bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breeding biology of the Critically Endangered Tahiti MonarchPomarea nigra, a bird with a low productivity
Authors: BLANVILLAIN CAROLINE , GHESTEMME THOMAS , WITHERS TEHANI , O’BRIEN MARK
Published: December 2017

We studied the breeding biology of Tahiti MonarchPomarea nigra, a ‘Critically Endangered’ forest bird endemic to Tahiti (French Polynesia). Nest activity was monitored from 1998 to 2002, and again from 2008 to 2015. During these 12 years, only 2–13 breeding pairs per year produced hatchlings. Egg-laying occurred all year, but usually increased between August and January, peaking around November. Of the 200 nests monitored, 33 (16%) were abandoned shortly after construction, 71 had an egg laid immediately after the nest were completed (34 %) and 96 nests (46 %) had a pre-incubation phase of 18.9 ± 1.9 days (3–62 days;n= 47 nests), during which the birds visited the nest on an irregular basis. Half (49 of 96) of these nests were abandoned before an egg was laid, with incubation subsequently commencing at the remaining nests (n= 47). Although both sexes incubated for an average of 13.6 ± 0.3 days (range 13–15), the female usually spent more time incubating than the male. Only one young per nest was ever observed. The average nestling phase was 15.5 ± 0.7 days (range 13 to 20 days). Parents continue to feed the young after fledging for 74 ± 4.7 days (range 42–174). As with many tropical island endemics, the Tahiti Monarch has low reproductive productivity as indicated by the fact that: 1) only 56% of pairs attempt to lay an egg in any one year, 2) most pairs attempt only one brood per year and 3) the considerable length of the nesting and fledging phases. Because of its low productivity, maximising the reproductive success of the Tahiti Monarch is essential to secure its recovery.
Global perspective on training and staffing for paediatric cardiac critical care
Authors: Bronicki Ronald A. , Pollak Uri , Argent Andrew C. , Kumar R. Krishna , Balestrini Maria , Cogo Paola , Cury Borim Bruna , De Costa Kumi , Beca John , Shimizu Naoki , Dominguez Troy E.
Published: December 2017

This manuscript provides a global perspective on physician and nursing education and training in paediatric cardiac critical care, including available resources and delivery of care models with representatives from several regions of the world including Africa, Israel, Asia, Australasia, Europe, South America, and the United States of America.
Perioperative infections in congenital heart disease
Authors: Murni Indah K. , MacLaren Graeme , Morrow Debra , Iyer Parvathi , Duke Trevor
Published: December 2017

Background

Perioperative infections have significant consequences for children with congenital heart disease (CHD), which can manifest as acute or chronic infection followed by poor growth and progressive cardiac failure. The consequences include delayed or higher-risk surgery, and increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Methods

A systematic search for studies evaluating the burden and interventions to reduce perioperative infections in children with CHD was undertaken using PubMed.

Results

Limited studies conducted in low- to middle-income countries demonstrated the large burden of perioperative infections among children with CHD. Most studies focussed on infections after surgery. Few studies evaluated strategies to prevent preoperative infection or the impact of infection on decision-making around the timing of surgery. Children with CHD have multiple risk factors for infections including delayed presentation, inadequate treatment of cardiac failure, and poor nutrition.

Conclusions

The burden of perioperative infections is high among children with CHD, and studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to reduce these infections are lacking. As good nutrition, early corrective surgery, and measures to reduce nosocomial infection are likely to play a role, practical steps can be taken to make surgery safer.
Inter-hospital transport of the child with critical cardiac disease
Authors: Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Intikhab Zafurallah , Spenceley Neil , Iliopoulos Ilias , Duff Alana , Millar Johnny
Published: December 2017

Centralisation of services such as cardiology, cardiac surgery, and intensive care in many parts of the world has resulted in the need to safely transport children with critical cardiac disease from local hospitals to specialist centres for diagnostic, surgical, and/or critical care intervention. The transport of this cohort of children, whether locally or internationally, can present specific clinical and logistical challenges. An international group of clinicians with expertise in cardiac care and critical care transport worked together to summarise current clinical practice relating to key areas of transport. This expert review covers the transport of the child with critical cardiac disease in terms of referral triage and advice, enabling optimal management of locally available resources, clinical stabilisation before transport, international air transport, transport considerations in low- and middle-income countries, and the transport of children with specific cardiac conditions. As specialist services are centralised to fewer large centres, the need for safe and timely inter-hospital transport of children with critical cardiac disease is only expected to rise in the future. The key principles outlined in this review will be helpful for practitioners in global settings who are, or might be, involved in transporting children between hospitals.
Partnership models for the establishment of sustainable paediatric cardiac surgical and cardiac intensive care programmes in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Bastero Patricia , Staveski Sandra L. , Zheleva Bistra , Scanlan Emma , Cabrera Antonio G. , Araujo Aric , Reyes Guillermo , Mery Carlos M. , Palacios-Macedo Alexis , Brizard Christian P.
Published: December 2017

The care of patients with CHD remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries. Their health systems have not been able to achieve consistently high performance in this field. The large volume of patients, manpower constraints, inconsistencies in the level and type of background training of the teams caring for this patient population, and the inadequate quality control systems are some of the barriers to achieving excellence of care. We describe three different international projects supporting the paediatric cardiac surgical and paediatric cardiac intensive care programmes in Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Unbalanced Language Contact and the Struggle for Survival: Bridging Diachronic and Synchronic Perspectives on Nahuatl
Authors: Olko Justyna
Published: December 2017

Looking at the Spanish impact on Nahuatl both in its full historical trajectory and modern synchronic dimension, I focus on the differentiation between ‘balanced’, long-term language contact and ‘unbalanced’ contact leading to rapid language shift in contemporary indigenous communities. I discuss the connection between accelerated contact-induced language change and language endangerment and shift, highlighting and assessing the mutually interdependent extra- and inter-linguistic variables that influence and shape both processes. Of special importance is the synchronic variation linked to speakers’ proficiency that influences language transmission in the diachronic perspective. On the basis of extensive fieldwork and linguistic documentation I identify several types of Nahuatl speakers as agents of this accelerated language change which leads to individual attrition and shift at the community level. This kind of multidisciplinary approach, taking into account both historical and modern data, can also potentially be useful for other minority languages in the scenario of long-term contact with a dominant language.
A ‘Small’ Language in Contact with a ‘Big’ One: The Loss of the Alienability Distinction in Tének (Mayan) under Spanish Influence
Authors: Sobkowiak Elwira , Kilarski Marcin
Published: December 2017

In this paper we discuss changes in possession marking in Tének (also Teenek, Huastec), a Mayan language spoken in Mexico. While traditionally only alienable possession is marked overtly with the suffix -ilattached to the possessed noun, the marker of alienable possession is being extended in the speech of young and socially mobile Tének speakers to contexts traditionally lacking overt possession marking. We attribute this extension to changes in social and cultural patterns in Tének communities. Thus, we show that the choice of possession marking in modern Tének is sensitive to both semantic factors and the socio-cultural background of Tének speakers, including such factors as age as well as the degree of social mobility and exposure to Spanish. In addition, we interpret these developments in terms of ongoing simplification in Tének morphology. We thus take a more general view of grammatical categories as shaped not only by internal developments but also changing cultural and social patterns.
The Many Sides of Hemispheric Asymmetry: A Selective Review and Outlook
Authors: Corballis Michael C. , Häberling Isabelle S.
Published: December 2017

Hemispheric asymmetry is commonly viewed as a dual system, unique to humans, with the two sides of the human brain in complementary roles. To the contrary, modern research shows that cerebral and behavioral asymmetries are widespread in the animal kingdom, and that the concept of duality is an oversimplification. The brain has many networks serving different functions; these are differentially lateralized, and involve many genes. Unlike the asymmetries of the internal organs, brain asymmetry is variable, with a significant minority of the population showing reversed asymmetries or the absence of asymmetry. This variability may underlie the divisions of labor and the specializations that sustain social life. (JINS, 2017,23, 710–718)
Contributions to Understanding the Neuropsychology of Alcoholism: An INS Legacy
Authors: Sullivan Edith V.
Published: December 2017

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been a major cause of family, social, and personal strife for centuries, with current prevalence estimates of 14% for 12-month and 29% lifetime AUD. Neuropsychological testing of selective cognitive, sensory, and motor functions complemented within vivobrain imaging has enabled tracking the consequences of AUD, which follows a dynamic course of development, maintenance, and recovery or relapse. Controlled studies of alcoholism reviewed herein provide evidence for disruption of selective functions involving executive, visuospatial, mnemonic, emotional, and attentional processes, response inhibition, prosody, and postural stability and brain systems supporting these functions. On a hopeful front, longitudinal study provides convincing evidence for improvement in brain structure and function following sustained sobriety. These discoveries have a strong legacy in the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), starting from its early days when assumptions regarding which brain regions were disrupted relied solely on patterns of functional sparing and impairment deduced from testing. This review is based on the symposium presentation delivered at the 2017 annual North American meeting of the INS in celebration of the 50th anniversary since its institution in 1967. In the spirit of the meeting’s theme, “Binding the Past and Present,” the lecture and this review recognized the past by focusing on early, rigorous neuropsychological studies of alcoholism and their influence on research currently conducted using imaging methods enabling hypothesis testing of brain substrates of observed functional deficits. (JINS, 2017,23, 843–859)
The Neuropsychology of Movement and Movement Disorders: Neuroanatomical and Cognitive Considerations
Authors: Haaland Kathleen Y. , Dum Richard P. , Mutha Pratik K. , Strick Peter L. , Tröster Alexander I.
Published: December 2017

This paper highlights major developments over the past two to three decades in the neuropsychology of movement and its disorders. We focus on studies in healthy individuals and patients, which have identified cognitive contributions to movement control and animal work that has delineated the neural circuitry that makes these interactions possible. We cover advances in three major areas: (1) the neuroanatomical aspects of the “motor” system with an emphasis on multiple parallel circuits that include cortical, corticostriate, and corticocerebellar connections; (2) behavioral paradigms that have enabled an appreciation of the cognitive influences on the preparation and execution of movement; and (3) hemispheric differences (exemplified by limb praxis, motor sequencing, and motor learning). Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of this work, and make suggestions for future research in this area. (JINS, 2017,23, 768–777)
What Does It Take to Search Organized? The Cognitive Correlates of Search Organization During Cancellation After Stroke
Authors: Ten Brink Antonia F. , Visser-Meily Johanna M.A. , Nijboer Tanja C.W.
Published: December 2017

Objectives: Stroke could lead to deficits in organization of visual search. Cancellation tests are frequently used in standard neuropsychological assessment and appear suitable to measure search organization. The current aim was to evaluate which cognitive functions are associated with cancellation organization measures after stroke. Methods: Stroke patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation were included in this retrospective study. We performed exploratory factor analyses to explore cognitive domains. A digital shape cancellation test (SC) was administered, and measures of search organization (intersections rate and best r) were computed. The following cognitive functions were measured by neuropsychological testing: neglect (SC, line bisection; LB, Catherine Bergego Scale; CBS, and Balloons Test), visuospatial perception and construction (Rey Complex Figure Test, RCFT), psychomotor speed (Trail Making Test; TMT-A), executive functioning/working memory (TMT-B), spatial planning (Tower Test), rule learning (Brixton Test), short-term auditory memory (Digit Span Forward; DSF), and verbal working memory (Digit Span Backward; DSB). Results: In total, 439 stroke patients were included in our analyses. Four clusters were separated: “Executive functioning” (TMT-A, TMT-B, Brixton Test, and Tower Test), “Verbal memory” (DSF and DSB), “Search organization” (intersections rate and best r), and “Neglect” (CBS, RCFT copy, Balloons Test, SC, and LB). Conclusions: Search organization during cancellation, as measured with intersections rate and best r, seems a distinct cognitive construct compared to existing cognitive domains that are tested during neuropsychological assessment. Administering cancellation tests and analyzing measures of search organization could provide useful additional insights into the visuospatial processes of stroke patients. (JINS, 2018, 24, 424–436)
-MANIFOLDS
Authors: HILLMAN J. A.
Published: December 2017

We show that closed $\mathbb{S}\text{ol}^{3}\times \mathbb{E}^{1}$-manifolds are Seifert fibred, with general fibre the torus, and base one of the flat 2-orbifolds $T,Kb,\mathbb{A},\mathbb{M}b,S(2,2,2,2),P(2,2)$ or $\mathbb{D}(2,2)$, and outline how such manifolds may be classified.
Predicate Pairing for program verification
Authors: DE ANGELIS EMANUELE , FIORAVANTI FABIO , PETTOROSSI ALBERTO , PROIETTI MAURIZIO
Published: December 2017

It is well-known that the verification of partial correctness properties of imperative programs can be reduced to the satisfiability problem for constrained Horn clauses (CHCs). However, state-of-the-art solvers for constrained Horn clauses (or CHC solvers) based onpredicate abstractionare sometimes unable to verify satisfiability because they look for models that are definable in a given class 𝓐 of constraints, called 𝓐-definable models. We introduce a transformation technique, calledPredicate Pairing, which is able, in many interesting cases, to transform a set of clauses into an equisatisfiable set whose satisfiability can be proved by finding an 𝓐-definable model, and hence can be effectively verified by a state-of-the-art CHC solver. In particular, we prove that, under very general conditions on 𝓐, the unfold/fold transformation rules preserve the existence of an 𝓐-definable model, that is, if the original clauses have an 𝓐-definable model, then the transformed clauses have an 𝓐-definable model. The converse does not hold in general, and we provide suitable conditions under which the transformed clauses have an 𝓐-definable modelif and only ifthe original ones have an 𝓐-definable model. Then, we present a strategy, called Predicate Pairing, which guides the application of the transformation rules with the objective of deriving a set of clauses whose satisfiability problem can be solved by looking for 𝓐-definable models. The Predicate Pairing (PP) strategy introduces a new predicate defined by the conjunction of two predicates occurring in the original set of clauses, together with a conjunction of constraints. We will show through some examples that an 𝓐-definable model may exist for the new predicate even if it does not exist for its defining atomic conjuncts. We will also present some case studies showing that Predicate Pairing plays a crucial role in the verification ofrelational properties of programs, that is, properties relating two programs (such as program equivalence) or two executions of the same program (such as non-interference). Finally, we perform an experimental evaluation of the proposed techniques to assess the effectiveness of Predicate Pairing in increasing the power of CHC solving.
Constitutional Limitations on the Competence to Entrust the Exercise of Authority to Private Entities
Authors: Svendsen Mathias Rose
Published: December 2017

Danish constitutional limitations – Entrusting executive power to private entities – Executive power involving coercive measures – A previous assumption – Use of physical force – Private prisons – Constitutional interpretation – Binding constitutional assumptions – Substantive limitations – Organisational limitations – External delegation under Danish administrative law – American constitutional law – Private entities’ fundamental self-interest – Conflicts of interest – Pecuniary or other personal interest – Healthcare legislation – The ministerial system – Democratic and legal liability – Judicial review – Ombudsman supervision – Constitutional organisation of state – The bulk of state executive power – Citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms
A novel design of Scarecrow-shaped patch antenna for broadband applications
Authors: Shukla Bhupendra Kumar , Kashyap Nitesh , Baghel Rajendra Kumar
Published: December 2017

A novel Scarecrow-shaped patch antenna has been presented for broadband applications. The proposed antenna composed of an elliptical shape radiating patch, partial ground plane, and 50 Ω microstrip line which is Boolean added with the radiating patch. To achieve wide impedance bandwidth, an elliptical notch and two rectangular-shaped parasitic slots have incorporated on the ground plane. This antenna has printed on FR-4 substrate (tan(δ) = 0.02, εr = 4.3) with the thickness of 1.6 mm. It is energized by coaxial feed which is connected with a microstrip line through via. The proposed configuration has examined numerically with the help of CST Microwave Studio and experimentally also. The broadband property of this antenna has been achieved by adjusting the dimensions of an elliptical notch. The antenna exhibits the bandwidth of 116.32% from 1.23 to 4.65 GHz for S11 <−10 dB. Current distribution and far-field pattern at resonating frequencies 1.29, 1.77, 2.28, 2.94, and 3.72 GHz have been studied. It has been found that the far-field pattern is distorted at frequency 3.72 GHz due to higher order modes. Effect of parameters on frequency response of the antenna has also been investigated to know the behavior of the antenna.
Consumers' understanding and expectations of a community-based recovery-oriented mental health rehabilitation unit: a pragmatic grounded theory analysis
Authors: Parker Stephen , Dark Frances , Newman Ellie , Hanley Dominic , McKinlay William , Meurk Carla
Published: December 2017

Aims.

Incorporating consumer perspectives into mental health services design is important in working to deliver recovery-oriented care. One of the challenges faced in mental health rehabilitation services is limited consumer engagement with the available support. Listening to consumers’ expectations of mental health services, and what they hope to achieve, provides an opportunity to examine the alignment between existing services and the priorities and preferences of the people who use them. We explored consumer understandings and expectations of three recovery-oriented community-based residential mental-health rehabilitation units using semi-structured interviews; two of these units were trialling a staffing model integrating peer support with clinical care.

Methods.

Twenty-four consumers completed semi-structured interviews with an independent interviewer during the first 6 weeks of their stay at the rehabilitation unit. Most participants had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder (87%). A pragmatic approach to grounded theory guided the analysis, facilitating identification of content and themes, and the development of an overarching conceptual map.

Results.

The rehabilitation units were considered to provide a transformational space and a transitional place. The most common reason given for engagement was housing insecurity or homelessness rather than the opportunity for rehabilitation engagement. Differences in expectations did not emerge between consumers entering the clinical and integrated staffing model sites.

Conclusions.

Consumers understand the function of the rehabilitation service they are entering. However, receiving rehabilitation support may not be the key driver of their attendance. This finding has implications for promoting consumer engagement with rehabilitation services. The absence of differences between the integrated and clinical staffing models may reflect the novelty of the rehabilitation context. The study highlights the need for staff to find better ways to increase consumer awareness of the potential relevance of evidence-based rehabilitation support to facilitating their recovery.
Improvement of Self-regulated Learning in Mathematics through a Hypermedia Application: Differences based on Academic Performance and Previous Knowledge
Authors: Cueli Marisol , Rodríguez Celestino , Areces Débora , García Trinidad , González-Castro Paloma
Published: December 2017

Self-regulation on behalf of the student is crucial in learning Mathematics through hypermedia applications and is an even greater challenge in these IT environments. Two aims are formulated. First, to analyze the effectiveness of a hypermedia tool in improving perceived knowledge of self-regulatory strategies and the perceived usage of the planning, executing and assessment strategy on behalf of students with low, medium and high levels of academic performance. Second, to analyze the effectiveness of the hypermedia tool in improving perceived usage of the strategy for planning, monitoring and evaluating on behalf of students with a perceived knowledge (low, medium and high). Participants were 624 students (aged 10–13), classified into a treatment group (TG; 391) and a comparative group (CG; 233). They completed a questionnaire on perceived knowledge (Perceived Knowledge of Self-Regulatory Strategies) and another one on perceived usage of the strategy for planning, performing and evaluating (Inventory of Self-regulatory Learning Processes). Univariate covariance analyses (ANCOVAs) and Student-t tests were used. ANCOVA results were not statistically significant. However, the linear contrast indicated a significant improvement in perceived knowledge of strategies among the TG with low, medium and high academic performance (p ≤ .001). Results are discussed in the light of past and future research.
Word and Nonword Repetition Abilities in Spanish Language: Longitudinal Evidence from Typically Developing and Late Talking Children
Authors: Rujas Irene , Mariscal Sonia , Casla Marta , Lázaro Miguel , Murillo Eva
Published: December 2017

This longitudinal study examined the early word and nonword repetition abilities of monolingual Spanish speaking children. We explored the role that word status, word length, and time play in repetition performance of children with different vocabulary levels. We also examined the predictive value of vocabulary level in repetition abilities. Thirty-seven children participated in this study: 15 late talkers and 22 typically developing children. Families completed the Spanish version of the MacArthur Communicative Developmental Inventory (MCDI) at age 2; children performed a word and nonword repetition task at three different moments, with a temporal interval of 6 months between Time 1 and Time 2, and eight months between Time 2 and Time 3, periods during which linguistic development takes place. We found significant effects for word status, word length, vocabulary level and time: words are repeated better than nonwords; one syllable items are easier to repeat than two and three syllable ones; the performance of late talking children is lower compared to typically developing children throughout the study; and repetition abilities improve longitudinally. In addition, early vocabulary level predicts subsequent repetition abilities and early nonword repetition abilities predict future nonword repetition performance.
Institutions, Norms, and Accountability: A Corruption Experiment with Northern and Southern Italians
Authors: Zhang Nan
Published: December 2017

Anti-corruption research has highlighted the potential for grassroots monitoring to improve governance outcomes, but the conditions under which citizens are willing to report bribery remain under-studied. Are individuals from some societies socialized into a “culture of corruption” that makes them more accepting of malfeasance, or is the failure to denounce wrongdoing simply a response to low-quality enforcement institutions? I conduct a laboratory experiment to examine how the propensity to report corruption differs between Northern and Southern Italians, two populations experiencing different levels of corruption in everyday life. For each group, I experimentally manipulate the quality of enforcement institutions. When given high-quality institutions, all participants are more willing to report corruption. Moreover, Southerners and Northerners behave similarly when placed within the same institutional environments. These results suggest that high-corruption societies are not “culturally” predisposed to tolerate malfeasance. Rather, improving the capacity of enforcement institutions may significantly strengthen accountability norms.
Unacylated ghrelin prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in a model of ischemia/reperfusion liver injury
Authors: Rossetti Alberto , Togliatto Gabriele , Rolo Anabela P , Teodoro João S , Granata Riccarda , Ghigo Ezio , Columbano Amedeo , Palmeira Carlos M , Brizzi Maria Felice
Published: December 2017

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of liver dysfunction during hepatectomy, liver transplantation procedures and in generalized shock. Although effort has been dedicated to rescuing tissue damage in these clinical settings, there is still an urgent need for an effective treatment to protect the liver from the burden of I/R injury. In this study, we have investigated the potential clinical impact of unacylated-ghrelin (UnAG) in a liver I/R rat model. Particular attention has been paid to mitochondria. We demonstrate that UnAG was able to reduce the lag-phase time in response to ADP administration and increase oxygen consumption inex vivoexperiments using liver mitochondria recovered from rats subjected to I/R. Moreover, we found that UnAG rescued the expression of a key regulator of mitochondrial morphology and electron transport chain function; the optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) protein. Cytochromecoxidase (COX), ATP synthase (complex V) activity and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were also affected by UnAG administrationin vivo. Anin vitro, hepatic I/R model was used to validate these data. We demonstrate that UnAG upregulates the expression of Cox subunit IV (CoxIV) and increases cellular ATP content. This results in Bcl-2 upregulation and protection against apoptosis. Opa1 silencing shows that Opa1 is crucial for a UnAG-induced increase in cellular ATP content, apoptosis resistance, Bcl-2 and CoxIV expression. Finally, we show that UnAG improves Opa1’s interaction with MIC60 in the I/R setting, hinting at its role in cristae shape regulation. Our results demonstrate that UnAG administration rescues the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway triggered by I/R damage. Opa1’s contribution in mediating this effect is also reported. This suggests that UnAG can interfere with mitochondrial dysfunction, via Opa1, in a preclinical liver I/R model. We therefore provide the rationale for exploiting UnAG as an alternative means to rescuing mitochondrial damage and organ dysfunction.
Photomechanical meta-molecule array for real-time terahertz imaging
Authors: Wen Yongzheng , Jia Delin , Ma Wei , Feng Yun , Liu Ming , Dong Liquan , Zhao Yuejin , Yu Xiaomei
Published: December 2017

Real-time terahertz (THz) imaging offers remarkable application possibilities, especially in the security and medical fields. However, most THz detectors work with scanners, and a long image acquisition time is required. Some thermal detectors can achieve real-time imaging by using a focal plane array but have the drawbacks of low sensitivity due to a lack of suitable absorbing materials. In this study, we propose a novel photomechanical meta-molecule array by conveniently assembling THz meta-atom absorbers and bi-material cantilevers together, which can couple THz radiation to a mechanical deflection of the meta-molecules with high efficiency. By optically reading out the mechanical deflections of all of the meta-molecules simultaneously, real-time THz imaging can be achieved. A polyimide sacrificial layer technique was developed to fabricate the device on a glass wafer, which facilitates the transmission of a readout light while the THz wave radiates onto the meta-molecule array directly from the front side. THz images and video of various objects as well as infrared images of the human body were captured successfully with the fabricated meta-molecule array. The proposed photomechanical device holds promise in applications in single and broadband THz as well as infrared imaging.
Ballistic geometric resistance resonances in a single surface of a topological insulator
Authors: Maier Hubert , Ziegler Johannes , Fischer Ralf , Kozlov Dmitriy , Kvon Ze Don , Mikhailov Nikolay , Dvoretsky Sergey A. , Weiss Dieter
Published: December 2017

Transport in topological matter has shown a variety of novel phenomena over the past decade. Although numerous transport studies have been conducted on three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs), study of ballistic motion and thus exploration of potential landscapes on a hundred nanometer scale is for the prevalent TI materials almost impossible due to their low carrier mobility. Therefore, it is unknown whether helical Dirac electrons in TIs, bound to interfaces between topologically distinct materials, can be manipulated on the nanometer scale by local gates or locally etched regions. Here we impose a submicron periodic potential onto a single surface of Dirac electrons in high-mobility strained mercury telluride (HgTe), which is a strong TI. Pronounced geometric resistance resonances constitute the clear-cut observation of a ballistic effect in three-dimensional TIs.
Systematic screening of generic drugs for progressive multiple sclerosis identifies clomipramine as a promising therapeutic
Authors: Faissner Simon , Mishra Manoj , Kaushik Deepak K. , Wang Jianxiong , Fan Yan , Silva Claudia , Rauw Gail , Metz Luanne , Koch Marcus , Yong V. Wee
Published: December 2017

The treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) is unsatisfactory. One reason is that the drivers of disease, which include iron-mediated neurotoxicity, lymphocyte activity, and oxidative stress, are not simultaneously targeted. Here we present a systematic screen to identify generic, orally available medications that target features of progressive MS. Of 249 medications that cross the blood–brain barrier, 35 prevent iron-mediated neurotoxicity in culture. Of these, several antipsychotics and antidepressants strongly reduce T-cell proliferation and oxidative stress. We focus on the antidepressant clomipramine and found that it additionally inhibits B-lymphocyte activity. In mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of MS, clomipramine ameliorates clinical signs of acute and chronic phases. Histologically, clomipramine reduces inflammation and microglial activation, and preserves axonal integrity. In summary, we present a systematic approach to identify generic medications for progressive multiple sclerosis with the potential to advance rapidly into clinical trials, and we highlight clomipramine for further development.
Author Correction: Developing a molecular picture of soil organic matter–mineral interactions by quantifying organo–mineral binding
Authors: Newcomb C. J. , Qafoku N. P. , Grate J. W. , Bailey V. L. , De Yoreo J. J.
Published: December 2017

In the original version of this Article, the Acknowledgements section omitted the Department of Energy-funded Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory in which the XRD measurements were performed. This error has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Author Correction: The impact of poor asthma control among asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β2-agonists in the United Kingdom: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Pavord Ian D. , Mathieson Nicola , Scowcroft Anna , Pedersini Riccardo , Isherwood Gina , Price David
Published: December 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
Detection of Prions in Blood of Cervids at the Asymptomatic Stage of Chronic Wasting Disease
Authors: Kramm Carlos , Pritzkow Sandra , Lyon Adam , Nichols Tracy , Morales Rodrigo , Soto Claudio
Published: December 2017

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a rapidly spreading prion disorder affecting captive and free-ranging cervids. The zoonotic potential of CWD is unknown, as well as the mechanism for its highly efficient transmission. A top priority to minimize further spreading of this disease and its potential impact on environmental prion contamination is the development of a non-invasive, sensitive, and specific test for ante-mortem detection of infected animals. Here, we optimized the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) assay for highly efficient detection of CWD prions in blood samples. Studies were done using a blind panel of 98 field-collected samples of whole blood from codon 96 glycine/glycine, captive white-tailed deer that were analyzed for prion infection post-mortem by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results showed a sensitivity of 100% in animals with very poor body condition that were IHC-positive in both brain and lymph nodes, 96% in asymptomatic deer IHC-positive in brain and lymph nodes and 53% in animals at early stages of infection that were IHC-positive only in lymph nodes. The overall mean diagnostic sensitivity was 79.3% with 100% specificity. These findings show that PMCA might be useful as a blood test for routine, live animal diagnosis of CWD.
Publisher Correction: Autonomic versus perceptual accounts for tactile hypersensitivity in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Fukuyama Hiroshi , Kumagaya Shin-ichiro , Asada Kosuke , Ayaya Satsuki , Kato Masaharu
Published: December 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Uncovering heterogeneous interactions in online commercial networks
Authors: Zhang Fangfeng , Zeng An , Ma Bowen , Fan Ying , Di Zengru
Published: December 2017

With the rapid development of Internet, the research on online commercial networks has become crucial for filtering out irrelevant information for users and predicting their future interest. The common methods for understanding such typical user-item networks are mainly projecting them to unipartite ones with only positive ratings, which may result in losing a large amount of information. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to construct a signed unipartite network with heterogeneous interactions (i.e. positive or negative) between users from the original bipartite network. Based on the signed similarity, we carry out the percolation analysis on this signed unipartite network, which reveals a phase transition phenomenon. The statistical features of the giant component consisting of the positive and negative interactions are investigated respectively. Finally, the roles of the negative links and weak ties are revealed by adding them back to the giant component. This work not only deepens our understanding of the online commercial networks, but also has potential applications in the design of recommendation algorithms.
The highly efficient photocatalytic and light harvesting property of Ag-TiO2 with negative nano-holes structure inspired from cicada wings
Authors: Zada Imran , Zhang Wang , Zheng Wangshu , Zhu Yuying , Zhang Zhijian , Zhang Jianzhong , Imtiaz Muhammad , Abbas Waseem , Zhang Di
Published: December 2017

The negative replica of biomorphic TiO2 with nano-holes structure has been effectively fabricated directly from nano-nipple arrays structure of cicada wings by using a simple, low-cost and highly effective sol-gel ultrasonic method. The nano-holes array structure was well maintained after calcination in air at 500 °C. The Ag nanoparticles (10 nm–25 nm) were homogeneously decorated on the surface and to the side wall of nano-holes structure. It was observed that the biomorphic Ag-TiO2 showed remarkable photocatalytic activity by degradation of methyl blue (MB) under UV-vis light irradiation. The biomorphic Ag-TiO2 with nano-holes structure showed superior photocatalytic activity compared to the biomorphic TiO2 and commercial Degussa P25. This high-performance photocatalytic activity of the biomorphic Ag-TiO2 may be attributed to the nano-holes structure, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property of the Ag nanoparticles, and enhanced electron-hole separation. Moreover, the biomorphic Ag-TiO2 showed more absorption capability in the visible wavelength range. This work provides a new insight to design such a structure which may lead to a range of novel applications.
Long term outcomes in survivors of epidemic Influenza A (H7N9) virus infection
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Wu Jie , Hao Shaorui , Yang Meifang , Lu Xiaoqing , Chen Xiaoxiao , Li Lanjuan
Published: December 2017

Patients who survive influenza A (H7N9) virus infection are at risk of physical and psychological complications of lung injury and multi-organ dysfunction. However, there were no prospectively individualized assessments of physiological, functional and quality-of-life measures after hospital discharge. The current study aims to assess the main determinants of functional disability of these patients during the follow-up. Fifty-six influenza A (H7N9) survivors were investigated during the 2-year after discharge from the hospital. Results show interstitial change and fibrosis on pulmonary imaging remained 6 months after hospital discharge. Both ventilation and diffusion dysfunction improved, but restrictive and obstructive patterns on ventilation function test persisted throughout the follow-up period. For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome lung functions improved faster during the first six months. Role-physical and Role-emotional domains in the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were worse than those of a sex- and age-matched general population group. The quality of life of survivors with ARDS was lower than those with no ARDS. Our findings suggest that pulmonary function and imaging findings improved during the first 6 months especially for those with ARDS, however long-term lung disability and psychological impairment in H7N9 survivors persisted at 2 years after discharge from the hospital.
Computational insights for the hydride transfer and distinctive roles of key residues in cholesterol oxidase
Authors: Yu Li-Juan , Golden Emily , Chen Nanhao , Zhao Yuan , Vrielink Alice , Karton Amir
Published: December 2017

Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), a member of the glucose-methanol-choline (GMC) family, catalyzes the oxidation of the substrate via a hydride transfer mechanism and concomitant reduction of the FAD cofactor. Unlike other GMC enzymes, the conserved His447 is not the catalytic base that deprotonates the substrate in ChOx. Our QM/MM MD simulations indicate that the Glu361 residue acts as a catalytic base facilitating the hydride transfer from the substrate to the cofactor. We find that two rationally chosen point mutations (His447Gln and His447Asn) cause notable decreases in the catalytic activity. The binding free energy calculations show that the Glu361 and His447 residues are important in substrate binding. We also performed high-level double-hybrid density functional theory simulations using small model systems, which support the QM/MM MD results. Our work provides a basis for unraveling the substrate oxidation mechanism in GMC enzymes in which the conserved histidine does not act as a base.
Modelling the luminescence of iridium cyclometalated complexes encapsulated in cucurbituril
Authors: Alrawashdeh Lubna R. , Cronin Michael P. , Day Anthony I. , Wallace Lynne , Woodward Clifford E.
Published: December 2017

A new quantitative model is developed for the luminescence of aqueous solutions of cyclometalated iridium complexes encapsulated in Q[10].
Detection of Aβ plaque-associated astrogliosis in Alzheimer's disease brain by spectroscopic imaging and immunohistochemistry
Authors: Palombo Francesca , Tamagnini Francesco , Jeynes J. Charles G. , Mattana Sara , Swift Imogen , Nallala Jayakrupakar , Hancock Jane , Brown Jonathan T. , Randall Andrew D. , Stone Nick
Published: December 2017

Correlative vibrational spectroscopy and immunohistochemistry reveal astroglial processes co-localised with the lipid-rich shell of Aβ plaques.
A new wipe-sampling instrument for measuring the collection efficiency of trace explosives residues
Authors: Robinson Elizabeth L. , Sisco Edward , Staymates Matthew E. , Lawrence Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2017

Trace explosives detection, a crucial component of many security screening environments, commonly employs wipe-sampling.
Modification of Ga2O3by an Ag–Cr core–shell cocatalyst enhances photocatalytic CO evolution for the conversion of CO2by H2O
Authors: Pang Rui , Teramura Kentaro , Tatsumi Hiroyuki , Asakura Hiroyuki , Hosokawa Saburo , Tanaka Tsunehiro
Published: December 2017

Modification of the Cr(OH)3·xH2O thin layer on the surface of the Ag cocatalyst drastically suppressed the backward reaction for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2.
Carbodiimides as catalysts for the reduction of a cadmium hydride complex
Authors: Webb D. J. , Fitchett C. M. , Lein M. , Fulton J. R.
Published: December 2017

A rare terminal cadmium hydride complex has been synthesised. Reduction to the cadmium(i) dimer complex was achieved upon treatment with carbodiimides.
Conducting nanofibres of solvatofluorochromic cyclohexanetrione–dithiolylidene-basedC3symmetric molecule
Authors: Shivakumar Kilingaru I. , Goudappagouda Goudappagouda , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh , Sanjayan Gangadhar J.
Published: December 2017

Easily accessibleC3symmetric luminescent compounds exhibit interesting optophysical and redox properties, including one that self-assembles into highly conducting J-aggregate nanofibres.
Metal oxide- and N-codoped carbon nanosheets: facile synthesis derived from MOF nanofibers and their application in oxygen evolution
Authors: Kuang Xuan , Wang Zhiling , Sun Xu , Zhang Yong , Wei Qin
Published: December 2017

We successfully developed a metal oxide- and N-codoped carbon nanosheet from a MOF nanofiber, which exhibits high-performance electrocatalytic properties for oxygen evolution reactions.
On the study of the C6+ion beam and γ-ray induced effect on structural and luminescence properties of Eu doped LiNaSO4: explanation of TSL mechanism using PL, TL and EPR study
Authors: Gupta Karan Kumar , Kadam R. M. , Dhoble N. S. , Lochab S. P. , Dhoble S. J.
Published: December 2017

The present paper reports on the γ-ray and C6+ion beam induced effect on the structural and luminescence properties of Eu doped LiNaSO4phosphors.
Charge evolution during the unfolding of a single DNA i-motif
Authors: Ren Weibin , Zheng Kaikai , Liao Charan , Yang Jingfa , Zhao Jiang
Published: December 2017

The effective charge and evolution of single chains of a DNA i-motif during its unfolding process are investigated at the single molecule level.
Global minimum profile error (GMPE) – a least-squares-based approach for extracting macroscopic rate coefficients for complex gas-phase chemical reactions
Authors: Duong Minh v. , Nguyen Hieu T. , Mai Tam V.-T. , Huynh Lam K.
Published: December 2017

The new GMPE method was introduced to derive the macroscopic rate coefficients for complex gas-phase reactions from the time-resolved species profiles obtained from the master equation (ME) solutions.
The mixing effect of organic cations on the structural, electronic and optical properties of FAxMA1−xPbI3perovskites
Authors: Chang Junli , Chen Hong , Yuan Hongkuan , Wang Biao , Chen Xiaorui
Published: December 2017

The stability and optical performance of MAPbI3 perovskites can be effectively improved by doping FA cations.
Nafion particles doped with methyl viologen: electrochemistry
Authors: Yang Haiying , Li Xiuting , Batchelor-McAuley Christopher , Sokolov Stanislav V. , Compton Richard G.
Published: December 2017

The electrochemistry of Nafion particles doped with methyl viologen and their electrocatalytic activity towards permanganate reduction.
Defect chemistry and electrical properties of garnet-type Li7La3Zr2O12
Authors: Zhan Xiaowen , Lai Shen , Gobet Mallory P. , Greenbaum Steven G. , Shirpour Mona
Published: December 2017

The association between lithium vacancies and electron holes is critical to the low-temperature electrical properties of cubic Li7La3Zr2O12.
Molecular cocrystals: design, charge-transfer and optoelectronic functionality
Authors: Sun Lingjie , Zhu Weigang , Yang Fangxu , Li Baili , Ren Xiaochen , Zhang Xiaotao , Hu Wenping
Published: December 2017

This perspective article primarily focuses on the research work related to optoelectronic properties of organic charge transfer cocrystals.
An organoferroelasticity driven by molecular conformational change
Authors: Mir Sajjad Husain , Takasaki Yuichi , Takamizawa Satoshi
Published: December 2017

We describe ferroelasticity in an organic crystal and its potential utility for damping led by the nature of molecular components.
Atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy: systematic DFT study through the periodic table of elements
Authors: Pašti Igor A. , Jovanović Aleksandar , Dobrota Ana S. , Mentus Slavko V. , Johansson Börje , Skorodumova Natalia V.
Published: December 2017

Atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy is analyzed over the first six rows of the periodic table of elements.
cis- and trans-9,10-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-anthracene based coordination polymers of ZnII and CdII: synthesis, crystal structures and luminescence properties
Authors: Vasylevskyi Serhii I. , Regeta Khrystyna , Ruggi Albert , Petoud Stéphane , Piguet Claude , Fromm Katharina M.
Published: December 2017

New luminescent coordination polymers of anthracene with ZnII and CdII were developed for detection of traces of nitro explosives.
Electron transport shuttle mechanism via an Fe–N–C bond derived from a conjugated microporous polymer for a supercapacitor
Authors: Lim Alan Christian , Jadhav Harsharaj S. , Seo Jeong Gil
Published: December 2017

A new innovative electrode material (Fe-P800) consisting of a metal complex anchored on carbon via the utilization of iron-porphyrin conjugated microporous polymer (Fe-CMP) was prepared after pyrolyzing at 800 °C.