bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult social outcomes of extremely low birth weight survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Authors: Lund J. I. , Day K. L. , Schmidt L. A. , Saigal S. , Van Lieshout R. J.
Published: September 2016

Preterm birth and exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are early physiological and psychological adversities that have been linked to reduced social functioning across the lifespan. However, the joint effects of being born preterm and being exposed to CSA on adult social outcomes remains unclear. We sought to determine the impact of exposure to both preterm birth and CSA on adult social functioning in a group of 179 extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) survivors and 145 matched normal birth weight (>2500 g) participants in the fourth decade of life. Social outcome data from a prospective, longitudinal, population-based Canadian birth cohort initiated between the years of 1977 and 1982 were examined. At age 29–36 years, ELBW survivors who experienced CSA reported poorer relationships with their partner, worse family functioning, greater loneliness, lower self-esteem and had higher rates of avoidant personality problems than those who had not experienced CSA. Birth weight status was also found to moderate associations between CSA and self-esteem (P=0.032), loneliness (P=0.021) and family functioning (P=0.060), such that the adverse effects of CSA were amplified in ELBW survivors. Exposure to CSA appears to augment the adult social risks associated with perinatal adversity. Individuals born preterm and exposed to CSA appear to be a group at particularly high risk for adverse social outcomes in adulthood.
Komplexe Krisenintervention bei einem 16-jährigen schwangeren Mädchen nach unbegleiteter Flucht aus Eritrea
Authors: Dixius Andrea , Möhler Eva
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge sind auf ihrer Flucht meist komplexen traumatischen Ereignissen ausgesetzt, besonders massiv trifft dies auf minderjährige Mädchen zu.

An einem Wochenende wurde in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie ein 16-jähriges Mädchen zur Krisenintervention mit akuter Suizidalität aufgenommen. Das Mädchen war zuvor ohne Begleitung aus Eritrea geflüchtet und lebt in einer Jugendhilfeeinrichtung. Am Vortag war eine Schwangerschaft (23. SSW p. c.) festgestellt worden, die aus mehreren Vergewaltigungen während ihrer Flucht vom Sudan nach Nigeria hervorging. Alle Anzeichen der Schwangerschaft waren von dem Mädchen verleugnet worden. Als diese medizinisch festgestellt wurde, wollte die Patientin sich durch einen Sprung aus dem Fenster das Leben nehmen. Die Mitarbeiter der Jugendhilfeeinrichtung fragten nach einer ‚psychiatrischen Indikation‘ für einen Schwangerschaftsabbruch.

Implikationen für eine medizinische Indikation aus psychiatrischen Gründen bei einem Schwangerschaftsstatus der 23. Woche werden sowohl unter ethischen Aspekten als auch unter der Betrachtung der posttraumatischen Symptomatik in dem vorliegenden Case Report diskutiert.
Short-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of a very low-calorie-ketogenic diet interventional weight loss program versus hypocaloric diet in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Goday A , Bellido D , Sajoux I , Crujeiras A B , Burguera B , García-Luna P P , Oleaga A , Moreno B , Casanueva F F
Published: September 2016

Brackground:

The safety and tolerability of very low-calorie-ketogenic (VLCK) diets are a current concern in the treatment of obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Objective:

Evaluating the short-term safety and tolerability of a VLCK diet (<50 g of carbohydrate daily) in an interventional weight loss program including lifestyle and behavioral modification support (Diaprokal Method) in subjects with T2DM.

Methods:

Eighty-nine men and women, aged between 30 and 65 years, with T2DM and body mass index between 30 and 35 kg m−2 participated in this prospective, open-label, multi-centric randomized clinical trial with a duration of 4 months. Forty-five subjects were randomly assigned to the interventional weight loss (VLCK diet), and 44 to the standard low-calorie diet.

Results:

No significant differences in the laboratory safety parameters were found between the two study groups. Changes in the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in VLCK diet were not significant and were comparable to control group. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen did not change significantly relative to baseline nor between groups. Weight loss and reduction in waist circumference in the VLCK diet group were significantly larger than in control subjects (both P<0.001). The decline in HbA1c and glycemic control was larger in the VLCK diet group (P<0.05). No serious adverse events were reported and mild AE in the VLCK diet group declined at last follow-up.

Conclusions:

The interventional weight loss program based on a VLCK diet is most effective in reducing body weight and improvement of glycemic control than a standard hypocaloric diet with safety and good tolerance for T2DM patients.
Förster resonance energy transfer and protein-induced fluorescence enhancement as synergetic multi-scale molecular rulers
Authors: Ploetz Evelyn , Lerner Eitan , Husada Florence , Roelfs Martin , Chung SangYoon , Hohlbein Johannes , Weiss Shimon , Cordes Thorben
Published: September 2016

Advanced microscopy methods allow obtaining information on (dynamic) conformational changes in biomolecules via measuring a single molecular distance in the structure. It is, however, extremely challenging to capture the full depth of a three-dimensional biochemical state, binding-related structural changes or conformational cross-talk in multi-protein complexes using one-dimensional assays. In this paper we address this fundamental problem by extending the standard molecular ruler based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) into a two-dimensional assay via its combination with protein-induced fluorescence enhancement (PIFE). We show that donor brightness (via PIFE) and energy transfer efficiency (via FRET) can simultaneously report on e.g., the conformational state of double stranded DNA (dsDNA) following its interaction with unlabelled proteins (BamHI, EcoRV, and T7 DNA polymerase gp5/trx). The PIFE-FRET assay uses established labelling protocols and single molecule fluorescence detection schemes (alternating-laser excitation, ALEX). Besides quantitative studies of PIFE and FRET ruler characteristics, we outline possible applications of ALEX-based PIFE-FRET for single-molecule studies with diffusing and immobilized molecules. Finally, we study transcription initiation and scrunching of E. coli RNA-polymerase with PIFE-FRET and provide direct evidence for the physical presence and vicinity of the polymerase that causes structural changes and scrunching of the transcriptional DNA bubble.
X-ray-generated heralded macroscopical quantum entanglement of two nuclear ensembles
Authors: Liao Wen-Te , Keitel Christoph H. , Pálffy Adriana
Published: September 2016

Heralded entanglement between macroscopical samples is an important resource for present quantum technology protocols, allowing quantum communication over large distances. In such protocols, optical photons are typically used as information and entanglement carriers between macroscopic quantum memories placed in remote locations. Here we investigate theoretically a new implementation which employs more robust x-ray quanta to generate heralded entanglement between two crystal-hosted macroscopical nuclear ensembles. Mössbauer nuclei in the two crystals interact collectively with an x-ray spontaneous parametric down conversion photon that generates heralded macroscopical entanglement with coherence times of approximately 100 ns at room temperature. The quantum phase between the entangled crystals can be conveniently manipulated by magnetic field rotations at the samples. The inherent long nuclear coherence times allow also for mechanical manipulations of the samples, for instance to check the stability of entanglement in the x-ray setup. Our results pave the way for first quantum communication protocols that use x-ray qubits.
Global analysis of transcription in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells uncovers active enhancers and direct androgen receptor targets
Authors: Toropainen Sari , Niskanen Einari A. , Malinen Marjo , Sutinen Päivi , Kaikkonen Minna U. , Palvimo Jorma J.
Published: September 2016

Androgen receptor (AR) is a male sex steroid-activated transcription factor (TF) that plays a critical role in prostate cancers, including castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPC) that typically express amplified levels of the AR. CRPC-derived VCaP cells display an excessive number of chromatin AR-binding sites (ARBs) most of which localize to distal inter- or intragenic regions. Here, we analyzed direct transcription programs of the AR in VCaP cells using global nuclear run-on sequencing (GRO-seq) and integrated the GRO-seq data with the ARB and VCaP cell-specific TF-binding data. Androgen immediately activated transcription of hundreds of protein-coding genes, including IGF-1 receptor and EGF receptor. Androgen also simultaneously repressed transcription of a large number of genes, including MYC. As functional enhancers have been postulated to produce enhancer-templated non-coding RNAs (eRNAs), we also analyzed the eRNAs, which revealed that only a fraction of the ARBs reside at functional enhancers. Activation of these enhancers was most pronounced at the sites that also bound PIAS1, ERG and HDAC3, whereas binding of HDAC3 and PIAS1 decreased at androgen-repressed enhancers. In summary, our genome-wide data of androgen-regulated enhancers and primary target genes provide new insights how the AR can directly regulate cellular growth and control signaling pathways in CPRC cells.
Physicochemistry and cardiovascular toxicity of metal fume PM2.5: a study of human coronary artery endothelial cells and welding workers
Authors: Lai Chane-Yu , Lai Ching-Huang , Chuang Hsiao-Chi , Pan Chih-Hong , Yen Cheng-Chieh , Lin Wen-Yi , Chen Jen-Kun , Lin Lian-Yu , Chuang Kai-Jen
Published: September 2016

Occupational exposure to welding fumes causes a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, the association remains unclear. To clarify the possible association, exposure assessment of metal fumes with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) in welding and office areas was characterized in a shipyard in Taiwan. Cardiovascular toxicity caused by PM2.5 was determined in workers (in both the welding and office areas). Significant amounts of bimodal metal fume particles with count median diameters (CMDs) of 14.1~15.1 and 126.3~135.8 nm were produced in the shipyard. Metal fume PM2.5 resulted in decreased cell viability and increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), interleukin (IL)-6, and nitric oxide (NO) in human coronary artery epithelial cells (HCAECs). We recruited 118 welding workers and 45 office workers for a personal PM2.5 exposure assessment and determination of urinary levels of 8-OHdG, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), and various metals. We observed that a 10-μg/m3 increase in the mean PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 2.15% increase in 8-OHdG and an 8.43% increase in 8-iso-PGF2α in welding workers. Both 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α were associated with Fe and Zn in the urine. In conclusion, metal fume PM2.5 could increase the risk of cardiovascular toxicity after inhalation.
Circulating tumor DNA detection in lung cancer patients before and after surgery
Authors: Guo Nannan , Lou Feng , Ma Yongfu , Li Jie , Yang Bo , Chen Wei , Ye Hua , Zhang Jing-Bo , Zhao Ming-Yu , Wu Wen-Jun , Shi Rong , Jones Lindsey , Chen Katherine S. , Huang Xue F. , Chen Si-Yi , Liu Yang
Published: September 2016

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral blood is a “liquid biopsy” that contains representative tumor information including gene mutations. Additionally, repeated ctDNA samples can be easily obtained to monitor response to treatment and disease progression, which may be especially valuable to lung cancer patients with tumors that cannot be easily biopsied or removed. To investigate the changes in ctDNA after surgical tumor resection, tumor and blood samples obtained before and after surgery were collected prospectively from 41 non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Somatic driver mutations in tumor DNA (tDNA) and pre- and post-op plasma ctDNA sample pairs were identified by targeted sequencing in several genes including EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 with an overall study concordance of 78.1% and sensitivity and specificity of 69.2% and 93.3%, respectively. Importantly, the frequency of 91.7% of ctDNA mutations decreased after surgery and these changes were observed as little as 2 days post-op. Moreover, the presence of ctDNA had a higher positive predictive value than that of six tumor biomarkers in current clinical use. This study demonstrates the use of targeted sequencing to reliably identify ctDNA changes in response to treatment, indicating a potential utility of this approach in the clinical management of NSCLC.
A combination hepatoma-targeted therapy based on nanotechnology: pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK/131I-antiAFPMcAb-GCV/MFH
Authors: Lin Mei , Huang Junxing , Jiang Xingmao , Zhang Jia , Yu Hong , Ye Jun , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: September 2016

Combination targeted therapy is a promising cancer therapeutic strategy. Here, using PEI-Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles (PEI-MZF-NPs) as magnetic media for MFH (magnetic fluid hyperthermia) and gene transfer vector for gene-therapy, a combined therapy, pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK/131I-antiAFPMcAb-GCV/MFH, for hepatoma is developed. AntiAFPMcAb (Monoclonal antibody AFP) is exploited for targeting. The plasmids pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK are achieved by incorporation of pEgr1-HSV-TK and pHRE-Egr1-EGFP. Restriction enzyme digestion and PCR confirm the recombinant plasmids pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK are successfully constructed. After exposure to the magnetic field, PEI-MZF-NPs/pHRE-Egr1-EGFP fluid is warmed rapidly and then the temperature is maintained at 43 °C or so, which is quite appropriate for cancer treatment. The gene expression reaches the peak when treated with 200 μCi 131I for 24 hours, indicating that the dose of 200 μCi might be the optimal dose for irradiation and 24 h irradiation later is the best time to initiate MFH. The in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK/131I-antiAFPMcAb-GCV/MFH can greatly suppress hepatic tumor cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis and necrosis and effectively inhibit the tumor growth, much better than any monotherapy does alone. Furthermore, the combination therapy has few or no adverse effects. It might be applicable as a strategy to treat hepatic cancer.
Circulation of multiple serotypes of highly divergent enterovirus C in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China
Authors: Zhang Yong , Sun Qiang , Cui Hui , Yan Dongmei , Fan Qin , Song Yang , Zhu Shuangli , Li Xiaolei , Huang Guohong , Ji Tianjiao , Hu Lan , Wang Dongyan , Yang Qian , Xu Wenbo
Published: September 2016

Poliomyelitis associated with circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) is a serious public health issue in the post-eradication era and the occurrence of recombinant cVDPVs emphasizes the need to elucidate enterovirus C (EV-C) epidemiology. Stool samples were collected from 826 healthy children in Southern Xinjiang in 2011 to investigate EV-C circulation and epidemiology. Thirty-six EV-Cs were isolated and assigned to eight EV-C serotypes by molecular serotyping, suggesting the circulation of diverse EV-Cs in Xinjiang. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Xinjiang EV-C strains had larger variation compared to the prototype and other modern strains. Additionally, the results showed unique characteristics of Xinjiang EV-Cs, such as the cytopathicity of CV-A1 strains to RD cells; the high divergence in CV-A11, CV-A13, CV-A17 and CV-A20 strains; the divergence of Xinjiang CV-A24 from AHC-related CV-A24 variant stains distributed worldwide; and the circulation of two novel EV-C serotypes (EV-C96 and EV-C99). Evaluations of this dense and diverse EV-C ecosystem will help elucidate the processes shaping enteroviral biodiversity. This study will improve our understanding of the evolution of enteroviruses and the recombination potential between polioviruses and other EV-Cs.
Three-dimensional bulk electronic structure of the Kondo lattice CeIn3 revealed by photoemission
Authors: Zhang Yun , Lu Haiyan , Zhu Xiegang , Tan Shiyong , Liu Qin , Chen Qiuyun , Feng Wei , Xie Donghua , Luo Lizhu , Liu Yu , Song Haifeng , Zhang Zhengjun , Lai Xinchun
Published: September 2016

We show the three-dimensional electronic structure of the Kondo lattice CeIn3using soft x-ray angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy in the paramagnetic state. For the first time, we have directly observed the three-dimensional topology of the Fermi surface of CeIn3by photoemission. The Fermi surface has a complicated hole pocket centred at the Γ-Z line and an elliptical electron pocket centred at the R point of the Brillouin zone. Polarization and photon-energy dependent photoemission results both indicate the nearly localized nature of the 4felectrons in CeIn3, consistent with the theoretical prediction by means of the combination of density functional theory and single-site dynamical mean-field theory. Those results illustrate that thefelectrons of CeIn3, which is the parent material of CeMIn5compounds, are closer to the localized description than the layered CeMIn5compounds.
Characterization of the mechanism of prolonged adaptation to osmotic stress of Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis via genome and transcriptome sequencing analyses
Authors: Yaakop Amira Suriaty , Chan Kok-Gan , Ee Robson , Lim Yan Lue , Lee Siew-Kim , Manan Fazilah Abd , Goh Kian Mau
Published: September 2016

Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis, a moderate halophilic bacterium isolated from a pelagic area, can endure higher concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) than other Jeotgalibacillus type strains. In this study, we therefore chose to sequence and assemble the entire J. malaysiensis genome. This is the first report to provide a detailed analysis of the genomic features of J. malaysiensis, and to perform genetic comparisons between this microorganism and other halophiles. J. malaysiensis encodes a native megaplasmid (pJeoMA), which is greater than 600 kilobases in size, that is absent from other sequenced species of Jeotgalibacillus. Subsequently, RNA-Seq-based transcriptome analysis was utilised to examine adaptations of J. malaysiensis to osmotic stress. Specifically, the eggNOG (evolutionary genealogy of genes: Non-supervised Orthologous Groups) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes) databases were used to elucidate the overall effects of osmotic stress on the organism. Generally, saline stress significantly affected carbohydrate, energy, and amino acid metabolism, as well as fatty acid biosynthesis. Our findings also indicate that J. malaysiensis adopted a combination of approaches, including the uptake or synthesis of osmoprotectants, for surviving salt stress. Among these, proline synthesis appeared to be the preferred method for withstanding prolonged osmotic stress in J. malaysiensis.
The use of cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) to study Crizotinib resistance in ALK-expressing human cancers
Authors: Alshareef Abdulraheem , Zhang Hai-Feng , Huang Yung-Hsing , Wu Chengsheng , Zhang Jing Dong , Wang Peng , El-Sehemy Ahmed , Fares Mohamed , Lai Raymond
Published: September 2016

Various forms of oncogenic ALK proteins have been identified in various types of human cancers. While Crizotinib, an ALK inhibitor, has been found to be therapeutically useful against a subset of ALK+ tumours, clinical resistance to this drug has been well recognized and the mechanism of this phenomenon is incompletely understood. Using the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), we measured the Crizotinib—ALK binding in a panel of ALK+ cell lines, and correlated the findings with the ALK structure and its interactions with specific binding proteins. The Crizotinib IC50 significantly correlated with Crizotinib—ALK binding. The suboptimal Crizotinib—ALK binding in Crizotinib-resistant cells is not due to the cell-specific environment, since transfection of NPM-ALK into these cells revealed substantial Crizotinib—NPM-ALK binding. Interestingly, we found that the resistant cells expressed higher protein level of β-catenin and siRNA knockdown restored Crizotinib—ALK binding (correlated with a significant lowering of IC50). Computational analysis of the crystal structures suggests that β-catenin exerts steric hindrance to the Crizotinib—ALK binding. In conclusion, the Crizotinib—ALK binding measurable by CETSA is useful in predicting Crizotinib sensitivity, and Crizotinib—ALK binding is in turn dictated by the structure of ALK and some of its binding partners.
Revealing the remarkable structural diversity of the alkali metal transfer agents of the trans-calix[2]benzene[2]pyrrolide ligand
Authors: Fuentes M. Ángeles , Martínez-Martínez Antonio J. , Kennedy Alan R. , Mulvey Robert E.
Published: September 2016

The concealed structures of alkali metal trans-calix[2]benzene[2]pyrrolides are now revealed.
In situ Raman investigation of electrolyte solutions in the vicinity of graphite negative electrodes
Authors: Song Hee-Youb , Fukutsuka Tomokazu , Miyazaki Kohei , Abe Takeshi
Published: September 2016

An unusual electrolyte solution structure change when in the vicinity of a graphite composite electrode was detected using in situ Raman spectroscopy.
Scaling of excitons in graphene nanodots
Authors: Sheng Weidong , Wang Hao
Published: September 2016

The binding energy of an exciton in a semiconductor or an insulator is known to scale linearly with εr−2, where εr is its dielectric constant.
State-of-the-art Sn2+-based ternary oxides as photocatalysts for water splitting: electronic structures and optoelectronic properties
Authors: Noureldine Dalal , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: September 2016

Synthesis and electronic structures for Sn2+-based oxide materials are reviewed in an attempt to develop visible-light-responsive photocatalysts.
A robust and recyclable polyurea-encapsulated copper(i) chloride for one-pot ring-opening/Huisgen cycloaddition/CO2 capture in water
Authors: Chen Yun , Zhang Wei-Qiang , Yu Bin-Xun , Zhao Yu-Ming , Gao Zi-Wei , Jian Ya-Jun , Xu Li-Wen
Published: September 2016

One-pot ring-opening/Huisgen cycloaddition reactions combined with CO2 capture were carried out successfully in the presence of polyurea-encapsulated CuCl.
A novel viscoelastic-based ferrofluid for continuous sheathless microfluidic separation of nonmagnetic microparticles
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yan Sheng , Yuan Dan , Zhao Qianbin , Tan Say Hwa , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Li Weihua
Published: September 2016

We proposed and developed a novel viscoelastic ferrofluid, and demonstrated its superior advantages for continuous sheathless separation of nonmagnetic particles.
Crystallite size dependence of thermoelectric performance of CuCrO2
Authors: Ngo T. N. M. , Palstra T. T. M. , Blake G. R.
Published: September 2016

The thermoelectric performance of CuCrO2 with different particle size and morphology is influenced more by electrical resistivity than thermal conductivity.
Methanol conversion on ZSM-22, ZSM-35 and ZSM-5 zeolites: effects of 10-membered ring zeolite structures on methylcyclopentenyl cations and dual cycle mechanism
Authors: Zhang Mozhi , Xu Shutao , Wei Yingxu , Li Jinzhe , Chen Jingrun , Wang Jinbang , Zhang Wenna , Gao Shushu , Li Xiujie , Wang Congxin , Liu Zhongmin
Published: September 2016

The different behaviors of retained organic species and their reaction routes in three 10-membered ring zeolites are presented.
A versatile method to prepare size- and shape-controlled copper nanocubes using an aqueous phase green synthesis
Authors: Abeywickrama Thulitha , Sreeramulu Niharika Neerudu , Xu Lan , Rathnayake Hemali
Published: September 2016

A versatile, simple, and environmentally friendly method of preparing copper nanocubes with controlled morphology in aqueous solution at room temperature is demonstrated to make Cu nanocubes with sizes of 100 ± 35 nm.
Label-free biosensor based on dsDNA-templated copper nanoparticles for highly sensitive and selective detection of NAD+
Authors: Ge Jia , Dong Zhen-Zhen , Zhang Lin , Cai Qi-Yong , Bai Dong-Mei , Li Zhao-Hui
Published: September 2016

A novel label-free biosensor for high sensing of NAD+based on dsDNA-templated CuNPs and DNA ligation reaction.
Theranostic hollow/mesoporous organosilica nanospheres enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs in metastatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hou Rui , Wang Yu , Xu Yanjun , Zheng Yuanyi , Ma Ming , Hu Bing
Published: September 2016

Hollow mesoporous silica materials have received intensive interest in the field of cancer treatment owing to their large drug loading capacity, controlled release property and excellent biocompatibility.
Modifying a waterborne polyacrylate coating with a silica sol for enhancing anti-fogging performance
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Zhu Liqun , Ye Hui , Liu Huicong , Li Weiping
Published: September 2016

(A) Schematic chemical reaction of polyacrylate latexes and silica sol precursor; (B) evolution of water contact angle on various samples as a function of time; (C) anti-fogging properties of the polyacrylate/silica composite coating.
Insight into the defect–molecule interaction through the molecular-like photoluminescence of SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Spallino Luisa , Vaccaro Lavinia , Agnello Simonpietro , Gelardi Franco M. , Zatsepin Anatoly F. , Cannas Marco
Published: September 2016

The molecular-like luminescence of SiO2 nanoparticles is a keystone when investigating the defect–molecule interaction.
Effect of wastewater containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes on dual-chamber microbial fuel cell performance
Authors: Miran Waheed , Nawaz Mohsin , Jang Jiseon , Lee Dae Sung
Published: September 2016

The effect of wastewater containing MWCNTs on MFC performance was evaluated. MWCNTs addition resulted in a higher voltage/power density generation and COD/TOC removal. Low LDH release and a compact biofilm showed insignificant electricigen damage.
Synthesis of tetraline derivatives through depolymerization of polyethers with aromatic compounds using a heterogeneous titanium-exchanged montmorillonite catalyst
Authors: Maeno Zen , Torii Hiroyuki , Yamada Shota , Mitsudome Takato , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro
Published: September 2016

Synthesis of tetraline derivatives through depolymerization of poly(tetramethylene glycol) with several aromatic compounds is newly developed using a titanium-exchanged montmorillonite catalyst.
Polydimethylsiloxane-assisted alignment transition from perpendicular to parallel of cylindrical microdomains in block copolymer films
Authors: Zheng Xiaoxiong , Li Zongbo , Zhao Yongbin , Qu Ting , Cao Shubo , Wang Pingping , Li Yayuan , Iyoda Tomokazu , Chen Aihua
Published: September 2016

The orientation transition from perpendicular to parallel alignment of PEO cylindrical microdomains within PEO-b-PMA(Az) films has been demonstrated via introducing tiny polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the block copolymers.
Organocatalytic domino Knöevenagel–Michael reaction in water for the regioselective synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines and pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amines
Authors: Kalita Subarna Jyoti , Chandra Deka Dibakar , Mecadon Hormi
Published: September 2016

An organocatalyzed aqueous media domino reaction is developed for the regioselective synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines and pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amines.
Facile and scalable synthesis of nanosized core–shell Li2S@C composite for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Yang Tao , Wang Xiuli , Wang Donghuang , Li Shuhan , Xie Dong , Zhang Xuqing , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping
Published: September 2016

Lithium sulfide (Li2S) is one of the most promising cathode materials for the next-generation advanced Li-ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity (1167 mA h g−1) and large energy density.
Hierarchical mesoporous octahedral K2Mn1−xCoxFe(CN)6 as a superior cathode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Xiaolei , Liu Hongjin , Song Jie , Yin Changfang , Xu Huayun
Published: September 2016

A new Prussian blue analogue, hierarchical mesoporous octahedral K2Mn1−xCoxFe(CN)6 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2), has been successfully synthesized for the first time via a simple magnetically stirred process.
Self CNN‐based time series stream forecasting
Authors: Zeng Zhiping , Xiao Haidong , Zhang Xinpeng
Published: September 2016

Self‐learning convolutional neural network (self‐CNN) for time series stream forecasting is proposed. First, the proposed self‐CNN model was trained using the different types of the time series data. With the lapse of the time series stream the self‐CNN model was self‐trained again and again, which was using the previously predicted correct data as the input. Finally, the model was used to forecast the new time series data. The performance evaluation using the self‐CNN method forecast and generate from the financial time series stream shows that the proposed self‐CNN method performs better than the traditional Bollinger bands method.
Counting vehicles in urban traffic scenes using foreground time‐spatial images
Authors: Zhang Yunsheng , Zhao Chihang , Zhang Qiuge
Published: September 2016

A foreground time‐spatial image (FTSI) is proposed for counting vehicles in complex urban traffic scenes to resolve deficiencies of traditional counting methods, which are highly computationally expensive and become unsuccessful with increasing complexity in urban traffic scenarios. First, a self‐adaptive sample consensus background model with confidence measurements for each pixel is constructed on the virtual detection line in the frames of a video. The foreground of the virtual detection line is then collected over time to form a FTSI. The occlusion cases are then estimated based on the convexity of connected components. Finally, counting the number of connected components in the FTSI reveals the number of vehicles. Based on real‐world urban traffic videos, the experiments in this study are conducted using FTSI, and compared in accuracy with two other time‐spatial images methods. Experimental results based on real‐world urban traffic videos show that the accuracy rate of the proposed approach is above 90% and it performs better than the state‐of the‐art methods.
Direct Tumor Embolization of Sinonasal Unclassified Spindle Cell Sarcoma with Onyx
Authors: Srinet Prateek , Manes Richard Peter , Kansal Ankit
Published: September 2016

Objectives To evaluate the use of a new tumor embolization agent, Onyx (Covidien, Dublin, Ireland), for the use of intraoperative embolization of a sinonasal unclassified spindle cell sarcoma.

Methods A 45-year-old female patient presented to the rhinology clinic with a nasal mass. A biopsy revealed a highly vascular mass consistent with a sinonasal unclassified spindle cell sarcoma. Secondary to its extensive vascularity, the patient underwent preoperative transarterial embolization (TAE) before definitive resection. Due to complex vascular anatomy including feeding vessels emanating from intracranial circulation, incomplete embolization was achieved. Subsequently, intraoperative embolization with Onyx at the time of resection was performed.

Results Intraoperative Onyx use resulted in almost complete devascularization of the tumor with decreased risk of intracranial embolization.

Conclusions Intraoperative embolization with Onyx after an incomplete TAE can be a safe and effective method of achieving near-total embolization of sinonasal tumors.
Risiken und präventive Maßnahmen angesichts der Sonnenfinsternis März 2015
Authors: Tsatsos M. , MacGregor C. , Gousia D. , Moschos M. , Detorakis E.
Published: September 2016

Die Sonnenfinsternis ist ein beeindruckendes Naturphänomen, welches in Europa zuletzt 2006 erlebt wurde. Am 20. März 2015 konnte eine Sonnenfinsternis in einem großen Teil Europas beobachtet werden. Ohne geeigneten Augenschutz sollte jedoch eine Sonnenfinsternis nicht betrachtet werden, da dadurch Solarretinopathie verursacht werden kann. Die öffentliche Bildung über das Verhalten bei einer Sonnenfinsternis zeigt sich intensiver. In dieser Studie wurden die Aufklärungskampagnen von Zeitungen vor der letzten Sonnenfinsternis in verschiedenen EU-Ländern miteinander verglichen.

Methoden: 31 Onlinezeitungsausgaben aus 6 Ländern, in denen die Sonnenfinsternis am meisten sichtbar war, wurden geprüft. Die Aufklärung über das Solarretinopathierisiko, die Methoden einer sicheren Beobachtung und die sichere Anwendung der neuen Technologien wurden bewertet.

Ergebnisse: In allen geprüften Zeitungen wird die Sonnenfinsternis erwähnt sowie die damit verbundene Gefahr für die Sehkraft und verschiedene Augenschutzmethoden. Von den meisten Zeitungen werden Sonnensichtbrillen empfohlen. Die Hinweise auf die Schutzmaßnahmen für Kinder als Hochrisikogruppe sind zwischen den Ländern unterschiedlich.

Diskussion: Die Aufklärung seitens der Medien hat sich seit der Sonnenfinsternis von 2006 intensiviert. Die Augenschutzmethoden haben sich die letzten Jahre nicht geändert, neue Technologien, wie Handy-Kameras und der Selfie-Trend, können jedoch das Risiko einer Solarretinopathie erhöhen.
Prävalenz erhöhter Lipoprotein(a)-Spiegel bei unter 60-jährigen Patienten mit venösen retinalen Gefäßverschlüssen
Authors: Kuhli-Hattenbach C. , Hellstern P. , Miesbach W. , Kohnen T. , Hattenbach L.-O.
Published: September 2016

Hintergrund: Die Bedeutung einer Lipoprotein(a)-Erhöhung [Lp(a)] im Hinblick auf Alter und andere Risikofaktoren für die Entstehung venöser retinaler Gefäßverschlüsse wurde bisher wenig untersucht.

Patienten und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Fall-Kontroll-Studie verglichen wir die Ergebnisse eines umfassenden Thrombophiliescreenings von 106 jungen Patienten mit venösen retinalen Gefäßverschlüssen (< 60 Jahre zum Zeitpunkt der Erkrankung oder eines früheren thromboembolischen Ereignisses) mit denen von 76 gesunden Probanden.

Ergebnisse: 31 der 106 (29,2 %) Patienten wiesen eine Lp(a)-Erhöhung auf verglichen mit 7 der 76 (9,2 %) gesunden Probanden (p = 0,0009). Die durchschnittlich gemessenen Lp(a)-Spiegel waren in der Patientengruppe signifikant höher als in der gesunden Vergleichsgruppe (p = 0,012). Innerhalb der Patientengruppe beobachteten wir eine signifikante Assoziation von Lp(a) mit einer auffälligen Eigen- oder Familienanamnese hinsichtlich thromboembolischer Ereignisse (p = 0,03). Darüber hinaus zeigte sich innerhalb der Patientengruppe eine Lp(a)-Erhöhung signifikant häufiger in Kombination mit zusätzlichen thrombophilen Risikofaktoren als in der Vergleichsgruppe (p = 0,005). Die logistische Regression mit Abbau bestätigte Lp(a) als unabhängigen Risikofaktor für die Entstehung venöser retinaler Gefäßverschlüsse (p = 0,003).

Schlussfolgerung: Unsere Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass erhöhten Lp(a)-Spiegeln bei jungen Patienten mit venösen retinalen Gefäßverschlüssen eine pathogenetische Bedeutung zukommt. Eine positive Eigen- oder Familienanamnese hinsichtlich thromboembolischer Ereignisse weist signifikant häufiger auf diesen genetisch determinierten Parameter hin.
A single-shot spatial chirp method for measuring initial AC conductivity evolution of femtosecond laser pulse excited warm dense matter
Authors: Chen Z. , Hering P. , Brown S. B. , Curry C. , Tsui Y. Y. , Glenzer S. H.
Published: September 2016

To study the rapid evolution of AC conductivity from ultrafast laser excited warm dense matter (WDM), a spatial chirp single-shot method is developed utilizing a crossing angle pump-probe configuration. The pump beam is shaped individually in two spatial dimensions so that it can provide both sufficient laser intensity to excite the material to warm dense matter state and a uniform time window of up to 1 ps with sub-100 fs FWHM temporal resolution. Temporal evolution of AC conductivity in laser excited warm dense gold was also measured.
Unusually enhanced upconversion photoluminescence in ferroelectric composite Er:0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3/xZnO (x = 0–0.4)
Authors: Geng Xiao-Yu , Zhang Ji , Zhu Xue-Yi , Hu Bin , Zhang Bin-Bin , Gao Zhi-Peng , Zeng Tao , Yang Bin , Zhang Shan-Tao
Published: September 2016

Lanthanide ions possess fascinating optical properties and have received great attention due to their widespread technological applications. However, enhancing and in-situ tuning the photoluminescence is still a challenging subject. The paper shows that in 0–3 type lead-free ferroelectric composites constructed by ZnO and 1.0 mol. % Er-doped 0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3, the up-conversion photoluminescence of Er3+ ion can be unusually increased by 4.5 times after introducing 40 mol. % ZnO, and then further enhanced by 1.2 times with electrical poling. The mechanism is attributed to the ZnO-mediated energy transfer and the electric field-induced phase transition. The composites also show excellent electrical properties and improved temperature stability. These results not only provide a hybrid method to significantly enhance and in-situ tune the photoluminescence but also are helpful for developing multifunctional materials with excellent optical and electrical properties simultaneously.
Design of transmission-type coding metasurface and its application of beam forming
Authors: Shen Ze , Jin Biaobing , Zhao Junming , Feng Yijun , Kang Lin , Xu Weiwei , Chen Jian , Wu Peiheng
Published: September 2016

Transmission-type coding metasurface capable of shaping the transmitted field patterns is introduced in this letter. The metamaterial bits are the basic elements of coding metasurface and are designed as cascaded structures composed of patterned metallic sheets and dielectric substrates. Metasurfaces function as shaping the transmitted field patterns are constructed by assembling those metamaterial bits with different sequences. Experimental studies are carried out at the microwave regime showing required split beam patterns shaped by a fabricated coding metasurface. The measured field characteristics are well agreed with the simulated results. Our work adds another method to design the coding metasurface and exhibits its potential of engineering transmitted electromagnetic field.
Presence of magnetic excitations in SmFeAsO
Authors: Pelliciari Jonathan , Dantz Marcus , Huang Yaobo , Strocov Vladimir N. , Xing Lingyi , Wang Xiancheng , Jin Changqing , Schmitt Thorsten
Published: September 2016

We measured dispersive spin excitations in SmFeAsO, a parent compound of SmFeAsO1−xFx and one of the highest temperature superconductors of Fe pnictides (TC ≈ 55 K). We determine the magnetic excitations to disperse with a bandwidth energy of ca 170 meV at (0.47, 0) and (0.34, 0.34), which merges into the elastic line approaching the Γ point. Comparing our results with other parent Fe pnictides, we show the importance of structural parameters for the magnetic excitation spectrum, with small modifications of the tetrahedron angles and As height strongly affecting the magnetism.
Large linear magnetoresistance in a transition-metal stannide β-RhSn4
Authors: Xing X. Z. , Xu C. Q. , Zhou N. , Li B. , Zhang Jinglei , Shi Z. X. , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: September 2016

Materials exhibiting large magnetoresistance may not only be of fundamental research interest, but also can lead to wide-ranging applications in magnetic sensors and switches. Here we demonstrate a large linear-in-field magnetoresistance, Δρ/ρ reaching as high as ∼600% at 2 K under a 9 T field, in the tetragonal phase of a transition-metal stannide β-RhSn4. Detailed analyses show that its magnetic responses are overall inconsistent with the classical model based on the multiple electron scattering by mobility fluctuations in an inhomogenous conductor, but rather in line with the quantum effects due to the presence of Dirac-like dispersions in the electronic structure. Our results may help guiding the future quest for quantum magnetoresistive materials into the family of stannides, similar to the role played by PtSn4 with topological node arcs.
Bandgap and exciton binding energies of hexagonal boron nitride probed by photocurrent excitation spectroscopy
Authors: Doan T. C. , Li J. , Lin J. Y. , Jiang H. X.
Published: September 2016

Photocurrent excitation spectroscopy has been employed to probe the band structure and basic parameters of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) epilayers synthesized by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Bias dependent photocurrent excitation spectra clearly resolved the band-to-band, free exciton, and impurity bound exciton transitions. The energy bandgap (Eg), binding energy of free exciton (Ex), and binding energy of impurity bound exciton (Ebx) in h-BN have been directly obtained from the photocurrent spectral peak positions and comparison with the related photoluminescence emission peaks. The direct observation of the band-to-band transition suggests that h-BN is a semiconductor with a direct energy bandgap of Eg = 6.42 eV at room temperature. These results provide a more coherent picture regarding the fundamental parameters of this important emerging ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor.
Separate density and viscosity measurements of unknown liquid using quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Tan Feng , Qiu Du-Yu , Guo Lian-Ping , Ye Peng , Zeng Hao , Jiang Jun , Tang Yong , Zhang Yi-Cheng
Published: September 2016

Aqueous liquids have a wide range of applications in many fields. Basic physical properties like the density and the viscosity have great impacts on the functionalities of a given ionic liquid. For the millions kinds of existing liquids, only a few have been systematically measured with the density and the viscosity using traditional methods. However, these methods are limited to measure the density and the viscosity of an ionic liquid simultaneously especially in processing micro sample volumes. To meet this challenge, we present a new theoretical model and a novel method to separate density and viscosity measurements with single quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in this work. The agreement of experimental results and theocratical calculations shows that the QCM is capable to measure the density and the viscosity of ionic liquids.
Broadband light absorption of silicon nanowires embedded in Ag nano-hole arrays
Authors: Rao Lei , Ji Chun-Lei , Li Ming
Published: September 2016

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) embedded in Ag nano-hole arrays with broadband light absorption is proposed in this paper. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations were utilized to obtain absorptivity and band diagrams for both SiNWs and SiNWs embedded in Ag nano-hole arrays. A direct relationship between waveguide modes and extraordinary absorptivity is established qualitatively, which helps to optimal design the structure parameters to achieve broadband absorptivity. After introducing Ag nano-hole arrays at the rear side of SiNWs, the band modes are extended into leaky regions and light energy can be fully absorbed, resulting in high absorptivity at long wavelength. Severe reflection is also suppressed by light trapping capability of SiNWs at short wavelength. Over 70% average absorptivity from 400 nm to 1100 nm is realized finally. This kinds of design give promising route for high efficiency solar cells and optical absorbers.
The many faces of adverbial margins
Authors: Li Wendan
Published: September 2016

This study analyzes adverbial margins as a functional category in Chinese and, through the analysis, elucidates a graded distinction between subordination and coordination. Adverbial margins, which describe circumstances of situations in sentence nuclei, involve a varying of structural devices, including connectives, nominal forms, aspectually marked verbs, negation, and modality adverbs. The margin-nucleus pairs show varied degrees of subordination. This study takes an initial step towards substantiating and quantifying the gradient distinction. A mechanism of five parameters is proposed to rank margin-nucleus pairs in terms of tightness in clause linkage and subordination. The study contributes to the functional analysis of Chinese and the cross-linguistic discussions of the typology of subordination and coordination.
Conceptual metonymies and metaphors behind the Five Phases
Authors: Lan Chun , Jia Dongmei
Published: September 2016

This paper is based on an investigation of the Five Phases (五行,wuxing) in traditional Chinese thought within a cognitive linguistic framework. In analyzing three of the five concepts in thewuxingscheme, namely WOOD (木,mu), EARTH (土,tu) and METAL (金,jin), as recorded in ancient and modern Chinese, we attempt to find out (1) the conceptual metonymies and metaphors they have developed, (2) the similarities and differences between the three concepts in ancient and modern Chinese, and (3) the possible reasons for those similarities and differences and the implications they have for ancient and modern Chinese ways of cognizing the world. Our comparative analysis shows that while the semantic networks of the three concepts remain largely consistent from ancient to modern Chinese, those conceptual metaphors which are closely tied to thewuxingscheme are much less active in modern Chinese. On the whole it can be claimed that the ancient Chinese believed in the unity of Heaven and human and constructed the world based on three fundamental conceptual metaphors: “nature operates in accordance withWUXING”, “THE HUMAN BODY OPERATES IN ACCORDANCE WITHWUXING” and “SOCIETY OPERATES IN ACCORDANCE WITHWUXING”. Yet it seems that this belief in the unity of Heaven and human has weakened in the modern Chinese mind and modern Chinese people no longer rely on thewuxingscheme to understand the world.
Modified resayings of reported speech in Mandarin conversation
Authors: Wu Haiping
Published: September 2016

This article examines how and why participants in conversation modify the reported speech made by another speaker, and proffer a second saying in subsequent talk. Two types of modified reportings are identified: (1) explicit modifications, and (2) implicit modifications. Both types are shown to treat the first reported speech as inadequate, and lay claim to speaker’s epistemic authority or priority over the reported talk vis-a-vis other interlocutors. Further, explicit modifications of a prior report generally display a stronger epistemic stance than implicit modifications.
Semi-lexical features in corpus transcription
Authors: Andersen Gisle
Published: September 2016

An aspect of corpus compilation that poses a particular challenge is the question of how to transcribe orthographically units that are not part of any standardised vocabulary. Among the problematic categories we find voiced pauses, minimal response signals, interjections, certain discourse markers, phonologically reduced forms, colloquialisms and dialect forms. Such semi-lexical features are usually represented by regular phonemic-graphemic correspondences but are nevertheless often inconsistently handled. This paper reviews a number of existing transcription guidelines and assesses whether the recommendations they provide are sufficient and detailed enough to secure a consistent transcription of the categories mentioned. Further, the paper assesses to what extent transcription of semi-lexical features is consistent within and across two spoken corpora. On the basis of a cross-corpus comparison of the Bergen Corpus of London Teenage Language (COLT) and the London English Corpus (LEC), the paper provides specific recommendations for corpus transcription.