bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of subtracted gDNA microarray-assisted Bulked Segregant Analysis for rapid discovery of molecular markers associated with day-neutrality in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)
Authors: Gor Mian Chee , Mantri Nitin , Pang Edwin
Published: September 2016

A Fragaria Discovery Panel (FDP; strawberry-specific SDA) containing 287 features was constructed by subtracting the pooled gDNA of nine non-angiosperm species from the pooled gDNA of five strawberry genotypes. This FDP was used for Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA) to enable identification of molecular markers associated with day-neutrality. Analysis of hybridisation patterns of a short day (SD) DNA bulk and three day-neutral (DN) DNA bulks varying in flowering strength allowed identification of a novel feature, FaP2E11, closely linked toCYTOKININ OXIDASE 1(CKX1) gene possibly involved in promoting flowering under non-inductive condition. The signal intensities of FaP2E11 feature obtained from the strong DN bulk (DN1) is three fold higher than the short day bulk (SD), indicating that the putative marker may linked to aCKX1variant allele with lower enzyme activity. We propose a model for flowering regulation based on the hypothesis that flowering strength may be regulated by the copy number of FaP2E11-linkedCKX1alleles. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the SDA-based BSA approach for the identification of molecular markers associated with day-neutrality in strawberry. This innovative strategy is an efficient and cost-effective approach for molecular marker discovery.
The influence of personality and perceived stress on the development of breast cancer: 20-year follow-up of 29,098 Japanese women
Authors: Sawada Takayuki , Nishiyama Takeshi , Kikuchi Norimasa , Wang Chaochen , Lin Yingsong , Mori Mitsuru , Tanno Kozo , Tamakoshi Akiko , Kikuchi Shogo
Published: September 2016

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. However, it remains unproven whether psychological factors have an influence on breast cancer incidence. In our earlier study, subjects possessing two personality traits, decisiveness and “ikigai” (a Japanese word meaning something that makes one’s life worth living), showed a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer, although no psychological factors have been convincingly demonstrated to have an influence on breast cancer development in other studies. Therefore, we conducted this follow-up analysis to confirm the association between breast cancer incidence and psychological traits, using the final dataset of a large-scale prospective cohort study in Japan. We identified 209 cases of incident breast cancer out of a maximum 21-year follow-up of 29,098 Japanese women. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, adjusted for the same potential confounders used in our previous study, did not reveal any significant relationships between breast cancer incidence and four psychological traits: having “ikigai”, decisiveness, ease of anger arousal and perceived stress. Our finding is consistent with previous studies and suggests that the psychological traits are unlikely to be an important risk factor for breast cancer.
The Effect of Next-Nearest Neighbour Hopping in the One, Two, and Three Dimensional Holstein Model
Authors: Chandler Carl J. , Prosko Christian , Marsiglio F.
Published: September 2016

Allowing a single electron to hop to next-nearest neighbours (NNN) in addition to the closest atomic sites in the Holstein model, a modified Trugman method is applied to exactly calculate the effect on the polaronic effective mass in one, two, and three dimensions, building on the previous study of the one-dimensional NNN Holstein model. We also present perturbative calculations and a heuristic scaling factor for the coupling strength and ion frequency to nearly map the NNN Holstein model back onto the original Holstein model. When account is taken of the modified electronic bandwidth near the electron energy, we find that including NNN hopping effectively increases the polaron effective mass.
Noninvasive mapping of the redox status of dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis using in vivo dynamic nuclear polarization-magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kawano Takahito , Murata Masaharu , Hyodo Fuminori , Eto Hinako , Kosem Nuttavut , Nakata Ryosuke , Hamano Nobuhito , Piao Jing Shu , Narahara Sayoko , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Hashizume Makoto
Published: September 2016

Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic disorder caused by viral infection and/or metabolic, genetic and cholestatic disorders. A noninvasive procedure that enables the detection of liver fibrosis based on redox status would be useful for disease identification and monitoring, and the development of treatments. However, an appropriate technique has not been reported. This study describes a novel method for assessing the redox status of the liver using in vivo dynamic nuclear polarization-magnetic resonance imaging (DNP-MRI) with the nitroxyl radical carbamoyl-PROXYL as a molecular imaging probe, which was tested in dimethylnitrosamine-treated mice as a model of liver fibrosis. Based on the pharmacokinetics of carbamoyl-PROXYL in control livers, reduction rate mapping was performed in fibrotic livers. Reduction rate maps demonstrated a clear difference between the redox status of control and fibrotic livers according to the expression of antioxidants. These findings indicate that in vivo DNP-MRI with a nitroxyl radical probe enables noninvasive detection of changes in liver redox status.
Construction of a high-density genetic map and QTL mapping for pearl quality-related traits in Hyriopsis cumingii
Authors: Bai Zhi-Yi , Han Xue-Kai , Liu Xiao-Jun , Li Qing-Qing , Li Jia-Le
Published: September 2016

A high-density genetic map is essential for quantitative trait locus (QTL) fine mapping. In this study, 4,508 effective single nucleotide polymorphism markers (detected using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing) and 475 microsatellites were mapped to 19 linkage groups (LGs) using a family with 157 individuals. The map spanned 2,713 cM, with an average of 259 markers and 79 loci per LG and an average inter-marker distance of 1.81 cM. To identify QTLs for pearl quality traits, 26 putatively significant QTLs were detected for 10 traits, including, three for shell width, seven for body weight, two for shell weight, two for margin mantle weight, five for inner mantle weight, and seven for shell nacre colour. Among them, five QTLs associated with shell nacre colour were mapped to LG17 and explained 19.7% to 22.8% of the trait variation; this suggests that some important genes or loci determine shell nacre colour in LG17. The linkage map and mapped QTLs for shell nacre colour would be useful for improving the quality ofHyriopsis cumingiivia marker-assisted selection.
High Density Crossbar Arrays with Sub- 15 nm Single Cells via Liftoff Process Only
Authors: Khiat Ali , Ayliffe Peter , Prodromakis Themistoklis
Published: September 2016

Emerging nano-scale technologies are pushing the fabrication boundaries at their limits, for leveraging an even higher density of nano-devices towards reaching 4F2/cell footprint in 3D arrays. Here, we study the liftoff process limits to achieve extreme dense nanowires while ensuring preservation of thin film quality. The proposed method is optimized for attaining a multiple layer fabrication to reliably achieve 3D nano-device stacks of 32 × 32 nanowire arrays across 6-inch wafer, using electron beam lithography at 100 kV and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resist at different thicknesses. The resist thickness and its geometric profile after development were identified to be the major limiting factors, and suggestions for addressing these issues are provided. Multiple layers were successfully achieved to fabricate arrays of 1 Ki cells that have sub- 15 nm nanowires distant by 28 nm across 6-inch wafer.
Guidelines to electrode positioning for human and animal electrical impedance myography research
Authors: Sanchez Benjamin , Pacheck Adam , Rutkove Seward B.
Published: September 2016

The positioning of electrodes in electrical impedance myography (EIM) is critical for accurately assessing disease progression and effectiveness of treatment. In human and animal trials for neuromuscular disorders, inconsistent electrode positioning adds errors to the muscle impedance. Despite its importance, how the reproducibility of resistance and reactance, the two parameters that define EIM, are affected by changes in electrode positioning remains unknown. In this paper, we present a novel approach founded on biophysical principles to study the reproducibility of resistance and reactance to electrode misplacements. The analytical framework presented allows the user to quantify a priori the effect on the muscle resistance and reactance using only one parameter: the uncertainty placing the electrodes. We also provide quantitative data on the precision needed to position the electrodes and the minimum muscle length needed to achieve a pre-specified EIM reproducibility. The results reported here are confirmed with finite element model simulations and measurements on five healthy subjects. Ultimately, our data can serve as normative values to enhance the reliability of EIM as a biomarker and facilitate comparability of future human and animal studies.
3′-hydroxy-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene, the metabolite of resveratrol analogue DMU-212, inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in a mice xenograft model
Authors: Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna , Ruciński Marcin , Borys Sylwia , Kucińska Małgorzata , Kaczmarek Mariusz , Zawierucha Piotr , Wierzchowski Marcin , Łażewski Dawid , Murias Marek , Jodynis-Liebert Jadwiga
Published: September 2016

In screening studies, the cytotoxic activity of four metabolites of resveratrol analogue 3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) against A-2780 and SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells was investigated. The most active metabolite, 3′-hydroxy-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-214), was chosen for further studies. The cytotoxicity of DMU-214 was shown to be higher than that of the parent compound, DMU-212, in both cell lines tested. Since DMU-212 was supposed to undergo metabolic activation through its conversion to DMU-214, an attempt was made to elucidate the mechanism of its anti-proliferative activity. We found that in SKOV-3 cells lacking p53, DMU-214 induced receptor-mediated apoptosis. In A-2780 cell line with expression of wild-type p53, DMU-214 modulated the expression pattern of p53-target genes driving intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, as well as DNA repair and damage prevention. Regardless of the up-regulation of p48, p53R2, sestrins and Gaad45 genes involved in cancer cell DNA repair, we demonstrated the stronger anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of DMU-214 in A-2780 cells when compared to those in SKOV-3. Hence we verified DMU-214 activity in the xenograft model using SCID mice injected with A-2780 cells. The strong anti-proliferative activity of DMU-214 in the in vivo model allowed to suggest the tested compound as a potential therapeutic in ovarian cancer treatment.
Abrogation of CC chemokine receptor 9 ameliorates ventricular remodeling in mice after myocardial infarction
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Dandan , Wang Xin , Zhang Yijie , Liu Tao , Chen Yuting , Tang Yanhong , Wang Teng , Hu Dan , Huang Congxin
Published: September 2016

CC chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), which is a unique receptor for CC chemokine ligand (CCL25), is mainly expressed on lymphocytes, dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes/macrophages. CCR9 mediates the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells and participates in the pathological progression of inflammatory diseases. However, the role of CCR9 in the pathological process of myocardial infarction (MI) remains unexplored; inflammation plays a key role in this process. Here, we used CCR9 knockout mice to determine the functional significance of CCR9 in regulating post-MI cardiac remodeling and its underlying mechanism. MI was induced by surgical ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in CCR9 knockout mice and their CCR9+/+ littermates. Our results showed that the CCR9 expression levels were up-regulated in the hearts of the MI mice. Abrogation of CCR9 improved the post-MI survival rate and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and decreased the infarct size. In addition, the CCR9 knockout mice exhibited attenuated inflammation, apoptosis, structural and electrical remodeling compared with the CCR9+/+ MI mice. Mechanistically, CCR9 mainly regulated the pathological response by interfering with the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. In conclusion, the data reveal that CCR9 serves as a novel modulator of pathological progression following MI through NF-κB and MAPK signaling.
DDX3X promotes the biogenesis of a subset of miRNAs and the potential roles they played in cancer development
Authors: Zhao Luqing , Mao Yitao , Zhao Yuelong , He Yanong
Published: September 2016

DDX3X, located on the X-chromosome, belongs to the DEAD-box RNA helicase family and acts as a key RNA-binding protein to exert its regulatory functions in various biological processes. In this paper, knock-down the expression of DDX3X can affect a subset of miRNA expression levels, especially for miR-1, miR-141, miR-145, miR-19b, miR-20a and miR-34a. Through adopting the immunoprecipitation (IP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), dual luciferase reporter assays, we illustrate that DDX3X could interact with Drosha/DGCR8 complex, elevate the processing activity of Drosha/DGCR8 complex on pri-miRNAs, and increase mature miRNA expression levels. For the studies of potential roles and biological functions of DDX3X-dependent miRNAs and their downstream target genes in multiple cancers, we use the primary data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and several miRNA target prediction databases, to systematically analyze the expression levels of DDX3X-dependent miRNAs in almost 14 kinds of cancers versus normal tissues, and the essential biological functions for their putative downstream target genes. All these findings will provide us novel insights and directions for thoroughly exploring the regulatory mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis, and shed light on effectively searching the clinical significances and biological roles of DDX3X-dependent miRNAs and their target genes in cancer development.
Identification of BCL11B as a regulator of adipogenesis
Authors: Inoue Jun , Ihara Yusuke , Tsukamoto Daisuke , Yasumoto Keisuke , Hashidume Tsutomu , Kamimura Kenya , Nakai Yuji , Hirano Shigeki , Shimizu Makoto , Kominami Ryo , Sato Ryuichiro
Published: September 2016

The differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes is controlled by several transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), which are known as master regulators of adipogenesis. BCL11B is a zinc finger-type transcription factor that regulates the development of the skin and central nervous and immune systems. Here, we found that BCL11B was expressed in the white adipose tissue (WAT), particularly the subcutaneous WAT and that BCL11B−/− mice had a reduced amount of subcutaneous WAT. During adipogenesis, BCL11B expression transiently increased in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The ability for adipogenesis was reduced in BCL11B knockdown 3T3-L1 cells and BCL11B−/− MEFs, whereas the ability for osteoblastogenesis was unaffected in BCL11B−/− MEFs. Luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that BCL11B stimulated C/EBPβ activity. Furthermore, the expression of downstream genes of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was not suppressed in BCL11B−/− MEFs during adipogenesis. Thus, this study identifies BCL11B as a novel regulator of adipogenesis, which works, at least in part, by stimulating C/EBPβ activity and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Determination of trace elements in human urine by ICP-MS using sodium chloride as a matrix-matching component in calibration
Authors: Choe Key-Young , Gajek Ryszard
Published: September 2016

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the following thirteen trace elements in human urine: Cr, Mn, Co, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb, and U.
Quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquids bearing different numbers of hydroxyl groups as highly efficient catalysts for the fixation of CO2: a theoretical study by QM and MD
Authors: Yang Huiqing , Wang Xin , Ma Yuan , Wang Li , Zhang Jinglai
Published: September 2016

The mechanism of coupling reactions of CO2 with PO catalyzed by NEtn(HE)4−nBr (n = 1–4) by QM and MM.
Multinuclear Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes of chiral macrocyclic nonaazamine
Authors: Löffler Marta , Gregoliński Janusz , Korabik Maria , Lis Tadeusz , Lisowski Jerzy
Published: September 2016

Herein, we report the preparation and crystal structures of Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes. For both the Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) compounds, a magnetostructural correlation was established.
Correction: Nanoscale mechanics guides cellular decision making
Authors: Rahil Zainab , Pedron Sara , Wang Xuefeng , Ha TaekJip , Harley Brendan , Leckband Deborah
Published: September 2016

Correction for ‘Nanoscale mechanics guides cellular decision making’ by Zainab Rahil et al., Integr. Biol., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00113k.
Silver & gold-catalyzed routes to furans and benzofurans
Authors: Blanc Aurélien , Bénéteau Valérie , Weibel Jean-Marc , Pale Patrick
Published: September 2016

The synthesis of furans and benzofurans catalyzed by silver and gold is reviewed according to substrate type, with some emphasis on mechanistic aspects and comparative charts.
One-pot N-glycosylation remodeling of IgG with non-natural sialylglycopeptides enables glycosite-specific and dual-payload antibody–drug conjugates
Authors: Tang Feng , Yang Yang , Tang Yubo , Tang Shuai , Yang Liyun , Sun Bingyang , Jiang Bofeng , Dong Jinhua , Liu Hong , Huang Min , Geng Mei-Yu , Huang Wei
Published: September 2016

An efficient one-pot chemoenzymatic glycoengineering technology introduced reactive functional groups (azido etc.) onto IgG Fc N-glycans for preparation of novel glycosite-specific ADCs as anticancer reagents.
Diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted-3-hydroxy-tetrahydrofurans through a counterion-directed Tsuji–Trost reaction
Authors: Caumes Xavier , Jeanne-Julien Louis , Khelifi Chakib , Gandon Vincent , Roulland Emmanuel
Published: September 2016

Tsuji–Trost Counterion Directed Catalysis (CDC) allows the diastereoselective synthesis of 5-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2-vinyl tetrahydrofurans in high yields using easily accessible 4,6-dihydroxyalk-2-en-1-yl esters as substrates.
Improved bioreduction of nitrobenzene by black carbon/biochar derived from crop residues
Authors: Liu Lecheng , Liu Guangfei , Zhou Jiti , Wang Jing , Jin Ruofei , Wang Aijie
Published: September 2016

Black carbon and biochar can act as mediator to improve microbial reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline.
Real-time broadband proton-homodecoupled CLIP/CLAP-HSQC for automated measurement of heteronuclear one-bond coupling constants
Authors: Timári István , Kaltschnee Lukas , Raics Mária H. , Roth Felix , Bell Nicholle G. A. , Adams Ralph W. , Nilsson Mathias , Uhrín Dušan , Morris Gareth A. , Thiele Christina M. , Kövér Katalin E.
Published: September 2016

A new method is proposed that allows broadband homonuclear decoupled CLIP/CLAP-HSQC NMR spectra to be acquired at virtually no extra cost in measurement time.
Mechanical reinforcement of PBO fibers by dicarboxylic acid functionalized carbon nanotubes through in situ copolymerization
Authors: Li Yanwei , Duan Qian , Li Yanhui , Hu Zhen , Li Jun , Song Yuanjun , Huang Yudong
Published: September 2016

An optimized interfacial interaction in CNTs & PBO copolymer fibers was put into effect via dicarboxylic acids functionalized CNTs, which results in well dispersed, high reactivity and efficient load transfer between CNTs fillers and PBO matrix.
Visible light driven efficient N and Cu co-doped ZnO for photoinactivation of Escherichia coli
Authors: Gupta Rimzhim , KrishnaRao Eswar Neerugatti , Modak Jayant M. , Madras Giridhar
Published: September 2016

N and Cu co-doped ZnO shows outstanding antibacterial activity for E. coli inactivation under visible light.
Graphene protected Ag nanowires: blocking of surface migration for thermally stable and wide-range-wavelength transparent flexible electrodes
Authors: Lee Jaeyeong , Lee Aram , Yu Hak Ki
Published: September 2016

Graphene-protected Ag nanowires have been studied for transparent flexible electrodes due to their superior thermal stability and uniform transparency.
Hypoallergenic acid-sensitive modification preserves major mugwort allergen fold and delivers full repertoire of MHC class II-binding peptides during endolysosomal degradation
Authors: Stanic-Vucinic Dragana , Stojadinovic Marija , Mirkov Ivana , Apostolovic Danijela , Burazer Lidija , Atanaskovic-Markovic Marina , Kataranovski Milena , Cirkovic Velickovic Tanja
Published: September 2016

Hypoallergenic acid-sensitive modification preserves major mugwort pollen allergen fold and delivers a full repertoire of MHC class II-binding peptides during endolysosomal degradation.
Shape memory epoxy vitrimers based on DGEBA crosslinked with dicarboxylic acids and their blends with citric acid
Authors: Altuna F. I. , Hoppe C. E. , Williams R. J. J.
Published: September 2016

The shape of epoxy–acid based vitrimers can be changed either temporarily or permanently by selecting the appropriate thermal treatment.
Doping limit and site occupation of Yb3+ in strontium fluoroapatite
Authors: Chai Baoyan , Zhang Ruili , Mao Xiaojian , Jiang Benxue , Zhang Long
Published: September 2016

Yb3+ doped strontium fluoroapatite (Yb:Sr5(PO4)3F) powders with various dopant concentrations were synthesized through the co-precipitation method.
Tunable negative differential resistance in a single cruciform diamine molecule with zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes
Authors: Xie Fang , Fan Zhi-Qiang , Zhang Xiao-Jiao , Liu Jian-Ping , Wang Hai-Yan , Long Meng-Qiu
Published: September 2016

We investigate the electronic transport properties of a single cruciform diamine molecule connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes by using the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism with density functional theory.
Band and bonding characteristics of N2+ion-doped graphene
Authors: Park Heemin , Choi Seongsoo , Lee Paengro , Kim Jingul , Ryu Mintae , Kim Kwang S. , Chung Jinwook
Published: September 2016

We report that the doping of energetic nitrogen cations (N2+) on graphene effectively controls the local N–C bonding structures and the π-band of graphene critically depending on ion energyEk(100 eV ≤Ek≤ 500 eV).
Fabrication and delivery properties of soy Kunitz trypsin inhibitor nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Chun , Cheng Fenfen , Wan Zhili , Zou Yuan , Wang Jinmei , Guo Jian , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: September 2016

Soy Kunitz trypsin inhibitor nanoparticles (KTIP) were prepared successfully by heating KTI at 80 °C in the presence of sodium sulfite. KTIP shows excellent delivery capacity for curcumin as model bioactives.
Active, effective, and “green” iron(iii)/polar solvent catalysts for AGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate with various morphologies of elemental silver as a reducing agent
Authors: Wang Jirong , Han Jianyu , He Dan , Peng Haiyan , Xue Zhigang , Xie Xiaolin
Published: September 2016

This article reports the AGET ATRP of MMA, with various morphologies of elemental silver as a reducing agent and an iron(iii)/polar solvent catalyst.
Dual functional anti-oxidant and SPF enhancing lignin-based copolymers as additives for personal and healthcare products
Authors: Kai Dan , Chua Yun Khim , Jiang Lu , Owh Cally , Chan Siew Yin , Loh Xian Jun
Published: September 2016

Lignin from plants boosts the effectiveness of sunscreen. We report lignin-based copolymers as a natural additive to enhance product performance to protect consumers from sun damage.
Porous BN with vacancy defects for selective removal of CO from H2 feed gas in hydrogen fuel cells: a DFT study
Authors: Li Lanlan , Yu Xiaofei , Yang Xiaojing , Fang Yi , Zhang Xinghua , Xu Xuewen , Jin Peng , Tang Chengchun
Published: September 2016

This work introduces a sorbent (p-BN with monovacancy defects) for separation and capture of CO from H2 feed gas. The difference between Eads(CO) and Eads(H2) is calculated to be 6.27 and 4.09 eV for VB and VN, respectively, suggesting that p-BN with vacancy defects is an efficient sorbent.
A bionanocomposite based on 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane cellulose nanofiber cross-linked-quaternary polysulfone as an anion conducting membrane
Authors: Das Gautam , Park Bang Ju , Yoon Hyon Hee
Published: September 2016

Cellulose nanofibers cross-linked nanocomposite membranes with high anion conduction and good dimensional stability indicating good prospect for fuel cell applications.
Enhanced crystallization and stability of perovskites by a cross-linkable fullerene for high-performance solar cells
Authors: Li Meng , Chao Yi-Hsiang , Kang Tin , Wang Zhao-Kui , Yang Ying-Guo , Feng Shang-Lei , Hu Yun , Gao Xing-Yu , Liao Liang-Sheng , Hsu Chain-Shu
Published: September 2016

A maximum power conversion efficiency of 17.21% was achieved in CH3NH3PbIxCl3−x:-C-PCBSD based solar cells with improved perovskite crystallization.
Benzothiadiazole building units in solution-processable small molecules for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Du Jia , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C.
Published: September 2016

This review attempts to summarize recent advances with respect to solution-processable molecular semiconductors having 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole or its fluorine substituted derivatives as electron-acceptor units published in the last few years. The relationship between the structure, optoelectronic properties, and photovoltaic performance of these molecular semiconductors is discussed.
Electric field induced reversible and irreversible photoluminescence responses in methylammonium lead iodide perovskite
Authors: Deng Xiaofan , Wen Xiaoming , Lau Cho Fai Jonathan , Young Trevor , Yun Jae , Green Martin A. , Huang Shujuan , Ho-Baillie Anita W. Y.
Published: September 2016

Both reversible and irreversible PL responses can be induced by an electric field and establish a negative feedback.
On multiple‐resonator‐based implementation of TFT for harmonic analysis
Authors: Kušljević M.D.
Published: September 2016

The Taylor–Fourier transform (TFT) is suitable to analyse the spectrum of signals with non‐stationary harmonics. It can be considered as an FIR filter bank consisting of maximally flat (MF) high‐order filters which are computationally extensive and difficult for implementation. An adapted method is proposed for the TFT harmonic analysis which is based on the previously proposed multiple‐resonator observer structure. The MF conditions are imposed to reshape frequency responses. This method by using a parallel structure with common feedback is very robust and, in addition, allows a reduction of the computational burden. Besides, this estimation method is adaptive and convenient for application in case of large frequency excursions, since the closed‐form solutions allow that the fundamental frequency fluctuations can be followed by the filter central passband frequency.
Compact microstrip patch array used to radiate TE01 mode wave in circular waveguide
Authors: Hai‐Tao Chen , Zhi‐Guang Zhang
Published: September 2016

A compact microstrip patch annular array is proposed to excite the TE01 (TE, transverse electric) high‐order mode in circular waveguide. This annular array is composed of four microstrip patches which are laid and fed rotationally. The electromagnetic simulation software, high‐frequency structure simulator is used to model the electric field radiated by the annular array. It is found that the electric field is turbulent and according to the performance of the TE01 mode. A wireless transmitting and receiving experiment is carried out in a long steel hollow pipe to prove the existence of the TE01 mode. In this experiment, the transmit–receive antenna is selected as the proposed annular array and dipole antenna. It is shown that the transmission loss of the annular array is much less than the dipole.
Mapping and puncturing of coded bits with higher‐order signal constellations
Authors: Bo Y. , Fonseka J.P.
Published: September 2016

Constrained interleaved coded modulation technique known to map coded bits of outer block codes onto a higher‐order constellation is extended with suitable adjustments for outer convolutional codes. A novel puncturing technique based on the mapping is proposed to generate powerful punctured coded schemes. It is demonstrated that the proposed mapping and puncturing techniques are significantly better than their traditional counterparts.
Detecting muscle contractions using strain gauges
Authors: Zizoua C. , Raison M. , Boukhenous S. , Attari M. , Achiche S.
Published: September 2016

Myoelectric prostheses aim to help amputees to experience partial function of the absent organ. The sensors usually used to control the prostheses are surface electromyography (sEMG) electrodes, of which the number tends to increase with the increase of the number of degrees of freedom in the recent prostheses, i.e. dozens of sensors today. However, sEMG requires a high sampling frequency, traditionally about 1000 Hz, which drastically limits the number of sensors that the processors can manage. The objective is to develop a device enabling to measure muscle contractions (MCs) with a sampling frequency compared with the movement frequencies. Strain gauges are known for their accuracy, so using them to detect MCs could help to predict the movement intentions of the amputee. The designed devise includes the integration of four strain gauges in silicone rubber that is similar to human skin. The reliability of the sensor results is demonstrated by a comparison with Ag/AgCl electrodes of an electromyography system. The correlation coefficient is very high (0.89) between the tensions measured by the sEMG and the strain gauges. So the advantage of a low sampling frequency compared with sEMG is the potential development of matrices with many strain gauges.
Adrienn Nyilas: „Personalmangel ist nicht gleich Personalmangel“
Authors: Sickinger Nina
Published: September 2016

AUSLÄNDISCHE MITARBEITER BERICHTEN AUS DEUTSCHEN KLINIKEN Die 30-jährige Adrienn Nyilas verließ 2010 ihre Heimat Ungarn, wo sie in der hämatologischen Abteilung einer Klinik arbeitete. Sie wollte in Deutschland nur eine Auszeit vom Stress ihres Jobs nehmen. Doch dann kam alles ganz anders: Sie blieb – und arbeitet seitdem hier überaus zufrieden in einer Fachklinik für Neurologie.
A Comparative Study on Hearing Aid Benefits of Digital Hearing Aid Use (BTE) from Six Months to Two Years
Authors: Verma Lukeshwari , Sanju Himanshu , Scaria Bibina , Awasthi Mayank , Ravichandran Aparna , Kaki Ashritha , Prakash Savalam
Published: September 2016

Introduction For many reasons, it is important for audiologists and consumers to document improvement and benefit from amplification device at various stages of uses of amplification device. Professional are also interested to see the impact of amplification device on the consumer's auditory performance at different stages i.e. immediately after fitting and over several months of use.

Objective The objective of the study was to measure the hearing aid benefit following 6 months – 1-year usage, 1 year – 1.5 yeaŕs usage, and 1.5 yeaŕs – 2 years' usage.

Methods A total of 45 subjects participated in the study and were divided equally in three groups: hearing aid users from 6 months to 1 year, 1 year to 1.5 year, and 1.5 year to two years. All subjects responded to the Hearing Aid Benefit Questionnaire (63 questions), which assesses six domains of listening skills.

Result Results showed the mean scores obtained were higher for all domains in the aided condition, as compared with unaided condition for all groups. Results also showed a significant improvement in the overall score between first-time users with hearing aid experience of six months to one year and hearing aid users using hearing aids for a period between 1.5 and 2 years.

Conclusion It is possible to conclude that measuring the hearing aid benefit with the self-assessment questionnaires will assist the clinicians in making judgments about the areas in which a patient is experiencing more difficulty in everyday listening environment and in revising the possible technologies.
Migrationshintergrund und pathologisches Glücksspielen: Befunde einer deutschlandweiten epidemiologischen Untersuchung zur Bedeutung der Herkunftsregion
Authors: Kastirke N. , Rumpf H.-J. , John U. , Bischof A. , Meyer C.
Published: September 2016

Ziel: Zu untersuchen, wie stark Präsenz und Menge der Symptome pathologischen Glücksspielens (PG) mit der Herkunftsregion (HR) variieren.

Methodik: HR und Anzahl der PG-Symptome (0–10 DSM-IV-Kriterien) wurden in einer deutschlandweiten telefonischen Befragung von 14–64-jährigen Personen (n=15 023) erhoben.

Ergebnisse: Die Lebenszeitprävalenz von PG-Symptomen beträgt 18,1% für Menschen der HR Türkei, 9,0% für die der HR Jugoslawien und 6,8% für jene ohne Migrationshintergrund. Im Vergleich zu diesen hatten jene der HR Türkei eher PG-Symptome. Die Menschen der HR Türkei und Jugoslawien hatten eine um 70,3 bzw. 87,2% erhöhte Anzahl der PG-Symptome.

Schlussfolgerung: Die HR könnte einen eigenständigen Beitrag für die Erklärung von PG leisten.
Selbstmanagementförderung bei chronischer Krankheit für Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund – ein Gruppenkurs mit Peer-Ansatz als Beitrag zu gesundheitlicher Chancengerechtigkeit
Authors: Zanoni S. , Gabriel E. , Salis Gross C. , Deppeler M. , Haslbeck J.
Published: September 2016

Ziel: Begrenzte Gesundheits- und Sprachkompetenz erschweren Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund (MmM) den Zugang zu Gesundheitsinformationen und -versorgung, gerade bei chronischer Krankheit. Bei der Einführung eines Peer-geleiteten Stanford Selbstmanagementkurses bei chronischer Krankheit wurde in der Schweiz großes Interesse und hohe Motivation von MmM beobachtet. Daher wurde eruiert, ob das Kursprogramm auf Deutsch bei moderaten Sprachkenntnissen umsetzbar ist.

Methodik: Dies ist der explorative Teil der Begleitstudie zur Einführung des Stanford Programms in der Schweiz und im deutschsprachigen Europa. Angelehnt an Prinzipien der Grounded Theory wurden leitfadengestützte Fokusgruppen- und Einzelinterviews mit Kursteilnehmerinnen, -leiterinnen und -koordination (n=30) geführt, die thematisch ausgewertet wurden. Im Fokus der Datenerhebung standen die Durchführbarkeit, Zufriedenheit und Kursinhalte.

Ergebnisse: Der Kurs stößt bei MmM auf positive Resonanz und scheint auf Deutsch prinzipiell durchführbar zu sein, hohe Alltagsrelevanz zu haben sowie Impulse zur Integration zu setzen.

Schlussfolgerung: Zu prüfen ist ein weiterer Anpassungsbedarf auf den Migrationskontext, um den Kurs vulnerablen Gruppen besser zugänglich zu machen.
Geometrical dependence of spin current absorption into a ferromagnetic nanodot
Authors: Nomura Tatsuya , Ohnishi Kohei , Kimura Takashi
Published: September 2016

We have investigated the absorption property of the diffusive pure spin current due to a ferromagnetic nanodot in a laterally configured ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic hybrid nanostructure. The spin absorption in a nano-pillar-based lateral-spin-valve structure was confirmed to increase with increasing the lateral dimension of the ferromagnetic dot. However, the absorption efficiency was smaller than that in a conventional lateral spin valve based on nanowire junctions because the large effective cross section of the two dimensional nonmagnetic film reduces the spin absorption selectivity. We also found that the absorption efficiency of the spin current is significantly enhanced by using a thick ferromagnetic nanodot. This can be understood by taking into account the spin absorption through the side surface of the ferromagnetic dot quantitatively.
Contributed Review: The novel gas puff targets for laser-matter interaction experiments
Authors: Wachulak Przemyslaw W.
Published: September 2016

Various types of targetry are used nowadays in laser matter interaction experiments. Such targets are characterized using different methods capable of acquiring information about the targets such as density, spatial distribution, and temporal behavior. In this mini-review paper, a particular type of target will be presented. The targets under consideration are gas puff targets of various and novel geometries. Those targets were investigated using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray (SXR) imaging techniques, such as shadowgraphy, tomography, and pinhole camera imaging. Details about characterization of those targets in the EUV and SXR spectral regions will be presented.
Generalized diffusion equation with fractional derivatives within Renyi statistics
Authors: Kostrobij P. , Markovych B. , Viznovych O. , Tokarchuk M.
Published: September 2016

By using the Zubarev nonequilibrium statistical operator method, and the Liouville equation with fractional derivatives, a generalized diffusion equation with fractional derivatives is obtained within the Renyi statistics. Averaging in generalized diffusion coefficient is performed with a power distribution with the Renyi parameter q.
Self-healing of cracks in Ag joining layer for die-attachment in power devices
Authors: Chen Chuantong , Nagao Shijo , Suganuma Katsuaki , Jiu Jinting , Zhang Hao , Sugahara Tohru , Iwashige Tomohito , Sugiura Kazuhiko , Tsuruta Kazuhiro
Published: September 2016

Sintered silver (Ag) joining has attracted significant interest in power devices modules for its ability to form stable joints with a porous interconnection layer. A function for the self-healing of cracks in sintered porous Ag interlayers at high temperatures is discovered and reported here. A crack which was prepared on a Ag joining layer was closed after heating at 200 °C in air. The tensile strength of pre-cracked Ag joining layer specimens recovers to the value of non-cracked specimens after heating treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to probe the self-healing mechanism. TEM images and electron diffraction patterns show that a large quantity of Ag nanoparticles formed at the gap with the size less than 10 nm, which bridges the crack in the self-healing process. This discovery provides additional motivation for the application of Ag as an interconnection material for power devices at high temperature.
Coded excitation speeds up the detection of the fundamental flexural guided wave in coated tubes
Authors: Song Xiaojun , Moilanen Petro , Zhao Zuomin , Ta Dean , Pirhonen Jalmari , Salmi Ari , Hæeggström Edward , Myllylä Risto , Timonen Jussi , Wang Weiqi
Published: September 2016

The fundamental flexural guided wave (FFGW) permits ultrasonic assessment of the wall thickness of solid waveguides, such as tubes or, e.g., long cortical bones. Recently, an optical non-contact method was proposed for ultrasound excitation and detection with the aim of facilitating the FFGW reception by suppressing the interfering modes from the soft coating. This technique suffers from low SNR and requires iterative physical scanning across the source-receiver distance for 2D-FFT analysis. This means that SNR improvement achieved by temporal averaging becomes time-consuming (several minutes) which reduces the applicability of the technique, especially in time-critical applications such as clinical quantitative ultrasound. To achieve sufficient SNR faster, an ultrasonic excitation by a base-sequence-modulated Golay code (BSGC, 64-bit code pair) on coated tube samples (1-5 mm wall thickness and 5 mm soft coating layer) was used. This approach improved SNR by 21 dB and speeded up the measurement by a factor of 100 compared to using a classical pulse excitation with temporal averaging. The measurement now took seconds instead of minutes, while the ability to determine the wall thickness of the phantoms was maintained. The technique thus allows rapid noncontacting assessment of the wall thickness in coated solid tubes, such as the human bone.
Conceptualizing and investigating teachers’ knowledge for integrating content and language in content-based instruction
Authors: Morton Tom
Published: September 2016

One of the most challenging issues in all types of content-based instruction is teachers’ perceived lack of pedagogical content knowledge necessary for effective content and language integration. This is linked to a lack of adequate provision for teacher preparation in these programs. This article draws on and adapts work from the wider educational field which updates and respecifies the construct of pedagogical content knowledge. This work is used to conceptualize and provide tools for the empirical analysis of the types of knowledge required for content and language integration in the everyday tasks of teaching in content-based instruction programs. Illustrative analyses from one teacher’s practices are presented. It is argued that the combination of a conceptual, heuristic framework and grounded, situated analysis can provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of content and language integration and tools for the organization of teacher education curricula in content-based instruction programs.
Remembering and noticing
Authors: Vázquez Carranza Ariel
Published: September 2016

The present investigation uses the methodology of Conversation Analysis to study the particleahin Mexican Spanish interactions. It looks atahas a change-of-state token in remembering and noticing sequences. Similar to previous studies (e.g., Edwards and Middleton 1986; Goodwin 1987; and Drew 1989), this investigation aims to show how cognitive processes are socially organised in interaction. Three types of remembering sequences are identified and described: assisted, metacognitive, and spontaneous remembering. It is suggested that in these type of sequences,ahmarks the end of the cognitive process which is completed either with external help or with metacognitive strategies. In noticing formulations,ahmarks the realisation of something, it prefaces a noticing formulation which may work as a topic initiator or it may initiate the closing of a sequence. A noticing formulation may also work as an account of action.
Clinical and Biological Characteristics of 40 Patients With Neurosyphilis and Evaluation of Treponema pallidum Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction in Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples
Authors: Vanhaecke Clélia , Grange Philippe , Benhaddou Nadjet , Blanche Philippe , Salmon Dominique , Parize Perrine , Lortholary Olivier , Caumes Eric , Pelloux Isabelle , Epaulard Olivier , Guinard Jérôme , Dupin Nicolas ,   the Neurosyphilis network, Galimard Sophie , Chammard Timothée Boyer , Henry Benoit , Epelboin Loïc , Sedira Neila , Heron Emmanuel , Alcaraz Isabelle , Franck Nathalie , Chaussade Hélène , Lemaignen Adrien , Demangeot Claire , Petit Antoine , Gerin Magdalena , Guier Christophe , Idri Nadia , Issartel Bertrand , Lagier Etienne , Léger Anne , Mahé Isabelle , Mortier Emmanuel , Monlun Eric , Rapp Christophe , Remy Claude , Renier Laurent , Saladini Olivier , Sellal François , Serry Valérie , Weiss Laurence
Published: September 2016

Background.  Syphilis remains a significant public health problem. We conducted a prospective study to define more precisely the clinical and biological characteristics of patients with neurosyphilis (NS), and we assessed the diagnostic value of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Treponema pallidum in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples.

Methods.  From 2001 to 2013, we included 40 patients (90% men; 45% infected with human immunodeficiency virus) with NS, defined as syphilis with neurological and/or ophthalmological symptoms and CSF abnormalities.

Results.  Thirty patients (75%) had early, 5 (12.5%) had late, and 5 had meningovascular NS. Twenty-four patients (80%) with early NS had ophthalmological symptoms, 14 (47%) had neurological symptoms, and 8 (26%) had both. All patients with meningovascular NS had only neurological symptoms. All patients with late NS had neurological symptoms, and 2 (40%) also had ocular symptoms. Ophthalmological symptoms were present in 65% of all patients with NS, and neurological symptoms in 60%. Seventeen patients (42.5%) had CSF white blood cell counts >20/μL (mean, 57/μL), and 27 (67.5%) had high CSF protein levels (>0.5 g/L; mean value, 1 g/L). CSF PCR results were positive in 42%, and CSF VDRL results in 30%. The nested PCR assay had an overall sensitivity of 42.5%, a specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 77%, and a negative predictive value of 86%.

Conclusions.  Early NS is the most frequent presentation, with an overrepresentation of polymorphous ophthalmological symptoms. PCR is highly specific and of potential value when used with other biological parameters.
Plastidic phosphoglucomutase and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase mutants impair starch synthesis in rice pollen grains and cause male sterility
Authors: Lee Sang-Kyu , Eom Joon-Seob , Hwang Seon-Kap , Shin Dongjin , An Gynheung , Okita Thomas W. , Jeon Jong-Seong
Published: September 2016

To elucidate the starch synthesis pathway and the role of this reserve in rice pollen, we characterized mutations in the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, OspPGM, and the plastidic large subunit of ADP-glucose (ADP-Glc) pyrophosphorylase, OsAGPL4 . Both genes were up-regulated in maturing pollen, a stage when starch begins to accumulate. Progeny analysis of self-pollinated heterozygous lines carrying the OspPGM mutant alleles, osppgm-1 and osppgm-2 , or the OsAGPL4 mutant allele, osagpl4-1, as well as reciprocal crosses between the wild type (WT) and heterozygotes revealed that loss of OspPGM or OsAGPL4 caused male sterility, with the former condition rescued by the introduction of the WT OspPGM gene. While iodine staining and transmission electron microscopy analyses of pollen grains from homozygous osppgm-1 lines produced by anther culture confirmed the starch null phenotype, pollen from homozygous osagpl4 mutant lines, osagpl4-2 and osagpl4-3, generated by the CRISPR/Cas system, accumulated small amounts of starch which were sufficient to produce viable seed. Such osagpl4 mutant pollen, however, was unable to compete against WT pollen successfully, validating the important role of this reserve in fertilization. Our results demonstrate that starch is mainly polymerized from ADP-Glc synthesized from plastidic hexose phosphates in rice pollen and that starch is an essential requirement for successful fertilization in rice.
Increasing Infectious Endocarditis Admissions Among Young People Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Wurcel Alysse G. , Anderson Jordan E. , Chui Kenneth K. H. , Skinner Sally , Knox Tamsin A. , Snydman David R. , Stopka Thomas J.
Published: September 2016

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk for infective endocarditis (IE). Hospitalization rates related to misuse of prescription opioids and heroin have increased in recent years, but there are no recent investigations into rates of hospitalizations from injection drug use-related IE (IDU-IE). Using the Health Care and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) dataset, we found that the proportion of IE hospitalizations from IDU-IE increased from 7% to 12.1% between 2000 and 2013. Over this time period, we detected a significant increase in the percentages of IDU-IE hospitalizations among 15- to 34-year-olds (27.1%–42.0%; P < .001) and among whites (40.2%–68.9%; P < .001). Female gender was less common when examining all the IDU-IE (40.9%), but it was more common in the 15- to 34-year-old age group (53%). Our findings suggest that the demographics of inpatients hospitalized with IDU-IE are shifting to reflect younger PWID who are more likely to be white and female than previously reported. Future studies to investigate risk behaviors associated with IDU-IE and targeted harm reduction strategies are needed to avoid further increases in morbidity and mortality in this rapidly growing population of young PWID.