bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence and risk of human papillomavirus infection in pregnant women
Authors: LIU P. , XU L. , SUN Y. , WANG Z.
Published: March 2014

A series of observational studies were evaluated concerning the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in pregnancy; however, the results were controversial. We systematically reviewed and collected data on studies regarding HPV prevalence published up to 30 April 2013, in which HPV was detected in pregnant women or both in pregnant and non-pregnant women. In total, 28 eligible studies were included that provided data on HPV infection concerning 13 640 pregnant women. The overall HPV prevalence in pregnant and age-matched non-pregnant women was 16·82% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16·21–17·47] and 12·25% (95% CI 11·50–13·01), respectively. The prevalence in the in three trimesters was 18·20%, 14·38%, and 19·32%, respectively. HPV-16 was the most frequently observed type, with a prevalence of 3·86% (95% CI 3·40–4·32). The overall HPV prevalence varied by study region, age, and HPV type. The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk of HPV infection in pregnant women, with a summary odds ratio (OR) of 1·42 (95% CI 1·25–1·61), especially for those aged <25 years (OR 1·79, 95% CI 1·22–2·63). The results suggest that pregnant women, especially those aged <25 years, are more susceptible to HPV infection.
Widespread endotheliopathy in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease
Authors: Cordina Rachael L. , Nakhla Shirley , O’Meagher Shamus , Leaney John , Graham Stuart , Celermajer David S.
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Cyanotic congenital heart disease is associated with functional limitation and vascular events. The nature and extent of endothelial dysfunction in cyanotic adults is poorly understood. We sought to characterise endothelial function in this setting. Methods: A total of fourteen adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease (40±3 years) together with age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent assessment of nitric oxide-dependent vascular responses, including flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and dynamic vessel analysis of the retina in response to flickering light. Plasma levels of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and the nitric oxide antagonist, asymmetric dimethylarginine, were measured. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in cyanosed adults than controls (4.0±0.8 versus 7.2±1.0%, p=0.019, n=11 per group). Retinal arterial and venous dilatory responses were also impaired (2.9±0.8 versus 5.0±0.6%, p=0.05 and 3.4±0.3 versus 5.2±0.7%, p=0.04, n=13). Serum levels of endothelin-1 and asymmetric dimethylarginine were higher in cyanosed adults (3.0±0.6 versus 1.1±0.1 pg/ml, p=0.004 and 0.68±0.05 versus 0.52±0.02 μmol/L, p=0.03, n=11). Endothelial progenitor cells (CD34+CD45dimCD133+KDR+) were reduced in those with chronic cyanosis (17±4 versus 40±6 per million white blood cells, p=0.005, n=11). Conclusions: Endothelial function is impaired in the systemic arteries and retinal vessels in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease, suggesting a widespread endotheliopathy. Diminished numbers of endothelial progenitor cells might potentially contribute to these observations.
Molecular-level and trait-level differentiation between the cultivated apple (Malus× domesticaBorkh.) and its main progenitorMalussieversii
Authors: Kumar Satish , Raulier Pierre , Chagné David , Whitworth Claire
Published: March 2014

The present study is the first to compare the trait-level differentiation (Qst) and the molecular-level differentiation (Fst) betweenMalus× domesticaandMalus sieversii. A set of 115 accessions representingM.× domestica(99) andM. sieversii(16) were genotyped using the International RosBREED SNP Consortium apple 8K SNP array and phenotyped for eight fruit quality traits in a clonally replicated experiment. A set of 3521 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with an average call rate of 98% was retained following SNP data quality filters. About 86% of the total SNPs were polymorphic inM. sieversii, while all but three SNPs were polymorphic inM. × domestica. The patterns of linkage disequilibrium were different, especially at the longer distances, between the two species. No differentiation (Fst= 0) was observed for nearly 23% of the SNPs, but about 20% of the SNPs exhibited a high genetic differentiation (Fst≥ 0.15). A highly significant (P< 0.001) genome-levelFst= 0.12 was observed betweenM. × domesticaandM. sieversii. The average estimatedQstvalue was 0.20 (range 0.08–0.40), and for three of the eight studied traits (crispness, flavour intensity and fruit weight),Qstvalue was more than twice the estimated genome-levelFstvalue. A higherQstvalue thanFstvalue for four of the eight fruit quality traits indicated differential (or directional) selection for these traits inM. × domestica. The average posterior probability of assignment ofM. × domesticaaccessions to theM. sieversiigene pool was 11%, supporting the hypothesis ofM. sieversiibeing one of the progenitors of the domesticated apple.
Political Tolerance among Muslim Minorities in Western Europe: The Role of Denomination and Religious and Host National Identification
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Maliepaard Mieke , Martinovic Borja , Khoudja Yassine
Published: March 2014

Islam has emerged as the focus of immigration and diversity debates in Europe, especially in relation to the incorporation of Islam within political democracy. Using the least-liked group approach, the present study investigates political tolerance among Sunni and Alevi Muslims of Turkish origin living in Germany and the Netherlands. A relatively low level of political tolerance was found with higher intolerance of Alevis compared to Sunnis which was due to Alevis' strong rejection of religious fundamentalists. For both Muslim subgroups and in both countries, stronger religious group identification was associated with higher tolerance. Political tolerance was also found to be lower in Germany than in the Netherlands and in the latter country tolerance was positively associated with host national identification. The findings show that Islamic belief, Muslim group identification and the host national context are important for political tolerance.
Joy, Schadenfreude, Sorrow, and Resentment as Responses Restoring Balance in Cognitive Units
Authors: Pietraszkiewicz Agnieszka , Wojciszke Bogdan
Published: March 2014

Based on Heider’s (1958) balance theory we hypothesize that emotional responses to other persons’ outcomes depend on attitudes toward these persons. Positive attitudes toward others lead to empathic responses to their outcomes – joy after a success and sorrow after a failure. Negative attitudes result in paradoxical responses – negative to a success (resentment) and positive to a failure (schadenfreude). These emotions function as responses restoring balance within cognitive units consisting of the perceiver, other persons, and their outcomes. Three studies supported these hypotheses and showed that deservingness considerations play a weaker role in shaping emotional responses of joy and sorrow to others’ outcomes when strong interpersonal attitudes are involved. However, deservingness plays an independent role in shaping the emotional response of resentment.
Leadership and Information Processing
Authors: Kastenmüller Andreas , Greitemeyer Tobias , Zehl Stefanie , Tattersall Andrew J. , George Helen , Frey Dieter , Fischer Peter
Published: March 2014

There is a large body of research showing that people selectively prefer information that supports their decisions and opinions, and avoid conflicting information (selective information processing). Three studies were conducted to examine how the different leadership styles of supervisors influence subordinates’ selective information processing (i.e., the evaluation, seeking, and conveying of information). Studies 1 and 2 indicate that students in the role of subordinates who were exposed to transformational supervisors process information in a more balanced way than do those who were led by a transactional supervisor. Study 3 was carried out with professionals and showed that transformational leadership was negatively correlated with selective information seeking and conveying. This finding was mediated by the experience of positive emotions. Transactional leadership, by contrast, was not significantly associated with selective information processing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
A Model for Future Aviation
Authors: Bruder Carmen , Eißfeldt Hinnerk , Maschke Peter , Hasse Catrin
Published: March 2014

In the future in aviation, operators will have to work with highly automated systems. This increased level of automation will necessitate operators monitoring appropriately (OMA). To prepare future training and selection processes, a normative model was developed providing criteria for the identification of OMA. According to this model, the monitoring process comprises distinct monitoring phases in which attention should be focused on relevant areas. The present study tests the normative model with experienced human operators in aviation on the basis of their eye movements. Results from 21 participants (air traffic controllers and pilots) support this normative model of OMA. In this regard, the normative model provides a promising basis for personnel selection and training in future ATM scenarios.
Tumour‐educated macrophages display a mixed polarisation and enhance pancreatic cancer cell invasion
Authors: Karnevi Emelie , Andersson Roland , Rosendahl Ann H
Published: March 2014

At the time of diagnosis, almost 80% of pancreatic cancer patients present with new‐onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) or impaired glucose tolerance. T2D and pancreatic cancer are both associated with low‐grade inflammation. Tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have a key role in cancer‐related inflammation, immune escape, matrix remodelling and metastasis. In this study, the interplay between tumour cells and immune cells under the influence of different glucose levels was investigated. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed in vitro to conditioned medium from BxPC‐3 human pancreatic cancer cells, in normal (5 mm) or high (25 mm) glucose levels. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that tumour‐derived factors stimulated differentiation of macrophages, with a mixed classical (M1‐like) and alternatively activated (M2‐like) phenotype polarisation (CD11c+CD206+). High‐glucose conditions further enhanced the tumour‐driven macrophage enrichment and associated interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 cytokine levels. In addition, hyperglycaemia enhanced the responsiveness of tumour‐educated macrophages to lipopolysaccharide, with elevated cytokine secretion compared with normal glucose levels. Tumour‐educated macrophages were found to promote pancreatic cancer cell invasion in vitro, which was significantly enhanced at high glucose. The anti‐diabetic drug metformin shifted the macrophage phenotype polarisation and reduced the tumour cell invasion at normal, but not high, glucose levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that pancreatic cancer cells stimulate differentiation of macrophages with pro‐tumour properties that are further enhanced by hyperglycaemia. These findings highlight important crosstalk between tumour cells and TAMs in the local tumour microenvironment that may contribute to disease progression in pancreatic cancer patients with hyperglycaemia and T2D.
Generalised power graph compression reveals dominant relationship patterns in complex networks
Authors: Ahnert Sebastian E.
Published: March 2014

We introduce a framework for the discovery of dominant relationship patterns in complex networks, by compressing the networks into power graphs with overlapping power nodes. When paired with enrichment analysis of node classification terms, the most compressible sets of edges provide a highly informative sketch of the dominant relationship patterns that define the network. In addition, this procedure also gives rise to a novel, link-based definition of overlapping node communities in which nodes are defined by their relationships with sets of other nodes, rather than through connections within the community. We show that this completely general approach can be applied to undirected, directed and bipartite networks, yielding valuable insights into the large-scale structure of real-world networks, including social networks and food webs. Our approach therefore provides a novel way in which network architecture can be studied, defined and classified.
The autism and schizophrenia associated gene CYFIP1 is critical for the maintenance of dendritic complexity and the stabilization of mature spines
Authors: Pathania M , Davenport E C , Muir J , Sheehan D F , López-Doménech G , Kittler J T
Published: March 2014

Copy number variation (CNV) at the 15q11.2 region has been identified as a significant risk locus for neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the individual roles for genes at this locus in nervous system development, function and connectivity remain poorly understood. Haploinsufficiency of one gene in this region,Cyfip1, may provide a model for 15q11.2 CNV-associated neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Here we show that altering CYFIP1 expression levels in neurons bothin vitroandin vivoinfluences dendritic complexity, spine morphology, spine actin dynamics and synaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor lateral diffusion. CYFIP1 is highly enriched at synapses and its overexpressionin vitroleads to increased dendritic complexity. Neurons derived fromCyfip1heterozygous animals on the other hand, possess reduced dendritic complexity, increased mobile F-actin and enhanced GluA2-containing AMPA receptor mobility at synapses. Interestingly,Cyfip1overexpression or haploinsufficiency increased immature spine number, whereas activity-dependent changes in spine volume were occluded inCyfip1haploinsufficient neurons.In vivo,Cyfip1heterozygous animals exhibited deficits in dendritic complexity as well as an altered ratio of immature-to-mature spines in hippocampal CA1 neurons. In summary, we provide evidence that dysregulation of CYFIP1 expression levels leads to pathological changes in CNS maturation and neuronal connectivity, both of which may contribute to the development of the neurological symptoms seen in ASD and SCZ.
Evolution of neutral organic super-electron-donors and their applications
Authors: Doni Eswararao , Murphy John A.
Published: March 2014

Organic electron donors have emerged as powerful reducing reagents with unique selectivity.
Metal(ii) complexes synthesized based on quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate as electrocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange
Authors: Gong Yun , Zhang Miao Miao , Qin Jian Bo , Li Jian , Meng Jiang Ping , Lin Jian Hua
Published: March 2014

Based on quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (H2L), two 1D metal(ii) complexes were synthesized, which exhibit electrocatalytic activities for the degradation of methyl orange (MO), which is probably associated with their electrocatalytic activities for the H2 evolution reaction from water.
Design, synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 8-substituted 2,3,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran imidazolium salt derivatives
Authors: Sun Cheng-Jun , Chen Wen , Li Yan , Liu Lan-Xiang , Wang Xue-Quan , Li Li-Juan , Zhang Hong-Bin , Yang Xiao-Dong
Published: March 2014

A series of novel 8-substituted 2,3,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran imidazolium salt derivatives were synthesized and their antitumor structure–activity relationship studies were reported.
Significant enhancement of visible up-conversion emissions of Y2O2S:Er3+ phosphors by Mn2+ sensitizing under 1550 nm excitation
Authors: Yuan Shuanglong , Zeng Huidan , Wu Xuanshun , Liu Zhao , Ren Jing , Chen Guorong , Wang Zhaofeng , Sun Luyi
Published: March 2014

Significant enhancement of the upconversion emission intensity of Y2O2S:Er3+ was achieved by Mn2+ sensitizing under 1550 nm excitation.
Design and control of organic semiconductors and their nanostructures for polymer–fullerene-based photovoltaic devices
Authors: Umeyama Tomokazu , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

Development of unique conjugated polymer donors, next-generation fullerene acceptors, and one-dimensionally confined, organic donor–acceptor heterojunction nanorods for photovoltaic applications.
Photophysical, electrochemical and solid state properties of diketopyrrolopyrrole based molecular materials: importance of the donor group
Authors: Dhar Joydeep , Venkatramaiah N. , A. Anitha , Patil Satish
Published: March 2014

This paper describes the influence of the donor group on the solid state packing and electronic properties of diketopyrrolopyrrole based small molecules.
Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of nonzero-bandgap graphene materials in glass matrices
Authors: Zheng Xiaoqing , Feng Miao , Li Zhongguo , Song Yinglin , Zhan Hongbing
Published: March 2014

The nonlinear optical properties of nonzero-bandgap graphene materials and the corresponding hybrid glasses were strongly affected by the laser duration.
Highly luminescent covalently bonded layered double hydroxide–fluorescent dye nanohybrids
Authors: Yan Li , Wang Yu , Li Jinhua , Kalytchuk Sergii , Susha Andrei S. , Kershaw Stephen V. , Yan Feng , Rogach Andrey L. , Chen Xianfeng
Published: March 2014

Incorporation of fluorescein dye molecules into layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles to form nanocomposites has great potential for optical and biological applications.
Chemical fingerprint and simultaneous determination of flavonoids in Flos Sophorae Immaturus by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS combined with chemometrics analysis
Authors: Xie Zhisheng , Lam Shingchung , Wu Junwei , Yang Depo , Xu Xinjun
Published: March 2014

A fingerprinting and quantifying method is developed for the quality evaluation of Flos Sophorae Immaturus by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS.
Simultaneous determination of potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in virgin olive oils by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection
Authors: Lemos M. A. T. , Pinheiro A. M. , Cassella R. J. , Jesus D. P.
Published: March 2014

A novel, simple, rapid, and cheap method using capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D) for determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in virgin olive oils.
Hydride generation ICP-MS as a simple method for determination of inorganic arsenic in rice for routine biomonitoring
Authors: Pétursdóttir Ásta H. , Friedrich Nils , Musil Stanislav , Raab Andrea , Gunnlaugsdóttir Helga , Krupp Eva M. , Feldmann Jörg
Published: March 2014

Using hydride generation for the determination of inorganic arsenic in rice gives the same result as HPLC.
Mechanistic and kinetic implications on the ORR on a Au(100) electrode: pH, temperature and H–D kinetic isotope effects
Authors: Mei Dong , He Zheng Da , Zheng Yong Li , Jiang Dao Chuan , Chen Yan-Xia
Published: March 2014

The potential determining reaction and the rate-determining step for the ORR on Au(100) in acidic and alkaline solution have been clarified.
Exchange–correlation functionals from the strong interaction limit of DFT: applications to model chemical systems
Authors: Malet Francesc , Mirtschink André , Giesbertz Klaas J. H. , Wagner Lucas O. , Gori-Giorgi Paola
Published: March 2014

The strong-interaction limit of DFT provides an exchange–correlation potential that is able to describe strong correlation in 1D model chemical systems.
Water and small organic molecules as probes for geometric confinement in well-ordered mesoporous carbon materials
Authors: Xu Yeping , Watermann Tobias , Limbach Hans-Heinrich , Gutmann Torsten , Sebastiani Daniel , Buntkowsky Gerd
Published: March 2014

Confinement effects on water, benzene and pyridine in mesoporous carbon materials were probed by 1H-MAS NMR and chemical shift calculations.
Efficiency maximization in solar-thermochemical fuel production: challenging the concept of isothermal water splitting
Authors: Ermanoski I. , Miller J. E. , Allendorf M. D.
Published: March 2014

Isothermal thermochemical H2 production is impractical and inefficient, but for optimal temperature difference between cycle steps efficiency is the highest.
Synthesis, crystal structure and study of magnetocaloric effect and single molecular magnetic behaviour in discrete lanthanide complexes
Authors: Adhikary Amit , Sheikh Javeed Ahmad , Biswas Soumava , Konar Sanjit
Published: March 2014

Hydrazone based four lanthanide complexes were synthesized where two gadolinium complexes show significant magnetocaloric effect and dysprosium analogues show SMM behavior.
Restraining the motion of a ligand for modulating the structural phase transition in two isomorphic polar coordination polymers
Authors: Wang Bao-Ying , Xu Wei-Jian , Xue Wei , Lin Rui-Biao , Du Zi-Yi , Zhou Dong-Dong , Zhang Wei-Xiong , Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: March 2014

A structural phase transition induced by ligand motion was found and tuned in two new polar coordination polymers, providing a new clue for modulating phase transition behaviour in known materials.
From chip-in-a-lab to lab-on-a-chip: towards a single handheld electronic system for multiple application-specific lab-on-a-chip (ASLOC)
Authors: Neužil P. , Campos C. D. M. , Wong C. C. , Soon J. B. W. , Reboud J. , Manz A.
Published: March 2014

We present a portable, battery-operated and application-specific lab-on-a-chip (ASLOC) system that can be easily configured for a wide range of lab-on-a-chip applications.
A time resolved metabolomics study: the influence of different carbon sources during growth and starvation of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Meyer Hanna , Weidmann Hendrikje , Mäder Ulrike , Hecker Michael , Völker Uwe , Lalk Michael
Published: March 2014

Bacillus subtilisshows a remarkable robust metabolism towards changing carbon source combinations proved by comprehensive metabolomics analysis.
Dual-color imaging of cytosolic and mitochondrial zinc ions in live tissues with two-photon fluorescent probes
Authors: Rathore Kailash , Lim Chang Su , Lee Young , Cho Bong Rae
Published: March 2014

We have developed TP probes for [Zn2+]cyto and [Zn2+]mito, which emit TPEF at widely-separated wavelength regions. The new probes can simultaneously detect [Zn2+]cyto and [Zn2+]mito in live cells, as well as in living tissues by dual-color TPM imaging.
Oxygen delignification of conventional and high alkali cooked softwood Kraft pulps, and study of the residual lignin structure
Authors: Jafari Vahid , Labafzadeh Sara R. , King Alistair , Kilpeläinen Ilkka , Sixta Herbert , van Heiningen Adriaan
Published: March 2014

Elucidation of the structure of the residual lignin of high kappa number softwood pulps combined with kinetic data from O-delignification.
N-doped graphene quantum dots as an effective photocatalyst for the photochemical synthesis of silver deposited porous graphitic C3N4 nanocomposites for nonenzymatic electrochemical H2O2 sensing
Authors: Jiang Deli , Zhang Yuan , Chu Haoyu , Liu Jie , Wan Jin , Chen Min
Published: March 2014

N-doped GQDs served as an effective photocatalyst for the photochemical synthesis of silver deposited porous g-C3N4 nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing.
Reduction of 4-nitrophenol catalyzed by silver nanoparticles supported on polymer micelles and vesicles
Authors: Geng Qingrui , Du Jianzhong
Published: March 2014

We report the reduction of 4-nitrophenol catalyzed by silver nanoparticles supported on polymer micelles and vesicles which can significantly improve the stability, dispersibility and catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles even at one ppm.
Synthesis of hydrogenated TiO2–reduced-graphene oxide nanocomposites and their application in high rate lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Jie , Shen Laifa , Nie Ping , Xu Guiyin , Ding Bing , Fang Shan , Dou Hui , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: March 2014

Hydrogenated TiO2–RGO nanocomposites have been synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrogenation, which exhibit superior rate capability and outstanding capacity retention.
Fabrication of core–shell structured mesoporous silica nanospheres with dually oriented mesochannels through pore engineering
Authors: Peng Juan , Liu Jia , Liu Jian , Yang Yan , Li Can , Yang Qihua
Published: March 2014

Core–shell structured mesoporous silica nanospheres with penetrating mesochannels in the core and radial mesochannels in the shell.
Kinase and channel activity of TRPM6 are co-ordinated by a dimerization motif and pocket interaction
Authors: van der Wijst Jenny , Blanchard Maxime G. , Woodroof Helen I. , Macartney Thomas J. , Gourlay Robert , Hoenderop Joost G. , Bindels René J. , Alessi Dario R.
Published: March 2014

Mutations in the gene that encodes the atypical channel-kinase TRPM6 (transient receptor potential melastatin 6) cause HSH (hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia), a disorder characterized by defective intestinal Mg2+ transport and impaired renal Mg2+ reabsorption. TRPM6, together with its homologue TRPM7, are unique proteins as they combine an ion channel domain with a C-terminally fused protein kinase domain. How TRPM6 channel and kinase activity are linked is unknown. Previous structural analysis revealed that TRPM7 possesses a non-catalytic dimerization motif preceding the kinase domain. This interacts with a dimerization pocket lying within the kinase domain. In the present study, we provide evidence that the dimerization motif in TRPM6 plays a critical role in regulating kinase activity as well as ion channel activity. We identify mutations within the TRPM6 dimerization motif (Leu1718 and Leu1721) or dimerization pocket (L1743A, Q1832K, A1836N, L1840A and L1919Q) that abolish dimerization and establish that these mutations inhibit protein kinase activity. We also demonstrate that kinase activity of a dimerization motif mutant can be restored by addition of a peptide encompassing the dimerization motif. Moreover, we observe that mutations that disrupt the dimerization motif and dimerization pocket interaction greatly diminish TRPM6 ion channel activity, in a manner that is independent of kinase activity. Finally, we analyse the impact on kinase activity of ten disease-causing missense mutations that lie outwith the protein kinase domain of TRPM6. This revealed that one mutation lying nearby the dimerization motif (S1754N), found previously to inhibit channel activity, abolished kinase activity. These results provide the first evidence that there is structural co-ordination between channel and kinase activity, which is mediated by the dimerization motif and pocket interaction. We discuss that modulation of this interaction could comprise a major regulatory mechanism by which TRPM6 function is controlled.
WNK4 is the major WNK positively regulating NCC in the mouse kidney
Authors: Takahashi Daiei , Mori Takayasu , Nomura Naohiro , Khan Muhammad Zakir Hossain , Araki Yuya , Zeniya Moko , Sohara Eisei , Rai Tatemitsu , Sasaki Sei , Uchida Shinichi
Published: March 2014

By analysing the pathogenesis of a hereditary hypertensive disease, PHAII (pseudohypoaldosteronism type II), we previously discovered that WNK (with-no-lysine kinase)–OSR1/SPAK (oxidative stress-responsive 1/Ste20-like proline/alanine-rich kinase) cascade regulates NCC (Na–Cl co-transporter) in the DCT (distal convoluted tubules) of the kidney. However, the role of WNK4 in the regulation of NCC remains controversial. To address this, we generated and analysed WNK4−/− mice. Although a moderate decrease in SPAK phosphorylation and a marked increase in WNK1 expression were evident in the kidneys of WNK4−/− mice, the amount of phosphorylated and total NCC decreased to almost undetectable levels, indicating that WNK4 is the major WNK positively regulating NCC, and that WNK1 cannot compensate for WNK4 deficiency in the DCT. Insulin- and low-potassium diet-induced NCC phosphorylation were abolished in WNK4−/− mice, establishing that both signals to NCC were mediated by WNK4. As shown previously, a high-salt diet decreases phosphorylated and total NCC in WNK4+/+ mice via AngII (angiotensin II) and aldosterone suppression. This was not ameliorated by WNK4 knock out, excluding the negative regulation of WNK4 on NCC postulated to be active in the absence of AngII stimulation. Thus, WNK4 is the major positive regulator of NCC in the kidneys.
Improved design of high‐frequency sequential decimal multipliers
Authors: Kaivani A. , Han Liu , Ko Seok‐Bum
Published: March 2014

Hardware implementation of decimal arithmetic operations has become a hot topic for research during the last decade. Among various operations, decimal multiplication is considered as one of the most complicated dyadic operations, which requires high‐cost hardware implementation. Therefore, the processor industry has opted to use the sequential decimal multipliers to reduce the high cost of parallel architectures. However, the main drawback of iterative multipliers is their high latency. In this reported work, the focus has been on reducing the latency of decimal sequential multipliers while maintaining a low cost of area. Consequently, a high‐frequency sequential decimal multiplier is proposed whose cycle time is reduced to the latency of a binary half‐adder plus that of a decimal multiply‐by‐two operation, which overall is less than that of a decimal carry‐save adder. The synthesis results reveal that the proposed sequential multiplier works with a higher clock frequency than the fastest previous decimal multiplier which in turn leads to overall latency advantage.
Single‐chip InGaN green light‐emitting diodes with 3 W optical output power
Authors: Wang Wei , Cai Yong , Huang Juan Hong , Huang Wei , Li Haiou , Lin Xin , Zhou Ximing , Zhang Baosun
Published: March 2014

The characteristics of a high‐power single‐chip green light‐emitting diode (LED) operating with a >40 W input power are reported. The single‐chip large area LED chip, which consists of 24 stages, was fabricated by using commercial wafers with chip dimensions of 6.5 × 5 mm2. The electrical and optical characteristics of the LED were measured up to a 500 mA injection current under direct operation conditions. Optical output power and forward voltage at 500 mA were obtained to be 3 W and 83 V, respectively, which demonstrates an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 10.4% with a 41.5 W input power.
X7R dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors show good micro‐actuating properties with little hysteresis
Authors: Chen Jian , Feng Zhihua
Published: March 2014

The possibility of a kind of industrial‐grade X7R type multilayer ceramic capacitor used as an actuator is studied. By applying a DC bias voltage, the ceramic capacitors exhibit a large converse piezoelectric effect which can be used for actuating applications. The experiments show that the capacitor's thickness changes rather linearly with a voltage applied on it. Three multilayer ceramic capacitors were selected to be studied. A hysteresis <1.8% and a nonlinearity <2.0% between the displacement and the driving voltage were observed for a 10 μF capacitor over a frequency range of 0.1–20 Hz and a temperature range of 15–35°C.
Azimuth resolution analysis in geosynchronous SAR with azimuth variance property
Authors: Wu Zhouting , Huang Lijia , Hu Donghui , Ding Chibiao
Published: March 2014

In geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (GEO SAR), the azimuth FM rate drastically falls and comes close to the variation rate of the Doppler centroid, due to the higher altitude. The effect of the variation of the Doppler parameters becomes significant and affects the azimuth resolution results. A concise azimuth resolution expression is deduced from the azimuth ambiguity function which involves the azimuth variance property and third‐order range equation. It is more accurate for GEO SAR than the conventional expression. Meanwhile, the phenomenon where the traditional frequency algorithm becomes invalid is found. However, the time domain algorithm is still applicable when the azimuth FM rate approaches zero. Finally, the simulation results of the point targets at five typical areas verify the analysis.
Large air‐gap 6.6 kW wireless EV charger with self‐resonant PWM
Authors: Lee Jun‐Young , Yoo Kwang‐Min , Jung Byung Sang , Chae Beom‐Soek , Seo Jeong Kyo
Published: March 2014

A large air‐gap wireless DC/DC charger for an electric vehicle (EV) is suggested. It is controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) with a self‐resonant frequency formed by self‐inductance and a resonant capacitor so that constant frequency operation can be accomplished under a large air‐gap without an additional current chopper. The feasibility of the proposed method has been verified with a 6.6 kW prototype with an air‐gap of 12–20 cm.
Adaptive resource management for downlink OFDMA system with imperfect CSI
Authors: Wang Zhuwei , Liu Lihan
Published: March 2014

The effect of the imperfect channel state information (CSI) on the system performance of radio resource management is addressed for a downlink OFDMA system. Differing from the previous works, it is shown that the imperfect CSI introduces a signal‐and‐power dependent noise term, and then a new method is proposed to evaluate the utility function. Numerical simulations show that the signal‐and‐power dependent noise yields a non‐negligible degradation to the system performance.
Photonic microwave oscillator based on monolithic DFB lasers with frequency‐shifted feedback
Authors: Wang L. , Romanelli M. , Van Dijk F. , Vallet M.
Published: March 2014

A photonic oscillator, locked to a master RF synthesiser, was built by using a monolithic dual‐wavelength DFB semiconductor laser submitted to a frequency‐shifted optical feedback. A [3; 10] GHz tuning range is reported, with a phase noise level lower than −70 dBrad2/Hz at a 10 Hz offset from the carrier.
Switchable circularly‐polarised square ring antenna controlled by dual‐loaded dual‐loop
Authors: Pyo Seongmin
Published: March 2014

A new switchable perturbing method is presented for a microstrip square ring antenna with a circular‐polarisation diversity. The proposed antenna consists of three identical loops at the back ground side and one diagonal dual‐loop at the front patch side for obtaining switchable circular‐polarisation senses with a simple DC bias circuit. By control of the states of the two pin diodes in the front‐sided dual‐loop, both the left‐handed and the right‐handed circular polarisations can be easily alternated. The implemented antenna employing the dual‐loop perturbation shows a good agreement with the simulation results and symmetrical circular polarisation characteristics at the resonant frequencies.
Structuring in complex plasma for nonlinearly screened dust particles
Authors: Tsytovich Vadim , Gusein-zade Namik
Published: March 2014

An explanation is proposed for the recently discovered effect of spontaneous dusty plasma structuring (and the appearance of compact dust structures) under conditions of nonlinear dust screening. Physical processes are considered that make homogenous dusty plasma universally unstable and lead to the appearance of structures. It is shown for the first time that the efficiency of structuring increases substantially in the presence of plasma flows caused by the charging of nonlinearly screened dust grains. General results are obtained for arbitrary nonlinear screening, and special attention is paid to the model of nonlinear screening often used since 1964. The growth rate of structuring instability is derived. It is shown that, in the case of nonlinear screening, the structuring has a threshold determined by the friction of grains against the neutral gas. The theoretically obtained threshold agrees with recent experimental observations. The dispersion relation for dusty plasma structuring is shown to be similar to the dispersion relation for gravitational instability with an effective gravitational constant. The effective dust attraction caused by this instability is shown to be collective, and the dependence of the effective gravitational constant on the dust-to-ion density ratio is found explicitly for the first time. It is demonstrated that the proposed method of calculation of dust attraction by using the effective gravitational constant is the most efficient and straightforward. Understanding of the role of nonlinear screening gives deeper physical grounds for the theoretical interpretation of the observed phenomenon of dust crystal formation in complex plasmas.
Quantum modelling of hydrogen chemisorption on graphene and graphite
Authors: Karlický František , Lepetit Bruno , Lemoine Didier
Published: March 2014

The chemisorption of hydrogen on graphene or graphite is studied within a quantum formalism involving a subsystem coupled to a phonon bath. The subsystem includes the hydrogen atom approaching the surface perpendicularly right on top of a carbon atom which puckers out of the surface. The bath includes the acoustic and optical phonon modes vibrating perpendicularly to the surface. Couplings between subsystem and bath are obtained with a periodic density functional theory calculation. Trapping probabilities are obtained as a function of the hydrogen atom kinetic energy. These results are discussed in the light of the experimental hydrogenation studies performed on graphite by Zecho et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 8486 (2002)] and on graphene by Haberer et al. [Adv. Mater. 23, 4497 (2011)].
Approximate treatment of semicore states in GW calculations with application to Au clusters
Authors: Xian Jiawei , Baroni Stefano , Umari P.
Published: March 2014

We address the treatment of transition metal atoms in GW electronic-structure calculations within the plane-wave pseudo-potential formalism. The contributions of s and p semi-core electrons to the self-energy, which are essential to grant an acceptable accuracy, are dealt with using a recently proposed scheme whereby the exchange components are treated exactly at the G0W0 level, whereas a suitable approximation to the correlation components is devised. This scheme is benchmarked for small gold nano-clusters, resulting in ionization potentials, electron affinities, and density of states in very good agreement with those obtained from calculations where s and p semicore states are treated as valence orbitals, and allowing us to apply this same scheme to clusters of intermediate size, Au20 and Au32, that would be otherwise very difficult to deal with.
The electric dipole moment of cobalt monoxide, CoO
Authors: Zhuang Xiujuan , Steimle Timothy C.
Published: March 2014

A number of low-rotational lines of the E4Δ7/2 ← X4Δ7/2 (1,0) band system of cobalt monoxide, CoO, were recorded field free and in the presence of a static electric field. The magnetic hyperfine parameter, h7/2, and the electron quadrupole parameter, eQq0, for the E4Δ7/2(υ = 1) state were optimized from the analysis of the field-free spectrum. The permanent electric dipole moment, $\vec \mu _{el}$μ⃗el, for the X4Δ7/2 (υ = 0) and E4Δ7/2 (υ = 1) states were determined to be 4.18 ± 0.05 D and 3.28 ± 0.05 D, respectively, from the analysis of the observed Stark spectra of F′ = 7 ← F″ = 6 branch feature in the Q(7/2) line and the F′ = 8 ← F″ = 7 branch feature in the R(7/2) line. The measured dipole moments of CoO are compared to those from theoretical predictions and the trend across the 3d-metal monoxide series discussed.
Theoretical spectroscopic characterization at low temperatures of detectable sulfur-organic compounds: Ethyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide
Authors: Senent M. L. , Puzzarini C. , Domínguez-Gómez R. , Carvajal M. , Hochlaf M.
Published: March 2014

Highly correlated ab initio methods are used for the spectroscopic characterization of ethyl mercaptan (CH3CH232SH, ETSH) and dimethyl sulfide (CH332SCH3, DMS), considering them on the vibrational ground and excited torsional states. Since both molecules show non-rigid properties, torsional energy barriers and splittings are provided. Equilibrium geometries and the corresponding rotational constants are calculated by means of a composite scheme based on CCSD(T) calculations that accounts for the extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and core-correlation effects. The ground and excited states rotational constants are then determined using vibrational corrections obtained from CCSD/cc-pVTZ force-field calculations, which are also employed to determine anharmonic frequencies for all vibrational modes. CCSD(T) and CCSD force fields are employed to predict quartic and sextic centrifugal-distortion constants, respectively. Equilibrium rotational constants are also calculated using CCSD(T)-F12. The full-dimensional anharmonic analysis does not predict displacements of the lowest torsional excited states due to Fermi resonances with the remaining vibrational modes. Thus, very accurate torsional transitions are calculated by solving variationally two-dimensional Hamiltonians depending on the CH3 and SH torsional coordinates of ethyl mercaptan or on the two methyl groups torsions of dimethyl-sulfide. For this purpose, vibrationally corrected potential energy surfaces are computed at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. For ethyl mercaptan, calculations show large differences between the gauche (g) and trans (t) conformer spectral features. Interactions between rotating groups are responsible for the displacements of the g-bands with respect to the t-bands that cannot therefore be described with one-dimensional models. For DMS, the CCSD(T) potential energy surface has been semi-empirically adjusted to reproduce experimental data. New assignments are suggested for the methyl torsion bands of ETSH and a reassignment is proposed for the infrared bands of DMS (0 3 → 0 4 and 1 0 → 1 1). Our accurate spectroscopic data should be useful for the analysis of the microwave and far infrared spectra of ETSH and DMS recorded, at low temperatures, either in laboratory or in the interstellar medium.
A magnetic gradient induced force in NMR restricted diffusion experiments
Authors: Ghadirian Bahman , Stait-Gardner Tim , Castillo Reynaldo , Price William S.
Published: March 2014

We predict that the phase cancellation of a precessing magnetisation field carried by a diffusing species in a bounded geometry under certain nuclear magnetic resonance pulsed magnetic field gradient sequences results in a small force over typically micrometre length scales. Our calculations reveal that the total magnetisation energy in a pore under the influence of a pulsed gradient will be distance-dependent thus resulting in a force acting on the boundary. It is shown that this effect of the magnetisation of diffusing particles will appear as either an attractive or repulsive force depending on the geometry of the pore and magnetic properties of the material. A detailed analysis is performed for the case of a pulsed gradient spin-echo experiment on parallel planes. It is shown that the force decays exponentially in terms of the spin-spin relaxation. The proof is based on classical electrodynamics. An application of this effect to soft matter is suggested.
The viability of aluminum Zintl anion moieties within magnesium-aluminum clusters
Authors: Wang Haopeng , Jae Ko Yeon , Zhang Xinxing , Gantefoer Gerd , Schnoeckel Hansgeorg , Eichhorn Bryan W. , Jena Puru , Kiran Boggavarapu , Kandalam Anil K. , Bowen Kit H.
Published: March 2014

Through a synergetic combination of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory based calculations, we have investigated the extent to which the aluminum moieties within selected magnesium-aluminum clusters are Zintl anions. Magnesium-aluminum cluster anions were generated in a pulsed arc discharge source. After mass selection, photoelectron spectra of MgmAln− (m, n = 1,6; 2,5; 2,12; and 3,11) were measured by a magnetic bottle, electron energy analyzer. Calculations on these four stoichiometries provided geometric structures and full charge analyses for the cluster anions and their neutral cluster counterparts, as well as photodetachment transition energies (stick spectra). Calculations revealed that, unlike the cases of recently reported sodium-aluminum clusters, the formation of aluminum Zintl anion moieties within magnesium-aluminum clusters was limited in most cases by weak charge transfer between the magnesium atoms and their aluminum cluster moieties. Only in cases of high magnesium content, e.g., in Mg3Al11 and Mg2Al12−, did the aluminum moieties exhibit Zintl anion-like characteristics.
Tight-binding analysis of the electronic states in AlAs with N isoelectronic impurities
Authors: Jo M. , Mano T. , Sakuma Y. , Sakoda K.
Published: March 2014

Incorporation of nitrogen (N) atoms into III–V semiconductors significantly changes their electronic structures. The aim of this study was to assess the electronic states in AlAs that contained N impurities. An sp3s* tight-binding model along with valence-force-field strain calculations were used to obtain the energy levels in N-doped AlAs. The calculations showed that an isolated N atom formed a resonant state above the conduction band edge in AlAs. In contrast, NN1[110] and NN4[220] pairs formed bound states inside the band gap. The formation of two bound states was consistent with the photoluminescence spectrum of N δ-doped AlAs.
Left-handed properties of manganite-perovskites La
1-x
Sr
x
MnO
3 at various dopant concentrations
Authors: Belozorov D. P. , Girich A. A. , Tarapov S. I. , Pogorily A. M. , Tovstolytkin A. I. , Belous A. G. , Solopan S. A.
Published: March 2014

The experimental study of Double Negative (DNG) state of electromagnetic wave propagating in lanthanum manganite-perovskites doped with strontium La1-xSrxMnO3 is provided firstly below individual Curie temperatures (in ferromagnetic metal state (FM) for La1-xSrxMnO3). Various dopant concentrations are considered for ceramic specimens: x = 0.15;  0.225;  0.3;  0.45;  0.6. It is shown that dependence of the DNG-peak intensity on dopant concentration is sharply non-monotone with maximum at the dopant concentrations x = 0.225 – 0.3. This behaviour follows the change of Curie temperature with increase of dopant concentration in such substances. The obtained dependence of DNG peak intensity supports the opinion concerning the role of disorder in highly doped manganite-perovskite magnetic ceramics under study.
A nanocomposite interconnecting layer for tandem small molecular organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Luo D. Y. , Yu L. M. , Man J. X. , Liu Z. , Lu Z. H.
Published: March 2014

A nanocomposite interconnecting layer of C60:LiF/Ag/MoOx had been applied in the tandem structure of organic photovoltaic cells to achieve high short circuit current (Jsc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). The Jsc had been enhanced 40% after applying the nanocomposite interconnecting layer into a tandem structure compared to the conventional interconnecting layer of Bathocuproine (BCP)/Ag/MoOx. The improvement is due to the enhancement of the light absorption of the devices. A tandem device PCE of 3.04% was achieved by further improving the light absorption in the individual subcell units in the tandem structure by means of a bi-functional buffer layer of C60:LiF/BCP.
Enhanced out-coupling efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes using an nanostructure imprinted by an alumina nanohole array
Authors: Endo Kuniaki , Adachi Chihaya
Published: March 2014

We demonstrate organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with enhanced out-coupling efficiency containing nanostructures imprinted by an alumina nanohole array template that can be applied to large-emitting-area and flexible devices using a roll-to-roll process. The nanostructures are imprinted on a glass substrate by an ultraviolet nanoimprint process using an alumina nanohole array mold and then an OLED is fabricated on the nanostructures. The enhancement of out-coupling efficiency is proportional to the root-mean-square roughness of the nanostructures, and a maximum improvement of external electroluminescence quantum efficiency of 17% is achieved. The electroluminescence spectra of the OLEDs indicate that this improvement is caused by enhancement of the out-coupling of surface plasmon polaritons.