bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translating the concept of peptidelabeling with 5-deoxy-5-[18F]fluororibose into preclinical practice: 18F-labeling of Siglec-9 peptide for PET imaging of inflammation
Authors: Li Xiang-Guo , Autio Anu , Ahtinen Helena , Helariutta Kerttuli , Liljenbäck Heidi , Jalkanen Sirpa , Roivainen Anne , Airaksinen Anu J.
Published: March 2013

VAP-1 binding peptide Siglec-9 was glycosylated with 5-deoxy-5-[18F]fluororibose and used for in vivo PET imaging of experimental inflammation.
Behavior Problems and Social Functioning in Adolescents With Language Impairment
Authors: Karasinski Courtney
Published: March 2013

Adolescents with language impairment (LI) often are underidentified and may be perceived as lazy or noncompliant, rather than as individuals with LI. In this article, the author discusses two possible reasons for this underdiagnosis of LI in adolescents. First, many adolescents with LI present with comorbid behavior problems, which may be the primary concern of parents and school officials. Second, some adolescents with LI perform within age expectations on basic linguistic skills, but difficulties are apparent in higher-level linguistic tasks, including oral and written narrative comprehension and production. Given that adolescents with LI may present with comorbid behavior and academic and social deficits, it is crucial that speech-language pathologists provide identification, direct intervention, consultation with teachers, and leadership in order to facilitate improvement in behavioral, academic, and social functioning. The article provides recommendations for and examples of interventions, which must be administered using contextually relevant activities, and also highlights the importance of collaboration with others in the adolescent’s social and academic settings.
Expository Discourse Intervention for Adolescents With Language Disorders
Authors: Ward-Lonergan Jeannene M. , Duthie Jill K.
Published: March 2013

Speech-language pathologists play a crucial role in helping adolescents with language disorders improve their ability to comprehend and produce the language of the curriculum (i.e., expository discourse) and, thus, enhance their potential for academic success. The purpose of this article is to present numerous treatment techniques and strategies for increasing both spoken and written expository discourse skills in this population.
Adolescent Literacy: Looking Beyond Core Language Learning Deficits
Authors: Sun Lei , Wallach Geraldine P.
Published: March 2013

In this article, the authors take a hard look at the changing nature of language disorders across time with a particular focus on the specific challenges facing adolescents. The high school setting can be an especially demanding one academically, but it is also a place and time where social and emotional challenges interact with—and have an impact on—students’ linguistic and curricular success. The article outlines selected language-based literacy initiates with an eye toward consideration of the social and emotional components of intervention.
Le Fort I Osteotomy with Bone Grafts in Preprosthetic Surgery: Technical Note
Authors: Pingarron-Martin Lorena , Arias-Gallo Javier , Ong Hui Shan , Pons Manuel Chamorro
Published: March 2013

Background

Being edentulous causes progressive bony resorption in maxillae, which can lead to altered maxillomandibular relationships. Discussion should consider Le Fort I osteotomy with inlay grafts for a better success rate. Thus, this article introduces a technical note in improving the success rate.

Case Report

The presented technical note permits transformation of the surgery in a conventional Le Fort I with a simple fixation not only of the grafts but also of the osteotomy. The surgical steps are explained as well as the follow-up results.

Discussion

Adding additional wire anchorage around bone grafts greatly improved our success rate and reduced our operative time. Bone grafting concurrently with Le Fort I osteotomy immediately improved the facial skeletal profile. Several in vitro studies have shown that galvanic corrosion does not play a significant role when combining stainless steel and titanium. Our novel technique is relatively simple and can be easily picked up by young surgeons.
Spectroscopic properties of Arx–Zn and Arx–Ag+ (x = 1,2) van der Waals complexes
Authors: Oyedepo Gbenga A. , Peterson Charles , Schoendorff George , Wilson Angela K.
Published: March 2013

Potential energy curves have been constructed using coupled cluster with singles, doubles, and perturbative triple excitations (CCSD(T)) in combination with all-electron and pseudopotential-based multiply augmented correlation consistent basis sets [m-aug-cc-pV(n + d)Z; m = singly, doubly, triply, n = D,T,Q,5]. The effect of basis set superposition error on the spectroscopic properties of Ar–Zn, Ar2–Zn, Ar–Ag+, and Ar2–Ag+ van der Waals complexes was examined. The diffuse functions of the doubly and triply augmented basis sets have been constructed using the even-tempered expansion. The a posteriori counterpoise scheme of Boys and Bernardi and its generalized variant by Valiron and Mayer has been utilized to correct for basis set superposition error (BSSE) in the calculated spectroscopic properties for diatomic and triatomic species. It is found that even at the extrapolated complete basis set limit for the energetic properties, the pseudopotential-based calculations still suffer from significant BSSE effects unlike the all-electron basis sets. This indicates that the quality of the approximations used in the design of pseudopotentials could have major impact on a seemingly valence-exclusive effect like BSSE. We confirm the experimentally determined equilibrium internuclear distance (re), binding energy (De), harmonic vibrational frequency (ωe), and C1Π ← X1Σ transition energy for ArZn and also predict the spectroscopic properties for the low-lying excited states of linear Ar2–Zn (X1Σg, 3Πg, 1Πg), Ar–Ag+ (X1Σ, 3Σ, 3Π, 3Δ, 1Σ, 1Π, 1Δ), and Ar2–Ag+ (X1Σg, 3Σg, 3Πg, 3Δg, 1Σg, 1Πg, 1Δg) complexes, using the CCSD(T) and MR-CISD + Q methods, to aid in their experimental characterizations.
Global existence and non-relativistic global limits of entropy solutions to the 1D piston problem for the isentropic relativistic Euler equations
Authors: Ding Min , Li Yachun
Published: March 2013

We study the 1D piston problem for the isentropic relativistic Euler equations when the total variations of the initial data and the speed of the piston are sufficiently small. Employing a modified Glimm scheme, we establish the global existence of shock front solutions including a strong shock without restriction on the strength. In particular, we give some uniform estimates on the perturbation waves, the reflections of the perturbation waves on the piston and the strong shock. Meanwhile, we consider the convergence of the entropy solutions as the light speed c → +∞ to the corresponding entropy solutions of the classical non-relativistic isentropic Euler equations.
Local accumulation times for source, diffusion, and degradation models in two and three dimensions
Authors: Gordon Peter V. , Muratov Cyrill B. , Shvartsman Stanislav Y.
Published: March 2013

We analyze the transient dynamics leading to the establishment of a steady state in reaction-diffusion problems that model several important processes in cell and developmental biology and account for the diffusion and degradation of locally produced chemical species. We derive expressions for the local accumulation time, a convenient characterization of the time scale of the transient at a given location, in two- and three-dimensional systems with first-order degradation kinetics, and analyze their dependence on the model parameters. We also study the relevance of the local accumulation time as a single measure of timing for the transient and demonstrate that, while it may be sufficient for describing the local concentration dynamics far from the source, a more delicate multi-scale description of the transient is needed near a tightly localized source in two and three dimensions.
Laser induced amplified spontaneous emission from the $f\;0_g^ +$fg+ (3P) ion-pair state of I2
Authors: Hoshino Shoma , Araki Mitsunori , Furukawa Hiroki , Ross Stephen C. , Tsukiyama Koichi
Published: March 2013

Laser induced amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from the $f\;0_g^ +$f0g+ (3P0) (vf = 1-7) ion-pair state of I2 was directly observed using an optical-optical double resonance technique with the B $0_u^ +$0u+ (vB = 21) valence state as the intermediate state. The emission detected at ∼1660 nm was assigned to transitions from the $f\;0_g^ +$f0g+ state to the D $0_u^ +$0u+ (3P2) ion-pair state. The transitions observed in the dispersed IR emission spectra were found to be between vibrational levels having the same vibrational quantum numbers in both electronic states, vf = vD. This is due to the almost parallel nature of the potential energy functions of the $f\;0_g^ +$f0g+ and D $0_u^ +$0u+ states, leading to almost unit values for the Franck-Condon factors for vf = vD. That the observed infrared emission is due to ASE is shown by the facts that it propagated in a limited range of solid angles, exhibited a clear threshold against the input-laser power, and had different polarization to that of laser induced fluorescence.
Electron-vibration energy exchange models in nitrogen-containing plasma flows
Authors: Laporta V. , Bruno D.
Published: March 2013

The physics of vibrational kinetics in nitrogen-containing plasma produced by collisions with electrons is studied on the basis of recently derived cross sections and rate coefficients for the resonant vibrational-excitation by electron-impact. The temporal relaxation of the vibrational energy and of the vibrational distribution function is analyzed in a state-to-state approach. The electron and vibrational temperatures are varied in the range [0–50 000] K. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the derivation of reduced models and to the accuracy of a relaxation time formalism. An analytical fit of the vibrational relaxation time is given.
Predissociation dynamics of the C 3Πg Rydberg state of molecular oxygen
Authors: Gilchrist A. J. , Ritchie G. A. D.
Published: March 2013

(2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS) has been used to detect both the O(3P) and O(1D) fragments produced as a result of predissociation of the C 3Πg (v = 0) and (v = 1) Rydberg states of O2. In particular, TOF profiles have been recorded at various fixed wavelengths within the two bands in order to investigate the differences in predissociation dynamics of intermediate levels with different values of |Ω| (=0, 1, 2 in this case). TOF profiles have been recorded in multiple geometries to determine both the translational anisotropy and angular momentum alignment of both photofragments as well as the O(3P) spin-orbit branching ratios produced following a two-photon dissociation. The translational anisotropy is found to be dependent on the dissociation wavelength with the variations found to be consistent with rotational depolarization due to the long lifetime of the excited C state. All photofragments have been found to be aligned, with the relationship between the measured O(3P) and O(1D) alignment being found to be consistent with a diabatic model of the dissociation.
Colloidal gelation with variable attraction energy
Authors: Zaccone Alessio , Crassous Jérôme J. , Ballauff Matthias
Published: March 2013

We present an approximation scheme to the master kinetic equations for aggregation and gelation with thermal breakup in colloidal systems with variable attraction energy. With the cluster fractal dimension df as the only phenomenological parameter, rich physical behavior is predicted. The viscosity, the gelation time, and the cluster size are predicted in closed form analytically as a function of time, initial volume fraction, and attraction energy by combining the reversible clustering kinetics with an approximate hydrodynamic model. The fractal dimension df modulates the time evolution of cluster size, lag time and gelation time, and of the viscosity. The gelation transition is strongly nonequilibrium and time-dependent in the unstable region of the state diagram of colloids where the association rate is larger than the dissociation rate. Only upon approaching conditions where the initial association and the dissociation rates are comparable for all species (which is a condition for the detailed balance to be satisfied) aggregation can occur with df = 3. In this limit, homogeneous nucleation followed by Lifshitz-Slyozov coarsening is recovered. In this limited region of the state diagram the macroscopic gelation process is likely to be driven by large spontaneous fluctuations associated with spinodal decomposition.
Frustration-induced protein intrinsic disorder
Authors: Matsushita Katsuyoshi , Kikuchi Macoto
Published: March 2013

Spontaneous folding into a specific native structure is the most important property of protein to perform their biological functions within organisms. Spontaneous folding is understood on the basis of an energy landscape picture based on the minimum frustration principle. Therefore, frustration seemingly only leads to protein functional disorder. However, frustration has recently been suggested to have a function in allosteric regulation. Functional frustration has the possibility to be a key to our deeper understanding of protein function. To explore another functional frustration, we theoretically examined structural frustration, which is designed to induce intrinsic disorder of a protein and its function through the coupled folding and binding. We extended the Wako-Saitô-Muñoz-Eaton model to take into account a frustration effect. With the model, we analyzed the binding part of neuron-restrictive silencer factor and showed that designed structural frustration in it induces intrinsic disorder. Furthermore, we showed that the folding and the binding are cooperative in interacting with a target protein. The cooperativity enables an intrinsically disordered protein to exhibit a sharp switch-like folding response to binding chemical potential change. Through this switch-like response, the structural frustration may contribute to the regulation function of interprotein interaction of the intrinsically disordered protein.
Variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry of InAlP native oxide dielectric layers for GaAs metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor applications
Authors: Yuan Wangqing , Hall D. C.
Published: March 2013

Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry models and data analysis have been developed to accurately determine the thickness of indium aluminum phosphide (InAlP) native oxide films used for the gate oxide in GaAs-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor devices. The optical constants of the InAlP oxide, as well as InAlP and indium aluminum phosphide (InGaP) lattice matched to GaAs, have been determined by ellipsometry measurements using a photon energy range of 1.45 to 5.45 eV. Using the optical constants of InAlP and InAlP oxide, an ellipsometry-based model has been developed to characterize the oxidation kinetics of a thick partially oxidized InAlP epitaxial film grown on GaAs. The data indicate a delay in the full oxidation of In relative to Al as InAlP is fully oxidized. Excellent agreement between the thickness values determined by transmission electron microscopy imaging and by ellipsometric modeling validates the optical constants obtained. The ellipsometry material parameter models have also been extended to accurately fit the thickness of <100 Å InAlP oxides grown directly upon a multi-layer heterostructure for use as a transistor gate oxide. The InAlP oxide thicknesses determined by ellipsometry agree with those determined by electron microscopy to within 4%.
Microstructure, martensitic transitions, magnetocaloric, and exchange bias properties in Fe-doped Ni-Mn-Sn melt-spun ribbons
Authors: Zhao X. G. , Tong M. , Shih C. W. , Li B. , Chang W. C. , Liu W. , Zhang Z. D.
Published: March 2013

The effects of Fe substitution for Ni on microstructure, phase transformations, magnetocaloric effect, and exchange-bias behavior of the Ni46−xFexMn43Sn11 (x = 0–3) alloy ribbons have been investigated. The free surface of as-spun Fe-doped ribbons shows the granular microstructure containing multiple shapes (the tree leaf-like, small columnar grain, etc.), while the ordered columnar grains are observed in fracture cross-section. The martensitic structural transition temperature (TM) of as-annealed ribbons decreases from 240 K for x = 0 to 185 K for x = 3 due to the decrease in valence electron concentration, while the Curie temperature of the austenitic phase remains almost unchanged (TC = 275 K). The positive values of magnetic entropy changes (+ΔSM), around TM, are 21.0, 29.1, 24.1, and 14.8 J/kg K for x = 0–3, respectively, while the negative −ΔSM values vary in 3.0–3.5 J/kg K range around TC, under a field change of 0–5 T. The values of exchange-bias field (HE) at 10 K change in the range of 469 to 534 Oe and the coercivity (HC) slightly decreases from 245 to 186 Oe, respectively, as x is increased.
An automated high throughput tribometer for adhesion, wear, and friction measurements
Authors: Kalihari Vivek , Timpe Shannon J. , McCarty Lyle , Ninke Matthew , Whitehead Jim
Published: March 2013

Understanding the origin and correlation of different surface properties under a multitude of operating conditions is critical in tribology. Diverse tribological properties and a lack of a single instrument to measure all make it difficult to compare and correlate properties, particularly in light of the wide range of interfaces commonly investigated. In the current work, a novel automated tribometer has been designed and validated, providing a unique experimental platform capable of high throughput adhesion, wear, kinetic friction, and static friction measurements. The innovative design aspects are discussed that allow for a variety of probes, sample surfaces, and testing conditions. Critical components of the instrument and their design criteria are described along with examples of data collection schemes. A case study is presented with multiple surface measurements performed on a set of characteristic substrates. Adhesion, wear, kinetic friction, and static friction are analyzed and compared across surfaces, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the surface data that can be generated using the automated high throughput tribometer.
Melting of rare-gas crystals: Monte Carlo simulation versus experiments
Authors: Bocchetti V. , Diep H. T.
Published: March 2013

We study the melting transition in crystals of rare gas Ar, Xe, and Kr by the use of extensive Monte Carlo simulations with the Lennard-Jones potential. The parameters of this potential have been deduced by Bernardes in 1958 from experiments of rare gas in the gaseous phase. It is amazing that the parameters of such a popular potential were not fully tested so far. Using the Bernardes parameters, we find that the melting temperature of several rare gas is from 13% to 20% higher than that obtained from experiments. We have throughout studied the case of Ar by examining both finite-size and cutoff-distance effects. In order to get a good agreement with the experimental melting temperature, we propose a modification of these parameters to describe better the melting of rare-gas crystals.
Lattice Boltzmann method for multiscale self-consistent field theory simulations of block copolymers
Authors: Chen Hsieh , Kim YongJoo , Alexander-Katz Alfredo
Published: March 2013

A new Lattice Boltzmann (LB) approach is introduced to solve for the block copolymer propagator in polymer field theory. This method bridges two desired properties from different numerical techniques, namely: (i) it is robust and stable as the pseudo-spectral method and (ii) it is flexible and allows for grid refinement and arbitrary boundary conditions. While the LB method is not as accurate as the pseudo-spectral method, full self-consistent field theoretic simulations of block copolymers on graphoepitaxial templates yield essentially indistinguishable results from pseudo-spectral calculations. Furthermore, we were able to achieve speedups of ∼100× compared to single CPU core implementations by utilizing graphics processing units. We expect this method to be very useful in multi-scale studies where small length scale details have to be resolved, such as in strongly segregating block copolymer blends or nanoparticle-polymer interfaces.
Near-infrared femtosecond laser machining initiated by ultraviolet multiphoton ionization
Authors: Yu X. , Bian Q. , Zhao B. , Chang Z. , Corkum P. B. , Lei S.
Published: March 2013

We report on the experimental study of microstructures fabricated on the surface of fused silica by two femtosecond laser pulses, a tightly focused 266 nm beam followed by a loosely focused 800 nm beam. By setting the fluence of each pulse below the damage threshold, visible microstructures are fabricated using the combined beams. Our results suggest that the ultraviolet pulse generates seed electrons through multiphoton absorption, and the near-infrared pulse utilizes these electrons to cause damage by avalanche ionization.
Key elements of space charge compensation on a low energy high intensity beam injector
Authors: Peng Shixiang , Lu Pengnan , Ren Haitao , Zhao Jie , Chen Jia , Xu Yuan , Guo Zhiyu , Chen Jia'er , Zhao Hongwei , Sun Liangting
Published: March 2013

Space charge effect (SCE) along the beam line will decrease beam quality. Space charge compensation (SCC) with extra gas injection is a high-efficiency method to reduce SCE. In this paper, we will report the experimental results on the beam profile, potential distribution, beam emittance, and beam transmission efficiency of a 35 keV/90 mA H+ beam and a 40 keV/10 mA He+ beam compensated by Ar/Kr. The influence of gas type, gas flow, and injection location will be discussed. Emphasis is laid on the consideration of SCC when designing and commissioning a high intensity ion beam injector. Based on measured data, a new definition of space charge compensation degree is proposed.
Structural stability of Cr-related defect complex in diamond for single photon sources: A first-principles study
Authors: Liu Rong , Tian Ren-Yu , Zhao Yu-Jun
Published: March 2013

We performed first-principles calculations to characterize the structure and electronic properties of Cr-related centers in diamond when oxygen or nitrogen is involved. We found that Cr2V-NC center with Cs symmetry is energetically favored under N-rich condition, with respect to Crint, CrC, Cr2V, and Cr2V-OC. In analogy to the Cr2V defect, Cr2V-NC center also introduces strongly spin polarized impurity levels into the diamond band, in favor of single-photon emission. The yield of optically active centers of the single photon emitters could be improved by incorporation of N, since the formation energy of Cr2V-NC complex is lower than that of Cr2V under N rich condition. Meanwhile, our calculations indicated that the additional incorporation of O to Cr or (Cr, N) defects introduces not well-separated impurity levels, which will broaden the emission lines.
All-dielectric GaN microcavity: Strong coupling and lasing at room temperature
Authors: Daskalakis K. S. , Eldridge P. S. , Christmann G. , Trichas E. , Murray R. , Iliopoulos E. , Monroy E. , Pelekanos N. T. , Baumberg J. J. , Savvidis P. G.
Published: March 2013

The strong light-matter coupling regime and lasing in a GaN microcavity fabricated by incorporating a high optical quality GaN membrane inside an all-dielectric mirror cavity is demonstrated at room temperature. A nonlinear increase of the emission and line narrowing marks the onset of polariton lasing regime with significantly reduced threshold compared with previous reports for bulk GaN microcavity. This combination of low lasing thresholds and ease of fabrication allows incorporation of quantum wells and electrical contacts into the active region, paving the way for electrically driven room temperature (RT) polariton laser devices.
Elastic energy relaxation and critical thickness for plastic deformation in the core-shell InGaAs/GaAs nanopillars
Authors: Nazarenko Maxim V. , Sibirev Nickolay V. , Wei Ng Kar , Ren Fan , Son Ko Wai , Dubrovskii Vladimir G. , Chang-Hasnain Connie
Published: March 2013

We report on the core-shell InGaAs/GaAs nanopillars grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on silicon substrates. The core diameter typically amounts to 600 nm, the shell thickness is around 160 nm, and the lattice mismatch amounts to 2% for the 20% In content used in our growth experiments for wurtzite crystal structure. Surprisingly, the transmission electron microscopy studies reveal an excellent crystal quality in the entire pillar with no noticeable defects even though the critical thickness for dislocation formation in GaAs shell is only 10 nm in the thin film case. To explain the observed effect, we develop a theoretical model that is capable of describing a huge increase of the critical thickness for plastic deformation owing to the core-shell geometry.
Magnetic hysteresis loss and corrosion behavior of LaFe11.5Si1.5 particles coated with Cu
Authors: Tian N. , Zhang N. N. , You C. Y. , Gao B. , He J.
Published: March 2013

The existence of porosity is useful for releasing the strain during the magnetization and demagnetization processes of La(Fe, Si)13-based magnetocaloric materials, resulting in the decreases of magnetic hysteresis loss and the improvement of mechanical stability. But the porosity would affect the heat transfer and corrosion behavior. In this work, we studied the effect of highly plastic Cu coating on the magnetocaloric properties and corrosion resistance of LaFe11.5Si1.5 particles. It was found that Cu coating had less influence on the magnetic entropy changes, but presented a less magnetic hysteresis loss. Under a maximum field of 1.5 T, both particles with and without coating showed the similar magnetic entropy changes of 8 J/kg K. Magnetic hysteresis loss was decreased from 2.2 to 1.8 J/kg after Cu coating. The corrosion current density was decreased and the corrosion potential was increased, indicating an improvement of the corrosion resistance with Cu coating.
Ligand chemistry of titania precursor affects transient photovoltaic behavior in inverted organic solar cells
Authors: Bok Kim Jong , Ahn Seokhoon , Ju Kang Seok , Nuckolls Colin , Loo Yueh-Lin
Published: March 2013

The chemistry of the precursor from which charge transport layers are formed can significantly affect the device performance of organic solar cells. Here, we compare two common precursors that are used to generate titania electron transport layers and elucidate their effects on the transient characteristics of inverted bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells comprising poly(3-hexyl hiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester. Substituting the isopropyl ligands of titanium isopropoxide with 2-methoxyethanol leads to electron transport layers that require a shorter illumination time to fill shallow electron traps. Furthermore, organic solar cells with titania electron transport layers prepared with such pre-modified titania precursor exhibit higher power-conversion efficiencies stemming from lower trap densities.
Effect of Ge substitution for Si on the magnetic hyperfine field in LaMn2Si2 compound measured by perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy with 140Ce as probe nuclei
Authors: Bosch-Santos B. , Carbonari A. W. , Cabrera-Pasca G. A. , Costa M. S. , Saxena R. N.
Published: March 2013

The effect of substitution of Ge for Si in LaMn2Si2 compound on the magnetic hyperfine field (Bhf) has been investigated by perturbed γ−γ angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy using 140La(140Ce) as probe nuclei. This compound exhibits antiferromagnetism followed by a ferromagnetic ordering when temperature decreases. The behavior of the ferromagnetic transition when Ge gradually replaces Si, with concentrations of 20%, 40%, 80%, and 100% is discussed. PAC measurements were carried out in the temperature range from 15 K to 325 K. Results for LaMn2Si2 compound showed that the dependence of Bhf with temperature follows the expected behavior for the host magnetization and could be fitted by a Brillouin function for JMn = 5/2. However, the temperature dependence of Bhf for compounds when Si is gradually replaced by Ge showed a deviation from such a behavior, which gradually increases up to a strong deviation observed for LaMn2Ge2. This striking behavior was ascribed to the hybridization of d band of the host and f band of the Ce impurities, which is stronger when the unit cell volume increase as Si ions are substituted by Ge atoms.
The impact of substrate temperature on the size and aspect ratio of inkjet-dissolved via holes in thin poly(4-vinyl phenol) dielectric layers
Authors: Zhang Y. , Liu C. , Whalley D. C.
Published: March 2013

The authors demonstrate the effect of substrate temperature on the relationship between the inkjet-etched via hole size and the number of drops of etchant dispensed. A mechanism for the different via hole size evolution versus the number of drops is proposed. An explanation for the interrelationship between the solvent evaporation rate and polymer re-deposition is presented. The aspect ratio of via holes produced is found to increase with the substrate temperature. Therefore, higher temperatures can be used to reduce the size and increase the aspect ratio of via holes fabricated by inkjet etching.
Negative differential resistance in nanoclay films offers pressure sensing characteristics
Authors: Pawar Nisha , Bohidar H. B. , Sharma Aakanksha , Ghosh Subhasis
Published: March 2013

Thin fluid films of discotic nanoclay particles dispersed in water were observed to exhibit anomalous current-voltage (I-V) characteristics at room temperature. The I-V characteristics exhibit a transition from space charge limited conduction to negative differential resistance on crossing a certain bias of 20 V. Here, the maximum current (Imax) found to be around 20 μA and Imax was found to scale with applied pressure (P) following empirical relation Imax ∼ P1/4 indicating that these films can be used as pressure sensors.
Insulator-to-metal transition of SrTiO3:Nb single crystal surfaces induced by Ar+ bombardment
Authors: Rodenbücher C. , Wicklein S. , Waser R. , Szot K.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, the effect of Ar+ bombardment of SrTiO3:Nb surface layers is investigated on the macro- and nanoscale using surface-sensitive methods. After bombardment, the stoichiometry and electronic structure are changed distinctly leading to an insulator-to-metal transition related to the change of the Ti “d” electron from d0 to d1 and d2. During bombardment, conducting islands are formed on the surface. The induced metallic state is not stable and can be reversed due to a redox process by external oxidation and even by self-reoxidation upon heating the sample to temperatures of 300 °C.
Interband transitions and dielectric functions of InGaSb alloys
Authors: Kim T. J. , Yoon J. J. , Byun J. S. , Hwang S. Y. , Aspnes D. E. , Shin S. H. , Song J. D. , Liang C.-T. , Chang Y.-C. , Barange N. S. , Kim J. Y. , Kim Y. D.
Published: March 2013

We report pseudodielectric functions of In1−xGaxSb ternary alloy films from 1.5 to 6.0 eV determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Artifacts were minimized by real-time assessment of overlayer removal, leading to accurate representations of the bulk dielectric responses of these materials. Critical-point (CP) energies were obtained from numerically calculated second energy derivatives, and their Brillouin-zone origins identified by band-structure calculations. The E2′ and E2 + Δ2 CP energies cross with increasing In content as a result of increasing spin-orbit splitting Δ2.
Atomic scale investigations of ultra-thin GaInN/GaN quantum wells with high indium content
Authors: Hoffmann L. , Bremers H. , Jönen H. , Rossow U. , Schowalter M. , Mehrtens T. , Rosenauer A. , Hangleiter A.
Published: March 2013

Using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we have studied ultra-thin (<2 nm) GaInN quantum wells (QWs) on c-plane GaN with high indium content (>25 %) suitable for blue-green light emitting devices. We are able to analyze the QW on an atomic scale with high resolution STEM and derive the indium content quantitatively. In our analysis, we find that indium is not only incorporated into the QW but also into the barriers under certain growth conditions. We observe indium tails or even plateau-like structures in the barriers, caused by excess indium being supplied during quantum well growth.
Enhancing the Australian healthcare sector’s responsiveness to environmental sustainability issues: suggestions from Australian healthcare professionals
Authors: Dunphy Jillian L.
Published: March 2013

Objective.
Identify strategies to implement change across the Australian healthcare sector to better support social and natural environments.

Methods.
Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with Australian healthcare professionals.

Results.
Interviewees described multiple barriers to implementing change and numerous strategies to overcome these barriers. They argued that action must be taken at the individual and systemic levels to produce substantial and effective change. The strategies recommended fall into four main categories: altering workplace cultures and professional identities, community engagement, political activity, and change from within. The overarching goals of these strategies are to reduce negative impacts on the natural environment, and increase social equity within and across generations.

Conclusions.
By implementing the strategies described, a more cohesive effort to address sustainability issues across the sector can be made. This may improve local and global health, within current and future generations.

What is known about the topic?
Healthcare has a significant impact on the natural and social environments, which in turn have a significant impact upon health and healthcare.

What does this paper add?
This paper describes strategies to alter healthcare to better support environmental sustainability.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Collective implementation of the described strategies may allow a more cohesive and effective response across the Australian healthcare sector, to enhance local and global health for current and future generations.
Relational correlates of unprotected oral and vaginal sex and among African-American adolescent females
Authors: Crosby Richard A. , Voisin Dexter R. , DiClemente Ralph J. , Wingood Gina M. , Salazar Laura F. , Head Sara , Rose Eve , McDermott-Sales Jessica
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesTo identify relational correlates of unprotected oral sex (UOS) and vaginal intercourse (UVI) among African-American females. Methods: Participants (n = 715) provided data on demographics, sexual communication self efficacy (SCSE), sexual communication frequency, condom self-efficacy, power in sexual relationships, fear of negotiating condom use, UOS and UVI. Results: Participants reporting low SCSE were 2.5 and 1.6 times more likely to report UOS and UVI respectively. Additionally, participants who reported fear of condom negotiation were 3.1 times more likely to report UVI. Conclusions: Interventions promoting stronger SCSE may be a protective factor against having UOS and UVI among African-American females.
Link between the double-Intertropical Convergence Zone problem and cloud biases over the Southern Ocean
Authors: Hwang Yen-Ting , Frierson Dargan M. W.
Published: March 2013

The double-Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) problem, in which excessive precipitation is produced in the Southern Hemisphere tropics, which resembles a Southern Hemisphere counterpart to the strong Northern Hemisphere ITCZ, is perhaps the most significant and most persistent bias of global climate models. In this study, we look to the extratropics for possible causes of the double-ITCZ problem by performing a global energetic analysis with historical simulations from a suite of global climate models and comparing with satellite observations of the Earth’s energy budget. Our results show that models with more energy flux into the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere (at the top of the atmosphere and at the surface) tend to have a stronger double-ITCZ bias, consistent with recent theoretical studies that suggest that the ITCZ is drawn toward heating even outside the tropics. In particular, we find that cloud biases over the Southern Ocean explain most of the model-to-model differences in the amount of excessive precipitation in Southern Hemisphere tropics, and are suggested to be responsible for this aspect of the double-ITCZ problem in most global climate models.
Severe osmotic compression triggers a slowdown of intracellular signaling, which can be explained by molecular crowding
Authors: Miermont Agnès , Waharte François , Hu Shiqiong , McClean Megan Nicole , Bottani Samuel , Léon Sébastien , Hersen Pascal
Published: March 2013

Regulation of the cellular volume is fundamental for cell survival and function. Deviations from equilibrium trigger dedicated signaling and transcriptional responses that mediate water homeostasis and volume recovery. Cells are densely packed with proteins, and molecular crowding may play an important role in cellular processes. Indeed, increasing molecular crowding has been shown to modify the kinetics of biochemical reactions in vitro; however, the effects of molecular crowding in living cells are mostly unexplored. Here, we report that, in yeast, a sudden reduction in cellular volume, induced by severe osmotic stress, slows down the dynamics of several signaling cascades, including the stress-response pathways required for osmotic adaptation. We show that increasing osmotic compression decreases protein mobility and can eventually lead to a dramatic stalling of several unrelated signaling and cellular processes. The rate of these cellular processes decreased exponentially with protein density when approaching stalling osmotic compression. This suggests that, under compression, the cytoplasm behaves as a soft colloid undergoing a glass transition. Our results shed light on the physical mechanisms that force cells to cope with volume fluctuations to maintain an optimal protein density compatible with cellular functions.
Preemptive priming readily overcomes structure-based mechanisms of virus escape
Authors: Valkenburg Sophie A. , Gras Stephanie , Guillonneau Carole , Hatton Lauren A. , Bird Nicola A. , Twist Kelly-Anne , Halim Hanim , Jackson David C. , Purcell Anthony W. , Turner Stephen J. , Doherty Peter C. , Rossjohn Jamie , Kedzierska Katherine
Published: March 2013

A reverse-genetics approach has been used to probe the mechanism underlying immune escape for influenza A virus-specific CD8
+
T cells responding to the immunodominant D
b
NP
366
epitope. Engineered viruses with a substitution at a critical residue (position 6, P6M) all evaded recognition by WT D
b
NP
366
-specific CD8
+
T cells, but only the NPM6I and NPM6T mutants altered the topography of a key residue (His155) in the MHC class I binding site. Following infection with the engineered NPM6I and NPM6T influenza viruses, both mutations were associated with a substantial “hole” in the naïve T-cell receptor repertoire, characterized by very limited T-cell receptor diversity and minimal primary responses to the NPM6I and NPM6T epitopes. Surprisingly, following respiratory challenge with a serologically distinct influenza virus carrying the same mutation, preemptive immunization against these escape variants led to the generation of secondary CD8
+
T-cell responses that were comparable in magnitude to those found for the WT NP epitope. Consequently, it might be possible to generate broadly protective T-cell immunity against commonly occurring virus escape mutants. If this is generally true for RNA viruses (like HIV, hepatitis C virus, and influenza) that show high mutation rates, priming against predicted mutants before an initial encounter could function to prevent the emergence of escape variants in infected hosts. That process could be a step toward preserving immune control of particularly persistent RNA viruses and may be worth considering for future vaccine strategies.
Complete and unidirectional conversion of human embryonic stem cells to trophoblast by BMP4
Authors: Amita Mitsuyoshi , Adachi Katsuyuki , Alexenko Andrei P. , Sinha Sunilima , Schust Danny J. , Schulz Laura C. , Roberts R. Michael , Ezashi Toshihiko
Published: March 2013

Significance

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) exposed to the growth factor bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) in the absence of FGF2 have been used to study the development of placental trophoblasts, but the soundness of this model has been challenged by others who concluded that the directional differentiation was primarily toward the mesoderm lineage rather than trophoblast. Here we identify key culture conditions necessary for BMP4 to convert hESC to an epithelium that expresses a full range of trophoblast markers, demonstrates invasive properties, and releases large quantities of placental hormones, with no evidence for mesoderm formation.
Impacts of Golden Alga Prymnesium parvum on Fish Populations in Reservoirs of the Upper Colorado River and Brazos River Basins, Texas
Authors: VanLandeghem Matthew M. , Farooqi Mukhtar , Farquhar Bobby , Patiño Reynaldo
Published: March 2013

Several reservoirs in the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins in Texas have experienced toxic blooms of golden alga Prymnesium parvum and associated fish kills since 2001. There is a paucity of information, however, regarding the population‐level effects of such kills in large reservoirs, species‐specific resistance to or recovery from kills, or potential differences in the patterns of impacts among basins. We used multiple before–after, control–impact analysis to determine whether repeated golden alga blooms have led to declines in the relative abundance and size structure of fish populations. Sustained declines were noted for 9 of 12 fish species surveyed in the upper Colorado River, whereas only one of eight species was impacted by golden alga in the Brazos River. In the upper Colorado River, White Bass Morone chrysops, White Crappie Pomoxis annularis, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, River Carpsucker Carpiodes carpio, Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, and Blue Catfish I. furcatus exhibited sustained declines in relative abundance, size structure, or both; Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum, Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus, and Common Carp Cyprinus carpio did not exhibit those declines. In the Brazos River, only the relative abundance of Blue Catfish was impacted. Overall, toxic golden alga blooms can negatively impact fish populations over the long‐term, but the patterns of impact can vary considerably among river basins and species. In the Brazos River, populations of most fish species appear to be healthy, suggesting a positive angling outlook for this basin. In the upper Colorado River, fish populations have been severely impacted, and angling opportunities have been reduced. Basin‐specific management plans aimed at improving water quality and quantity will likely reduce bloom intensity and allow recovery of fish populations to the abundances and size structures present before golden alga.
Fish Assemblages in Borrow‐Pit Lakes of the Lower Mississippi River
Authors: Miranda L. E. , Killgore K. J. , Hoover J. J.
Published: March 2013

Borrow‐pit lakes encompass about a third of the lentic water habitats (by area) in the active floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River, yet little is known about their fish assemblages. We investigated whether fish assemblages supported by borrow‐pit lakes resembled those in oxbow lakes to help place the ecological relevance of borrow‐pit lakes in context with that of natural floodplain lakes. In all, we collected 75 fish species, including 65 species in eight borrow‐pit lakes, 52 species in four riverside oxbow lakes, and 44 species in eight landside oxbow lakes. Significant differences in several species richness metrics were evident between borrow‐pit lakes and landside oxbow lakes but not between borrow‐pit lakes and riverside oxbow lakes. All three lake types differed in fish assemblage composition. Borrow‐pit lakes and riverside oxbow lakes tended to include a greater representation of fish species that require access to diverse environments, including lentic, lotic, and palustrine habitats; fish assemblages in landside oxbow lakes included a higher representation of lacustrine species. None of the fish species collected in borrow‐pit lakes was federally listed as threatened or endangered, but several were listed as species of special concern by state governments in the region, suggesting that borrow‐pit lakes provide habitat for sensitive riverine and wetland fish species. Differences in fish assemblages among borrow‐pit lakes were linked to engineered morphologic features, suggesting that diversity in engineering can contribute to diversity in fish assemblages; however, more research is needed to match engineering designs with fish assemblage structures that best meet conservation needs.
Modeling risk stratification in human cancer
Authors: Rème Thierry , Hose Dirk , Theillet Charles , Klein Bernard
Published: March 2013

Motivation: Despite huge prognostic promises, gene expression-based survival assessment is rarely used in clinical routine. Main reasons include difficulties in performing and reporting analyses and restriction in most methods to one high-risk group with the vast majority of patients being unassessed. The present study aims at limiting these difficulties by (i) mathematically defining the number of risk groups without any a priori assumption; (ii) computing the risk of an independent cohort by considering each patient as a new patient incorporated to the validation cohort and (iii) providing an open-access Web site to freely compute risk for every new patient.

Results: Using the gene expression profiles of 551 patients with multiple myeloma, 602 with breast-cancer and 460 with glioma, we developed a model combining running log-rank tests under controlled chi-square conditions and multiple testing corrections to build a risk score and a classification algorithm using simultaneous global and between-group log-rank chi-square maximization. For each cancer entity, we provide a statistically significant three-group risk prediction model, which is corroborated with publicly available validation cohorts.

Conclusion: In constraining between-group significances, the risk score compares favorably with previous risk classifications.

Availability: Risk assessment is freely available on the Web at https://gliserv.montp.inserm.fr/PrognoWeb/ for personal or test data files. Web site implementation in Perl, R and Apache.

Contact:  thierry.reme@inserm.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.