bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphometric variation in chinstrap penguins: molecular sexing and discriminant functions in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Authors: Brummelhaus Jaqueline , Valiati Victor Hugo , Petry Maria Virginia
Published: January 2015

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) show little sexual dimorphism and sexing by direct observation can be difficult. Through molecular techniques, male and female adults were identified at Stinker Point, Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 breeding seasons. In the assessment of sexual dimorphism using morphological characteristics, males were 6.0–9.4% larger than females. From the most significant morphological measurements, a discriminant function was formulated that classified 80.6% of the birds correctly. In addition, our data on bill length and depth were compared with those in the literature to evaluate sexual dimorphism between different breeding locations and to test the performance of the discriminant function. There were no differences in sexual dimorphism between breeding locations. However, the discriminant function should be used with caution because some penguins may be misclassified. Therefore, when there is doubt about the accuracy of morphometric approaches, application of molecular sexing techniques is recommended.
Combination of double aortic arch and interruption of aortic arch in pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect
Authors: Asada Dai , Itoi Toshiyuki , Hamaoka Kenji
Published: January 2015

No reports on pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect with the combination of double aortic arch and interruption between left and right carotid arteries have been published so far.
Exploring the Meaning of Trade-Restrictiveness in the WTO
Authors: VOON TANIA
Published: January 2015

Trade-restrictiveness is a familiar concept across various provisions and agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO), but its precise meaning remains vague. In many WTO disputes, the existence or degree of trade-restrictiveness of a challenged measure is simply assumed or addressed in a few brief sentences. Yet whether a measure is more trade-restrictive than necessary, or more trade-restrictive than a proposed alternative measure, is crucial to the legality of a range of measures currently in place around the world, some under challenge in the WTO. A careful analysis of the existing case law and treaty text – focusing on Article 2.2 of theAgreement on Technical Barriers to Tradeand the general exceptions in theGeneral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994and theGeneral Agreement on Trade in Services – demonstrates that while the existence of discrimination is likely to restrict trade, discrimination is not necessary to establish trade-restrictiveness, which also necessarily arises from direct barriers to market access such as import bans. In the absence of an explicit barrier to imports, a WTO panel is likely to focus on the extent to which a challenged measure negatively affects the competitive opportunities of imported productsvis-à-visdomestic products.
Measuring and explaining pension system risk
Authors: FABOZZI FRANK J.
Published: January 2015

We discuss pension system risk in the USA, focusing on the investment policy and the methodology for the valuation of the liabilities of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). We offer suggestions as to how the PBGC should consider modifying the Pension Insurance Modeling System. The issues of investment policy and liability valuation are not two distinct topics. As emphasized here, the proper valuation of liabilities provides a benchmark for the PBGC to use as a starting point for the establishment of its investment policy and then for assessing investment performance.
Effect of a Mindfulness Program on Stress, Anxiety and Depression in University Students
Authors: Gallego José , Aguilar-Parra José M. , Cangas Adolfo J. , Langer Álvaro I. , Mañas Israel
Published: January 2015

Two of the problems that currently affect a large proportion of university students are high levels of anxiety and stress experienced in different situations, which are particularly high during the first years of their degree and during exam periods. The present study aims to investigate whether mindfulness training can bring about significant changes in the manifestations of depression, anxiety, and stress of students when compared to another group undergoing a physical activity program and a control group. The sample consisted of 125 students from the Bachelor of Education Program. The measuring instrument used was the Abbreviated Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21). The results indicate that the effects of reducing the identified variables were higher for the mindfulness group than for the physical education group and for the control groupF(2) = 5.91,p= .004, η2= .106. The total scores for all variables related to the mindfulness group decreased significantly, including an important stress reductiont(29) = 2.95,p= .006,d= .667. Mindfulness exercises and some individual relaxing exercises involving Physical Education could help to reduce manifestations of stress and anxiety caused by exams in students.
KOOPERATION im „Bildungshaus 3 – 10“ ist MEHR als Zusammenarbeit „auf Augenhöhe“
Authors: Koslowski Constanze
Published: January 2015

Vielerorts wird „Kooperation auf Augenhöhe“ als Schlüssel zum Erfolg für die gelingende Zusammenarbeit zwischen Fachkräften aus dem Kindergarten und Lehrpersonen aus der Grundschule bezeichnet. Für ein wirkliches Verständnis von Kooperation aber greift das zu kurz. Im Rahmen des Projektes „Bildungshaus 3 – 10“ wurde die Kooperationsarbeit von 32 Modellstandorten regelmäßig dokumentiert. Durch die qualitative Auswertung der Prozessdokumentationen konnten detaillierte Einblicke in die professionellen Ansprüche interinstitutioneller Kooperation gewonnen werden. Der Beitrag stellt dar, in welcher Art vielschichtiger Abhängigkeiten gelingende Kooperation steht. Er ist zu verstehen als Plädoyer für eine zu den tatsächlichen Herausforderungen passende Wertschätzung kooperativer Leistungen und für die Notwendigkeit gezielter Unterstützung der Akteure.
Enhanced Delivery and Bioactivity of the Neurturin Neurotrophic Factor through Focused Ultrasound—Mediated Blood—Brain Barrier Opening in vivo
Authors: Samiotaki Gesthimani , Acosta Camilo , Wang Shutao , Konofagou Elisa E
Published: January 2015

The blood—brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a major obstacle in brain drug delivery. Focused ultrasound (FUS) in conjunction with microbubbles has been shown to open the BBB noninvasively, locally, and transiently to allow large molecules diffusion. Neurturin (NTN), a member of the glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective and regenerative effects on dopaminergic neurons in vivo using invasive drug delivery methods. The brain's ascending nigrostriatal pathway is severely damaged in Parkinson's disease (PD), and therefore the substantia nigra (SN) and striatal caudoputamen (CP) were selected as the target areas. The objective of the study was to investigate whether safe and efficient NTN delivery can be achieved through FUS-induced BBB opening via intravenous administration, and thus trigger the neuroregeneration cascade in the nigrostriatal pathway. After the optimization of FUS parameters and target locations in the murine brain, NTN bioavailability and downstream signaling were detected and characterized through immunostaining. FUS significantly enhanced the delivery of NTN compared with the direct injection technique, whereas triggering of the signaling cascade was detected downstream to the neuronal nuclei. These findings thus indicate the potential of the FUS method to mediate transport of proteins through the blood—brain barrier in a PD animal model.
TAK-242, an Antagonist for Toll-like Receptor 4, Protects against Acute Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Hua Fang , Tang Huiling , Wang Jun , Prunty Megan C , Hua Xiaodong , Sayeed Iqbal , Stein Donald G
Published: January 2015

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) contributes to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and is a potential target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. This experiment is to evaluate the effect of an exogenous TLR4 antagonist, TAK-242, against acute cerebral I/R injury. A mouse model of cerebral I/R was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. TAK-242 (3 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally 1 hour after ischemia. Our results showed that the concentration of TAK-242 in plasma increased to 52.0 ng/mL 3 hours after injection, was maintained at 54.1 ng/mL 8 hours after injection, and decreased to 22.6 ng/mL 24 hours after injection. The concentration of TAK-242 in brain tissue increased to 26.1 ng/mL in ischemic hemisphere and 14.2 ng/mL in nonischemic hemisphere 3 hours after injection, and was maintained at the similar levels 24 hours after injection. We found that TAK-242 significantly reduced cerebral infarction compared with vehicle control, improved neurologic function, inhibited the phosphorylation of downstream protein kinases in TLR4 signaling pathway, and downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines. We conclude that TAK-242 is able to cross blood-brain barrier, blocks TLR4 signaling, mediates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and protects the brain from acute damage induced by I/R.
Noninvasive Real-Time Visualization of Multiple Cerebral Hemodynamic Parameters in Whole Mouse Brains Using Five-Dimensional Optoacoustic Tomography
Authors: Gottschalk Sven , Felix Fehm Thomas , Luís Deán-Ben Xosé , Razansky Daniel
Published: January 2015

Current functional neuroimaging methods are not adequate for high-resolution whole-brain visualization of neural activity in real time. Here, we show imaging of fast hemodynamic changes in deep mouse brain using fully noninvasive acquisition of five-dimensional optoacoustic data from animals subjected to oxygenation stress. Multispectral video-rate acquisition of three-dimensional tomographic data enables simultaneous label-free assessment of multiple brain hemodynamic parameters, including blood oxygenation, total hemoglobin, cerebral blood volume, oxygenized and deoxygenized hemoglobin, in real time. The unprecedented results indicate that the proposed methodology may serve as a powerful complementary, and potentially superior, method for functional neuroimaging studies in rodents.
An efficient molybdenum disulfide/cobalt diselenide hybrid catalyst for electrochemical hydrogen generation
Authors: Gao Min-Rui , Liang Jin-Xia , Zheng Ya-Rong , Xu Yun-Fei , Jiang Jun , Gao Qiang , Li Jun , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: January 2015

The electroreduction of water for sustainable hydrogen production is a critical component of several developing clean-energy technologies, such as water splitting and fuel cells. However, finding a cheap and efficient alternative catalyst to replace currently used platinum-based catalysts is still a prerequisite for the commercialization of these technologies. Here we report a robust and highly active catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction that is constructed by in situ growth of molybdenum disulfide on the surface of cobalt diselenide. In acidic media, the molybdenum disulfide/cobalt diselenide catalyst exhibits fast hydrogen evolution kinetics with onset potential of −11 mV and Tafel slope of 36 mV per decade, which is the best among the non-noble metal hydrogen evolution catalysts and even approaches to the commercial platinum/carbon catalyst. The high hydrogen evolution activity of molybdenum disulfide/cobalt diselenide hybrid is likely due to the electrocatalytic synergistic effects between hydrogen evolution-active molybdenum disulfide and cobalt diselenide materials and the much increased catalytic sites.
Glucocorticoids suppress inflammation via the upregulation of negative regulator IRAK-M
Authors: Miyata Masanori , Lee Ji-Yun , Susuki-Miyata Seiko , Wang Wenzhuo Y. , Xu Haidong , Kai Hirofumi , Kobayashi Koichi S. , Flavell Richard A. , Li Jian-Dong
Published: January 2015

Glucocorticoids are among the most commonly used anti-inflammatory agents. Despite the enormous efforts in elucidating the glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory actions, how glucocorticoids tightly control overactive inflammatory response is not fully understood. Here we show that glucocorticoids suppress bacteria-induced inflammation by enhancing IRAK-M, a central negative regulator of Toll-like receptor signalling. The ability of glucocorticoids to suppress pulmonary inflammation induced by non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae is significantly attenuated in IRAK-M-deficient mice. Glucocorticoids improve the survival rate after a lethal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae infection in wild-type mice, but not in IRAK-M-deficient mice. Moreover, we show that glucocorticoids and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae synergistically upregulate IRAK-M expression via mutually and synergistically enhancing p65 and glucocorticoid receptor binding to the IRAK-M promoter. Together, our studies unveil a mechanism by which glucocorticoids tightly control the inflammatory response and host defense via the induction of IRAK-M and may lead to further development of anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies.
Electrotunable Lubricity with Ionic Liquid Nanoscale Films
Authors: Fajardo O. Y. , Bresme F. , Kornyshev A. A. , Urbakh M.
Published: January 2015

One of the main challenges in tribology is finding the way for an in situ control of friction without changing the lubricant. One of the ways for such control is via the application of electric fields. In this respect a promising new class of lubricants is ionic liquids, which are solvent-free electrolytes and their properties should be most strongly affected by applied voltage. Based on a minimal physical model, our study elucidates the connection between the voltage effect on the structure of the ionic liquid layers and their lubricating properties. It reveals two mechanisms of variation of the friction force with the surface charge density, consistent with recent AFM measurements, namely via the (i) charge effect on normal and in-plane ordering in the film and (ii) swapping between anion and cation layers at the surfaces. We formulate conditions that would warrant low friction coefficients and prevent wear by resisting “squeezing-out” of the liquid under compression. These results give a background for controllable variation of friction.
In house validation for the determination of total nitrogen content in fertilisers: developing criteria with uncertainty measurement evaluation and compliance assessment
Authors: João Nunes M. , João de Moura M.
Published: January 2015

In house validation using several different fertilizer types and two analytical methods for total nitrogen content determination with assessment of measurement uncertainty. Importance of decision of analytical methods and rules for compliance assessment.
Selection of phage-displayed minotopes of ochratoxin A and its detection in cereal by ELISA
Authors: Wang Yao , Hu Xiaofei , Pei Yafeng , Sun Yaning , Wang Fangyu , Song Chunmei , Yin Mengqi , Deng Ruiguang , Li Zhixi , Zhang Gaiping
Published: January 2015

A competitive ELISA (cELISA) for the quantitative detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) was developed that uses a clone selected from a phage random peptide display library.
Is your ‘homogeneity test’ really useful?
Authors: Thompson Michael
Published: January 2015

Homogeneity testing is essential in the preparation of reference materials, but few scientists are aware of its limitations in economically-feasible experimental designs.
Electronic structures and electronic spectra of all-boron fullerene B40
Authors: He Rongxing , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: January 2015

This study is motivated by the recent discovery of the first all-boron fullerene analogue, a B40cluster withD2dpoint-group symmetry, dubbed borospherene (Nat. Chem., 2014,6, 727).
Panchromatic luminescence from julolidine dyes exhibiting excited state intramolecular proton transfer
Authors: Nano Adela , Gullo Maria Pia , Ventura Barbara , Armaroli Nicola , Barbieri Andrea , Ziessel Raymond
Published: January 2015

The panchromatic emission from julolidine dyes modified for ESIPT is modulated by the substituent on the phenyl ring (R = I, CCH).
An in situ EDXRD kinetic and mechanistic study of the hydrothermal crystallization of TiO2 nanoparticles from nitric acid peptized sol–gel
Authors: Rehan Mohammad , Kale Girish M. , Lai Xiaojun
Published: January 2015

In situ EDXRD has been used to probe the reaction kinetics and mechanism of the hydrothermal crystallization of TiO2 nanoparticles. The process was found to involve a diffusion-controlled mechanism based on the Avrami–Erofe'ev kinetic model.
Action spectroscopy of a protonated peptide in the ultraviolet range
Authors: Canon Francis , Milosavljević Aleksandar R. , Nahon Laurent , Giuliani Alexandre
Published: January 2015

Action spectroscopy of substance P, a model undecapeptide, has been probed from 5.2 eV to 20 eV.
Cooperative kinetics of depolarization in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Bertoluzzi Luca , Sanchez Rafael S. , Liu Linfeng , Lee Jin-Wook , Mas-Marza Elena , Han Hongwei , Park Nam-Gyu , Mora-Sero Ivan , Bisquert Juan
Published: January 2015

Power law voltage decay in perovskite solar cells shows cooperative relaxation phenomena.
Bioelectrodes modified with chitosan for long-term energy supply from the body
Authors: El Ichi S. , Zebda A. , Alcaraz J.-P. , Laaroussi A. , Boucher F. , Boutonnat J. , Reverdy-Bruas N. , Chaussy D. , Belgacem M. N. , Cinquin P. , Martin D. K.
Published: January 2015

We demonstrate that the use of a Chit–MWCNT matrix, fabricated by mechanical compression, allows construction of a biocompatible enzymatic biocathode which remains operational after more than five months in vivo (retaining 50% of its initial electrocatalytic activity).
From iridium and platinum to copper and carbon: new avenues for more sustainability in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Volz D. , Wallesch M. , Fléchon C. , Danz M. , Verma A. , Navarro J. M. , Zink D. M. , Bräse S. , Baumann T.
Published: January 2015

In this article, we analyse materials and techniques used in OLED manufacturing in terms of sustainability and highlight upcoming trends which are supposed to further enhance this technologies sustainability.
Limitations to elemental substitution as exemplified by the platinum-group metals
Authors: Nassar N. T.
Published: January 2015

A combination of factors suggests that PGM substitution is limited, and further efforts are needed to decrease our reliance on them.
Classification models based on the level of metals in hair and nails of laryngeal cancer patients: diagnosis support or rather speculation?
Authors: Golasik Magdalena , Jawień Wojciech , Przybyłowicz Agnieszka , Szyfter Witold , Herman Małgorzata , Golusiński Wojciech , Florek Ewa , Piekoszewski Wojciech
Published: January 2015

Several larynx cancer prediction models were built and each was weighted according to their performance.
Dynamic HypA zinc site is essential for acid viability and proper urease maturation in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Johnson Ryan C. , Hu Heidi Q. , Merrell D. Scott , Maroney Michael J.
Published: January 2015

HypA structural Zn site mutants affect acid survival ofHelicobacter pylori.
Encapsulation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in graphitic carbon microspheres as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Sun Xiaoran , Huang Xiaodan , Zhou Liang
Published: January 2015

A novel “spray drying–carbonization–oxidation” strategy has been developed to fabricate an α-Fe2O3@graphitic carbon nanocomposite with a high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability, and outstanding rate capability.
Enzymatic synthesis of poly(ω-pentadecalactone-co-butylene-co-3,3′-dithiodipropionate) copolyesters and self-assembly of the PEGylated copolymer micelles as redox-responsive nanocarriers for doxorubicin delivery
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhang Xiaofang , Chen Ya , Yao Zhicheng , Yang Zhe , Gao Di , Jiang Qing , Liu Jie , Jiang Zhaozhong
Published: January 2015

The PEG-polyester copolymers bearing disulfide groups were synthesized to serve as redox-responsive anticancer drug carriers with an enhanced efficacy.
Synthesis, characterization and association behavior of linear-dendritic amphiphilic diblock copolymers based on poly(ethylene oxide) and a dendron derived from 2,2′-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Jiang Weiwei , Zhang Delong , Bai Guangyue , Lou Pengxiao , Hu Zhiguo
Published: January 2015

Two new amphiphilic linear-dendritic block copolymers have been synthesized and characterized. And their association behaviors have also been studied.
A novel methacrylate with a bisphosphonate group: RAFT polymerization and flame retardant property of the resultant polymers
Authors: Xu Tianchi , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin
Published: January 2015

In this work, a novel methacrylate monomer with a bisphosphonate group was synthesized and then polymerized by RAFT polymerization to obtain well-defined polymers with better thermal and flame-retardant properties.
Aqueous SET-LRP catalyzed with “in situ” generated Cu(0) demonstrates surface mediated activation and bimolecular termination
Authors: Samanta Shampa R. , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Keller Shauni , Monteiro Michael J. , Wilson Daniela A. , Haddleton David M. , Percec Virgil
Published: January 2015

Ultrafast, inversely temperature dependent aqueous SET-LRP with “in situ” generated Cu(0) yields quantitative chain-ends demonstrating surface mediated activation and termination.
A robust platform for functional microgels via thiol–ene chemistry with reactive polyether-based nanoparticles
Authors: Fleischmann Carolin , Gopez Jeffrey , Lundberg Pontus , Ritter Helmut , Killops Kato L. , Hawker Craig J. , Klinger Daniel
Published: January 2015

Network functionalization of reactive precursor nanoparticles enables the facile preparation of degradable microgels that are responsive to different triggers but equal in morphology.
One-pot synthesis and biological imaging application of an amphiphilic fluorescent copolymer via a combination of RAFT polymerization and Schiff base reaction
Authors: Huang Zengfang , Zhang Xiqi , Zhang Xiaoyong , Yang Bin , Zhang Yaling , Wang Ke , Yuan Jinying , Tao Lei , Wei Yen
Published: January 2015

A novel one-pot strategy for the fabrication of AIE-based FONs was developed via a combination of RAFT polymerization and Schiff base reaction for the first time.
Crystalline Si photovoltaic modules functionalized by a thin polyethylene film against potential and damp-heat-induced degradation
Authors: Hara Kohjiro , Jonai Sachiko , Masuda Atsushi
Published: January 2015

I–V curves for multicrystalline Si photovoltaic modules after the test of potential-induced degradation (PID).
Electrochemical sensor based on a bilayer of PPY–MWCNTs–BiCoPc composite and molecularly imprinted PoAP for sensitive recognition and determination of metolcarb
Authors: Kong Ling-Jie , Pan Ming-Fei , Fang Guo-Zhen , He Xin-lei , Xia Yin-qiang , Wang Shuo
Published: January 2015

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for metolcarb detection was constructed by electropolymerizing a poly-o-aminophenol membrane after the modification of a composite that consisted of polypyrrole MWNTs and binuclear phthalocyanine cobalt(ii) sulfonate on a GCE surface.
Electrochemically assisted micro localized grafting of aptamers in a microchannel engraved in fluorinated thermoplastic polymer Dyneon THV
Authors: Perréard C. , Ladner Y. , d'Orlyé F. , Descroix S. , Taniga V. , Varenne A. , Kanoufi F. , Slim C. , Griveau S. , Bedioui F.
Published: January 2015

Electrochemically assisted localized grafting of an aptamer in a microchannel engraved in fluorinated thermoplastic polymer Dyneon THV.
Mechanism of a green graphene oxide reduction with reusable potassium carbonate
Authors: He Dongning , Peng Zheng , Gong Wei , Luo Yongyue , Zhao Pengfei , Kong Lingxue
Published: January 2015

The mechanism of a green reduction of graphene oxide by potassium carbonate as recycling deoxidizer has been revealed.
Multispectral Bayesian reconstruction technique for real-time two color fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Dilipkumar Shilpa , Manjithaya Ravi , Mondal Partha Pratim
Published: January 2015

We have developed a real-time imaging method for two-color widefield fluorescence microscopy using a combined approach that integrates multi-spectral imaging and Bayesian image reconstruction technique.
A uniformly porous 2D CN (1 : 1) network predicted by first-principles calculations
Authors: Chen Zhengzheng , Li Pengfei , Wu Chao
Published: January 2015

Using the first-principles simulations, we predicate a 2D CN (1 : 1) network and explore its potential applications in electronics, gas separation, and catalysis.
Protein-resistance performance of amphiphilic copolymer brushes consisting of fluorinated polymers and polyacrylamide grafted from silicon surfaces
Authors: Wu Hai-Xia , Tan Lei , Yang Mei-Yan , Liu Chuan-Jun , Zhuo Ren-Xi
Published: January 2015

A series of random copolymer brushes of acrylamide (AM) and 2-(perfluorinated hexyl)ethyl methacrylate (FMA) were grafted from initiator-functionalized silicon wafers by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.
Synthesis of fluorovinyl aryl ethers by a three-component reaction of gem-difluoroalkenes with arylboronic acids and oxygen
Authors: Wang Mingjin , Liang Fang , Xiong Yang , Cao Song
Published: January 2015

An efficient three-component reaction for the synthesis of fluorovinyl aryl ethers from gem-difluoroalkenes, arylboronic acids and oxygen is described.
Synthesis of hybrid polymer blend nanoparticles and incorporation into in situ gel foam spray for controlled release therapy using a versatile synthetic purine nucleoside analogue antiviral drug
Authors: Ramyadevi Durai , Rajan Kalpoondi Sekar
Published: January 2015

Antiviral drug loaded nanoparticles is incorporated intoin situgel for controlled release therapy. Chemical and physical interactions of drug and polymers in the system influenced their characteristics and drug release mechanism.
Uniform anatase single-crystal cubes with high thermal stability fully enclosed by active {010} and {001} facets
Authors: Wen Meicheng , Liu Peijue , Xiao Shuning , Mori Kohsuke , Kuwahara Yasutaka , Yamashita Hiromi , Li Hexing , Zhang Dieqing
Published: January 2015

Uniform cubic anatase TiO2 fully enclosed by high energy facets was prepared using green method for enhancing the photocatalytic activity.
Synthesis of conjugated D–A polymers bearing bi(dithienogermole) as a new donor component and their applications to polymer solar cells and transistors
Authors: Ohshita Joji , Miyazaki Masayuki , Nakashima Makoto , Tanaka Daiki , Ooyama Yousuke , Sasaki Takuya , Kunugi Yoshihito , Morihara Yasushi
Published: January 2015

Donor–acceptor π-conjugated polymers with alternating bi(dithienogermole) and benzo- or pyridinothiadiazole units were prepared and their potential applications to bulk heterojunction-type polymer solar cells and thin film transistors were explored.
Enhanced electrochemical performance of hybrid SnO2@MOx (M = Ni, Co, Mn) core–shell nanostructures grown on flexible carbon fibers as the supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Liu Yang , Jiao Yang , Yin Bosi , Zhang Siwen , Qu Fengyu , Wu Xiang
Published: January 2015

In this paper, hierarchical SnO2@MOx (SnO2@NiO, SnO2@Co3O4, SnO2@MnO2) heterostructures grown on carbon cloth (CC) for high performance supercapacitors are fabricated by a two-step solution-based method.
Ultrafast lithium storage in TiO2–bronze nanowires/N-doped graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Yan Xiao , Li Yanjuan , Li Malin , Jin Yongcheng , Du Fei , Chen Gang , Wei Yingjin
Published: January 2015

A TiO2–bronze/N-doped graphene nanocomposite was prepared by a facile method. The material exhibits outstanding rate capacity. A high reversible capacity of 101.6 mA h g−1is obtained at the 100C rate, indicating its great potential for use in high power lithium ion batteries.
Interplay of spin–orbit coupling and lattice distortion in metal substituted 3D tri-chloride hybrid perovskites
Authors: Katan C. , Pedesseau L. , Kepenekian M. , Rolland A. , Even J.
Published: January 2015

Metal and halogen substitution in hybrid perovskites reveals the interplay between spin–orbit coupling, structural distortions and many-body effects controlling band-gaps.
Molecular effects of cancer-associated somatic mutations on the structural and target recognition properties of Keap1
Authors: Khan Halema , Killoran Ryan C. , Brickenden Anne , Fan Jingsong , Yang Daiwen , Choy Wing-Yiu
Published: January 2015

We have elucidated the molecular effects of nine cancer-associated somatic mutations of Keap1, an important regulator of the Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response, on the structural integrity and target recognition properties of the protein by using multiple biophysical techniques.
Diurnal variation in skeletal muscle and liver glycogen in humans with normal health and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Macauley Mavin , Smith Fiona E , Thelwall Peter E , Hollingsworth Kieren G , Taylor Roy
Published: January 2015

Storage of food-derived glucose as muscle and liver glycogen is vital to avoid damaging swings plasma osmolarity. We report that in Type 2 diabetes, muscle glycogen storage was completely inactive although liver glycogen storage was normal.
Enhanced planar wireless power transfer using strongly coupled magnetic resonance
Authors: Jolani Farid , Yu Yiqiang , Chen Zhizhang
Published: January 2015

A novel planar wireless power transfer (WPT) system using strongly coupled magnetic resonance is proposed. Additional layers of printed spiral coils (PSCs) are applied to the transmitter/receiver resonator of the 4‐coil planar WPT system to improve the quality factor and transmission efficiency. In addition, by connecting multilayer transmitter/receiver resonators together using conductive shorting walls, the transmission efficiency is further improved. Five planar WPT systems using coplanar PSCs and printed loops have been investigated. The measured results show that the proposed design with two additional layers of resonators and shorting walls could improve the transmission efficiency from 77.27 to 84.38%.
Posttraumatic Delayed Enophthalmos: Analogies with Silent Sinus Syndrome? Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Canzi Gabriele , Morganti Valeria , Novelli Giorgio , Bozzetti Alberto , Sozzi Davide
Published: January 2015

Acute posttraumatic enophthalmos is a well-known symptom occurring in orbital blowout fractures. Its late onset in the absence of radiologic evidence of displaced fractures is rare and traditionally attributed to ischemic liponecrosis or fibrotic scarring of endo-orbital soft tissues. In this article, we describe a case of facial trauma, diagnosed and treated at the Maxillo-Facial Surgical Department of Hospital Ca’ Granda Niguarda of Milan, in which delayed monolateral enophthalmos is associated with CT evidence of remodeling of orbital walls attributed to atelectasis of the maxillary sinus, as occurs spontaneously in patients suffering from silent sinus syndrome (SSS). Despite that classic criteria exclude traumatic etiology of SSS, recent literature suggests the possibility to include it. Our case is the first reported in literature supported by complete clinical and radiological documentation obtained before and after the condition established itself. The analogy with cases of spontaneous obstacle of aeration allows us to choose “two-step” surgical treatment with endoscopic uncinectomy and antrostomy and a delayed surgical correction of orbital volume to improve aesthetic results. The case described in this article and the review of the literature may focus physicians’ attention on evaluating the possible traumatic changes in the physiologic sinus drainage system.
Medial Wall Fracture and Orbital Emphysema Mimicking Inferior Rectus Entrapment in a Child
Authors: Collin John , Afshar Farid , Thomas Steven
Published: January 2015

Orbital emphysema is commonly associated with fractures of the orbital floor or medial wall. The air often dissipates spontaneously, but rarely can cause increased intraocular pressure and even loss of vision. Entrapment of the extraocular muscles can also occur with orbital fractures and may require prompt treatment in the pediatric patient due to the risk muscle ischemia. Both conditions can cause diplopia due to restriction of eye movement and differentiation of the two etiologies is important to prevent unnecessary surgical exploration. Identification and prompt management of raised intraocular pressure is essential in patients with orbital trauma. We present a case of orbital emphysema mimicking inferior rectus entrapment following trauma in an 11-year-old boy.
Public health interventions to control syphilis
Authors: Peterman Thomas A. , Furness Bruce W.
Published: January 2015

Syphilis control strategies are old, but interventions have changed and there is now a more scientific approach to evidence of effectiveness. We searched PubMed using ‘syphilis control’ to identify papers that measured the effectiveness of interventions. We also included novel approaches and comprehensive responses to outbreaks. Few papers used high-quality research methodology and fewer evaluated impact on prevalence or incidence; most assessed intermediate outcomes. Syphilis can often be controlled by a combination of case finding, treatment and education. However, outbreaks are unique and ongoing evaluation is needed to see if interventions are producing intended intermediate outcomes at reasonable costs.
Fabrication and optical testing of hybrid SiO2: azo-polymer based planar waveguides for NLO/SHG laser emission
Authors: Torres-Zúñiga V , Morales-Saavedra O G , Pérez-Martínez A L
Published: January 2015

Predesigned push-pull azo-dye polymers were homogeneously dispersed within a SiO2sol-gel matrix synthesized via the sonogel (SG) route. High-quality spin-coated films were obtained with these hybrid structures in the liquid sol-phase. The spectroscopic UV- Vis analyses reveal the appropriate insertion of these organic compounds within the highly pure SG-environment whereas the thermal (DSC) analysis and photoacoustic measurements evidence the thermomechanical stability of the amorphous hybrid layers. As the optical attenuation, refractive index and film thickness values of the obtained films are adequate for opto-electronic applications; these hybrid films were implemented to fabricate optical waveguiding prototypes. In this sense, functional planar waveguides were fabricated for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications after performing a molecular ordering via a corona DC-poling procedure in order to achieve a macroscopic polar order (ferroelectric and noncentrosymmetric arrangement of the organic chromophores). The poled films were then able to exhibit stable NLO-waveguiding effects as excited with a Nd:YAG laser system in order to generate second harmonic waves travelling within the planar layer.
Numerical simulation of the shot peening process under previous loading conditions
Authors: Romero-Ángeles B , Urriolagoitia-Sosa G , Torres-San Miguel C R , Molina-Ballinas A , Benítez-García H A , Vargas-Bustos J A , Urriolagoitia-Calderón G
Published: January 2015

This research presents a numerical simulation of the shot peening process and determines the residual stress field induced into a component with a previous loading history. The importance of this analysis is based on the fact that mechanical elements under shot peening are also subjected to manufacturing processes, which convert raw material into finished product. However, material is not provided in avirginstate, it has a previous loading history caused by the manner it is fabricated. This condition could alter some beneficial aspects of the residual stress induced by shot peening and could accelerate the crack nucleation and propagation progression. Studies were performed in beams subjected to strain hardening in tension (5ϵy) before shot peening was applied. Latter results were then compared in a numerical assessment of an induced residual stress field by shot peening carried out in a component (beam) without any previous loading history. In this paper, it is clearly shown the detrimental or beneficial effect that previous loading history can bring to the mechanical component and how it can be controlled to improve the mechanical behavior of the material.
Development of an exploration land robot using low-cost and Open Source platforms for educational purposes
Authors: Hernández D , Trejo H , Ordoñez E
Published: January 2015

In this paper we present the didactic experience of building a low-cost robot composed of sensors, actuators, general electronics and already available frameworks. The control of the robot is through the usage of commercialOpen Sourceplatforms asArduino;and theRaspberry Pi.The experience ranges from general conceptualization, mechanical, electric and electronic design, microcontroller programming and communications.
Effect of rapid solidification and heat treatment on Co-20 wt. %Cr alloy for biomedical applications
Authors: Ramirez-Ledesma A L , Aguilar-Mendez M A , Rodriguez-Diaz R A , Juarez-Islas J A
Published: January 2015

A series of cobalt-base alloys with different chromium contents (20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 44 wt. %) were melted into an induction furnace with argon atmosphere and casted into a chill cooper mold. The characterization of samples was carried out with a scanning electron microscope in order to evaluate the effect of chromium additions on microstructure. The resulting microstructure consisted mainly of columnar dendrites with randomly distributed precipitates in primary and secondary dendrite arms. X-ray diffraction patterns in as-cast samples identified the presence of both ϵ-hcp and the metastable α-fcc cobalt solid solution. As the Cr-content increased, the amount of both interdendrite segregation and precipitates increased too. From the Co-Cr alloys under study, the Co-20 wt. % Cr alloy showed a microstructure nearly free of interdendrite segregation and precipitation therefore was subject to an additional heat treatment to improve elongation from 2.6%, in the as-cast condition to 25.5% in the as-heat treated condition.
Design and Construction of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser for LIBS applications
Authors: Garcia-Villarreal A , Sobral H
Published: January 2015

A multi-pulse Nd:YAG laser was designed and built, that can be used as an excitation source for Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) experiments. A trigger and a power supply for the flash lamp has been successfully developed. A cooling system that uses a distilled water flow for the active medium was implemented. The laser has an output energy of 306 ± 7 mJ for 1 Hz repetition rate and its temporal profile is multi-pulse with 1 ps of average separation between them. To validate the system, the output was used as an ablation source of an aluminum target and the emission was investigated by spectroscopy analysis.
Preparation and characterization of bismuth nanostructures deposited by pulsed laser ablation
Authors: Escobar-Alarcón L , Morales-Mendez J G , Solís-Casados D A , Romero S , Fernández M , Haro-Poniatowski E
Published: January 2015

Bismuth nanostructures, from nanoparticles to quasi-percolated films, were deposited by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) on different substrates using the 355 nm line of a Nd:YAG laser. The morphology and size distribution of the obtained nanostructures were investigated, as a function of the number of ablation pulses, by high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Deposits with a small number of pulses, 50, are formed of separated isolated particles with diameters in the range from 5 to 20 nm. Further increase in the number of pulses (>100) results in coalescence of individual particles with the formation of dendritic structures and finally, for 500 pulses, quasi-percolated Bi films are obtained. Additionally, the nanostructures formed were characterized by XPS, and Raman spectroscopy in order to determine the physical and chemical properties of the deposited material.
Optical evaluation on the setting of cement paste
Authors: Martínez H A De León , Bernal J J Soto , Mota R González , Rosales-Candelas I
Published: January 2015

In the construction area, one of the most widely used cement is the CPC 30R, it is a hydraulic binder consisting of CaO, SiO2, Al2O3and Fe2O3, when mixed with water forms cement pastes and its four crystallographic phases start to hydrate. The diffuse reflection on cement paste can give an indication of the behaviour on optical properties on the hydration of the cement and early formation products. In this study, Portland cement (CPC) pastes were prepared with 0.45 a water to cement ratio (w/c). This work is aimed to evaluate the optical properties of cement pastes on the hydration reaction during the first 24 hours by measuring the intensity of diffuse reflection changes.
System of acquisition and processing of images of dynamic speckle
Authors: Vega F , Torres C
Published: January 2015

In this paper we show the design and implementation of a system to capture and analysis of dynamic speckle. The device consists of a USB camera, an isolated system lights for imaging, a laser pointer 633 nm 10 mw as coherent light source, a diffuser and a laptop for processing video. The equipment enables the acquisition and storage of video, also calculated of different descriptors of statistical analysis (vector global accumulation of activity, activity matrix accumulation, cross-correlation vector, autocorrelation coefficient, matrix Fujji etc.). The equipment is designed so that it can be taken directly to the site where the sample for biological study and is currently being used in research projects within the group.
Development of low weight self-levelling mortars
Authors: Padilla A , Panama I , Toledo A , Flores A
Published: January 2015

This work shows the development of self levelling mortars, using micro bubbles based on aluminium silicate with a density of 0.25 g/cm3. Mortars formulations are composed by 8 different components in order to achieve properties balance between fresh and solid state. The mean objective is development light weight mortars with high fluidity and compression strength using micro bubbles and some additives. Formulations were designed employing Taguchi DOE of 8 variables and 3 states. Result analysis according to Taguchi method lets indentify the preponderant effect of each variable on the cited properties. Several formulations reached fluidity higher than 250%, with compression strength around 100 kg/cm2 and a low volumetric weigh. Obtained volumetric weights are 20% less than commercial self levelling mortars weight. Finally some relations are presented such: as relation water/cement with fluidity, and micro bubble content versus mortars volumetric weight, and finally compression strength versus the volumetric weight of mortars.
Using the Finite Elements Method (FEM) for Nanotechnology Education. A rectangular cantilever as a mass sensor
Authors: Baquero H Aya
Published: January 2015

The Finite Element Method FEM can be used in the context of physics engineering education, particularly in nanotechnology training. Cantilevers and cantilevers arrays have been implemented as sensors within lots of applications. In the present paper, FEM was used to assess validity of basic models where cantilevers are used as mass sensors. Resonance frequency of a cantilever transversal vibration was found; this was a silicon one-side clamped cantilever. A number of minor mass elements Am was added on the cantilever's free side. Then in each case, a new resonance frequency was found; this led to obtain the Am values from shifts of resonance frequencies. Finally, those values were compared with CAD model values.
Vanishing condition for the heat flux and slow evolution of a spherically fluid distribution
Authors: Romero-Muñoz M , Dagdug L , Chacón-Acosta G
Published: January 2015

Recently, it has been found conditions for the heat flux where its introduction into the energy-momentum tensor, given his no mechanical nature, has no problems [1]. This has been achieved by checking the validity of the second law of thermodynamics in a fluid that is boosted by a Lorentz transformation of a non-commoving frame [2]. It is known that the condition, that turns out to be the null energy condition, involves the presence of a set of reference frames where Landau-Lifshitz frame is one of them. Moreover the entropy production remains positive, implying that there are no problems or issues that violate the second law of thermodynamics. In the present contribution we review the above condition, and apply it for a self-gravitating relativistic fluid in a spherically symmetric distribution in pure local coordinates. We find that our condition influences Schwarzschild fields, relating the condition of slow evolution with thermal quantities of the fluid.
Erbium Doped Fiber Sensor for Ammonia Detection into Water
Authors: Pérez-Sánchez G G , Pinzón-Escobar E F , Sandoval-Romero G E , Chávez J A Álvarez
Published: January 2015

The water pollution is a health problem around the world. One of the most common pollutants in water is the Ammonia. Some sensors have been developed for Ammoniac detection even though most of them are not in real time and could be expensive. In this work an Erbium-doped fibre-sensor for Ammonia detection with a mechanical long period fibre grating and a taper in cascade for improving the sensitivity; the detection bandwidth is in the 1550 nm region from 1460 nm to 1640 nm. Output optical spectrum for Ammonia concentrations from 1ml to 5 ml is shown
Electrosynthesis and characterization of Hg1-xCdxSe films
Authors: Sánchez M , González-Camacho F A , Miranda D A , Meléndez A M
Published: January 2015

An electrodeposition process from an aqueous bath of CdSO4, SeO2and Hg2Cl2at pH 2.3 was performed to synthesize two Hg1-xCdxSe alloys with x ≥ 0.8 onto TiO2. In order to establish an intimate contact between Hg1-xCdxSe and the TiO2substrate, electrodeposition of Hg1-xCdxSe films was investigated. Reduction processes of H2SeO3and Cd2+to produce CdSe and Hg1-xCdxSe were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Initially, deposition of selenium allows codeposition of Cd2+and Hg2+. Hg1-xCdxSe film was obtained by holding the electrode at a constant potential. The characterization of the films was performed by GIXRD, FESEM, and the chemical composition of the film was obtained by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy.
CMOS sensor as charged particles and ionizing radiation detector
Authors: Cruz-Zaragoza E , López I Piña
Published: January 2015

This paper reports results of CMOS sensor suitable for use as charged particles and ionizing radiation detector. The CMOS sensor with 640 × 480 pixels area has been integrated into an electronic circuit for detection of ionizing radiation and it was exposed to alpha particle (Am-241, Unat), beta (Sr-90), and gamma photons (Cs-137). Results show after long period of time (168 h) irradiation the sensor had not loss of functionality and also the energy of the charge particles and photons were very well obtained.
Thermodynamic performance for a chemical reactions model
Authors: Gonzalez-Narvaez R E , Sánchez-Salas N , Chimal-Eguía J C
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the analysis efficiency of a chemical reaction model of four states, such that their activated states can occur at any point (fixed but arbitrary) of the transition from one state to another. This mechanism operates under a single heat reservoir temperature, unlike the internal combustion engines where there are two thermal sources. Different efficiencies are compared to this model, which operate at different optimum engine regimes. Thus, some analytical methods are used to give an approximate expression, facilitating the comparison between them. Finally, the result is compared with that obtained by other authors considered a general model of an isothermal molecular machine. Taking into account the above, the results seems to follow a similar behaviour for all the optimized engines, which resemble that observed in the case of heat engine efficiencies.