bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of depressive symptoms after hip fracture
Authors: Cristancho P. , Lenze E. J. , Avidan M. S. , Rawson K. S.
Published: April 2016

Background

Hip fracture is often complicated by depressive symptoms in older adults. We sought to characterize trajectories of depressive symptoms arising after hip fracture and examine their relationship with functional outcomes and walking ability. We also investigated clinical and psychosocial predictors of these trajectories.

Method

We enrolled 482 inpatients, aged ⩾60 years, who were admitted for hip fracture repair at eight St Louis, MO area hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Participants with current depression diagnosis and/or notable cognitive impairment were excluded. Depressive symptoms and functional recovery were assessed with the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Functional Recovery Score, respectively, for 52 weeks after fracture. Health, cognitive, and psychosocial variables were gathered at baseline. We modeled depressive symptoms using group-based trajectory analysis and subsequently identified correlates of trajectory group membership.

Results

Three trajectories emerged according to the course of depressive symptoms, which we termed ‘resilient’, ‘distressed’, and ‘depressed’. The depressed trajectory (10% of participants) experienced a persistently high level of depressive symptoms and a slower time to recover mobility than the other trajectory groups. Stressful life events prior to the fracture, current smoking, higher anxiety, less social support, antidepressant use, past depression, and type of implant predicted membership of the depressed trajectory.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms arising after hip fracture are associated with poorer functional status. Clinical and psychosocial variables predicted membership of the depression trajectory. Early identification and intervention of patients in a depressive trajectory may improve functional outcomes after hip fracture.
What is the utility of using syndromic surveillance systems during large subnational infectious gastrointestinal disease outbreaks? An observational study using case studies from the past 5 years in England
Authors: TODKILL D. , ELLIOT A. J. , MORBEY R. , HARRIS J. , HAWKER J. , EDEGHERE O. , SMITH G. E.
Published: April 2016

Syndromic surveillance systems in England have demonstrated utility in the early identification of seasonal gastrointestinal illness (GI) tracking its spatio-temporal distribution and enabling early public health action. There would be additional public health utility if syndromic surveillance systems could detect or track subnational infectious disease outbreaks. To investigate using syndromic surveillance for this purpose we retrospectively identified eight large GI outbreaks between 2009 and 2014 (four randomly and four purposively sampled). We then examined syndromic surveillance information prospectively collected by the Real-time Syndromic Surveillance team within Public Health England for evidence of possible outbreak-related changes. None of the outbreaks were identified contemporaneously and no alerts were made to relevant public health teams. Retrospectively, two of the outbreaks – which happened at similar times and in proximal geographical locations – demonstrated changes in the local trends of relevant syndromic indicators and exhibited a clustering of statistical alarms, but did not warrant alerting local health protection teams. Our suite of syndromic surveillance systems may be more suited to their original purposes than as means of detecting or monitoring localized, subnational GI outbreaks. This should, however, be considered in the context of this study's limitations; further prospective work is needed to fully explore the use of syndromic surveillance for this purpose. Provided geographical coverage is sufficient, syndromic surveillance systems could be able to provide reassurance of no or minor excess healthcare systems usage during localized GI incidents.
Research and Evaluations of the Health Aspects of Disasters, Part IX: Risk-Reduction Framework
Authors: Birnbaum Marvin L. , Daily Elaine K. , O’Rourke Ann P. , Loretti Alessandro
Published: April 2016

A disaster is a failure of resilience to an event. Mitigating the risks that a hazard will progress into a destructive event, or increasing the resilience of a society-at-risk, requires careful analysis, planning, and execution. The Disaster Logic Model (DLM) is used to define the value (effects, costs, and outcome(s)), impacts, and benefits of interventions directed at risk reduction. A Risk-Reduction Framework, based on the DLM, details the processes involved in hazard mitigation and/or capacity-building interventions to augment the resilience of a community or to decrease the risk that a secondary event will develop. This Framework provides the structure to systematically undertake and evaluate risk-reduction interventions. It applies to all interventions aimed at hazard mitigation and/or increasing the absorbing, buffering, or response capacities of a community-at-risk for a primary or secondary event that could result in a disaster. The Framework utilizes the structure provided by the DLM and consists of 14 steps: (1) hazards and risks identification; (2) historical perspectives and predictions; (3) selection of hazard(s) to address; (4) selection of appropriate indicators; (5) identification of current resilience standards and benchmarks; (6) assessment of the current resilience status; (7) identification of resilience needs; (8) strategic planning; (9) selection of an appropriate intervention; (10) operational planning; (11) implementation; (12) assessments of outputs; (13) synthesis; and (14) feedback. Each of these steps is a transformation process that is described in detail. Emphasis is placed on the role of Coordination and Control during planning, implementation of risk-reduction/capacity building interventions, and evaluation.

BirnbaumML,DailyEK,O’RourkeAP,LorettiA.Research and evaluations of the health aspects of disasters, part IX: Risk-Reduction Framework.Prehosp Disaster Med.2016;31(3):309–325.
OBLIGATION AS WEAKEST PERMISSION: A STRONGLY COMPLETE AXIOMATIZATION
Authors: VAN DE PUTTE FREDERIK
Published: April 2016

In (Anglbergeret al., 2015, Section 4.1), a deontic logic is proposed which explicates the idea that a formulaφis obligatory if and only if it is (semantically speaking) the weakest permission. We give a sound and strongly complete, Hilbert style axiomatization for this logic. As a corollary, it is compact, contradicting earlier claims from Anglbergeret al.(2015). In addition, we prove that our axiomatization is equivalent to Anglberger et al.’s infinitary proof system, and show that our results are robust w.r.t. certain changes in the underlying semantics.
Sozial-Emotionale Kompetenz
Authors: Schmitz Muriel , Röhr-Sendlmeier Una M.
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Untersuchungsergebnisse zu einem Förderprogramm für Viertklässler werden vorgestellt, welches in drei Trainingseinheiten von je 90 Minuten Dauer darauf abzielt, sozial-emotionale Kompetenzen zu stärken. Durch das Training, das im Verlauf von vier Wochen stattfand, sollten auch längerfristig eine höhere Sensitivität und ein besseres Verständnis für Emotionen bei sich und anderen sowie eine verbesserte Fertigkeit zur Perspektivenübernahme in sozialen Konfliktsituationen und das Wissen über sozial angemessene Verhaltensweisen herausgebildet werden. An der fünfmonatigen Längsschnittstudie im Prä-Posttest-Kontrollgruppendesign mit Block-Randomisierung nahmen 184 Viertklässler teil; auf der Basis lückenloser Teilnahme konnten die Daten von 177 Kindern ausgewertet werden. Im Vergleich zum Ausgangsniveau verbesserte sich die Interventionsgruppe deutlich in allen trainierten Fertigkeiten sozial-emotionaler Kompetenz. Gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe, die kein Training erhielt, waren die Interventionskinder im Wissenstest am Ende des Untersuchungszeitraums im emotionalen Verständnis und der Perspektivenübernahme signifikant überlegen. Zum Posttest wurden sie von ihren Lehrkräften als deutlich sozial kompetenter eingeschätzt als vor dem Training. Befunde aus Vorläuferstudien bei Drittklässlern konnten bestätigt werden.
Real-time high dynamic range laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Vinegoni C. , Leon Swisher C. , Fumene Feruglio P. , Giedt R. J. , Rousso D. L. , Stapleton S. , Weissleder R.
Published: April 2016

In conventional confocal/multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, images are typically acquired under ideal settings and after extensive optimization of parameters for a given structure or feature, often resulting in information loss from other image attributes. To overcome the problem of selective data display, we developed a new method that extends the imaging dynamic range in optical microscopy and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Here we demonstrate how real-time and sequential high dynamic range microscopy facilitates automated three-dimensional neural segmentation. We address reconstruction and segmentation performance on samples with different size, anatomy and complexity. Finally, in vivo real-time high dynamic range imaging is also demonstrated, making the technique particularly relevant for longitudinal imaging in the presence of physiological motion and/or for quantification of in vivo fast tracer kinetics during functional imaging.
Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells prepared in ambient air irrespective of the humidity
Authors: Tai Qidong , You Peng , Sang Hongqian , Liu Zhike , Hu Chenglong , Chan Helen L. W. , Yan Feng
Published: April 2016

Poor stability of organic–inorganic halide perovskite materials in humid condition has hindered the success of perovskite solar cells in real applications since controlled atmosphere is required for device fabrication and operation, and there is a lack of effective solutions to this problem until now. Here we report the use of lead (II) thiocyanate (Pb(SCN)2) precursor in preparing perovskite solar cells in ambient air. High-quality CH3NH3PbI3−x(SCN)x perovskite films can be readily prepared even when the relative humidity exceeds 70%. Under optimized processing conditions, we obtain devices with an average power conversion efficiency of 13.49% and the maximum efficiency over 15%. In comparison with typical CH3NH3PbI3-based devices, these solar cells without encapsulation show greatly improved stability in humid air, which is attributed to the incorporation of thiocyanate ions in the crystal lattice. The findings pave a way for realizing efficient and stable perovskite solar cells in ambient atmosphere.
Practical carbon–carbon bond formation from olefins through nickel-catalyzed reductive olefin hydrocarbonation
Authors: Lu Xi , Xiao Bin , Zhang Zhenqi , Gong Tianjun , Su Wei , Yi Jun , Fu Yao , Liu Lei
Published: April 2016

New carbon–carbon bond formation reactions expand our horizon of retrosynthetic analysis for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Although many methods are now available for the formation of C(sp2)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds via transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl organometallic reagents, direct use of readily available olefins in a formal fashion of hydrocarbonation to make C(sp2)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds remains to be developed. Here we report the discovery of a general process for the intermolecular reductive coupling of unactivated olefins with alkyl or aryl electrophiles under the promotion of a simple nickel catalyst system. This new reaction presents a conceptually unique and practical strategy for the construction of C(sp2)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds without using any organometallic reagent. The reductive olefin hydrocarbonation also exhibits excellent compatibility with varieties of synthetically important functional groups and therefore, provides a straightforward approach for modification of complex organic molecules containing olefin groups.
Formation of calcium sulfate through the aggregation of sub-3 nanometre primary species
Authors: Stawski Tomasz M. , van Driessche Alexander E.S. , Ossorio Mercedes , Diego Rodriguez-Blanco Juan , Besselink Rogier , Benning Liane G.
Published: April 2016

The formation pathways of gypsum remain uncertain. Here, using trulyin situand fast time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering, we quantify the four-stage solution-based nucleation and growth of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), an important mineral phase on Earth and Mars. The reaction starts through the fast formation of well-defined, primary species of <3 nm in length (stage I), followed in stage II by their arrangement into domains. The variations in volume fractions and electron densities suggest that these fast forming primary species contain Ca–SO4-cores that self-assemble in stage III into large aggregates. Within the aggregates these well-defined primary species start to grow (stage IV), and fully crystalize into gypsum through a structural rearrangement. Our results allow for a quantitative understanding of how natural calcium sulfate deposits may form on Earth and how a terrestrially unstable phase-like bassanite can persist at low-water activities currently dominating the surface of Mars.
Birth mode-dependent association between pre-pregnancy maternal weight status and the neonatal intestinal microbiome
Authors: Mueller Noel T. , Shin Hakdong , Pizoni Aline , Werlang Isabel C. , Matte Ursula , Goldani Marcelo Z. , Goldani Helena A. S. , Dominguez-Bello Maria Gloria
Published: April 2016

The intestinal microbiome is a unique ecosystem that influences metabolism in humans. Experimental evidence indicates that intestinal microbiota can transfer an obese phenotype from humans to mice. Since mothers transmit intestinal microbiota to their offspring during labor, we hypothesized that among vaginal deliveries, maternal body mass index is associated with neonatal gut microbiota composition. We report the association of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index on stool microbiota from 74 neonates, 18 born vaginally (5 to overweight or obese mothers) and 56 by elective C-section (26 to overweight or obese mothers). Compared to neonates delivered vaginally to normal weight mothers, neonates born to overweight or obese mothers had a distinct gut microbiota community structure (weighted UniFrac distance PERMANOVA, p < 0.001), enriched in Bacteroides and depleted in Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Hydrogenophilus. We show that these microbial signatures are predicted to result in functional differences in metabolic signaling and energy regulation. In contrast, among elective Cesarean deliveries, maternal body mass index was not associated with neonatal gut microbiota community structure (weighted UniFrac distance PERMANOVA, p = 0.628). Our findings indicate that excess maternal pre-pregnancy weight is associated with differences in neonatal acquisition of microbiota during vaginal delivery, but not Cesarean delivery. These differences may translate to altered maintenance of metabolic health in the offspring.
Engineering entangled microwave photon states through multiphoton interactions between two cavity fields and a superconducting qubit
Authors: Zhao Yan-Jun , Wang Changqing , Zhu Xiaobo , Liu Yu-xi
Published: April 2016

It has been shown that there are not only transverse but also longitudinal couplings between microwave fields and a superconducting qubit with broken inversion symmetry of the potential energy. Using multiphoton processes induced by longitudinal coupling fields and frequency matching conditions, we design a universal algorithm to produce arbitrary superpositions of two-mode photon states of microwave fields in two separated transmission line resonators, which are coupled to a superconducting qubit. Based on our algorithm, we analyze the generation of evenly-populated states and NOON states. Compared to other proposals with only single-photon process, we provide an efficient way to produce entangled microwave photon states when the interactions between superconducting qubits and microwave fields are in the strong and ultrastrong regime.
Expansion of a bitter taste receptor family in a polyphagous insect herbivore
Authors: Xu Wei , Papanicolaou Alexie , Zhang Hui-Jie , Anderson Alisha
Published: April 2016

The Insect taste system plays a central role in feeding behaviours and co-evolution of insect-host interactions. Gustatory receptors form the interface between the insect taste system and the environment. From genome and transcriptome sequencing we identified 197 novel gustatory receptor (GR) genes from the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera. These GRs include a significantly expanded bitter receptor family (180 GRs) that could be further divided into three categories based on polypeptide lengths, gene structure and amino acid sequence. Type 1 includes 29 bitter Gr genes that possess introns. Type 2 includes 13 long intronless bitter Gr genes, while Type 3 comprises 131 short intronless bitter Gr genes. Calcium imaging analysis demonstrated that three Type 3 GRs (HarmGR35, HarmGR50 and HarmGR195) can be activated by a crude extract of cotton leaves. HarmGR195, a GR specifically and selectively expressed in adult tarsi, showed a specific response to proline, an amino acid widely present in plant tissues. We hypothesise that the expansion in the H. armigera GR family may be functionally tied to its polyphagous behavior. Understanding the molecular basis of polyphagy may provide opportunities for the development of new environmentally friendly pest control strategies.
Aqueous reactive species induced by a surface air discharge: Heterogeneous mass transfer and liquid chemistry pathways
Authors: Liu D. X. , Liu Z. C. , Chen C. , Yang A. J. , Li D. , Rong M. Z. , Chen H. L. , Kong M. G.
Published: April 2016

Plasma-liquid interaction is a critical area of plasma science and a knowledge bottleneck for many promising applications. In this paper, the interaction between a surface air discharge and its downstream sample of deionized water is studied with a system-level computational model, which has previously reached good agreement with experimental results. Our computational results reveal that the plasma-induced aqueous species are mainly H+, nitrate, nitrite, H2O2 and O3. In addition, various short-lived aqueous species are also induced, regardless whether they are generated in the gas phase first. The production/loss pathways for aqueous species are quantified for an air gap width ranging from 0.1 to 2 cm, of which heterogeneous mass transfer and liquid chemistry are found to play a dominant role. The short-lived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are strongly coupled in liquid-phase reactions: NO3 is an important precursor for short-lived ROS, and in turn OH, O2− and HO2 play a crucial role for the production of short-lived RNS. Also, heterogeneous mass transfer depends strongly on the air gap width, resulting in two distinct scenarios separated by a critical air gap of 0.5 cm. The liquid chemistry is significantly different in these two scenarios.
Quantum oscillations from generic surface Fermi arcs and bulk chiral modes in Weyl semimetals
Authors: Zhang Yi , Bulmash Daniel , Hosur Pavan , Potter Andrew C. , Vishwanath Ashvin
Published: April 2016

We re-examine the question of quantum oscillations from surface Fermi arcs and chiral modes in Weyl semimetals. By introducing two tools - semiclassical phase-space quantization and a numerical implementation of a layered construction of Weyl semimetals - we discover several important generalizations to previous conclusions that were implicitly tailored to the special case of identical Fermi arcs on top and bottom surfaces. We show that the phase-space quantization picture fixes an ambiguity in the previously utilized energy-time quantization approach and correctly reproduces the numerically calculated quantum oscillations for generic Weyl semimetals with distinctly curved Fermi arcs on the two surfaces. Based on these methods, we identify a ‘magic’ magnetic-field angle where quantum oscillations become independent of sample thickness, with striking experimental implications. We also analyze the stability of these quantum oscillations to disorder and show that the high-field oscillations are expected to persist in samples whose thickness parametrically exceeds the quantum mean free path.
Mechanism of Paroxetine (Paxil) Inhibition of the Serotonin Transporter
Authors: Davis Bruce A. , Nagarajan Anu , Forrest Lucy R. , Singh Satinder K.
Published: April 2016

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is an integral membrane protein that exploits preexisting sodium-, chloride- and potassium ion gradients to catalyze the thermodynamically unfavorable movement of synaptic serotonin into the presynaptic neuron. SERT has garnered significant clinical attention partly because it is the target of multiple psychoactive agents, including the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil), the most potent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor known. However, the binding site and orientation of paroxetine in SERT remain controversial. To provide molecular insight, we constructed SERT homology models based on the Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter and docked paroxetine to these models. We tested the predicted binding configurations with a combination of radioligand binding and flux assays on wild-type and mutant SERTs. Our data suggest that the orientation of paroxetine, specifically its fluorophenyl ring, in SERT’s substrate binding site directly depends on this pocket’s charge distribution and thereby provide an avenue toward understanding and enhancing high-affinity antidepressant activity.
Serotonin modulates glutamatergic transmission to neurons in the lateral habenula
Authors: Xie Guiqin , Zuo Wanhong , Wu Liangzhi , Li Wenting , Wu Wei , Bekker Alex , Ye Jiang-Hong
Published: April 2016

The lateral habenula (LHb) is bilaterally connected with serotoninergic raphe nuclei, and expresses high density of serotonin receptors. However, actions of serotonin on the excitatory synaptic transmission to LHb neurons have not been thoroughly investigated. The LHb contains two anatomically and functionally distinct regions: lateral (LHbl) and medial (LHbm) divisions. We compared serotonin’s effects on glutamatergic transmission across the LHb in rat brains. Serotonin bi-directionally and differentially modulated glutamatergic transmission. Serotonin inhibited glutamatergic transmission in higher percentage of LHbl neurons but potentiated in higher percentage of LHbm neurons. Magnitude of potentiation was greater in LHbm than in LHbl. Type 2 and 3 serotonin receptor antagonists attenuated serotonin’s potentiation. The serotonin reuptake blocker, and the type 2 and 3 receptor agonists facilitated glutamatergic transmission in both LHbl and LHbm neurons. Thus, serotonin via activating its type 2, 3 receptors, increased glutamate release at nerve terminals in some LHb neurons. Our data demonstrated that serotonin affects both LHbm and LHbl. Serotonin might play an important role in processing information between the LHb and its downstream-targeted structures during decision-making. It may also contribute to a homeostatic balance underlying the neural circuitry between the LHb and raphe nuclei.
Effect of alternating bioremediation and electrokinetics on the remediation of n-hexadecane-contaminated soil
Authors: Wang Sa , Guo Shuhai , Li Fengmei , Yang Xuelian , Teng Fei , Wang Jianing
Published: April 2016

This study demonstrated the highly efficient degradation of n-hexadecane in soil, realized by alternating bioremediation and electrokinetic technologies. Using an alternating technology instead of simultaneous application prevented competition between the processes that would lower their efficiency. For the consumption of the soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) necessary for bioremediation by electrokinetics, bioremediation was performed first. Because of the utilization and loss of the DOM and water-soluble ions by the microbial and electrokinetic processes, respectively, both of them were supplemented to provide a basic carbon resource, maintain a high electrical conductivity and produce a uniform distribution of ions. The moisture and bacteria were also supplemented. The optimal DOM supplement (20.5 mg·kg−1 glucose; 80–90% of the total natural DOM content in the soil) was calculated to avoid competitive effects (between the DOM and n-hexadecane) and to prevent nutritional deficiency. The replenishment of the water-soluble ions maintained their content equal to their initial concentrations. The degradation rate of n-hexadecane was only 167.0 mg·kg−1·d−1 (1.9%, w/w) for the first 9 days in the treatments with bioremediation or electrokinetics alone, but this rate was realized throughout the whole process when the two technologies were alternated, with a degradation of 78.5% ± 2.0% for the n-hexadecane after 45 days of treatment.
Improving the management of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies by targeted sequencing of a population-specific gene panel
Authors: Bravo-Gil Nereida , Méndez-Vidal Cristina , Romero-Pérez Laura , González-del Pozo María , Rodríguez-de la Rúa Enrique , Dopazo Joaquín , Borrego Salud , Antiñolo Guillermo
Published: April 2016

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has overcome important limitations to the molecular diagnosis of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) such as the high clinical and genetic heterogeneity and the overlapping phenotypes. The purpose of this study was the identification of the genetic defect in 32 Spanish families with different forms of IRD. With that aim, we implemented a custom NGS panel comprising 64 IRD-associated genes in our population and three disease-associated intronic regions. A total of 37 pathogenic mutations (14 novels) were found in 73% of IRD patients ranging from 50% for autosomal dominant cases, 75% for syndromic cases, 83% for autosomal recessive cases and 100% for X-linked cases. Additionally, unexpected phenotype-genotype correlations were found in 6 probands, which led to the refinement of their clinical diagnoses. Furthermore, intra- and interfamilial phenotypic variability was observed in two cases. Moreover, two cases unsuccessfully analysed by exome sequencing were resolved by applying this panel. Our results demonstrate that this hypothesis-free approach based on frequently mutated, population-specific loci is highly cost-efficient for the routine diagnosis of this heterogeneous condition and allows the unbiased analysis of a miscellaneous cohort. The molecular information found here has aid clinical diagnosis and has improved genetic counselling and patient management.
Inherently-Forced Tensile Strain in Nanodiamond-Derived Onion-like Carbon: Consequences in Defect-Induced Electrochemical Activation
Authors: Ko Young-Jin , Cho Jung-Min , Kim Inho , Jeong Doo Seok , Lee Kyeong-Seok , Park Jong-Keuk , Baik Young-Joon , Choi Heon-Jin , Lee Seung-Cheol , Lee Wook-Seong
Published: April 2016

We analyzed the nanodiamond-derived onion-like carbon (OLC) as function of synthesis temperature (1000~1400 °C), by high-resolution electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, visible-Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The temperature dependences of the obtained properties (averaged particle size, tensile strain, defect density, density of states, electron transfer kinetics, and electrochemical oxidation current) unanimously coincided: they initially increased and saturated at 1200 °C. It was attributed to the inherent tensile strains arising from (1) the volume expansion associated with the layer-wise diamond-to-graphite transformation of the core, which caused forced dilation of the outer shells during their thermal synthesis; (2) the extreme curvature of the shells. The former origin was dominant over the latter at the outermost shell, of which the relevant evolution in defect density, DOS and electron transfer kinetics determined the electrochemical performances. In detection of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA) using the OLC as electrode, their oxidation peak currents were enhanced by factors of 15~60 with annealing temperature. Their limit of detection and the linear range of detection, in the post-treatment-free condition, were as excellent as those of the nano-carbon electrodes post-treated by Pt-decoration, N-doping, plasma, or polymer.
Effectiveness of the Young-Laplace equation at nanoscale
Authors: Liu Hailong , Cao Guoxin
Published: April 2016

Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, a new approach based on the behavior of pressurized water out of a nanopore (1.3–2.7 nm) in a flat plate is developed to calculate the relationship between the water surface curvature and the pressure difference across water surface. It is found that the water surface curvature is inversely proportional to the pressure difference across surface at nanoscale and this relationship will be effective for different pore size, temperature and even for electrolyte solutions. Based on the present results, we cannot only effectively determine the surface tension of water and the effects of temperature or electrolyte ions on the surface tension, but also show that the Young-Laplace (Y-L) equation is valid at nanoscale. In addition, the contact angle of water with the hydrophilic material can be further calculated by the relationship between the critical instable pressure of water surface (burst pressure) and nanopore size. Combining with the infiltration behavior of water into hydrophobic microchannels, the contact angle of water at nanoscale can be more accurately determined by measuring the critical pressure causing the instability of water surface, based on which the uncertainty of measuring the contact angle of water at nanoscale is highly reduced.
Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Metabolic Profiles in Brain and Liver of Mouse Revealed by a High-throughput Targeted Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Yu Nanyang , Wei Si , Li Meiying , Yang Jingping , Li Kan , Jin Ling , Xie Yuwei , Giesy John P. , Zhang Xiaowei , Yu Hongxia
Published: April 2016

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a perfluoroalkyl acid, can result in hepatotoxicity and neurobehavioral effects in animals. The metabolome, which serves as a connection among transcriptome, proteome and toxic effects, provides pathway-based insights into effects of PFOA. Since understanding of changes in the metabolic profile during hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity were still incomplete, a high-throughput targeted metabolomics approach (278 metabolites) was used to investigate effects of exposure to PFOA for 28 d on brain and liver of male Balb/c mice. Results of multivariate statistical analysis indicated that PFOA caused alterations in metabolic pathways in exposed individuals. Pathway analysis suggested that PFOA affected metabolism of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates and energetics. Ten and 18 metabolites were identified as potential unique biomarkers of exposure to PFOA in brain and liver, respectively. In brain, PFOA affected concentrations of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and glutamate in brain, which provides novel insights into mechanisms of PFOA-induced neurobehavioral effects. In liver, profiles of lipids revealed involvement of β-oxidation and biosynthesis of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in PFOA-induced hepatotoxicity, while alterations in metabolism of arachidonic acid suggesting potential of PFOA to cause inflammation response in liver. These results provide insight into the mechanism and biomarkers for PFOA-induced effects.
A female-biased sex ratio reduces the twofold cost of sex
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuya , Hasegawa Eisuke
Published: April 2016

The evolution of sexual reproduction remains a fascinating enigma in biology. Theoretically, populations of sexual organisms investing half of their resources into producing male offspring that don’t contribute to reproduction should grow at only half the rate of their asexual counterparts. This demographic disadvantage due to male production is known as the twofold cost of sex. However, the question of whether this cost is truly twofold for sexual females remains unanswered. The cost of producing males should decrease when the number of male offspring is reduced. Here, we report a case where the cost of males is actually less than twofold. By measuring the numbers of sexual strain coexisting with asexual strain among thrips, our survey revealed that the sexual strain showed female-biased sex ratios and that the relative frequency of sexual strain is negatively correlated with the proportion of males in the sexual strain. Using computer simulations, we confirmed that a female-biased sex ratio evolves in sexual individuals due to the coexistence of asexual individuals. Our results demonstrate that there is a cost of producing males that depends on the number of males. We therefore conclude that sexual reproduction can evolve with far fewer benefits than previously assumed.
Somatic Mutations and Genetic Variants of NOTCH1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Occurrence and Development
Authors: Liu Yu-Fan , Chiang Shang-Lun , Lin Chien-Yu , Chang Jan-Gowth , Chung Chia-Min , Ko Albert Min-Shan , Lin You-Zhe , Lee Chien-Hung , Lee Ka-Wo , Chen Mu-Kuan , Hua Chun-Hung , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Chen Yuan-Chien , Ko Ying-Chin
Published: April 2016

A number of genetic variants have been associated with cancer occurrence, however it may be the acquired somatic mutations (SMs) that drive cancer development. This study investigates the potential SMs and related genetic variants associated with the occurrence and development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We identified several SMs in NOTCH1 from whole-exome sequencing and validated them in a 13-year cohort of 128 HNSCC patients using a high-resolution melting analysis and resequencing. Patients who have NOTCH1 SMs show higher 5-year relapse-free recurrence (P = 0.0013) and lower survival proportion (P = 0.0447) when the risk-associated SMs were analysed by Cox proportional hazard models. Interestingly, the NOTCH1 gene rs139994842 that shares linkage with SMs is associated with HNSCC risk (OR = 3.46), increasing when SMs in NOTCH1 are involved (OR = 7.74), and furthermore when there are SMs in conjunction to betel quid chewing (OR = 32.11), which is a related independent environmental risk factor after adjusting for substances use (alcohol, betel quid, cigarettes) and age. The findings indicate that betel quid chewing is highly associated with NOTCH1 SMs (especially with changes in EGF-like domains), and that rs139994842 may potentially serve as an early predictive and prognostic biomarker for the occurrence and development of HNSCC.
Difluoroboron β-diketonate materials with long-lived phosphorescence enable lifetime based oxygen imaging with a portable cost effective camera
Authors: Mathew Alexander S. , DeRosa Christopher A. , Demas James N. , Fraser Cassandra L.
Published: April 2016

Real-time oxygen sensing with high spatiotemporal resolution was achieved with a luminescent boron dye-polylactide CMOS camera laptop imaging system.
Diallyl trisulfide protects the liver against hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid and rifampin in mice by reducing oxidative stress and activating Kupffer cells
Authors: Yang Yilin , Jiang Lulu , Wang Shuo , Zeng Tao , Xie Keqin
Published: April 2016

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) has been verified to ameliorate hepatotoxicity induced by many drugs, but the protective actions of isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RFP) have not been reported.
Pressure evolution of the potential barriers of phase transition of MoS2, MoSe2 and MoTe2
Authors: Fan Xaiofeng , Singh David J. , Jiang Q. , Zheng W. T.
Published: April 2016

Two-dimensional crystals with weak layer interactions, such as transitional metal dichalcogenides, have been a focus of research recently.
Performance of a modified hybrid functional in the simultaneous description of stoichiometric and reduced TiO2polymorphs
Authors: Ko Kyoung Chul , Lamiel-García Oriol , Lee Jin Yong , Illas Francesc
Published: April 2016

A modified hybrid functional is proposed to properly describe the electronic structure and physical properties for stoichiometric and reduced TiO2polymorphs.
Nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials: promising catalysts or catalyst supports for heterogeneous hydrogenation and oxidation
Authors: Li Mingming , Xu Fan , Li Haoran , Wang Yong
Published: April 2016

Developing novel and efficient catalysts is a critical step in common heterogeneous hydrogenation and oxidation reactions.
High-throughput screening of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in picodroplets
Authors: Liu X. , Painter R. E. , Enesa K. , Holmes D. , Whyte G. , Garlisi C. G. , Monsma F. J. , Rehak M. , Craig F. F. , Smith C. A.
Published: April 2016

One billion bacteria screened in picodroplets.
New enolate-carbodiimide rearrangement in the concise synthesis of 6-amino-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridinones from homoallylamines
Authors: Kuznetsov N. Yu. , Tikhov R. M. , Godovikov I. A. , Khrustalev V. N. , Bubnov Yu. N.
Published: April 2016

Three-step synthesis of 6-amino-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridinones from homoallylamines involving NBS-mediated cyclization of N-(3-butenyl)ureas to 6-(bromomethyl)-2-iminourethanes, dehydrohalogenation and a novel rearrangement as a key step has been developed.
Blocking cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation by steric hindrance
Authors: Vendrell-Criado Victoria , Lhiaubet-Vallet Virginie , Yamaji Minoru , Cuquerella M. Consuelo , Miranda Miguel A.
Published: April 2016

Replacement of the C5 thymine methyl group with a bulky tert-butyl substituent completely blocks the formation of CPDs.
Optimization of 4D polymer printing within a massively parallel flow-through photochemical microreactor
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Zheng Yeting , Peurifoy Samuel R. , Kothari Ezan A. , Braunschweig Adam B.
Published: April 2016

Brush polymer patterns, where the position (x,y), height (z), and chemical composition of each feature in an array were controlled independently, were prepared by combining massively parallel tip-based photolithography, microfluidics, and photochemical radical polymerizations.
Intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and the catalytic mechanism of gold@carbon dots nanocomposites
Authors: Zheng Cui , Ke Wenjing , Yin Tianixiang , An Xueqin
Published: April 2016

The mechanism of AuNPs@CDs as nano-enzyme catalysing the oxidation of TMB in the presence of H2O2.
Hydrogen sulfate ion sensing in aqueous media based on a fused pyrimido benzothiazole derivative
Authors: Padghan Sachin D. , Bhosale Rajesh S. , Ghule Namdev V. , Puyad Avinash L. , Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Bhosale Sidhanath V.
Published: April 2016

The receptor 3-cyano-4-imino-2-methylthio-4H-pyrimido[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazole (SVK-1) was employed for the selective sensing of HSO4−ions in aqueous media.
Facile synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped graphitized carbon microspheres and their high performance in the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Gengnan , Wu Binghan , Li Liang
Published: April 2016

A facile protocol for producing porous carbon spheres co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur is presented.
Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase enzymes on hydrous-titanium and application for phenol removal
Authors: Ai Jing , Zhang Weijun , Liao Guiying , Xia Hua , Wang Dongsheng
Published: April 2016

Hydrous-titanium was utilized to immobilize HRP in order to improve its stability and adaptability under different water qualities by the biomimetic titanification process. The effects of the reaction conditions on phenol removal were studied.
Self-assembly of T-shape 2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]-triazoles. Optical waveguide and photophysical properties
Authors: Torres I. , Carrillo J. R. , Díaz-Ortiz A. , Martín R. , Gómez M. V. , Stegemann L. , Strassert C. A. , Orduna J. , Buendía J. , Greciano E. E. , Valera J. S. , Matesanz E. , Sánchez L. , Prieto P.
Published: April 2016

T-Shaped 2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole derivatives have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling reactions under microwave irradiation.
A remarkable chiral recognition of racemic Mosher's acid salt by naturally derived chiral ionic liquids using 19F NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Jayachandra R. , Reddy Sabbasani Rajasekhara
Published: April 2016

A new class of d-xylose derived imidazolium-based chiral ionic liquids were designed and synthesized via simple tuning approaches.
Structure-based prediction of CAD response factors of dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins and its application to the analysis of saponin contents in raw and processed Panax notoginseng
Authors: Peng Ming , Zhang Tong , Ding Yue , Yi Yaxiong , Yang Yongjian , Le Jian
Published: April 2016

Structure-based impacts of saponins on CAD response factors are discovered, and in-depth analysis of saponins in Panax notoginseng is implemented.
Ni/H-ZSM-5 as a stable and promising catalyst for COx free H2 production by CH4 decomposition
Authors: Anjaneyulu Chatla , Naresh Gutta , Kumar Velisoju Vijay , Padmasri Aytam Hari , Tardio James , Bhargava Suresh Kumar , Venugopal Akula
Published: April 2016

A relationship between Ni loading on H-ZSM-5 with (Si/Al = 150 mole ratio) against methane decomposition activity and Ni metal surface area is established.
Preparation of hollow PtCu nanoparticles as high-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in the absence of a surfactant
Authors: Cao Longsheng , Zhang Geng , Lu Wangting , Qin Xiaoping , Shao Zhigang , Yi Baolian
Published: April 2016

Hollow PtCu nanoparticles of about 6.9 nm supported on Vulcan XC-72 were synthesized by a facile method in the absence of a surfactant.
Enhanced strength and foamability of high-density polyethylene prepared by pressure-induced flow and low-temperature crosslinking
Authors: Kuang Tairong , Chen Feng , Fu Dajiong , Chang Lingqian , Peng Xiangfang , Lee Ly James
Published: April 2016

We report a high-performance high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with significantly enhanced mechanical strength by means of pressure-induced flow (PIF) and low-temperature crosslinking treatment.
The evolution of bicontinuous polymeric nanospheres in aqueous solution
Authors: McKenzie B. E. , de Visser J. F. , Portale G. , Hermida-Merino D. , Friedrich H. , Bomans P. H. H. , Bras W. , Monaghan O. R. , Holder S. J. , Sommerdijk N. A. J. M.
Published: April 2016

Complex polymeric nanospheres in aqueous solution are desirable for their promising potential in encapsulation and templating applications.
Magnetic cobalt nanoparticles embedded in hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks for highly efficient and well-recyclable catalysis
Authors: Li Xingyue , Zeng Chunmei , Jiang Jing , Ai Lunhong
Published: April 2016

Hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon framework confined cobalt nanoparticles exhibited remarkable catalytic activity and excellent durability for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH4 in an aqueous solution.
Enhanced osteogenic and selective antibacterial activities on micro-/nano-structured carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone
Authors: Lu Tao , Li Jian , Qian Shi , Cao Huiliang , Ning Congqin , Liu Xuanyong
Published: April 2016

Special micro/nano-structures of the CFRPEEK surface with enhanced osteogenic properties can greatly inhibit the biofilm formation ability of certain Staphylococcus bacteria.
Correction: Efficient gene transfection to liver cells via the cellular regulation of a multifunctional polylactitol-based gene transporter
Authors: Kim Young-Dong , Park Tae-Eun , Singh Bijay , Cho Kye-Soo , Sangshetti Jaiprakash N. , Choi Yun-Jaie , Arote Rohidas B. , Cho Chong-Su
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Efficient gene transfection to liver cells via the cellular regulation of a multifunctional polylactitol-based gene transporter’ by Young-Dong Kim et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016, 4, 2208–2218.
Nanotransfer printing of plasmonic nano-pleat arrays with ultra-reduced nanocavity width using perfluoropolyether molds
Authors: Liang Chia-Ching , Chang Wen-Huei , Lin Chun-Hung
Published: April 2016

Ultra-reduced nanocavities in plasmonic nano-pleat arrays achieved by gold sputtering on perfluoropolyether molds and one-step nanotransfer printing.
Comprehensive survey on security services in vehicular ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Azees Maria , Vijayakumar Pandi , Jegatha Deborah Lazarus
Published: April 2016

Vehicular ad‐hoc networks (VANETs) are the most hopeful approach to provide safety information and other infotainment applications to both drivers and passengers. VANETs are formed by intelligent vehicles equipped with On Board Units and wireless communication devices. Hence, VANETs become a key component of the intelligent transport system. Even though VANETs are used in enormous number of applications, there are many security challenges and issues that need to be overcome to make VANETs usable in practice. A great deal of study has been done towards it, but security mechanisms in VANETs are not effective. This study provides a summary about the VANET, characteristics and security challenges. This study also provides a summary of some major security attacks on security services such as availability, confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non‐repudiation and the corresponding countermeasures to make VANET communications more secure.
Vehicles detection in complex urban traffic scenes using Gaussian mixture model with confidence measurement
Authors: Zhang Yunsheng , Zhao Chihang , He Jie , Chen Aiwei
Published: April 2016

Aiming to efficiently resolve the problem that the subtraction background model is easily contaminated by slow‐moving or temporarily stopped vehicles, the Gaussian mixture model with confidence measurement (GMMCM) is proposed for vehicle detection in complex urban traffic scenes. According to the current traffic state, each pixel of background model is set a CM. Whether to update the background model and the corresponding adaptive learning rate depends on if the current pixel point is in confidence period. Using the real‐world urban traffic videos, the first experiments are conducted by GMMCM, compared with three commonly used models including GMM, self‐adaptive GMM (SAGMM) and local parameter learning algorithm for the GMM (LPLGMM). The first experimental results show that GMMCM excels GMM, SAGMM and LPLGMM in keeping the background model being unpolluted from slow‐moving or temporarily stopped vehicles. The second experiments are conducted by GMMCM, compared with visual background extractor, sigma‐delta with CM, SAGMM, LPLGMM and GMM. The average recalls of six methods are 0.899, 0.753, 0.679, 0.420, 0.447 and 0.205, and the average F‐measures of six methods are 0.636, 0.612, 0.592, 0.373, 0.330 and 0.179, respectively. All experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed GMMCM in vehicles detection of complex urban traffic scenes.
CMOS/IPD switchable bandpass circuit for 28/39 GHz fifth‐generation applications
Authors: Wang Sen , Cho Kang‐Fu
Published: April 2016

This study presents a switchable bandpass circuit using a standard 0.18 μm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and an integrated passive device (IPD) technology for fifth‐generation (5G) mobile communications. The circuit consists of two IPD bandpass filters (BPFs) and one CMOS single‐pole‐double‐throw switch for the 28 or 39 GHz bands. The broadband switch uses a body‐float resistor to improve its insertion loss and power‐handling capability. Moreover, the two rectangular ring BPFs not only achieve low losses but also feature good out‐of‐band rejections. The CMOS chip is then packaged on the IPD substrate with a footprint area of 5.4 mm2. The switchable filter results in 4.5/4.7 dB insertion loss, better than 35/30.1 dB isolation, and 18.5/17 dBm input P1 dB.