon materials with special properties for a wide range of different applications.
Cosolvent pretreatment in cellulosic biofuel production: effect of tetrahydrofuran-water on lignin structure and dynamics
Authors: Smith Micholas Dean , Mostofian Barmak , Cheng Xiaolin , Petridis Loukas , Cai Charles M. , Wyman Charles E. , Smith Jeremy C.
Published: October 2015

Lignin transitions from a collapsed globular state to a random-coil when in exposed to a tetrahydrofuran and water cosolvent system at CELF pretreatment temperatures.
Identification, design and synthesis of tubulin-derived peptides as novel hyaluronan mimetic ligands for the receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM/HMMR)
Authors: Esguerra Kenneth Virgel N. , Tolg Cornelia , Akentieva Natalia , Price Matthew , Cho Choi-Fong , Lewis John D. , McCarthy James B. , Turley Eva A. , Luyt Leonard G.
Published: October 2015

The discovery of tubulin-derived peptides that bind with high affinity to the receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM).
Phenotypic drug profiling in droplet microfluidics for better targeting of drug-resistant tumors
Authors: Sarkar S. , Cohen N. , Sabhachandani P. , Konry T.
Published: October 2015

We developed a droplet microfluidics-based phenotypic drug screening platform for analysis of single cell responses to cancer therapeutics.
Synthesis and structure of a new phosphonium-1-indenylide (PHIN) ligand, 4,7-dimethyl-1-C9H4PMePh2, and of new PHIN complexes of rhodium and iridium
Authors: Purdavaie Kourosh , Baird Michael C. , Budzelaar Peter H. M.
Published: October 2015

New complexes of rhodium(i) and iridium(i) containing the η5-PHIN ligands 1-C9H6PMePh2 (I) and 4,7-dimethyl-1-C9H4PMePh2 (II) are described.
Preparation of an allyloxy-cucurbit[6]uril-modified polymer monolithic column for microextraction of estrogens in cosmetics
Authors: Zhou Yufeng , Song Naizhong , Zheng Haijiao , Lv Xueju , Hu Bin , Jia Qiong
Published: October 2015

An allyloxy-cucurbit[6]uril modified poly(butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic column was prepared and used for the microextraction of estrogens in cosmetics coupled with HPLC-DAD.
Metal cluster-deposited graphene as an adsorptive material for m-xylene
Authors: Junkaew Anchalee , Rungnim Chompoonut , Kunaseth Manaschai , Arróyave Raymundo , Promarak Vinich , Kungwan Nawee , Namuangruk Supawadee
Published: October 2015

m-Xylene weakly adsorbs on graphene and silver cluster doped graphene, but it has excellent interaction with platinum cluster doped graphene.
Triphenylamine/tetrazine based π-conjugated systems as molecular donors for organic solar cells
Authors: Quinton Cassandre , Alain-Rizzo Valérie , Dumas-Verdes Cécile , Clavier Gilles , Vignau Laurence , Audebert Pierre
Published: October 2015

Conjugated systems built by connecting one electron-donor triphenylamine to an electron-withdrawing tetrazine have been prepared using various linkers.
Responsive polymer brushes for controlled nanoparticle exposure
Authors: Akkilic Namik , Leermakers Frans A. M. , de Vos Wiebe M.
Published: October 2015

A nanoparticle end-attached to an active chain in a mixed polymer brush system, allows controlled exposure by an external trigger.
Synthesis, characterization, micellization and application of novel multiblock copolymers with the same compositions but different linkages
Authors: Chen Lingdi , Zhang Jiaxing , Liu Yujie , Zhang Hongdong , Wang Guowei
Published: October 2015

Several novel multiblock copolymers, (PEO-b-PS-b-PEO-Diyne)s, [PEO-b-PS-b-PEO-(OH)4]s and (PEO-b-PS-b-PEO-Acetal)s, with the same compositions but different linkages were constructed, and their micellization and application were studied.
Reductant-triggered rapid self-gelation and biological functionalization of hydrogels
Authors: Chen Dawei , Wu Dongxia , Cheng Guochen , Zhao Hanying
Published: October 2015

Rapid exchange reaction between thiols and pyridyl disulfide groups on polyacrylamide was used in the synthesis and biological modification of hydrogels.
Sustainable, eco-friendly polyesters synthesized from renewable resources: preparation and thermal characteristics of poly(dimethyl-propylene furanoate)
Authors: Tsanaktsis Vasilios , Terzopoulou Zoe , Exarhopoulos Stylianos , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Achilias Dimitris S. , Papageorgiou Dimitrios G. , Papageorgiou George Z.
Published: October 2015

A novel, fully bio-based polyester, poly(dimethyl-propylene furanoate), has been synthesized from 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid and its structural and thermal characteristics are presented for the first time.
Stimulus responsive cross-linked AIE-active polymeric nanoprobes: fabrication and biological imaging application
Authors: Wan Qing , Wang Ke , He Chengbin , Liu Meiying , Zeng Guangjian , Huang Hongye , Deng Fengjie , Zhang Xiaoyong , Wei Yen
Published: October 2015

Stimuli responsive AIE-active polymeric luminescent nanoprobes have been fabricated through formation of dynamic bonds using AIE dye as the linker.
One-class classification based authentication of peanut oils by fatty acid profiles
Authors: Zhang Liangxiao , Li Peiwu , Sun Xiaoman , Mao Jin , Ma Fei , Ding Xiaoxia , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2015

In this study, the authenticity identification model was built by the one-class partial least squares (OCPLS) classifier for peanut oils, which could effectively detect adulterated oils at the adulteration level of more than 4%.
Electronic, optical and photocatalytic properties of three-layer perovskite Dion–Jacobson phase CsBa2M3O10(M = Ta, Nb): a DFT study
Authors: Zahedi Ehsan , Hojamberdiev Mirabbos , Bekheet Maged F.
Published: October 2015

This work discloses structural, electronic and optical properties of three-layer perovskite Dion–Jacobson phase CsBa2M3O10(M = Ta, Nb) using the DFT method. These semiconductors are UV-light-responsive photocatalysts.
Synthesis of carbon fiber@nickel oxide nanosheet core–shells for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Lin Liyang , Liu Tianmo , Liu Jianlin , Ji Kemeng , Sun Rong , Zeng Wen , Wang Zhongchang
Published: October 2015

We report on the design and synthesis of CFs@NiO-NSs by growing nickel oxide nanosheets (NiO-NSs) on carbon fibers (CFs), and find that the system shows a more enhanced electrochemical performance.
Structural and electronic properties of covalently functionalized 2-aminoethoxy-metallophthalocyanine–graphene hybrid materials: a computational study
Authors: Samanta Pabitra Narayan , Das Kalyan Kumar
Published: October 2015

A computational study has been made on graphene based hybrid complexes formed by the covalent grafting of 2-aminoethoxy-metallophthalocyanine on a graphene sheet.
Chemoresponsive surface-tethered polypeptide brushes based on switchable secondary conformations
Authors: Yang Chih-Tsung , Wang Yuli , Frank Curtis W. , Chang Ying-Chih
Published: October 2015

Surface-tethered chemoresponsive polypeptides prepared by surface-initiated vapor deposition polymerization were used to investigate conversion efficiency between α-helical and β-sheet conformations.
Synthesis of amidoximated graphene oxide nanoribbons from unzipping of multiwalled carbon nanotubes for selective separation of uranium(vi)
Authors: Wang Yun , Wang Zhengshang , Ang Ran , Yang Jijun , Liu Ning , Liao Jiali , Yang Yuanyou , Tang Jun
Published: October 2015

A kind of uranium-selective sorbent has been studied using graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) from the unzipping of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a solid matrix and amidoxime (AO) as a functional group.
MOF-derived nanostructured cobalt phosphide assemblies for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Lili , Li Xingyue , Ai Lunhong , Jiang Jing
Published: October 2015

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 derived nanostructured CoP assemblies exhibited high-performance for electrochemical HER, as manifested by a low overpotential, a large cathodic current density and an excellent durability.
Integrated microfluidic platform for instantaneous flow and localized temperature control
Authors: Fang Cifeng , Lee Doojin , Stober Boris , Fuller Gerald G. , Shen Amy Q.
Published: October 2015

We developed an integrated microfluidic platform for instantaneous flow and localized temperature control.
A simplified theoretical guideline for overall water splitting using photocatalyst particles
Authors: Garcia-Esparza Angel T. , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: October 2015

A guideline to achieve efficient photocatalytic water splitting is presented using theoretical simulations of particulate semiconductors decorated with metal particles.
MoS2nanosheet-coated CoS2nanowire arrays on carbon cloth as three-dimensional electrodes for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Huang Jilin , Hou Dongman , Zhou Yucheng , Zhou Weijia , Li Guoqiang , Tang Zhenghua , Li Ligui , Chen Shaowei
Published: October 2015

MoS2nanosheet-coated CoS2nanowire arrays supported on carbon cloth exhibited excellent HER activity with an overpotential of −87 mV (vs.RHE) at 10 mA cm−2due to the synergistic interactions between MoS2and CoS2.
A bimodal MRI and NIR liposome nanoprobe for tumor targeted molecular imaging
Authors: Wang Huihui , Wu Hao , Shen Hujun , Geng Shaote , Wang Beibei , Wang Yanfang , Ma Xiaojun , Li Guohui , Tan Mingqian
Published: October 2015

The combination of complementary MRI and NIR imaging methods evolved to provide an even more powerful bioimaging tool.
Design of a thermosensitive bioglass/agarose–alginate composite hydrogel for chronic wound healing
Authors: Zeng Qiongyu , Han Yan , Li Haiyan , Chang Jiang
Published: October 2015

A bioactive thermosensitive composite hydrogel has been designed by combining bioglass, alginate and agarose, which can regulate the microenvironment around the wounds and finally enhance chronic wound healing.