bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning the composition of gold–silver bimetallic nanoparticles for the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide and nitrobenzene
Authors: Gowthaman N. S. K. , Sinduja Bharathi , John S. Abraham
Published: June 2016

Gold@silver core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by galvanic displacement reaction and modified on glassy carbon electrode for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and nitrobenzene.
Preparation of platinum nanoparticles immobilized on ordered mesoporous Co3O4–CeO2 composites and their enhanced catalytic activity
Authors: Wang Qianli , Zhang Yiwei , Zhou Yuming , Zhang Zewu , Xu Yuanmei , Zhang Chao , Zhang Hongxing , Sheng Xiaoli
Published: June 2016

Ordered mesoporous Co3O4–CeO2 composites supported uniform Pt nanoparticles and exhibited excellent performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
A novel sulfur-impregnated porous carbon matrix as a cathode material for a lithium–sulfur battery
Authors: Cui Yanhui , Liang Xiao , Ouyang Jue , Huang Jiayi , Zeng Jiong , Wu Junwei , Li Zuohua , Du Chenqiang , Li Zhoufu , Baker Andrew P. , Huang Kevin , Zhang Xinhe
Published: June 2016

After impregnating sulfur, the porous carbon matrix prepared using ZnCl2delivers a capacity of 850 mA h g−1at 1C and retains 630 mA h g−1after nearly 200 cycles which are much higher than that of a carbon matrix prepared without ZnCl2.
Float printing deposition to control the morphology of TiO2 photoanodes on woven textile metal substrates for TCO-free flexible dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Yun Min Ju , Cha Seung I. , Seo Seon Hee , Kim Han Seong , Lee Dong Y.
Published: June 2016

In this study, a new deposition method called the floating printing method is developed to obtain the uniform and controllable deposition of electrode materials on textile or wire type substrates to be utilized in a paste printing process.
Effect of surface tension on the properties of a doped CeO2–ZrO2composite and its application in a Pd-only three-way catalyst
Authors: Cui Yajuan , Lan Li , Shi Zhonghua , Yuan Shandong , Gong Maochu , Chen Yaoqiang , Dan Yi
Published: June 2016

The slighter grain growth after an aging treatment indicated the superior anti-aging ability of CZLP obtained by supercritical drying.
Improving the electrochemical performance of Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 by Li-ion conductor
Authors: Wang Ting , Yang Ze , Jiang Yan , Li Guolong , Huang Yunhui
Published: June 2016

Electrochemical performances of Li-rich layered Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 cathode are improved by modification of Li-ion conductor Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3.
Systematic study of transition-metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) phthalocyanines as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and their evaluation by DFT
Authors: Zhang Zhengping , Yang Shaoxuan , Dou Meiling , Liu Haijing , Gu Lin , Wang Feng
Published: June 2016

A facile approach is reported to prepare a series of transition-metal phthalocyanines supported on graphitized carbon black (TMPc/GCB, TM: Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) as oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts,viaπ–π interaction self-assembly.
Molecular basis for functional switching of GFP by two disparate non-native post-translational modifications of a phenyl azide reaction handle
Authors: Hartley Andrew M. , Worthy Harley L. , Reddington Samuel C. , Rizkallah Pierre J. , Jones D. Dafydd
Published: June 2016

Through the genetic incorporation of a single phenyl azide group into superfolder GFP (sfGFP) at residue 148 we provide a molecular description of how this highly versatile chemical handle can be used to positively switch protein function in vitro and in vivo via either photochemistry or bioconjugation.
Fabrication of dual-side metal patterns onto textile substrates for wearable electronics by combining wax-dot printing with electroless plating
Authors: Zhao H. , Hou L. , Wu J. X. , Lu Y. X.
Published: June 2016

Dual-side Cu patterns with well-defined boundaries were plated onto fabric by combining wax-dot printing with electroless copper plating.
MicroRNA-720 suppresses M2 macrophage polarization by targeting GATA3
Authors: Zhong Yan , Yi Chun
Published: June 2016

Macrophages are highly plastic cells with the ability to differentiate into both M1- and M2-polarized phenotypes. As a distinct M2-polarized population, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumorigenesis owing to their pro-angiogenic and immune-suppressive functions in tumour microenvironment. In the present study, we found that the microRNA-720 (miR-720) was down-regulated in TAMs isolated from breast carcinomas and M2-polarization macrophages. Overexpression of miR-720 attenuated M2 phenotype expression and thus inhibited M2 polarization. We further identified GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), a transcriptional factor that plays an important role in M2 macrophage polarization, was the downstream target of miR-720. Ectopic expression of GATA3 restored the M2 phenotype in miR-720 overexpressed macrophages. Importantly, overexpression of miR-720 inhibited pro-migration behaviour and phagocytic ability of M2-polarized macrophages. Thus, our data suggest that miR-720 plays an important role in regulating M2 macrophage polarization and function.
Clear Speech Variants: An Acoustic Study in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Lam Jennifer , Tjaden Kris
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The authors investigated how different variants of clear speech affect segmental and suprasegmental acoustic measures of speech in speakers with Parkinson's disease and a healthy control group.

Method

A total of 14 participants with Parkinson's disease and 14 control participants served as speakers. Each speaker produced 18 different sentences selected from the Sentence Intelligibility Test (Yorkston & Beukelman, 1996). All speakers produced stimuli in 4 speaking conditions (habitual, clear, overenunciate, and hearing impaired). Segmental acoustic measures included vowel space area and first moment (M1) coefficient difference measures for consonant pairs. Second formant slope of diphthongs and measures of vowel and fricative durations were also obtained. Suprasegmental measures included fundamental frequency, sound pressure level, and articulation rate.

Results

For the majority of adjustments, all variants of clear speech instruction differed from the habitual condition. The overenunciate condition elicited the greatest magnitude of change for segmental measures (vowel space area, vowel durations) and the slowest articulation rates. The hearing impaired condition elicited the greatest fricative durations and suprasegmental adjustments (fundamental frequency, sound pressure level).

Conclusions

Findings have implications for a model of speech production for healthy speakers as well as for speakers with dysarthria. Findings also suggest that particular clear speech instructions may target distinct speech subsystems.
Réflechir, rechercher, innover en chirurgie maxillo-faciale.
Entretien avec Albino Triaca
Authors: Triaca Albino , Rozencweig Sophie
Published: June 2016

Albino Triaca a été chef de clinique au centre de chirurgie maxillo-faciale
et d’esthétique de San Marin. Il est également depuis un an professeur
du service de chirurgie maxillo-faciale de Salzbourg, où il dirige plus
spécifiquement le service de la chirurgie du nez. Il exerce depuis plus
de 30 ans à la Klinik Pyramide au bord du lac de Zurich où il me reçoit
pour cet entretien.
Homeoprophylaxis in Cuba: The End of an Era?
Authors: Golden Isaac
Published: June 2016

From 2004 to 2015 some of the largest homeoprophylactic interventions were executed in Cuba. However, significant changes occurred in early 2015 at the Finlay Institute where the interventions were planned and delivered. In addition, Cuba's borders are now open to multinational pharmaceutical companies. This raises concerns regarding the effects this will have on natural medicine.
An Example of Issues of Editorial Bias Confronting Questioning Researchers
Authors: Golden Isaac
Published: June 2016

This brief review gives an example of how editorial decisions can influence material presented in medical journals, leaving readers with an incomplete and therefore misleading view of important medical issues. It also gives a possible window into bias against homeopathic practitioners by editors of medical journals.
An Introduction to Vaccine Policy and Law in the United States
Authors: Phillips Alan
Published: June 2016

US Vaccine Rights Attorney Alan Phillips briefly reviews vaccine effectiveness historically; then highlights some of the well-documented, systemic corruption in today's health care system generally, and introduces components of vaccine law in the United States, including the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and vaccine exemptions that apply to vaccine mandates in over a dozen different contexts and subcontexts.
Protection against Diseases Using Homeopathy
Authors: Roy Ravi
Published: June 2016

Protection against diseases, especially infectious diseases, using the homeopathic law of cure was self-evident to the earlier homoeopaths. But doubt seeped in slowly. In Germany and German-speaking countries, this boon to humanity was revived more than 30 years ago. It has since then shown its high efficacy against tropical diseases, infectious diseases in general and other affections. Confusion about its efficacy and even its legitimacy arose through the subtle manipulations of pseudoscience. The answers to our present problems in the advancement of homeopathy have to be solved by the unified stand of homoeopaths everywhere; by the belief in the law of similar as the basis of understanding disease processes and not the regulations of allopathy; and being aware of the deceptions used by pseudoscience.
Comparison of Physical Activity Levels in Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Acar M. , Tonga E. , Daskapan A. , Karataş M. , Tekindal A.
Published: June 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and to compare the results with both healthy subjects and each other.

Methods: A group of 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 95 osteoarthritis patients, 82 fibromyalgia patients and 110 healthy subjects were included in this study. Physical activity levels were assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Results: There were significant differences in walking and total physical activity scores in IPAQ between the rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia (FMS) patients and the control group (p<0.05). 36.6% of the fibromyalgia group, 28.4% of the osteoarthritis group, 38% of the rheumatoid arthritis group and 22.7% of the healthy subjects were found to be inactive. 45.1% of the fibromyalgia group, 42.1% of the osteoarthritis group, 46% of the rheumatoid arthritis group and 36.4% of the healthy subjects were found to be insufficiently active.

Conclusion: As a result, when compared to healthy people, physical activity levels were significantly decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia. The decreases in the physical activity levels were clearer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in patients with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Recommending regular physical activity should be integral to rheumatic disease management and walking offers a potentially accessible, inexpensive, and acceptable physical activity intervention.
Interruption of electronically excited Xe dimer formation by the photoassociation of Xe(6s[3/2]2)-Xe(5p6 1S) thermal collision pairs
Authors: Galvin T. C. , Wagner C. J. , Eden J. G.
Published: June 2016

The diatomic collisional intermediate responsible for the formation of an electronically excited molecule by teratomic recombination has been observed in both the spectral and temporal domains by laser spectroscopy. We report experiments demonstrating thermal Xe(6s[3/2]2)-Xe(5p6 1S0) atomic collision pairs to be the immediate precursor to the formation of Xe2∗(a3Σu+,A1Σu+) by the three body process: Xe∗(6s) + 2Xe ⟶ Xe2∗ + Xe, where the asterisk denotes an excited electronic state. Photoassociating Xe(6s)-Xe atomic pairs by free ⟵ free transitions of the collision complex interrupts the production of the electronically excited Xe dimer, thereby suppressing Xe2 spontaneous emission in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV, λ ∼ 172 nm, A1Σu+→X1Σg+). Intercepting Xe(6s)-Xe pairs before the complex is stabilized by the arrival of the third atom in the teratomic collision process selectively depletes the pair population in a specific Franck-Condon region determined by the probe laser wavelength (λ). Measurements of the variation of VUV emission suppression with λ provide a spectral signature of the [Xe(6s[3/2]2) − Xe(1S0)]∗ complex and map the probe laser wavelength onto the thermal energy (ϵ″) of the incoming collision pairs.
A flexible touch-pressure sensor array with wireless transmission system for robotic skin
Authors: Huang Ying , Fang Ding , Wu Can , Wang Weihua , Guo Xiaohui , Liu Ping
Published: June 2016

Human skin contains multiple receptors and is able to sense various stimuli such as temperature, touch, pressure, and deformation, with high sensitivity and resolution. The development of skin-like sensors capable of sensing these stimuli is of great importance for various applications such as robots, touch detection, temperature monitoring, and strain gauges. Great efforts have been made to develop high performance touch sensor and pressure sensor. Compared with general sensor, the touch-pressure sensor which is reported in this paper not only can measure large pressure but also has a high resolution in the small range so that it can feel slight touch. The sensor has a vertical structure. The upper layer is made of silicone rubber as the capacitive layer and the lower layer employs multiwall carbon nanotubes and carbon black filled silicone rubber as the resistive layer. The electrodes are made by conductive silver adhesives. In addition, the electrodes are connected to the pads on the top surface of the flexible printed circuit board by enamelled wires which made it easier to fabricate sensor array. The resolution of the touch-pressure sensor in the range of 0-10 N and 10-100 N are 0.1 N and 1 N, respectively. The experimental data of the sensor are sent by ZigBee wireless technology which reduces the complexity of the wiring and provides a convenient way to apply and maintain the sensor array.
A study of the convective flow as a function of external parameters in a high-pressure metal halide discharge lamp (HgDyI3)
Authors: Hajji S. , HadjSalah S. , Benhalima A. , Charrada K. , Zissis G.
Published: June 2016

This paper deals with the modelling of the convection processes in metal–halide lamp discharges (HgDyI3). For this, we realized a 3D model, a steady, direct current powered and time-depending model for the solution of conservation equations relative to mass, momentum, and energy. After validation, this model was applied to the study of the effect of some parameters that have appeared on major transport phenomena of mass and energy in studying the lamp. Indeed, the electric current, the atomic ratio (Hg/Dy), and the effect of the convective transport have been studied.
Frequency-dependent, dynamic sensing properties of polycrystalline Galfenol (Fe81.6Ga18.4)
Authors: Scheidler Justin J. , Asnani Vivake M. , Dapino Marcelo J.
Published: June 2016

This paper presents the first measurement of Galfenol's frequency-dependent strain and magnetic flux density responses to controlled dynamic stress, from which frequency-dependent, effective material properties relating these quantities are calculated. Solid and laminated Galfenol (Fe81.6Ga18.4) rods were excited by 2.88 MPa compressive stresses up to 1 kHz under constant field and constant current conditions. Due to magnetic diffusion cut-off frequencies of only 59.3 to 145.7 Hz, the dynamic properties of the solid rod are found to vary significantly; this illustrates the inaccuracy of frequency-independent dynamic properties calculated via linear piezomagnetic models from experimental responses to electrical excitation. Conversely, the sensing properties of the laminated rod exhibit a weak dependence on frequency over the measurement range (i.e., a cut-off >1 kHz). The data are used to validate an existing model for mechanically induced magnetic diffusion. Loss factors and magnetomechanical energy densities are also presented and discussed in terms of loss separation, magnetic diffusion, and energy conservation.
Fowler-Nordheim emission modified by laser pulses in the adiabatic regime
Authors: Rokhlenko A. , Lebowitz J. L.
Published: June 2016

We investigate enhanced field emission due to a continuous or pulsed oscillating field added to a constant electric field E at the emitter surface. When the frequency of oscillation, field strength, and property of the emitter material satisfy the Keldysh condition γ<1/2, one can use the adiabatic approximation for treating the oscillating field, i.e., consider the tunneling through the instantaneous Fowler-Nordheim barrier created by both fields. Due to the great sensitivity of the emission to the field strength, the average tunneling current can be much larger than the current produced by only the constant field. We carry out the computations for arbitrary strong constant electric fields, beyond the commonly used Fowler-Nordheim approximation which exhibit, in particular, an important property of the wave function inside the potential barrier where it is found to be monotonically decreasing without oscillations.
A miniature shoe-mounted orientation determination system for accurate indoor heading and trajectory tracking
Authors: Zhang Shengzhi , Yu Shuai , Liu Chaojun , Liu Sheng
Published: June 2016

Tracking the position of pedestrian is urgently demanded when the most commonly used GPS (Global Position System) is unavailable. Benefited from the small size, low-power consumption, and relatively high reliability, micro-electro-mechanical system sensors are well suited for GPS-denied indoor pedestrian heading estimation. In this paper, a real-time miniature orientation determination system (MODS) was developed for indoor heading and trajectory tracking based on a novel dual-linear Kalman filter. The proposed filter precludes the impact of geomagnetic distortions on pitch and roll that the heading is subjected to. A robust calibration approach was designed to improve the accuracy of sensors measurements based on a unified sensor model. Online tests were performed on the MODS with an improved turntable. The results demonstrate that the average RMSE (root-mean-square error) of heading estimation is less than 1°. Indoor heading experiments were carried out with the MODS mounted on the shoe of pedestrian. Besides, we integrated the existing MODS into an indoor pedestrian dead reckoning application as an example of its utility in realistic actions. A human attitude-based walking model was developed to calculate the walking distance. Test results indicate that mean percentage error of indoor trajectory tracking achieves 2% of the total walking distance. This paper provides a feasible alternative for accurate indoor heading and trajectory tracking.
Suppression of collisionless magnetic reconnection in asymmetric current sheets
Authors: Liu Yi-Hsin , Hesse Michael
Published: June 2016

Using fully kinetic simulations, we study the suppression of asymmetric reconnection in the limit where the diamagnetic drift speed ≫ Alfvén speed and the magnetic shear angle is moderate. We demonstrate that the slippage between electrons and the magnetic flux mitigates the suppression and can even result in fast reconnection that lacks one of the outflow jets. Through comparing a case where the diamagnetic drift is supported by the temperature gradient with a companion case that has a density gradient instead, we identify a robust suppression mechanism. The drift of the x-line is slowed down locally by the asymmetric nature of the x-line, and then the x-line is run over and swallowed by the faster-moving following flux.
Angular width of the Cherenkov radiation with inclusion of multiple scattering
Authors: Zheng Jian
Published: June 2016

Visible Cherenkov radiation can offer a method of the measurement of the velocity of charged particles. The angular width of the radiation is important since it determines the resolution of the velocity measurement. In this article, the angular width of Cherenkov radiation with inclusion of multiple scattering is calculated through the path-integral method, and the analytical expressions are presented. The condition that multiple scattering processes dominate the angular distribution is obtained.
Coulomb fission of a dusty plasma
Authors: Merlino R. L. , Meyer J. K. , Avinash K. , Sen A.
Published: June 2016

Experimental observations are presented of the splitting (fission) of a suspension of charged microparticles (dusty plasma) into two fragments when the plasma was suddenly turned off. The triggering mechanism for fissioning of the dust cloud is discussed in terms of a pinching instability driven by the ion drag force.
Particle in cell/Monte Carlo collision analysis of the problem of identification of impurities in the gas by the plasma electron spectroscopy method
Authors: Kusoglu Sarikaya C. , Rafatov I. , Kudryavtsev A. A.
Published: June 2016

The work deals with the Particle in Cell/Monte Carlo Collision (PIC/MCC) analysis of the problem of detection and identification of impurities in the nonlocal plasma of gas discharge using the Plasma Electron Spectroscopy (PLES) method. For this purpose, 1d3v PIC/MCC code for numerical simulation of glow discharge with nonlocal electron energy distribution function is developed. The elastic, excitation, and ionization collisions between electron-neutral pairs and isotropic scattering and charge exchange collisions between ion-neutral pairs and Penning ionizations are taken into account. Applicability of the numerical code is verified under the Radio-Frequency capacitively coupled discharge conditions. The efficiency of the code is increased by its parallelization using Open Message Passing Interface. As a demonstration of the PLES method, parallel PIC/MCC code is applied to the direct current glow discharge in helium doped with a small amount of argon. Numerical results are consistent with the theoretical analysis of formation of nonlocal EEDF and existing experimental data.
Two dimensional WS2 lateral heterojunctions by strain modulation
Authors: Meng Lan , Zhang Yuhan , Hu Song , Wang Xiangfu , Liu Chunsheng , Guo Yandong , Wang Xinran , Yan Xiaohong
Published: June 2016

“Strain engineering” has been widely used to tailor the physical properties of layered materials, like graphene, black phosphorus, and transition-metal dichalcogenides. Here, we exploit thermal strain engineering to construct two dimensional (2D) WS2 in-plane heterojunctions. Kelvin probe force microscopy is used to investigate the surface potentials and work functions of few-layer WS2 flakes, which are grown on SiO2/Si substrates by chemical vapor deposition, followed by a fast cooling process. In the interior regions of strained WS2 flakes, work functions are found to be much larger than that of the unstrained regions. The difference in work functions, together with the variation of band gaps, endows the formation of heterojunctions in the boundaries between inner and outer domains of WS2 flakes. This result reveals that the existence of strain offers a unique opportunity to modulate the electronic properties of 2D materials and construct 2D lateral heterojunctions.
Dynamic susceptibility of onion in ferromagnetic elliptical nanoring
Authors: Mu Congpu , Song Jiefang , Xu Jianghong , Wen Fusheng
Published: June 2016

Micromagnetic simulation was performed to investigate the equilibrium state and dynamic susceptibility spectra of magnetic elliptical nanoring. There are two equilibrium states (onion and vortex) obtained in elliptical nanoring. The onion state can be used to record information in MRAM. And it is important to investigate the dynamic susceptibility spectra of onion state, which is closely related to writing and reading speed of magnetic memory devices. Those results show that two or three resonance peaks are found under different thickness of elliptical nanoring with onion state, respectively. The low resonance frequency of two resonance peaks is increasing with the arm width of the elliptical ring, but is decreasing with the thickness. However, the high frequency of two resonance peaks is decreasing with the arm width of the elliptical ring.
Mixed convection flow with non-uniform heat source/sink in a doubly stratified magnetonanofluid
Authors: Mehmood K. , Hussain S. , Sagheer M.
Published: June 2016

In this study, we explore the unsteady flow of viscous nanofluid driven by an inclined stretching sheet. The novelty of the present study is to account for the effect of a non-uniform heat source/sink in a thermally and solutally stratified magnetonanofluid. Governing system of nonlinear partial differential equations is converted into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Solution of the transformed system is obtained using RK4 method with shooting technique. It is observed that increase in the values of thermal and mass stratification parameter reduce the velocity profile and increase in the values of variable thermal conductivity parameter and non-uniform heat source/sink parameters enhance the temperature distribution. Moreover, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are discussed. Obtained results are displayed both graphically and in tabular form to illustrate the effect of different parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles. Numerical results are compared with previous published results and found to be in good agreement for special cases of the emerging parameters.
Temperature and atmospheric CO
2
concentration estimates through the PETM using triple oxygen isotope analysis of mammalian bioapatite
Authors: Gehler Alexander , Gingerich Philip D. , Pack Andreas
Published: June 2016

Significance

Our data suggest that the sudden rise in atmospheric temperature during the Paleocene–Eocene transition was not accompanied by highly elevated carbon dioxide concentrations >∼2,500 ppm. Instead, the low
13
C/
12
C isotope ratios during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum were most likely caused by a significant contribution of methane to the atmosphere. We present data applying a newly developed partial pressure of CO
2
proxy.
Changes in genetic selection differentials and generation intervals in US Holstein dairy cattle as a result of genomic selection
Authors: García-Ruiz Adriana , Cole John B. , VanRaden Paul M. , Wiggans George R. , Ruiz-López Felipe J. , Van Tassell Curtis P.
Published: June 2016

Significance

The introduction of genomic selection in dairy cattle improvement programs in 2008 was expected to increase rates of genetic gain, particularly for traits with low heritabilities, such as fertility and longevity. Our analysis of the US national dairy database found that generation intervals have decreased dramatically over the past 6 y, and selection intensity for lowly heritable traits has increased considerably. Genetic trends rapidly increased for fertility, lifespan, and udder health. These results clearly demonstrate the positive impact of genomic selection in US dairy cattle, even though this technology has only been in use for a short time. This progress in US Holsteins will have a favorable impact on other populations worldwide due to the widespread dissemination of US germplasm.
Faster reproductive rates trade off against offspring growth in wild chimpanzees
Authors: Emery Thompson Melissa , Muller Martin N. , Sabbi Kris , Machanda Zarin P. , Otali Emily , Wrangham Richard W.
Published: June 2016

Significance

Life history theory predicts that organisms can increase their fitness either by producing many offspring or by producing fewer, high-quality offspring. This “quality–quantity” trade-off is expected to be particularly salient for species such as humans that have extended offspring investment, but it may be obscured by cultural mechanisms, such as provisioning. We found strong evidence for quality–quantity trade-offs in chimpanzees, a closely related species with extensive maternal investment. Immature wild chimpanzees that were relatively young when their next sibling was born remained smaller throughout their juvenile years. Chimpanzee mothers with more resources appear to invest in faster reproduction rather than in more robust offspring. This strategy may have set the stage for rapid reproduction and postweaning investment in the human species.
Binocular rivalry from invisible patterns
Authors: Zou Jinyou , He Sheng , Zhang Peng
Published: June 2016

Significance

Here we investigated a key question regarding how the brain resolves conflicting information—specifically, does binocular rivalry competition require conscious awareness of interocular conflicting information? We first showed that a chromatic grating counterphase flickering at 30 Hz became invisible but could induce a significant tilt aftereffect and orientation-selective adaptation. The invisible gratings produced significant BOLD activities in the early visual cortex but not in frontoparietal cortical areas. Further experiments revealed that although the pattern information was not consciously perceived, invisible orientation conflict between the two eyes could induce rivalry competition. Thus, visual competition could occur without conscious representation of the conflicting visual inputs, presumably in the sensory cortex with minimal engagement of high-level cortex and related top-down feedback modulations.
Large-scale climatic and geophysical controls on the leaf economics spectrum
Authors: Asner Gregory P. , Knapp David E. , Anderson Christopher B. , Martin Roberta E. , Vaughn Nicholas
Published: June 2016

Significance

Ecology seeks general principles describing how the biota respond to multiple environmental factors, partly to build a more prognostic science in the face of global climate change. One such principle to emerge is the “leaf economics spectrum” (LES), which relates ecologically important plant nutrients to leaf construction and growth along simple relational axes. However, interrelationships between LES traits have not been tested at large geographic scales. Using airborne imaging spectroscopy and geospatial modeling, we discovered strong climatic and geophysical controls on LES traits and their interrelationships throughout Andean and western Amazonian forest canopies. This finding highlights the need for biogeographically explicit treatment of plant traits, afforded by imaging spectroscopy, in the next generation of biospheric models.
Highly sensitive and unbiased approach for elucidating antibody repertoires
Authors: Lin Sherry G. , Ba Zhaoqing , Du Zhou , Zhang Yu , Hu Jiazhi , Alt Frederick W.
Published: June 2016

Significance

Antibodies are generated by B cells of the adaptive immune system to eliminate various pathogens. A somatic gene rearrangement process, termed V(D)J recombination, assembles antibody gene segments to form sequences encoding the antigen-binding regions of antibodies. Each of the multitude of newly generated B cells produces a different antibody with a unique antigen-binding sequence, which collectively form the primary antibody repertoire of an individual. Given the utility of specific antibodies for treating various human diseases, approaches to elucidate primary antibody repertoires are of great importance. Here, we describe a new method for high-coverage analysis of antibody repertoires termed high-throughput genome-wide translocation sequencing-adapted repertoire sequencing (HTGTS-Rep-seq). We discuss the potential merits of this approach, which is both unbiased and highly sensitive.
Zeros of a cross-product of the Coulomb wave and Tricomi hypergeometric functions
Authors: Baricz Árpád
Published: June 2016

Motivated by a problem on conditions for the existence of clines in genetics, we show that the positive zeros of a cross-product of the regular Coulomb wave function and the Tricomi hypergeometric function are increasing with respect to one of the parameters. In particular, this implies that the eigenvalues of a certain boundary value problem are increasing with the dimension.
Unitary dilation of freely independent contractions
Authors: Atkinson Scott , Ramsey Christopher
Published: June 2016

Inspired by the Sz.-Nagy-Foias dilation theorem we show that

n
n

freely independent contractions dilate to

n
n

freely independent unitaries.
Analysis of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell model in an interval
Authors: Filbet Francis , Guo Yan , Shu Chi-Wang
Published: June 2016

The dynamics of a collisionless electron gas under the influence of the self-consistent electromagnetic field is studied in an interval, where electrons are emitted at one end of the interval and absorbed at the other. The electron distribution

f
f

depends on one space variable

x
x

and two dimensional velocity variables

(

v

1

,

v

2

)

(v_{1},v_{2})

, whereas the electromagnetic field satisfies the Maxwell system. It is shown that the electromagnetic field is smooth enough to define the trajectories of particles. On the other hand, due to the absorbing boundary condition,

f
f

is in general not smooth, and only has bounded total variations. Such

B
V

BV

regularity is sufficient to guarantee the uniqueness of the nonlinear electron dynamics. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the formation of a singularity from the boundary for the electron distribution.
Millimeter-sized grains in the protostellar envelopes: Where do they come from?
Authors: Wong Yi Hang Valerie , Hirashita Hiroyuki , Li Zhi-Yun
Published: June 2016

Grain growth during star formation affects the physical and chemical processes in the evolution of star-forming clouds. We investigate the origin of the millimeter (mm)-sized grains recently observed in Class I protostellar envelopes. We use the coagulation model developed in our previous paper and find that a hydrogen number density of as high as 1010 cm−3, instead of the typical density 105 cm−3, is necessary for the formation of mm-sized grains. Thus, we test a hypothesis that such large grains are transported to the envelope from the inner, denser parts, finding that gas drag by outflow efficiently “launches” the large grains as long as the central object has not grown to ≳0.1 M⊙. By investigating the shattering effect on the mm-sized grains, we ensure that the large grains are not significantly fragmented after being injected in the envelope. We conclude that the mm-sized grains observed in the protostellar envelopes are not formed in the envelopes but formed in the inner parts of the star-forming regions and transported to the envelopes before a significant mass growth of the central object, and that they survive in the envelopes.
Patient Recruitment and Referral Patterns in Face Transplantation: A Single Center’s Experience
Authors: Kiwanuka Harriet , Aycart Mario A. , Bueno Ericka M. , Alhefzi Muayyad , Krezdorn Nicco , Pomahac Bohdan
Published: June 2016

Background:

Face transplantation has been shown to improve the functional and aesthetic deficits of facially disfigured individuals. Given promising short-term results, it is important to examine whether face transplantation centers are effectively reaching the targeted facial disfigurement population. The authors’ center reviewed their face transplantation contacts to assess patient recruitment and outreach performance.

Methods:

The authors performed a retrospective review of their face transplantation contacts from the time of their institutional review board protocol approval (February of 2008) to October of 2015. They investigated the relationship between referral pattern (i.e., physician versus self) with the contact’s demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, race, mechanism of injury, and geographic location) and clinical trial status.

Results:

There were a total of 72 face transplantation contacts. The average age of the contacts was 38 years, and the majority were men [n = 41 (56.9 percent)]. Most were white (n = 33), and the most prevalent mechanism of injury was burns (46.4 percent). The majority of the contacts resided within the United States (n = 47), with most from the Northeastern United States (n = 21). Of the 72 contacts, 35 (48.6 percent) were physician referrals and 37 (51.4 percent) were self-referrals. Physician referrals have led to the most screened and transplanted contacts in their center, whereas self-referral often led to immediate exclusion.

Conclusions:

The authors show the diversity of patient characteristics and referral patterns in their clinical trial. Furthermore, they describe the relationship of characteristics to outcomes in their cohort and identify areas of improvement, such as patient and physician education. Lastly, they are reminded of the potential impact on the burn community.
Nipple Loss following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Authors: Mastroianni Melissa , Lin Alex M. , Smith Barbara L. , Austen William G. , Colwell Amy S.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Nipple preservation at the time of mastectomy is increasingly performed to enhance the overall result from the reconstruction. Unfortunately, some of these patients may lose their nipples for oncologic reasons or because of necrosis. Several studies have investigated risk factors associated with nipple loss, but few data exist on the incidence of cancer in the nipple specimen, nipple removal for cosmesis or symmetry, and whether these patients subsequently pursue nipple reconstruction.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on nipple-sparing mastectomies and immediate reconstruction from 2007 to 2013.

Results:

Of 443 patients (775 breasts), 51 nipples (6.6 percent) were removed. Of the 51 nipple losses, 76 percent had total nipple or nipple-areola complex loss and 24 percent had partial loss. Twenty-five of the nipples (49 percent) required excision for oncologic reasons, 18 nipples (35 percent) were either partially or totally lost because of necrosis, and one nipple (2 percent) was excised for cosmetic reasons. In cases of bilateral reconstruction and unilateral nipple loss, 65 percent of contralateral normal nipples were retained and 35 percent (n = 7) were removed for symmetry. Fourteen nipples had residual cancer or atypia, whereas 37 had normal pathologic findings. Twenty-one nipples (40 percent) were reconstructed and 30 were not.

Conclusions:

In this series, the incidence of nipple loss following nipple-sparing mastectomy was 6.6 percent and related primarily to positive oncologic margins. The rate of removal for cosmesis was low, suggesting that for most patients the nipple lies in an acceptable position. After removal, 40 percent of patients had nipple reconstruction.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Pretarsal Augmented Lower Blepharoplasty
Authors: Jeon Yeo Reum , Rah Dong Kyun , Lew Dae Hyun , Roh Tai Suk , Kim Young Seok , Choi Hong Lim
Published: June 2016

Background:

Narrow and chubby pretarsal fullness is a characteristic of attractiveness and youthfulness, and pretarsal augmentation has gained popularity in Asia. Conventional lower blepharoplasty has focused on correcting the aged appearance of the lower eyelids by repositioning fat and removing excess skin. However, this technique can create flat lower eyelids and provide an indication that cosmetic surgery was performed. Therefore, our pretarsal augmented lower blepharoplasty technique focuses on restoring pretarsal fullness and creating a three-dimensional lower eyelid-cheek complex. The authors present the results of this technique, which demonstrate that it simultaneously enhances lower eyelid support and restores pretarsal fullness.

Methods:

This retrospective chart review evaluated 659 consecutive patients who underwent pretarsal augmented lower blepharoplasty between 2011 and 2014. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon (H.L.C.). The outcomes and complications were assessed by evaluating the patients’ preoperative and postoperative digital photographs and medical records.

Results:

There were no permanent major complications, such as retrobulbar hemorrhage, diplopia, or hypertrophic scarring. Chemosis occurred in 90 patients (13.7 percent), 10 patients (1.5 percent) underwent minor revision because of an undercorrected nasojugal groove or loosened orbicularis oculi muscle suspension suture, and three patients (0.46 percent) experienced mild ectropion that resolved spontaneously. Approximately 98 percent of the patients were satisfied. Our technique provided a natural and younger appearance with pretarsal fullness, rather than the flattened appearance that is associated with conventional blepharoplasty.

Conclusions:

Pretarsal augmented lower blepharoplasty uses simple methods to restore pretarsal fullness. This technique improves periorbital contouring, rejuvenates the pretarsal roll, and provides excellent aesthetic results.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Single-Stage Resection of Type II Constriction Rings in Limbs on the Basis of Histologic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Observations: A Retrospective Study of 21 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Jiang Yongkang , Mao Hailei , Yang Xi , Zhou Shengbo , Ni Feng , Xu Qiming , Wang Bin
Published: June 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of single-stage resection for type II congenital constriction rings by means of histologic examination of resected specimens and imaging examination of affected extremities, and to evaluate the appearance and function of the extremities after single-stage surgery.

Methods:

The features of the skin on the constriction rings and the subcutaneous tissues were identified through continuous sectioning, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistologic staining of specimens of type II constriction rings obtained by means of surgery. The relationship between the constriction rings and the deep main blood vessels was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Single-stage resection of the constriction band, reduction of the fascial flap, and triangular flap-plasty were performed for 21 patients. The appearance, lymphedema, and movement of the extremities were compared before and after the operation.

Results:

Type II constriction rings in the extremities had normal full-layer skin structures. Collagen was found deposited densely at the base of the grooves, but the normal subcutaneous tissue space remained, and the vital nerves and blood vessels were unaffected. Complete resection of the constriction rings was achieved in all 21 patients, and lymphedema subsided 2 months after the operation. No episode of recurrence was found, and limb function was not affected at 26-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

Type II congenital constriction rings in limbs possess normal subcutaneous tissue spaces. A single-stage operation, which includes complete resection of the rings, fascial flap reduction, and triangular flap-plasty, could achieve a satisfactory appearance and good function.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Inverse approach to estimating larval dispersal reveals limited population connectivity along 700 km of wave-swept open coast
Authors: Hameed Sarah O. , White J. Wilson , Miller Seth H. , Nickols Kerry J. , Morgan Steven G.
Published: June 2016

Demographic connectivity is fundamental to the persistence and resilience of metapopulations, but our understanding of the link between reproduction and recruitment is notoriously poor in open-coast marine populations. We provide the first evidence of high local retention and limited connectivity among populations spanning 700 km along an open coast in an upwelling system. Using extensive field measurements of fecundity, population size and settlement in concert with a Bayesian inverse modelling approach, we estimated that, on average,
Petrolisthes cinctipes
larvae disperse only 6.9 km (±25.0 km s.d.) from natal populations, despite spending approximately six weeks in an open-coast system that was once assumed to be broadly dispersive. This estimate differed substantially from our prior dispersal estimate (153.9 km) based on currents and larval duration and behaviour, revealing the importance of employing demographic data in larval dispersal estimates. Based on this estimate, we predict that demographic connectivity occurs predominantly among neighbouring populations less than 30 km apart. Comprehensive studies of larval production, settlement and connectivity are needed to advance an understanding of the ecology and evolution of life in the sea as well as to conserve ecosystems. Our novel approach provides a tractable framework for addressing these questions for species occurring in discrete coastal populations.
Cementing mussels to oysters in the pteriomorphian tree: a phylogenomic approach
Authors: Lemer Sarah , González Vanessa L. , Bieler Rüdiger , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: June 2016

Mussels (Mytilida) are a group of bivalves with ancient origins and some of the most important commercial shellfish worldwide. Mytilida consists of approximately 400 species found in various littoral and deep-sea environments, and are part of the higher clade Pteriomorphia, but their exact position within the group has been unstable. The multiple adaptive radiations that occurred within Pteriomorphia have rendered phylogenetic classifications difficult and uncertainty remains regarding the relationships among most families. To address this phylogenetic uncertainty, novel transcriptomic data were generated to include all five orders of Pteriomorphia. Our results, derived from complex analyses of large datasets from 41 transcriptomes and evaluating possible pitfalls affecting phylogenetic reconstruction (matrix occupancy, heterogeneity, evolutionary rates, evolutionary models), consistently recover a well-supported phylogeny of Pteriomorphia, with the only exception of the most complete but smallest data matrix (
Matrix 3
: 51 genes, 90% gene occupancy). Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian mixture model analyses retrieve strong support for: (i) the monophyly of Pteriomorphia, (ii) Mytilida as a sister group to Ostreida, and (iii) Arcida as sister group to all other pteriomorphians. The basal position of Arcida is congruent with its shell microstructure (solely composed of aragonitic crystals), whereas Mytilida and Ostreida display a combination of a calcitic outer layer with an aragonitic inner layer composed of nacre tablets, the latter being secondarily lost in Ostreoidea.
Vibrations and spatial patterns in biomimetic surfaces: using the shark-skin effect to control blood clotting
Authors: Ramachandran Rahul , Maani Nazanin , Rayz Vitaliy L. , Nosonovsky Michael
Published: June 2016

We study the effect of small-amplitude fast vibrations and small-amplitude spatial patterns on various systems involving wetting and liquid flow, such as superhydrophobic surfaces, membranes and flow pipes. First, we introduce a mathematical method of averaging the effect of small spatial and temporal patterns and substituting them with an effective force. Such an effective force can change the equilibrium state of a system as well as a phase state, leading to surface texture-induced and vibration-induced phase control. Vibration and patterns can effectively jam holes in vessels with liquid, separate multi-phase flow, change membrane properties, result in propulsion and locomotion and lead to many other multi-scale, nonlinear effects including the shark-skin effect. We discuss the application of such effects to blood flow for novel biomedical ‘haemophobic’ applications which can prevent blood clotting and thrombosis by controlling the surface pattern at a wall of a vessel (e.g. a catheter or stent).

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bioinspired hierarchically structured surfaces for green science’.